Her hands trembled, desperately gripping at the red blotched grass, vision blurring as her head throbbed. She was sure her ankle was sprained, or even fractured. Her ribs ached, a trail of blood running from the corner of her mouth. Scrunching her face, she realized the black eye wouldn't be able to disappear for a few weeks. It stung to blink. Curious, the kunoichi rose her head to glance at her adversary, who laid face down, arms stretched out, and immobile.

Panting, the bruised crawled over to the fallen, frightened and worried and somewhat remorseful.

Reaching close by, her hand hesitantly laid atop his scuffed carapace, fingers grazing over the large jagged incisions while golden eyes searched for any sign of life.

Lips quivering, Karai pushed her palms against his shoulder, trying to awake him, only to restlessly sit back onto her knees. Wiping off the blood from her chin, she lowered her head, forbidding tears to escape.

She tried every day to not fall for the leader of the foot clan, wanting to ignore any feeling she developed over the years of knowing of him. He was corrupted, her father had warned. He doesn't love, and never will. He would only use anyone to get what he needs.

The Oroku and Saki clan divided the village, tension growing stronger and stronger as both clans expanded. Yet, instead of fearing him, she saw potential. Secretly, the kunoichi smiled whenever catching a glimpse of him sparring with his brothers, showing off his skillfulness. She had always admired him from afar.

Karai sat near him, head resting over his damaged carapace, releasing her tears, fingertips trailing over dents and fissures. Soon, anger grew within, slamming her palm at the futility from moments ago.

He should have known she could've taken care of herself. But instead he intervened, trying to save her from the abrupt ambush.

Lying against his back, growing drowsy, they stayed in the middle of the field, as the warm air blew small Sakura petals, as the tall grass caught them, red scarf floating in the breeze. The bodies surrounding them were forgotten, only wanting to close her eyes to reminisce about Leonardo, wishing this was all just a nightmare. And soon, she would wake up in his arms, forgetting the feud, planning to run away and never return.