I walked along the cold, cobble stone path, a sense of icy dread haunting every step, following my shadow, pulling me in. The wind swept up, cutting my skin with daggers of ice. I shuddered, and pulled my coat closer, trying to console myself in the warmth. It's going to be fine, I've walked this path many times before, I told myself. Words may have helped calm me down, but nothing could cast away the sense of death that hung on my shoulders.

Walking faster, I felt a presence behind me. I bit my lip, my heart staring to pound, my mind filling with horrible thoughts. Just have to keep on walking, my mind told me, though my heart told me different. I bit my lip harder, trying to avoid tears falling from my eyes, thinking sinister things that corrupted my mind. Racing, I forgot everything else, but a sense of terror that was around my neck, strangling me with every step.

A sudden clutter clashed into my head. Surprised, I stopped. Oh no! I dropped my bag! I turned around only to face eyes that held no fear, mocking me slightly, while still trying to keep me at ease. It was him.

I-Itachi….A mix of nervous feelings and fear clutched my throat, preventing me from even speaking a word. I opened my mouth only to close it again, looking down at my feet in shame. I could feel his smirk even before it hit his face. "Sakura, was it?" He said casually, his cold yet casual voice ringing in my head. I gathered all of my strength and raised my head, staring into those piercing eyes again. I felt all of that same strength being drained, and my throat choking up. "Y-..yes." I managed to whimper, my body trembling.

"You know, you dropped your bag," he said, his dark hair waving in the wind, his eyes never leaving me. "O-Oh?" I squeaked, trying to stay calm even as my mind raced and my heart felt like it was going to explode at any moment. He raised an eyebrow, the mysterious aura around him never fading. "Yes, you did. It's lying on the ground."

"A-ahh," I managed to say, bending down abruptly to pick it up, red splotched all over my cheeks. I felt his gaze even then, and it made me want to die right then to avoid embarrassment and humiliation. I looped the strap through my fingers and stood up slowly to see his face and his calm figure even closer to me. Blushing even harder, I started to say something. He took his hand and put a finger to my lip.

All of the breath I had seemed to be swept away at that one moment as I felt his finger on my lips, silencing me, yet enticing me at the same time. He then did something I will never forget. He took his finger away and drew in closer to me. I was struck with a sense of dread and panic, a helpless piece of prey waiting to be scavenged off by a predator. Helpless to move, all I could to was wait and hope for the worst to be over.

He put a hand on my cheek, forcing me to shudder a little and making my heart throb, the blush on my face growing larger. He bent down to my ear, and whispered into it with a piercing, cold and harsh voice, "Watch your step."

I opened my eyes, realizing I closed them. What? He drew his hand away from my face slowly, as if savoring it, the smirk still plastered all over his face, and turned his shoulder. My strength returning, I yelled, "Wait!" But he had already disappeared just like the mist, leaving behind a sting and cold words that I would never forget.

"……..watch your step……"