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The work day was uneventful for Ann and Ravi. They spent most of the day practicing their techniques without chakra.
When the sun started to set that evening was when they went back to Tazuna's home, stopping at the market first.
Ravi~There…there really isn't a lot here.
Tazuna~I did say the country was poor.
Ann~There's wild animals, right? We can always hunt them.
Ravi~Have you hunted before?
Ann~Yeah. Well…tracked. Didn't need the resources, so didn't need to kill it.
Tazuna~You'd need to go into the forest. Maybe your team will see some. We'll get what we can though.
They went together to the outside stalls, trying to find something they could use to cook. When leaving one of the stalls, Ann had turned and bumped into a person.
Ann~Hey, I'm sorry. I should have looked first.
She looked up and then paused, almost recognizing him.
Boy~It's okay. Here, something for the trouble.
He pulled out a wrapped peach from his pink yukata. It was already cut in half, with the pit still in it, then walked away. Ann was still standing in place when Ravi came back for her.
Ravi~Are you okay? You look like you saw a ghost. Where'd that peach come from?
Ann~I bumped into a boy. He gave this to me then ******** off. This is definitely a signal. Was that Haku?
Tazuna~Hey! Let's get going already!
The girls went back to Tazuna and they headed back.
Ann~There's something I need to check out…
Ravi~Did it have something to do with the peach?
She nodded. She never had that signal used before, but it had been ingrained with how frequently Zabuza made her recite it.
Ravi~Sneaking out or tell sensei?
Ann~Need to tell him. Hokage still expects me to report to him…
Ravi~If he says no?
Ann~Go anyway. I'm not asking for permission.
Ravi~You'll be safe?
Tazuna~What are you two whispering on about?
Ann~Rockets with aspirin as a fuel source.
Tazuna~Sorry I asked…Those two are crazy…

Back at the house, Ann lingered by the entryway, looking at the peach again.
Sakura~Ann? Are you okay?
Ann~Huh? Yeah, yeah…is sensei here?
Kakashi~Is something wrong?
Ann~For you, maybe. I need to go out.
Kakashi~We talk first. Step outside.
She stepped back out and waited as Kakashi hobbled out.
Sakura~Do you know what happened?
Ravi~Not really. Ann got a random peach.

Kakashi~I need a reason to trust you if you're gonna ignore what I say anyway. Hierarchy perception can and will break down team dynamics if you're always hostile towards me and act out of control.
Ann~I…Hokage said if I reported to you, I could do my thing.
Kakashi~Fine. Hokage sanctioned it. But what is your thing though?
Ann~I need to see someone.
Kakashi~Is there anything more you can say?
Ann~No, not until we finish this mission.
Kakashi~Whatever you're keeping could jeopardize this mission. It would be better to tell now before it's too late
Ann~But by telling you, you won't do your duty as jounin
Kakashi~Why wouldn't I?
Ann~Cuz you'll try protecting me over the bridge builder. It's also better you know less right now.
Kakashi~Because if I know, then I'll be forced to act?
Ann~Yes.
Kakashi~Fine. You tell me you leave and when you return, no exceptions. No overnight excursions either. Just come back the way you left, safe.
Ann~Okay. I can do that.
Kakashi patted her head. She moved to hug him and he wrapped his arms around her too. After another moment, Kakashi let her go.
Kakashi~Come back safe. And watch your chakra consumption.
Ann~I will, I will.
She hopped off by rooftop.

Ann arrived back at the marketplace and walked the path she saw the boy took. She inspected what she could without looking out of place. Then right by an alley, easily missed if she wasn't looking for something, was a peach stamped paper. She slipped down the alley and followed it out of town and straight to the tree line. Ann only passed through a few trees before she turned and pulled out a kunai. The boy raised his hands.
Boy~It’s me, Ann.
Ann~I don’t believe it.
Boy~Annaliesalayoshi.
Ann dropped the kunai, and they hugged.
Ann~You really grew out your hair, Haku.
Haku~You did too. Is it because you looked too much like Zabuza?
Ann~Just a little bit. How’s Zabi?
Haku~He won’t admit it, but he’s really worried about you. He also didn’t like that I made him “die” by the neck. He’s still tender there, so be careful.
They started walking to the safehouse, catching up. After a while, they arrived to where the ex-Mist nins were staying and went inside.
Zabuza~Haku, who did you bring?
He struggled to sit up in bed to see.
Ann~Hi, Zabi.
Zabuza~You stupid brat. Come here…
She ran to him and hugged him tight. He swallowed a groan to let her hold onto him.
Haku~You two catch up. I’m going to change.
Zabuza~How are you feeling? I didn’t expect you to be moving this soon already.
Ann~Better you and Kakashi. I was doing detail duty with Ravi.
Zabuza~Good to know that stupid Copycat is also out of commission…
Ann~Still sound jealous…
Zabuza~Shut it. When do you need to go back?
Ann~He only said no overnights. So, probably better before it gets too dark.
Zabuza~You do know I’ll need to discipline you next time, right?
She pulled back and hit him.
Ann~No. You turned into a sellout. Why?
Zabuza~It's complicated.
She hit him again.
Ann~I don’t want a sidestep answer. I'm not a little kid. Tell me.
Zabuza~Fine. Stop hitting me.
He settled back in bed while Ann moved to sit next to him.
Zabuza~We had to take what we could get to survive. Getting jobs as mercenaries became necessary.
Ann stayed quiet, waiting for him to continue. After a few moments Zabuza rolled his eyes and continued.
Zabuza~You’re a brat for remembering that trick. I also needed information and connections back into the Mist because of Yagura. I needed reliable sources. Gato was the least complicated at my disposal.
Ann~What happened to Mei?
Zabuza~Lost communication. Everything we already established is either compromised or she's dead. I haven't had confirmation on either since she stopped responding to me. I moved on.
Ann~I wish there was something else you could have done…
He scoffed.
Zabuza~It'd be a miracle. Or Mei becoming Mizukage, assuming she's alive. I'd sooner bet on a miracle.
Haku returned, dressed in his green yukata.
Ann~Are you going somewhere?
Haku~I wanted to walk you back partway when it was time to go. You don’t know the area and I'd rather you not get turned around.
Ann~Okay…What would it take for you guys to not kill the bridge builder?…
He paused.
Zabuza~Ann, hide. Now.
Ann hopped over him to the other side of the bed and sat on the ground before Gato as his henchmen walked in. She made sure not to rustle the blanket and stayed below the edge.
Gato~Holy hell, you look like s**t. You got your s**t rocked and limped back home like a kicked puppy.
He chuckled and came to Zabuza.
Gato~Pathetic that you can't even avenge your men. Tell me why you failed. I know you’re awake.
Gato reached out to pull the covers, but Haku grabbed his arm and squeezed with chakra, making him scream.
Haku~Do not touch him with your filthy hands.
Zouri and Waraji went to draw their swords, but their hands were empty. Haku had appeared behind them, taking their own weapons and placing it to their necks.
Haku~I will kill you if you continue. I’m not in the mood to play games.
He threw swords to the side and walked back as Gato retreated to his henchmen.
Gato~This is your last chance! If you fail again, I’m cutting you off and ending your life!
The three left in a hurry.
Ann~So that’s Gato…You work for that piece of s**t?
Zabuza~Stop swearing. Your mission that brought you here is no different. Contracts make the world spin, Ann. He has services that I need, and in exchange I provide services that he needs. He needs the bridge builder dead.
Ann~But if he isn’t present to pay you anyway?
Zabuza~I don’t kill for pleasure, brat. Not since your mother dumped you on me at least…
Ann~Hey!
She hit him again.
Haku~Ann, stop hitting your uncle. He’s still recovering.
Ann~He made it sound like he didn’t want me!
Haku~You know that isn’t true.
He walked around the bed and kissed her head.
Haku~We love you, Ann. Zabuza may not have wanted you in the beginning, but you know he chose you in the end.
Zabuza~Ugh, shut up, Haku. You’re getting saccharine…
Ann~Be nice to him! You’d be dead if it weren’t for him!
She went to hit him again, but Haku flicked her, making her stop.
Ann~Hey…
Haku~You can fight again another time. Spend some proper time with Zabuza before you have to go back for the night. You have some time. It’s too soon after Gato to head out now.
Ann sighed but agreed. She got on the bed with Zabuza again and cuddled into his side.
Ann~I still love you guys…
Zabuza~Yeah. I know, Ann. I do too…

As the next few days passed, Ann helped protect Tazuna, and even helped build and carry stuff as her strength returned, and Kakashi let her go out as long as she returned by curfew from her visits. That morning when they arrived at the bridge, some of the workers were gathered in a circle.
Tazuna~What happened?
Sakura~Stay back. It might be a trap. Ann, Ravi?
Ravi~On it. Let's go.
Ann nodded and they approached. They cleared the workers out of the way and they found a large sword laying on top of a crate. There was a wrapped half-peach with the pit still in it as well.
Ann~Sakura, it's safe. The old man can come to work.
They came over and Tazuno told his crew to get back to work.
Tazuna~Is this a threat?
Ann~No, the complete opposite. It's a gift.
Sakura~For who?
Ann~Me. You know how my bag has a peach stamp on it?
Sakura~That seems like a stretch though. H-how…
Ann~You're just gonna need to trust me.
Ravi~This sword looks better than that short sword you had anyways. You always seem to have the wrong balance with it.
Ann~Because it was for the wrong sword.
Ann picked it up with both hands, and tested the weight with just one.
Ann~It's lighter than I remember it.
She ran her hand along the swirling design.
Ravi~You've used it before? When?
Ann~I was still 4. I was barely able to hold it then.
They quietly stared at her. With her armed, they didn't want to give her a reason to swing.

By early afternoon, Tazuna sent the rest of his workers home.
Tazuna~Girls, let's go. The work day is done. Everyone is too spooked from the sword.
Sakura~I don’t blame them. If Ann wasn't here, I'd prioritize going back.
Ravi~Good thing she is here and didn't sleep in.
Ann~Hey, I've been good about my sleep. Tazuna, do you need to bring home food?
Tazuna~Eh? Yeah.
Ann~Let me do it. Work is done early.
Sakura~But Ann…
Ann~There's pickpockets, and I learned you need to know where to look to get something decent. Plus, intimidation factor is through the roof with this thing.
She grinned mischievously.
Ann~How easily do you think I could scare Naruto?
Ravi giggled and Sakura facepalmed.
Ravi~Are you sure you don't want one of us to come?
Ann~It's fine. I'll be back soon. I still have to report to sensei if I go anywhere outside of what's allowed. The market is allowed.
Sakura~Just take care then.
Tazuna~And if you find the black market, be careful.
Ann smiled and waved them off as she left.
Sakura~Has she told you anything?
Ravi~I don’t know what you're talking about.
Tazuna~I shouldn't be too worried right?
Sakura~Just don't anger either of them. They…do things…
Tazuna~That brat with the sword seems scarier than the other with rockets now…

After an hour or so, Ann came back with a few small bags of ingredients, checked in with Kakashi, dropped off her sword, and then left again.
Kakashi~I know Sakura and Ravi warned me about the sword, but they didn't say it was gonna be large…
Tsunami~Do you ever wonder where she goes?
Kakashi~Hm? I have a hunch but to follow her here is not in our best interest. Anyways she's been doing her job and following orders. I wouldn't be surprised Ravi has been told, but it'll also be bad to pester her
Tsunami~It seems like they've caused you a lot of trouble.
Kakashi~More than you know. But they're reliable.