Kaa understood that Haku had a lot on her mind. Apparently it was very painful as she kept on avoiding the subject directly. He supposed it wasn’t really any of his business but he couldn’t help but wonder for a moment what could cause this strange man-cub, who had shown great courage throughout their encounter, to have such fear? It was impossible for it to be anything else. Kaa mentally debated what to do. He could either A) let it all go by pretending not to have noticed anything and continue on with life, B) ask about it directly, thereby risk overstepping the boundaries of their new “friendship” and offend Haku or C) manipulate it out of her, forcing her to confront her fear, overcome it and have her gratitude. Ever the opportunist, Kaa chose C. He would have to be subtle, stay on the subject but not ask directly, force the man-cub to confront it herself.

“Oh? How do you mean?” he asked in response to her last statement. There, now lets see where this leads to.