Thank you for your time in reading my fanfiction, I hope you enjoy as I develop this story. I am greatly interested in feedback of writing style and believable characters, and would appreciate good or bad feedback from a reader's perspective. There will be variations from manga and anime, so please accept this story with that in mind as it will be slightly different. Enjoy!

The man gazed down at her, his face emotionless. His eyes seemed to look her face up and down, examining her bloody nose and red swollen face. Her teeth chattered from the recent event and the pain overwhelming her body.

Finally he spoke. "May I come in?"

"Y-Yes," She moved out of the entrance to allow him inside. He carefully walked in, black cloak swaying with his movements. She didn't know what else to say. She closed the screen behind him as he walked a few steps into her hallway. At a slightly greater distance he examined her whole body. She tried to cover her exposed bra strap and torn shirt.

"I-I…I don't know what to do." She whispered, barely audible to herself. However he heard her.

"Tell me what happened." He stated. His cloak was now fully closed, his arms in each sleeve. The overly large collar was still opened to show his face.

Her teeth chattered. She didn't know where to begin. Instead she pointed to her bedroom door. He took her que and stepped towards the doorway. Inside he saw the gory scene. She panted as she cried. His reaction was expressionless, as if she had shown him a pile of rocks. After a moment he turned back to her.

"H-He…He tried to rape me…" Sunna cried, clutching onto her arms. "I tried to tell him to stop…and he wouldn't….and the next thing I knew…"

"You were defending yourself." The stranger concluded.

She sniffed, rubbing her face and nose. Blood, snot and tears coated the back of her hand. "I-I didn't think he would ever…I-I'm his daughter…"

The man looked back at the scene in the bedroom. She rubbed her nose again and a particular thought came to mind.

"How did you…find me?"

"I followed you." He calmly stated looking back at her. There it was again, that faint look of what seemed like pity. "I knew something was amiss."

Her hands trembled as she held herself. "Y-You followed me?" Her blonde eyebrows furrowed. "You…you were in the trees."

He gave a light nod. "I saw him attack you. By the time I was at your back door it was silent. I wanted to know what happened."

Sunna wasn't sure what to make of what he was saying. He really did care what happened to me. "Pl-Please, I need your help. I don't know what to do!"

He lightly gestured to the body in the other room. "There isn't much for me to help with."

"B-But I've killed someone!" she outburst with panic. "What am I supposed to do? Do I call the police? Will I go to jail?"

"The police would be able to take care of you. You shouldn't have any trouble." She couldn't believe the lack of emotion in his face. It was both calming and frustrating in her current state of mind.

"B-But…" Her thoughts stopped when she heard what was said from the television in the background. She turned her head to the left where the living room was and too a few steps forward to see the screen.

"We repeat, an Akatsuki member has been spotted in Konoha." The newscaster read from a scripted paper. "Citizens are encouraged to remain indoors for the time being. This is an S-ranked criminal, Akatsuki is only known for their violence and disregard for human life. If you see anyone resembling a black cloak and red clouds return indoors immediately. We will keep you updated on these current events."

Sunna's blue eyes were wide and her eyebrows narrowed slightly. Slowly she turned her body to the man before her wearing the exact same outfit the news had described. She pointed a shaking index finger at him. "Y-You're…?!"

His black eyes looked at the television screen. He seemed to analyze it for a moment before turning back to her. "This wasn't you." He seemed to ask although he rather stated the question. He was referring to the fact someone had to have seen him for the report to make it onto the news.

"N-No, I had no idea…" She back herself against the wall behind her. S-Ranked….a criminal…oh god I've let a murderer into my home!

He saw her actions. "I'm not here to hurt you."

Her palms pressed against the wall. She couldn't help but stare at him, her mind racing. "Y-You…You're part of that gang I've heard on the news." He lightly nodded. "Why…Why did you come here?"

"For you," He gestured to her slightly. "I knew the bruise on your face was caused by someone. I wanted to help. I did not foresee," He looked back at the room. "…This happening."

The blonde was confused. "But you're…a criminal…" Why would an s-ranked criminal care about my wellbeing?

"We have other matters to discuss." He stated. She raised an eyebrow at him. "If my presence has been notified to a local news channel than surely the police and ANBU are out searching for me."

She shook her head. "I won't tell anyone about you, I swear!"

His dark eyes stared intently at her. "I believe you. But that is not the issue. A murder has just happened as well as my presence has been alerted. If you report this to the police they may suspect your involvement with the Akastuki."

"What?" She gasped. "I'm a nobody; this has nothing to do with you!"

"I'm well aware." She could not understand how his face remained a blank slate. "But I do not believe they will. I understand how the ANBU work. There is little mercy when it comes to the overall wellbeing of the village. They will not believe you that this was an accident."

More tears pooled to her eyes. This just keeps getting worse! "Wh-What can I do?"

There was a moment of silence. He took a step towards her. "Come with me."

She blinked, utterly confused and gazed up at him. "What?" Her blue eyes fixated on his dark orbs.

"Come with me," He repeated. "This was not my original intention, but plans need to change to meet the demands of the situation. I do not believe you are safe here, even with that man now passed." He extended a polished nailed hand towards her.

She stared at his hand and then looked up at him. This guy…is he really a criminal? "You'll help me?" She quietly cooed.

He slowly nodded. "Only if you will let me."

Her hand reached out for his then hesitated. She continued to stare at his eyes, trying to decipher what he was thinking and what his intentions were. She could read nothing. All she had to rely on were the words he spoke.

She took his hand, a form of agreement exchanging between the two. "What…happens now?"

His grip was light but also firm. "Gather everything you need. We have to leave as soon as possible."

She nodded and used her other hand to wipe away the tears from her eyes. She sought out her bedroom, flinching as she passed the corpse on the bed. She pulled her old rucksack from her closet and set to packing her clothes. She went to the open dresser, pulling out the scroll from her belongings. She gazed over to the bed, eyeing the case her ninja gear was in. She bit her lip trying to decide if she wanted to get so close to the dead body to retrieve it.

"We don't have much time." The stranger murmured from the doorway.

She looked back to him and nodded, proceeding to pack her things. She grabbed some of her makeup from the vanity and piled it into the bag. Lastly she crept to the bed, cringing as she gathered the open case of kunai and shurikens beside her father's body. She zipped it up and placed it in the bag. The man waited for her as she retreated to the doorway.

What am I doing? She gulped. "I'm ready."

He nodded. His eyes turned to the back screen door. "We need to leave this way." He proceeded to walk.

She followed. "But the fence….I can't jump it like you."

"It's too obvious to leave out the front door." He pulled the screen door open and peered his head out. After checking his surroundings he looked back at her. "I'll carry you."

If her face wasn't already red and swelling she would have blushed. "A-Are you sure?"

The dark haired man stepped onto the patio deck. "It will be faster."

Sunna took in a deep breath and stepped out to him. She shrugged her backpack straps over her shoulders. Here it goes…"Okay."

The man lowered himself slightly. One of his arms extended just above the back of her knees while the other came behind her far shoulder. As he began to pull her forward she stiffly let herself be taken in by the larger man. She lightly grunted as he fully lifted her up into his arms bridal style and pressing her to his chest.

"Hold onto me," He guided.

She nodded and reached a timid hand to his cloak and griped on. With that he moved forward, pushing his back leg to build momentum into his jump. In an instant they had hopped over her backyard's fence.

They kept moving forward, leaping from one backyard to another. The stranger landed in the grass without a sound and leaped again in mere seconds to the next yard. Sunna watched with wide eyes as they moved delicately through her neighbourhood.

He moves so fast; and without a noise! She blinked in disbelief. Never had she seen a ninja in action, let alone be a part of the experience. She stayed in his arms watching how they flew by the yards almost as if she was in a trance.

How can he do this and carry me so effortlessly? Eventually she looked up towards him. She gasped slightly to her findings. His eyes…they changed colour!

Indeed his eyes had changed from a dark onyx to a crimson red. He kept his stern face forward, his face not showing any signs of fatigue or concern. His eyes occasionally darted left and right as if looking for something. Sunna stared up trying to make sense of what she was looking at.

"We left in good timing. No ANBU in sight."

She blinked and gave a light nod although he wasn't looking at her. "Y-Yes…"

With a mighty leap they had transported from the ground onto the roof of someone's home. Surprisingly there was no sound from his actions. He gazed at the forest in front of them and Sunna followed his eyes.

"Th-That path leads right to Konoha's entrance." She commented. "If we go through the forest we'll be right outside the gates."

"No," He replied. "The ANBU would expect it. Hold tight."

Her mouth opened as he set to running and jumping again only this time he traveled on rooftops. As he passed over each house she couldn't help but look at the ground. They were decently high up. She gulped, deciding to look back forward rather than concern herself with the height.

Sunna couldn't tell if they left just in time, or if the ANBU had the faintest idea where to find them. Perhaps it was pure luck but now they were nearing what remained of the gates of Konoha.

"There's guards…" she whispered to the man. "We can't just walk out…"

The red-eyed man continued on rooftops. He jumped onto taller buildings landing elegantly and silently as he continued upwards. "We will be taking another route."

The blonde's stomach churned as they kept descending upwards. With each leap she could feel the butterflies in her stomach bunch and contract. She could see the Konoha's walls before her. He's going over the walls.

With a final leap from his legs they ascended above and over the concrete walls. The teen's mouth dropped open as she watched the wall move past them as they moved. She could see a jonin guard straighten in awe of their appearance, not expecting the sudden presence, but he was too late. In an instant they were on the other side of the city.

Her carrier descended to the ground like a cat effortlessly landing from a jump. Before she could catch her breath he ascended again and headed straight into the nearby forest's trees and their branches. She grunted as a twig whipped at her arm and face as they quickly shot past.

The greenery zoomed behind them as he leapt from tree to tree. It was dark but his eyes were focused, staring forward and continuing his pace. She couldn't believe how he calmly leapt from branch to branch, knowing exactly where to jump. His movements didn't falter at all.

This is what it means to be a shinobi! She thought to herself. I wish I could do everything he can.

They continued for quite some time in silence. A half hour must have passed. The rush and adrenaline of everything that had happened began to slow in her, she could feel the pain and pounding of her chest calming. Instead the reality of the blows to her face eventually waved through her. Sunna began to wince as the dull pain in her cheeks started to collect and overwhelm her. She could feel her other eye beginning to bruise and a burning sensation on her cheekbones and jaw. Unintentionally she began to whimper slightly, griping onto the man's cloak to help relieve her emotions and discomfort.

"We will be traveling for some time," He eventually spoke. A weary face and tired eyes looked up to him. His eyes still shown red. He casually looked down to her. "You should rest."

"I-I don't know if I can…" She whimpered. The constant wind blowing past her brought a chill to her body. She shivered from both the cold and pain in her face.

He stopped briefly on a thick branch. "Wear my cloak."

"A-Are you sure?"

He moved his arms for her to stand up. "We cannot stop now; we're too close to Konoha. Wear my cloak to keep you warm."

She accepted his gesture and stood. The teen said nothing as he slipped out of his cloak and gather it around her. He wore navy clothing underneath that resembled common shinobi dress. Tired arms pulled through the oversized sleeves. The fabric was warm from being just worn. Once she was wearing the attire he positioned himself to pick her up again. She practically fell into his open arms, exhaustion catching up to her.

"Rest, Sunna," His voice was gentle and calm. He went on the move again. Sunna stared up at him, eyes dazed and her head slowly beginning to nod off. He…remembered my name…

"I…I don't know your name…" She whispered trying to stare up to the man.

As he ran his eyes briefly looked down to her once more, his face still facing forward. "Uchiha Itachi."

"Itachi…" she echoed and gave a long blink. The warm cloak was soothing against her tired body and was like being wrapped in a cocoon of protection from the wind. "…Thank you…"

He said nothing and she was unaware if he had nodded. By now her eyes were shut, her head leaning towards his body. Falling towards unconsciousness she laid her head against the cloak's fabric and his chest. She breathed lightly, carrying in the scent of cologne and a strangely warm smell. It was the scent of a man and strangely homely too.

Safe…Sunna thought to herself as more of her mind succumbed to sleep. He feels…safe…

Sky blue eyes gradually opened. Her surroundings were dark but a light glow and crackling of a fire brightened the area. She lay still as her mind gathered the thoughts and memories of recent events. As she became more aware the faint pain in her head became more eminent. Her body rose up and she reached a hand to her forehead and temple. Her eyes winced and she lightly hissed at the bruise she felt underneath her fingertips.

"You're awake," a calm voice stated above the crackling of flames. She gasped lightly and turned towards the source of the voice. The black haired man from her memories sat by the fire. His onyx eyes met her gaze. She stared momentarily as she recalled every detail from before.

Sunna briefly looked down to the black cloak laying over her body. She noticed her bare arms and looked around to see her cardigan in a neat pile where her head had once been. Upon inspecting her shirt she saw the large tear in her shoulder, her yellow shirt sliding down and exposing her bra strap. She eyed her surroundings finding they were inside a cave.

"It all really happened…" she quietly whispered. He as stirring a small campfire pot over the fire. She looked back to him. His name…he said he was Itachi…"Where am I?"

"Outside of the Land of Fire." He stated. He was in the navy coloured clothing she saw before. She could see some of his features better than before and saw he had long hair tied into a low ponytail behind his back. The man lifted a bowl to the pot and with the ladle poured what looked like soup into it. He extended it to her.

Nervously she took the bowl from his hands. Her eyebrows were slightly narrowed in a mix of confusion and attempting to gather her thoughts.

"I would have preferred to have taken you to a hospital for your injuries, but as an s-ranked criminal it proves rather hard to appear anywhere." He explained pouring more soup into another bowl. "I apologize for any discomfort but I removed your sweater to cushion your head."

"I-It's fine…" she murmured. She could see the bruises on her arms. Sunna couldn't tell if it was the dull lighting of her environment but they seemed more red and no longer black and blue. Her face hurt less than when she passed out but a dull pain reminded her there were marks there.

"Medical jutsu is not my strong suit but I was able to help heal some of your bruises."

She lifted her head up to meet him. She touched her face lightly, feeling the blood gone from under her nose. He had wiped it away. "Thank you..."

Itachi took a sip from the rim of the bowl. "They looked painful." He commented.

She nodded lightly. "They…were…" She followed his example and drank from the bowl. The warm chicken flavoured broth felt soothing going down her throat. After a few more sips she could feel a warmth spread through her chest.

They drank their meal in silence. The only noise was the continuous crackling of the wood in the fire. It was relaxing and peaceful. As she finished her soup and set the bowl down she continued to stare at him. He gave the pot another stir.

"I…don't understand." The blonde eventually broke the quiet. "You…You're a criminal…part of a gang….I've heard it on the news. The Akastuki…they kill people. So why…why help me?"

He paused for a moment. Sunna was becoming familiar with his emotionless expression, but she could tell by the way Itachi stared out that he was contemplating how to reply to her question.

"I was not always a criminal." He finally replied. He poured another portion of soup into his bowl. "There have been times in my life I have not been able to save someone. I have seen people injured and die in front of me." He motioned for her bowl to which she handed it over. He filled the remainder of the broth into it. "It took a small while, but I remembered you."

She blushed slightly not anticipating the comment. "Y-You do?"

He nodded again. "Your smile…I remember it. We never spoke in the academy but I recall seeing and training beside you. You were always happy." He returned the bowl to her. "Seeing the black eye and bruising I knew something was wrong. When I remembered you and saw how depressed you were and seeing the obvious assault…I had to investigate."

The red on her cheeks hadn't left as she took the bowl from him again. "That's why you followed me home…" She bit her lip slightly. "How were you planning to help?"

Itachi eyed her as if debating to answer. "I'm not sure. I was unware of who was assaulting you. However, I knew it would be better to act than do nothing."

She blew off the steam and drank. Sunna was confused and unsure of his statement. All the stereotypes she had heard of criminals in the media did not fit this man's personality and demeanor whatsoever.

"So…what happens now that we're out of Konoha?" Uneasiness laced her voice.

He drank as well. "I must admit I was not anticipating this."

The blonde smiled a sad, small smile from his response and her position. "Neither was I."

"There is a world of opportunity awaiting you." Itachi replied. His voice was so monotone but she couldn't help but hear some kind of optimism in him. "What do you want, Sunna?"

Sunna blinked at him with wide eyes. "Me? I…I don't know. I never imagined I would ever leave my father let alone Konoha…"

She didn't say anything as she finished her meal. He respected her silence and began de-assembling the makeshift kitchen. She eyed the headband around his forehead and the slash through Konoha's symbol; the leaf.

"You must be a skilled ninja to have graduated the academy so early."

He sat back down after putting the cooking kit away. "Many believe so." He sat cross-legged across from her. The fire warmed the space between them.

"Your eyes," Sunna continued in curiosity. "That's your keikei genkai, isn't it?"

"It's referred to as the sharingan." He answered. He lightly gestured to his face. "When they are red it is in use."

"What does it do?"

"It allows me to see more clearly," He casually stated. "With my sharingan I can see through opponent's attacks and illusions and greatly increase my perception."

Sunna was impressed. "That's amazing."

"The scroll you grabbed from your home…Are you a part of a clan?"

The young woman blushed at his interest in her. "Y-Yes, on my mother's side. The Tenki clan."

One of Itachi's fine eyebrows slanted upwards. "I'm not familiar with the name."

She shook her head. "Not many are. I don't know anyone from my clan. The keikei genkai eventually passed down to the women in the clan. Of course over time the women married to other nations and families and the skill began to fade. My mother possessed the skill and I do as well." She pushed some of her bangs away from her face and made a nervous look. "I've never been able to harness all of it though. It's been hard without a teacher."

"Where is your mother now?"

Her eyes looked down in sadness. "She was…killed on a mission when I was very young."

His dark gaze didn't leave his focus on her. "I sympathize with your loss."

Sunna let out a breath. "Thank you."

"This keikei genkai your family possesses, what exactly is it?"

A light smile appeared on her lips. "It's different than most. The name Tenki literally translates to weather. We're supposed to be able to control our environments."

Itachi gave a small nod, a common trait of his showing of acknowledgement. "Supposed to?"

"Well," Sunna gave an embarrassed and faint scowl. "I haven't been able to perfect it. My mother passed away just a year after joining the academy, and like I told you, my father made me quit soon after. She gave me the scroll handed down from remnants of the clan, but I think I'm missing something to perfect the technique. I just…" She lifted her hands and looked into her palms. "I can perform the hand signals but I can't complete the jutsu."

Her eyes sparked and she eagerly looked up to him. "Itachi, you're a shinobi, maybe you can figure out what I'm doing wrong!"

The young black haired man seemed slightly surprised but gave a small shrug. Sunna realized her excitement and calmed herself "I-I'm sorry, I've never had the opportunity to talk to a ninja about me or my family."

"There is no need to apologize, Sunna." The man replied. "If it comforts you I will study your family's scroll." In response she grinned. "If you'd like," Itachi continued. "You could travel with me for the time being."

Blue eyes blinked. "Are you asking me to join…the Akatsuki?"

He gave his head a small shake. "I mean no offense but you do not have the skills necessary. However, analyzing your situation there aren't many options at your disposal at the moment." A painted hand grabbed a nearby stick and poked the flickering fire. Sunna frowned as she remembered the present. She was homeless now and exposed to a world of constant conflict.

His onyx orbs looked back to her. "I said I would help you. Perhaps if you traveled with me you would eventually be able and confident to lead a path more suited for your needs. As well, perhaps I can offer assistance in channeling your true keikei genkai."

Sunna continued to frown, unsure of what he was proposing. "I'm…not a criminal though."

"I know." Itachi agreed. "It is simply an idea. You do not need to act on it." Sunna remained silent thinking on his proposition. "Let's discuss more in the morning. It is quite late in the night. Try to rest more."

The blonde teen gave a small nod. "Oh, your cloak." She began to pull it off of her legs.

Itachi raised his hand in a 'stop' gesture. "Sleep with it. It will keep you warm."

She blushed and smiled, lowering herself down onto the rocky floor. She brought the cloak up to her chest and holding it just underneath her chin. Her eyes watched the fire's flames wave on the wooden coals.

"Itachi…" She eventually cooed. He didn't vocally respond but raised his chin and eyes to her. "You had asked me what I wanted…" Her blue eyes met his dark ones. "I want to be a ninja. More than anything."

This time he acknowledged Sunna with a curt nod; admiration was behind his action. She couldn't tell if it was the angle in which she was lying down and the way the fire brightened his eyes, but he seemed to look fondly at her. She could almost see a small smile curled on his lips.

With that they both continued to watch the fire before them. Soon enough Sunna's eyelids grew heavy and hard to keep open. She breathed lightly as she listened to the fire's flames burn. Though so much had happened and she was unsure of the future she felt ease.

Such an odd feeling…seeing as I'm camping with a criminal. She thought to herself. She nuzzled her face underneath the cloak gathering its warmth and smelling the cologne she had noticed before. But Itachi is kind…and I feel…so safe…for the first time…for the first time ever.