Where was he? Where was Sasuke? Had they been caught? Questions assailed Suigetsu's mind as he fumbled around in a bleak attempt to get a hold of his bearings. His fingers swept over the dry straw and powdery soil around him, giving no clue as to where he was. After what seemed like ages, he spotted faint rays of light through a narrow opening. As his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, he recognized the indistinct contours of a room. Soon enough, Suigetsu spotted a figure lying on a mat in the corner. He released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

He was alive.

Seeing as they hadn't been tied up or held at knife-point, Suigetsu could only guess that they had been helped by a stranger. A kind one at that, to have taken the risk of helping ninja. For now, they were safe. With that thought, he began to scan the room more leisurely.

Green moss and stray cobwebs adorned the crumbling walls. There were a few scrolls at the corner of the room, along with a collection of sticks and jagged rocks. It was more of a shelter built for the comfort of one person alone. Not that he'd ever call it comfortable.

He left the room hastily, bending his head to make it through the entrance. The sunlight outside blinded him temporarily, but Suigetsu wasn't one to complain. It had been years since his skin had soaked the warmth of the sun. Not knowing when he had exercised last, Suigetsu resolved to do some light stretches.

After all, Sasuke still needed someone to kick his ass.

As Suigetsu warmed up, he began to observe the little shelter more closely. The precarious structure was located at the edge of a forest. It had been built of stone and old wooden planks, some of which had begun rotting. The door was also a piece of wood, which partially covered the only entrance of the hut. Held together by worn-out ropes, dry leaves and a bunch of bent, rusty nails, it had miraculously withstood the forces of nature. It looked like it could fall at any moment, taking Sasuke with it.

He deserved it. Arrogant prick.

Looking away, Suigetsu began to practice his punches and blocks, putting extra force into each movement. He then started to perfect his kicks. He was so engrossed in his workout that he did not feel the sweat drip off his forehead. He didn't even hear someone enter the clearing.

"You shouldn't be doing that," a voice called out, making Suigetsu pause. He turned towards the source. "You just recovered from dehydration." It was a girl. With her short stature, lithe form and mundane appearance, Suigetsu would've written her off as an ordinary civilian. Clad in nothing but a baggy, drab tunic, which she had clearly outgrown, the only striking attribute about her was her eyes. Wary yet wide with curiosity, they flashed with latent defiance.

Wild.

"I'll live." The words rolled off Suigetsu's tongue with acquired ease.

"You nearly didn't," she replied, shaking her head. Were it not for the seriousness in her voice, he'd have been amused by her subsequent attempts to push back the mane of chestnut hair falling into her face. "Carrying your half-melted body with your friend's was quite the task."

The girl went inside the hut. Entering the cramped, dingy room was the last thing Suigetsu wanted to do, but he was compelled to follow. Inside, he saw that she had taken her place next to Sasuke. She kept her small palms over Sasuke's chest and neck. A green glow of chakra emitted from them, flickering like the dying flame of a candle.

Once she was satisfied with her handiwork, she got to her feet and turned to face him. It was then he noticed the sheen of perspiration on her brow. "I found you both yesterday in the middle of the forest," she stated. "You slept like a log the whole night. Your friend, on the other hand..."

He listened intently.

"He had two poisons in his body. Luckily, his body was mostly resistant to one of the poisons. The other one caused his paralysis. It was also hindering his recovery, which resulted in his fever..." Suigetsu went into a daze as she began to explain the details of the poisons and her treatment.

Her hair was rather long, he observed. Tangled and messy, she probably didn't even know what a comb was. Her drab clothes looked ragged and worn. She looked like a peasant, but the fact that they weren't anywhere close to civilization made him wonder. What the hell was she doing here?

Where had she learnt medical ninjutsu?

"... To make things simple," she said stiffly. "He'll be just fine." Suigetsu blinked, snapping out of his stupor. She pulled a face at his clear disinterest. "I refilled your bottles, so you should be fine too." He looked down at his belt. True to her word, his canteens had been filled to the brim.

"Thanks." He pulled out one of the bottles, uncapping it. "How did you learn medical ninjutsu?"

The loquacity she displayed mere seconds earlier vanished as she scrunched her nose in disapproval. "A ninja's secret." Suigetsu nearly scoffed.

She wasn't much of a ninja.

Taking her words with a pinch of salt, Suigetsu ploughed on. The girl had rescued them. The least he could do was show some discretion. He could change the subject, and everything would be just peachy. "What's your name, kid?"

"Is every short person a child to you?" she groaned. "I'm probably just as old as you are. Also," she paused, her light brown eyes piercing into his. "It's common courtesy to reveal one's name before asking such a question." Her voice was sombre, but the upward tilt of her lips told Suigetsu a different story.

This girl was messing with him.

He ought to have had a sword on him. He could've cut her down to size. Sasuke would've forgiven him for it too. Who was she to challenge him? What had she done to merit an answer?

She had saved them, he reminded himself.

"Suigetsu," he gritted out. A grin of triumph lit up her face. So be it. She had won this round.

"Kaiho."

He took a closer look at her. Or was it him? The name didn't sound too feminine. "Weird name for a girl."

She shrugged. "Perhaps."

Suigetsu bristled at the vague answer. "Well, thank you for saving our lives and all, but once Sasuke's recovered, we'll be on our way."

Her jubilant features rearranged themselves to those of complete serenity. "I can't let you do that." Was she aware of whom she was speaking to? He was a ninja, not some lowly tramp. She sounded so self-assured; Suigetsu couldn't help but think — How much time had she spent planning this?

"You owe me." For someone who didn't have sandals on her feet, she sure talked big. Any more, and he would tear her to bits. Who did this girl think she was? Why did they have to owe her anything?

She was their rescuer.

She had the right to be a little selfish. In the ninja world, where even the best of friends turned against each other, no stranger offered aid without expecting something in return.

All the same, he had nothing to offer.

He clasped his hands together, wearing his most sorrowful expression. "We don't have anything valuable." His beseeching voice and plea went unnoticed. She didn't even bat an eye.

Cruel woman.

"I don't want money." She cleared her throat as though to make an announcement of paramount importance.

"I want to join you."