Itachi's body sagged against a tree unwillingly, his eyes closed and his breathing rough. Blood soaked his black and red Akatsuki cloak, though it could barely be seen. He knew he had to get going, he knew he had to get back to the Akatsuki hideout. Fighting Kakashi had been a stupid choice, and he was paying the price for it. For the moment though, he knew he needed to concentrate. One foot, the other, one foot—

"Hey, mister, are you okay?"

Itachi stopped dead in his tracks. Why hadn't he sensed any chakra? Turning around slowly, he gazed back at the source of the voice.

Standing there, blinking, was a girl of maybe 17. Her hair was dark blue, and her eyes a pale grey, almost Hyuuga-like. Tied to her forehead was a hitai-ate with a star on it, which Itachi didn't think he'd seen before. He stared at her blankly, too weak to activate even the basic Sharingan. He only paused for a moment, though, before continuing to trudge forward weakly.

"You're hurt," she commented concernedly, and he had to force himself not to reply, 'Thank you, Captain Obvious,' and ignore her instead. He continued to walk, and she started to follow him, still nagging and chattering away at him.

"Shut up," he finally hissed, turning his neck a little and glaring over his shoulder at her. She actually paused in her quick speech to stare at him.

"You talk?!" she asked excitedly, caring none for what he said.

"Go away," he warned, voice dangerously low.

Again, she ignored him, bustling around him while he was standing still and pulling at his cloak, and chattering away again. She nagged at him and asked him about his strange clothes, told him her name was Anrui about 4 times, and seemed to ignore the scratched headband he wore, being more concerned with finding his wounds and healing them. He pushed her away weakly, and continued walking. "Don't follow me," he growled as she started to walk after him, and was surprised when she actually stopped. 'Finally…' he groaned internally, then returned to his metronome-like thinking. One foot, the other, one foot, the other….

Some time later, Itachi opened his coal black eyes to see none other then that annoying girl from before. She was leaning over him, busy with something. Just as he was about to do something, he looked down, seeing his skin. Not his cloak. What the hell!? Sitting up quickly, too quickly, he pushed her away and pulled the bloodstained garment back around his exposed torso, then tried to fight off the nausea.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" he snapped after it had passed. This was the most talking he'd done in quite some time.

"Healing your wounds, y'ingrate!" she snapped back, pouting angrily and crossing her arms in a sulky pose. He paused to pull apart the folds of the cloak and gaze at his once wound-covered chest and stomach, then back up at her.

"Thanks," he spat out in distaste, feeling strong enough to walk steadily. "Don't follow me."

The girl slid out of his way and shrugged, watching him go with apathy. "Don't die!" she called after him cheerfully.

"Hmmm…. I never learned his name…"