Chapter 2: A New Friend

Nothing happened. I can feel a presence in between my host and me. I open my eyes slowly to a blue figure standing in front of me, holding the club in the mugger's hand. Who is he?... I've never seen him before, so why would he save me? I felt guilty, for him wasting his time and energy saving a fool like me.

"Who.. who are you?" The mugger stared at the man. The man said nothing, and he ripped the club from the mugger and kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying back. He got up staggeringly and ran away along with his men, yelling, screaming, and begging for their lives. I still stood in shock at the mysterious man who saved me. My savior. My heart started thumping as he turned around and walked to me. Should I run? Should I hide? Should I fight back? What if he's a threat? What if he's dangerous? These thoughts swirled through my mind, as he stopped right in front of me, looking down at me, even though he was a couple inches taller, wearing a blue coat, dark pants, and red sneakers; certainly not the style around here. His white bangs are loose over his eyes. He held his hand out at me, palms up.

"Are you okay?" His voice was soft and warm. I reach out to his hand, my body still shaking. I layed my palm on his. His hands were so warm and so soft.

I cleared my throat "Yea. I'm fine.. Who are you?" He grabbed my hand and started leading me out of the alley.

"Zero. Yours?" His voice was expressionless, all monotone.

"Asura Kamitera."I said lively."Do you have a last name?" No answer. I quickly changed the subject. "Thanks for saving me." His hands still grabbed at mine, his pace slow. He didn't say anything. "Hello?" Still nothing. It's like he was a zombie. "Hey, I'm talking to you!" I released his grasp from my hand. We both stopped walking. He still didn't say anything. "Talk to me!" No answer. Moments passed and he didn't move. It looked like he wasn't breathing. A couple more moments passed, and he started walking away. "Hey, wait!" I called for him. "I'm sorry." He kept on walking, his footsteps silent.

Who was he? I watched him leave until he disappeared into the darkness of the alley. Then I started walking back out of the alley, walking faster than he was walking, hoping to catch up with him before he leaves the alley. No sign of him. I frantically started picking up my pace, and I eventually started running, and I saw the light from the sun pierce through the narrow alley, and I reached the border of the alley and the road and stopped and looked around. No sign of him. It's like he just up and disappeared. So I started walking back to my house.

I finally managed to reach my house and opened the front door. I closed it slowly behind me and leaned against it, then I sat down on the floor, slumping against the front door, and buried my head in my arms.

I must have fallen sleep because when I rose my head it was nighttime. I stood up and went to my kitchen and picked a couple of rice balls and started eating one while walking to my room. I grabbed a book off of the shelf and sat in my chair and started reading. Just wasting time until morning comes.

Time flew by and I stood outside watching the sunrise. So beautiful. Watching the sunrise temporarily reminds me of how beautiful this world is. I turned to go back inside, then something caught my eye. I turned my head, and you would not guess who I saw-Zero!

I ran up to him and grabbed him by his sleeve. It was a quiet morning, nobody out in the streets yet. "Hey!" I smiled at him. He looked at me for a second then continued walking. I decided to walk with him. Just to get him to talk to me. I want to hear his warm voice again. I started asking him question after question after question like: "Who are you?"; "Where are you from?"; "Where do you live?"; "What's your favorite color?"; "Do you have any pets?"; "Are you new here?" Etc. He wouldn't answer any of them. It was like he was deaf. "Hey, why won't you answer me? Please answer me!" He stopped, turned quickly and looked back at me. I can see his blue eyes for the first time. His eyes are so stunning. He lifted up his arms slowly, wrapped them around me, and gave me a long-lasting hug. I stood there for a moment, shocked and I felt my face turning red. Then I put my arms over his back, and hugged him back, smiling, even though I was confused. Then he took off his coat and draped it around my shoulders. "Your going to get sick standing out here in the cold." Then he turned and walked away.

I held the coat over my shoulders with both my hands, grasping it. I smiled at him once more, watching him walk away. People starting coming out of their houses to do their daily shopping while shops were just beginning to open up. Then Zero disappeared in the crowd.

I walked toward the park to take a walk, still smiling, and I think my cheeks are still the color of blossomed roses. I heard distant talking and I stopped and looked over at two men talking near a shop. I overheard their converstion.

"Hey, I heard rumors that Itachi Uchiha was found walking toward the Fire Temple."

"Yea, I heard the same thing too. The man who wiped out an entire clan in one night. I'd really hate to cross that guy."

"Yea, haha. We wouldn't stand a chance against him." The two men started laughing.

My eyes widened. The man who destroyed the Uchiha Clan. The man who took my family and friends away from me. He is here. At the Fire Temple. And I have to stop him. I sprinted to my house and was about to open the door when I remembered I still had Zero's coat. I still had to return it, but there was no time! Itachi could be leaving the Fire Temple right now! Gah! I'll give it back to him after I'm finished with Itachi. I rushed into my house, grabbed my katanas, thrust them on my back, and ran out toward the exist, the coat still in my hand.

I finally reached the gate to leave the Leaf Village, and I was about to step through when-"Hey!" I turned to look who has calling for me. It was Zero! "Your going after Itachi Uchiha, aren't you?" I stared at him in surprise. "I saw you listening to those two guys. Doesn't matter I'm coming with you." He took his coat back, put it on, and started to walk out of the gate. "You coming, or what?"

"Y-yea." I followed close behind him, still very confused why he would help me, I would ask him, but, he probably won't answer. And I guess this is a start of a new journey. A fatal journey to hunt down and kill Itachi Uchiha. And I don't care what the cost is. I will kill him!

We walked together, toward the Fire Temple, barely knowing each other's name. Not knowing of each other's abilities. Either we're going to a journey together to kill Itachi Uchiha, or we're walking straight to our deaths.

(End of Chapter 2)