No Sides In Hatred

Chapter 4: "Let Haku Stay!"

They survived the trip back to Konoha. The only reason for saying so though was that the five had a small delay in meeting team ten. After listening to Yamanaka Ino and Sakura... Well you get it. The rest of the trip was tough on everyone. (Mostly Sasuke, but anyway.)

Safely arriving Ino, Shikamaru, Chouji, Sakura, and Sasuke scattered leaving Asuma, Kakashi, and Haku to give the third Hokage their seperate mission reports. Naruto would have left to... though there was nothing to do except get ramen... alone.

'Maybe Haku could come.' The fox boy thought.

"Come on Haku. I can show you around." Naruto gazed up at the female-looking male.

"No Naruto," Kakashi intercepted, "Haku has to meet with the Hokage. He decides whether your... friend gets to stay or not."

Haku smiled at Naruto. "Will you come with. I'm a little nervous. I don't think they'll let me stay."

"Of coarse they'll let you stay! Your with me!" the blue eyed boy boasted warmly, "And when they accept you you can even come and live with me! We'll be roommates!"

The mist boy gave a little laugh.

Walking along in silence Haku mused with himself. 'Maybe I'll have a family again.'

Hopeful. Both Naruto and himself were hopeful.

XXX

The third Hokage shuffled his papers as Konohamaru impaciently paced and Ebisu surveyed.

"Granpa! He'll be here soon right!" The little boy wailed. The third chuckled at his grandsons typical behavior. Ebisu, on the other hand, felt his annoyance getting bigger.

"Now! Honorable grandson-"

"It's okay, Ebisu," The Hokage soothed, "We are all impacient to see Naruto again."

The sunglassed teachers discust was poured throughout the room by his posture. Though Ebisu said nothing of the topic he knew his better, Konoha's leader, could feel it clearly.

Clearing his throat Ebisu commanded his energy to controlling his own emotions.

Kakashi chose this time to 'poof' himself in. Knowing Naruto and Haku were waiting outside until he finished his report, Kakashi relaxed a little as the Hokage dismissed the other two that were preoccupying the room.

The Hokage turned to Kakashi, "Hm, everything went well?"

The silver haired jounin sighed, "It depends on how you mean..."

"What happened?"

"It seemed that the mission should have been classed B- rank. There was a Jounin and an ANBU after our client. Their names were Momochi Zabuza and Haku. Momochi Zabuza died, but on the other hand..."

Naruto burst into the room. Not being able to take waiting anymore. He shouted to the Hokage loudly, "Hey, old man! Can Haku stay or what?"

The Hokage covered up his mild confusion as the said 'Haku' walked in the door calmly after Naruto.

"Kakashi, what is this?"

The jounin felt his irritation slowly showing, "I told you to wait. I'm sorry Hokage, but Haku was left alive and has asked to come here and become a ninja of Konoha. Naruto has foolishly supported this idea."

"I see." The old man gazed upon the two younger ones. "I'm sorry Naruto, but Haku is an outlaw. We have no means to equip someone as such into our home. Haku, I hope you understand you'll have to be under imidiate arrest and interogated.

Haku bowed, "I understand."

Kakashi felt as if he had won an important victory, but Naruto wouldn't let it go.

"That isn't fair!"

"Life isn't fair." Kakashi replied.

"Haku isn't a bad person! He was under someone who was bad! He's not an enemy! I would trust him to watch my back! He's a very loyal person!" Naruto went on shouting.

"Enough Naruto!" Kakashi yelled, "Learn some control."

The Hokage smiled on Naruto, "I see how you feel, but the law is black and white. Haku can not be a ninja here."

"Then let him become a citizen! "

"I'm sorry, we can't do that, Naruto."

"Then let him be watched by Kakashi! Whatever you can do to let him stay and not get tortured!"

The silver haired Jounin felt his eye twitch, "I will not agree to that."

The fox stuck out his tongue towards his teacher, "Someone else will!"

"Who? What idiot will watch over a criminal?" Kakashi continued.

"Grrrr! I don't care! Just as long as Haku stays!"

The Hokage shook his head at the two, "Enough! Okay Naruto. Find someone who will watch Haku and we'll see if he can become a citizen."

Naruto's smile lit up the room, "Thanks old man! Come on Haku, let's go find someone that doesn't have a stick up his ass like Kakashi."

The kind boy smiled, "Okay, Naruto." The two hurried out of the room with an energetic Naruto ready to show Haku the town. Kakashi stayed behind. Feeling a little more than pissed.

"Hokage-sama as much as I respect you... I don't think that was a good choice." The silver haired jounin chose his words carefully.

The Hokage chuckled. "Don't worry Kakashi. You'll keep an eye on him, won't you?"

Straining to smile under his mask Kakashi replied, "Hai, Hokage-sama."

Disappearing in a poof of smoke the Hokage smiled, "Besides. Haku seems like a genuine boy."

Kakashi appeared on a roof, watching the two boys with angry thoughts. 'The boy is a missing nin! He betrayed his own village... What makes the Hokage think that Haku won't...' The mysterious jounin's eye caught Naruto pulling a prank on the ramen vender. Running away without paying. An idea came to him. 'Hm. The Hokage is getting soft. He's giving Naruto special treament because of the fox... Maybe I should hurry it along to prove that the special treatment just led a uncontrollable boy into our village. It would get him out as soon as possible.'

Naruto and Haku continued their way through the village as Kakashi strolled after them from above. A, what you would call, evil plan formulating the mist boys' demise.