I spent that night huddled in my closet. My anxiety was through the roof. I could feel my blood thumping loudly in my ears as I tried to calm my gasping breathes. Everything that man had brought forth resurfaced all those terrible memories. Not to mention the major headache from the manhandling.
I had worked so hard on trying to forget those faces of anger and fear. He forced me to face what everyone thought I was. The only good thing that came from all this mess was meeting that strange man. At least he managed to get away before the ninja caught him. My chest constructed painfully and I stifled a cry. I had met someone so fascinating, so inhuman yet had more humanity then the villagers. He actually protected me, and depended on me! Oh god, was he gone for good? Was that all it was? A chance meeting upon a beach only to end after a day?
"I wish I could be free spirited like him"
I let my fingers brush over the many shark teeth I had dangling from red strings. Each one varied in size, but each touch made my hand tingle in reminder of his bite. Could I be as bold as that? Just get up and leave this place? It wasn't like I had anything here tying me to this island. Kano made it clear that he wanted me to stay put. He told me to stay inside for my own safety. That's all anyone ever told me to do. As if shutting me away from the world was for my own good. Maybe it was really for them. Without me there wouldn't be a sea witch or curses. I wouldn't be out haunting the beaches at night and causing strange shark men to wash up on shore.
I curled up into a ball surrounded by my treasures from the ocean. I was too tired to get up and go to bed, and too scared to go back to my cove on the beach. Tonight i'd dream about grinning sharks and the kind, sea-green eyed, medic ninja.
The morning shift in the shop was pretty uneventful. Most people didn't come to the shop knowing my parents were out of town. I got a few mist ninja that needed to restock on supplies though. Their faces would light up with recognition from the previous day as they walked about the shop. They kept giving me side glances and looking toward the stairs leading up to the bedrooms. Perhaps they were expecting the shark man to come waltzing down from the toilet demanding I come up to find him more paper. I couldn't help but giggle to myself at the odd thought which caused them to further suspect my sanity.
The door opened with a small tinkle of a bell. "Welcome! Please let me know if you need assistance" I bowed to greet the new costumer. As I stood straight I opened my eyes and saw the familiar lop sided grin of Kano. He was dressed in regular civilian clothes with his hair free from its tie. He must of recently been down to the beach. He smelled of sunshine and salt. I gripped my dress nervously as he approached the counter, his eyes never wavering from me. I could drown in those eyes if he'd let me.
"Hey...I came by to see how you were doing. How's your head?" His smirk faded a bit.
"I-I'm fine..." I adverted my eyes to the door. I was upset with Kano for even putting me in a situation like that.
"I'm sorry things got a bit out of control. The captain can go to the extremes. We don't see much action on this tiny island so he got too excited." Great. Kano, the sweet medic ninja with the ocean in his eyes was covering for a complete tyrant. I crossed my arms hoping I'd come across as uncaring. I probably just came off as a pouty child.
Kano sighed when I didn't reply "look, let me make it up to you. Let's go to the beach." Bingo! Thank you Kano!
"...ok" I untied the black Apron and placed it upon the counter and walked to the door.
"Huh...that was easier then I thought it would be". I waited for him to exit and locked up behind him. "Can't refuse an offer like that.." I mumbled. Maybe I could get some answers to questions that had been bothering me.
We sat further up the beach our gaze reaching out past the darkening horizon. We had been like this for awhile in just peaceful silence. I bit my bottom lip hard as I fought on how to word my thoughts. Was it my place to know or was I just a convenient witness?
"Did you know that man?" I kept my eyes on the rolling waves.
"Possibly, but I couldn't be sure it was who I thought it was"
"Why is everyone so scared of this Akatsuki?"
Kano glanced at me from the corner of his eyes. His face was hard to read. He was using his ninja poker face.
"They are an organization of rouge ninja. Very dangerous group. Most of them are dead now though."
"And you think the man I helped is apart of this group?" It wasn't that hard to imagine Kisame as a member of this renegade ninja group. He was defiantly intimidating enough.
"From what I saw he fit the descriptions. This specific rouge ninja was formally from the Mist." I gulped. Maybe there was another blue shark man walking around. Ok, probably not.
"Wh-what is the ninja's name?" My voice cracked and I was sure Kano was catching on to my odd behavior which only made me even more nervous. Damn you social anxiety!
"Kisame Hoshigaki" I felt my blood run cold. Kano must of seen how nervous I had become and shifted closer to me. The space between us was electrified as I felt his stare.
"Hey it's okay now. He is gone and we have patrols out looking for him." His fingers brushed mine.
"He-he wasn't-" I felt a warm hand upon mine, silencing my sputtering. Kisame didn't seem bad to me. Though I did only meet him briefly. How could I tell Kano that this person everyone thought was bad had actually protected me.
"Moe, you're so pale. Are you okay?" I Turned my head slightly to look at him. My eyes widening at how close Kano had gotten to my face. When did he get there?! My heart thumped loudly in my chest making it hard to breath. I couldn't tear my eyes away from his. My stomach tightened in knots, making me feel nauseous.
"S-swim!..g-going for a swim!" I yanked my hand out from under his. It felt like it was on fire from his touch. I quickly pulled my dress over my head, and ran to meet an incoming wave. I closed my eyes and dove in, the cold water rushed around my body calming me instantly. I let myself sink for a moment. The world shut off, and I could finally gather my thoughts.
Kano made me feel weird. I've never reacted that way around someone before! No one has willingly gotten close to me. It threw me off guard. Kisame didn't make me react this way, at least not to this extreme. That probably had to do with his appearance. I felt calmer around him, yet he could rip me in two if he wanted. Shouldn't I have been more terrified him Kisame? Yet I actually ran from Kano!
"Glurck!" Precious air escaped my lips when suddenly something strong gripped my ankle, holding me in place. I kicked at it frantically, and pushed my arms upward as hard as I could. I looked down but the salt water burned my eyes making it difficult to see what had hold of me.
I was being push up to the surface quickly. My head burst above the waves and I gasped greedily for air.
"Moe! Come on! Don't scare me like that." He waved at me and started heading my way. I waved back but froze in fear.
The grip on my ankle was gone but instead I felt a strong arm wrap around my waist, pinning me to their bare chest. I no longer had to even tread water to keep afloat. "Say a single word that I am here and I'll gut you. Get him to leave. Now." To prove their point a sharp stab poked my stomach.
"Kano! I'm gonna stay and swim longer! I'll catch up later!" I struggled to shout over the song of the ocean waves. He paused, his hand resting over his eyes to block out the setting sun. "I'll be fine! I like to swim alone!" He seemed hesitant. Does he see my captor? I wish he did!
"Moe you shouldn't be out here alone!" He took another step, rewarding me another stab to my stomach. I lurched back into their chest trying to avoid the blade.
"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" I was shouting more so to the person holding me but Kano faltered again. "Okay...ill talk to you tomorrow then. Stay safe Moe". My throat clenched with strain. I had never shouted like that before. I sent a silent plea for Kano to come back, to turn around and save me.