It was unnerving, to say the least. Indra had kept his steady pace since he resumed his journey, all with full intentions to ignore the woman who had started following him on her own accord. It was unnerving, which was quite embarrassing on his part, the uneasiness he felt. He didn't have to turn around to see her smiling face since he could practically feel it boring onto his back. As much as her constant smiles and teasing smirks irritated him, he figured that he would have to endure if he ever wanted to know her secrets. After all, if he survived years under the same roof as his fool of a brother, then he supposed that he could tolerate another. At least she has a brain she is not afraid to use. However the real question that's been bugging him, is how is he able to conjure the questions for the answers that he seek?

Sakura is, he deduced, a smart woman who has done nothing but throw his words back at him like a jilted lover's slap. Albeit a very amused slap.

His tracks halted into an abrupt stop, and with a swivel of his feet his eyes bore back into hers. Red eyes glared at her verdant greens just as when he sparred against his father's pupils. Indra already had an inkling on what response he would get but he wanted to test it once more, and still the results were the same. Sakura stared back unflinchingly in his gaze. Despite her unfrowned brows, she still sent him a levelled stare.

"Is there something wrong, Indra?" she asked, her red and white fan shielding her lips as usual.

Yes, something is definitely wrong. "Why are you not afraid of the sharingan?"

She blinked her eyelids slowly and fanned herself a few times which only served to remind him of his ire. He was not spoiled, but too long has he been used to people responding to him immediately at the drop of a pin that her delay of answer filled him with childish impatience.

Indra remained rooted on his spot as she snapped her fan closed, revealing her small smile as she walked the small steps that distanced them from each other till she was only a foot away that their images practically reflected in each other's eyes. He realized that her small stature made him a head taller than her, the crown of her head only reached the bottom of his chin.

"Sharingan?" came her curious voice.

"These eyes of mine. All- with the exception of my father- fear these eyes that they would flinch and cower before me in a heartbeat. Why does it not affect you like so?" he wondered if only the people in their village were affected by them, but then he remembered the way the travelers at the inn became wary of him when he shot them his gaze- he concluded that it was not the case.

Sakura smiled a little wider, but instead of her usual tease, her eyes reflected that of sincerity. "Why would I fear something so beautiful?"

Immediately, his glare disappeared and his mouth flapped ever so slightly at her unexpected answer. In spite of his reaction, she continued to look at him genuinely as if to convince him her words were true.

Beautiful? How could this thing be ever considered beautiful?

He wanted to ask, compelled by her odd choice of words. Perhaps this woman was senile just as he initially thought after all? However she didn't give him a chance as she took the lead this time, flicking her wrist to open her fan again and hide her lips behind it as she walked on ahead. Indra followed suit, intending to know what she meant when she suddenly stopped once she was atop the hill road. He stood beside her and took in an expression he had yet to see from her. Sakura's face was free from any joy or mirth unlike the usual, lips pressed into a grim line, and her eyes showed a sort of distaste as if she had just seen something repulsive.

He blinked in confusion and followed her line of sight to the scene before them. The trail they had been following would lead them to a river that provided a bridge to reach the other side. True enough, there was one, however what caught their attentions were the mass of people gathered before the bridge. It appeared that there were two opposing sides, all of them shouting in a heated argument of unknown causes. It was difficult to understand what they were arguing about what with multiple people shouting at each other at the same time. However just by observing alone, it was easy to get the general idea.

On one side, the group consisted of able-bodied warriors carrying swords strapped to their waists and easily dominating the argument with physical threats. The other party however, though bigger in number than the former, consisted of civilians- with women, children, and the elderly. Though their men tried to hold their ground, they were easily being pushed back.

"How troublesome," Sakura whispered but loud enough for him to hear before making her way towards the crowd.

Curious to see what the pinkette had in mind, Indra followed suit. As they neared, the civilians parted for them- giving looks of wariness and a hint of fear. It is because of their clothing? Just the mere quality and design of one's clothes can easily instigate authority over others. Indra wondered just how these people were able to get by with their sheer number and luggage carted by oxen in tow. Obviously, they also lacked sufficient security with the way their men held their weapons in a sloppy manner. When Sakura and Indra neared the heart of the argument, the shouts only got louder. One of the men from the opposing party pushed another that he fell flat on his back directly at Sakura's feet. That effectively turned the attention to them as the man scrambled back onto his feet and distanced himself from the two strangers.

"Stop right there strangers. Unless you pay a fee of five gold coins per person, we cannot allow you to pass." Said the man at the head of the group. His muscled build, the way he properly gripped his sword, and the natural aura of threat leaking off of him made it obvious that he was a competent fighter.

Five gold coins? What an absurd amount! These men are basically practicing extortion.

"A toll?" Sakura tilted her head a bit, fanning herself slowly but not enough to reveal her face. "I crossed this bridge two moons ago and I surely have not encountered any one of you men here. Just which cruel lord would send such strapping, noble, warrior gentlemen out here to do such a petty task?"

Indra's eyes flicked towards her with a brow raised in question. Surely she could see that they don't have any insignia stitched to their clothes indicating they belong to any house. This may be Indra's first experience in the outside world but he is not unfamiliar with what is common (obviously except for the more trivial terms among travelers and vagabonds).

He had heard of his father's epic tale, had also known about his travels and how he established the teachings of ninshu before he created their village. Ever since he learned how to read, Indra indulged himself in his father's study and had read every scroll and journal, committing them to memory. So it wouldn't be far-fetched for him to know that there are still places around the world, outside of the continent his father traveled, that are not aware of ninshu. That there is system of ranks and power in individuals and families that set them apart from commoners, claiming lands and ruling over them as lords. Surely a person who claimed to have traversed across many lands and met many people as she claimed to be would be fully aware of this fact.

The men laughed in glee, relishing her words. While they seemed to be pleased with her flattery, the ones from the other party stared at her as if she had just grown seven heads.

"You flatter us," the leader smirked. "If you must know, we have just established ourselves here no more than a sennight. However you are surely mistaken. We are not tied with any lord nor are we noble warriors. But we are quite strapping men, are we not?"

He motioned for his companions and they laughed again in agreement. Indra rolled his eyes from under his hood before observing Sakura again- who continued to fan herself, her eyes unamused.

"You established yourselves," she parroted, rolling each word with her tongue in emphasis. "So I take it that it was by your own accord to act as false bridge-keepers to cowardly hustle money off of weary travelers until you had your fill and leave? But I am afraid I do not have any money to pay your toll."

Again, Indra's brow raised at that. No money? Liar. Sakura has a bag nearly bursting with coins hidden under her robes from the gambling she made at the inn not too long ago. Her comments weren't missed however when the smirks dropped from the roguish men instead directed scowls were at her.

The leader suddenly held up his katana, earning gasps from the civilians as the metal reflected the light from the sun. Its pointed tip poised directly at Sakura's nose hidden behind her fan. She remained unfazed.

"Not to worry, we do accept other payments. My men and I can easily cut you all down like prey but if you ladies entertain us, then we promise to let you all cross the bridge unscathed." An uncensored lustful gleam reflected across his eyes accompanied by a lecherous grin. The same expression were mirrored in his men's faces and the women behind them cowered back in fear. The tip of his sword, as well as his gaze, then pointed suggestively from her face, to her bosom, and to the apex of her thighs. It made Indra's face scrunch up in distaste as if he had just smelt something horrendous.

How vulgar.

"YOU BASTARDS!" one of the men from the noncombatant's side lashed out and he was easily dealt with a swift punch to his gut.

It appeared that Sakura was about to say something but Indra beat her to it, turning their attentions to him this time around. He clicked his tongue loudly, "Stop playing around. We are wasting time."

With purpose in his steps, Indra moved forwards only to find the lengthy blade of a katana at his neck.

"Make one more step and I will slice your head off your shoulders!"

"You dare…" Indra growled, the fire of his ire and frustrations effectively stoked. "…to threaten ME?!"

Sharingan eyes stared menacingly at the man and his face immediately went pale. Indra gave him no reprieve and surged forth, setting into a stance automatically as he used the heel of his left hand to swat the man's unarmed hand away before using the heel of his right palm to land a definitive blow to the head. Effectively knocking him off balance, Indra spun and kicked him squarely on his side, cracking a rib or two.

It all happened so fast that all they could do is marvel in shock at what just happened in mere seconds. All except Sakura who sighed dejectedly before finally snapping her fan closed and secured it in her obi. Her reaction did not go unnoticed but Indra will have to wonder the basis of it later as the rogues snapped from their reverie and charged forward. Screams pierced through the air as the civilians backed away from the chaos of the upcoming battle.

Indra, who finally found a way to release his built-up frustration- of having to go through this waste-of-a-time test and the pinkette's humiliating treatment of him, made no second thoughts as his eyes roved through at least five men that came charging towards him. For each one he dealt with unrelenting speed and power, showing off his fighting style that proved his mastery of kata. His techniques were foreign to them, and with his eyes he instilled fear into their hearts like a predator cornering their helpless prey.

Too distracted from his own foes and swirling anger, he failed to sense one sneaking up on him. Though he was able to whip his head around in time, the opportunity to counterattack was stolen from him when delicate fingers grabbed onto the man's face like claws. It effectively snapped him from his battle trance as he watched Sakura pounce at the helpless man- whose face was now buried into the dirt soil- like a tigress who just ambushed her prey.

The second she stood to her feet, she made a beeline towards two other rogues. Their eyes widened in surprise as their swords got wedged between her middle and index fingers. The seemingly delicate appendages held an unknown power that held the blades tightly to the point of them not being able to budge a millimeter. She pulled them towards her, fingers letting go of their swords to pull back into claws as she used the heel of her palms to strike their chins- dislocating their jaws- only to steal back their swords and use the blunt end of the hilt to knock them at the back of their heads as they fell down- rendering them unconscious.

She knows kata too?

As if reading his thoughts, Sakura smiled back at him knowingly before jumping back just in time to avoid the swing of another sword directed at her. When Indra also took a step back, his back was met with another's and it didn't take a genius to know that he was touching backs with the pinkette. Warmth spread around his body even through their clothes and hair that separated them. Indra only spared her a quick glance from the corner of his eye to which she did the same before they set their sights on the remaining ten or so armed enemies surrounding them.

.

It felt… exhilarating.

The moment he saw her take down three armed men twice her size, snapping him from his trance, Indra felt his blood pump hotly in his veins in a strangely welcoming way. It felt much better than the heated rush of his anger overwhelming him. He had not realized it but he had even stopped using his sharingan every now and then to scare his opponents and his chakra to deal heavier blows. At most, he relied on his base strength, testing his developed muscles with the techniques he had mastered over the course of his father's training. Obviously the speed and power was undoubtedly less than when he utilizes his chakra, but in some odd way it felt all the more natural whenever he did.

Especially during their fight. Whilst they thought they were too occupied with their own foes, Indra would find himself looking back at the pink-haired woman, stealing glances and watch her bring down her opponents with her preference of style that exhibited more power than grace. Each time he would look, and each time she would return his gaze with a knowing look- a look that that was a silent message, daring him to use his own strength than the chakra within him.

It felt weird at first, like a part of him was missing when he first landed a chakra-less chop on the side of his opponent's head. However eventually, Indra easily adapted, and no sooner he could feel the way the bones of his enemies break and fracture under the force of his natural strength rippling across his body and into his ears. However his reluctance only made him do so every other strike before opting to use his eyes and chakra again.

Even when he used chakra, he always had to hold back to avoid permanent damage.

This one however, was his first actual fight and unlike the times he sparred with his brother and his father's pupils, out here there are no restrictions, no holds barred, nothing but the sole purpose of survival. But what really made his heart race was not the freedom of holding back, it was the adrenaline that coursed through him- the excitement on the way his body naturally moved to an internal song.

Just like when he created his own style of kata as a child, how he showed off his moveset to his father, and how proud he looked as he patted his head.

For the second time since he met Aini- Sakura, she made him feel like the child he once was before, full of wonder and eager to learn, create, and discover.

Back to the time before he met the shadow in the woods.

The last man fell by his hands with a solid push of his palm to his chest. At the corner of his eye, he sees one trying to get up but the pinkette practically swooped down and landed her feet at the back of his head, burying his face to the ground. She hopped off his head and dusted her hands, a pleased smile etched her face as she whipped out her fan from her obi and fanned herself with an arm tucked under her bosom in such a relaxed manner as if she had not just fought against five or so men earlier.

"Indra, you thief," she started, tone laced with its familiar mirth. "Here I thought I would do the honors of delivering the first blow against these dishonorable men."

Indra blinked, feeling the corner of his lips twitch at the realization. "You tease. And here I thought you were enticing more barbarians."

Sakra tilted her nose up, "Oh do not insult me. I already knew the kind of men they are. I just wanted them to admit their own culpability before I exact my judgment."

"You are a vile woman." His words may have sounded rude but instead of being offended, the pinkette smiled coyly as her shoulders shook from holding back her laughter.

"Uhm… uh… p-p-pardon me…" came the voice of an old man.

Sakura and Indra finally turned their attentions to the standing party that seemed like they brought their entire village with them on their travel. Sakura stepped forward, the teasing twinkle in her eyes disappeared as she snapped her fan closed and bowed before the old man in respect.

"I apologize, elder, for coming between your frays uninvited but my conscience cannot stand by idly and watch their harassment of you and your people, and my companion needed the release. The decision to intervene was purely my decision, so I apologize for inciting such disturbance."

Indra's brows rose at her, lips parting ever so slightly.

The old man flushed, "N-Not at all milady! If I may be so bold in fact, you and your companion had done us a great service. As you can see we are but farmers from the nearby village."

"Perhaps you are referring to the small village a day away from here to the south?"

"Why yes! That it is! Unfortunately, for some reason our lands have suddenly become barren and our crops have ceased to grow. We have been invited a haven from the village upstream by my brother who is also the elder of that village. It is only a two-day journey so we anticipated no threats to come our way. Clearly we are mistaken… but even then we have no funds to secure us guards. We thought we might never be able to cross the bridge because of these hooligans!"

Sakura smiled and all Indra could do was pull his hood back over his head as he felt the mixture of reverence and dread from the people's stares- not doubt they had caught a glimpse of his ruby eyes. However that did not stop Indra from staring at the pinkette, who chatted with the travelling village's elder like old friends and how- unlike him- the people looked up at her with twinkles in their eyes.

.

They thanked them, in words and promised gratitude for it was the only thing they could do. They barely had anything with them to come by, not enough funds, and just enough rations to reach the designated village by the end of their journey. Sakura did most of the talking, weaving through them with sweet-filled words like a master seamstress. Indra wondered if she was just naturally easy to approach or there is a sort of underlying mischief behind her words. Nevertheless, it was obvious that she was well-versed and quite an expert in establishing relationships. When he was addressed, he would just give a noncommittal grunt and mumble his impatience of wasting time.

"Wait! I have one last thing I wanted to ask," Sakura called out just as they bowed to them waist-deep in gratitude. They had crossed the bridge and about to part ways at the fork on the road. She chewed her naturally pink lips and her heart hammered in her chest as she almost choked on her next words. "Have any of you perhaps… by chance… seen anyone- alone or by group- that is similar to me? My apologies! I mean… have you seen anyone bearing this mark?"

She turns around, moves her hair over one shoulder, and showed them the insignia of a plain white circle stitched on her back. For a moment the villagers talked amongst each other, murmuring and whispering and Sakura took in these noises while she displayed her back to them. The raised brow Indra sent her when she uttered her question fell when he took notice of her gaze. She didn't look at him, instead kept her sights on her feet, but even though she smiled it didn't reach her eyes- and those eyes of hers held a sort of emotion he hasn't seen before.

When she finally turned, the circle faced him, and her shoulders sagged upon seeing the sad smile of the villagers.

"Forgive us, milady, but none of us had seen anyone who bore your mark… or at least, looked similarly to you." the elder answered apologetically.

"I see… I thank you all kindly. May the goddess be with you." she snapped her fan open and flapped it slowly by her nose. Though her words were genuine, this time it was her eyes that smiled, and her lips were bitten back in a manner hard enough to almost bleed.

.

"Where did you learn kata?" he finally stopped and asked. Sakura turned around and rose a delicate brow at him, her lips still hidden behind her red and white fan.

"Kata… is that what you call them?" she started, before turning and moving her fan a bit to show the upturned corner of her mouth. "I certainly did not survive and earn respect among my fellow vagabonds and travelers simply by being weak-willed and frail as expected of women of our era."

"That does not answer my question."

"Well I was not attempting to answer your question either." She huffed amusedly. Indra's brows drew closer. "I must say I have not seen your style of form before. I admire your technique, you do not have to move nary an inch from where you stood. It reminds me of the elegance and swiftness of noble birds- a peacock perhaps? If so then it suits you very well. I myself am fonder of the graceful ferocity of the tiger."

"Stop speaking in riddles. Just answer my question, wo-"

"Sakura. I have a name, Indra. It would please me greatly if you refer me as such." Indra blinked. He opened his mouth to retort but snapped it shut when Sakura suddenly snapped her fan closed on her palm. The usual mirth displayed on her lips was more prominent, and her eyes gleamed in greater shine. For every step she took, hands behind her back, Indra's brows furrowed. "Why the sudden curiosity, Indra? Do you wish to learn? To discover? Does it exhilarate you to wonder? Does it excite you to seek greater power? Do you wish to learn about me?"

A shiver ran up his spine, his ears felt like it was being burnt, and there was a sensation that thrummed his chest at what she implied.

To learn, he remembered craving for more when he finished every tome in his father's study.

To discover, as a child he always wanted to see what his father saw and more.

To wonder, yes- he wanted to unveil the secrets of chakra.

To learn more of her, she is an enigma that's oh so tempting to be solved… a rather intriguing enigma…

To seek greater power-

You already have it.

You have the eyes that see the truth.

You have the power to change the future of Ninshu,

And all you have to do is rid yourself of…

Love.

The shadow's whispers echoed in his ears and he was reminded of his true goal. He will succeed his father's name, and he will mold the world of Ninshu in a way he deem fit. This entire journey is nothing but a farce. Indra doesn't need to seek anything, he already has it- the sharingan.

Sakura leaped back before it happened. Indra's chakra swelled and surged, its power exuded him to a degree that it rattled the trees and made all the birds flee. When he glowered at her with his red eyes, tomoes spinning in a display of power, Sakura swallowed but held her ground as she refused to turn from his gaze.

"I do not seek anything, for I have everything, and once I claim my father's name, I will want nothing."

They held their stares for a length of time, neither wanted to break from the other. However Indra's irk returned the more he realized the pink-haired woman will not bow to him. So he breaks contact, turns on his heel, and surged his chakra onto the soles of his feet, leaving dents on the soil at the force of his strength.

Once his back was turned and he had gone some distance, Sakura released the breath she had held and felt her back lean over a tree trunk.

She shook her head and offered her goddess a silent prayer. No, she cannot falter now.

Whatever demon had whispered in his ears, she will eradicate. It is not too late, there is still light in him, she had seen it. Indra is a leader, more so a seeker- a creator. He is not a weapon nor a tool to be used by whatever shadow that enticed him.

Asking for guidance and success, Sakura took a deep breath, pumped chakra onto her feet, and sprinted in pursuit.

One moon = a cycle of about 27 days so roughly around a month.

Sennight = a week

I'll be following the 3-episode (in this case, 3-chapter) rule this time.

So once again!

I will continue depending on your responses!

Ciao~!