Haku had left his village when he was very young and spent the years since fleeing from place to place with Zabuza. They had always lived in bare rooms. This was the first place he had seen that felt like a home, and he could not help thinking of the warm home he remembered from childhood.
Zabuza felt a sharp pang at those words, then smiled. "In that case, Haku, I'm leaving the cooking to you from now on!"
He had only said it in passing. He had never expected Haku to take it to heart and get up early the next morning to prepare breakfast.
"I'll be right out!" Zabuza called from his room. He quickly put his things away and went to wash up. Looking in the mirror at his face without the cloth covering his mouth, he finally smiled. A long-held wish had come true, leaving him feeling light.
When he reached the kitchen, Haku was sitting straight-backed, waiting for him to take his seat. They ate breakfast together with an almost ceremonial air, smiling the whole time. Anyone who saw them might have thought they were a pair of fools.
After breakfast, Zabuza watched Haku tidy up. "Once you're done, let's go see the Mizukage."
Haku's hands paused. He nodded, trying to look calm, but only he knew how nervous he was. What would he do if the Mizukage refused?
Haku's anxiety had not faded even when they stood in the Mizukage's Office. He was too uneasy to raise his head and look at Uchiha Yin or Mei Terumi.
Zabuza had no such hesitation. "Lady Mizukage, I request that Haku be allowed to join the ANBU!" He gave her a formal bow.
As he completed the bow, Zabuza himself was startled. Who would have thought that