When she woke next, she was in her bed. She could feel Suigetsu's arms around her, but what scared her most was that she could feel skin on skin. The bare skin of his chest on the bare skin of her back. She squeaked and looked down. Her robe was crumpled on the floor and so were his clothes. She felt her face heat up uncomfortably and she whimpered when she was suddenly reminded of the last time somebody had gotten close to her.

She felt Suigetsu shift behind her and she stilled as his voice sounded out groggily.

"Karin? What are you doing?"

"N-nothing."

She hoped he didn't notice the stutter but wasn't surprised when he did.

"What's wrong?"

When she didn't answer, he got up onto one elbow and leaned over her shoulder.

"Karin, I need you to tell me. If you don't, I can't stay. I can't be around you if you're going to shy away from me when I get close to you."

She didn't move for a few seconds, then leant over the side of the bed and grabbed the robe off the floor.

"What are you doing?"

She covered herself and stood up.

"Wait here for a few minutes, ok?"

He nodded slowly, watching as she left the room. Making as little noise as possible, Karin moved into the kitchen and quickly started packing a basket full of food. She'd go, and not come back until she was sure Suigetsu had left. A noise came from behind her and she whirled around. He was standing in the doorway, glaring at her.

"What are you doing now?"

She turned back to the basket.

"Leaving. I can't stay here."

"Why?"

He was right behind her. She shivered slightly; his presence was chilling. Her voice wavered as she replied.

"You're... here."

He snorted.

"Yes. I am here. Thank you for finally noticing."

His voice dripped sarcasm and she flinched. She leaned over and gripped the bench with both hands, trying to control herself. His voice softened.

"Karin?"

She opened her mouth to speak but felt a sharp stabbing pain in her abdomen. She cried out and almost dropped to her knees. The same feeling came back and she fell to the floor, panting with the pain. She slowly pressed the spot, grimacing with the added pressure. Suigetsu hovered in front of her.

"What's wrong? I can't help you if you don't tell me. And don't just tell me it's 'that time of the month'."

He crossed his arms as he stared down at her. She could only see his feet, still seated as she was on the floor. She looked up and saw his expression; not pretty. She held out her hand and he grabbed it, pulling her up to stand in front of him. As she straightened, the pain came back and she hunched over. Suddenly she was in his arms and being dumped on her bed again. She curled around her stomach, whimpering quietly. She felt the bed dip behind her and his hand rub her arm.

After a few minutes, she uncurled slightly as the pain dissipated and she finally relaxed. He moved forward to hover over her.

"What was that? And if you say 'nothing', you will be harmed, I swear. I'm not putting up with that."

She slowly, carefully moved to stare up at him. And sighed.

"Alright."

She turned her head away and closed her eyes.

"This has to be the most shameful, embarrassing time of my life."

He waited, but nothing more came from her. She breathed deeply and exhaled.

"After Sasuke left... After Juugo left... I was alone. The villages around here are small, but helpful. It had been six months since I saw either of the other two when I met this guy. He said he loved me, couldn't live without me."

Suigetsu snorted and a small grin worked its way onto Karin's face. Then it faded as she continued.

"I didn't fall for it. After all, jailors are tougher than that. After a few months of his idiocy, I finally decided to say yes, just to get him to stop the public humiliation of serenades as I walked down the street. Everything was fine for a few months and I eventually started to like him. We were the star couple of the village. Then, one night, I'm on my way to meet him when I hear a noise from an alleyway I was passing."

"Please don't tell me you walked straight in there unprotected?"

She laughed a bitter laugh.

"No I didn't. I walked up the other side of the building and turned my sensor on. It was him... with some village girl."

Her throat tightened and she found it hard to speak.

"They were enjoying themselves immensely, although I now wonder why they never went back to his place. He boasted how great it was so many times."

Her eyes were still closed, but tears started to leak from under her eyelids.

"I figured I could ignore it, since as of that moment, our relationship was over. But soon he started to wonder why I ignored him, why I stopped going to that village, why he could never find me... Then one day, he did."

Her hands moved up to cover her eyes, wiping the moisture away as she continued in a shaky voice.

"Him and his group of friends cornered me. They tied my hands to a stake in the middle of a clearing in the forest. I couldn't do anything. Then, they started beating me, punching me, kicking me. Then he pulled out a knife. They all thought he was so cool, up until the point where he stabbed me with it. They all panicked and ran, him too. He dropped the knife, and left me there to die."

She broke down completely.

Suigetsu couldn't do anything for a few seconds. He didn't understand why such morons would pick on an unarmed woman. He glanced at her shaking body and wrapped his arms around her, lying down and pulling her close.

"Shh. It's ok now."

She turned in his arms and buried her face in his neck. He had to ask the question though.

"How are you still alive?"

She sniffed, pulling herself back together and pushing back from him to wipe her face.

"An old hermit was walking through the forest when he found me. I have him to thank. He took me back to his house in the forest and bandaged me up. He stayed by my side for weeks until I was strong and well enough to leave."

"If you're healed, how come that happened before?"

She shook her head.

"I don't know.

He put his chin on top of her head.

"Where is the hermit now?"

She felt a fresh batch of tears coming.

"H-He died... a few months ago. He was the nicest man I've ever met and no one will miss him but me."

He sighed.

"You won't have to dwell on his memory anymore. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

She didn't quite understand, but was too tired from all the shock his sudden appearance caused and the pain from a stupid encounter from a few years ago, that she lapsed into a fitful sleep. Suigetsu held her as she dreamed; staring down at the pale woman he used to know. His gaze hardened as he thought of her story and his grip tightened around her.

"He's going to pay."