[Here is a special sneak peak into the next story: The Ties that Bind]
I sat over looking the cliff, lost in my thoughts. The brisk evening wind chilled my arms. To my surprise, a blanket was placed about my shoulders. I turned to see Kankuro standing behind me. He gave me a tender smile and gently squeezed my shoulders. "Are you feeling alright General Ritsuko?"
"You're flirting with insubordination," I growled. "You should be back with the troops."
"And so should you," he pointed out, taking a seat beside me. "So we're both breaking the rules." He looked worried. "Are you sure you're all right?"
"I'm not sure I can do this," I frankly admitted. "I'm not strong enough to lead an army. I don't know the first thing about war. Especially one that will determine the fate of this world."
"You're plenty qualified to lead," he assured me, resting a hand on mine and squeezing it. "And we're all here to back you up."
I laughed half-heartedly. "Until I make some bumbling mistake that wipes out half the troops."
He smiled tenderly. "I'd still be there for you, and one is better than none."
In spite of myself, I blushed. "Thank you Kankuro."
He leaned in to gently kiss my cheek. "Everything will be alright, so don't worry about it. I'll see you later ok?"
I nodded. "I won't be much longer. I just want to enjoy the view a little longer."
He left and I lay back on the grass looking up at the stars. I let his comforting words wash over me, and quieting my own fear and doubts. Once I felt better, I stood up and went back through the forest to retire for the night.
"Ah Ritsuko the Loner," a deep voice purred in the darkness. "You're still as lovely as ever."
That voice. Something about it struck such great fear in me that I couldn't move. A strong pair of arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me back. It took my breath away; like I had been suddenly drenched in icy cold water.
"Have you missed me?" The voice chuckled cruelly. I struggled and strained against his grip. "Ah that's right, you don't remember me do you?"
"Who are you?" I asked, though I wasn't sure I really wanted to know.
He lifted one hand to turn my chin so I could look over my shoulder and into his face. He wore a strange spiraled mask. I recognized it from the picture at the de-briefing and I sucked in my breath. It was Madara! But, but what was he doing here? And more importantly, what did he want with me? He lowered his grip on my chin to rest it on my neck. "It's a shame that you don't remember," he lamented. "We used to have such lovely times together."
"And what times were those?" I blurted out. Had he completely lost his mind?
His hand tightened around my neck, not enough to cut off air supply, but as a warning that he could at any moment. "Itachi may have erased your memory but that does not change the fact that you are still a part of Akatsuki," he snarled in my ear. "And when the time comes, you will do your part."
He was scaring me so badly that I started to wheeze. Why did he have this effect on me? To make me feel so utterly weak and helpless?
He chuckled again, clearly enjoying the effect he had over me. His grip on my waist lowered slightly. "Though I think you will enjoy this assignment best of all."
That definitely crossed the line. I tried harder to push him away, but it was no use. He continued on, whispering in my ear. "You've always had such spirit. I can see why he never got over you. I'd love to have you all to myself as well if I wasn't so busy.
A severe chill ran down my spine and my knees trembled. He let go and I fell to my hands and knees. When I whirled around to confront him, he had disappeared.
His voice still lingered in the darkness. "Welcome back to the team, my dear."