Yo. I know you guys are mad at me for not updating, especially with my other story, but I have AP Physics and AP Calculus classes to worry about. I am a senior now, so I am trying to do my absolute best this year. Anyway, I am going to give all my readers fair warning, so do not get mad at me if it becomes too much for you (wimp). Near the end of this chapter and onward, Zabuza's ugliest side starts to show. Seems our favorite ninja is going to be butting heads with a certain Demon soon enough. I cannot say I have been keeping Zabuza IC without showing this side of him. We all know it is there. This chapter is dedicated to Kakashi's insecurity, which I need to show if I want to keep him IC as well. Later.

Dangerous Signs

It had been a week since Akira had taken Kakashi in, and Zabuza visited every day. Kakashi was growing quite weary of Zabuza's persistence, but he had to admit that it was nice to have someone talk to and tangle with, someone who knew what it was to be a ninja and the burdens that came with the title. Even so, Kakashi couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Very wrong.

"Kakashi-kun, did Zabuza-kun tell you if he was coming?"

"Yes, otou-san. He said he would come."

"He is very respectful to me, although a bit gruff, but I can't help but think there's something amiss."

"What do you mean, otou-san?"

"I just sometimes feel there's something we're not seeing…something hidden. Do you realize what I'm saying, Kakashi-kun?"

"Yes, otou-san."

'More than you realize it yourself, actually.' Kakashi let Zabuza in as he had been doing for days, but he made sure not to provide any sweet sauce with the dumplings. He refused to so much as glance at Zabuza during the entire meal, preferring to stare at either his food or the opposite wall. It was easy enough…until Akira decided to ruin Kakashi's blissful ignorance.

"Kakashi-kun?"

"Yes, otou-san?"

"I've decided to let Zabuza-kun stay with us for awhile."

Kakashi nearly choked on his rice upon hearing Akira's words.

"Otou-san, he's dangerous!"

"He has no place to stay, Kakashi-kun. He's been living on the streets all this time, so I offered to let him stay here. I'm sure you two will get along just fine."

Akira left the table, allowing no argument from Kakashi.

"I know you had something to do with this."

"I didn't do anything. Half the village knows I'm here, and since I'm a rogue ninja I obviously can't get a home of my own. Common knowledge, Kakashi-kun."

"I told you not to call me that, and I couldn't care less about your living situation. Everything that has happened to you is your fault, no one else's."

"I never said it was anyone else's fault, and I don't need your judgment nor do I care for it. In many ways you're no better than me."

"I'm nothing like you. I chose to stay with my village and protect it with all of my strength. You chose to abandon Kiri so you could chase your own selfish ambitions, not caring who got hurt as long as you got what you wanted. You haven't changed a bit. You're just trying to get what you want, and you don't care about anyone else but yourself."

Kakashi could cut people deeply with his words, and Zabuza would not stand for it. With speed invisible to all eyes but those of a ninja, he had Kakashi pinned against the wall of the main room.

"You're not so high and mighty. You push people away to keep yourself from getting hurt, but you end up hurting them in the process. I cared for Haku, and I should have realized that sooner. You don't see me taking out my past on others, hurting them to keep myself from feeling more pain. That is selfishness, so don't try to avoid your faults by pointing out mine!"

"You're a violent brute who doesn't mind using force to get what you want. There's no crime you wouldn't do, and you're not sorry for any of it. I don't care for immoral brutes who feel nothing but hate. I'm not going to waste my time with you."

"That just shows you're arrogant. You think you're so above me that I'm not worth your time. What kind of bullshit is that? I think you like brutality, considering you're always so calm. There's nothing wrong with me being sadistic when you're a masochist."

"I am not a masochist."

"I may be brutal, but at least I'm not a liar."

Kakashi knew he was a big liar…he couldn't deny it. He also couldn't deny the blush on his face as Zabuza kissed him, using the distraction to pull down his kimono…

"Kakashi-kun?"

"Otou-san!"

Akira had caught them just as Zabuza had gotten to devouring his neck, leaving his left shoulder exposed once again.

"Kakashi-kun, activity like that should be left in the bedroom, not the main room. I guess this means you'll have no problem with him staying, am I right?"

The question was rhetorical, and Akira had left before Kakashi could catch his breath to answer.

"I can't believe he's letting you stay here."

Zabuza let out an exasperated sigh and frowned.

"Be honest. Do you want me to stay or not?"

"Fine."

"It was a yes or no question."

"Then I'm not answering."

Kakashi winced as Zabuza kissed him so hard he could feel the teeth slightly digging into his skin, and he whimpered a bit as Zabuza made his lips bleed. 'Does he really have to bite me when he does this?'

"That's for not answering the question. By the way…I told you so."

"What are you talking about?"

"You're a masochist."

'Maybe I am.'

TBC

Mazuiko: This one is a bit shorter, hopefully not too much. Zabuza's nasty side is starting to show. The combination of Kakashi's insecurity and Zabuza's dominating personality makes for a lot of…angst! In chapter 7, Kakashi can see (and feel) that Zabuza can be dangerous to anyone, even the people he cares about, but it doesn't make it any easier for him to say no…especially when a certain Demon won't take no for an answer.