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The day for Ann’s departure to the Leaf soon came. The days leading up to it involved repacking her bag to include the bow clip set she always wore, the kimono she got from Christmas, some extra weapons that Zabuza insisted she take, the felt sculpture that Haku made, and other necessities like clothes and rations. Zabuza even made sure the photo they took was safely wrapped and tucked away in her bag.
He actually got two copies of the photo they took. He gave one to Ann, and the other was for him and Haku. Zabuza gave the second for her to open so she knew what he got her. Ann started to bawl and took over an hour to console, even with the prospect of ice cream. Once she finally calmed down, Ann refused to leave either of their sides for longer than a few minutes at a time for the rest of the day.

Zabuza took them past the hamlet and to the northern edge of the province.
Ann~This…this is it?...
Zabuza~Yeah. This is as far as I can take you.
Ann held his hand tighter.
Haku~You'll be okay. You won't forget us. We won't forget you.
He hugged her. Ann slowly let go of Zabuza to tightly hug him back.
Ann~You won't?
Haku~Never.
He stayed hugging her until she let go. Ann moved back to tug at Zabuza's shirt and he knelt down to hug her. She pulled at him for a tighter hug, hicupping.
Zabuza~Pretending to not have a relationship with me is not going to change that you're always going to be my brat.
Ann~E-even if we meet again i-i-in the future?
Zabuza~Even if that happens. You're my kid, no matter what, even if we need to put up an act. At the end of the day, I'm still your uncle.
Ann~Okay, Zabi…I love you…
Zabuza sighed and kissed her head.
Zabuza~I…I do too…
She sniffled and choked back a sob, nodding.
He tightened his hug for a moment, petting her head.
Zabuza~Ann…I… *quietly* I love you too…
She cried, trying hard not to be too loud. Haku came to join the hug.
They stayed that way for a short while longer then Ann pulled away first. She wiped her eyes.
Ann~I wish you could come with me…
Zabuza~I know. You'll be safe. You know how to fight. I trust in your abilities.
Haku~Take advantage of being a child. If the Leaf is as soft as Zabuza says they are, it won't take a lot of effort for you to get help or protection so you don't have to show your true strength.
Ann giggled and nodded. Zabuza checked the sky and quietly sighed.
Zabuza~It’s getting late. I want you in the next town before nightfall.
He stood up and Ann slowly turned to start walking. Zabuza and Haku stood steadfast to watch her leave. When Ann stopped turning to watch them was when they finally turned to go home.
Haku~I'm glad you finally told her.
Zabuza~Shut up, brat…
He gave the boy a light nudge.
Zabuza~I know she needed to hear it. It wasn't easy to say it…

Ann traveled for five days, a day longer than what Zabuza estimated because she needed an extra day of rest. When she rested, she slept with the felt bunny that Haku made and kept a hand on the wrapped photo too.
When Ann got to the gates and saw its size and the buildings within, she froze.
Ann~How do I find the hokage? This village is huge…
She slowly walked through, and there was a marked desk nearby. Ann cautiously approached.
Ann~Excuse me?
The two ninjas looked forward before looking down at her. Ann saw the name tags.
Genma~How can we help you? Are you lost?
Ann~I-I wanted to know where I could find the hokage, please.
Raido~He's usually busy with a lot of things. Do you have a meeting with him?
Ann~Sorta? My…my guardian told me to find the hokage.
Genma~Where is your guardian?
Ann~He couldn't make it…
Genma~Oh…I'm sorry, kid. Hey, you look like you've been traveling for a while. Why don't you stay here for a little bit? I'll get someone to fill my spot and I'll take you to the hokage, yeah?
Ann~N-no, I don't–
Raido~Don’t worry, kid. It's almost his lunch anyway. It won't be a problem.
Ann~Okay…Thank you.

They had given Ann a water bottle as she waited. It wasn't too long before another ninja came and Genma signaled Ann to follow him through the village. It took a bit of time to get to the admin building as Genma spoke the whole way about places to eat at, where to shop, and local spots where kids hang out at.
They eventually got to the mission room, and Ann continued to follow Genma to the back of the room and around the desk to the hokage.
Genma~Lord Hokage, you have a guest to see.
Hiruzen hummed and looked past Genma, expecting to see an adult, but instead saw Ann. His eyes widened slightly, but he quickly put on a smiling poker face.
Hiruzen~A spitting image of Ane. Luckily most of my ninja who would recognize her are still actively sent out of the village for missions. Ah, yes. Thank you, Genma. You may carry on with your duties. Child, come with me to my office. We can have some tea and biscuits there.
Ann~Yes, sir.
Genma had already gone, and the hokage stood from his seat.
Hiruzen~I'll return soon. Come along, little one.
Ann followed him out and down the hall. She heard him tell his secretary to bring refreshments before following him inside the office and sitting at the indicated chair.
Ann~I noticed that you recognized me…
Hiruzen~Yes, I worked with your mother to arrange this for you. I still need something from you first, though.
Ann nodded and opened her bag to pull out the scroll then passed it over. Hiruzen saw a peach stamp and his wax seal on it. He opened it and read through the agreement he worked out with Ane years prior.
Hiruzen~Perfect. Everything is already arranged, and you can start the academy as soon as tomorrow if you're ready. You can start after you get settled too.
Ann~Where am I staying?
Hiruzen~Your mother has a modest apartment ready for you, and she set up a funding account so that you'll receive a weekly allowance for necessities. We'll talk later about how you can get more if other expenses are needed like when you outgrow your clothes.
Ann~Okay. Are you going to take me or will I have an escort?
Hiruzen~I'll take you. If you do need an escort, I'll assign Genma to you. You two seemed to have hit it off.
Ann~He's nice. Does he always talk a lot?
Hiruzen~If he likes someone. You must've made a good impression on him. He doesn't warm up easily to new people.
Ann blushed~O-oh…Is that a good thing?
Hiruzen~It is. You'll make friends easily.
There was a knock and the secretary from earlier came in with a tray. Hiruzen thanked her after it was set down and she left again.
Ann~You said I'll be in the academy. So, I'll be a ninja?
Hiruzen~Yes, but you don't have to be a ninja as I can change it if you want that. That's just where you're enrolled in right now.
Ann~No, I want that. I…I think there's a chance to see my uncle again that way…
Hiruzen~Possible. Unlikely, but possible.
He poured some tea then offered her a cup and the biscuits. Ann took the cup and slowly took a sip. She made a face and put it back on the table.
Hiruzen~Too hot?
Ann~It's too bitter. I don't like it.
She took a biscuit and nibbled on it. The man chuckled.
Hiruzen~That's okay. Many children don't like tea, Ann.
She snapped a look. She hadn't told him her name yet.
Hiruzen~Your mother told me when she was expecting to have you. Your full name is in the scroll too, but I don't think I could ever say your full name. It's quite long.
Ann~Oh. Okay. You didn't use that for my enrollment, right?
Hiruzen~No, no. It's just Ann, no last name. Would you like to see your apartment?
Ann~Yes, please. Can we get something to eat too?
Hiruzen~We can. I'm hungry too.