Never Let You Go [Zabuza Momochi]

Chapter 16

The bounty collector looked over the bodies brought in, identifying each criminal and crossing them out of the book with a red marker. "My, my, you've had a fun time, didn't you," the man finally commented. "I can tell based on the execution of your slices." His eyes scanned the increased number of targets than what they initially agreed on. This was going to do wonders for his business. "I figured you'd only be bringing in Shoji's head. I was obviously mistaken and you took advantage of the situation." He then began to observe the rogue on the far side of the room, cocking a brow. "You've been unusually quiet."

"So?" Zabuza snapped.

"Hmm... Did something happen?" The young man didn't answer. The bounty collector began to rummage through a drawer to pull forth the amount that owed and then some for the additional heads. "Tell me, Zabuza, did you take my advice and recruit another party to infiltrate the compound?"

"And if I did?"

His shoulders shrugged. "Makes no difference to me, but it's obvious by your attitude and response that your partner, the kid, is fine. Could it be that your new acquaintance was injured in the crosshairs?"

"They are merely an asset when the time calls for it."

The money pouch was dropped in Zabuza's outstretched hand. "An asset that comes and goes at your disposal doesn't make you act like this. We are ninja. Rogues, for that matter. And in our line of work we can never show emotions."

"I know that, so stop boring me. I am doing nothing of the sort."

"Could've fooled me." Zabuza turned to leave, over the conversation. "Before your next mission be sure that mask of yours is securely in place. Otherwise, it'll mean the death of you and that'll affect my business. After all, you're now my top bounty hunter."

He received no answer, which caused him to chuckle in amusement.

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It was hot when Lacey's eyes fluttered open. Everything spun. And there was something wet pressed against the forehead. Groggily looking around the room, it hurt to rotate the neck. "Glad to see you somewhat conscious."

Haku.

The teen helped her slowly drink some water. It made the burning in her throat feel much better. "If you're worried about the mission, don't be. Zabuza went to turn in the bounty."

"What... happened?" Her voice sounded raspy.

"Those needles were full of poison. We had to work together to extract it otherwise... You're going to feel out of it for the next couple of days. The muscles around your throat were affected the worse. That injury was nearly fatal." She shifted uncomfortably. "You'll have to sweat out the fever. It's a side effect of the procedure I used. And from the strain placed on your body."

"How did... you remove it?"

"A Medical Jutsu I learned. And Zabuza sucked out quite a bit at the worst puncture wounds." If Lacey could she would've blushed, but the fever hid the reaction. Though she did groan in embarrassment. Haku tried to hide a smile. "Don't worry, you were so out of it you probably don't even remember."

He was right, she didn't. Only the pain. Wetting the cloth once more the teen made sure everything was in order.

"I'm going to make some soup. If you're still awake when I come back in you can eat." Lacey's eyes were already closing before he made it to the door.