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When they finally got to the village gates, Kakashi told the team he would report in and then dismissed them. He stopped Ann before she could walk off.
Kakashi~Let me walk you home and help carry one of the swords.
Ann~No thank you. I'm fine.
Kakashi~I insist.
Ann~You still need to report to hokage.
She turned away and headed home. Kakashi called after her.
Kakashi~I'll come by to check on you and the others.
He saw her wave her hand to acknowledge that she heard him. Kakashi sighed once again and left for the mission room first.

Once Ann was home, she laid her sword on the dining table and went to the bathroom to shower. She took her time to pull out the stitches from her chest and stomach, and then she paused at the mirror and stared. Her long hair reminded her of the picture of her mother in her locket, but she didn't feel a connection. Ann had already mourned her loss of never being able to know her when she was small. As she stared, she saw the features that overlapped with her uncle.
They had the same scowl, similar facial structures, and even nose. She found it interesting how he was near identical to her mother, and by extension how she was near identical to him. It made her wonder how no one recognized her when she was small.
She moved her hair, and didn't like how it sat. Ann grumbled, grabbed a kunai from her clothes, and started to cut off her hair by the handful, ruffling her hair a few times to see how it looked.
When she finished, she let the kunai clatter in the sink, cleaned up her hair, and then stepped into the shower.

A couple hours later, Kakashi swung by and knocked on the door. He waited a few moments before reaching into his pocket for his keys. Before he got to pull it out, the door cracked open.
Ann~Did you need something, sensei?
Kakashi~I wanted to see how you were. I also brought you something to eat.
Ann~I'm fine. I'm not hungry right now.
Kakashi~Oh, did you eat already?
Ann~I'm not hungry right now, sensei.
She shut the door.
Kakashi~Ann, wait. I know you can hear me. I need to see that you're okay. I'll go after that, or I can come inside and sit with you all night.
He was reaching into his pocket again when the door opened. Her jaw was clenched, brows slightly furrowed, and her hair was short. She could have passed for a young Zabuza if she had a mask.
Ann~I'm fine. I'm not injured. Please go home, sensei.
Kakashi~Your hands?
She held them out. There was no evidence of continued scratching, but the abrasions from earlier that week were still faintly present.
Ann~Your wrists.
Kakashi~I've been clean for years. Nothing new on me.
He showed her his wrists, and even pulled his gloves past his palms to show he wasn't hiding anything either.
Kakashi~Did you remove the rest of your stitches?
Ann~I did. Then showered. It's fine. Are we done now?
Kakashi sighed but nodded.
Kakashi~Remember that my place is always open to you if you need someone. I understand loss better than you think.
Ann sternly~I'm fine. Good night, sensei.
She closed the door and this time he heard the lock click.
Kakashi~I'll check on you in the morning. We have a few days off before we get back into training and missions.
He hesitated before he jumped off.

Kakashi arrived at the Oli compound and entered the main house from the back door. He walked in on Ravi grabbing a snack in the kitchen.
Kakashi~Hey, Ravi. Is your brother home?
Ravi~Hey, sensei. He's in the living room. Are you okay?
Kakashi~Ann is…She's not…Have you two had interactions that you'd consider normal in the last week?
Ravi~No…Not really. No talking of getting back at anyone either. Ann's been…really distant. Will she be okay?
Kakashi~It's hard to say at this moment. She still hasn't given herself the space for it. Ann is still guarded…
Ravi nodded.
Kakashi~You can always come talk to me if you need to, Ravi. Remember that.
Ravi~I know, sensei. Thanks.
He nodded and made his way to the living room. Kakashi plopped himself next to Ravi's brother. Kakashi was already speaking before the other could say something.
Kakashi~Aniki?
Aniki~What's up?
Kakashi~How did you and Iruka get through to me?
Aniki~What do you mean?
Kakashi~Without all the details, Ann lost two loved ones on our mission. I can see she's devastated, but she's gone compliant with orders. She hasn't been herself.
Aniki~Oh…That took us months to figure out for you.
Kakashi~I'd rather not take that long for her.
Aniki~That was our mistake. We rushed you when you weren't ready. You were always on the brink. We always flinched first.
Kakashi thought back to his teen years. The mask he wore became firmer the more they pressed into his space. And he tried doing that to Ann not too long ago.
Kakashi~Yeah…You're right…I should pull back…
Aniki~Don’t stop checking on her. Just don't push if she refuses.
He patted Kakashi's back.
Aniki~She'll come around.
Kakashi sighed and nodded.

Ann hardly did anything after Kakashi's visit. She laid in bed after grabbing her picture of Zabuza and Haku from her bag and their headbands. She placed the items on her nightstand and stared at it, eventually falling asleep.
When she opened her eyes again, she was in a field. It felt familiar, but she couldn't place why.
Ann~Where am I?
She rubbed her eyes and looked around, then stopped upon seeing Zabuza. She froze, and her hands went to scratching again. He reached forward and separated her hands.
Zabuza~Take it easy, brat.
She screamed and tackled him. Zabuza let her attack him, and only hit her off when she bit him.
Ann~What the hell, Zabuza?!
Zabuza~I can't explain everything. There isn't enough time tonight, either.
Ann~If not now, then when?! Why is it limited?! Why can't you tell me anything?! You never tell me anything!
She curled up and started to cry. Zabuza quietly sighed and patted her head.
Zabuza~I know. I'm limited too. I haven't seen either of your parents yet, so I'm not sure how much I can reveal. For now, I can be here.
Ann~Wh-why now?
Zabuza~You have a kekkei genkai. It centers around death, which is why you had that feeling before our fight on the bridge.
Ann~Why didn't you tell me?
Zabuza~It wasn't the right time. Even while I was dying wasn't the right time.
Ann~And now i-is?
Zabuza~Seems so. I don't have all the answers.
Ann~I don’t want you to go again…
He pulled her into his lap.
Zabuza~I know. I don't either. Call for your parents next time. They can tell you more.
He kissed her head and hugged her tight.