Chapter Text
Haku was new to Konoha High. He looked around carefully, taking in the new air. It was already miles more humid than Kirigakure; Kiri’s foggy nature enveloping the environment usually decreasing the temperature by tens. He sighed. He understood the need; necessity, even, of wearing pants and “regular” shirts but still: He felt a lot more comfortable in dresses. He’d been teased and bullied for that, even being told by a teacher that dresses aren’t fitting enough for battle.
He finally looked around at his peermates: Everyone seemed to know each other already and that they already had a friend group. He sighed again, fully expected to be picked on at least again. Haku knew from experience that fighting back did nothing; the last time he did that he was expelled for fighting. It was the first time that Haku confirmed that he couldn’t trust authority, even if they were adults and had more life experience.
In the midst of him being stuck in thought, one of the girls approached Haku with a smile. She was blonde and her hair covered her eyes.
“Hiya!” she greeted him. “You’re one of the new transfers, right?”
Haku nodded.
“The first-years go with Iruka!” she said, pointing to a man with a large scar. “I can join you and help you with stuff like the lockers.”
“I don’t want to be a burden…”
“Oh no! You’re not being a burden. What’s your name?”
“Haku…”
“Just Haku?” She giggled.
“…”
“Mine’s Ino Yamanaka! Nice to meet you!” She reached for his hand.
Haku shook it.
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“…And this is your locker!” Ino said.
“…How do you open it?” Haku asked.
“Oh, it’s easy!” She showed him.
“My first class is…” Haku said, taking his time to process. “Computer Graphics? Where is this?” He pointed at the room number.
“Oh, I’ll show you!”
They walked side by side.
“So uh… where are you from?” Ino asked.
“Kirigakure. The Hidden Mist Village.”
“Oh, that’s interesting! What’s it’s like?”
“…Cold. Foggy.” Haku thought a bit. “More rural than this.”
Ino noticed his clothes. “Oh, that makes sense,” Ino said, clearly thinking about something.
The bell rang.
“I’ll see you, Haku!”
Haku gave a brief wave, coming in and observed his environment. Computers, as far as the eye can see. A blonde haired boy trailing after a pink-haired girl, clearly in love. A chubby brown-haired boy.
“Put down those chips, Choji!” The instructor demanded, which woke Haku’s brain.
“Ain’t he fucking stupid?” a deep voiced man shook Haku. He immediately looked at him, blushing slightly, his eye falling at his biceps and legs. Puberty must be… nice. was Haku’s only thought.
“This is the second class I’ve had with him and he keeps eatin’ chips at the beginnin’ of class and had to be told not to,” he said. Haku could feel him gritting his teeth.
“I’m… Haku,” he said quietly.
“Zabuza,” he said quickly.
“I guess… we’ll be partners.”
This was gonna be a great semester.