The crimson quickly spread across the floor, reflecting what little candlelight was left. The shock of seeing a dead body so close made Misayu fall, landing in a heap just in front of the red tide, then realising how close she was she scrambled across the floor and curled in a ball by the crumbled wall. The reality of her situation struck her and soon her big eyes filled to the brim as she looked around.

"This is what I am? I did all this and didn't even think twice?" Her eyes locked on Sasuke who was standing with the bloodied blade in hand, no remorse at all on his face, just worry and relief. He dropped the weapon and slowly walked towards her, hand outstretched. Gently taking hers he dropped to his knees in front of her and used his other hand to take her chin and lift her face to meet his.

"But you did think twice. You stopped and didn't do anything to regret. You're still you... You didn't give in." He looked her in the eyes and she felt her heart sink as she knew at this point she would follow him to her death if he asked her to. "But now, we need to get you out of here." Her eyes widened in shock, he wasn't lying after all.

"What... What about you? Will you come too?" Her voice soft and desperate she searched his face for an answer, she can't leave him now, it would be like leaving a part of herself behind.

"I can't come. I need to be here to make sure no-one follows you-"

"NO! I can't do it without you. I won't leave if you don't. If I get out they'll now you helped and they'll kill you. Don't leave me. Please" she grasped his hand tight and looked him dead in the eye. "Sasuke I can't leave you. I l-"

"Listen to me, you won't have a chance to get anywhere if I come with you. Think about it Misayu, you need to be realistic."

Tears now fell unchecked down her cheeks, there were 2 choices, either she stayed and faced certain death but got a it more time with Sasuke. Or she chose freedom, she chose life but a life without him. Which at the moment felt more like death.

Her voice quiet, eyes focused on the floor she whispered "I can't do it without you. Any of it anymore. All the time we've shared, all I've told you. You know everything about me. You know how to control me - control who I can become - and you're the only one that's not shunned me for it after. I need you."

He didn't say anything for what felt like eternity. The candles flickered softly, the earth shifted around them and she gripped tightly on to his hand too scared to let go in case this was the last time she saw him. Then he moved in and placed his lips on hers. Softly he pushed into her, as if trying to communicate something deeper. Saying with his lips what he couldn't with words. He moved his hand to her auburn hair, taking it between his fingers and pulled her closer with his other. Misayu's body was taken over by him, she moved forward until she was over him on her hands and knees holding him in place with her frame. He was reaching up to pull her down to him, his hands running over her bare skin, her hands on his tight chest. If everything came crashing down on them now she felt there could be no more perfect end. His dark hair mussed and his shirt coming away from his torso, he looked perfect and that just made her want him more. She kissed him deeper and moved in closer, his hands now running down her back, grabbing at her straps and toying with her panties. A warmth was growing in her stomach but she pulled away slowly. Trying to get back to reality, there was no way that Orochimaru hadn't heard that and for sure someone would be along to check on what had happened. In fact it was odd that they hadn't been along already.

"We need to move... Sasuke listen we need to move... Hey" she giggled as he kissed her ear as he moved her hair to one side gently.

"Ok... Ok." He nuzzled into her neck and groaned before moving from under her. This is going to be great easiest way out. Structurally it's the weakest point, if we can make that cave in you can get out"

"And you can come with me..."

As he was about to answer the door burst open and 10 of Orochimaru's men came crashing in.

"Quick throw a paper bomb on that point there!" Sasuke got one from his pouch and launched it to the corner of the room, moments later the ceiling is crashing around them.

"Let's go now!" Yelled Sasuke, but when he turned around she was no where to be seen. "Misayu! Misayu where are you?" Looking frantically around he caught sight of a lock of her hair beneath the rubble. Running over he started to scrape at the stones and dust, pulling her from debris. "Misayu?!" Answer me! Misayu...?"

The smell of flowers hit her first. Fresh air, birds, the wind in the trees. 'So this is the afterlife? Seems nice enough...' Then the smell of fresh food, burning wood... She opened her eyes to see wide open evening sky above her. The stars, the moon. Something she never thought she'd see again, but how? Then sitting up she saw. "Sasuke?"

He slowly turned round and she saw the relief in his face.

"How? Where are we?"

"Far enough for them not to find us. I travelled most of the day and hid our tracks so they can't track us. I think we're pretty near your old village, be there by tomorrow probably..."

"And you...?"

"We'll I'm here aren't I? Now rest, you got a hard knock to the head."

She looked over at her captor turned saviour, he'd taken off his shirt and placed it round her so was left topless. In the firelight she could see he'd worked hard today to put distance between them and Orochimaru as his skin was still covered in a light layer of sweat and his hair was sticking slightly to his forehead. Overwhelmed with compassion she moved over to him. Enjoying the warmth of the fire she loosened his shirt and let it drape off her shoulders. She looked over her shoulder at him as he seemed to read her mind and moved in behind her, putting his arms around her waist and moving in close to her back. Softly kissing her neck he moved the shirt from her body and stroked her bare skin - starting at her arms, then her legs, then her stomach - tracing shapes onto her skin with his fingertips, letting them linger over her sensitive areas a bit longer. The cool wind bought a wave of goose pimples over her sensitive skin making his touch feel even more tender. Needing to get closer she span around and wrapped her legs round his waist, bringing him in until they were almost one. She placed her lips on his and pulled gently on his lower lip, nuzzling it before exploring with her tongue. His soft lips making her senses come alive she wanted more of him she wanted all of him, and leaning back slightly she allowed him to have all of her.

The morning chorus was what she had dreamt about for so long. It was the song of freedom and an announcement of a new beginning. And she had the man she had been resisting all this time with her. Rolling over all she found was more space, she opened her eyes find an empty sleeping bag and a small scroll. Confused and shaking she opened it and read.

'I really don't know how to start this apart from I'm sorry.

I knew you wouldn't leave if I didn't go with you, I was going to force you to go but after you got knocked out I couldn't just leave you.

I want you to be safe and I know you won't be safe with me. I have things I need to resolve and I can't be a better person - the person I want to be for you - until I'm done. I've given up too much this far to stop but I know you'll get hurt if you come with me.

You won't be able to find Orochimaru's hideout now, and even if you do we won't be there again but I'll be making sure you're safe, you just won't see me.

You'll see me again one day, be angry just please don't hate me because I love you too.

S'

Tears were rolling down her cheeks as she stumbled into her village clutching the scroll to her chest. The world was different yet the same now. All that she knew for sure was that she was going to be waiting until the day she could see him again.