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A couple hours passed since the team's encounter with Zabuza. After the battle ended with Kakashi using the Water Vortex Jutsu, Zabuza was taken away by a hunter nin from the Mist and then Kakashi passed out shortly after. With Ann also unconscious, it was a challenge for the team to take them to Tazuna's home, especially with Ann's bag.
Kakashi groaned and slowly sat up. He immediately felt Ann curled into his side as he moved.
Tsunami~You’re finally awake. How are you feeling?
Kakashi~I overused my Sharingan. I’ll be out for a week.
He looked down at Ann and brushed her hair from her face.
Kakashi~How long has Ann been here? And with a blanket? I usually don’t see her with one. Odd…
Tsunami~For as long as you have. She was running a fever, so I gave her a blanket.
Ravi poked her head in.
Ravi~Hey! Sensei is awake, guys!
The rest of the team and Tazuna came into the room.
Kakashi~How long has she been out?
Sakura~Longer than you, sensei. She passed out after being thrown by that guy.
Naruto~She didn't get to see that cool water jutsu you used!
Ann groaned.
Ann~Stop talking about me…I’m right here…You're all too loud…
She pulled at Kakashi to make him lay back down and curl into him more.
Kakashi~How do you feel, Ann?
Ann~Tired. More sleep.
Tsunami~I can take you into another room, dear. I think you’ll be more comfortable there.
Ann~No…Comfortable here…
Sakura~Sensei, your Sharingan seems really powerful, but the strain doesn’t seem worth it.
Ravi~Ann’s jutsus too. Your jutsu was amazing, but that guy’s dragon was so much more powerful.
Ann~Pookie didn’t have a chance. That sellout had more chakra for Zaza…
Naruto~What the hell kind of names are Pookie and Zaza?
Ann~I didn’t say that…
Sasuke~There’s no way a man like him would name his jutsu Zaza.
Kakashi~What aren’t you telling us? You’ve always been avoidant, but there’s too many things not adding up.
Ann bit his arm, making him yell and punch her off.
Kakashi~If you’re gonna stay next to me you can’t do that!
Ann~If you don’t want me running off, you’ll stop prying!
Naruto~Where the hell are you gonna run off to, though? It’s not like you know the area. Do you?
Ravi hit the blond.
Ravi~That’s not the point. Ann can’t run off because of her condition. She’s just as weak as sensei.
He made a hum of understanding and nodded along as if he understood.
Kakashi~Fine. We’ll drop it. There’s something else I’d rather discuss anyway.
Ann scoffed, and laid back down, her back to him. But she quickly noticed that she was facing everyone else. Not liking that they’d need to look past her talk to Kakashi, she crawled over him, purposely kneeing him in the ribs, and pulled her blanket with her to have her back turned to everyone.
Kakashi sighed and turned to the team, rubbing his side.
Sasuke~What did you want to discuss?
Kakashi~Since I woke, I can't shake off this feeling that that wasn't the last time we'd see Zabuza.
Ann~He got hurt? Will they explain?
Naruto~Ehh? What do you mean?
Ravi~He's saying he doesn't think that guy is dead, idiot.
Naruto~But you checked his heart! You said he didn't have one!!
They heard Ann scoff.
Naruto~What did I say?
Ann~The Demon of the Mist, heartless? That's funny.
Kakashi~Go nap. You're not making sense.
He watched her pull up the blanket some more then turned back to the others.
Kakashi~I said he had no pulse, Naruto. That wasn't the issue though. It was how he was killed and how he was taken away.
Sakura~Why does that matter? I thought you said that was a hunter nin's job? They dispose of the bodies, right?
Kakashi~Yes, but Zabuza was apparently killed with senbon needles to the back of the neck. It'd take a lot of skill and precision to sever the spinal column from that spot. There's other methods that are more effective in guaranteeing that.
Ravi~That's true. I sometimes hear Ann reviewing anatomy and some of the facts she spews out scares me.
Sakura~Please don't repeat it. I don’t want to know which of her threats are actually accurate…
Kakashi~Anyways, the other issue is that Zabuza was taken away. Bodies are usually disposed of on the spot. If confirmation was needed they'd only need something small like a hand, the skull, or some other uniquely identifying marker.
Sasuke~So, what you're saying is that that hunter nin could be an accomplice and they're walking free to attack us again?
Naruto~That doesn't make sense though! He was dead!
Kakashi~He only appeared dead. Putting someone in a state of suspended animation is not farfetched or unheard of.
Sakura thought for a moment, then raised her hands to signal Kakashi that she had a question and to be quiet. Kakashi nodded for her to continue. She started to blink a certain way, but stopped after a few blinks when Ann spoke up.
Ann~I know Morse code too. I can hear you spelling my name with your blinking.
Naruto~That's still creepy how well you hear things…

The door opened and closed, and they all looked at who came in.
Tazuna~Inari! Where have you been? Come say hi to the ninja that brought your grandpa home.
Inari~It's pointless for you guys to be here. Gato and his men are just gonna wipe you out for staying!
Naruto~That's what you think! I'm gonna be the next Hokage! That means no one is gonna stand in my way. I'm gonna take down this Gato guy myself!
Inari~That's stupid. Just go back home to wherever you came from!
Tsunami~Inari!
He was already walking off to go upstairs.
Naruto~Arg! That stupid brat! Why I oughta–
Kakashi~Shut up, Naruto. Focus back on me. We need to train so you guys are ready for the next encounter.
Sakura~There's no way! You can barely move and who knows how long Ann will take to recover.
Kakashi~That doesn’t mean I can’t do anything, Sakura.
Sasuke~And it won't just be a half-assed attempt before you pass out?
Kakashi~You're starting to think like Ann and Ravi. I CAN still teach you guys. It'll make you three a step closer to them.
Naruto~Ehhh? You mean Ann and Ravi are gonna sit back and relax?!
Kakashi~No. They'll be guarding Tazuna. I don't expect those Mist ninjas to make a move anytime soon. Zabuza will likely need time to recover too.
Tazuna~So my protection is being reduced to the hothead and a weakling?
Ann stood up and growled.
Ann~I'm not weak. I'm the furthest thing from weak! Do you have any idea how much I hold back every ******** day?!
She collapsed over Kakashi, breathing hard and unconscious.
Tsunami~She needs a lot more rest, and a thicker blanket.
Kakashi~She's running a fever. Why would a thicker blanket help?
Tsunami~O-oh…Right, you're fire ninja. She looked cold. Here, kids her age and younger run hot for their fevers but their body doesn’t retain heat.
Kakashi~Hmm…I trust your judgement. I'd rather not risk her getting worse. Those aren't common symptoms of Fire Country, especially around the Leaf Village. Where was Ann born then?
Tsunami nodded and went to get another blanket. Ravi helped Kakashi move Ann back to where she was a moment ago and made sure the blankets were covering her.
Ravi~Sensei, can you feel her chakra? I think she used whatever was left trying to intimidate the old man.
Kakashi~I don’t. Hopefully this doesn't turn into one of her 24-hour naps. She still needs to eat and hydrate to properly recover. Sakura, what were you trying to ask now that she's actually unconscious?
Sakura~Don’t you find it odd how Ann and Zabuza are acting? He didn't outright kill her when he could. And she knew a lot about him and the Mist. The academy text books don't cover international politics that extensively…or that brutally for that matter…
Kakashi~That has been bugging me. Since the Demon Brothers, actually. Ravi, has Ann told you anything about her past?
Ravi~No, it's never come up. We tend to exchange stories, so if she says something about before the academy years I will too, but we already agreed that it's off limits for discussion
Naruto~Hey sensei, when she summoned that dragon, didn't she mention something about her family name? or was I hearing things?
Kakashi~You heard correctly. I still wonder who her uncle is. The most she's ever shared before shutting down is that he's trained her. Zabuza reacted to that name drop too. Ann even mentioned her mother, but all other times denied ever knowing her.
Tazuna~Just how well do you know that girl to allow her on your team still?
Sakura~She's been with us since the academy.
Sasuke~Anything before her enrollment no one knows.
Naruto~I think old man hokage knows though…He always gives her special treatment…

A couple hours later Ann woke, tucked into the bedding Kakashi was using. She looked across the room to see everyone eating.
Ann~How long have I been sleeping?
Ravi~Not long. It's only been 6 hours since you collapsed.
Tsunami~Only?
Sakura~Ann can sleep like a log. The longest I've seen her go was 14 hours.
Ann~Where's the bathroom? And is there still something to eat?
Naruto~I hope you have more. It sounds like she's hungry…
Ravi~Come on, Ann, the bathroom is this way.
She led Ann down the hall.
Tazuna~I barely saw her eat on the way here. How much can she eat?
Kakashi~Considering her level of exhaustion was worse than mine, she's going to need all the calories to recover. I have some extra rations that'll help her too. I won't let her clean you out.

Ann~Will you wait for me?
Ravi~Uh…Sure. Is something wrong?
Ann~I have something to tell you, after though.
Ravi nodded and waited by the door while Ann did her thing. When she was done, Ann pulled her into the bathroom with her.
Ann~Will you still keep my secrets no matter what, until the end of this when I can tell them?
Ravi~Yeah Ann, anything.
Ann~So, you know how you guys keep noticing something weird between me and Zabuza?
Ravi~Yeah. It's starting to get creepy. Do you like him or something?
Ann~Ew, no. He's my uncle. He raised me since I was a baby until I came to the leaf.
Ravi~What?! So you're from the Mist too?!
Ann~Keep it down! Yes, I am. There was a lot of political bullshit that I still don't really understand. Hokage's known the deal with me since before I arrived.
Ravi~That explains why he's so lenient with you, and by extension me.
Ann~Yeah. Everyone who knows my story are terrified of my mother.
Ravi~Your mom must be infamous too. Hey, I know you were passed out, but there was a hunter nin that took away Zabuza. Do you know who that could be?
Ann~It might be Haku. I hope it's Haku. That bunny Naruto almost hit was our pet. I don't think Zabuza would have cared for it without him being present.
Ravi~What do you mean by not present?
Ann paused, trying to think of a way to explain without scaring her about the truth of ninja culture. She spoke slowly.
Ann~Ninjas are tools, weapons to be used. Some cultures follow that to the letter. Zabuza still grew up in the Mist during its most brutal times. He just made sure I didn't have to follow that.
Ravi~Oh…So, what now then? Are you gonna sneak out?
Ann~I'm considering it...but sensei might be on the look out
Ravi~I don’t think you should do anything tonight then. Save it for tomorrow, after detail duty. You still need to rest.
Ann~Yeah. Zabuza would just yell at me anyway.
Ravi~Kakashi will too. You know this.
They shared a light laugh as they made their way back to the dining area.

The next morning after breakfast, Kakashi reminded them of their assignments.
Tsunami~Are you sure that girl is fit to go? She still looks feverish.
Ann~I'm fine. You guys let me sleep for almost 12 hours. I can function.
Kakashi~Just take it easy. Your chakra is still recovering. You might be standing better than me, but that can change easily if you over do it. You're only to observe and protect the bridge builder by escaping with him.
Ann~That's no fun.
Tazuna~Are you sure that one is capable? After yesterday…
Ann~Whatever the customer is comfortable with. I'm happy to stay here instead if you'd rather the pyro be by herself. With lots of flammable material. And no one to manage her tinkering fixation to blow things up.
She gave Ravi a wink to signal that it was an act.
Kakashi~I was wondering when she'd get emotional revenge from that boat trip.
Tazuna~Wha…She…
Ann~I'm not gonna deal with someone who thinks I'm incapable. I'll go back upstairs.
Tazuna~Wait! No, you're fine. I'd rather have another bodyguard.
Kakashi~Now that that's settled, do you guys have any questions?
Sakura~How is it that Ann is in better condition than you, sensei? You said that she used more chakra?
Kakashi~The easiest answer is that you guys are still kids. You guys generally recover faster.
Naruto groaning~So there’s a complicated answer?
Kakashi~Yes, but the explanation is easy. My Sharingan is just physically straining. Ann, Ravi, remember restraint.
Ann and Ravi~Yes, sensei.
They separated and followed Tazuna to the unfinished bridge while the rest of their team headed to the forest for chakra training.
Tazuna~I know you held your own against the enemy ninja, but what about you?
Ravi~I can manipulate fire. I’m really good with explosives too.
Tazuna~So that wasn’t a lie…
Ann~I don’t lie. I avoid certain truths. Big difference.
Tazuna~Hopefully I don’t have to babysit these two…It sounds like they’d stick a fork in the socket just to see what would happen…