She watched him and he leaned down slowly and touched her lips with his. She kissed him in return and it felt sure and practiced even to him. She moved closer and he could feel the fog leaving the presence as well was gone the hands on his chest shook and her lips were trembling. He knew the instant it was her and not the damn spirit. He leaned back and looked at her. She was red and wouldn't look at him.
"Are you alright?" She nodded but, wouldn't look at him. He let her go and she took a few steps back shaking. "I'm sorry." He said softly. She shook her head and started walking away.
He frowned. She was probably traumatized.
Andrea walked into the forest and, leaned against a tree taking ragged breaths. She smiled and touched her lips slowly. She kissed him. He kissed her. Of course it was sort of forced but, he could have hurt her instead but, he didn't.
She turned and looked at him she felt him moving this time. She was starting to feel the energy around her. "Please tell me that you are okay."
She looked at him and nodded. "I'm okay…I just needed a minute by myself that's all." He watched her and searched her eyes. He saw a warmth there he would swear wasn't there before. But, he wasn't sure how much of that was him and how much was her.
He nodded and started to turn. "I don't know about you but, in case she decides to make any more dreams come true I think we should go on there is a river we'll have to cross and we should be in a decent village by nightfall and can have pillows." He smiled. She couldn't help but, smile back.
The weather did not like their plans. By the time they reached the river it was raging. And the angry sky looked ready to loose a downpour at any moment.
He frowned. "Do you want me to carry you?" She shook her head vigorously. He sighed. "Alright."
They headed out across the water. He watched her closely, hoping she didn't lose her concentration. She moved across the water with him but, she was looking at the sky. When lightning struck the water she jumped and landed almost falling in but, she didn't. "Are you sure you don't want me to carry you?" She shook her head. She might have wanted him to kiss her in the night under the influence of some spirit but, in the light of day she was still terrified.
He started moving faster as the storm worsened it was a wide river. They got to the other bank and she stepped onto it and fell to her knees. He bent to help her but, she flinched. Damn this was complicated.
She stood. "I'm alright it just took a little out of me that's all." She smiled. The water roared behind her. Two things happened at once. The sky gave way the same time the bank she stood on did and she was gone. She didn't have the time she needed to focus unlike Sasuke it wasn't just natural to walk on the water it was something that took time and thought. She was rushing away in the water. He couldn't even hear her screaming. He cursed and leapt after her. He ran across the water as quickly as he could go. Then started running across the rocks he had to catch her before she reached the falls. They were at the Final valley almost across it and two villages over was the man he was looking for but, only for another few days then he would leave for the summer and go to the coast. He had to get her there. She had to live to get there. He raced after her and she was moving fast the falls were big when it wasn't pouring to the north and spring time. Now they were raging. You wouldn't be able to see the raised hands on the statues this time of year just the heads. All of this and random things that didn't really matter at all ran through his mind.
If he let her die her dog would miss her. Why the hell did that matter. If he died who would miss him. He frowned. He would save her. He moved like the water itself towards the falls catching up to her. She looked behind her as she tried to get to the bank to find something to cling to. She saw the falls the faces and she met his eyes, hers were sad. He remembered later thinking that was strange. Sadness not fear. Just sorrow. She went out of sight and he screamed her name. He jumped and sailed after her. He caught her just as they hit the water. He fought to the surface and climbed slowly out carrying her to the bank and laid her down. She wasn't breathing. He looked at her and didn't know what to do. He turned her on her side and hit her back. He was wishing for Sakura now. She could have saved her. "Please breath, you have to breath."
She coughed and water rushed out she gasped and then again. He sagged and just took a moment. That had nearly made him panic. Damn it he didn't want to feel this way about anyone. Sasuke had worked very hard to cut any ties with anyone so he could exact his revenge. Now here he was caring for this woman because someone had to. Her face was peaceful but, pale her lips blue. She needed to get out of this weather and warm up or she could fall ill. He picked her up and carried her in the rain, he knew just where to go. His life was a revolving shit storm. He sighed. The first place he had ever gone when he left the village Orochimaru's first hide out where he had come to was still there decrepit abandoned but, it would be dry and he knew right where it was. He flew and raced to get her out of the rain. He looked at the entrance covered with vines and overgrown. He was right though it was dry if not warm. He carried her in and set her in a chair. He rushed back out into the rain to find some wood that wasn't soaked hopefully. He came back and started a fire. He sighed unhappily. She was freezing. Damn what the hell was he going to do. He moved her closer to the fire. She just shook and shook. He went and found dry clothes. They were not something she would probably want to wear but, they were generic. She didn't have to know they were some of his things. He looked at her and frowned. This would involve him undressing her.
He wasn't sure he really wanted to do that. It was rude and wrong but, she was going to get sick. He just detached himself and did it. He thought of something far away. He went over the rules of the shinobi all of them one by one in his head reciting them as he changed her clothing. He left her under things on and slid the soft cloth over her slender form. He then took a blanket and wrapped her tight. It was useful he supposed to have a place like this out there. He just left everything when he moved so he could come back later if he needed to.
He even found some of his clothing and it still fit. They had been here not too long before he had defeated him. He sighed. He watched her and she was still shivering. "You are probably going to be angry with me now. But, it's better than going to all of this trouble to have you just die." He picked her up and sat down pulling her into his arms, the blanket around them both. "I'm sorry Andrea." He watched her slowly warm and her color came back, her blue lips turned pink. He skin was still pale but, at least she looked normal. He slid her wet hair from her face and fanned it over his shoulder and the chair so it could dry. It was softer than it looked. He didn't care about that though he told himself his eyes drifted shut as he reminded himself that this was just to warm her up.
She stopped shaking finally and her breathing slowed. She was sleeping soundly. Her breath was warm against his collar. He was warm too. He let his head fall slowly on hers and fell asleep…
Ch 4
Andrea woke and sighed. She was warm and comfortable. She snuggled into his cloak. Since she had been wearing it you wouldn't think it would smell so much like him. She smiled to herself. Sleeping with his cloak was almost like sleeping near him. It was very nice.
She felt movement and froze. A heartbeat she could hear it. Where was that coming from. Breathing. She woke fully and realized what was going on. She wasn't sure what to do part of her wanted to bolt but, part of her was frozen and another part of her the same part that had wanted that kiss wanted to stay right where she was. "I'm sorry. You were so cold I didn't want you to get sick this was the only way I could think of to warm you when the fire didn't seem to do the trick." She felt his words more than heard them. It was comforting in a way; the rumble of his voice vibrating through her quiet and filled with kindness. She eased away slowly.
He helped her to her feet. "I'm sorry I was stupid I nearly got my self killed being stubborn and you could have gotten hurt trying to save me." She frowned and looked around. "I know this place." He shook his head and nodded.
"I suppose." She looked at herself.
"These are…never mind I don't want to know." He smiled. "I guess you didn't sleep well with me laying on you like that." He just watched her and then shrugged.
She walked around. "Is it still raining?" He nodded. She frowned. "Should we just travel in the rain?"
"I don't think so it isn't good for you or me. I don't get sick often but, it could happen. We should just stay here until it's over. These spring storms don't usually last that long." She nodded.
"Okay." She sighed. "I don't suppose we have any food." He smiled.
"Actually we might let's go check he kept these places stocked in case he ever had to come back to any of them." She followed him down a hall. He walked into a room she had never seen and started rummaging. "Can you cook?" She looked around and nodded absently at him. "Good because I can but, you probably wouldn't want me too." She laughed.
He pulled out several cans and some rice. She walked over and frowned. "We don't have water do we I mean he's been dead for a while who pays the bills. He looked at her and frowned.
"Bills for what?" She laughed even harder.
"Wow I really do need to live here. I have a water bill and a light bill. Bills for TV and rent." He frowned.
"You're home sounds expensive I hope you have a good job." She nodded.
"I do but, it's not that bad you just don't really think of it I suppose. It's just the way things are." She washed the pot that was really dusty and put the water on to boil it was a stove, it had to have wood but, there was a ton of it stacked in there.
"If I had known this was here I could have saved myself from going outside in the woods in the rain. I never came in here." She laughed.
"No cooking for you huh?" He shrugged. "That's alright. Nobody's perfect." She rolled her eyes. He frowned at her.
"Are you making fun of me." She looked at him and smiled.
"Not really but, you are good at everything I just think it's nice to know you have something I can do, you can't." He just shook his head and leapt to the table.
"Well we may be stuck here for the night. It's actually only around five in the evening right now. I think I will look for us some beds with pillows. That was the order right." She nodded and smiled.
"That would be wonderful and I will cook while your doing that." He nodded and disappeared.
She hummed to herself and realized that she was happy she hadn't thought about her family in a while. She almost felt like she had a family again. That wasn't a smart thing to think she knew but, she couldn't help herself. She was in this strange world. Her life was upside down and part of her still believed this was some kind of swollen brain delusion. Maybe she was dying and this was her tunnel. If so that would be okay. She could enjoy this and then go to her family. She smiled.
But, surely if this was some kind of fever dream she wouldn't have to fall down waterfalls and get blasted over the head right.
She smiled as he walked back in. She could feel him. "You know when I'm coming now. I wonder if you are some kind of sensor."
"I assumed it was just you." He raised a brow.
"I doubt it. You should be able to feel others, we'll try later, maybe." She frowned.
"I don't suppose it matters if I'm going home." She sighed. He looked at her and tried to not make a face that would let her know he didn't really like that thought. Her food turned out to be very good. He liked it though he had no clue what it was. Then they went to the parlor they had woken up in. She frowned. "I didn't really thank you for holding me. I should."
"I'm just glad you weren't angry." He smiled. "I was worried you would be."
"I can't be angry because you saved me." She stepped to him purposely but stopped at the distance she knew didn't bother her too much, it was amazing how aware she was of distance. "You have been very sweet to me." He frowned. "You have." She closed her eyes and reached out and slowly methodically thinking of every single movement she leaned into him and hugged him. "Thank you." He sighed and slowly put his arms around her lightly and touched her back. She could only stand it for a few seconds but, she smiled when she pulled away taking a deep breath.
He looked at her and felt like he had just gotten a gift. He just smiled. "Let's get some sleep."
They traveled through the morning to the village. It was enough time he pulled out his hands and made a summoning spell. She just watched him and smiled as a small hawk appeared on his arm. He took a different scroll a tiny one and attached it to the animal's foot. He let the bird fly and then put up his hands and nodded the bird flew Southwest. "Are you sending something to your friend."
"My Father's friend, and yes I am. Hopefully he won't be afraid that I'm coming to hurt him I told him I needed help he's a good man I think he'll stay." She smiled and they headed into a village. She looked around and he watched her wonder.
"You are really enjoying this aren't you." He raised his brows.
"It's better than Disney world." He just looked at her blankly. "Never mind I've never even been there either it's just a saying yes I am enjoying this."
She was leaving soon he didn't see any reason not to let her enjoy the time she had hear. "What do you want to do?" She smiled.
"Can we find a dumpling shop?" He sighed.
"Sure why not." He walked beside her. "I don't have much of a sweet tooth but, I like tea."
She just looked at the buildings wide eyed like a child. He watched her and felt her excitement. Then he felt something else but, it was gone as quickly as it had come. He frowned.
She saw the dumpling shop and he stopped. "Here is some money I'm going to go and get us rooms for the night. She nodded so excited she couldn't stand it he walked away shaking his head.
She bought the dumplings and some tea for them both and sat down. How long had she waited to taste one of these. She happily prepared to eat it but, she felt something awful that made her stomach turn. Andrea set the dumpling down slowly as her blood froze in her veins. "Where in the world could he be taking you?"
She recognized that tone not because it sounded like the facsimile she had heard, it was just something she could feel. She looked up reluctantly and, met his gaze. "Madara Uchiha."
"You are such a clever girl what have you done to him to make him come all the way out here?" He just watched her. She shook.
"I didn't do anything." She said her teeth chattering with fear.
"Oh you had to have done something. He wouldn't just walk away from his destiny for a girl." She frowned, this man. He had made all of this happen with his lies and anger his hate and horror, she hated this man. Her fear was overwhelmed with anger. Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"What destiny would…that…be…Madara…?" He raised a brow.
"You look at me like you know me." She watched him and frowned deeply her fury ready to boil over.
"Quiet Andrea." She froze just before she told him exactly what she thought of him in livid color. "She means nothing to you Madara she is not useful to you in the least."
"It is her use to you that interests me Sasuke. She is not a ninja though she is trying. I can see that she has been working on focus, her chakra points are vibrant now." Sasuke frowned at him.
"She is none of your concern as I am none of your concern unless I choose to be. I am not an underling of yours I should not have to continue to explain myself to you." He walked to her and reached out a hand.
"I've gotten us a room; come." She just watched him and hesitantly took his hand he must have a reason for this. Room she thought he was going to get them separate rooms. Maybe it was too expensive.
She looked at him and he frowned. "Don't speak."
She was silent. Was he angry at her for talking to him it wasn't exactly her fault?
Madara ate the dumplings. "Hmm. Well let's just see what you do have her for?"
Sasuke felt him coming and looked down at her. God this was going to be awful for her. He pulled her quickly down an alley; he looked at her his eyes fierce. "You must play along do you understand?" She frowned and then froze when he slammed her against the wall. His lips were at her ear. "I am so sorry." He whispered.
Then he slid his hands into her hair and he looked at her she saw the sadness in his eyes and her fear became tolerable. She didn't pass out at least. His lips fell to hers and he kissed her. She clenched her hands in his shirt stiffly. Her eyes twisted shut. She shook but, kissed him back. Her lips were unsure and trembling but, somehow this kiss was better than the other. He felt his heart start to beat faster hers was already racing unfortunately it was out of fear.
He slid a hand down and placed it on her hip. He was going to lose any trust he had with her but, she would be a nonentity to Madara again. He wouldn't care if Sasuke had a lover. He felt him watching. He had to make this convincing. He picked her up as gently as he could wrapping her legs around him she gasped as his body slid against her. And fear filled her eyes again. He kept eye contact trying to reassure her, then kissed her again. He didn't deepen the kiss though his body told him to. He knew that this was a terrifying ordeal for her.
He kissed her chin nibbling lightly at her, then his lips were at her ear again. "He's watching." He whispered. She was confused and then she realized why this was happening and what he was trying to do. Part of her was a little disappointed. The part that had read about scenes like these too many times in romance books about things she would never be able to do. Then she realized this may be her only chance. And there wasn't anyone she would want to do anything like this with better than him. She met his eyes again and smiled nodding imperceptibly. Her hands slid into his soft hair and she leaned up and kissed him. Softly innocently and he could feel her relax. She understood and was okay. He smiled he hadn't hurt her with this. He kissed her in return but, her lips were ardent on his and she sighed into his mouth her tongue slipping in hesitantly and touching his. She was unsure and awkward but, it was amazing. He groaned and couldn't help it, he deepened the kiss further, his body moving against hers; she noticed this strange dark warmth that filled her. Andrea suddenly felt very hot like she was on fire. She gasped and tore her lips away from his. "Oh." She let her head fall back against the wall and he kissed her throat.
"Well I think I realize what your use for her is." Sasuke stopped and frowned. She could see his pleading eyes. She laid her head down on his shoulder her faced reddened. It hit her that this man had just watched her in a very intimate looking moment.
"Go away." He snapped and let her down slowly. "Surely you have other things you could do instead of spying on me."
"Of course, well enjoy her and then return when you're done with her. I understand perfectly, you're only young once." He was gone and Sasuke stepped away.
"I'm so sorry for that." He frowned. "It was the only thing I could think of he needed to think that there is a simple explanation for me wanting to be near you."
She sighed and shook but she wasn't as afraid as she might have been before she had met him. She nodded. He took her to the room and sighed unhappily. "They only had one room there is some kind of festival going on tomorrow. She just nodded.
He watched her and frowned. "You're angry aren't you."
She smiled. "No," She shook her head. "It's going to sound silly but, I'm proud of myself."
He stepped close slowly and looked down at her. "You should be you were very convincing." He raised a brow. She blushed to her toes.
He laughed softly. "I had a bath ordered for you and then you can have some dumplings since he ate yours."
She watched him and sighed. "Why are you doing this? Why do you want to be near me?"
He watched her and frowned turning to the window. "I don't know." He walked to her and looked down at her sweet innocent face. "I feel…" He rolled his eyes. "Sane when I'm with you. I don't feel so irrational. I still want the same things. Don't think I would give up so easily but, I can think more clearly when I'm near you."
She grinned. "I feel more crazy when I'm with you." She shook her head. "But, I feel better. You have given me something." She walked to him and took his hand without any hesitation. "See. I could have never done that if not for you."
He touched her face slowly letting her see what he was doing. She closed her eyes but, not tightly. He caressed her face and she smiled. "See I'm not even afraid." He looked down at her beautiful face and realized he had made a mistake. He leaned down and his lips brushed hers. She gasped and looked at him. He pulled away quickly.
"I'm sorry." She just watched him in wonder.
"You kissed me." He frowned.
"I have kissed you three times now." He muttered and headed for the door. "I'll be back in a little while you should be safe."
She watched the door shut. "Yes but only because you had to; that one you just did." She sat down on the pallet and wondered what that meant?
She had been so inviting damn it. He frowned at himself. He was low. He had kissed her knowing her fears and there had been no excuse he had just done it. But, she had not acted afraid. She hadn't pulled away or cringed. She had flushed a little but, not out of fear.
He couldn't do this. It was stupid. He was taking her to Shinto and he was sending her home. What if it didn't work? What would he do with her then?
She would be safe in the Leaf. He froze and looked around almost as if he were afraid someone had heard his thoughts. "The Leaf." Why had he thought that? Hell that wasn't safe. Especially if he intended to go and destroy it. What the hell was he going to do? He was going to get her dumplings and tea and then he was going to get some rest and then they were going to rush to Shinto. He picked up the bags and carried them to the room.
He walked in and she was standing by the window. She turned and smiled shyly, he nearly dropped the bag. She wore a kimono of soft jade green. Her long red hair was draped down her back. "They gave me this after the bath." She watched his face and started to think it was a mistake to accept the gift. "I didn't use any money or anything. Do you want me to take it back?"
He set the food down. "No, you look lovely. Really." He smiled. "It was just not what I expected. I'm going to go and have a bath now." She smiled.
"I've never been complimented so much it really is nice. Crazy but, nice being here with you." She sighed and pulled the bag to her, he laughed softly as her eyes lit up. Then he walked out and took a very long bath to clear his head.
He just wasn't sure what to do with her? He was starting to have feelings for her. Feelings he had never had but, was pretty sure he could define if he was stupid enough to do it.
He walked silently back into the room and she was asleep. He watched her for a long time and sighed, he might as well get some sleep too; he laid down and stared at the ceiling.
He must have drifted off, he woke to screaming. Flying to his feet and prepared for battle he looked down at her. She shook and cried. Sasuke took a deep breath and slid his blade back into place. He frowned and sat down beside her. "What's wrong?" She grabbed him and was suddenly in his lap her hands twisted in his shirt. She must be having a nightmare.
"Don't let them get me." Her voice sounded strange like a child's voice. Her eyes were open but glazed.
"They can't hurt you." He wished he knew what was happening. Then again maybe he didn't want to know. He wrapped his arms around her on reflex. She was so frightened. "I won't let them." He whispered wishing he could mean the words.
"They are going to hurt me like they did my Mommy. They tried to touch me like they did my Mommy. Mommy didn't like it. She cried; I won't like it either." She shook. "I can hear him." She shook.
Oh God she was remembering something they hadn't seen. Had he done this, of course how many times was he going to hurt her? He pulled her face into his shoulder. "He'll never find you. I'll keep you safe." His words were a plea. Anger started to settle in him deep and heavy but, not for his own pain. Not for his own loss but, for hers. Those people had taken more than her family, they had taken her life from her that day. He had wondered. Her eyes always held desolation.
"I hid under the stairs no one ever finds me under the stairs." She looked past him. "Shush he's coming."
She screamed and Sasuke's eyes clenched shut. Damn it. He didn't know what to do, he just held her while she thrashed. He felt tears sting his eyes. What had they done to her; he couldn't of it. If he thought of it then he would know and if he knew then he would go with her and find them just to kill them. Finally she fell limply in his arms. He looked down at her and took a ragged breath. He realized he was sweating and shaking as much as her.
He laid down and held her to him. He didn't know if she would be upset but, he needed to hold her and tell her it was alright. Tell himself…that it would be alright somehow. He kissed her hair.
"I will find a way to help you." He fell asleep still shaking slightly.
She woke and knew she was in his arms. How had that happened? She looked at his face and sighed. She had died that was what had happened her brain had swelled and she had died and now she was in heaven and this was her eternity. She reached up her finger only shaking a tiny bit and touched one perfect eyebrow sliding her finger over it. His eyes opened and he looked at her. "Good morning."
She nodded. A toothbrush she needed one. How could he not have bad breath at least? This proved he wasn't real. He started to move but, she shook her head and smiled. She hugged him and kissed his throat. Then she pulled away.
She moved far enough away that she could speak. "Why did you sleep like that? I'm not complaining. I think I could get used to that. I have had a Sasuke in my bed for two years but, so far you have not pushed me off the bed or slapped me with your tail so we are doing great. He laughed. Then her face turned worried.
"What is it?" She sighed.
"I need a toothbrush really bad." He smiled.
"Bathroom." She walked in and sure enough there was a toothbrush in a package.
"Wow that's convenient." She brushed her teeth and he came in and did the same she watched him in the mirror. This just couldn't be happening.
He looked at her and frowned. "What are you thinking right now?"
"That this can't possibly be real." She smiled. He watched her as she stood up and wiped her mouth on the towel and, turned leaning against the counter. "You can't be here with me. My life has been so mundane. This just isn't my life."
He wanted to tell her it could be but, damn it this wasn't what his life was about either. He watched her and his heart warred with his mind. She didn't belong here. He didn't have a future. So he couldn't have someone like her not a friend and not a lover. He sighed and turned away back to the real world back to the destiny they both had. He didn't know what hers was but, he knew very well what his own life was about; his purpose it couldn't be this woman and her quiet beauty even if he wished it could be.
"Well we'll try to get you back to your mundane life as soon as possible." She frowned.
"Yes that's for the best." She looked at him and smiled. He tried to ignore the sorrow and loneliness he saw in her dark forest green eyes. "The story can't go on if I'm here distracting you all the time, right." She sighed heavily and walked out.
"What's wrong you look so sad?" She sat down on the bed and rested her chin on her hands looking out the window. He was afraid he knew the answer but, he asked anyway.
"I don't want to go." She shrugged and, laid back looking at him. "I've never felt so safe in my life. It's you but, it's this place too there is something here that I don't have at home."
He frowned and tried desperately to firm himself against her caring. She was a distraction, one he didn't need. He told himself that in his mind a kind of chant. His heart was cold he didn't feel anything. He would reassure her and send her on her way as quickly as possible. "You have always had your courage you just don't believe it."
She smiled. "Yes but I don't have chakra." She held up her hand and concentrated. The blue glow surrounded it. "I can't do this at home."
"Why not?" He reached out and touched her hand the chakra flowing into him, he sucked in a breath. He had felt chakra from others so many times but, that had felt almost intimate he stifled the tremor that threatened to run down his spine. It was gone and he calmed. "Maybe you will be special in your world."
She sighed. "I don't think so." She looked up at him. He touched her face and considered that tomorrow hopefully she would be on her way home. If so these were the last few hours with her. Damn why had she come into his life. He had been so certain of his future his purpose now he felt like he was living in some fantasy where he wasn't alone. It was an illusion. He was alone. He needed to accept that.
He watched her and leaned down, he would enjoy this and then back to his destiny. That was all there was to it. "I do and we both know I'm always right about everything." She laughed and blushed at his nearness. He laid down next to her. "Do you want to see the festival before we leave?"
"I don't want to keep you." He just looked at her and waited he knew what she wanted. "Yes." She whispered. He stood and offered her a hand she took it without hesitation and he ignored the tenderness that tugged at him. She didn't seem to remember the trauma of the night before. He was glad for her. He didn't want her to remember that.
They walked into streets that were packed. She stopped. "I think I changed my mind." She backed into him. "I don't really like crowds." He touched her shoulder.
"It'll be alright. I won't leave you." She shook and he took her hand. "I'm right here." She took a deep breath. That's right Sasuke was with her if she was ever going to be brave it needed to be now.
She nodded and kept his hand in hers.
He frowned. Why did he want this so badly for her? They walked through the crowds and he kept his eyes on them watching they would see him and most would walk away from his forbidding glare. "What's this festival for."
"The Spring and planting." She nodded.
"It's beautiful." He had never really thought about it. He looked around seeing things through her eyes and realized she was right it was very pretty.
"I feel like a peeping Tom." Zetsu frowned. "Why do we have to watch him with her?"
"Because Madara asked us too that's why." Zetsu looked at the girl.
"She really is pretty I can see why he likes her." He turned. "Let's go and tell him that they are just here enjoying the festival. Maybe she's never seen one." They were gone.
She frowned. "Some one was here." She looked up to a building. "I'm sure of it." He let his eyes spin and looked around. He didn't see anything. There may have been someone but, they were gone now.
"I think you are a sensor." He smiled down at her. "That's very rare you know."
She smiled. "I know but, I don't think I'm as good as the ones you've known." He frowned.
"We don't know that." He looked at her. "Here come with me." They leapt to the top of a shop. "Close your eyes."
She did he stood behind her and brought up her hands. He covered her hands with his own and made the signs with her. "This is a group of signs that focus chakra. You have quite a bit. Not near as much as me or Naruto but, you have a lot." She shivered but, she wasn't sure if it was the nearness of him or the cool breeze. She felt the hand signs and made them several times until she had learned them then felt him back away. She did it again one more time slowly and focused and let go. She felt him knew where he stood. "You're behind me back a meter and to the left." She smiled. She picked up her head and her brow furrowed.
"I see another ninja I don't know how I know that." He stepped forward and touched her.
She shivered. "Feel the crowd feel the chakra in them most will just be regular villagers. Their chakra will seem soft and almost weak simply because they have never manipulated it. No hard edges. His lips by her ear had her losing focus. She frowned and opened her eyes. "I lost it."
He looked in her eyes and felt his heart speed up. He closed them and backed away. "Just try again. Do you remember the signs? She nodded. He watched her move her hands faster this time. She held up her fingers in front of her face.
Andrea turned slowly her eyes still closed. "I can feel them. The difference. Yes there are two ninja at two o'clock. She turned a little more. "Another on that building over there. He watched her and started to feel a little agitated that was quite a few nin for a town without a corps. She frowned.
"And four on the other side and all of them are headed this way I think they're after you." She let go and turned looking at him. "We should go."
He moved to her side and looked out over the crowd. He frowned. "Damn, It's the Leaf."
She looked and tried to see a face she recognized. He grabbed her wrist. She saw Keba and Akamaru.
"That's what that was I was trying to figure out why a ninja was moving on four legs." He ran and pulled her with him.
"We have to leave if they see you with me you'll become a criminal as well." She looked at him and didn't really like the sound of that. She leapt with him. They moved away from the village as fast as they could.
She really wanted to see some of the Leaf though damn. She froze. "Wait stop." He looked at her and glared. "Stop." She pointed. "I don't know if they're here for you or not."
"Why?" He followed to where she was pointing and his heart froze in his chest. It was them.
"I think they're escorts for them." He pulled her back into the shadows. They walked by and he hissed. She closed her eyes and did what he had taught her.
She turned in a circle. "That's what it is there are others hiding all over the place they are here to protect them. I can feel one that feels really different there's too much way too much it has to be Naruto right."
"Probably." He frowned. "Stay here." He turned away and she looked at him.
"I'm afraid that you'll get hurt." She looked at him. He didn't look like the man she had been with. He looked like the man she had met.
"You'll only get in my way." She closed her eyes.
"I could help." He looked at her and glared out at the crowd.
"No you would end up being a burden just stay here. Wait a few minutes and then head southwest to a village called Akago. Ask for Shinto he'll help you." She just watched him. His eyes spun.
"Thank you." She whispered. He took her shoulders.
"I have to do this." She nodded.
"I know." She dropped her head. "I know. Just make sure the ones that are punished are actually guilty." She said softly. He was gone.
She slid down the wall and cried. She wasn't sure how long she had been there. She sighed as she felt them coming. She didn't really want to try to get away. She was so sad it didn't really matter anyway.