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Zabuza~You called for me, Lord Yagura?
Yagura~You've been quiet for a while. No one's seen you since the last mission I gave you. Where have you been?
Zabuza~Recuperating. Overexertion while training.
Yagura~Break time's over then. I'm sending you out. There's been reports of rebellions in the east. I'm sending you and Mei to take care of them.
Zabuza~How far east? How many cells?
Yagura~Mei has that information. I'll send word to her to meet you at the east gate. You leave in an hour. I'll see you when you two return.
Zabuza~Yes, sir.
He turned and left. At least he was paired with Mei. Had it been any one else, he'd have had to fight for it to be solo, but that would have been suspicious, and it wouldn't be any better having Ann trail behind either.

As soon as he reset the jutsus, he went to the bedroom to find Ann in the same spot.
Zabuza~Ann.
She ran to him and hugged him tight, shaking from holding back tears.
Zabuza~Were you just worried?
She nodded.
Zabuza~I'm not abandoning you. I never will, okay?
Ann~O-okay…What's the mission?
Zabuza~Another extermination. We're going to be traveling.
Ann~We?
She pulled at shirt.
Zabuza~Yeah. I'm not happy about it either. I have to take you with me, and I have a partner. Luckily, it's Mei.
Ann~She's the one I'd have to wait for, for the thing, right?
Zabuza~That's right. She's a friend of your mother's too. That's why she's to help you in case I can't anymore.
He picked her up and sat her on the bed.
Zabuza~I need to pack our bags and conceal a bunch of things. I have less than an hour to do that and meet up with Mei. I need you to let me know when 30 minutes have passed. Can you do that?
She nodded and Zabuza went to work. He grabbed the go bag first to check what was already packed before adding some more of her clothes. Zabuza also gave her a set of clothes to change into before moving to pack his own bag. He stuffed it with a few more of Ann's clothes, then used his own clothes to cover it.
Next he packed a number of weapons and accessories.
Zabuza grabbed another bag and stuffed the rest of Ann's clothes from the dresser into it then moved to the bathroom and laundry room for more of her clothes. He was able to put the rest of her clothes in it and went to the closet. He packed weapons over the top of it and tucked it under a shelf. Hopefully hiding it in plain sight will keep it hidden. Zabuza grabbed Auron's sword and zip ties and went back to the bedroom.
Since he expected they were going to be gone for at least a week and well away from the village, he was going to be safe and hide all the evidence of Ann's presence. It was a good thing he'd already burned Auron's letters and Ane's warning. Even if he hadn't already done that, it never left his person the few days he spent studying and memorizing it.
Ann~Why did you pack all my clothes? Why do you need the sword?
Zabuza~It ties to you not existing. We'll be gone for a while, and we'll be far from home for me to intervene. The sword is important. I don’t want it tampered with. Time?
He carefully moved the bed to prevent drag marks and lifted it on one side.
Ann~20 minutes
Zabuza~Alright. Grab the zip ties. I need you to secure the sword to the support planks.
Ann~How many do I use?
Zabuza~As many as needed. You can attach them together to make it longer. Quickly, we need to leave in a few.
It took her a moment to figure out how to piece it together, but once she figured it out she was about to lace the ties around the planks and the sword. She placed a few as he held it in place, then he checked by letting it go.
Zabuz~Good. Grab the bags and wait by the door. I'll be right out.
She put on her bag and carried his bag, struggling a little from the weight but managed enough. He carefully placed the bed back in its place, made another check of things, and went out. Their plates from that morning were still unfinished, so he tossed it in the trash and wiped the plates clean. He'll do a proper wash when they return.

They took the long way around to get to the east gate to avoid being seen in broad daylight. When they got close, Ann followed the road out of the village along the treeline like Zabuza instructed her earlier. Zabuza approached Mei.
Mei~It's been a while.
Zabuza~Yeah. Let's get going. You can debrief as we walk.
As Mei described the mission, they moved along with purpose to put distance between themselves and the village to speak more openly. After about an hour of straight movement, they finally stopped.
Mei~Here I thought we were just going to travel without breaks.
Zabuza~Can't. Just needed to make sure we were far enough and not followed.
Mei~Do you think he'd–
Zabuza~We can discuss that later.
He blew a low whistle and Ann came out of the bushes, panting. Even with the head start, her endurance was tested because of her bag.
Mei~She looks just like her…I can see a bit of Zabuza in her too
Zabuza~I'm glad you were able to keep up. You can stay with me now. This is Mei.
Zabuza took her bag and gave her a water bottle and protein bar in exchange.
Ann~Hi.
Mei~Hey, dear. You were following us the whole time?
Ann nodded.
Mei~I'm impressed. I didn't sense you at all.
Zabuza~Let's get going.

They walked on, a little slower, while Zabuza carried Ann's bag.
Mei~Have you been training her, Zabuza?
Zabuza~Yeah. Do you plan on asking her life story?
Mei~Would you even tell me?
Zabuza scoffed~No. You already know about her diaper days.
Ann~She knew me when I was a baby?
Mei~Sure I did, dear. Zabuza needed extra help.
Ann~Why?
Zabuza~Inexperience.
Ann~What about now?
Zabuza~Easier now. You're not in diapers anymore.
Mei~Was that really the hardest part for you?
Zabuza~You try checking every two hours to prevent rashes.
Ann giggled and Zabuza gave her a light nudge rather than his usual smack as he didn't want to accidentally make her regress. He expected Ann to still be emotionally withdrawn, but being outside and even interacting with another person seemed to be helping
Mei~When did you want to take a break?
Zabuza~Probably soon. Can you go a little further, kid?
Ann~Yeah.
Mei~I wonder how hard he's trained her…Normal 5-year-olds would have complained already

They spent the majority of the day traveling eastward. They skipped a few of the smaller village settlements until evening, where he and Mei agreed to find an inn in the next hamlet. Before going to the inn, they stopped in a small restaurant for dinner.
Mei~You kept up pretty well, little one. Zabuza must be a good teacher.
Ann nodded.
Zabuza~Read the menu, Ann. See if there's anything you like.
Ann~Okay. I can get anything?
Zabuza~Avoid anything with chili peppers next to the name. It's spicy.
Mei found Zabuza's demeanor towards the girl interesting. Even with his sister there's always a hint of hostility and apathy. This could be considered endearing on his standards.
Zabuza~What, Mei?
He found her smile annoying. There was nothing to be happy about at the moment. They didn't even order anything yet.
Mei~Doesn’t matter. You won’t like however I choose to answer anyway.
He grunted, making Ann giggle.
Mei~She really knows you, Zabuza.
Zabuza~Shut it. Let's order already.

Dinner was relatively uneventful. Zabuza was surprised that Ann finished a whole adult portion just because of her lack of appetite the past few days, but at the same time it made sense because of how much they traveled since that morning.
Ann~We’re resting for the night, right?
Zabuza~Yeah, brat. We’re gonna find an inn.
Mei~You know, I was wondering if you called her brat, too.
Ann~Who else does he call brat?
Mei~Only you. But HE used to be called brat
Ann~Really?
Zabuza~Shut up, Mei.
Mei~Are you trying to keep your image intact? I didn't think you cared for it
Ann~What image?
Ann was being sincere, but Mei still tried hiding a laugh while Zabuza quietly groaned at her unintended insult
Ann~Did I say something funny?
Zabuza~Don't worry about it, brat. It keeps others from questioning, Mei.
Mei~Heh, if you say so Zabuza.
Her eyes caught a sign
Mei~Oh, I think that's an inn over there. Two single-beds or one two-bed?
Zabuza~Whichever is available or cheaper if they have both.
They went inside and Zabuza let Mei claim the room for them. The hosts always got intimidated by him anyway.
Mei~There's only one room left, a single large bed.
Zabuza~Get it. It's getting late.
Mei was given the key and they went to their room. The first thing zabuza did was check if the sofa was a pull out. It wasn't
Mei~Why don't you and Ann take the bed?
Zabuza~Because I don’t want you bitching about being on the sofa and how your hair became a rat's nest.
Mei~You swear in front of her?
Zabuza~Not when it's uncalled for. Ann, bath.
He set their things down and started pulling out clothes .
Ann~Right now?
Zabuza~Go, brat.
Ann huffed and went to the bathroom that they passed on the way in.
Mei~Are you sure?
Zabuza~The sofa is comfortable compared to the forest floor. We'll be fine.
He went to the bathroom to help Ann bathe.

Ann didn't question the sleeping arrangements when Zabuza told her to lay down on the sofa. Once she was asleep, Mei laid out the map to plan their mission's success while ensuring the safety of the rebels.
Mei~Do you think Yagura planned this?
Zabuza~Dunno. Doesn't matter. Ann knows how to hide her chakra as you already saw. We can also leave her in a safe spot while we do what we need to do.
Mei~Is that how you've been juggling missions and her between sweeps?
Zabuza~This is only the second time I've taken her with me on missions. It's too risky to keep doing it.
Mei~Really? Only twice? Even as a baby you never had to bring her along?
Zabuza~I was extremely selective with what I chose to take. Moving on
Mei pointed to the map as she spoke
Mei~We got reports in these three areas, which does align with three of our cells. Someone got cocky or found out it seems. In any case, we need to stage an annihilation and move them to these new safehouses.
******** hell. That could take at least two weeks. We don’t have that kind of time.
Mei~Only if we have to leave and retrieve her. We can probably do it within a week, week and a half at most, if we take her along.
Zabuza growled at the idea, but agreed with the assessment. It was the only way.
Zabuza~Those two are close to each other. Think it's possible to hit them on the same day?
Mei~Assuming nothing goes wrong, yeah. But when has things ever gone right?
Zabuza scoffed in agreement. There’s always room for everything to go wrong. He frowned. There was something wrong.
Zabuza~That third one snows a lot in the area. I don't carry a ******** parka for the brat.
Mei~It's a two day walk from the other two, which is closer anyway. Between now and then, if we don't find snow wear, she's going to have to layer her clothes and stay sheltered. We would only spend one night there if we time it right. The job probably won't take all day either if we start fresh.
Zabuza ******** bullshit. You need to tell them they need to stick to the schedule. You know how they'll react if I do it
Mei~Sounds like you need to work on your bedside manners. Anything else?
Zabuza~I'll let you know if I think of something in the morning.

Zabuza and Mei woke early the next morning, and started to pack their things as they let Ann continue to sleep.
Mei~Zabuza, exactly what kind of training did you put her through?
Zabuza~Harder than most kids her age, but not impossible. Was there something I need to fix? We hadn’t worked on deafening movement, but it seems that Ann figured that out herself, for the most part. Can’t be chakra suppression. Mei already said she didn’t sense her.
Mei~No, no. She’s doing fine hiding. It’s her base chakra that’s kinda unsettling me, and she’s asleep.
Zabuza~It’s stronger than last night?
Mei~It is. Were you guys training recently or something?
Zabuza~Chakra exhaustion…and…emotional exhaustion…She just started to come around yesterday.
Mei~Any topics I need to avoid?
Zabuza~Politics. Ready?
Mei~Just about. Are you going to wake her?
Zabuza~Yeah.
He went to Ann and sat her up
Ann~Time for training, Zabi?
Mei giggled~Her too?
Zabuza~Shut it.
He pulled her to her feet and handed her a change of clothes.
Zabuza~No, Ann. We’re heading out in a few. Use the bathroom, and get dressed.
Ann~Breakfast?
Zabuza~We’ll get something along the way. Go.
Ann nodded and walked off.
Mei~How did she learn to call you that?
Zabuza~Learning to say my name…
Mei~That’s really sweet you haven’t stopped her.
Zabuza~Shut up. *Sigh* It’s not like I could stop her anyway.
She chuckled under her breath for a moment, then turned almost serious.
Mei~She woke up asking if you two were going to train. Are you sure you’re not training harder than you say you are?
Zabuza~You could say it’s conditioned. She’s either at home or we’re out training. We’re not home.
Mei nodded. She found it unfortunate that survival has to be a part of Ann’s formative years, but it isn’t much longer until Ann gets sent to the Leaf. Probably by spring if Zabuza was following Ane’s wishes.
By the time Mei finished packing the last of the things for the mission, Ann was out of the bathroom, more aware of her surroundings, and ready to go once Zabuza handed her her bag.