** Hey, this is my second story here and I hope you all enjoy it!**
**I do not own "Naruto" or any related characters**
Though she walked on without a thought, her feet knew the exact place of their destination. She often came here in search of refuge. The packed earth path was familiar to her. Her hands lightly grazed the tall, playful reeds that swayed along the river's edge. The irises were in bloom. For a moment she gazed at the painted flowers. Any other day, she would have been pleased at such a discovery, but not today. Today, the beauty of the flowers fell upon eyes blinded by sorrow—eyes that could no longer see beauty. Slowly she moved on. Her feet finally led the dazed woman to her destination. Her favorite spot in the whole village: a small wooden bridge that crossed a narrow river that cut through her village. No one else was around that day, probably due to the threatening rain clouds overhead. She did not care. It was best she was alone, and perhaps better too if the sky shed the tears she refused to let fall. The light noise of her feet on the wooden bridge seemed to echo in the quiet. She came to the center and lifted her heavy eyes. A familiar scene spread itself before her: homes, businesses, shops, all full of life, but dead to her. The river's surface rippled in the wind. The willows let their long arms sway gently. She placed her hands delicately on the railing. She began to tremble. As if an enormous weight had been placed upon her, the woman fell to her knees, her hands now clutched on the railing. Her body shook uncontrollably. She bit her lip in protest of the tears that threatened to slip from her eyes. How could he leave her like this? Why must she be left to exist in this cold world utterly alone? She felt like a hatchling flung from its nest and dashed to oblivion before it even had a chance to attempt the wonder and bliss of flight. There had been so much potential—potential happiness, love, but it was all taken away prematurely. Dreams she had harbored deep within her heart would never be realized, not now. Not after today. She lay there in a heap on the bridge, the epitome of hopelessness and despair. She could hold the tears back no longer. Streams of sorrow covered her cheeks. Choked sobs filled the air. As if to weep with the poor creature below, it began to rain. Big heavy drops crashed down. Her clothes grew heavy and her skin cold from the rain. She welcomed the cold, perhaps it could make her numb. She did not want to feel, not now, not ever again.
The sound of footsteps broke her solitude. She could hear the characteristic plop of water beating down upon an umbrella. The footsteps drew near her and stopped before setting foot on the bridge. The owner of the umbrella waited for her to acknowledge his presence. She did not look up, but continued to shake.
"Let's get you out of the rain," a familiar voice suggested softly, but still he made no attempt to move toward her.
"I'm fine," the young woman lied through her teeth trying to hold back the sound of her broken sobs. He waited in silence.
"Then at least let me bear the storm with you."
The ferocity of her sobs lightened slightly. He took her response as a "yes." His footsteps made the wooden bridge creak as he moved toward the crumpled form before him. He said nothing. He reached her side and simply stood there next to her, tilting his umbrella just so that she was shielded from the relentless rain. With patient eyes, the man simply gazed out onto the river bellow them. Time swept on unconcerned with the pair. His eyes eventually fell to the woman at his feet. It hurt him to see her in such pain. She of all people did not deserve this. She had already lost so much. True he had not known her very intimately, but he knew enough.
This woman was fun and quirky, irresistibly cute when she wanted to be, graceful without trying, and compassionate. She was a rare creature who truly cared for all around her. Though she had a right hook that could crumble boulders, she also had one of the biggest hearts he had ever seen. No. Such things should not happen to such blameless people. Not to her. She should never have had to fell the pain she was suffering now. If only he could make it go away.
He tentatively reached out his free hand, intending to place it on her shoulder in sympathy and comfort. No sooner had his hand brushed her shoulder that she violently pulled away. He bit his tongue at her reaction. It was going to be difficult, but he had to save her from the sorrow that was consuming her. He let her cry. Words were meaningless, touch obviously not a help. The only thing he could offer was his presence. He hoped it was enough for now. In time, her sobs slowed. She sniffled as she wiped the tears from her face. She inhaled deeply and rose to her feet. She wobbled slightly; she had lost feeling in her legs sitting crumpled as she had. He instinctively made to assist her. She stumbled into his arms. She was freezing and soaked through. Her hair lay strewn across her face in wet locks. To his surprise she did not leap out of his arms. Instead she leaned into him.
"I've got you," the man muttered gently. She began to cry again, but softer than before. She clung to his jacket and cried into his warm chest. He encircled her in his arms, repeating in her ear, "I've got you." She let herself melt into him. She was thankful he had found her and had stayed. She felt bad for having pulled away before, but now she needed the small comfort found in human contact. He did not say anything like "It's going to be ok…" such words would have seemed utterly ridiculous to her. But he was there and that was all he said to her. For now it was enough.
"Shall we get you back to your place?" he asked gently, but he would stand all day in the rain for her if she wanted. The woman nodded slightly. The pair walked away in silence. She was glad so few people were out and about. The rain had kept everyone else tucked away safe and warm inside.
They reached her apartment complex in no time. The man walked her all the way to her door. He waited by as she fumbled with her keys, her fingers numb from the cold. He was not quite sure if he should stay or give her some privacy. He shuffled his feet uncomfortably as she managed to unlock the door.
She motioned for him to come in. He slowly followed her into her modest apartment. He had only been there once before when she recruited the lot to help her move in. Back then, the place was little more than a maze of boxes and furniture. Now it had the warm feeling of life and a hint of a feminine touch. His attention snapped back to the soaked kunoichi in the room with him. She hadn't made if very far. She stood motionless in her living room; she did not know what to do anymore. For a while she simply stood there dripping; small puddles gathered at her feet.
The man made his way to where he vaguely remembered putting the towels. The girl had changed her mind so many times about where to put the stupid towels. If he remembered correctly, he packed and unpacked her towels at least five times in the course of the afternoon she had moved in. And who was to say she hadn't changed her mind again after he left. Thankfully, he found them with only minor trouble.
Towel in hand, he walked back over to the dripping woman.
"Thought you might need this," he said with a small smile. In his outstretched hand was a fluffy pink towel.
"Thanks," she grabbed her towel. She looked down at her feet, unable to communicate. She wrapped herself in the warmth of her towel. She had not pegged him for the thoughtful type, but then again she never took the time to notice. She sat down on her worn sofa. The man however, did not join her.
She could hear him fumbling in her kitchen for something. Moments later, he returned tea cups in hand. He pushed one of the cups into her numb hands.
"It will help warm you up," the man stated, "oh, I almost forgot… you like honey with your tea right?" He pulled a small honey bottle from his jacket pocket. She nodded and eagerly accepted the plastic bear container. How did he know she always had honey with her tea? She brushed the thought aside as she imbibed the liquid warmth. It felt good to her chilled body. He sat down with a cup of his own and warmed his hands on the mug. The two passed time in silence. What was there to say? Words could not heal this hurt- hopefully time could.