Naruto: The Prince of Lust

Chapter 257

HAKU

Early Wednesday morning, well before the day's trading can commence, Haku knocks on the rear entrance to the minor weapons shop. After five strong raps against the metal door, Tenten cracks open a sliver to the beautiful face of her new and sad predicament. Raising his delicate eyebrows expectantly, Tenten sighs before completely opening the door for Haku. She's wearing her favored pink, sleeveless, qipao-style blouse and dark green pants, and as he follows her through the stockroom to the apartment upstairs, Haku notices her sluggish shoulders, the pungent unventilated scent of metal, distilled white vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda. He also notes clutter on tabletops, a trash can full of take-out containers, and delivery dates circled in red on a calendar. It's clear to Haku, Tenten has been running the shop for the past two weeks without much assistance—if any—and around her duties as a Konoha kunoichi.

Haku would've spoken to Tenten a week earlier—as she said she would—however, he couldn't leave Zabuza until he was certain he only needed rest. The entire time Haku tended to Zabuza, he was consistently amazed by how content he felt with such amazing men in his life. Momochi Zabuza; who taught him how to survive the brutality in this world, and Uzumaki Naruto; who's teaching the love of a friend. Tending to Zabuza's wounds, he never felt happier, and looking at a slightly worn Tenten, Haku felt an urge to reciprocate that kindness toward the bun-haired girl. After all, Haku can't understand why amazing shinobis like Zabuza and Naruto would care about a broken person like him but they do. Now that Zabuza has given him a weapon of his own to mold, Haku can't let either men down.

The state of the two-bedroom apartment was well-lit, spacious, and mostly clean; as if the girl always has to rush to clean as much as she can. Tenten herself seems tired. Her chocolate eyes aren't alert, the buns of her brunette hair sag as much as her shoulders, and right away, she lazily takes a seat at the dining table rather than offer or make tea. Haku imagines numerous mental tasks an adult is responsible for could be taking a mental toll on the young girl. Haku knows Tenten dreams of becoming an S-rank Kunoichi one day and can imagine how frustrating it is to be hindered by her daily training and the responsibilities of running a business by herself. Haku knows it's not impossible to do both, however, it's clear that Tenten is unaccustomed to such a lifestyle change.

Sitting in the chair across the casually dressed girl, Haku first asks Tenten, "well?"

Defensively, Tenten feigns ignorance by asking, "well, what?"

Haku answers with zen-like patience, "do you accept your place as my weapon?" Tenten balks as he adds, "and by extension Zabuza-sama and Naruto-sama's weapon?"

A suspicious Tenten asks, "you didn't do what he told you to? Even though you practically worship him?"

Nodding his head, Haku explains, "he'd say I still had value to him." With a gentle and affectionate smile, Haku happily claims, "but I know it's more significant than he's willing to admit. He knows me to my broken core, and whether I stain my soul for him or not, he accepts me as I am. Zabuza-sama has indirectly taught me his code and I've wholeheartedly embraced it. We don't know who you are yet, Tenten-chan, so expect that I will push you to your limits and beyond; physically, to be sure, but more importantly, mentally. Discovering that maturation will be uncomfortable for you, but not unlike myself, you will learn what you can and cannot do, and like Zabuza-sama, I will continue to push you until who you are is undoubtedly clear."

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