I have decided that if i write more i'll post more. I've written about two chapters in advance, This means if i am a bit busy one week i have content to post anyway so you shouldn't have to wait forever for new content. But seeing as i have written loads yesterday, here's another chapter :)

Disclaimer: I still don't own anything

Second edition: been improving writing, trying to sort out who I want the characters to be. Usual. Also, do you get alerts when a chapter is updated?

The pair walked together through the forest. Monica managing to keep up with her limp. She wished she know some sort of medical jutsu but at least she was not in pain, just uncomfortable, the green sticky medicine was irritating her wound and it took a lot of energy to keep herself from scratching. Fukushi, on the other hand, seemed to be exorcising extreme patience with her. He gave her a hand when she needed it and rested when she stumbled on her leg. But the two remained silent even when they entered a small village. The village was nothing special, a cluster of houses which occupied a segment of road, presumably surrounding the tavern which attracted business with its usual methods. The buildings where all made of wood and were kept in a good condition with the plaster still a clean white. Monica noticed the villagers giving them worried looks. Some even hid within their houses, others whispered curses and protections.

"Why are they staring?" Monica asked, keeping to a whisper.

"Here I am called a demon. News of my attacks have reached people in the area and they don't know what to think. But what stuck was a cursed demon roamed the mountains." He signalled at his appearance, his tattoos were making it clear he was different from everyone else. Monica swore he glanced down in sadness at the thought.

"Does it bother you?"

"I don't care what they think." He snapped with a sharp tongue. "Not like they could change anything nor could I change their opinions."

The two shinobi walked on in silence until they approached a tailors shop. They entered the building where stacks of coloured cloth and clothes stood in piles and on shelves. Thread and sewing equipment filled the tables and even some offcuts littered the wooden floor. The shop keep was a large man who looked bored right until he saw who entered his shop and stood to attention, fully alert and seemed to be expecting something to go horribly wrong. Sweat already running down his face, he swallowed and as polite as he could.

"Demon. W-what c-could I do for…." Fukushi shot him a look and glared the man down. He proceeded with some jutsu hand signals. Monica watched and realised she did not recognise most of the signs, she knew that jutsu was based on twelve signs and certain combinations moulded chakra to a desired effect. Fukushi held his left hand flat and a banner of yellow writing and patters shone brightly, as if each line was in a race to get as far away from Fukushi as it could. Then in a small puff of smoke a bag appeared. The shop keep sighed in relief but Monica was enthralled by the jutsu she never seen before.

"I want a cloak and a couple items of clothes for the lady."

"R-right I know just the thing." Confidence regaining as he realised that he was not in danger. He paused to take a few deep breaths to try and calm down. He helped Monica pick out her clothes, she had gone for light grey cloak, a tan coloured coat which resembled the clothes that were destroyed, and a belt which gave her gear the impression she worse a skirt. The orange haired-kunoichi quickly rushed around to the back of the shop to get dressed while Fukushi paid. She returned with her arms covered by the cloak, and her hood down to reveal her dirty orange hair. She had been messing around with her hair to try and cover her scar up but not matter how she fiddled on with it the scar would be visible to the world as she was cut in front of her ear. He glanced at her with his right eye then turned to leave. She followed, feeling a bit more secure with clothes on even if her outwardly appearance had not changed.

As they were walking out, Fukushi was tying up his cloak that Monica had returned. It neatly hid his arms and weapons from sight, presumably that was the point of the cloak. Monica was lost in thought about what she could be learning with Fukushi she was amazed at the new hand signals and couldn't wait to try it herself, she felt she could have a unique edge if she was to return to Konoha. Then she realised what she also saw.

"Fukushi, could I see your left hand?"

"Hrm, so you've noticed." He flashed his right hand and show Monica his hand long enough for her to have a good look before he covered it again. His hand wasn't disfigured but the black tattoos which encircled his fingers and wrist showed dark red skin. Like it had been intensely burned but the skin didn't fall off the flesh. They were chakra burns.

"What happened to you?"

"Not something you should know." He looked away, Monica was trying to piece together what happened to her saviour. He was physically damaged and carried the injuries to prove it but his cold voice made her think about what he was like on the inside. His voice cracked as if his throat was dusty from lack of use, he avoided the looks from other almost as if he was in shame for even being existing. Monica knew one thing though, he was a demon through renown not through character. His kindness to help her proved as such.

They walked silently towards a blacksmith selling a wide range of weaponry which were all on display, large weapons and tools to the back while projectiles and jewellery were to the front of the wall-less building. Fukushi spoke again. "I need to know what your weapon type is, and how good you are. Pick one up and attack me. Don't worry about people watching, it's not their business." He walked up to the blacksmith and asked him if he could test his equipment, he spoke only a few words and pointed with his right hand at a few things then to Monica. After a nod and handing over some more money, he gestured for Monica to enter the shop.

Monica looked around the shop for weaponry. She took herself to the kunai section because that was the only weapon she had any skill in, Konoha was very limited in kenjutsu and often focused on small arms, projectiles and ninjutsu. She took the cold blade and turned to find Fukushi who was standing outside waiting for her. Monica walked out of the blacksmith and readied her hand.

"No ninjutsu, and stop once blood is drawn. Those are the rules but start when you are ready."

The two opponents faced each other. Fukushi didn't draw his Katana as Monica expected instead he flicked his cloak back and raised his hands in anticipation to her attack. She leaped forward as fast as she could. Her Kunai swing from right to left aiming to get his chest. Fukushi dodged the blade so Monica swung a second time. This time Fukushi swiped her arm further than she had intended and left her wide open. With his right palm, he struck her in the chest not caring about where he struck. He immediately followed up with a round-house kick to her stomach which knocked her across the street.

Monica felt dizzy, her mind was filled with laughter, she could even hear some people in the growing audience snigger at how easily she was kicked down. She closed her eyes, laughing continued, she was waiting to hear Fukushi to laugh too, join in as if she was a big joke. No, she dared him to laugh. She wanted to be filled with anger and strike him and his smug face just to prove that she was capable.

"You aren't thinking ahead that's your problem. That and you may want a weapon with more reach than a kunai." She opened her eyes. To look up at him. He was standing, no emotion in his eye but no mocking either. To him it did not matter if she was struck down. Monica took a deep breath and the laughter died down as she stood. The world stopped mattering to Monica as she concentrated on Fukushi. The laughter became quieter until they no longer distracted her. She readied her feet but waited for Fukushi to go on the attack. He got the invitation and charged. Instead of lashing out she dodged to the side and with good timing. He punched the space where her head was a moment ago. He followed up with a spin and a kick which painfully collided with her hand holding her kunai. However, she took the opportunity to strike him in the cheek with her left fist. Fukushi flipped back and gave the fight some distance. Monica ran at him and began a series of slashes to which he parried each one by swatting her wrists away. Monica allowed him to concentrate on her blade. He swiped at her legs but she jumped over him. Unfortunately, he used his momentum to continue his kick and hooked her middle where her scar was just before she could hit the ground and caused her to fly across the street in agony. As she flew she threw her kunai at Fukushi, forgetting this was a friendly sparring match. Fukushi was surprised by the attack but knocked it away with a kunai he seemingly pulled from thin air. Her kunai spun lazily in the hair before digging itself into the cobbled street.

Laying on the ground she expected the laughing to return. She had failed again, on the floor and pain flowed from her wound from last night. She strained just to hear one giggle but all she got was silence. She looked around. The citizens watching were all surprised at the skirmish they just saw; impressed even. Fukushi walked up to her and offered a hand to help her to her feet.

"I think I was wrong, you lack confidence. See how much you've improved in one fight? Although maybe get something longer than a kunai, a Wakizashi maybe. You get close but not close enough and a wakizashi is similar to a katana so I can give you a few tips that I've picked up."

He pulled her up and she followed him to the blacksmith to purchase the weapon. Monica thought to herself, was that it? Confidence?

"I've got business to take care of though. You ought to go home now." Fukushi spoke coldly and made her shiver slightly. The crowed quickly dispersed too after realising they had stopped fighting.

"No, I want to stay, you know so much and I haven't repaid you for saving my life yesterday."

"What are you scared of?"

"What do you mean?"

"Everyone fears what they don't understand, so are you scared of me? If I come after you? Or what would your village and family say when they find out? I know enough that shinobi here take loyalty very seriously. You aren't being pushed away from me you're being pulled towards me, so what is it?"

"I-I Don't understand? If you were so bad you wouldn't have saved me."

"And yet I killed five people in doing so. And I'll be killing more soon, you don't want to be associated with me, trust me on that one."

She was taken back by his honesty, she hadn't thought of it like that. Monica only focused on that she was rescued by him. Fukushi continued.

"If you don't leave you'll be dragged into this and then you won't be able to face home. You will become a person feared not respected and if it's being respected that you want then please, leave."

"I'll do it."

"What?"

"I want to repay you, I need to repay you, I'll kill if it means you feel like your actions were worth it. If saving my life was worth it." Tears ran down her cheaks, her heart was racing and she was searching his face for any kind of emotion instead of that dark purple eye looking over his shoulder. "If you won't let me stay then please…. Kill me." He turned to her and giving her full attention.

"Don't throw your…"

"No! I can't go back now, I can't stand their laughing their teasing, their voices. I'd rather die than go back. You saved my life so it should be you… you to kill me, as if you never found me."

He didn't reply but instead of showing her that she had struck a chord, he swallowed hard and looked away from her gaze.

"You won't be able to go back, it'll be a lonely life because everyone will grow to hate you. Fear, jealousy, love and maybe obsession. No matter what you do that is what people will think. How could I willingly put you through all that? especially when the option to leave is right there."

"You chose to give me a choice, and I've decided to repay you for granting me that choice." She spoke with her voice wavering she was so unsure what is going to happen and the thought alone made her heart race and her head spin. Fukushi took a deep breath and quickly spun around. Drawing his katana from his side as he moved and in a flash as fast as lightning he had the blade tip pressing against her neck but not so it cut her skin. Monica realised what he was trying to do. He was uncharacteristically searching her features for a moment of doubt, looking like he was waging war with himself

"Y-you are just as scared and unsure as me aren't you Fukushi?" She whispered

Monica took a step forward, only moving away to stop the point from cutting. The edge of the katana sliced the side of her neck without any resistance and blood welled up from the wound. She hoped this was proof enough of her resolve. Even though he could tell she was terrified of the future. The one eyed shinobi just silently nodded. As much as he wanted to, he couldn't bring himself to outright refuse her.

She followed him to the next village over and reached a sake bar just as evening began to fall. The village looked more like the same village only the buildings were shifted around, if fact the close proximity of the two villages gave the impression they were probably part of the same village. The only main difference here was the construction work going on, around half the buildings were incomplete and had scaffolding surrounding all of the walls. She had been missing for a day now. She was nervous but the sting in her neck reminded her of new opportunities to become a better shinobi. She owed him her life but she still wanted to learn his unique jutsu and she told herself that learning would make the venture worth while.

"Erm Fukushi, I'm not old enough to drink." She blushed and mumbled her words before they got too close to the sake bar.

"You're eighteen now. No one cares how old you are just act the part. I don't care if you like it or not but this is the start of not going back." He spoke coldly

"Alright, I'll do it."

"What? did you think I meant fighting earlier? No there's things you need to do and they need you to be an adult about it."

She blushed brighter as she never had tasted sake. She could already feel the innocence being stripped away as she remembered the three shinobi forbidden inhibitions, Gambling, Alcohol, and Sex. Although, she felt killing should at least be added to that list. Once they were at the door she could hear people drunkenly shouting from inside. She paused and blushed as she entered the bar which gave the impression that she was very shy to any onlookers. She followed Fukushi to the barkeep who was laying out some bottles of sake behind the counter. He looked up to see the pair coming in. The barkeep had dark tanned skin and a shaved head with his black shirt and rolled up sleeves he stood to attention.

"I didn't know you travelled with someone, but damn you got lucky with this one. How did she see past your eye I'll never know?" Fukushi just closed his eye in agreement perhaps a shrug but Monica didn't notice.

"One day I'll become predicable so you can catch up. Can I have a bottle of sake and two cups, and can I have a look at the special menu?"

"Straight to the point, anything for a friend on a date." He winked at the blushing Monica. She couldn't help it, she wasn't expecting him to be so friendly. He handed Fukushi the menu with a note under it which Monica managed to notice. Followed by a bottle of sake and two shallow cups which were placed on the counter. Monica picked up the drink and cups and mumbled a "Thank you." She was still blushing. She heard him laugh to himself but it did not sound like it was directed at her, which calmed her nerves, after giving a quick shy smile she turned and followed Fukushi to the back-most table. She could feel eyes watching her as she walked down the bar. She didn't feel comfortable after just getting away with underage drinking. Paranoia set in as she feared somehow they knew she was under aged. She sat opposite Fukushi and set out the cups and poured him the drink as he read the note. Monica hesitated but poured herself a drink. A thought crossed her that this would mean she already had a one-up on her peers back at the village, as far as she knew she was the only one to drink in her class.

She brought her cup to her mouth, the smell hit her, and her nose thought this was some sort of bleach. Nevertheless, she pushed herself and took a sip. It tasted… strong, and burned her throat. She closed her eyes to get it over with and drank the contents of her cup. She coughed and felt warm inside her stomach. Once the taste of nail varnish had left her mouth, although she did not mind the afterglow of it and poured out another cup full. By then Fukushi folded up the paper.

"Tomorrow we are seeing a nobleman, if you still want to come, he knows where the last two paces in the Land of Earth where I can find those pages."

"Pages?"

"I'll explain tomorrow, but right now I'd like to see what type of chakra you possess."

"Oh, how do I do that?" The effects of the sake already began to mellow her thoughts but not enough to be distracting, she felt like her head was lighter than usual.

"Follow my signs closely." Fukushi slowly lead her through the sand signs. He chanted out what each sign meant. "Control, Flow, Show, Circle, Glow." Monica didn't recognise half the signals save for the first one, which looked like the 'ram' sign. Once he spoke out the jutsu a bright yellow ball appeared in a puff of smoke, it was round and occasionally sparked harmlessly at the nearest object such as the sake bottle or Fukushi's hand. She looked closer and reached out to touch it. She felt a swirl of wind blow past her fingers.

"It's beautiful."

"This jutsu shows the colour and type of chakra I use. Wind and Lightning, I used to have water but… I lost the knack." He starred into the ball of glowing chakra in a moment of silence as if he was remembering something, he realised he was staring and shook his head. "Let's see yours." The ball puffed again and set his hands in the first hand sign. He led her through each sign until she got it. In a puff of smoke a blue burning ball of fire was floating in front of her. It was no bigger than her fist and if anything smaller than Fukushi's. But her chakra glowed an electric blue, with sapphire coloured flames tossing and turning among themselves.

"Ah fire chakra. You can touch it, it can't hurt anything unless you add a few more signs to it and covert it to something physical." He offered her to touch her chakra incarnate. Monica held her hand up and held the silently burning ball. It felt warm with energy. She let it sink into her hand staring at the dancing blue flames.

"Is that what my chakra looks like?"

"Yeah, it can make a good light source, heat source, and as I said can't be used as a weapon. This is usually the base for most elemental jutsu actually, although there are many exceptions and obviously doesn't work with elements that are not natural to you."

She smiled and redid the jutsu just to make sure she has it right.

"You can also tweak the amount of chakra in each step to change it slightly to suit what you need." Fukushi continued and finally drinking a cupful of sake, followed by two more cup-fills. He stood up and looked down at Monica who was innocently giggling at her blue chakra, the sake taking effect. Monica did not care though, she was entertained with the dancing flames.

"We should go and sleep now." He paused so he had her attention. "I only needed the note and unfortunately we can't stay here. Inns are too much of an easy target."

Monica quickly finished her drink and made sure there wasn't a drop left in the bottle before getting up herself. She was riding the buzz she now had and her vision began to sway, especially when she stood up and blood rushed through her head and caused her drunken state to momentarily increase in severity.

"I'm hungry" She stumbled towards Fukushi who held her so she did not fall. He looked at her then to the Bartender who had heard the drunk girls request and was already rummaging around for food. In a swift minute he put together some bread, rice balls, and fruit. Fukushi paid and thanked the man.

"You two have a good night." The Barkeep smiled in response. Monica giggled to herself at everything she saw before nibbling on some bread. The cool outside air hit them both and forced Monica to sober up; enough to function.

"Oh god, I didn't make a fool out of myself?"

"No, you just got a little giggly, glad you're back though." Monica couldn't tell if he meant it or not because nothing changed in his stone-cold stare. "Might want to get used to drinking if you don't want to get so drunk out of two cups."

"You aren't drunk?"

"No I just drink some to help me sleep sometimes, you know, relax."

Monica sighed, she heard that excuse off her father before. Who wasn't bad but certainly could do with being more caring or at least more interactive with his family, especially at the weekends.

"So where are we going if we can't stay there?"

"Somewhere out in the forest, like last night. Keeps us out of danger while we sleep."

"Wouldn't indoors be safer?"

"You would think that but it's one of the first place assassins look."

"Assassins? Why?"

"Reasons, that and the first one to attack me caught me in an Inn."

"What happened?"

"I killed her, what do you think?"

Monica kept quiet, Fukushi began to sound angrier and she didn't want to push him anymore. Fukushi walked in silence and he was thinking about that night around a month ago. The assassin had seduced him after many drinks and taken him to a room. He let her in and she had sex with him, speaking sweet words of love and companionship into his ear, promises to go with him on adventures and to help him with anything he needed done. Even kill for him. Only to try and catch him while he was vulnerable but thanks to his jutsu expertise he was able to kill her instead despite being unarmed. He later found out she had a nick name 'Succubus' for a reason. How naive he was to think someone would like him just like that. How surprisingly similar this situation was to back then... He shook the thoughts as best as he can. 'It looks like I'll be having nightmares tonight'. With that he sighed heavily. Monica spoke up behind him.

"Sorry for bringing it up."

"You weren't to know. Hmph I guess here is safe enough."

"Should I set a fire up?"

"No. Use the jutsu I taught you, and keep it as dim as possible. We are to sleep invisibly."

Fukushi started planting kunai in a ring around them while Monica began to settle down and trying to get the jutsu right. She stopped to hear Fukushi complete more hand signs but this time she couldn't understand what he was saying.

"What are you doing?"

"It's a jutsu that distorts the air and makes us hard to see, even in daylight. Though we aren't invisible hence why we can't have a light."

"But what were you saying I don't understand."

Fukushi sat down opposite Monica and in the fading gloom. They faced each other. Monica was staring at his single eye and the bandage that covered the other eye. While he was looking down at her feet or close enough anyway.

"Japanese... is my second language."

This created way more questions for Monica than had answered. She wanted to ask him more but she found that he had fallen asleep already. It surprised her because she didn't think he was affected by the sake. She quickly signed for her chakra light which she admitted was very useful. She used it to find the wrapped-up food and digging in to a rice ball with a plum in the middle. As she ate her meal she watched the flames dance over in front of her, she thought the blue light was so beautiful. By now she had worked out how to dim and bring the ball closer to her. She held it in her hands and cuddled it for warmth before she fell asleep.