I held my breath as I entered the small enclosure. A metallic tang filled the stifled air causing me to cover my nose up with the collar of my dress.

"He should be in here...couldn't of moved…"

I was trying to reassure myself that Kisame was fine, and probably laying down on the palm leaves. I navigated the dark space and squatted down next to where the bed was.

"Kisame..."

A large hand shot out and gripped my upper arm tightly, but shook violently.

"You brought a ninja?"

His voice was a hushed whisper, full of anger, his fingers digging into my arm painfully. I was defiantly going to have bruises there later.

"I had to, no one else was close enough."

"I knew better than to trust you, gah…"

His words hurt more than they should. I rocked backward off my feet and onto my butt, exhaustion taking over. His hand never let my arm go. Was he planning to rip it off if Kano did anything he didn't like? I shook my arm to get him to let go but he only squeezed it and could feel him glaring at me from the corner of his small sharp eyes. Yup, I was his hostage all right.

"…I'm guessing you are Moe's friend?"

Kano sat down by the palm leaf bed, and gave Kisame a examining glace, or tried to in the dim cave. Kisame raised an eyebrow and squinted at me in question.

"Uh…yes…"

At least I got some sort of satisfaction out of this. I got the shark man to admit he was my friend. Kano smiled and nodded as he rolled up his sleeves. The same blue-green light glowed from the ninja's hands as he hovered them over Kisame's bloodied torso.

"These are some really terrible wounds…"

"…He was attacked while we were swimming in the ocean."

Kano hummed, accepting my explanation. In a way I wasn't lying. He had been attack.

"I don't think I've seen you around the village, just visiting I assume?"

I felt sweat bead on my forehead as Kano began asking more questions. I didn't know much about Kisame myself, but I did know that he wanted to be left anonymous. I felt his nails bite into my skin as I tried to work my brain around a believable story. I was just glad it was too dark for Kano to really see what Kisame looked like. If he did I'm sure he wouldn't be so inclined to heal him.

"Yes, he is from the Mist Village…he comes to see me sometimes…"

I glanced down to my lap and tried to keep a poker face on. Please stop asking questions! I was a terrible liar! I'm positive that a trained Mist shinobi could easily see through my façade. Kano didn't say another word in respond and moved his hands to another bloody patch of flesh. It was fascinating to watch the skin slowly meld back together as if nothing happened. I suppose not everything ninja are taught was terrible.

"Almost done…"

I could tell Kisame was tense as well, he looked like he was ready to pounce on Kano at any second! The calming glow slowly faded leaving us in complete darkness once more. I heard the man stand and step back from Kisame.

"I'm glad you found a friend Moe, just be more careful…"

His voice sounded worried and sincere. I guess he really did know about me if he knew I didn't have many friends. Maybe he saw me around the village since he was stationed here. Either way, Kano left us in peace once he knew we were both out of danger from bleeding out. I was glad he left before Kisame could get to him, but I felt a wave of dread wash over me now that I was alone with this man. Surely he would be grateful that I brought him help right? His grip lingered on my arm a moment more, probably making sure Kano was actually gone before letting go.

"That was stupid, bringing him here. He knows who I am now…"

He grumbled and sat up, flexing and moving his arms around in a circular motions. How could Kano know? It was dark and I didn't even mention his name.

"I'm sure he doesn't…"

"You don't know anything about ninja, he only played it cool because you were here. He's probably reported back to his squad by now."

"…are you going leave now?"

I twisted my dress up out of nervous habit and bit my bottom lip. I kept the words I wanted to say lock deep down in my throat. Kisame was a mysterious man. Full of unanswered questions. Questions I wanted to probe for. That's just what I did. If I found a creature I didn't know about, then I picked at it, examined it. I couldn't do that if he left now that he was completely healed. I heard him scoff, and stand to his feet.

"Of course I'm leaving. I'd be an idiot to stay here. Besides, I no longer have ties to anyone. I can finally travel where I want to."

Kisame was now standing at the mouth of the cave, peering out over the small beach with his hands propped on his hips. Must be nice to have such freedoms. I wanted those exact freedoms for so many years. If Kisame was really leaving today then would it really hurt to ask?

"…Thanks for helping me out kid, and uh…sorry for biting ya. You really pulled through for me lil guppy."

He looked over his shoulder with that sharky grin of his, guess he was trying to make me feel better after scaring me earlier.

"But hey, ya tasted good for a village girl. Haha!"

I blushed, unsure if that comment was supposed to be taken as a compliment or not. Considering how many times I struck out in my love life I'd take almost anything as a compliment. I watched him walk out from the cave, his form shrinking as he walked down the beaches' shore line. I doubt he could go to the village and leave via the docks. People around here didn't like different, and Kisame was most defiantly different. His bare blue skin now completely engulfed in the bright sun making it hard to see him through the glare.

Would I ever see him again? Part of me was happy to have my special spot all to myself again, but it already felt so empty. I sat there in the darkness. I could feel it seeping into my very core. This is what I was used to, why would I want to change that? It was calm, and no one was shouting at me. This is what I wanted, right? I hugged my knees to my chest, my eyes heating up. Kisame didn't have any obligation to stay with me, why should I force him? I still had Chika. I sniffled, and quickly stood to my feet. My hands still clasping my dress tightly as I bolted from the cave. I felt the rush of adrenaline pulse through me once more as Kisame's figure came into view again.

He was the first guy I could talk so easily with. He trusted me with his life! No one else ever gave me that chance to prove myself! I feel as if I could be myself around this person. I had nothing else to lose, so asking him before he left wouldn't harm anything.

"W-wait! Kisame!"

I cried out, his long legs making it hard for me to catch up even if he was just walking calmly down the beach. I huffed loudly and reached out with one arm trying to catch him. It felt like he would fade away if he got too far, like a dream.

He paused and looked over his shoulder with a look mixed with shock and annoyance.

"What is it now?"

He didn't sound angry, but had the tone of a parent trying to be patience with a child. I faltered in my decision to ask, but I knew better than to back down now. I gave him my most determined look, even with my disheveled appearance I stood tall and spoke clearly for the first time. No hint of shyness wavering my voice this time.

"Swim with me, before you leave!"