Akali strode into the room, shoving the door shut with her heel while simultaneously hoping the action wasn't considered disrespectful. She was glad to have rid of the twilight air, its thick humidity clinging to her dark uniform. She pushed a few strands of hair out of her face as she swallowed anxiously, raising her maroon eyes to scan his room which was barely lit, only a handful of lanterns adorning the wall providing light.

Zed stood by his large framed bed at the far end of the room, rolling and stretching his shoulders, all weapons and armor separate from his person and spread on his bed, leaving him in only a simple red pair of tobi pants. His white hair damp with the effort of training, back marred by fading bruises. Hearing her enter, he turned, a small grin disturbing his stony expression. His crimson eyes glinted.

"Well?" he asked, his tone dry, yet full of very obvious expectations.

Akali inwardly cursed the situation as she approached him, crossing the large open dwelling, and ascending up the three or so small stairs to the far upper half where he stood, halting a few paces in front of him. She bowed her head for a moment as a mark of respect, one arm at her side and the other clasped behind her back, where she unconsciously grasped the hilt of the kama strapped to her back.

She inhaled, glancing at the unmade bed to the side littered with his array of blades before returning it to him, her eyes finally matching his.

Dread pooled within her as she did so, coming to a bitter halt in the very bottom of her gut.

She'd failed. She'd never failed. She'd never felt like this before.

"I didn't- couldn't kill who you wanted… but I know.. where he is.." she replied, each syllable threatening to quiver and give away her unease. The grip on her kama sent her knuckles white.

Slap.

Her head was jerked harshly to the side by the impact, causing her cheek to sting and burn and flush red almost instantly. Akali simply shut her eyes and endured it, the hardened student in her determined not to show weakness. She would not.

The familiar taste of blood filled her mouth as she allowed herself to exhale.

She swallowed as she opened her eyes and stared into space, aware of Zed's glowing glare in the corner of her eye. The glow died when he shut his own and lowered his hand, jaw tense. When he opened them again, the glow seemed brighter, more sinister.

Akali righted her head, fighting the urge to raise a hand and massage her cheek and jaw. Hardly the worst she'd endured, but the personal nature of it made it sting not just physically, but emotionally. She kept her gaze low, reluctant to meet his gaze.

Had it been someone else bringing this news, she had no doubt they'd lie slaughtered on the floor by now. How cliche, she thought.

Watching him flex the hand he used, a small smirk plastered itself on her face, disappearing as soon as it appeared. She played a dangerous game.

Zed inhaled silently, the exhale equally as quiet. Then he simply turned back to the weapons strewn upon the bed before him while Akali kept quiet, waiting. The dread in her gut had disappeared.

There was a pregnant pause before he spoke again.

"Are you injured?"

Akali was almost surprised he'd bothered to ask, though she couldn't ignore the tone he had used. Flat, disappointed. She'd hardly call it a question.

"No... thank you." she replied, now holding both hands behind her back.

Zed nodded once in response as he began to put away his armor, storing it away in a large decorative cupboard a few meters away from the bedside.

She couldn't help but realize that the sting of his disappointment cut deeper and wounded her ego far more than a bruised cheek ever could. A dangerous game indeed.

Akali watched with anticipation, waiting for words. Much of Zed intrigued her. Her raven bangs fell in front of her face again, but she made no move to fix it, keeping her undivided attention on the ninja before her. The elder ninja finished his mundane task, closing the cabinet doors with a soft sound; he did not turn, but cocked his head a degree.

"You may arrive to me later… if it pleases you." he said in a low tone, finally breaking the oozing silence.

A familiar smouldering feeling crept its way into her body now, feeding the fire. Their extracurricular activities were by now expected, yet unheard of to the rest of the dojo; the way it should be, the way it needed to be. However she found herself surprised at his offer, given the circumstances. Akali had no reason to deny the offer, apart from the inhibition that she may emerge with more pain than usual, but that was part of the fun. Two played this dangerous game.

Zed turned his head toward her, his eyes glowing with an intensity she'd only occasionally see; the stinging of her cheek disappeared in comparison to the bodily reaction he elicited as their eyes met.

She felt a quiver snake its way up her spine as he slowly approached her. Zed stood tall at six foot, the top of Akali's head at his nose. He stopped in front of her, their bodies close. Akali did not break eye contact.

Zed lifted his hand to her red cheek, grazing the back of his finger along the length of her cheekbone. A subtle yet smug look softened his features a hint as he then traced his thumb down to the corner of her lips. Akali fought the urge to put her hands on him at that moment, instead surrendering to the urge in a smaller way; she allowed herself to tilt her head into his hand, just barely.

He felt his own resolve threaten to quake, and he let it, just for a moment.

Akali closed her eyes and felt his gaze study her frame, his other hand grazing and grasping her waist where he squeezed for a moment, pulling her in and closing the gap between their bodies. At the same time, he traced her lower lip with his thumb. She barely stifled a gasp, the sensations sending another shiver down her spine.

The young ninja felt as he slowly eased his finger into her mouth; letting him, and as he did she tasted blood again.

Akali opened her eyes, holding his gaze as she closed her lips around his finger. She raised a hand, grabbing his wrist, eyes narrowing slightly as if to challenge him.

In answer, Zed removed his hand from her face, letting it travel down to her neck where he grasped her, a small trail of blood on her lip, and lowered his head as if to kiss her.

He felt Akali's pulse quicken a few beats.

"You may go." he whispered, taking a small step back, releasing his grip.

She didn't move immediately, instead holding eye contact, red glowing almost ominously.

Her breath almost hitched in her throat, and a hungry look crept into his eyes. The events of the day were now in the back of their minds, bodies burning in other ways.

Akali flashed her master a small coy smile and started to walk backwards, descending the three steps flawlessly, only turning her back when she reached the bottom, and walked out with as much composure as she could muster. Zed watched after her for a few moments, the door closing with a sturdy sound, before resigning himself to bed while he waited.