Darkness Falls

Chapter 10

The Next Morning

Sun light filtered through the trees as birds began to greet the morning sun with their songs, exposing a lone individual in a pink kimono kneeling in the center of a meadow clearing in the forest, humming happily to themselves as they picked various plants and put them into a small basket. A sound from the persons right caught their attention, turning to see a young blonde also laying in the field with his eyes closed, breathing softly.

Slowly, the individual made their way towards where the prone blonde lay, gasping slightly as they recognized his face as one of the Konoha shinobi. Slowly reaching over, the person contemplated trying to strangle the boy first before shaking that notion away and instead gently shook him awake.

"You shouldn't sleep outside." They commented. "You could get severely sick."

Naruto only smirked as he sat up from his laying position.

"Guess I fell asleep while watching the stars last night." He lied.

In truth, after Naruto had left the house, he had wandered the town and nearby surroundings. Picking up more information on Gato and his supposed plans from the goons that just couldn't keep their mouths shut. It surprised him when he found out the fat greedy man planned to betray Zabuza and kill him, while taking the swordsmen apprentice as his personal sex slave.

"So, what are you doing out here, miss?" He politely inquired.

"I was picking healing herbs for a friend that recently got sick." She smiled.

"They must mean a lot to you if you go out of your way like this." Naruto commented with a smile.

"I owe him everything." She simply replied.

"Sorry, where are my manners." The blonde chuckled. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki."

"Haku." The girl giggled.

"Need any help picking herbs for your friend?" The blonde offered.

Haku thought for a moment. If she declined, he may be suspicious. Though she didn't dismiss the possibility of him sabotaging the herbs to harm Zabuza further. Deciding it would be best to avoid any suspicion on her, she reluctantly accepted the blondes help.

"So, what herbs do you need?" He asked as the blonde hanyou began rummaging through the grass and flowers. "You said he was sick, does he need herbs for his stomach and fever?"

"Well, he kind of got a nasty cut." She replied cryptically, not wanting to give too much away.

"Ah, I see." Was all Naruto replied with.

However, if the girl would have looked closer, she would have seen that Naruto had already been collecting herbs specifically for open wounds. Walking over, he dropped what he had collected so far into the basket next to her. Flicking his fingers slightly, Haku never noticed the black droplets stain her kimono.

"So you're a shinobi then, Naruto-san?" Haku inquired, trying to strike up a conversation as they collected the herbs.

"I am." He smiled, before turning to her. "But then again, you already knew that. Didn't you Hunter-san?"

Haku could only gasp in surprise, before turning to the blonde with a horrified look on her face, preparing herself for the worst.

"Ho-how did you know?" She asked, fear evident in her voice.

"Do not fear." He gave her a warm smile. "I am not here to fight you or even sabotage Zabuza-san's recovery. If anything, I want him one hundred percent for our next spar."