A Second Chance at Winter...

Chapter 6

Well, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

~ Mugan Von Hellscream

It was very pleasant just siting there in the field. The sun was hidden behind the trees above and the breeze very gentle. Naruto closed his eyes and made contented sigh. This is what is should have been like... Naruto thought with a smile. Just enjoying one eachother's company... After a moment Naruto got turned to face her and spoke softly. "Haku-chan," She opened her brown eyes and Naruto smile widened. "That position can't be that comfort able." She was on her knees leaning up against him. "Come, sit down." Naruto said patting the ground next to him.

She nodded with a smile and sat down next to him. She then took his arm in his and laid her head against his shoulder. "... I was so surprised..." She said after a moment of silence. "...How did you know it was me?" She asked softly.

Naruto smiled softly and leaned his head on hers. "...You smell..."

Haku pulled away with a look of barely contained anger. "What did you say!"

Naruto chuckled and waved a placating hand in front of him. "I didn't mean it that way... I mean your scent... I've never met anyone that smelled of Herbs and Lilacs before..." Naruto took her hand in his and he smiled. "Its a very nice and unique scent..."

Haku's scowl turned into a smile and she retook her position by his side. "... I was this close to turning you into an icy pincushion." She admitted sheepishly.

Naruto gave a nervous chuckle "... It wouldn't be the first time that my mouth has gotten me into near-death situations."

They sat there for about half an hour just enjoying eachother until Naruto suddenly asked "How Lee?"

"He's fine now... the pain you were talking about had faced by the time I got him back to the Hideout... I gave him something to help him rest but besides that I think he will be fine."

Naruto nodded rubbing his cheek against her hair. "... and Zabuza?"

"He resting to... but he wants to have a talk with you?" Haku replied enjoying the sensation.

"Really? What about?" Naruto asked hesitantly.

"I really don't know..." she replied with a frown.

A couple of minutes later Naruto then said "We should probably get going, I want to check on Lee and you need to look after Zabuza..." Haku gave a faint nod as they broke apart and rose to their feet. Haku then slipped her arm into his and began to guide to the Hideout.

Naruto walked smiling besides Haku as they made their way to Zabuza's Hideout in a pleasant silence. After a few moments Naruto suddenly noticed that Haku was examining him. "What is it Haku-chan?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. "Something on my face?"

Haku gave a small smile and shook her head. "No its not that... its just... you seem... different."

Naruto frowned hearing that. "Different? How?"

She tilted her head and Naruto had to admit she looked rather cute as she pondered the question. "Well... your not bounding around with your usual energy... you seem more restrained and calm."

Of course... Naruto thought as he gazed at her. I'm acting more like I do now then how I acted then...or it that the other way around? Naruto frowned in thought and looked ahead. Trying to grasp the concept of time travel was really confusing and trying to figure out the possibilities of the changed events were driving him crazy.

"Are you ok?" Haku asked seeing his grim expression. "I'm sorry for offending you if I did..."

Naruto instantly realizing she interpreted his expression as being displeased with her. He quickly put on a smile and then shook his head. "It's alright Haku-chan, I'm not mad at you, I just have a lot on my mind and that comment made me think about something troubling."

Haku let out a small breath of relief. "Oh... well, whats on your mind Naruto-kun? Is there anything I can help you with?" She said with a dazzling smile and her eyes shined in the light.

Naruto's mind suddenly went hazy and he had to quickly look away before he got lost in her eyes. "N-no," He stuttered out. "It's okay, its just that a lot of things are going on."

Haku nodded in understanding. "I know what you mean... Zabuza-sa... I mean Otoosan is considering raiding Gato's base of operations here once he has recovered."

Naruto eyes widened and his brain went into overdrive. If we did that... Nami no Kuni could get on its feet faster... and who knows what other goodies we can find... but... Naruto smiled but then another thought entered his mind. If Zabuza is successful and gets what he needs... He might leave... with Haku.

Naruto frowned again and then asked. "Haku-chan... what's going to happen to us?"

Haku raised an eyebrow. "I don't understand..." She told him with a small frown. "What do you mean?"

Suddenly a cold chill ran up his spine. Could it be that Haku didn't share his feeling? Could it be that this was never meant to be? Had he gone through unimaginable pain to get here and it ended up being for nothing?

Naruto's vision began to haze and he could feel his legs getting weak. "It can't be..." He muttered as he began to fall.

Haku's eyes widened in shock and worry as Naruto collapsed onto his side. "Naruto-kun!" She knelled next to him as his vision began to black out. "Naruto-kun!"

an hour or so later later...

Naruto's eyes fluttered open and he found himself staring up at a wooden ceiling. "Wha..." Naruto sat up and brought a hand to his face. "What happened?" Looking around Naruto's eyes soon settled on a nearby cot. On it laid a bare chested Lee snoring away. Naruto swung his legs over his cot and stood up. Rushing by his side Naruto nudged him a little. "Lee? Lee wake up, Lee!"

Lee's eyes fluttered open and he smiled. "Naruto-kun..." He yawned and then shook is head. "Are we going to pick out the wedding arch today?" He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the cot. Looking around her frowned. "Where are we?" His eyes trailed back to Naruto's face and he blinked. He blinked again. "Oh Kami..." he whispered noticing for the first time Naruto's appearance. "Your... your..."

Naruto nodded. "Yeah, so are you." Naruto said pulling of his headband so Lee could see his reflection.

Lee stared at his younger face in shock. "How... How did this happen?"

Naruto shrugged. "I have no Idea, the last thing i can remember before waking up was that weird pillar of light... the next... were like this.. and..." Naruto trailed off.

"...and what Naruto-kun?" Lee asked with a frown.

Naruto sighed and sat on the cot next to his friend. "Lee, I don't know how to tell you this but..." Naruto turned to him and then said "...We're in the past Lee."

Lee stared at him for a moment and then gave a small chuckle. "Ha ha ha... you almost had me there Naruto-kun, what did you do, a Genjutsu?"

Naruto frowned. "Lee, you and I both know that I can't pull of a Genjutsu to save my life. I'm serious Lee, what ever happened... were in the past now..."

There was a moment of long silence before Lee's shoulders slumped. "H-how is this possible... How far did we go?" Then like a tone of bricks Lee's eyes widened. "...Sakura..."

Naruto sighed and then wrapped an arm around Lee's shoulders. "We've about seven years in the past Lee... Sasuke is still here... and Sakura is still an Uchiha fan-girl..."

Lee ran his hand through his hair and the asked. "Where are we... and when?"

"We're in Zabuza's hideout... we arrived the day of the bridge battle Lee..." Naruto informed his friend.

Lee's eyes widened and then narrowed. "... Did you... did you do this Uzumaki!" Lee growled anger burning in his eyes. "Did you bring us here!"

Naruto raised his hands in front of his chest in a placating manner. "Lee, I swear on the Hokage mountain that I did no such thing." Lee sat there glaring daggers into his body for several seconds before his eyes softened and then he nodded with a sigh.

"I'm sorry Naruto-kun..."

Naruto smiled in relief and then said "It's alright Lee... I know it seems rather... convenient... that this happened but I swear i didn't know this was going to happen."

"I know my friend... You have never mislead me before... so I believe you..." Lee said as he stared at the floor. His eyes suddenly widened "The day of the bridge battle..." He sat up straight and turned to Naruto. "Does that mean... were you able to..."

As if on Que the door to the room opened and Haku walked in with a tray. Her eyes widened seeing Lee and Naruto awake and she smiled in relief. "Naruto-kun your awake."

Naruto turned to her and he went rigid. The thought that had plagued his mind an hour before rammed them selves through his mind and he had to force them away. "Y-yeah Haku-chan..." Naruto managed to get out. "I'm fine."

She smiled and nodded. "I'm glad..." Her eyes then trailed to Lee and then gave a polite bow. "I see your awake as well Lee-san. I hope you are feeling well."

Lee turned to Naruto and Naruto nodded his head. "Lee, this is Haku..."

Lee turned his head back to Haku and then gave a polite smile. "Yes I am, thank you for asking Haku-san..."

Haku then walked forward and held out the tray. "Here, I brought you some Herbal Tea, Is should help with any residual pain. It should also make you feel better Naruto-kun, I was worried that you might have been injured in the fight and hadn't noticed."

Lee accepted the tea with a smile. "Thank you Haku-san. I am very grateful..."

Naruto took a cup as well. "Thank you Haku-chan..." Naruto murmured as he took the tea. The thought were banging against his skull and he was beginning to feel doubt about the whole situation. This can't be... maybe I'm just over reacting... Naruto thought as he sipped the tea. Naruto immediately felt teh effects of the tea and the calming sensation it brought. Yeah... I'm probably over reacting...

"This is very good tea Haku-san." Lee said as he finished his cup. "I can see why Naruto-kun likes you so much."

Haku blushed and gave a small smile. "Thank you for the compliment Lee-san..." She glanced at Naruto and then back to Lee. "Would you like another cup?"

Naruto had frozen stiff when she had looked at him. He had noticed a hint of displeasure in her gaze. Ok, maybe I'm not over reacting. He thought as the calming affect of the tea was blasted away.

After Lee had accepted another cup and Haku had refilled his soon after she left with a polite bow closing the door behind her.

"I see why you have feelings for her Naruto-kun, she is beautiful and very polite." Lee complimented as he took another sip of his tea. After a moment of Silence Lee turned to Naruto with a frown. "Is something the matter Naruto-kun?"

Naruto looked up at him and then frowned. "I think I might have mad her mad at me..."

Haku walked into the main room after setting the tray down in the small kitchen area. She sat down on a small stool and began to finish sewing Naruto's jacket up. She frowned in thought as she continued to stitch the rips shut. He's acting so strange today... I hope he is alright... She thought as she worked. Her eyes then narrowed. And where does he get the nerve to talk about me to his friend? I'm not that kinda girl...

Her shoulders slumped and she sighed. It was an honest compliment though... I guess I might be over reacting a bit... She shifted the jacket around in her hands looking for another rip. I wonder what he was trying to ask me earlier before he passed out... "What's going to happen to us?" What did he mean by that...

Her eyes then widened as a thought entered her mind. I did tell him about Otoosan's plan... If he were to go through with it Otoosan would leave Nami no Kuni...and I would have to leave Naruto... could that be what he was asking about?

Haku rose to her feet and after setting the jacket down and walked back to the room that Naruto and Lee were occupying. As she drew near she could here what sounded like hushed arguing. Biting her lip hesitently she pressed her ear against the door and Lee's muffled voice was heard.

"...ruto-kun, don't think like that. I mean... be mad at you?"

Haku breathing hitched. Does Naruto-kun think I'm upset at him? But why?

Then Naruto's voice entered her ear. "It think I might have overestimated our relationsh... asked her a question... acted like... and then after your compliment about why I like her she had this look...and I don't know anymore."

Haku's eyes widened hearing the conversation and she gasped. He think that... Oh no... She frowned and looked down. How could he think that... She thought in despair. After a moment she nodded and looked up with a determined look in her eyes. She opened the door startling Naruto and Lee and to walk up to Naruto

"Oh, Haku-chan you sca-" Naruto was cut off as Haku swiftly slipped his head behind his head and mashed their lips together. Naruto's eyes widened in shock as she forced her tongue into his mouth. She then broke the kiss and wrapped her arms around him in a firm embrace. "Wha... uh..." He muttered his head spinning.

Haku locked eyes with him, brown meeting blue and said "Don't you ever question my feeling for you Naruto-kun." She pulled him into another embrace and shut her eyes. "I love you... So don't you ever wonder if I don't..." She murmured as she buried her face in the crook of his neck.

He stood there surprise still etched on his face and he glanced at Lee who was smiling. Lee then moved his lips simply saying. "Told you so."

Naruto's expression changed into one of acceptance and he smiled as he wrapped his arms around her. "I love you too Haku..." Her hold on him tightened and he smiled. "...and I'm sorry for ever doubting you..."

Haku smiled and then pressed her lips to his cheek. "I forgive you..." They stood like that for a brief moment until suddenly the sound of someone clearing there troat was heard. All three teens turned to see a heavily bandaged Momochi Zabuza leaning against the doorway.

Lee flinched and Shuddered. He has no eyebrows!"

Naruto and Haku broke apart in embarrassment and fear. Zabuza after a moment then pointed at Naruto with a Kunai. "You," He then brought the point up to face him. "and me," He then pointed the Kunai behind him. "... are going to have a nice talk..." He then leaned forward menacingly. "Now."

Naruto paled seeing the look in Zabuza's eyes and Naruto gulped in fear. I saved him only for him to kill me later... shit.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I did! WOOT! Yay, and all that. You now the drill review review review. Also... I have made it a point to say... I am holding the next chapter hostage, it owes me money. I will put it up in a bit, but I would like some of you peoples to check out my other fics too. I mean this story has 10k hits! That makes me happy, but all my other stories are wasting away... So sad, but yeah once again, thanks for reading!