Never Let You Go [Zabuza Momochi]

Chapter 29

For a week, Yupa kept the dancer busy teaching her the rules of the trade. At the same time she was overseeing the orphans and helping in the rebuilding of the town since the extermination of the enemy. She was very useful; the man saw her potential instantly to adapt and excel. She was much better with communications and dealing with people face to face instead of fighting. Though that wasn't to say that he had not been impressed by the young woman with her background. Yupa witnessed her movements in the battle, but all in all at least he knew he could trust her to watch over the shop while away on business. Lacey took up residence among the orphans, who were overseen by an elderly woman named Maka. She helped the children escape into the tunnels and was very sweet and caring. When the dancer got home from work every night, she helped cook dinner before tucking the children into bed. This was the closest thing the young woman had ever had to a normal life and Lacey enjoyed it... To an extent. For some reason there was a part of her that missed the constant travel.

"Let's close up soon," Yupa stated. "No one else is coming by today, and I have an early morning tomorrow."

"Yes, sir!" she called. Setting a box in place she began to pack up the front counter so it could be folded in and locked up.

"Lacey! Lacey!" She glanced up, watching as Lisa, Nico, and Nao came running down the street, a few others rushing after them.

Pulling down the awning, the young woman brushed off her hands and turned back to them. "What are you doing here?"

"Ms. Maka wanted to pick up something for us to eat," Nao said. His hand gripped Lacey's pant leg. "Are you done?"

"Almost," she smiled. "Just let me tell Yupa."

"Okay," they spoke in unison.

It was followed by a chuckle, the group watching as Yupa emerged. "I heard your little party from the back," he said. "She's all yours, children."

Cheering, they rushed back to Maka across the street, Lacey smiling after them. But she didn't follow right away, looking back towards the ex-rogue.

"Something troubling you?" he wondered.

"Maybe it's not my place to ask, but how did you become so... well, nice? I've come across a few rogues traveling with Zabuza and Haku and none of them have been this civil. Or at least able to blend in with society."

"If I were still in my early thirties then I would be the same as your partner Zabuza. But age changes you over time, that I can guarantee. You'll see. When those two get to a certain age they will realize that their time as a rogue has come to an end. You can't be a ninja forever. Unless you want to get yourself killed when those who are much younger than you start making a name for themselves. It's a matter of survival of the fittest. And I'm not the same young man I used to be."

Lacey gave him a kind smile. "That's comforting, thank you. I was just wondering because you treat those children as if they were your own."

"When you are an ex-rogue trying to make a living and controlling a town under the radar you need loyal subjects."

"Hmm... that is very true. Have a good night, Yupa."

He waved goodbye to the group as they moved down the street.

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"Welcome back, Yupa!" Lacey called into the back of the shop when the man walked in. There was a rush of customers she was tending to, those from neighboring villages now visiting their markets again since the threat had been eliminated. All of the businesses were booming, and some of them were Yupa's contacts. Rogues looking for places to stay or information on possible jobs in the surrounding area. Apparently, he knew everything as far as Lacey was concerned.