From the Ashes

𝒲𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒰𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝐵𝓇𝒾𝒹𝑔𝑒 (𝐼𝓃𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓁𝓊𝒹𝑒)

The Wave Village hadn't ceased their celebrations since the night of their emancipation.Even still,the town was in absolute chaos as people celebrated and started on the bridge work near the sea just hours later.

Haku woke with a start,taking in the linen sheets he'd found himself in.Then his memory hit him like a truck.His Master had taken a lightning blade to the body.Where was Zabuza? Where was he? Did his Master die?

The thought process of Haku had begun to run on overdrive..Thankfully the door creaking had ceased his spiraling mind. It was Saryn,and she'd noticed a certain blond behind her as well.

"About time.You able to walk?" Haku nodded to the girl,rising as he burned to question them.

"Hai,but where is Zabuza-sama? What happened to him?" He approached the two and looked to Naruto.The boy stiffened,and didn't answer him. His expression changed into sadness. Haku's heart caught in his chest.

"Naruto-kun please.Where is he?" He clasped his hands on the boys shoulders,eyes watering out of desperation.

"Haku...he's dying.Kakashi-sensei says he's been holding on for you.Please come with us,he demanded to see you and speak with you one last time." Haku swiftly followed the two Uzumaki.

•

•

They were in the bridge builder's home.

When they entered the room, Haku found Zabuza in a fragile state.The first sign was that his bandages were nowhere to be found on or around his mouth.He'd taken over one of the beds in the sensei's room,using it as a makeshift deathbed.

Haku gasped before clasping a hand over his mouth, desperately trying to steel himself. Zabuza however smiled and looked to find Haku,along with those two brats standing awkwardly in the doorframe.

"Haku... son...please."

Son.

His breath caught in his throat again.Haku never imagined Zabuza would see as anything other than a tool to be discarded. Majority of his life was spent on this belief all his life,he felt his purpose was simply to serve Zabuza and that was that. The times of him and Zabuza's trials had come flooding back to the ice wielder.

When Haku lost everything, Zabuza picked him up in the streets because he saw a kid with hidden power and potential. Haku was ecstatic because he was needed. He had something to live for,someone to live for,which was to train and become an outstanding tool for his master...or so he'd thought until today.

Haku kneeled-down as tears began flowing freely down his face. Zabuza always told him that tears were a sign of weakness,yet he just couldn't stop them...His master was about to die at any moment.

He could make out the wound through the formerly white bedding.It had gone septic a while ago,a flurry of colors were visible within the patchwork that covered his gaping wound."Father..." Haku said for the first time. Zabuza gently laid his hand on Haku's cheek as he whisked his tears away.

Naruto, Tsunami, Sakura felt sympathy towards Haku.

"Don't cry Haku...before I die, I want to give you this." Zabuza gave him the scroll that contained his share of Gato's riches,along with the jutsu that the assassin had accumulated over the course of his life.

"Wh..why give me this? This is ..."

"Do with it what you will. It's the least I could do for you,"

"Father...No... I don't need this... I don't want any of this. I need you to remain here, with me." At this point, Haku was crying.