Deep emerald eyes took in the vastness of the ocean and the beauty of the sun setting on its rippling waves. How often in life did one get to see such a sight? How often did one get to hear the sound of water crashing against rocks mixed with the simple splendor of the quiet evening? So many people dreamed of being in the place where the petite young woman stood, yet none of them would want to be here for the reason that she was. No one else would choose to stand here, observing this sight, knowing that it would be the last thing they would ever see.

Akahana was, however, a special case. She had been very careful when she chose her form of death. She wanted to be close to something beautiful, something serene, so that she many have a few mounts of peace before she fell into eternal darkness.

The girls red lips parted slightly as she breathed in the salty taste of the air. She tilted her head up and closed her eyes, enjoying her last taste as her long black hair whipped wildly around her face and she took a step closer to the edge of the cliff. She was so close, so near the freedom she desperately longed for.

Akahana wanted nothing more than to savor this moment, but she knew that she had to act. With ease she slid one foot over the abyss, ready to let her weight fall and topple over into her escape. Just as she was about to let go and send herself into darkness, a pair of strong arms wrapped tightly around her waist, pulling her hard away from the brink.

Her brilliant emerald eyes shot open, startled. She had not expected interruption for no one else knew of this place. Together the two crashed into the grass and Akahana struggled against the unwavering grip. Her voice, the sound of bells twinkling, shrieked out with shock and anger, "What are you doing?"

"Fuck." A velvety male voice groaned in her ear, trying desperately to hold fast to her tiny body, "Stop fighting me, un."

The command rocketed into the part of her mind trained to obey and she let her body fall limp against him. They lied there for a moment, neither moving nor speaking, just breathing raggedly.

Finally, he said slowly, "We are going to stand up, but I am not letting you go. Please don't try to struggle, yeah. I'm not letting you throw yourself over."

Tears pricked violently against her eyes as she nodded and whispered out a soft, "Okay."

The pair stood, with the male doing most of the work. Slowly he spun her around in his arms and looked deep into her eyes. Akahana was shocked at how beautiful he was. She dare not use any other word to describe the blonde haired, cerulean eyed man. His strong jaw moved and he spoke gently to her, "its okay, un."

She wanted to cry to this man, to pour out her very heart and soul and beg him to take her away or push her over the edge but no words could form. She simply nodded again and let him cling onto her.

"I'm going to take you home now, and you are not going to do this again, hm."

Her hazy mind allowed her to reply, "Okay."

He let out a soft sigh and nodded, wrapping one arm around her waist and letting the other drop to his side, "Good. Let's go, yeah."

Together they walked away from the scene, him holding stead fast to her while she was letting the numbness in her chest over take her tired body. She would not try that again, and she would never get her escape.

~Six months later~

Akahana stared at the vague person in the mirror. It has been nearly half a year since she had tried to take her life and she had not seen nor heard from the mystery man since then. She instead stayed in her home and played out her expected role. Yes, she had let her already tiny body shrink to nearly nothing, yes she was so blank and numb her fingertips went cold, but she was alive; all because of him.

"Akahana, get dressed, would you? He will be here soon and you need to look presentable. Make sure you wear something long-sleeved."

Her eyes quickly darted to the man who stood in the door way. Hiro, her fiancé, raised an eyebrow as he waited for her reply, which she gave immediately, "Of course, darling. I'll be right down."

Hiro nodded and left his place, leaving her alone. She looked back at the mirror, looking at the deep bruises on her arms. Akahana was not sure what it was she had done to upset him this time, but it had been bad. These were darker and much angrier than the rest.

She carefully dressed herself in a deep blue kimono that covered both her legs and arms. The tiny woman tied her hair up in a bun then left the room to go find her fiancé.

They were expecting a man named Deidara to arrive that evening. Hiro, displeased by his soon-to-be wife's recent antics had hired him to watch her while he was at work or away on business. He would make sure she stayed in line, more of a warden than a care provider.

As she reached the last step on the stairs she heard Hiro's deep chuckle and then he said, "I'm glad you're as pleasant in person as over the phone."

"I'm not one to deceive others, un." The other voice replied with a hint of humor. Her emerald eyes widened and her breath caught violently in her throat. It couldn't be him, could it?

Walking into the entry way, she nearly fainted at the sight of those beautiful cyan eyes and long blonde hair. It was. It was him.

Hiro smiled pleasantly at his fiancé and grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer to them, "Dear, this is Deidara."

Recognition flickered in the blonde's eyes but he held out a hand, "So nice to meet you."

Gently, she took the hand that had pulled her away from suicide, and nearly whispered, "A pleasure, Deidara."