It was strange. Here Relon was leaving behind his home, his family. As if a discarded leaf, unable to return to the branch it spawned from. Yet, within the span of the few hours he has been alone, he already found another companion.

Looking at the red-head being carried on the woman known as Kurenai's back, his eyes glance at the forest they pass through.

A few times he's experienced this sensation. When his father would take him outside of the village, he'd often piggyback Relon through the treetops jumping from branch to branch. The sensation of the wind lightly hitting his face now as it did back then.

But as far as sensations go, moreso within him, he couldn't truly describe it. Yes, he was saddened over the course of the day. It was too sudden and he was but a child. Anyone would still be stunned if they went through the same course of events. But what could he do? Nothing. The singular harsh word causing Relon to wince as his eyes furrow, his grip around Anko tightening slightly. This going noticed by Anko as she glances back.

"You okay, Relon?" She asks low, the boy only giving a nod back as his head rests on the back of the woman's nape.

Lingering her gaze on him for a moment longer, she nods returning her eyes to the front.

Maybe it was luck or his family's final blessings that he was saved by these two women. Maybe his family didn't want to see him struggle. Maybe they believed he was destined for something greater. Maybe, just maybe but he doesn't know. His mind is just thinking on a whim. A childish whim with the key word being maybe.

Glancing to Relon, Tayuya gazes at his bothered demeanor.

"Is everything alright?" Kurenai asks.

A silly question considering the state the two children are, but one she still feels the need to ask. A silent nod is her response before looking ahead resting her chin on the woman's shoulder. The small lie was obvious but she didn't care. She was too tired, too weak, too saddened by the course of her day. Meeting Relon, if that's even his own name, and these ninjas may be a blessing or it may be the death of her. At this point, she couldn't honestly give a damn as her father would often say. Would. Using past tense hurts but not as much as the memories. Those were unspeakable and she doubted she'd talk about it unless she absolutely had to.

Exchanging silent looks, both women nod before picking up the pace. Before long, they stop in what seems like a town.

"We'll have to stop here for tonight." Kurenai says, the two adults leading the way to an inn with the two close behind as they respond with silent nods.

Checking in, it takes mere minutes as they're led to a guest room.

"Have a good night." The receptionist bids as both walk into the room leaving the adults to eye them from the doorway.

The floor is softer than the last inn I stayed in. Relon thinks, glancing down at his and Tayuya's tattered and dirty clothing.

"This is the first time I've been to an inn." Tayuya murmurs as she looks at her appearance.

Not responding, he gazes back at himself before looking out to the open balcony showing the night sky. Walking away, all eyes go to him as he sits against the wall, one leg over the other, as he continues to gaze at the sky.

"You all can have the bath first." He says, the two adults taken aback by the offhand comment.

This child…

Turning fully to him, Tayuya's eyes look to his. A nod coming afterwards.

"Thanks." She turns heading into the bath.

"They're both warming up to one another." Kurenai whispers.

"They've both been through a lot so it makes sense that they're able to understand one another."

"Now we just need them to open up to us as they're beginning to do that with one another."

"Yeah."

"More so you than me though." Kurenai adds heading for the bath. "You are the one that wanted to bring them." She smiles.

"Hmpf, tell me something I don't know." Anko dryly responds by crossing her arms to look at the statue-like Relon. "You gonna be okay out here alone? You can come in with us, ya know." She adds.

"Tayuya." He says gaining the woman's attention. "She can use the company."

"... I see." The sounds of meandering footsteps catch his ear as they near him to his small surprise, the arm of Anko's wrapping around his neck as he's pulled into the side of her rack. "But as far as I see it, you could use the company too, couldn't ya?"

"... I'm sorry." He looks down hiding his face behind his locks of hair, his small form beginning to tremble slightly.

"You're quite the selfless one for a kid only a few years old. Your parents must have raised you quite well." She muses stroking his hair.

"Remember, Relon." The voice of his mother resurfaces. "You shouldn't always think of yourself."

"What do you mean mommy?"

"Take your father as an example. If he got hurt, what would you do?"

"I would try to help, right?"

"Very good. Now, what if you found something really special?"

"I would keep it since I found it. Finder's keeper." In response, he gets a gentle flick to his forehead.

"Wrong." She hums as he holds his forehead with a look of confusion plastered on his face. "A good deed never goes unnoticed. Help those you can, okay?"

"Okay…"

"That's my little man." A warm smile filled to the brim is the last thing he sees as Relon returns to the present.

A nod in response comes as he leans more into the woman, tears having built up finally released.

Seems like he finally reached his limit. You've done good, Relon. She thinks at the now resting child. Get some rest now.

SeiferBoy: I bet Kushina will take to Tayuya immediately, considering Tayuya looks like an Uzumaki!

You already know it!