Disclaimer: don't own the characters.

Ruka shivered as the wind blew more strongly, whipping up her brown shoulder-length hair. Her thin garments did nothing to protect her from the chill. Pulling her thin, blood-stained blue shawl around her more tightly, she huddled in on herself and plodded on alone down the cold, lonely street.

At the tender age of just seven, she was an orphan now, alone and helpless. Only minutes ago, she had witnessed with her own eyes the death of both her beloved parents at the hands of a hunter, who had taken them all by surprise. Her father, her own father, had perished in an attempt to protect her, giving her time to flee. Not that she knew where she was. This part of the street was completely unfamiliar to her.

Sobbing until her nose was so clogged up that she could barely breathe, she plodded on, trembling with fear and cold from head to toe.

Behind her, a sudden BANG rang out, joined by a vicious, sharp pain in her left shoulder. Ruka cried out with terror as her blood ran down, dying the pavement with scarlet liquid. Unable to maintain her balance, she toppled down heavily, clutching her wounded shoulder.

"It's over. Crying and running won't help you now."

"Nooo!" Ruka cried, as the tall, burly form of her parents' murderer towered over her, a gun in his hand. He did not appear to be in a rush to finish her off. "Leave…"

There was a sudden, swift movement, and then incredibly, the hunter's hand and gun were on fire, glowing brilliantly. He cried out in pain and shock, and immediately recoiled, clutching his burning hand.

Ruka's rescuer did not hesitate. As the hunter continued to scream in agony, trying in vain to put out the flames, Ruka's unknown savior grabbed her by the arm, yanked her up, and fled with her.

"This way!" As they neared a dark ally, he promptly swerved to the left, pulling her along with him. Taken by surprise, Ruka tripped heavily.

"Sorry." Her rescuer hastily bent down, checking her closely. "Did that hunter shoot your shoulder?"

Sniffing, Ruka nodded miserably.

"It's OK. You're safe now. Let me handle that shoulder of yours." He laid a gentle hand on her shoulder, which begin to glow a bright purple, dispelling the pain slowly. Within minutes, Ruka could no longer feel the ache, though her shoulder remained stiff and tender.

"Is that better now?"

"Mmm," Ruka mumbled, still shivering with fear. "Thank you." Curiously, she looked up, and found herself looking into a pair of large, reddish-brown eyes, now studying her with the same curiosity. Filled with a mixture of both terror and relief, Ruka threw herself into his arms, clinging on as if she would never let go. He made no effort to pull away, but wrapped his own arms around her protectively.

"What's your name?" he enquired gently.

"Ruka Souen."

"You're of the Souen family?"

"Y-yes. Who are you?"

For a moment, he looked as if he had no intention of answering. Then, he finally opened his mouth again and replied, "Akatsuki."

Please review and tell me what you honestly think. All constructive criticism is most welcome; please don't refrain from pointing out errors etc. Thank you.