A/N: Been fiddling with this idea for awhile now so finally decided to just write it out. This story won't be long, only 5 chapters in total and I've written 3 of it already. Enjoy!
He first laid sight upon her in the season of fresh beginnings.
Sitting demurely beside the calm setting of a lake accompanied with the roaring of a waterfall cascading against the harsh path set by the rocks of the mountain, he watched her hands pick from the cluster of colourful florals blossoming around her. She treated each stalk with care as they bent and twisted along with the dance of her fingers, entangling them together to create a woven bracelet of intricate delicacy. A ray of a gleam of innocence shone down amidst the blanket of treetops, bestowing her with a heavenly aura that continued to enchant him the longer he looked at her.
Until she turned to face him with eyes so pale, they seemed soulless.
Winds of chatter rang through his mind, depicting a fable regarding a mysterious being shrouded in the darkness of the woods with terrifying eyes. Frightened voices spoke in disdain about this monster who made refuge in the terrains of the forest for years, awaiting for an opportunity to claim innocent lives should anyone encounter it. A ghastly demon who sent shivers with just the mention of its lethal gaze.
'I heard if you stare into its eyes for longer than 5 seconds, you'll go blind!'
'Whoever even dares to look at it will be cursed to never be able to walk again!'
'The Lord has already announced a reward for any brave soul who manages to capture this demon.'
'They say if you gauge its eyes out, you'll acquire the power to see everything!'
Warning after warning were passed between the villagers he had met during his last stop in a rural area, constantly reminding one another to never even set sight upon this monster that embodied intangible power.
Yet here he was too captivated to even look anywhere else.
For when he heard these tales of such a horrendous beast, he hadn't expected it to take form of an astounding beauty. How was it possible for one with a demeanour so gentle to even be associated with the word 'monster'? Could it be the devil managed to cloak behind a veil of an angel?
Whatever it was, he couldn't resist the alluring beckoning of her presence pulling him to come closer so he took a step forward.
She instantly took one back.
By the time he had reached the spot she had claimed, he could only watch the way her long dark tresses flowed along with the nimble pace of her feet scrambling further and further into the woods – unknowingly taking his heart along with her. He lowered his attention below and picked up the floral bracelet that had been within her grasp mere seconds ago. Clutching it between his own, he was left to ponder on whether destiny would allow them to cross paths once again.
Nearly a year passed since that fateful day.
Days, weeks, months flew with the wings of time yet each passing second failed to eradicate the haunting image of her mesmerizing eyes looking at him for that short moment. Eyes said to bequeath unexplainable curses to anyone that meets them but the only spell cast upon him after seeing such an exquisite sight was one where he would cross lands to see them again.
Hence why he found himself facing the same lake in the season of severe coldness.
The frosty climate brought a bleak alteration to the vibrant colourful view he remembered from all those months ago. The lake now hardened from the chilly breeze surrounding him resembled a fragile mirror facing the dusty grey of the sky with the waterfall transformed into stacks of icicles piercing downwards laid at the side. The light mist shrouding around hung like a wide curtain, limiting his vision from searching for the girl emblazoned in his mind.
Being a wanderer with years spent journeying across lands, his body had become impervious to the biting chill of the winter's gust yet a shiver trailed down as he stood directly at the spot he had last seen her. He recalled the indelible sight of misty irises he had hoped to be able to see as he recognized the familiar paths the forest encompassed.
Wisps of smoke escaped his lips when he heaved a sigh, his heart turning heavy from disappointment. His fingers gripped around the rod holding what little belongings he had, encased in a makeshift knapsack made of tattered cloth. He blew out the flimsy stick that had been between his gritted teeth, ruffling his blonde locks gingerly before turning to resume his journey once more.
Only to be stopped in his tracks by a threatening animosity lingering within his scope.
His hand instinctively moved to the handle of his sheathed katana, his pupils darting left and right. Eight… no, ten. Two are still hiding in the mist. Man, how annoying.
"What do you bastards want?"
Emerging from the hidden confines of the fog, the bandits drew their own weapons with malicious grins spread across their lips and murderous intentions cloaking their stares. Naruto watched as they formed a circle around him, ensuring no possibility of escape with one of them taking a further step forward and his sword aimed directly at him. "Let's end this quickly. Drop your valuables and scram quietly if you wish to live."
Naruto slumped his shoulders and exaggerated his irritated expression with a scowl. "I'm not in the mood to entertain you small fries so I'll give you ten seconds to leave before things start getting real messy."
Another let out a snicker, the club in his hand slung casually over his shoulder. "Look at this fool trying to trick himself, thinking he got some chance or something."
"Ugh, enough waiting!" one of them snarled, raising his weapon and charged forward brazenly. "Let's get him!"
The sound of steel against iron resonated through the silent howling of winter as Naruto swiftly unsheathed his katana to deflect the imminent attack. Using his foot to kick the bandit away, he dropped his bindle and quickly dodged the barrage of weapons swinging left and right in hopes of landing a fatal hit.
His eyes were fast in catching the enemy's movements, his agile feet easily evading as well as performing various counterattacks till slowly the bandits began to fall in defeat, one by one. Naruto turned to face one of the remaining, the blunt side of his katana directed the same way. The enemy grimaced. "Fight like a man, you coward!"
Naruto smirked. "Who's the one coming at me in a pack like pathetic dogs instead of fighting me alone like a fearsome wolf?"
The man let out an enraged yell as he ran forth, sword ready to strike with an intent to kill. Naruto spread his feet apart, settling into a prepared stance. The bandit thrust his weapon ahead but in a split second, his sword was flung carelessly aside and his knees met the cold sensation of the snow beneath.
"You monster…" he mumbled at the blonde man looking down heartlessly at him before he slipped into unconsciousness.
Naruto sheathed back his katana into its scabbard once more, his azure orbs devoid of sympathy. "Takes one to know one."
He turned behind to face the slew of men scattered like flies surrounding him, all knocked out yet not even one inflicted with any fatal wounds. Grumbles of annoyance at his wandering being hindered yet again by the ill-willed, he walked to pick up his bindle when suddenly, his eyes widened and his body froze.
A numbing sensation burst through his abdomen with a feeling of something warm trickling slowly against his skin. He averted his attention to the source and was shocked to find an arrow pierced through his stomach. Falling to his knees with his opened mouth coughing out blood, he cursed himself in allowing such vulnerability for the perpetrators.
He saw the culprit disappear further into the darkness of the forest, jumping swiftly from tree to tree. Damn bastard probably was waiting for an opening all this time…
Quickly pulling out the arrow, he howled in pain as he noticed another substance gushing from his open wound besides his own blood. The reason why the sneaky attack had caused greater damage than he had presumed. Naruto cursed aloud as he threw the arrow aside in anger, his vision starting to falter as the poison began to seep in.
His hand pressed against the gaping wound in a futile attempt to stop the blood flowing, his legs wobbling as he tried to steady himself up. Need to get outta here… nngh, damn it!
He only made a few steps before he collapsed onto the cold ground, the stark red of his blood splattered vibrantly against the pure white canvas of the snow. His breathing began to come out in hard heaves, the poison taking full effect as he felt himself succumbing to the calling of darkness.
He heard the soft crunching of footsteps hurrying towards his direction, to which his hand tried to grasp his katana to fend himself but his fingers could barely wrap around the handle firmly. He raised his head, his entire body shaking in resistance to stay conscious yet he could feel his strength failing him the harder he struggled.
Then he saw them.
Pale eyes as white as the moon.
Before he could utter a word, it all turned black.