I wake up early before anyone else to a bright sunny morning. I see that Saskue is on watch and he carefully avoids my gaze.
"Good morning, Mr. Uchiha." I say in a friendly tone.
"It's too early for you to be up. Go back to sleep."
"No one woke me up for my watch, you get some rest. I can watch for a little while."
He stands to his feet. "I'm not tired. You can watch. I'm going to scout around and make sure it's safe." Before I can ever argue he's gone.
I shrug and sit back, thinking about my dream. My mother, it feels like despite never actually laying eyes on her, I already know her. I can remember the lullaby she sang as she cradled her belly. A soothing sweet tune and her voice was the crowning jewel of it. It was heartbreakingly sweet. I try my own voice losing myself quickly in singing along with the memory of her in my dream. My voice isn't as soft or sweet as hers, but I still think it's pleasant. While I sing quietly to myself I feel a connection to the strange mystery woman who gave me life.
"Wow, you never told me you could sing!" Naruto's voice shakes me back to reality.
My hands fly to my mouth, covering it and I feel embarrassed.
"Sing it again. Where did you learn to sing like that?"
"Forget it, Naruto." I hiss.
"Are you…embarrassed? Why?" He says with a puzzled expression.
"I never tried to sing before. I didn't know I could. Forget it, it's stupid. Let's wake the others." I say trying to change the subject.
He sits next to me, putting an arm over my shoulder, "I'll help you watch them."
I feel myself relax at this contact. It feels nice when he touches me and I lean my head on his shoulder, smiling.
"How come you weren't scared of me?" He asks referring to yesterday's episode.
I snort. "Scared of you? Hah! I've seen things that make your fox look like a drooling puppy." I reply sarcastically.
"No really," He says seriously. "I want to know."
"I'm just not scared. Maybe because even when everyone can see the fox, I still see you. It's a part of you, and I know that you would never hurt me. So, there's nothing to be scared of."
"I don't trust myself sometimes. I don't really know how to control this, if it even can be controlled. I don't want to hurt you, even by accident."
"Like you could." I challenge.
He growls jokingly at me and I laugh. "Let me see those fangs." He grins at me, showing off his teeth.
"Mhm, nope. It appears your all bark and no bite."
"I'll show you bite!" Using one of his arms and wrapping it around me, he pinned both my arms to my sides and used his other hand to tickle me. I squeal and ineffectively struggle against his iron grip. He also leans in and gives me a few playful nips on my earlobe, which induced more giggles and squeals and pleas for freedom.
"What are you doing to her?" A cold voice behind us makes us jump guiltily.
We look over our shoulders and to see Saskue looking at us. "Nothing, what's it to you anyway?"
"Nothing! I'm just making sure she's safe."
Naruto looked down at my breathless face. "She looks pretty safe to me."
"It's too early for you guys to be flirting. It's sickening." Saskue complains before walking away.
"Yeah, you're safe from the tickle monster, for now." Naruto threatens; kissing my nose before leaping on Kiba's sleeping body. "Wake up, dog breath!"
I roll my eyes and walk away from the ensuing madness.
As we continue our journey, I lose myself in thought. When I was snatched, I wasn't a match for them in hand to hand combat. I really need some training. I went to the obvious choice first.
"Naruto, I need help with something."
He smiles sweetly at me, "What's up?"
"I need help improving my hand to hand skills."
"Are you asking me to train you?"
"I'm asking you to attack me so I can learn to defend myself with not only my mind, but my body too."
"No." I was surprised at how fast he turned me down.
"Why?" I ask, dismayed.
He stopped and grabbed my hands and stared me in the eyes. I felt myself getting lost in the blue of his eyes for the millionth time. I mentally shook myself.
"Do you know how many times I've almost lost you? You threw yourself in front of a knife meant for Saskue. I carried you home, watching you bleed all over me. Some strange people scoop you and I don't know where you are. I don't know what they were doing to you, I lost my mind." His voice broke. "I can't look at you like a target and try and figure out ways to take you down. I just can't."
I use one my hands to cradle his cheek gently and rub my thumb on his cheek. "Silly, don't you know how long people have been trying to kill me? I'm too strong."
He eyes seemed to get bluer. "I know that. You're just special to me."
"I'll just ask the others for help."
He looks like he doesn't like that idea much, but lets it go as I run off to Kiba.
"Hey, Fang Face!" I call.
He wheels around to face me. "Hey, doll."
"I need help."
"Sure thing, what are you looking for?"
"I want to sharpen my hand to hand. Can you help me?"
"I thought you'd never ask. Training starts now!" He takes off leaving only a ghost of his laugh.
I grin, spinning around searching for him, resisting the urge to hear his mind to find him. Like a flash he speeds by, planting a kiss on my cheek, and disappearing again before I can grab hold of him to clobber him.
I chase the direction he went in, when I hear him sneaking behind me, and feel a slap on my butt. I scream, pivoting towards him, throwing a punch and hitting nothing but air. "Kiba! You better run. If I catch you I'm going to kill you."
Naruto runs up to me. "What's wrong now?"
"He's using my training as an excuse to kiss and grope me." My face is hot with anger.
"KIBA!" Naruto roars.
Kiba drops down in front of us. "What?" He asks innocently. "What else is a training session good for?" He takes one look at Naruto's face and runs off, laughing.
Next I try Shickamaru who turns me down faster than Naruto did. "No way, that's waaay too much extra work."
No matter how I beg him, just ignores me.
Saskue is my last hope. I'm hesitant to ask him, because I know he can actually hurt me. "Saskue will you help train me? Please?"
"No." He says coldly.
"Please!"
"Don't ask me again. No."
I'm feeling discouraged at the end of the day. Despite all my best attempts I was turned down every time. As we stop for the day I wander over to a pond sparking in the fading daylight. The day was long and hot and I know that the sun has warmed the usually cold water to a perfect temperature. I swiftly change into some swimming gear and slowly wade into the water. I'm in as deep as my knees when I hear someone approach the shore. I don't have to look to know that it's Naruto watching me. "Looking good, Red."
I wave my hand dismissing his embarrassing compliment. "Don't come in the water, I want to hide my scar first." I place my hand over it because I also know that he will ignore my instructions and jump in straight after me before I can get it covered it under the water.
It's not long before he's standing behind me, one hand on my hip, the other knocking away my hand covering my scar so he can trace it with his finger. The feel of his hands on my bare skin is electrifying and I can feel myself blush at the contact.
"You better not be naked." I say, half joking. I glance over my shoulder to make sure. He has shorts on, but his top half is bare, showing off his ropy muscles.
He laughs at my expression and wraps both arms around my waist, pulling me into a hug as his bigger body shields mine, making me feel small and feminine.
I punch his shoulder. "You make me feel so…tiny."
"That's because you ARE tiny." He jokes, "Either that, or I'm huge." Winking at me he flexes his arms.
I roll my eyes and take my chance to escape, wading out in the deeper water and splashing him. "You're crazy."
He grins a troublemaker's grin, "You make me crazy, you know that?" He says as he chases me into the deeper water.
I splash more water, trying to force him back, but he ignores the flying water and leaps towards me, grabbing hold and dragging me under the water with him. I come back up in his arms while he laughs. I spit water into his face.
He holds gently while he sways us in the water, "So, do you only love me when I'm going out my mind and turning into some demon fox?"
"I love you all the time." I confess honestly before his lips cut off the rest of my words. I lay my hands on his hard chest, reveling in the moment before I hear the other's coming, whistling and hollering.
They splash towards us, swimming fast as sharks. Naruto holds me tight to his chest. "Hold on. Here come three kinds of trouble."
Shickamaru emerges from under the water behind me, grabbing hold of me and yanking me away while Kiba pops up behind Naruto and drags at him.
I kick and struggle in the water laughing, "No! No! No!"
Naruto jokingly struggles against Kiba, "Don't give in!"
Something grabs both my ankles and suddenly my body is hanging horizontally being swung before I'm tossed away.
When I come back up, I'm greeted by Saskue's laughter.
"You're going to regret that!" I call out as I swim back and jump onto his back, holding his arms back. "Someone grab him, quick!" I squeal as they turn towards us with reaching hands.
Later, by the light of our evening fire, Naruto's head is in my lap and I'm running my fingers through his golden hair, listening to the sounds around us.
"Hey, Red?" He inquires sweetly.
"Hmm?"
"Love you."
I smile as I feel my heart soften, bending over to kiss his forehead. "Love you, too." I reply as I throw my fist into Kiba's arm while he makes mocking gagging sounds.
It's quiet again for a few moments until Naruto blurts out. "Did you guys know she can sing?"
All eyes turn to me and I look at my feet. "It's stupid. I don't sing. Shut up, Naruto."
"Why won't you sing for us?" Shickamaru asks, sounding a little hurt.
"I'd like to hear it." Saskue adds.
Feeling the pressure, I glance at their eager faces. I sigh, " Alright. Fine. Just this once. It's just a dumb lullaby I dreamed of once."
They all look at my expectantly, so I give another annoyed sigh before giving in. I sing the gentle song through twice for them, with my eyes shut. When I open them and look around, Kiba, Shickamaru and Naruto are sound asleep. Only Saskue remains awake, looking at me intently over the flickering flames.
"It reminds me of my mother." He says softly.
"She was probably a lot better than me at singing. I heard nothing compares to moms." I say smiling softly at the sad expression on his face.
"Moms are great." He agrees. "I hope you get to meet yours someday."
That night I dream of her again, only this time she's not pregnant and laughing with a man with a shock of white hair. He looks lovingly down at her upturned, sunny face.
The next morning, while packing up Shickamaru grumbles. "Are we close yet? I'm tired of watches and sleeping outside and having to walk so much."
"We're close now. He was foolish enough to take too many rests. By tomorrow we will over take him." I say, with a ball of ice forming in my stomach.
"Alright!" Naruto cheers while cracking his knuckles. "Don't worry, Red. I'll get rid of them for you. You'll never be haunted by another nightmare after I'm done with them."
Kiba snorts. "We'll see Mr. Hero. Hey Red, when I kick all those bad dude's asses are you gonna make out with me, or what?"
"HAH! You won't be able to take anyone down, shut up." Naruto fires back, red in the face with anger.
"Calm down, idiots." Saskue retorts. "You just focus on staying out of my way and it'll before over before you know it."
"YEAH RIGHT." Naruto and Kiba yell in unison.
"Why don't we see who really is the best?" I challenge, desperate to stall for one more day.
"What are you suggesting?" Shickamaru questions warily.
"Let's have a competition, a free for all battle. We'll tie objects on string to make makeshift necklaces. If your necklace is stolen, you're out. Whoever is left with their necklace will be the winner, and the best ninja." I say.
I see he is about to argue, so I cut him off. "Will you participate if there's a prize at the end?" I ask him. He closes his mouth and nods, listening.
"Whoever wins can be the boss for the rest of the night."
"You mean I don't have to help set up camp? I can tell you guys what to do?" Shickamaru inquires, getting excited.
"Exactly." I reply. They all seem to really like that idea.
"When I win, I'm going to make Red dance a hula in a grass skirt." Kiba says.
Naruto glares at him. Kiba just sticks out his tongue.
Soon we're set up to go. My necklace has a red flower tied to it. Naruto has a pinecone. Kiba has a small twig. Saskue has a tiny pebble while Shickamaru uses one of his earrings. We stand back to back in a circle, facing opposite directions and on the count of three, we take off.
Adrenaline floods my body as I fly along, suppressing wild giggles. I've tricked them into training me in hand to hand combat, and they don't even realise it. I'm gleeful and proud at my own cunning. I soon find what I'm looking for. A tall towering tree that can give me a bird's eye view of all the activity around me, I waste no time scurrying up high and making myself comfortable in my hiding place. While I glance around me, I contemplate a strategy. I listen to the birds singing in the nearby trees. I can probably hang out here for a while until the others have beat themselves out. Then I can use my hearing to find them and get them while they're tired and worn out. I smile to myself, knowing that I'll find it near impossible to sit here quietly for so long.
Soon, Shickamaru appears in my sight, he chooses a tree dangerously close to mine and climbs up and lies lazily on a branch. He's unknowingly copying my own plan I realise. I have to take him out now while he's an easy target and doesn't see me. I grin as I reach out with my mind to hear his, and quickly coax him into a solid sleep. I double check my surroundings, hoping no one else can see me. I make quick work of getting out my tree and up into his. I stand over him while he snores and pocket his necklace. Without delay I return to my own hiding spot and wake him up.
He jerks awake, clutching at the spot where his necklace should be. Grumbling curses, he jumps out of his tree and makes his way back to the designated meeting point.
I sit again quietly, feeling pleased at how well I'm doing, when a strange huffing sound captures my attention. I listen intently, what in the world can make that sound? I soon decipher that it's actually two huffing sounds and it's then when it hits me that Kiba and Akamaru must have my scent and are making a red hot bee line towards me. I can soon see them; running straight for me, if I don't make a move now it'll be too late. I can't take Kiba on unless I take him by surprise. He's bigger than me, taller than Naruto, and I know that he fights like a mad beast. I rapidly make my way down to lower branches, on the opposite side of where he stops, leering up and taunting. "Come on out, girl."
I gather my courage and strength and back flip out of the tree, landing softly behind him. I'm pretty sure that I made no sound, but he must have felt the impact because he whips around to face me. My plan worked, however, I've surprised him I take his moment of hesitation and punch him in the cheek, making him take a few steps back.
I grin at him as he looks at me in surprise, then enthusiasm. "Alright! Let's go!" He crouches and springs towards me, claws extended. I manage to barely side step the attack, whirling almost instantly to throw my arms up to block his punches. I keep my focus on keeping my balance and blocking his hits.
"Come on, fight back." He growls in frustration.
"I can't!" I squeak, fending off more hits.
"Oh yes you can!" He leaps over my head and before I can turn, slaps my ass. Again. That flea bitten bastard.
I twirl around to face him, anger fueling me now. It's my turn to throw the punches, pleased to find he's having a hard time holding off my onslaught. I find an opening in his defense and land a solid hit to his stomach, making him double over. I seize the opportunity and slam my elbow into the back of his neck, making him fall.
I stand over him proudly, looking around to see if the sound of our struggle attracted anyone else. I fail to notice his clawed hand snaking out and grabbing my ankle, yanking me down and landing me on my back with a whoosh that knocks the air out of my lungs.
When I'm able to take another breath I notice he's on top of me smiling down at me. "Good job Red. You almost had me that time. That's some real improvement."
I smile back. "Thanks. Uh, can you get off me now?"
His hand clasps my necklace, "Sure, as soon as I take this."
I feel the air around us stir, and a flash knocks Kiba off me and stops him from pulling my necklace free from my neck, leaving me in the game.
I look over to see two Naruto's holding Kiba back and another one holding onto Akamaru while the real Naruto yanks off Kiba's necklace. "HA!" He mocks him.
I know I shouldn't but the temptation is too great for me. While Naruto gloats at the momentarily restrained Kiba, I slip up behind him and pull my knife out and cut his necklace. I quickly shove it in my pocket, so Shickamaru's won't get lonely.
"Red, what the hell!" Naruto yells dismayed.
I kiss him. "Now you can keep Kiba company on the walk back."
I laugh joyfully as they both walk away, before I feel a chill that makes me shiver. I can feel cold eyes like needles sticking in the back of my neck. I face the direction where Saskue has been hiding all this time, watching me.
I stand my ground with my shoulders back, trying to look braver than I feel and suppressing a visible shiver under his cool gaze.
"Well done. You tricked us into helping you train after we all turned you down. You really don't take no for an answer do you?" He offers me an icy smile. "But you were also right; your hand to hand combat does need some serious work. I couldn't help you before, but I might be able to now." He leaps out of his hiding place at me, and I bound off to the side, avoiding it. As I tumble to the ground I notice that he's landed on his feet perfectly and is now racing towards me. I spring to my feet and hold my arms up again, preparing to block or dodge him. He surprises me when he grabs one of wrists and with the other hand punches me hard in the face. The impact sets my head whirling and makes me see stars. I shake my head hard, and wrench my wrist out of his grip returning a punch to his chest. His breath rasps out and he clutches at his chest for a moment while I spin, lashing out with my foot and catching the back of his knees, knocking him over.
As he lands on his back, I take a leap back bringing up my arms again to try and defend myself.
Saskue rises to his feet slowly, smiling to himself and keeping his eyes carefully on his feet. He shakes himself and then snaps his head up to look at me, with his blazing red eyes. He rockets towards me, not giving me a chance to think, just to react.
I manage somehow, to block his fists and feet, at one point, I even throw him back putting him on the defense while I fly at him throwing kicks and punches.
We go on like that, neither gaining an advantage for what seems like forever before Saskue turns and runs.
I wipe the sweat pouring down my forehead away, breathing hard. He must realise attacking like that is useless. I chase after him, but he's seemed to have disappeared. I listen hard, just in time to hear him preparing to drop down on me, and step back and give him enough room to miss me, but still be in my reach. I pull out two knives and pin him to the tree behind him by his shirt sleeves.
I throw a punch to his stomach, but in my weakened state, it lacks power. Saskue still grunts when the hit makes contact, he also looks a little worn out.
He rips his arms free, tearing his shirt so that it is now useless, and punches me in the stomach. He hits a lot harder than I did, and I go down to my knees, coughing hard while black spots cloud my vision as I try to swallow air around my coughs.
He plucks my necklace free, "I win."
I sit back, breathing hard still. "Damn."
"You're good, surprisingly good." He compliments me.
I smile happily. "I feel stronger already."
He offers his hand to me, helping me to my feet. "Are you ready to go back yet? I hope so, I have huge list of things I want you losers to do."
"Your wish is our command." I say laughing, limping in the direction to get back.
"Did I hurt you really bad? I'm sorry." He sounds worried, how strange.
I try and wave his concern away. "Nah, just a little tired that's all."
His arms shoot out around me and pull me up, carrying me as he walks on. I know my face is red as my hair but I look up at him and am amazed to find that his cheeks are coloured too.
"I'm fine Saskue, really. I can walk; I'll just be a little bit slow that's all."
"I don't feel like waiting for you, and I can't let you walk back alone since you're injured. This is just easier for me." He says coolly, not looking at me.
We both remain quiet as he walks along, carrying me against his body.
Soon we can see the others. Naruto runs towards us, looking worried. "Red? Are you okay?" He looks at Saskue like he wants to rip me out of his arms.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. Saskue won, not that you're surprised. But I put up a good fight and kinda wore myself out. He couldn't wait to get back and start bossing us around, and all I could do was hobble. " I explain as Saskue lets me get back on my feet. I fish Shickamaru's earring from my pocket and hand it back to him.
"All I want is for you guys to leave me alone." Saskue says angrily. He turns and walks back the way we came. "I'll come back for my watch."
Before I fall asleep that night, I wonder at the way he carried me gently in his arms, almost protectively, and at the delicate blush that tinged his cheeks.