REWRITTEN

The match was about to start, the excited mumbling of the crowd growing into cheers and whistles as the guards stepped out of the main gates. Closer to the back of the arena, a girl with unusual pinkish hair was yanking a young man back into his seat.

"Naruto, if you lean forward like that again, you're going to fall!" She chastised, smoothing out her skirt as the blonde took his seat next to her, leg bouncing.

"I'm sorry Sakura, it's just too exciting!" He replied, and she couldn't help but smile at his big grin and bright blue eyes.

She sighed, waving her hand in dismissal, "It's fine, just be careful!"

He nodded fervently at her words before leaning slightly forward again and failing to notice her roll her eyes. The gladiators were finally coming out through the gates, their rough tunics being covered by metal armor, and the man behind Naruto yelled for him to sit down as he jumped to his feet in excitement. They all looked relatively built, some more so than others, but he could feel his eyes drawn towards one who stayed away from the rest, running quickly to the far side of the arena closest to him.

"Really Naruto, you should sit back," She started again.

"Maybe if you got better seats, I wouldn't have to," He teased.

Sakura huffed in response, "We're in the first row, how close did you want to get? You act as if I should have asked for seats inside the actual arena!"

Naruto glanced at her, "Well, at least then we could see some action."

"There's nothing to see here. All they do is send criminals and idiots in to fight animals and die. Wow, I am so amazed!" She said sarcastically.

Naruto was ready and willing to reply to her snarky comment, but the cages for the animals opened, and the man he was watching quickly took a battle stance, keeping himself hunched and ready. He cut down anything that came near him, and Naruto tapped at Sakura to try to show her, finding her to not be paying attention at all. He leaned forward more, hoping for an even better view, when his hand slipped and he went tumbling down into the dirt.

He winced as his shoulder made contact with the ground, slowly getting to his feet before realizing where he was. He looked up, seeing Sakura's shocked expression as she looked over the railing at him. Naruto backed up into the wall, feeling his legs shaking as he looked at the bloody combat around him. The man he was watching before looked directly at him, his hunched defensive position changing into one more suited for someone of royalty, if he had to guess, and his sudden change in demeanor was the only thing keeping Naruto from running away from him as he approached, holding out a sword.

"Take this and swing," He instructed, shoving the sword into Naruto's hands. He stared at the man in shock for a moment before realizing he was waiting for a response. He nodded quickly, watching as the man returned almost to his previous position of defense but still keeping up some of the posture Naruto had noted from before. He tried his best to keep out of his way, but couldn't help but stay very close to the man, fearing if he got too far from him, he would be quick to die. Said man continuously glanced back at him, and Naruto believed it to be so he wouldn't mistake him for an enemy and kill him. Anything that came close he swung at, regardless if it was alive or dead, but the other man kept most animals far away from him. Before long, the battle was over, and the adrenaline that was fueling him was worn away, and his heart's loud thumping was pounding in his ears, making him dizzy. The other man grabbed his arm before he fell, walking him quickly to the main gate. The guards immediately reached for their swords, seemingly fearful of this man.

"He fell in," He simply stated, shoving Naruto slightly towards them and taking a step back.

The guards stared at him for a moment before nodding, allowing him to enter the gate and find his way to the exit. He took one last glance at the man who helped him, watching with curiosity as he removed his helmet. The man was attractive, with dark hair and dark eyes, and a strong jaw. They made eye contact, and that familiar royal feeling he got from him returned as the cool black eyes nearly took in his whole being, He quickly turned away, following the path quickly out to the exit. He could feel the man's eyes on him as he left.

Sakura was waiting for him, tears swelling in her eyes as she ran up and embraced him.

"Naruto, are you okay? I was so worried about you." She cried, squeezing him tightly.

He hugged her back, his heart beat returning to normal and the exhaustion from before hitting him again full force, "Can we go home?" He asked, and she squeezed him once more before agreeing and leading him back to his house.

It had just been a day since the incident, and Naruto sat in his house, staring at the ceiling and sipping water idly in a cup. His thoughts could not escape the man who had saved his life, and he felt he needed to do something to pay him back, no matter the cost. Just as he thought this, he heard a knock on his door. Standing, he quickly walked to it and opened it, smiling at Sakura as she stood there outside his door.

"Naruto, are you feeling better?" She asked, stepping into his house. He shrugged, grabbing his water and downing the rest of it. "Good, I was wondering if you wanted to go back and watch the executions. I know you really like those,"

He nodded eagerly, ignoring the thought in the back of his mind telling him something was going to go wrong, and watched as Sakura began counting her money.

"No, Sakura, you don't have to pay for me, I can cover it," He insisted.

She shook her head, "Naruto, you can barely afford food. I'm paying,"

He knew not to argue, for she would never let him pay no matter what he said, so he let her get her way. She was decently wealthy, her parents having been officials, and her interest in following their path had kept the government funding her quite readily. Naruto, on the other hand, had no parents still alive, and he was usually ignored although he was able to keep his parents' house under his own name.

Sakura handed him the money for his entry, and the two left to the entrance of the arena. The guards outside stared at him, presumably recognizing him from yesterday, but said nothing as the two paid for entrance and headed up through the halls to the seats. Since arriving much earlier, they were able to get better seats, and Sakura allowed him to sit wherever he wanted.

Once again the thought of something happening filled his mind, and he forced the thoughts to the back of his head as he sat readily for the executions to take place. The seats filled up quickly, and Sakura engaged in conversation with a rather attractive man beside her while Naruto stared impatiently at the gates down in the arena, hoping for them to open soon.

They finally opened, and the executioner stepped out, ignoring the crowd and walking over to the block they used. The line of prisoners followed out shortly, accompanied by several guards armed with swords. Naruto unconsciously surveyed the group before watching the first executions. At the same time they were disgusting and cruel, he couldn't help but find them fascinating. The next prisoner stepped up and his stomach dropped, hands shaking as he recognized the man next in line. He could have sworn they made eye contact, and the depth of those eyes even from the distance was enrapturing. The noble way he stood was not present here, he was relaxed and content, no stress upon his body.

Naruto could hear his heart thumping in his ears once more as he stared at his savior in chains.