Inside the office, Zabuza moved with lethal grace. The room was sparsely furnished, with a large desk dominating the centre and shelves lined with scrolls and documents. The village leader, an older man with a stern expression, sat behind the desk, oblivious to the danger lurking in the shadows until he felt the cold press of Haku’s curved knife against his throat.

“W-What is this—” Haku felt his pulse quicken. “Y-You’re the De-Demon of the Mist!”

Zabuza chuckled but didn’t answer.

“What do you want?” the old man asked, mastering his nerves after a long moment, though he couldn’t keep the nervous warble out of his voice.

“Why the hostility? I’m here to do you a favour, chief.”

Haku kept her blade steady against the leader's throat, feeling the tremors in his pulse. Zabuza's presence filled the room, his aura a palpable force. She could sense the fearful shift in the village leader's posture—his defiance was brittle.

"You trespass into my village, threaten my life, and call it a favour?" the old man murmured, his voice betraying a trace of steel beneath the fear.

Zabuza's chuckle was a low, dangerous rumble. “Your rogue ninja, Goro Tanimoto, is dead. Courtesy of me and my associate behind you.” He nodded towards Haku, his eyes never leaving the leader’s. “You had a problem. We solved it, and now, you owe us.”

The village leader's eyes darted to Haku, then back to Zabuza. “You expect me to pay for a service I didn't request of you?”

Zabuza's expression hardened, and the air grew colder. Haku felt the weight of his killing intent pressing down on the room as a suffocating blanket of menace. The village leader tremoured in his seat and all his bravado crumbled under the assault of Zabuza's dark presence.

“You can either pay us now,” said Zabuza, his voice like ice, “or we can discuss what happens if you refuse, and believe me, you don't want to know the details.”

The village leader swallowed hard as he reached for a hidden compartment in his desk. He fumbled with the latch, finally retrieving a heavy bag of ryo.

“Ta-Take it," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. “Take it and go.”

Zabuza's gaze didn't waver as he took the bag, the sound of clinking coins a stark contrast to the tension in the room. “Smart man—but next time, you might not be so lucky."

With that, he stepped back, signalling Haku to lower her blade. She did so, but never let her guard down, following Zabuza out of the office with her senses still on high alert.

“Haku,” her master called as they neared the exit, “stay here a couple of days undercover.”

She tilted her head.

“I want to see what else we can wring out of that old man besides money. Look for dirty secrets, weak spots, the like.”

“Where should I find you afterwards?”

“On the way here, we passed a cave due west of the waterfall. I’ll be there.”

Haku bowed, exchanging a final nod with him before he slipped away to safety.

As the days passed, her mind continued to churn over her failure and her master’s harsh words. She had to prove herself when he’d trusted her enough to let her redeem herself. The opportunity came unexpectedly during a foray into the village after settling down in an abandoned building.

Deep in the morning market, there was a bright-haired young girl—seemingly her age—being treated with remarkable hostility despite her bubbly attitude. Haku’s curiosity got the better of her so she observed from the shadows as the bronze-skinned, blue-haired girl moved through the village.

“Good morning sir—g’day, ma’am!”

The girl’s attempts at interaction were met with scowls and cold shoulders. It puzzled Haku. Why would someone so seemingly benign provoke such animosity?

She followed the girl discreetly, her training keeping her well hidden but Haku’s curiosity turned into concern when the girl’s light skip picked up speed. Her movements were fluid and confident and she even threw her head over he shoulders, flashing a bright grin.

Then, she turned a sharp corner, prompting Haku to chase after her across the treetops. The girl stood in the field, her gaze piercing through the forest’s dim light.

“I know you’re there. You can come out.”

Haku fell into view, her expression carefully neutral since she wasn’t wearing her mask. “You’re very… perceptive.”

The girl’s expression softened into a slight smile. “And you’re stealthy. I’m guessing you’re not here to cause trouble since I hear you’ve been following me for a while.”

She noted the strange phrasing with a nod. “Just curious.”

“Well,” the girl sat down on crossed legs, spreading her arms wide, “I’m an open book.”

“The villagers… why do they dislike you so much?”

“Can’t even ask for a girl’s name first, huh?” she said with a smile. “I’m Fuu, you?”

“...Rukia,” Haku replied, slightly abashed.

“That’s a pretty name. I’m guessing you’re not from here?”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“...Why do you say that?”

Fuu shrugged. “Everyone here knows about me.”

“I see,” said Haku, mentally kicking herself for the misstep—she could have at least questioned the locals before following the girl. “I’m new here. What did you do that has them so…”

She trailed off, unsure of how to put it. Their conduct transcended mere dislike; it was something more intense.

“Hateful?” Fuu suggested with another shrug. “It’s not what I did but what I am. I’m the host of the Seven-Tails. He’s a funny old guy called Chomei.” She stopped speaking and tilted her head as if listening to something. “Pardon me, he’s Lucky Seven Chomei—happy now?”

“Pardon me?” Haku frowned.

“Oh, not you! I was talking to Chomei, the Seven-Tails.”

Aside from the earth-shattering news that weapons of mass destruction were capable of reason, Haku found herself strangely disoriented by the teal-haired girl. Her endless cheer was both intoxicating and shallow—there was a lack of… genuineness that she couldn’t quite place.

Fuu continued rattling off in the grass, muttering to herself or Haku—or even the Tailed Beast.

Haku observed Fuu closely, feeling a pang of sympathy for the girl. As Fuu continued to speak, her tone more frustrated with each passing word, Haku quietly knelt in the grass and gathered wildflowers from the forest floor.

“Not like they’d ever change their minds, even if I’m participating in the Chunin Exams for them,” Fuu scoffed, waving a hand in front of her face while tugging clumps of grass out of the earth with her other. “Rigid, judgmental, cruel people till the end, am I right?”

Haku glanced at Fuu with a soft smile but said nothing. She continued to pick flowers, selecting the prettiest ones she could find.

“At least you’re not like them, Rukia!” Fuu’s voice was lighter now, but there was still a tinge of sadness there.

“Thanks for the compliment,” Haku replied, her hands working deftly as she wove the flowers together. “You mentioned you were competing in the Chunin Exams?”

Fuu nodded happily. “It’s a month from now in the Hidden Leaf village this time, though the last one was in the Land of Tea. My village is sending two teams and I’m on one of ‘em.” She jabbed a thumb to her chest and tipped her chin up. “Me!”

Her cheer was infectious, and Haku found herself smiling too. “Congratulations, Fuu.”

“Thanks!”

Haku finished her work and stood up, holding a delicate flower circlet in her hands. She walked over to Fuu and gently placed it on her head.

Fuu blinked in surprise, her fingers lightly touching the floral wreath. “What’s this for?”

Haku smiled warmly. “It’s for you. You’ve been picking at those flowers for ages and I thought it would look beautiful on you—and I’m glad I was right.”

Fuu’s eyes shimmered and, for a moment, her cheerful facade cracked, revealing the vulnerable girl beneath for a brief but meaningful moment. “...Thank you, Rukia. No one’s ever done something like this for me before.”

Haku simply nodded, her own eyes soft with understanding. “You’re welcome, Fuu. You deserve kindness, just like anyone else.”

The blue-haired girl’s smile grew more genuine, and she looked at Haku with a newfound warmth. “You’re really something, Rukia. I’m glad we met.”

“Me too.”

As the conversation drifted on, Haku’s mind began to race.

Fuu’s participation in the Chunin Exams was an amazing chance for her to make a significant move. If she could infiltrate the Chunin Exams under the Hidden Waterfall’s banner, it would give her a chance to demonstrate her worth to Zabuza, to prove her loyalty and resourcefulness.

He fled the Hidden Mist after failing to kill the Mizukage, a perfect Jinchuriki and here sat Fuu, a girl her age in cooperation with the Seven-Tails. Aligning with Fuu’s team could offer both a strategic advantage and a chance for redemption.

Haku’s mind was already working on a plan.

She needed to convince Zabuza of the value of her plan to turn her encounter with Fuu into a path to regain her master’s favour. Instead of completing the instructed two days of reconnaissance, Haku snuck out of the Hidden Waterfall the instant she and Fuu parted ways, racing to the designated meeting spot to break the good news.

The dense forest blurred around her as she sprinted through the trees, her breath coming in short bursts. The journey back to the cave near the Hidden Waterfall seemed to take forever, but her determination drove her forward. As she approached the cave, Haku’s heart pounded with anticipation. The air was cooler here and, unlike the cave she’d awoken in days before, there was no fire burning.

Zabuza was seated just past the mouth of the entrance, his Executioner’s Blade resting against the wall beside him. He looked up as she entered, his expression unreadable.

“Master,” Haku said, trying to keep her voice steady despite her excitement. “I have news.”

Zabuza raised an eyebrow, a hint of interest in his eyes. “And what’s so urgent that you’ve come here a day early?”

Haku took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm her racing thoughts. “While I was in the Hidden Waterfall, I encountered a girl named Fuu—and you won’t believe this—she’s a Jinchuriki! The host of the Seven-Tails. She’s participating in the upcoming Chunin Exams in the Hidden Leaf.”

“Their Jinchuriki? Really, now?” Zabuza’s eyes narrowed, his interest piqued.

“Yes, Master.” Haku stepped closer, her voice growing more confident. “The Hidden Waterfall is sending two teams and Fuu is on one of them. If I can join the other team from the Hidden Waterfall, not only can we gain valuable intelligence, but also create an opportunity to manipulate the outcome in our favour. It’s a chance to show our skills, regain our reputation, and even gather intelligence on our enemies, including those from the Hidden Leaf.”

Zabuza considered this for a moment with his gaze fixed on Haku. The silence stretched, thick with tension. “You’ve thought this through?”

“Every detail,” Haku replied earnestly. “If we participate under the Hidden Waterfall’s banner, we can blend in, exploit the chaos of the exams, and leverage the situation to our advantage. I don’t even have to make it to the customary tournament. I just have to convince Fuu to join us; she doesn’t have much love for this place.”

This wasn't just about redeeming herself in Zabuza’s eyes anymore; it was about helping Fuu, too. The girl was ostracized and mistreated by her own village. Joining forces with Haku and Zabuza could offer her a way out, a chance at a better life like it had for Haku.

Her master’s face remained inscrutable but the tension in his shoulders eased slightly. “You have a point. If you can use this opportunity to our benefit, it might just redeem your earlier screw-up.”

Haku’s heart leapt with cautious hope.

“Very well. It seems I’ll have to visit the old man and return his coin!” Zabuza’s gaze grew colder, but a hint of approval glinted in his eyes. “If you can secure this position and turn it to our advantage, you’ll earn back some of the trust you’ve lost. But remember, failure will not be tolerated. Do this right… or you’ll face the consequences.”

“I understand, Master,” Haku said, bowing deeply. “I won’t let you down.”

Zabuza waved her off with a dismissive gesture. “Go then. Make the necessary arrangements. Spend the next day getting to know the Jinchuriki better.”

She raced off with renewed purpose until his voice echoed behind her.

“And Haku… don’t disappoint me again.”

She left the cave, her mind already working on the next steps. The Chunin Exams would be a chance to prove her worth both to her master and herself—and Haku would not fail.

Not again.