A boy?
"You are indeed an Idiot, he's a boy."
Back at the house, as expected, the kindhearted team agreed to let Haku stay the night.
However, when Natsuki confirmed that Haku was indeed male and would be sharing their room, Kiba nearly jumped out of his skin.
Tazuna's house didn't have many spare rooms, so they had to make do.
"She's a girl! How can she be a boy? And share a room with us?" Kiba's eyes widened in disbelief.
He couldn't comprehend how someone as naturally beautiful, prettier than many girls in his class, could possibly be male. "And... and she's wearing a pink outfit!"
"I-I'm sorry," Haku stammered, lowering his head apologetically. "I just… I like white and pink clothes."
His world had once been gray, devoid of hope. It wasn't until he met Zabuza that he felt a sense of purpose, and gradually developed a fondness for brighter colors.
Ignoring Kiba's stunned silence, Natsuki addressed Haku, "Go and wash up first. You're covered in petals and dirt."
Haku looked down and sniffed his clothes. Indeed, they were soiled with mud, leaves, and flower petals. He hurried into the bathroom to clean himself and his clothes.
Kiba felt a pang of disappointment.
He had rarely felt such an immediate connection with someone, only to discover they were male.
He absentmindedly petted Akamaru, his thoughts still lingering on the person in the bathroom.
The sound of running water conjured up inappropriate images in his mind.
No! He's a boy! Stop thinking like that! Kiba mentally berated himself, slapping his own cheek. You animal!
He finally calmed down, but then his gaze drifted towards the bathroom again. His heart leaped into his throat.
Haku emerged, freshly bathed, his long hair damp and cascading down one side, his slender frame draped in a loose white garment.
You're telling me that's a boy? Kiba stared, utterly bewildered.
"Excuse me for intruding," Haku said with a slight bow. "Thank you for taking me in."
"D-don't mention it!" Kiba blurted out without thinking. "It's dangerous for a girl to be out in the wilderness alone. It's no trouble at all; we have plenty of space."
Haku's face twitched. This guy is dense.
"Actually, there are only two beds, Kiba. And you know I toss and turn in my sleep," Natsuki said, stifling a laugh. "I think Haku should sleep with you."
"B-but how can I...?" Kiba stammered, his face flushing crimson. "Haku can have my bed; Akamaru and I will sleep on the floor. We're used to it from camping out."
"Alright, then it's settled. It wouldn't be right to make our guest sleep on the floor," Natsuki said quickly, cutting off Kiba's protests.
Kiba had a feeling he'd been played.
A short while later, huddled on the floor in the corner with Akamaru, Kiba watched Natsuki and Haku chatting animatedly in the beds above.
I've been tricked! he realized.
Natsuki, with his good looks and reputation as a heartbreaker, had snatched the gentle young lady away in an instant. I shouldn't have given up my bed! My love… it's over before it even began.
At least I have Akamaru.
"Woof!!!" Akamaru, sensing Kiba's dejection, nudged his head with a paw, offering comfort.
"Agumon! Bring me my sword!" Natsuki called out the door.
A moment later, a small, dinosaur-like Agumon emerged from the nearby woods, carrying a menacingly large sword in its mouth, Zabuza's Executioner's Blade.
However, as it approached the doorway, the horizontally held sword got stuck.
"You klutz," Natsuki chuckled, getting out of bed to help retrieve the sword. He tossed a piece of meat to Agumon as a reward.
He wasn't sure what it liked to eat, but as an omnivore with a preference for meat, treating it like a dog seemed to work just fine.
"Natsuki, is this your weapon?" Haku asked, his eyes shining as he leaned forward, fixated on the Executioner's Blade. This was his target. "It looks so dangerous."
"Nah, it's a confiscated item. Some punk ninja was littering, so I taught him a little lesson," Natsuki replied, casually swinging the massive blade.
He glanced at the smooth skin of Haku's neck visible above the loose collar of his garment. There was a movement there.
Yep, definitely a boy, he thought, suddenly losing interest.
"Really?" Haku's face darkened for a moment; calling Zabuza a punk was almost too much for him to bear.
But years of training as a ninja allowed him to quickly compose himself. He forced a pleasant expression and offered an insincere compliment.
"I heard ninjas are really powerful. You must be very skilled, Natsuki."
"Skilled? Yean, I'm extraordinarily skilled," Natsuki boasted with his usual confidence, causing Kiba and Akamaru to roll their eyes.
But Haku giggled, his eyes crinkling into crescents.
Natsuki found himself strangely affected by the display of innocent charm. How can a boy be so adorable and… feminine? he wondered.
The feeling of discomfort reminded him of a certain chuuni patient who wanted to make the world feel his pain. That's it! I can't be the only one suffering, he thought.
"Do you like this sword?" he asked Haku, a sly grin spreading across his face like a wolf in sheep's clothing.
"Huh?" Haku blinked, caught off guard.
"Besides its unique shape, this sword isn't very useful to me. Since you seem to like it so much, I'll give it to you," Natsuki offered, laying the bait.
Is this Natsuki's legendary seduction technique?
Kiba marveled from the floor.
Using casual conversation to subtly figuring out what the girl likes, then sealing the deal with a gift. Genius!
He buried his face in his hands, feeling utterly defeated.
Natsuki was superior in strength, looks, and even social skills. As his teammate, he felt so inadequate.
He briefly considered leaving the room and sleeping outside, but he couldn't just abandon Haku, especially since he was the one who'd invited him to stay.
"I…" Haku started to decline, wanting to conceal his true intentions.
However, the powerful ninja who had injured Zabuza clearly sensed his desire. He decided honesty was the best approach.
"I do like it," he admitted with a nod, then shook his head, his voice filled with hesitation. "But it's yours, Natsuki. I couldn't possibly..."
"Wear a dress," Natsuki interrupted, "and it's yours."
"Huh?" Haku tilted his head, completely thrown by the condition. The boy with the eyepatch was too unpredictable.
What did he mean by "wear a dress?"
"Put on a dress," Natsuki repeated, "and I'll give you the sword."
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