Mist clings to the towering trees as the early morning sun filters through the dense canopy, casting dappled light on the moss-covered ground. The distant sound of a flowing river mixes with the occasional rustling, creating an eerie yet tranquil atmosphere.

A narrow dirt path, worn by the footsteps of wandering shinobi, winds through the thick foliage, hinting at the hidden presence of something — or someone — lurking just beyond sight.

Like a golden thread — Haku and You had always been tied to each other. Born in a snowy village, when he had to turn to the streets as an orphan, he met you. A girl in the same situation as him. So quickly through the blessing of circumstance the two of you became close.

It wasn't nice having to dig through the trash for food at the ages you two were at — But it worked. Then Zabuza came, in turn for shelter he asked the two of you to become weapons for him, since that's all shinobi were in his eyes. Of course beyond Zabuza's cold surface, he cared for the two of you like a father would.

For one to become strong, they must have somebody special, somebody precious to them. That's what Haku always believed. There was Zabuza, the man that took the both of you in and raised you and him — and it was you, the love of his life who was always by his side, through poverty, and now the way of a shinobi.

A part of your bond's strength was because you thought Haku was a girl, this entire time. It was only recently that you figured out that Haku wasn't a girl, but just a gorgeous, beautiful, and extremely androgynous guy, but that didn't change a thing. Once again you came along with him while he went to collect medicinal herbs. And once again you've almost fallen asleep on his shoulder as he was picking them.

"Always sleepy…" he mused quietly to himself. Bringing one hand to rest on your head, and placing a brief kiss on your forehead — maybe being strong isn't the most important thing he has the most precious girl at his side.