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Ann woke with a start the next morning. Her eyes caught the picture of Zabuza, and she almost growled because of his half answers in her dream, but she huffed and got out of bed instead. He was dead. There was no reason to get worked up over something she already knew always happened.
After getting dressed, she went to the kitchen to get started on breakfast, but saw a bento on the table instead. There was even a note with a scarecrow drawn on it.
Ann~I made you breakfast. Team training in 2 days. I'll check in with dinner.
She eyed the note and bento. Kakashi never gave her space that easily, but he was't hiding either. She would've heard him already if he was nearby.
Ann reluctantly sat down to eat the bento. She didn’t really want to cook anything, so this helped. It was one less thing to worry about.

After eating, she took her gifted sword to train with. She didn't want anyone to make obvious connections between her and Zabuza before she was ready.
At the training grounds, Ann was going through her forms again. The movements were controlled, smooth into the follow through, and she transitioned into the next set without issue.
After a while, Ravi and Naruto carefully approached.
Ravi~Hey, Ann. I hoped you were here when you weren't home.
Ann~Yeah. I didn't want to be inside. Did you need something, Naruto?
Naruto~You cut your hair. I wanted to know if you were okay.
Ann~Peachy.
She reset her stance then stood straight, letting the tip of the sword rest on the ground.
Ann~Was there something else?
Ravi~We don't have to do any training for another two days, and we haven't gotten to hang out in a while. Do you want to go do something?
Naruto~Yeah! It's almost lunch. Do you wanna come eat with us?
Ann~No, not really. I'm not hungry at the moment. I just don’t want to be still.
Ravi~How about a sparring match? You know I always have my stuff.
Naruto~No way. I'm not going anywhere near Ann in a fight with that sword.
Ann~No thanks. I'm not in the mood.
Ravi~Well, what if we just keep you company while you train then?
Ann considered it for a moment, then nodded. Even if they did their own thing, having someone that isn't Kakashi would be nice.
She turned from them and started her forms again. Ravi and Naruto exchanged a look, but sat down and quietly chatted as they watched her.

After a short while, Naruto drifted the conversation towards Ann.
Naruto~Hey, Ann, is this the reason why you were so good with the katanas back in the academy?
Ann~It is.
Naruto~And you used that same sword as a kid?
Ann~I did.
Naruto~But how? Even when we were little you struggled to pick things up!
Ravi rolled her eyes and smacked Naruto.
Ravi~Cool it.
Naruto~I'm not doing anything.
Ann~Lied about strength. Precision chakra control.
Naruto~That Zabuza guy must be a good teacher! You fooled everyone. He trained you and Haku together, right?
Ann's footwork faltered but quickly recovered. Ravi punched Naruto.
Ravi hissed~Stop it.
Ann~Yes.
Naruto~I'm not doing anything, Ravi. Ann, Ann, Haku said that a girl found him and Zabuza took him in. Were you the girl?
Ann brought her sword down. She gripped it tight, and she gritted her teeth.
Ann~Yes. We passed a town. I stopped for him. Zabuza said he can come. I'm going home now.
She placed her sword on her back and hopped off. Ravi let out a frustrated groan and punched Naruto again.
Ravi~I told you to stop! Ann isn't ready to talk about that yet!
He clutched his head.
Naruto~Why didn't you just tell me! You know I don't pick up on social cues!

Ann came home, put her sword away, then laid in bed. She curled up and tried not to sob.
Ann~Zabi…Haku…You can hear me, can't you? Please…I need you guys…
A choke sob came out and she curled tighter.

The team met up at the training grounds. When Kakashi finally arrived, he frowned.
Kakashi~Have any of you seen Ann? Something happened. She hasn't been eating any of the bentos I've left for her…
Ravi~Not since two days ago when the IDIOT brought them up.
Naruto~I'm sorry! I've been saying sorry! What do you want me to do?!
Sakura~Wait a minute, is that Ann?
They turned and saw Ann approach. When she came close to them, it was clear she had been crying.
Kakashi~There you are. We were getting worried.
Ann~Sorry. You're always late. I waited too long.
Kakashi~Don’t worry about it. Let's go everyone. I want us to spar. I want to see where you guys are now since we did the bell test.
Sasuke~So go all out?
Kakashi~Preferably, yes.
Sakura~That's a little unfair, don't you think? Our strengths are all skewed. I'm the weakest one here. Naruto could overwhelm me without a plan.
Kakashi~We'll scale it. Don't worry. Boys, you first. I'm sure you'd like a chance to check your rivalry.
Naruto and Sasuke smirked as they all headed to an open field.

As the boys started to spar, Kakashi stood near Ann. His jaw tightened when he registered how weak her chakra was. It was fluctuating and almost felt like an arrhythmia. He spoke quietly so only Ann could hear him.
Kakashi~Your chakra feels off. Have you been getting enough rest? Have you eaten?
Ann~I'm fine. Maybe too much sleep…Why hasn't he shown again?
Kakashi~Will you be able to spar then?
Ann~I'm fine, sensei. It's not difficult.
Kakashi~I'm not worried about it being difficult for you.
Naruto got thrown to the ground.
Kakashi~Alright you two, that's done. Good job, both of you.
Naruto~What the s**t was that, Sasuke?!
Sasuke~Get up, idiot.
Kakashi~Let's go, Ann. I'd like to see where your baseline is actually at.
Ann~Assume higher.
They moved to where the boys were at, then started. Ann made the first move, kunai drawn.

Their spar was quick and decisive. Ann held her own against Kakashi easily, too easily, even after he went on the offensive. She had no problem matching his pace.
It became decisive when he felt her chakra shift. In that moment, she grabbed and threw him down. Ann immediately went to press her kunai into him, but he caught her arm and pushed back to keep her kunai from reaching his throat. Even inches from his neck was too close for his comfort.
The rest of the team stood and flinched forward before Kakashi stopped them. They wanted to help, even if all they could do was pull Ann off.
Kakashi~Stop. You four, stay back. She might fight you too.
Ann started to lean forward to put more weight to press down.
Ravi~But she hasn't stopped yet!
Kakashi bucked up to knock her balance and pulled Ann to the side, making her stab the ground. Without stopping, he moved onto her back, pinning her down. He really hoped she didn't have the maneuverability to reverse this.
Kakashi~Ann, you need to reset. Tap out if you're lucid.
They waited a few tense seconds, then Ann tapped. Kakashi quietly sighed and stood up, helping her up too.
Kakashi~Inconclusive. We'll try again another time.
Ann~Yes, sensei.
She went to sit with the others as they sat down again, but not next to anyone.
Kakashi sighed and ran his hand through his hair.
Kakashi~Let's call it a day guys. That was a lot of excitement in a short amount of time. We'll pick up from here tomorrow.
He nodded his head to the side to signal dismissal.
Kakashi~Same time tomorrow. Practice your chakra control. Ann, a quick word before you go.
They all stood and slowly left, other than Ann. She stood with her head down.
He waited until the others were out of sight before speaking.
Kakashi~Do you remember any of that spar?
Ann~I threw you down. Then I tapped out.
Kakashi~Has that happened before?
Ann~Yes.
Kakashi~During the bell test?
Ann~Yes.
Kakashi~With your level of training, that's fairly normal. Recognizing triggers will help you not lose yourself like that.
He hesitated, then continued.
Kakashi~Have you been caring for yourself? You look…not great…functioning, but not there.
Ann~I'm fine, sensei. I eat. I clean.
He reached out, slowly, to cup her face. He wanted to give her room to back away if she didn't want contact. She stayed still, not pressing her face into his hand but not pulling away either, which somehow worried him all the same. He let out a quiet sigh and rubbed her cheek.
Kakashi~Tell me when it gets too much. Don't wait for it to get out of hand and you're staring over the edge. That's what happened to me. I jumped. Don't jump.
Ann~It's fine. I'm not there. Are we done now?
She took a step back.
Kakashi~Yeah…I'll check on you later, okay?
She nodded and hopped off.