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Ann slept on and off for the next two days. On the third day she stayed at the table after they had breakfast.
Sakura~Are you rested enough now?
Ann~I think so…I still feel…off…
Kakashi~Go slow, then. Your emotions might still be catching up. Take it easy for the next few days.
Ann~Okay.
Ravi~Hey, Ann, if you're up for it, can I ask you something about your uncle?
Ann nodded.
Ravi~How did he become a missing ninja?
Ann~What did sensei say?
Ravi~Answer without an answer.
Kakashi~There's information in the books and then there's truth. I'm not giving a book answer if there's a chance for first hand experience.
Ravi~You could have said that than dodge the answer, sensei.
Naruto~So, is there a story, Ann?
Ann~Yeah. I lived through it actually.
She ran her hand through her hair.
Ann~I was 5. Haku was 9. Zabuza took us with him when he tried to kill the Mizukage.
She unknowingly scratched at her hands as she continued.
Ann~Someone betrayed Zabuza and he knew we were going to be there. We ran, killed a few Maws, and escaped to the mainland.
Sakura~What's a Maw?
Ann~They're the personal dogs of the Mizukage. They're the best of the best from the Abyssal soldiers.
Sasuke~Didn’t you say Abyssal when we first met Zabuza? Right after saying something about the ANBU?
Ann nodded.
Kakashi~So I did hear you correctly. What each country calls their ANBU isn’t exactly stressed in the curriculum. I thought it was odd when she said that. Is this a stress tic from the coup?
He pulled her hands apart, and she nodded.
Kakashi~I'm pretty sure I can guess the details. We can talk any time you need to.
Ann nodded again.
Ann~Anything else?
Sakura~Is this the truth that you mentioned before the bell test?
Ann~It isn’t everything yet. I just don’t have to hide this from you guys anymore. Zabi and Haku died with everything else I don’t know.
She sighed and wiped her eyes.
Ann~Maybe I’ll sleep for a little longer…
She got up before anyone could say something and headed back upstairs.
Kakashi~Don’t worry guys. Like I said, her emotions are probably still catching up. Carry on with the same routine. I’ll check on her now before she falls back asleep.
They nodded slowly.
Naruto~Wait, does this mean Ravi loses cuz Ann is going back to bed?
Kakashi shook his head as he followed after Ann.

Kakashi knocked on the door and opened it a crack.
Kakashi~May I come in?
He waited a few moments before finally hearing Ann approve. He came inside and sat next to her bedding.
Kakashi~I wanted to make sure you were okay.
Ann~Yeah…I’m fine…I just felt tired again, sensei. I just want to sleep.
She pulled up the blankets. He frowned, but still brushed her hair back.
Kakashi~You’re not feverish again, right? You never sleep with blankets.
Ann~No. It’s cooler here. I’m not worried about sweating through my clothes.
Kakashi~Alright. I’ll leave you to sleep. Just remember that we’re here for you.
She nodded again. Without anything else from her, he patted her shoulder and left the room.

Later in the afternoon, Ann got dressed and went outside with Kubikiribocho onto the docks. She practiced her sword forms and eventually Kakashi joined her outside, observing.
Kakashi~Well it's no wonder she was good with a sword during their academy years. It also explains why she always held the katanas as if it had more weight. She expected it.
Ann~Did you need something, sensei?
Kakashi~She's still being polite. That's worrying…You haven't had lunch yet. I wanted to spot you, just in case.
Ann~I'm fine. Bobo isn't heavy for me. Not like when I was small. I can one-hand it now.
Kakashi~I thought that sword had a longer name?
Ann~Kubikiribocho is tedious. Bobo is easier.
Kakashi~You sure like nicknames. I'm surprised you didn't give each of us one.
Ann~I don’t need to. Your names aren't long.
She switched hands and mirrored the forms.
Kakashi~Are you going to do this for the rest of the day?
Ann~I haven't decided yet. It's comforting though.
Kakashi~Just try not to overdo it. You could still end up hurting yourself from overexertion. Your stitches are still healing.
Ann~I forgot those were there. That explains why my back feels stiff. I won't. I'm not sparring anyone.
She paused, holding the blade in position.
Kakashi~Ann?
Ann~It's nothing. I'm ready to go back inside…How did I forget what sequence goes next? I practice that everyday…
She took a moment to look at the blade before heading inside. Kakashi followed behind her.
Kakashi~Will you come eat?
Ann~I'm not hungry…Maybe dinner…
She went back to her room and sat with the sword on her lap. She stared at the blade for a few minutes, not realizing the tears running down her face.
Ann~Zabi…I wish you were still here…I need you…

In the evening, Ann ate dinner with everyone, then went to the side with Zabuza’s word and a sharpening stone.
Sakura~What kind of stuff do you have in your bag? How does it even hold all of your stuff?
Ann~A lot of things. Mostly tools and weapons. If you roll your clothes you can fit more stuff in your bag.
She picked at the edge, then nicked her finger. Kakashi flinched but stopped himself when she didn’t continue to hurt herself. Ann placed her hand on the sword to bleed on while her other hand started to sharpen it.
Naruto~Wh-why did you do that?
Ann~Kubikiribocho has a special ability. It can repair itself with iron from blood. It’s scratched up.
Tazuna~That’s really creepy…Do I need to worry?
Ann~No. I don’t like killing people. It doesn’t feel good. You lose yourself a little when you take a life.
Ravi~Ann? Did…Was the bridge…Are you okay?
Ann~I’m okay. Those thugs weren’t good people. There isn’t guilt for their lives. But I still don’t like the act.
Sasuke~Have you before?
Ann~Zabuza would have died years ago if I didn’t kill those Maws. He was fending off four of them. I killed three.
She turned the blade around to work on the other side.
Kakashi~I was afraid she killed someone as a child…I didn’t expect three consecutive people.
Naruto~You…But– Why?
Ann~The coup failed, remember? We ran. The plan was to go to the west docks to leave the Mist. Zabuza was trying to buy us time. Haku tried to follow directions. I went back and saved Zabuza.
She wiped her face and stared at her hand. Ann didn’t realize she was crying.
Ann~Oh. Huh. I’m okay, guys.
Ann went back to sharpening the sword. The team looked at each other uncomfortably.

The next few days as the bridge came closer and closer to finishing, Ann became more and more compliant, which didn’t go unnoticed by the team. They didn't know how to help, and Kakashi instructed them to give her space but still keep her company if she allowed their proximity.

When the bridge was finally completed and they got to say their heartfelt goodbyes, the walk home was fairly quiet.
Naruto~Hey, Ann? How heavy are those swords?
Ann~Heavier than a standard katana.
Sakura~Aren’t you tired? It’s been hours already.
Ann~It’s okay. It doesn’t bother me.
Sasuke~Have your stitches healed though?
Ann~It feels like it. I don’t think I’ve removed any of them yet. I should look at them soon.
Kakashi~Let’s take a break. I’d like to look at your back, if you allow it.
Ann nodded. They gather to the side of the path and set their things down. Ann drove both swords into the ground before taking off her bag.
Kakashi~Grab something to eat first, Ann. I’ll take a look once you’re settled.
He watched her nodded again and sat down to pull out a protein bar from her bag. Kakashi quietly sighed as he sat behind her and lifted her shirt up.
Sakura~She didn’t even hit him. Ann would’ve still wanted a warning even if she knew he was gonna do that…
Ravi~So? How does it look?
Kakashi~It looks irritated from your bag, Ann. I think we can remove the stitches to alleviate it a bit.
Ann~Do you have sterile tools? It’ll get infected since the skin around the threads will still be open.
Naruto~Have you always known that much medicine?
Ann~Yes. I know enough to kill a person 20 different ways if I tried hard enough. I could also keep you from bleeding out if I had the right tools.
Naruto paled.
Kakashi~Easy, Ann. The competence is good, but you need to be gentler.
Ann~Yes, sensei. And the tools?
Kakashi~I have some stuff to make it sterile. I have a good medical kit that can take care of most emergencies.
He pulled out the kit and retrieved some alcohol wipes, a pair of scissors, and a pair of tweezers. He disinfected the tools and started to remove the stitching.
Sasuke~Other than the irritation, it’s mostly healed?
Kakashi~Yes. The injuries themselves have healed. Ann, will you be able to handle your front stitches?
Ann~Yes, sensei.
He sighed again from her politeness.