"Very clever. That's exactly right."
The more insecure and lacking in confidence someone was, the more they craved encouragement and praise deep down.
Judging by the scenes shown in the original story, Naruto figured that even if Haku trained hard enough and excelled enough, someone with Zabuza's personality would rarely praise her strengths beyond her fighting ability.
"Then why won't you take me as your student? Am I not good enough? Or does my personality disappoint you?" Haku asked, unconsciously lowering her head.
But Naruto stepped forward, all but gathering Haku into his arms. He brought his mouth close to her delicate ear and whispered, "I don't need a tool for killing. I need you to become a companion I can open my heart to. But before we become companions, I need to see the real you."
"A companion you can open your heart to... the real me?" Haku murmured, an indescribable warmth stirring in her heart. Someone needed her again, and this time, they didn't need a tool, but a companion with whom they could share their hearts.
Naruto's hand slowly brushed over Haku's cheek, then her temple, her neck, her shoulder, her slender waist...
Finally, his hand naturally came to rest at the small of her back.
A sash fluttered in the breeze.
Naruto slowly pulled it loose, and the sash fell to the ground.
Haku was almost enveloped in Naruto's arms now. It was the first time in her life she had caught a boy's scent like this.
For some reason, although she felt no physical sensation, she couldn't control how fast her heart was beating.
Feeling her sash being slowly pulled loose, she stood motionless as a statue. All she had known growing up was ninja training and ice-cold senbon. Beyond those things, she had no