Reiko pov

Me and Ojii-chan walked the path home quietly.

The sky was already dark and the others have already turned on the lights.

Even at night time Konoha was still full of life.

"Reiko, what were you really thinking about back there?"

Ojii-chan asked as he caught me off guard.

Dammit...

I hoped he'd forget about that.

I looked at him as I felt my eyes tremble his eyes straight at mine seriously.

"I don't think it's worth worrying about, Ojii."

I told him as I pocket my hands so he wouldn't see them shaking.

There's no way I could tell them...

"Reiko-chan...you can tell me. It worries me when you're hiding something that bothers you so much."

He said as he sighed.

Yeah, but I don't think you'd really best know about the future.

It's already giving me a head ache as it is. Ojii-chan's too old to have time to think about this stuff.

Even if I trust him the most...

I'll just redirect this somewhere else..

"Really, I'm fine. I just well thought about my exam. I don't think I'll pass. I think I'll give up-*boom*"

I tried to tell him but was then interrupted with a loud alarming sound.

I see the crowds around us cease hearing it as well.

Suddenly we heard an ear deafening scream at the distance as it scratched my ears.

The crowds began panicking.

What was going?

I could feel the commotion around us but Ojii-chan covered my ears and blocked my sight with his body as I felt his warmth despite my confused fear.

"Reiko-chan! Run! I'll meet you at home. Cover your ears and don't look back!"

The old man said urgently as I heard the uncertainty in his voice.

"But Ojii-chan!-..."

"GOOO!!"

I tried to ask him as he screamed over me in loud alarm as my nerves gave out as I began running like my life depends on it.

It might depend on it.

Despite covering my ears and closing my eyes I felt people fall to ground the feel on my feet from the force.

WHAT IS GOING ON!?

I ran even faster. I can't stop here.

Suddenly sensing someone coming behind me I hid in the bushes frantically.

Removing my hands from my ears and moving it to my mouth I heard footsteps and screams.

I held my breath. This can't be happening...

It was all just peaceful just a moment ago..

This is what I was worried about. Reaching a situation like this and not being able to atleast defend myself.

Dammit...

No...no...no

Drenched in my thoughts, I saw a masked Shinobi suddenly point a blade at my throat as he appeared all of a sudden.

"A kid? How unfortunate. I've got orders to leave no witnesses even civilians. Better luck on your next life kid."

The man's deep voice said as I felt his killing intent suffocate me as I watched him move his blade.

I-I can't do anything...

Can I?..

Ojii-chan...

Oto-san... I'm sorry for being such a useless weakling...

But then I scene replayed in my head as the water's filled my lungs as they bursted them open as I starved desperate for air.

The freezing chill encompassing me as I drowned weakly in the depths and alcohol.

It hurts..

I wanted to scream.

I don't want to die!!

My mind shouted as I forced my body to move despite being shook by the killing intent as I pushed myself into the shrubbery as I kicked him and threw my shoes.

Owww...

I felt the branches cut small wounds on my body as I gasped for air still gazing wearily at the shinobi.

I should run...

Then remembering the scene as I watched Kushina run to the yakiniku restaurant..

I-...

I can't outrun a shinobi.

Is this it? Is this all I can do?

"Didn't expect some brat to be able to move through my killing intent. Well let's just get this over with brat. I'm giving you mercy for killing you swiftly. You won't even feel a thing."

He said as he twirled his blade.

Despite being frozen in fear and maybe half convinced on what he said I ran.

It doesn't matter if I can't outrun him.

I still ran.

It didn't take a minute for me to feel him behind me.

I gotta do something.

But before I could I found myself tumbling down from his force.

"I SAID STAY STILL. I WARN YOU THE OTHERS AREN'T AS MERCIFUL AS I AM!!-...eh?"

He shouted but suddenly calmed as he gazed at me under the light as my crimson hair shone.

" That red hair... Are you from the Uzumaki clan? You're a little tan but I wouldn't make a mistake. It seems like I've actually hit jackpot."

The Shinobi said suddenly as he grinned creepily to himself making me know his intentions were no longer as somewhat noble as killing me swiftly as a mercy.

Yet...

Despite the feel of my heart suffocating me as it beated, I saw a chance...

I didn't want to die. I need to convince him I'm unwantedly useful.

In anyway I can.

How??

"Get your hands off me! The others from my squad are arriving. My sensei will beat you to a pulp!"

I said acting all mocking and confident even though I felt like I could piss myself right now.

"A genin squad? Where are the rest of you?"

He said seriousness in his voice as he pointed the blade to my neck again.

Gulp...this better work...

I don't care what I have to do..

"I'm bait. That's why I led you deep into the forest to separate you from your squad. Baka desu!!"

I shouted slightly hoping someone would help me and that this guy gets my bluff.

"A squad? Liar. I don't sense anyone around for miles. You're the one who must've strayed from your squad. Plus you're too young to be a genin even if you're an Uzumaki."

He replied in mocking smile laughter evident.

He isn't calling my bluff..

Crap...he isn't as much of a numbskull like I thought...

If he doesn't get my bluff...

This could kill me...

I wish that at this moment I could've been able to defend myself with chakra ..

I was born into the world where the impossible was possible yet they just had to be be greedy...

Why?...is it my punishment for not living like some saint?..

I don't know..but if there's one thing I somewhat know..

From observing what Ojii-chan taught me..

it's to bluff myself out of a bad situation..

I fixed my experession as I laughed desperately hiding my fear.

"Is that what you think? Konoha anticipated your attack. They've sent special squads to handle each of you. Iwagakure correct?"

I said as I felt myself sweating. This is cringy... I'm surprised the numbskull's even playing along..

He gazed at me little more serious from when he mocked but not believing yet.

Well this wasn't going to be easy from the beginning..

"Ha! You take me for a fool. Best I kill you now. Even if you're an Uzumaki I don't think that will spare you for trying to fool me."

He said finally swinging his blade at my stomach.

I felt my breaths harsh and heavy as I struggled for air...

Dammit is this really my end..

I thought as I felt tears in my eyes...

But..

I don't want it to!

Please!

With those thoughts, I held my lightheadedness and pain with a smile.

I don't think I'll hold out longer but...

I STILL DON'T WANT TO DIE!!

I grinned through the pain as my breaths heaved.

The Shinobi infront of me slightly faltered.

Gazing frantically at my surroundings

I remembered something.

"You're really just gonna stand there with a stupid kunai?"

I mocked hardly hiding agony as I felt bile rising but I held it in.

"Then you're really stupid! Release!"

I said as I faked the only hand sign I knew from the anime.

"Genjutsu!? Dammit! No wonder-!?"

He screamed as he didn't notice there wasn't any genjutsu as I took my pencil and poked his eye and ran.

This is stupid..

Blergh*

I found myself letting go all of the bile but as I smelt the copper crimson scent as it left the taste in my mouth I realized it was blood.

Dammit!-...

I felt the weakness of my body from the blood loss as the adrenaline left me as I hid in the bushes.

If I want to live there's only one chance to get that guy off my back.

I don't know how much longer I can hold I thought as I fell to the ground.

Dammit, I can't stand!

My mind screamed as my eyes turned blurry.

"Hey, stupid brat! You've been playing tricks long enough! Just die!"

I hear the man say angrily as he stepped on my puddle of blood.

I felt my body hysterical as I felt dizzy from the loss of blood.

As I closed my eyes.

"Well it seems I don't have to do much. You're dying already as is. I told you to stay still. Atleast then It would've painless."

He said going closer to the body.

Only to be lifted up all of a sudden by a force he didn't know.

Hunting bear traps near here. To think something stupid like this would end up saving my arse.

Feeling the pain and dizziness back at me..

Barely that is...

I felt pain straight through to fill me as my blood poured out as my vision was fading..

... I didn't want to die.

I'll have to hold through...

"You're really getting in my nerves!"

The Shinobi said as he fell from the trap as he cut it with the glistening kunai.

Right forgot about that.

I'm screwed.

I felt him coming closer but my vision faded to darkness.

Although as I heard him scream I guess he didn't notice the pit trap.

Numskull..

The little net would've never handled a bear. Ojii-chan just put it there so it won't notice the pit.

Hah...serves him right...

Dammit...this is still stupid...

But...

If I stayed here I'll die..

I opened my eyes despite the weight as looked to my surroundings.

I need to move.

I don't know how but I need to atleast get somewhere someone will end up seeing me.

I don't think I'll make it to the house though.

Thinking of it I gazed at the unconscious Shinobi from the pit.

I can barely move so this is the best course of action I thought sensing my black out near.

I went to the pit carefully.

It has to be somewhere I said to myself as I desperately searched the unconscious Shinobi.

Finally there it is...

I opened it's cap and prayed for the best as my vision faded to black.

Ruki pov

I fought through the Shinobi as hard as I can.

The only thing I've brought was a kunai...

Hearing a loud boom, I found myself looking at a fire signal in the direction Reiko went.

"Reiko.."

I ended up blurting unconsciously.

Feeling the dread I sliced through the enemy Shinobi swiftly.

Only to be stabbed by a shuriken as I found myself surrounded.

"Rasengan!"

I hear a voice of a young man as the hordes were blown away.

Looking at his messy blonded hair, I found myself gazing at him.

"Ruki-san, I'll handle it from here you should get to Reiko!"

He said loudly back turned to me as he faced the Iwa Shinobi.

I hated to owe a favor but...

Reiko-chan's more important than anything to me..

I ran towards the signal as fast as I can without hesitation.