Story: My Courageous Shinobi

Kagome x Haku

Disclaimer: No own.

My Precious Person

A stranger dressed in a woman's kimono stepped into a forest's clearing, a wicker basket for collecting herbs at hand. This person was beautiful and most would've suspected that the lovely being was female, but alas, the 'she' was actually a 'he'. And his name was Haku. Companion, or the faithful tool as he liked to say, to his Zabuza-san.

With both hands clutching the wooden container in front of him, he cocked his head to the side and soft wisps of dark hair fell to the side. In front of him was an injured girl dressed in what seemed to be a white haori and a red hakama. Being the usual kind one at heart, he walked over to the girl's side. In her hands she held a bow and arrows. And at the side of her torso was a bloody gash, slowly tainting the white clothing.

Haku leaned down and examined the injury. He smiled cheerfully. "Well, I suppose I can't just leave you here to die." his soft and feminine voice spoke. From his basket he grabbed a few selective herbs and grinded them with rocks. When it was ready he gingerly parted the girl's haori, but kept the top part together so if she suddenly awoke he could spare her some shame should she feel any.

Then he went straight to work with the smashed herbs. For any man it probably would've felt quite disturbing to be tending to an unconscious female with touching her – but for Haku it was just an act of kindness. That was probably the reason most healers were usually women since they had better control then their male counterparts.

From inside his kimono, Haku flashed white bandages. With careful precision not to stress the wound, he wrapped the material around her stomach area. After the finishing touch, he pulled her haori together. "Now, I should get going to Zabuza-san with these herbs," he said with a generous grin. Haku stood up and as if on cue, the girl's expression started to change.

One eye similar to Haku's own opened, and the other followed after. The female first seemed to be confused and scrunched up her nose. She then got up to a sitting position, squinting her eyes due to the pain at her side. Haku's lips turned to a generous curve. "You shouldn't move too much, or you'll irritate the gash."

The girl sprawled on the floor's eyes widened in surprise, then she beamed at the 'woman' in front of her. "My name is Higurashi Kagome. Arigatou gozaimasu!" The miko's hand moved over to the wound, and with a nervous face she looked up again to the person in front of her. "I'll try to repay you somehow!" Haku's hands moved in front of him as if to stop her.

"No, it's fine. I couldn't leave an injured stranger on the forest floor. Your wound is bandaged now. And my name, is Haku." He brought his hand to his lips, creating a thoughtful image. "You won't be able to move for a few hours. So I suppose I should stay and help you survive until that time." And with that another gleaming smile was shone.

She's so beautiful, and kind! Kagome thought with awe. A small look of pain revealed itself on Kagome's face. Another stab of pain ran up from her injury. The group had been in a battle against a pack of bloodthirsty ookami youkai. The result was that they had all been seperated when the masses of youkai chased each of them, intending to split the group apart.

"Itai." the miko softly murmured.

"I'm not sure if this is enough," Haku sat next to her and reached inside his kimono's pocket. When he pulled his hand out he held an apple and a pear. "But perhaps it'll be better than nothing?" Kagome brightened up, but also with shame that she'd have to take a stranger's food when they had already taken care of her. She was very hungry, but it didn't mean that she could just steal food like that.

"Iie, I wouldn't want to take food from you, Haku-san. I'm not hungry." she smiled. With strange bad luck, the noise of a growling stomach radiated from her. She blushed with embarrassment. With no hesitation, Haku placed the fruits in her hands.

"I have an available source. Don't worry, no one will starve."

"Arigatou." Kagome sighed. She bit into the apple with relief. How lucky had she been to have come across this helpful stranger. Haku raised an eyebrow at the setting sun, a delicate frown on his face.

Zabuza-san is hurt and I need to get to him also. Kagome noticed his troubled look.

"Haku-san, if you need to go you should." she grinned. "You helped me more than enough." Haku nodded and stood up.

"I'm sorry that I can't accompany you. However, the injury should be healed in a matter of time." his gentle voice rang. At the tone of Haku's voice and the faraway look that her savior had held, Kagome concluded that there was another person who needed help. At this, she smiled with appreciation.

"You must have someone very precious to you. Right, Haku-san?" He looked taken back as to why she would've said that. "And you're anxious to get to them quickly. Because they're hurt and you want to heal them as fast as you can." He didn't know what to say in reply to her words.

Ever since Zabuza had taken him in as a child, Haku had felt a string of deep connection between them. Whenever he had gotten hurt, Haku was there to eagerly mend his wounds and battle by his side in fights. And no one was more important to him but his Zabuza-san who had always been there for him.

And in return for being there, Haku repaid him by being a weapon for him. "I am...but a tool for him. But I love to stand by his side and fight the enemy. I would risk my life for him."

They must be in love. The miko pondered. But she nodded and smiled at the words from the other 'woman'. "You must care for you a lot too."

Haku looked at Kagome straight in the eye with another curve of the lips. "I'd like to think so. But after all, I'm nothing but a tool for him. However I'm happy. Just as long as I can be useful." It seemed as if stars shined in Haku's eyes. Happiness.

A tool? Kagome wondered. She's happy, just to be able to serve him? Those words reminded her of InuYasha. Should she have been more like Haku and be grateful just to travel with the silver-haired hanyou? Be jubilant just because she could be his jewel detector?

"Oi, wench, let's get going." InuYasha ordered as he stood up. A tired Kagome exhaled from her seat on the dirt. "Isogu, we have lots of other shards to detect! And that's your job, isn't it?"

Kagome fumed at his words. "My...job?" InuYasha defiantly crossed his arms and stuck his nose in the air, creating the look of a spoiled canine.

"That's right, you're invaluable, because you're a shard detector!" he seemed quite actually proud to bellow it clearly in the air. Kagome gritted her teeth.

"You jerk! Osuwari!" InuYasha fell head first into the dirt. "Osuwari!" And again, "O-su-wa-ri!" This punishment had continued for about an hour. It had been a painful hour, for the inu hanyou InuYasha.

But even though InuYasha had his own way with words, he had also been a good friend at times.

"Baka! Why'd you rush into that thing!" Kagome sighed as she stayed in her position on the futon. She had been severely hurt from a fight. With one arrow she had believed she could finish the youkai they had been fighting. But things just hadn't gone the right way. She closed her eyes, tears brimming due to her companion's words.

InuYasha's nose twitched at the scent of tears. "Feh," he sat down next to her futon, arms crossed. Kagome opened her eyes to see only the back of his silver hair. "Baka. I was worried." it was only a whisper, probably not meant for her to have heard. Kagome's eyes widened and more tears began to fall. InuYasha quickly turned around with a nervous expression.

"Hey, hey, stop crying! I was kidding about the baka thing, okay!" Through blurry eyes, Kagome smiled at him thankfully

"You actually care about me, InuYasha. Even while you yell, you were concerned." Kagome didn't know why but she felt like another piece had been added to her very soul. For two years she had yearned for InuYasha's acceptance of her, and she had it. Again, InuYasha stuck his nose high in the air.

"Feh. Well, isn't that what friends are for?" If it was even possible, Kagome's eyes widened more. With a sudden rush of strength and energy she rushed forth to embrace her friend. InuYasha scratched his head with his index finger. "Eh? Are you sick or something?"

The miko smiled at the pleasant memory. "Your precious person. I bet anything, that he also cares for you. Sometimes there are guys who just won't admit their true feelings. Just don't lose him no matter what, you should protect the one you treasure with all you have." The mist-nin nodded while he took all of this in. Kagome couldn't comprehend how all of this was coming out of her mouth. It seemed like something a wise adult would say. Or better yet, her mother.

"I will always remember your words, Kagome-san." he turned towards the setting sun with a smile. "I think I know now. Arigatou." Some time had passed while they had been talking, and it was close to night. He stood up and extended his hand to the black haired miko. "You should be able to move now. The herbs I used were quite effective." In her mind, Kagome silently prayed that Haku's words were true. To try and boost her luck, Kagome lunged from the ground with the help of Haku's hand.

She blushed. Kagome had jumped right into Haku's body. "Eh?" then with realization she jumped back, resulting with a tree's bark to her back. "Gomen, Haku-san." Haku waved it off with another kind smile.

Haku-san. Why did I feel so embarrassed when I accidentally fell into her arms? A shock came to Kagome. I do not like girls! I do not like girls! No, no, no! Haku noticed a troubled look on the girl's face and tilted his head to the right.

"Is, something wrong Kagome-san?" The miko attempted to cover her blushing face with her hands. Though it just did not do.

"Iie, Haku-san. Gomen." Haku laughed lightly.

"You've already said that. It's alright." he then turned around from her, stepping towards the direction opposite to wear Kagome was supposed to go. "I owe you, Kagome-san. I hope we get to meet again."

The red stain was still not completely off of the miko's face, but she nodded. "Hai." Haku then suddenly stopped and Kagome raised an eyebrow to his sudden halt.

"Oh, by the way, I'm a guy." Kagome's mouth dropped. In her mind things were going crazy until she calmed down. When she regained attention, Haku was already gone. She coughed once to clear her throat, and slumped against the tree.

Kagome sighed, and then smiled. Well that explains why I was blushing. I knew there was something about Haku-san. Kagome rested her chin on a palm. I wonder...who his valuable person is. His words echoed within her mind.

"I owe you, Kagome-san. I hope we get to meet again."

One Year Later

Haku's breath grew even shallower with each passing moment. But he had to get there; he had to protect his precious person. Naruto had decided against killing him when he had had the chance. Arigatou, Naruto-kun. I'll be able to make it in time. With the last of his strength, Haku lunged forward to the immobile Zabuza, Hatake Kakashi's attack going through him instead.

Blood gushed from Haku's lips. "Kagome-san, your words helped me. To protect. My precious person." his words were merely a whisper, unable to be heard. But that was all he needed. He had done his job. He had protected his treasure. The only thing he heard was Zabuza's chuckling.

"Good job, Haku." the strong and vicious voice complimented.

I'm glad. You're happy, Zabuza-san.

Kagome stopped walking, whirling around on the road to face the opposite side. It was as if she had heard someone speaking to her. A voice she had remembered clearly.

She raised a firm eyebrow. "Haku-san...?" Sango stopped along with her.

"Is something the matter, Kagome-chan?" the tajiya asked her sister-like figure who shook her head as a negative in reply.

"Iie, Sango-chan. Just enjoying the wind." The other woman took the answer and hurried up to the group.

"Well take a few minutes, Kagome-chan, just catch up after your done!" and with a smile, the kimono-wearing woman jumped ahead. The girl from the future smiled into the wind.

Protect your precious person.

Well guys this is the end of the first chapter! Please review for more updates, and remember I take suggestions to the other chapter pairings! What should the second chapter's pairing be? Kagome x ? Suggest in review!

Arigatou Gozaimasu: Thank you very much

Isogu: Hurry up!