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Her vision was blurred, splashes of dusky shades of black covering her sight. She blinked a few times, regaining some consciousness. Her body felt heavy, stiff. She glanced around, finally noticing the figure mounted on her. She gasped in dismay, pushing it off violently.

Bringing her fingers to her neck, now remembering the near-death experience she encountered. Her memories rushing back in like tidal waves, she was positive she was going to die.

A sudden twinge erupted from the back of her head, grabbing it in an attempt to soothe it, she groaned. That was definitely going to leave a bruise. She neared the entrance of the cave, peaking, but was met with total silence, only the strokes of the leaves swaying. 'Seems that I've managed to lose them for now.' She fell back on her bottom, unhooking the cloak letting it fall. She looked at the body, a pool of blood circling around. She pushed at it, rolling it over on its back.

It was a horrendous sight, the chest slashed with thick crimson fluid oozing out. A kunai wedged in deeply from earlier. She concluded the blood that trailed down from her throat earlier wasn't from her neck, but his fingers.

He was dressed in a light, soft cotton-sheen, dark navy yukata. A thin tinted yellow obi belt wrapped loosely. His face was drenched with sweat, it running down like condensation on a winter glass. His hair planted onto his forehead and cheek. She brushed it aside to get a view of his face.

He had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks.

A sharp, foxy-like face, with thin, straight lips. His complexion was porcelain with a tint of a sunbathed tone. A thin straight nose, chin not heavy but well curved, jaw not heavy, but well chiselled. The eye orbit arched and deep, a frown fixed between his thick eyebrows as he internally struggled with the pain.

He was beautifully handsome to say the least.

''Do I heal him?'' her medical side seeping out. She couldn't leave him dying. If he were the bandits from earlier, she wouldn't have hesitated to kill them- maybe, since what they did beforehand was horrendous.

Her body panging in sudden pain, finally realising the poor shape she was in herself. She should save chakra, and heal herself; however, if she did, then this guy would die. But what if she saved him and he killed her, nonetheless? The strength earlier was inhuman.

She sighed, knowing exactly what she was going to do- she was going to save him. She scooted closer, first deciding to remove the kunai she lodged in his shoulder. A glow of emerald hovering over the damaged area, she used her other hand to remove the kunai. She pulled down the yukata over his broad shoulder so that she could bandage it.

Leaning in closer, she slipped her hand behind him, untying the obi belt. Her nose twitching from the scent that waved by: spices, musk with a tint of moss, all infusing with the smell of his blood. He smelt warm, sultry and enigmatic.

His injury was a large slash across his chest, starting from under his right ribcage, down to the abdomen. The damage was ghastly, the red blossoming at his chest. If this was any ordinary person, they'd unquestionably die. She returned the orb to his chest, attempting to heal what she could.

Starting to feel dizzy herself, she ceased her healing. She reached for her bag, grabbing a bunch of Aprilia she found the other day. She sighed, ''I can't believe this is how I'm wasting it.'' she brought it to her lips, chewing the leaves into a mush-like texture. She carried it to his stomach, spreading it evenly. She took the bandage and spun it around his chest, her cold fingers contrasting with his heated skin.

Finally covering him with his yukata, she fell back onto the wall, feeling drained after the session. Her eyes felt lethargically heavy, she couldn't fall unconscious here, but sleep was definitely alluring right now. Before she could fight against it, her eyes came to a close.

.

.

They were surrounding him, latched onto the table, he couldn't budge, couldn't move. His palm sweating. He felt weak. Vulnerable. He looked around at the people before him, their faces unrecognisable, blurry, and hazy. But their hideous smile stretched from ear to ear. Chanting something inaudible, they beckoned some distorted jutsu signs. They closed the gap between him, aiming for his heart.

Wheezing for air, he shot up coughing, his heart beating in palpitations and his brain buzzing in response. His mind replaying the last few scenes of his dreams as his breathing resettled. Grabbing his chest in pain he grumbled. His eyes flickering against the seeping light, he recognises the cave. ''Ah.'' Finally realising where he was, he examined his body, expecting to be greeted with a gory slash, but found himself bandaged up neatly.

A shuddered breath was heard, and he looked behind him, a figure leaning against the wall. Cautiously, he eyed it, unable to see the face because of the pink hair. Pink? He blinked again at the unusual hair colour. He examined her body; she didn't look any better than he did. Should he kill her off?

He glimpsed to the ground, noticing some items: a smoke bomb, some bandages, some bows and arrows and a backpack. He grabbed the arrow, using the nock to brush the hair away from her face.

Her angel-white complexion contrasted with the smeared crimson blood on her face. A pair of arched eyebrows furrowing down on her kohl-black eyelashes. Her delicate ears which framed a button nose. He had to give it to her, she was a looker. Her short windblown pastel hair in a half-finished bun.

He nudged her head with the nock, beckoning her to wake up. Nothing. He shoved her wounded shoulder, triggering her to stir.

Groggily opening her eyes, her green eyes met his hazel's. Realising the situation she was in, her entire body jerking to a stand still. The muscles of her heart tightening with an incredible force, she took her fighting stance, her figure slightly slouching due to the low ceiling of the cave.

''Relax.'' His voice sounding hoarse and rough, his throat dry. He continued, ''Not that you could do much in that state.''

''I'm just trying to make sure I'm not in any immediate danger.''

''The moment you healed me; you were in danger. You should have left me to die.'' He insouciantly replied. Sakura's bone quivered as a chill spiked down her spine. He seemed as if he was joking, yet deadly serious. Maybe she should have let him to die.

No-one said anything for a long while, the two eyeing each other. Sakura flinched at the sudden pain radiating from her body, she hurt all over. Agonizing fiery pain radiating from her shoulder, it felt like the pain had crushed her in, claiming her body for its own.

He backed up onto the wall. ''You know, anybody in their right mind would heal themselves first.''

''Not a thank you?'' She managed to respond.

''I never asked you to heal me.'' He pointed to his chest, ''Plus, you've basically stripped me naked. You know this is assault, right?''

What the hell was he saying. Not knowing how to reply, she stared at him in utter disbelief, she brushed her hair back in frustration, tying it up. 'This is not happening.' She'd preferred it if he ended her misery right now, then making her go through this meaningless conversation. She fell back, leaving nothing but the essence of despair which swirled through her.

Silence engulfed the cave once again.

''What were you doing in here?'' she questioned.

''Dying.''

Scrutinising him, Sakura scoffed. She couldn't believe this guy. She didn't have time to mess around, how long was she out for? She scooted over to the entrance, brushing past him. She looked up at the sky, the sky tinted orange and red. She must have been out for a bit. She leaned back into the cave, eyeballing her 'almost-to-be killer'. 'When did he awaken? Yet he didn't kill me. Does this mean he's not a threat? But he nearly killed me earlier…but he wasn't in his right state of mind then.' She was conflicted, a million thoughts wrecking through her mind.

''Are you finished staring?''

Not bothering to retort, she brought the green orb to her shoulder. She didn't have much energy, but she couldn't walk in this excruciating pain. Lessening it a bit will be okay, just so its bearable enough.

He stared at the emerald orb, the green reflecting against his chestnut eyes, fascinated by the sight of it.

She slowly stretched her shoulder in a circular motion, testing the pain. It definitely felt more bearable. She bought a bandage to her shoulder, in an attempt to dress it up.

''Want help?''

She eyed him sceptically.

''No.''

He sat there in interest; she was treating him as if he was non-existent. She was abnormal, notably with that pink hair, he just couldn't take it seriously.

She tied the bandage with her teeth, knotting it twice for extra measure. She adjusted her cloak around her shoulders, gathering for her items. Backing up against the entrance, she listened in for any sign of movement.

''There's no-one around.''

''How would you know that?''

He pointed to his ears. ''I have superpowers.''

What was she expecting. She dragged herself away from the scene with her mind churning.

Trekking down the uneven path, the rosette still very on edge after the last encounter. Eyes glimpsing around restlessly, her energy seemingly diminishing every step further. She felt oddly ridiculous not wiping the bandits out, but there were so many of them, and for what? She didn't have time to mess around. They caught her off guard with their ambush. Scurrying along, she did her upmost best to make little to no noise.

Crunch.

Her lips curling inwards, eyes narrowing with a pinched expression, she turned around and glanced up at him. She realised he was very tall and lean, yet muscular. Sakura wasn't that short herself, but she suddenly felt awfully small.

''What.'' He deadpanned.

''Why are you following me?''

''I'm not, princess, I'm going in this direction too.'' He gave a cheeky smirk. It was rather unlike him, to crack jokes. At this moment, he'd do anything that could subside the memories of his nightmare lurking through his mind without consent.

''Princess?'' Was this really the same guy that was dying not long ago?

He pointed at her hair, moving closer in an attempt to finger the tips of her strands.

She swatted him away like a fly. She was baffled, confused to say the least. Was he giving her groundless nicknames based on the connotation of pink?

''Isn't that a sexist remark?''

''I don't know, is it?'' A small smile playing on his lips.

She turned back, resuming her walk, believing it was best to save her remaining energy until she finds a place to rest.

The male kept his distance, a few steps behind. She seemed rather apprehensive and highly strung. He wasn't sure why she was in the cave when he woke up, and a part of him wanted to know, why? Why was she lying unconscious? Why did she heal him, despite not knowing him? And why was he here, following her? He had nowhere and no-one to return to. Nothing to welcome him other than the ceaseless crimson smog of death that tresses through his system, following wherever he goes. As his mind wondered, his gaze fixed on the back of her cloak, he soaked her in like a watered sponge. Her light feather-like steps, her hair dancing in tune with the breeze.

The two walking in utter silence, none of them wanting to really interact, Sakura trusting it was in her best interest to mind her own business. A few miles in, Sakura could see the silhouette of the border in the far distance. ''Nearly out of here.'' She sighed to herself in relief. He stood next to her, him too gazing at the scenery. She faced him, momentarily forgetting about his existence. ''You're still here?'' She mockingly questioned. A small smile forming over his lips, suddenly dissipating as his eyes shifting from hers to the area behind her.

''What are you-''

His heated fingers grabbed hold of the nape of her neck, bringing her down into a knee crouching position with him, the two of them face to face, his eyes never leaving hers, it was the longest second yet. Time was still. The hissing sound diverted Sakura's attention to something gliding through the air. That spear. The rope. The two turned their heads to the absurd cackling laughter.

The boss.

''You took out quite a few of my men.''. His laughter and his smile suddenly dissolving. ''But that's where your little game ends.''

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Thank you for reading.

Do you guys like the guy's character? If you do, (even if you don't) please let me know c:

Ciao

-Grape