[Graded]Memories

[C.J,]

I can feel it
Pushing against my throat.
Its chocking me,
the anxiety.
Egging me on.
To lay harm
To nobody but myself,
i cant cheer up
and adjust.
Swallow the feeling
that makes me want to puke
or hold back my silent screams or shut my eyes so very tight
to hide
the pain.

Clouds are casts over the sky hindering the sun. The soil is dry as it hasn't rained in a few days. Yet the soil is soft and the plants are a vibrant green. The day is a busy one. People gather in the village. Ninja, pedestrians, children, lovers. It is a fine afternoon in the leaf village. The subtle perfume of newly blossomed spring flowers fragrents to air. Anyone would be filled with joy on such a perfectly beautiful day. Anyone except for Erihime.

A soft tapping sound fills the already busy air unnoticed. A shadowy figure shuffles through the down town area of the leaf village with great hast without notice. Some see, but who really notices just another ninja. Just another girl. Her hair is a mess. The pitch black strands stands and flutters in the quick winds chaotically. Her deep black eyes are sheltered from the shadows by deeper shadows as she stares down at the pavements while she walks. Her delicate snowy skin is wet. Sweat? Tears? Moister drips off of her cheeks and down to her partially covered neck.

She wears the headband with the insignia of her village around her neck. A leaf. The rest of her body is covered - no skin at all.

Still she walks. Wear is she going? Erihime takes the back road to avoid the population. She always hears: 'how are you?' Or 'whats wrong?' She is tired of it. She is tired of them asking because none really care. She is tired of putting on a fake smile and telling them 'its fine.' She feel as if every question is just another set of hands at her throught choking her. She feels each set of eyes staring at her is ripping her apart piece by peice. She can only feel pain from everyone.

Now the girl is running. Her quick walking pace is now a hectic run. She crosses a street, she walks under a bridge; all with her eyes close. The Nara does not know where she can go, she does not know where she can be safe.

Erihime opens her eyes and they are assulted by pink? Deep black pupils finally look up to observe where she is. Thick blooming trees fill a field of land creating a never ending stretch of vibrant pink. Erihime cannot move. She does not know where she can. Sje is surely lost.


((Alright ru, not as good as i wanted but im sleepy :I))

[Trurouno]

Tucked away to one side of Konoha, hidden away at the edge of the Awai compound was a large house. Twisted routes intertwined towards it, tree lined roads that ducked under bridges and eventually opened out to the pink cherry blossoms of the Awai orchard. Within the large house the soft taps of footfall echoed through the long halls. The glossed wood reflected the young owner's steps as he worked his way through the house. A slight spill set some water across the tatami mats but the boy didn’t even go to check it as he paced through the various rooms. In one hand he held a small water pot, in the other a flower pot. He could feel the reflection of the sun escaping into the house and didn't want to waste it. Inside the flower pot were a few seeds, the new trees that he had been waiting to plant for months. A big smile was spread across Ruadhri's face as he made for the orchard, he had no time to lose.

The boy was donning his inside clothes that day. His gloves were fresh with dirt, a small trowel lazily sticking out of his apron pocket. His boots sitting at the steps into the garden were similarly covered in dirt, they would be the death of his carefully cleaned floors. The quick steps halted for a second as Ruadhri reached the edge of the house breathing in the warm air as he let the smile on his face grow a little bit wider. Laughing to himself the boy could barely hold his excitement as he set the plant pot down for a second. The quiet house grew silent as the boy pulled on his boots and made for the garden. Making sure to grab the flower pot he found himself lost in a sea of pink. The carefully trimmed cherry blossoms shook in the wind, each movement drowning the sound of the boy as he carefully stepped between them.

A stone path was set out between the main sets of trees but Ruadhri found himself quickly leaving it as he made his way to one side of the orchard. He had three special places for these new seeds, places their predecessors had sacrificed for them. The wind had been too strong for those three but the dirt was still fertile and Ruadhri would be a fool to waste it. Those three wouldn't be forgotten though. Ruadhri could remember the worn chill of their bark when he had found them the day after. He had remembered planting one of them, it had been somewhat important. Ruadhri glanced up at one of the stronger blossoms as he stopped for a moment. He remembered the brown of their worn chunks and the white, burnt bark of his finest sin. The strong blossom seemed to shake in reply as Ruadhri looked up at it. The boy nodded slightly as he felt the light escape through its branches, glancing down at the young seeds as he sighed softly.

Another gust of wind swept through the trees, each of the blossoms shaking as the sound drowned out the memories. The wind began to fade slightly and as Ruadhri listened he heard through the manmade forest the soft steps of another person. Glancing around he caught sight of the girl, lost in her own little world as the pink seemed to assault her from all sides. In such clothing she really stuck out like a saw thumb. She was like the one bad tree refusing to grow, though that could just be because everyone else was stealing the sun. Stepping to the side Ruadhri carefully placed himself behind one of the trees before taking careful steps towards the girl. He only moved a few paces before stopping, gleaming eyes focusing on the girl as he tried to find a way to see her from below the rush of hair.

She was odd but steadily that began to return the smile to Ruadhri's face. She glanced up at one of the larger trees another gust of wind sending it shaking as if shivering at the foreign presence. The trees probably weren't use to her, she probably wasn't used to them. She was surrounded by strangers, that was why Ruadhri was there though. She looked delicate, she looked like she needed a good meal, maybe even a hug. "Do you want to try watering them?" Ruadhri asked suddenly. His voice broke the silence of the rustling leaves and muted steps. He served as a reminder of humanity in a place where nature seemed to rule, but that was the world the girl was used to. It was the one she was used to, the one she had wilted in.

[C.J,]

The wild rustling of the leaves dominates everytime a particulary strong gust blew. Erihime finds herself shivering with fear evertime the pink blossoms move. She knows that they cannot attack her but that does not put her on ease. It is like some invisible force is always lurking behind her and waiting for her to put down her guard to strike. Because of that unshakable feeling, Erihime can never let down her guard.

She pulls her arms tighter around her. She cannot feel skin or natural warmth as she is parted by layers upon layers of fabric. There is no comfort in her action, yet she does it subconsciously and cannot stop. She felt a sense a familiarity, but at the same time a soul crushing missplacement that told her that she should get out of there now - she does not belong. Erihime wants to puke, she can feel herself getting sicker with fear as the anxiety builds. This place is like the Nara forests, never ending and littered with mighty trees. Yet it lacks the darkness, lacks the void, lacks a place that she can curl up and become invisible to the world. That is all she wants now; to be invisible. But in such an unfamiliar place she feels exposed, naked, filthy. Someone's voice breaks through the hush of leaves and catches Erihime around the throat.

She clearly hops and startles. Her eyes wide and her pupils becomes dilated with fear. She quickly turns around but holds herself tight. She is so scared that she cannot recall what he asked. Something about water. She only looks into this youth's face for a moment. She catches a quick picture of him. Well built, young, his clothes are dirty and his eyes are. . . Pink? Erihime's dark gaze is already on the ground. She observes his feet, his boots and the lush green grass that further demonstrates how different this place is from her home. Erihime tries to say something but cannot. Instead she takes a step back, then turns her body around and begins running. What is she doing? She does not know, it is her first instinct: to run as far as she can as fast as she can. The fact that she is going deeper into this strange land is irrelevent to her cowardly instincts, she just runs.

++++++

"c'mon Shikazu! Hurry brother, we're almost there. a little girl once shouted after her brother. Her deep black hair and squinting eye shape gave her the distinct features of a member of the Nara clan. On that day the pale skinned girl wore a light purple dress and black shoes. The warmth made it the perfect day to run around with her friends and her brother. She reached the playground long before her brother's slackishly calm pace. He was smiling as she was so happy to be out of the house today. Pitch black spiky hair and eyes that fortold of outstanding genius, this boy was obviously the prideful and dangerous Nara Shikazu. On that day he was to take his sister away from the house as he had a day off and their parents were away. On that day he would try his best to make his little sister happy. . .

[Trurouno]

Through the swath of black hair Ruadhri only caught sight of the girl's eyes for a second, even then they remained a mystery. Her face was so shadowed he didn't even see a speck of white, it was as if they weren't even there. Ruadhri tried to take a second look but by the time he had realised the girl's hair had already covered over her face. What was worse was that she now seemed to be running in the opposite direction, that was rather inconvenient. Ruadhri watched her for a while, slightly stunned as the pitter patter of her footfalls faded deeper into the orchard. She wasn't running towards the exit, she probably didn't know where she was going. The boy nodded slightly as he began to make his own way forwards, following the distant sound of the girl's footsteps as he tried to guess where she would be heading. A couple of times he caught sight of her but every time another trunk seemed to obscure her and question her very existence.

Regardless Ruadhri trudged on, only aware of the footfalls as he closed his eyes to listen. The soft light of the sun escaped across his skin as he stepped out of the shade, warm and satisfying as it wormed its way past the blossom and branches of the trees. A comfortably warm day. Maybe the girl felt the same, though through all that clothing the heat would probably only become more and more suffocating. A tinge of concern sparked up in the boy's mind, his feet moving slightly faster as he made his way towards the location he guessed the girl was heading towards. Of course he still wasn't sure, but he guessed she was the sort who was only trying to get away.

The orchard eventually had an end, a tall brick wall that had probably been there longer than the trees themselves. It cut the orchard off from the rest of Konoha, obscuring it from the rest of the Awai compound. In the end no matter how tall the wall was though the branches still escaped over the top of it, Ruadhri half wondered whether the girl would brave the climb. Was she really that set on escaping? Somehow he doubted that, he couldn't help but think she hadn't thought that far ahead. Perhaps he was banking on that, it would be the only way he would have a chance to put her heart at ease after all. His best bet was to head towards the three plots of land he had left open, the closest location to the wall.

Flower pot still in hand, eyes slowly opening as he took in the refraction of the light Ruadhri retuned himself to the pitter patter of the girl's footsteps and began to jog after her. Perhaps he was still a bit too relaxed? Perhaps he even looked ridiculous jogging with the flower pot and watering pot still in hand. It didn't matter though. Something about the girl bugged him and he couldn't get over it. The soft taps of her footfalls were calling to him, he needed to find out exactly why.
-------- The pitter patter of footfalls drew Ruadhri's attention as he looked back at the playground. He was sat a few paces from the sand pit, small fingers gripped around a pink petal as a cherry blossom stared down at him. He had been staring at it for hours. His friends had already left, each with their own play dates it seemed. That was what they had told him anyway. In the end Ruadhri had watched them smile back at him as they waved, each one dragging their mother in tow as their little hands held hers. Ruadhri's fingers ran across the small petal as he looked back up at the tree. It was growing well, just as beautiful as all the ones at home. He could almost feel its gaze on him, his silent protector. The boy looked down as a ray of light found a way through the mess of petals. The sudden flare felt odd, it seemed all too clear against the pink shine of his eyes.

The boy carefully looked back up as another petal fell down in front of him. It was a few paces away but moving to his feet Ruadhri shuffled forwards before reaching for it. His fingers had barely touched it before he heard the harsh yell of another child a few paces away. Looking back shyly he saw a little girl running towards him, black eyes scanning over the park from behind locks of black hair. From behind her someone else approached, her guardian just like the rest of them. Ruadhri's small fingers tightened around the petals, locking them into his palm as he looked back up at the tree. Another ray shone through the branches, touching across Ruadhri's hand as he went silent. The softness of the petals, the warmth of the sun, it wasn't like the touch of skin.

[C.J,]

((I prolly should not but i cant resist, damn u ru +.+))

Her lungs tripled in effort to compensate for her sudden activity. Her throat feels hot and the taste of iron taints her mouth. Erihime stops abruptly. Her dark pupils stares at her area and the creeping sense of an ambush overcomes her. She does not know why but she is terrified. Her hands feel cold and she is shaking. She is paranoid yet does not know what to anticipate. She bites her lower lip and swishes her head about feverishly.

She must find cover. She must find somewhere to hide, somewhere she is safe. Of the entire ochard she cannot find anywhere safe. Light penetrates all corners of this place and no shadows thrive. No Nara thrives. A wall emerges into her view. The brick wall barricades the heavy pink of the sakura from spilling over into the rest of the village but fails in the end. The position of the sun and the collection of trees shows promise. She can only think of ways to conceal herself from whatever it is that she feels she must hide from at all costs. The sound of feet reach her anxious ears and she must quicken her efforts. Erihime slips into a gathering of trees, under the light shadows. An empty plot lays across from her and she tries to not think as her hands move rapaidly. The handseals are done. [Shadow Hiding] is activated.

+++

Erihime once pranced around the public park of the leaf village. It was later than the ideal time because she could not go without her brother and he was always so busy. Still the dynamic attitude of Erihime could not be swayed no matter what. The place was nearly empty of the children who ran wild a short time ago. There was a number of things that Erihime wanted to do with this day. Meet some new kids, play ninja with them, swing on the equipment, enjoy herself like any other child.

Still she did none of that. Instead the girl stood silent and still in the middle of the playground. She could feel the sun kissing her paper colored skin affectionate and warming her. She could feel the scented breeze kicking up her dress and expossing her pre-pubescent thighs. She closed her eyes and allowed her senses to be swept by this beautiful day. Her hand ran though her curtain of pitch black hair and looked back at her brother and smiled a whole and bright smile. He smiled back but took a few paces back to allowe his beloved sister some room to roam free. He kept an eye on her yet feigned preoccupation by examining his sickle. She smiled as she realised what he was doing.

A dark eye caught the sight of another person in the area. There were others. Little boys and girls and their parents but her shadowy gaze caught him. What was it about the boy that drew her attention. His enthusiasm for a simple cherry blossom? His pink eyes? His plain detachment from the raucus filling the world. Whatever it was she focused on this boy and smiled. She hoped dearly that he would notice her too, for some reason her soul ached to know him. . .

[Trurouno]

Ruadhri followed quietly, ears attuned to the gentle movements of the girl ahead of him. As he came closer the sound suddenly seemed to fade and die, as if the girl had just vanished. By the time he had arrived at her prospective location she was nowhere to be seen. Looking down on him was the wall at the edge of the orchard and for a second he questioned whether she really just had jumped right over it. He spent so long looking at the wall he forgot to check the ground, perhaps then he might have noticed the slight pressure put on a few of the petals. Instead he had already thrown the girl into mystery, he was already questioning whether he had even seen her. Sighing loudly the boy relaxed into a sad little smile. "I'm not that terrifying am I?" he questioned, half joking as he turned and began to focus on the three clear patches of earth. Falling to one knee he placed down the flower pot and the watering can before removing a glove and touching his fingers against the dirt. It still felt fresh, the seeds would be more than happy.

Taking one of the seeds in his hand Ruadhri reached into his pocket and pulled out the trowel before digging it into the dirt. Replacing the glove on his hand Ruadhri took a hold of the seed before carefully placing it in the shallow hole he had made. Tucking it in a bit deeper with a finger he began to replace the dirt over the top of it before flatting it out with a few carefully placed pats. Kneeling there working on the little mound he felt perfectly in place, it was like he was born for this moment. He felt all the joy of a teacher on their first day. In many ways this was the seed’s opening ceremony and it was his job to make sure they grew up big and strong. Patting down the mound once more Ruadhri beamed brightly as he looked at the patch before glancing over at the next. "One down" he said aloud. "Onto the next!" he added with a big smile, perhaps speaking a bit louder than was ever necessary while holding a trowel.
-------- Ruadhri's glittering eyes began to focus on the tree above him, beams of light refracting and changing under his gaze. It was beautiful but a sight he had never chosen to have and one he had never known how to control. He knew it wasn't something the other children saw, it something that couldn't even be shared by his grandmother. He had met another boy who had looked at light the same way he had once, but even he had just ended up being called off by his parents. Their glittering eyes had looked at Ruadhri with acceptance, but not like they did to their son. Ruadhri had never really had that feeling, even the other kids only looked at him as a prospective play thing. His grandmother had told him not to think like that but more and more it just seemed like the only thing he could accept were the trees. They relied on the rays of light just like he relied on food, perhaps they were some of the only people who understood the refractions and light the way he did. Perhaps they were the only ones who could do so while still hanging over and protecting him.

The boy sighed slightly, glancing back down at the shaded petals in his palm before taking another look back over the park. Suddenly he caught sight of one particular shining figure. The pink tinged light washing over her as she stood in its rays, the light flooded over her skin, her shadow becoming heavy from the blast. She seemed to accept it all and just stand there, silently apart from the distracted kids who didn't even care to look up for a moment. But something stranger happened. Looking down she caught sight of the boy with his shining eyes and she smiled. Ruadhri was stunned into silence. For a second he was convinced he had fallen in love at first sight, but he was just a kid after all.

[C.J,]

Erihime sits in the shadows silently. Her clothe sufficated hands grips her slender shoulders aggressively. She knows that her genjutsu should work, so long as he saw her shadows she should be invisible. Still she knows that the powerful sun is bearing down at her. She knows that cracks in the canopy above her shines rays and weakens her defenses. She tightens her grip on herself and holds her breath.

Her genjutsu has been used for years now. She knows its short comings and how to work with it but cannot give her full trust in it. She cannot give her full trust in anything. Everything in her life seems to betray her at the last moments, even her own thoughts.

Still she looks forwards curiously as the pink boy gets to work planting his seeds. Despite her years inside she still knows the basics of plant care and botany. She after all is a Nara and an heir to an infinite land of trees so vast that it creates a world of shadows. Still the girl is mystifed. She could not discribe why but she could not take her pitch black eyes off of it - no it is not the act of planting but the planter. She felt this unexplainable bond that she felt with this person. Like a silent call or a subtle omen. Without noticing she seemed to have dug her teeth into her bottom lip. Fresh blood seeps out of her soft lips. Pale red transforms into a vibrant blood red as the warm blood drop slowly rolls down her chin. Quickly she releases her shoulder and wipes the blood off of her face.

He is on the move. . .

+++

It was a bit late now. The little Erihime spent a great deal of time standing in the sunlight. She could feel the heat building as her skin soaked up the sunrays. There was already little time left. She only had a small window. Despite her parents being away today her brother also promised to teach her his secret shadow genjutsu. After all she would be joining the academy soon. Still she could not leave it like that so she bent over and began to trace her finger through the sand. With a soft smile she admired her work and stared back at this pink boy once more. Maybe one day they would meet again and they could communicate in face to face. Being indecisive is one of the girl's character faults but one day she would be better.

In the sand simply read, 'hello I am Erihime and one day I will know you.'

[Trurouno]

The slight rustle of the leaves caught Ruadhri's attention just as he placed the final seed into place. Pouring a little bit of water onto the mound he glanced down and smiled brightly before glancing up at the sun. The pink hued light escaped across the mounds and for a moment Ruadhri felt certain he would live to see these seeds grow up into their own trees and produce their own seeds. Placing down the trowel and watering can Ruadhri pulled himself back to his feet and took a few steps before leaning down and glaring at the mounds carefully. They seemed to be getting enough light, but with the wall so close they could be cut off early in the morning. That could be a problem and annoyingly there wasn't much he could do about it. Sure he could try and 'carefully' make an incision into the wall, that way he could get some more light, but he doubted the neighbour would be all too happy about that. Ruadhri's immediate neighbour was a small nursery, one he knew pretty well, but that wouldn't be a good enough excuse to make a hole in their playground wall.

In fact that brought a question to Ruadhri's mind. If the girl really had scampered over the wall then someone had probably noticed her. Still, when she had ran he hadn't heard much of anything. Either the kids were all inside and the teachers blinded or she hadn't gone over there at all. Of course there was always the chance she had managed to avoid them, Ruadhri hadn't missed the headband, but it still bugged him. Walking up to the wall he looked up at it, as if trying to find a clue as he looked over the shadows of the cherry blossoms directly above.

The longer he thought about her the more she bugged him. He felt like he was missing something more than just her location, as if that shroud of hair asked questions he was meant to know the answer to. But after a while he had to give in, there were other things to do with his day after all. Stretching with a loud groan Ruadhri turned as he made his way back towards the three patches of earth. With another smile he patted his hands against them once more before stripping off his gloves, collecting up his supplies and making his way back to the house. The sun was high in the sky and he was getting hungry. If he had to guess it was probably just the start of a rather hot afternoon.
-------- Dreams were frail in children and as Ruadhri watched the girl he grew more and more silent as he edged closer and closer to the tree. Leaning against its bark he felt like a small child hiding behind his mother's leg. He was shy, worried, but there was a smile on his face. The simple refractions kept on, the pale of her skin shining with a pink hue as he watched. She stayed there awhile and eventually Ruadhri looked away. His mind became constrained by other thoughts, questions long ahead of him. How he would ask her out, how he would ask her to marry him, where would it be? Just the dreams of a kid but ones he entertained none the less. When Ruadhri looked up the girl was drawing in the dirt, whatever that meant. She looked up at him, clear in the eyes before turning and leaving. Heart beating loudly he watched her go, waiting for her to fade in the distance before hesitantly moving forwards from behind the trunk of the tree.

Looking down the boy felt his heart beat even louder, as if it was ready to blow with just a snap of his fingers. She had spoken to him and reached out even if they had never had to be face to face. The message was rough, which was only to be expected but it made Ruadhri smile brightly. Sitting down slowly in front of the note he fell back and looked up at the sun. Shutting his eyes he began to laugh and for a second the sound of his voice was lost alongside the laughing and screaming of the rest of the kids. She was called Erihime, he wouldn’t forget that name.

[C.J,]

Erihime holds her breath as he moves. His back it turned to her while he observes the near brick wall. She realised that she can escape - this is her opening but she stays more still. Her breathing becomes so silent that she his craving air. Her body wants to gasp, she wants to move now. Still she cant bring herself to. Instead of running or even breathing she stares at this youth. There is something about this particular existance that she cannot stop dwelling on. What is he? Why is he? Who is he? Questions torment Erihime's mind and blurs even her base cowardly instincts. Something about this youth drew her, as if his mere being did nothing but jab her and her senses. Something familiar drew her to him, and something primal made her desire his acknowledgement. Still she remains in her hiding spot and only watches him.

Every mannerism, every movement, even the way he spoke Erihime observed and became aware of. She often did this. Sit in the shadows and observed others - it was in a weak attempt to learn what is was that made her so different from everyone else. She wanted to find out what gave them the right to happiness that she was missing. . .

Memories blurred in her mind. She is chocking on them, she cannot breath anymore, she cannot sustain her life in this way. Colors: pink, yellow swim in her mind creating images that she should know. Each image invokes some sort of emotion within this girl. Anger is dragged out of her, sorrow boils up, love creeps up on her from some unknown place. Walking home hand in hand with her brother. Her home shrouded in monocolored gloom. Soon tears swell with Erihime's eyes like that time.

+++

A classroom. Wooden walls were decorated with charts and illistration on various topics: jutsu formation, anatomy. Long wooden desks create rows to fill up this room. A single desk sat at the front staring back at the others, creating an authority for whoever sat there. Children filled the seats and sat in front of the desks. A class was in session and the teacher walked between rows and delievered the graded written exams. A paper fell into place in front of one girl's seat. Tears stream down her face but no one else can see because her teary eyes are blocked by a curtain of fine black. Her lips were straight and her back was arched creating a pitiful posture. A single glance is spared for the paper and she sees a perfect score of 100 yet nothing builded up within her. Most would expect happiness or even excitement at a perfect score but Erihime cannot do that.

The class was dismissed and she walks out last amongst the last. Her teacher does not spare her an extra glance. He knows that she is troubled but cannot think of a way to reach her. She has never opened to him, or anyone else since Shikazu left. Her trip outside brought her to the courtyard like all the rest. Quickly she tried to make it out away from everyone else but failed. Two girls intercepted her. Erihime did not look up, only stare down at their feet as if bowing. Terror froze her yet they seemed happy. The two advanced very close to the girl, even rested against her trembling form. One whispers into her ears, "I heard Katoka wants to see you." Erihime did not answer but stand still. Two hands grasp her firmly and pulls her away forcefully. She cannot stop them - she is too terrified.

+++

Erihime's eyes open again, she does not remember closing them. The boy is gone and the mound is properly set so that the plant could grow. Is he finished? The girl bursts into movement and gets to ger feet. Her dark gaze scans for him. Anxiety builds and so does sadness, but why? She is now free, she should be able to go back home but she does not want to. Her legs go into a frenzy of movement and she jogs through the land. Her lungs burn and her muscles cry out at the unfear treatment but she ignores. Erihime finds his form disappearing further towards the house. She stops in her tracks. Why did she want him so badly. . ?

[Trurouno]

Ruadhri walked lazily through the orchard as he began to make his way back towards the house. The wind was sending a relaxing breeze through the leaves but against the sun beating down on the back of his neck it didn't do much good. Pausing for a second he readjusted his tools, each still carefully clasped in his hands before he returned to his steady progress towards the house. He half expected to see the little black shroud of hair waiting for him. He felt she was familiar somehow but he couldn't remember why. It was bugging him. It made him feel lonely somewhat, as if the thoughts she were bringing back were ones from before the halls of the house had been so quiet. The wind made another dull attempt at the heat before Ruadhri escaped below the shade of the rooftop. Flicking his shoes off he made his way into the kitchen, over the creaking plankes, past the white tree and flicking the kettle on he began to collect up his things. He had a few sandwiches lying around somewhere, they would fill the spot. Clanking and clattering he searched through the cabinets, the dull thud of a saucepan echoing through the room as he dropped it.
-------- The dull thud of a seat echoed through the classroom as it screeched against the floor. He was losing his focus, his mind was somewhere else and now that he looked up he could see the other kids were already leaving the classroom. "Oy Ruad" a boy yelled as he jumped in front of Ruadhri's desk. "Do alright?" he asked, cheeky smile over his face as he clutched his test paper in his hands. Ruadhri looked startled for a second before looking down at the paper, 97. "Whoo" his friend whistled with a chuckle. "Fair play" he chuckled, indicating he had a 83. "Though, I think the only person who would keep up with you would be. . ." swinging round the boy went to indicate at the chair in front of Ruadhri's, but stopped. There was no one there, Erihime was already gone. "Damn, where does that girl always go. Now she's just making me look bad!" the kid said angrily, not that he really cared. "She's outside" Ruadhri said simply. Pulling himself to his feet he rushed out of the room, he was just in time to catch the girl in the distance, arm in arm with her 'friends'. "Oy Ruad" the boy's friend called after him as the young Shinobi rushed down the hall. "You forgot your paper. . ."

Swinging over the banister Ruadhri stalked behind the group of three, the practical uses of training it seemed. The shroud of hair didn't mean much to him, they hadn't spoken once, but those girls. They had built up a bit of a reputation in the first year, the 'minions' of the 'Golden Empress' of their year. It didn't bode well but as Ruadhri crept after the girls he kept a constant eye on Erihime. Yeah, they had never spoken but that name. . . He was still young, distant memories were still close and that name was something he couldn't forget. But even then, maybe some people had missed it, but there was only so much he could ignore one seat away. Ruadhri wasn't the sort to just dismiss the tears of a girl, no matter how quiet she was. He would probably get yelled at for all this, though it would be even worse if he just walked away. How could he face the cherry blossoms like that?

[C.J,]

The sky was once a dull gray. The stage was set for an ordinary autumn rain yet the sun cried out to be ackowledged by the people below. Dull rays of golden light fell on the three yet Erihime could not see it. The darkness she made home in shrouded her and prevented the simpliest particles of light to touch her. That shroud 'protected' her. Prevented people and even friends from coming anywhere near her. Only Erihime and her shadow could embrace one another but on some occasions even the brightest of people could attain a darkness that could penetrate Erihime's defences.

These girls; Meko, and Hinama tugged at her arms relentlessly. They were often around and generated an aura of popularity. No, they feed off of an aura of popularity. Leeches that did anything to remain within their circle and minions to a certain girl. Erihime could not stop them. She was too weak, too timid to resist them and their dark intentions. Soon enough that came to a certain area of the school grounds. Beneath an old tree that had never bore fruit before but provided shade for those that made headquarters there. Under the foliage was a single girl. Her blonde curls and sky blue eyes made her very impressionable. Her soft lovely skin and curvy form made her the most desired girl in the entire school. Womanly and elegant gave her the distinctive right to popularity. A goddess amongst the other girls and an empress who lorded over all inhabitants near this place, even people older than her could not refuse her cammands.

Katoka Kenku, the Golden Empress of the leaf stood before Erihime. . .

+ + +

The girl stands in the midst of brightly shining greens and beautiful pinks. She is like a reaper bond to a world of living beauty. Her breathing remains rapid and anxiety will not leave her be. The view of the house is within her grasp but she does not walk toward it, instead she stands behind a thick trunk of a cherry blossom tree. Her black cotton hands rest timidly against the tree's bark. Even centimeters away from the simplest forms of nature and yet Erihime is detached. She has forgotten the texture of trees and the feeling of human warmth yet she will not let anything in. Still the need to know this creature exists.

A long forgotten desire creates an obsession for her to know this creature. The distance between them serves as a shield to protect Erihime but for once in her life she wants to escape from behind this shield. She wants to let down the barriers that defends her heart but after so much she has suffered she has lost the key to that lock that binds her.

+++

Majestic and elegant steps brought Katoka closer. As if she was carried by a divine cloud she walked in front of Erihime. A timid step back creates the dark girl's preferred distance from the world but the Empress cannot let her jester escape her. With a lioness' agility she pounced closer to Erihime than before. The Nara cannot escape anymore, the two minions blocked her exit and forced her to stand in Katoka's gaze. Swiftly the Empress' hand comes up and caressed Erihime's face. She frowns and creates great goddess' sneer. Katoka realises how supple and flawless Erihime's pale alabaster skin is. Enough to rival her depite or bronzen tan. Erihime is a clear threat to her and that cannot exist.

"Erihime darling, do you know why I want you?" Her high and refined voice whispered into Erihime's ear. . .

[Trurouno]

The dull hum of the kettle competed against the soft sound of the wind fluttering into the kitchen from outside. Sitting there, waiting, Ruadhri glanced out of his window. Sat in front of him was a small pile of sandwiches, each still chilled from their continued visit to the fridge. There were other options, things elaborate and probably a lot more tasty but Ruadhri felt slow today. In the back of his mind that swathe of black was still gnawing away like a killer beetle. So instead of frying, or boiling or grilling he just sat there, waiting for his tea. His eyes fell upon the white tree at the centre of the garden. More memories to distract him it seemed, but instead softly smiling as he heard the water come to a boil he began to unwrap the cling film around his crusty sandwiches. He would have to make another round of the orchard later, that was what his days were becoming, but then after that perhaps he could lock himself away and do some reading? The possibilities seemed endless, but did he for a second catch a glance of black?
-------- Ruadhri moved silently as he crept after the three. He didn't hear much from them but when he reached the back of the building he noticed them stop and settled himself behind a wall before crouching low and listening carefully to each of their voices. Erihime didn't say a word, no change there but the harsh words of a new entrant cut through the silence of the summer's day. Ruadhri recognized it and stood even more carefully as he remembered the girl's identity. Breathing in softly he raised himself to his feet before carefully glancing around for a second. His worries were confirmed and sitting there in front of him was the golden empress, as she liked to be called. Some of the other boy's had already fallen into her spider web off immature romance but not him. Spiders were an enemy to him, a blight on his cleaning schedule, and he knew a spider when he saw one.

Suddenly seeing Katoka sweep closer Ruadhri went to move. Stood there in the woman's firm hand was his quivering class mate. He didn't want to hear her cry again. Separating himself from the wall, closing himself to the rest of the world Ruadhri stepped forward and into the line of sight of his opponents. "Stop it Kenku" he demanded, stepping closer as he dared not take his eyes away from hers.

[C.J,]

((Okai for the record despite the typoes i enjoy messing with eri, and you're a sick person for encouraging me ru!))

Erihime grips the bark of the tree she is hidding behind tightly. With these cottony hands of her's she cannot maintain hold on them. Her hands slip off and she simply gazes at the tree. She feels this heaviness in her being, as she know that this tree has rejected her. Simply because of her impersonal interraction she is not allowed to hold it and find any sort of sturdiness in it. A soft familiar frown finds her but she does not dwell on the lone tree. Instead she lifts her gaze timidly. The house ahead of her gives her a desired sight. Through the window she spies upon him, catching his every feature as he is unaware of her spying. He moves slowly, and lacks the vigor he had when planting seeds. It is a curious revelation and Erihime makes haste to make a note of it in her mind.

+++

Her chest rose and fell rapidly. She felt the soft yet firm grip of the Empress' hand. She felt the warm and supple body of this golden monster resting against her frail frame. Erihime wanted to cry out, she desired the courage to push her away and run as far and fast and possible yet nothing happened. Indecisiveness was apart of the girl's nature and even now she could not shake the habbit. Damn her and her weaknesses. Soft wimpers could have been heard from the black clad girl but the Empress ignored them. No, she savoured them and enjoyed the power she could flex over weak little Erihime.

"I wanted you here so I could kill you, my darling Erihime."

The girl's dark pupils dilated with fear as she finally attempted to wrench her body away but even an attempt held no power. She was better off without resistance, as now the tyrant held a firmer grip and came even closer to Erihime as she trembled. A small devilish smile crept across the tyrant's face but could not be maintained as a voice broke through the desperate scene.

An order? Someone deared to cammand the Empress and Goddess of this school. Blue eyes caught pink and her monsterous gaze found a new plaything. Not long after a smile crept along the Empress' face in a truely startling turn of events.

"Oh, you want me to stop? What exactly? Playing with my friend Erihime?," she spoke sweetly and innocently. "Watch, she likes it, why else is she remaining so still and so quiet? Hmm, now why don't you disappear Awai!?"

+++

Erihime closes her eyes for a second before opening them again. She remembers something. Pink, a beautiful pink but more than that a powerful and courageous being behind that color. Such vague ideas and even more unsure thoughts swim and overtake Erihime's mind. With that revelation comes various other colors; gold and supple skin-esque colors. Why is that?!

Anger boils within the girl and before long she loses balance. All of these things exerted too much on the frail girl and she tumbles to the soft green grass. For a second fear builds up within the girl as she came to the realization; she is exposed.

[Trurouno]

Lazily pouring the water into a cup Ruadhri let another small sigh pass his lips before he set down the kettle. Sad little smile on his face he glanced out at the white tree. The weather was still hot and there was just enough of a breeze that it wasn't too unpleasant. Picking up his cup and plate he drifted over to the open door before looking out and carefully raising one of the sandwiches. Standing there, nibbling away at the edge of the bread he grew silent. Now there was just the soft sound of the wind all over again. It felt lonely, empty. Long lines of cherry blossoms looked back at him, seeming to reflect his ambivalence as he raised his cup to his lips. But then there was a thud and suddenly, sat barely twenty paces away was the black mop of hair that had so promptly ran out on him before. He was at a loss for words, in fact the moment he noticed her was the moment a slightly crusty sandwiched slipped from his hand and splattered over his carefully cleaned floor. It took everything Ruadhri had not to drop the cup.

Quickly moving to place down the cup and plate he ran out into the garden, hopping on to the grass before stopping suddenly. "Stop! Don't worry" he began nervously, trying to sound sincere enough that he wouldn't scare her off all over again. Legs apart, arms outstretched, he looked like he was trying to approach a lion. Edging forwards he came within five paces before softly falling to one knee and trying to catch her eye. "Don't run off again, you don't have any reason to be worried about me" he said forcefully, just careful enough that he hoped he wasn't too pushy. Looking at her through his pink hued gaze he couldn't tell much but there was still a nagging feeling they had met. "My name is Awai Ruadhri" he explained slowly, like to a child. "I live here alone. You won't have to worry about anyone else, it's just me" he continued, trying desperately to put her at ease. Of course, it didn't mean a thing if she was scared of him.

The smile had left his face, even if just for a moment. Instead he tried to look as sincere as possible, perhaps even bordering on scared. Maybe that was the closest description to what he was feeling right then. Yes he was happy to see here, even if curious as to how long she had been there, but seeing her run off again would be the death of him. That nagging voice in his head wanted to speak to her, even if he didn't get any answers. To him she looked like a fallen petal or a lost dog and every cell in his body told him to do something. He hadn't felt like that in years, but he had once. . .
-------- The spider seemed to be wrapping Erihime up in the very centre of her web, somewhere she would never get away from. All the bugs could stay that way, each with their own drama and their problems and Ruadhri wouldn't care. Those people could fend for themselves, they didn't need help. But that girl, shivering under her touch, needed his help even if she didn't want it. There was a fire burning in Ruadhri right then, youthful or not, and it needed to take action. Maybe he still didn't know what side he was on, maybe he hadn't quite decided on that yet. But his grandma had always told him to do the right thing and his gut was telling him to act. His pink gaze cut into the golden empress like an arrow against a wicker wall as he took a confident step forward.

"She's not still at all" he spat out, voice burning with all the passion he was forcing into it. He was still young, maybe if he was older he would have learnt to speak, smile and work his way out of whatever problems he had. Maybe he could have been the perfect image of benevolence, but he wasn't there quite yet. Instead he breathed in softly and placed his hands together in front of him. "You're right, I'm an Awai even if I’m not as keen as the rest of my peers with their techniques" he explained. "No, not dangerous enough for me" he smiled. "Kenku, you may feel confident to play with your 'friend' hidden back here but if I activate this technique half the school will come running. The last time it just burnt down a tree, one just like that, and after I shut it off instantly. For you, I don't think I’d be so generous" he chuckled.

Maybe just maybe she wouldn't notice his knees were shaking. These words, the sort he was proud to say he was stealing from a manga, weren’t the sort that just sprung to mind. In fact, he was struggling more than he had ever expected, but there was no reason she had to know that. Sure, maybe this little lie of a personality was a ruse but there was one thing Ruadhri wasn't lying about. His hands settled into their seals were no lie and the last time had had used this technique a tree had burnt. The white bark was meant to be a warning and yet here he was throwing around the mistake like it was some sort of ridiculous threat? What was he thinking, but looking at Erihime he knew he couldn't stop. He was gambling yes but all his passion had to go somewhere, and maybe just maybe the uncontrollable flames could do some good for once and burn away her tears.

[C.J,]

She hyperventilates and her heartrate accelerates. The sheer thought of exposure is enough to make Erihime uncomfortable but actually being defenseless is utterly terrifying. She grasps at the green blades ahead of her. With a tear and soft groans the grass is uprooted from the ground and there is nothing aiding Erihime. She feels forsaken, even the great balance provided by nature she cannot attain. Why?


His voice breaks through the air and her anxiety only builds. She tries to raise her body off of the ground but cannot. His footsteps become nearer and nearer and she could feel his presence at her core, swooping down on helpless prey. He is right on top of her in no time. This is to show the difference between her and a superior being, while she cannot even manage to stand he covers distance with ease. Her instincts kick into high gear, as all she can think of is 'run!' Throughout her life she had to face all sorts of monsters and in each instance if she had just ran she would be in a much better position. However it is already too late, and her muscles freeze. She can no longer get up and instead simply submits.

"please don't!" She wimpers and pathetically hold onto her face.

+++

He was going to burn away her sadness?

What a ridiculous plan and the Empress could only stare with a condescending smile. She fears no mere boy, not when she had an army of adoring minions to call upon. She did not care whether he was speaking truthfully or just weaving some sort of scare tactic. It did not frighten the high and mighty. Frankly she just thought him a fool.

The Empress let go of Erihime and took a step away. Her beautiful blue eyes examined him. Being an Awai meant that he had access to quite a few tricks. On top of that he had a natural glow and handsom face that would make him a catch - that is if he would not dwell on insects like Erihime. Katoka smiled like a lioness serveying her next meal. "Very nice of you to stick up for my little Eri," she sneered while giving Erihime a pet name.

Erihime shuttered at the name. This whole time she just stood there trembling, she did not even take a good look at her rescuer. He was courageous, that alone meant that he should not waste his time on someone like Erihime. A weakling with no hope for herself, and she wanted to say it out loud. She wanted to tell him to run, and save himself but the sound never even escaped her throat. Instead she looked up at the Empress with watery eyes and a pleading look on her face. She wanted no one else to be hurt and she wanted more than anything to have her own courage to rely on. The Empress glanced at her and immediately Erihime was intimidated and looked back to her feet. She even stopped trembling for a second - that was how afraid she was. He was a fool for trying to help her.

"I'm sure that tree of yours is very sorry for getting in your way, we're a bit different." She spoke to indicate her minions who faded into the background but did not fail to be patronizing. It was three against one. Hell they could have the entire senior year attack this nuissance at any time that wanted. That was the power of popularity. However a goddess never concerned herself with skrimishes of mortals, and she preferred to do things a bit differently. "You want to help her?" She said it while indicating to Erihime with her eyes. "I don't see why, when you could have me instead, hero. After all, no matter how many times you save garbage." She paused for a second then lifted a swift left hand and shot it at Erihime in the form of a burning hot slap.

WEEEP resounded throughout the grounds as the girl silently feel to the earth. In a black heep she crumpled and began to sob. Erihime clenched her hot face and curled up beneath the Empress' gaze. She did not dare say anything, nor even cry out in pain. This was not the first time this happened and it would never be the last.

"-its still garbage at the end," she spat while looking down at the girl and even the fired up Awai."

[Trurouno]

She seemed to fall apart in front of him as Ruadhri watched silently. He didn't know why she had ran away and he didn’t know why she had come back, but something told him this was a meeting that was meant to happen. She was pitiful, truly hopeless, and every cell in his body wanted to help her, as if it was a duty he must perform. He wanted to show the girl she could trust him through action, but how could you convince someone that couldn't move you weren't threatening by jumping around? She was trapped there, her knees weak and her muscles just the same. She couldn't move and so, leaning closer and placing his hands on her arms Ruadhri stopped moving as well. "I won't hurt you" he said softly. His touch had only the slightest pressure behind it. Perhaps, if he wanted, he could grab her and take her away right then. His grip was in the right place, all it would take was a little more pressure. But that was why it was so important that his touch was soft. He could have done it, yet he didn't just like she could have run away. "I promise I won't" he said, looking at her very carefully. For once Ruadhri did away with his little smile, he chose to be bland, just like the girl seemed to be. He didn't want to scare her, he dared not push anything too far so just sitting there, arms outstretched he kept on trying to stare into her dark eyes. "You can trust me."

"I. . . I was worried you might have ran away" he admitted hesitantly. "Thank you for coming back."
-------- This girl called his bluff and for a moment Ruadhri didn't know what to do. She had looked him in the eye and kept on going. Was there nothing he could do then, did he have no choice but to just stand there and watch? He felt hopeless, there was no way he could just attack her after all. In fact, now that she kept on speaking he couldn't help but feel more and more hesitant. Every word sounded like nails on a chalkboard and every word drew just a little more blood as Raudhri's tooth dug into his lip. She was calling up his challenge and proving herself as the spider that she was. But, that was all before she slapped Erihime. . . The sound echoed at the back of the building, digging into Ruadhri's mind and pulling all his cruellest emotions out of him. He knew right then he had to do something and, as the girl stepped forwards and smiled confidently, Ruadhri felt his chakra burn and his fists clench. He couldn’t just stand and watch anymore, if she called him a hero then he would act like a hero.

"Don't touch her" he growled through gritted teeth. "I don't want you, I couldn't stand to be close to you. Just leave her alone and go. . ." Ruadhri knew the girl wouldn't agree but, more than that, he wasn't sure he wanted her to. There was a lion inside him, a ferocious beast growling for her blood and he wasn't sure he could stop it. Chakra formed in his hands as his fingers worked themselves into seals. The flames tangled themselves with the thunder and turned a bright pink as the first petals began to melt from Ruadhri's fist. Soft and gentle, swaying in the wind the chakra fell and vanished across the grass but that was only the start. Awai Ruadhri burst to life as his chakra exploded from his fists. Pink flames consumed his arms, burning away his clothes as he brought his hands to his side. The pink light grew larger by the second, quivering and unstable in its infancy as it lashed out at anything around it. Ruadhri's clothes became black and charred, his tender skin growing red and burned the longer he held onto the jutsu. "GET AWAY FROM HER!" he screamed as he tightened his fists and moved to attack.

[C.J,]

"What is this. . ? Warmth? Erihime thinks as she still kneels against the soft grass.

Hands hold against her shoulders but her eyes remain close. Her fears demand that she hide, even in a situation where there is no where else she reverts to the most safe place - her own mind. She tries to block out all of existance. Maybe that way even when she is hurt it will be like a dream, every dream where she wakes in the middle of the night screaming and crying only to realize the worst is not over. Her breathes are shallow as she forces herself to remain as calm as possible, then she soon forgets to breathe at all.

This presence is not gone, and does not seem to be leaving anytime soon. All she wants is for him to do whatever he is going to do to her and let her go yet he doesn't. Without oxygen she feels light headed and weaker than usual. She can no longer attempt to block him out and an involuntary gasp breaks over her. Everything before was slower, darker, colder but now it changes. Warmth washes over her - not from the sun but this presence and his touch. Her mind begins to race, but not to its usual cowardly defenses but to memories that she once lost over time. She had begun to recall these missing thoughts and emotions and experiences but quickly lost her grip. However he was some sort of catalyst that drew out every one and forced them upon her

A silent afternoon. The falling of pink blossoms as bright and airy as the rays of light itself. A ferocious heat; one that consumed everything in its path with no remorse. A single goal and a single primal desire.

+++

Heat stole over the girl. In her shroud of blackness a soft pink broke through and enveloped her and everyone near. Through her slightly opened eyeslids she saw a simple glow of pink, but she did not dare to take a look beyond her black curtains. Her fists were clenched and squeezed the lively grass in terror.

The tyrannical Empress is stunned. She has never seen this move before and did not know how to handle it. Her peerless blue eyes shook at the sight and she could only look back for support. The two girls behind her have long retreated - damn them. That was the price of popularity, with the gaining of adoring campanions many are only leeches that vanish once the blood runs cold.

Shaken out of her paralyzed state the Empress' gaze narrowed and her expression darkened. She never expected that he would still try to attack. Despite his threats her's were better and only a fool would take on a giant they could never reach. Damn him. Moreover, he denied her. Her!? Katoka Kenku was the single most desired girl of this school, hell she could quickly compare with most girls in the leaf! No one defies her and no one ever can deny her! He is worse than a fool and beyond her recovery.

She grabbed together her superior composure and stared him back directly in the eyes. An Empress could not let a simple peasant undermine her authority. "Fine!" She snapped at him in a feeble response before getting her silvery tongue back. "You are obviously garbage, just like her and you can have her if you want her so bad! However, Awai, don't believe that this is over! You will rue ever crossing me and you will rue the day that you forsaked your own life by siding with trash!" She spat rapidly and took a step back with each rushed word. Kotaka was superior in all aspects, that is except combat. With an army the beauty never needed to fight her own battles and without a need she never mastered anyway to fight. All she could do was retreat until a time came where she could cme back. With light and swift movements the blonde turned and ran straight for the pathway to the main building. She only had one choice now: making him regret his.

+++

In time Erihime did adjust to his presence here and accepted this situation for what it was. Her form still stiff but her breathing did gain a feeble immitation of normal. She kneels down and curves her back so that her gaze remains on the bright green of the grass. She opens her eyes but shrouded in her black curtain of hair she cannot see his face. Softly and slowly she nods in response to his words after such a long pause, but that is all she can manage. For some reason she does not feel threatened by him and cannot get away from him. Just as he worried she would disappear she felt the same unexplainable way.

"I'm sorry," she murmered but could not explain why. "W-what. . . Do you want to do to me?" Her feeble voice seemed loader but quickly subsided into a little whisper. Her question was as straight forward as she could manage, despite her fear of receiving an answer she still posed her question. Hopefully this way she can clear her emotions concerning this person, this Ruadhri.

[Trurouno]

Keeping his touch calm and his breathing steady Ruadhri held onto the girl and after a while she did noticeably relax. She was still shaking, clearly and unmistakably because of him but there was at least noticeable progress. After such a game of hide and seek she was always going to be hesitant. She had already wound herself into a ball, and that was enough to hope she had abandoned her plans of running off. Now she just had to accept he wasn’t going to leave just because she was scared. Maybe that's what she would have liked, but that was also why it was so necessary for him to be there. There was something wrong with her, Ruadhri wanted to help and he would do everything in his power to do so, her own wishes be damned.

Even with her curling up Ruadhri had kept his hands firmly gripped onto her shoulders. He didn't try to stop her moving but instead just edged a little bit closer as he leaned forwards. A muffled voice escaped the cracks of the girl's little world and Ruadhri loosened his grip as he sighed in relief. "I’m not gonna do a thing" he explained, trying to keep his voice soft. "I want to talk to you" he explained. Each of them had gone pretty silent at this point, both as shy as each other it seemed, but Ruadhri still couldn't help but be careful. He was terrified of scaring her off but could at least accept progress and hope that if she was starting to speak then maybe that could become their connection. Removing his hands slowly he chose to gamble on that shy little voice. They would take it one step at a time, talking would be the first step.

"Just to talk" he repeated, looking down at her carefully as he leaned in close. It really was like speaking to a small animal, especially with such a rush of hair covering her face. But her voice, her soft voice, was like some sort of guiding light to him. Gods be damned if he backed away now.
-------- He had barely taken a step before Katoka had taken the chance to run. She had thrown out a few words beforehand, of course she had, but in the end what where they but words, and what were words to Ruadhri right then? His fists in flames, the pink light fluctuating and escaping across his torso, he kept on trying to glare at the blonde, but it wasn’t easy. The flickering flames were blinding and reaching out further and further the more chakra he pumped into them. Now they reached for his skin, burning and scraping at him as they forced red marks across his flesh. Ruadhri had trouble not showing that sort of pain. But by the time the flames were beginning to bite at his skin the empress was already turning to leave. "I'm sure I will" Ruadhri called back to her through gritted teeth. He was smiling but sweat dripped down his brow and he was having trouble keeping his fingers in a fist. It took everything in him just to keep the flickering light in check but, as he stepped towards Erihime, the flames flickered and died with his final command.

The blonde empress was already gone, off to her own little kingdom to think up some gruesome revenge he was sure. But that was for him to deal with later, right then he only managed one look at the quivering Nara before he fell face first into the grass. A strong thud came alongside the sudden fall but peeking out from under his sweat covered brown Ruadhri finally got a good look at the girl. "Are you okay?" he asked with a smile. There he was lying face down with only one eye looking at her, body burned and smoking from such a burst of chakra, and he was asking whether she was ok? Maybe he was a bit more deserving of some of those stolen Shonen manga lines now. But why was it that right then, when some cool phrase would be so appropriate, he couldn’t even think of a good cool quote let alone an impressive justice filled speech. What terrible luck. . .

[C.J,]

Erihime hears his voice peircing through of vail of darkness. The familiarity rung in her ears as he told her he wanted nothing from her, that is except to talk? During some time she curled herself up into a ball to try and protect her body as much as possible. The girl's hands are wrapped around her chest and she clings to her shoulders. Her legs are tucked neatly beneath her and her head is slightly tilted up. Without her fall of black hair she would be staring straight at his chest, but she would never dare to look up into his eyes. She had no right, not with him so concerned with her as a creature of another realm.

+++

Why? Why was it that no matter where Erihime went there was always those who wanted to abuse her? There was no safe place in life and she was slowly gathering the facts. She isn't allowed to be happy. It was as if a cold hand was reaching out of the darkness she made home and was trying to bind her. She did not belong to the world of light and happiness; it would be better - for everyone - if she did not exist.

This boy was ahead of her. He was without a doubt a noble hero of light and had the right to live in the world of joy and bliss. With such right how could he approach Erihime? She was made into his damsel and he had endangered himself just to help a pitiful creature like her. Why would anyone do that? Didn't he realise that she was not worth it? In this world there was only room for those who belonged with the shining light. Beyond that there was nothing else, those that did not belong would have to suffer in the cold and morbid darkness. Erihime could embrace that fact. She could live the rest of her life in the dark shadows of the Nara forests and never cause anyone the misery she brought with her. That would be fine.

Tears began to flow down from her cheeks.

What she could not accept is that anyone else is hurt. She could never accept dragging anyone else into pain as she was the only one allowed to be a martyr. She could take all of the pain that everyone else could give her and if necessary the pain of everyone else. There was no way that she could look at this person and not feel responsible for this. The danger in facing the Empress alone, the damage he received in his attempt to fight, the social attacks that were sure to come was all of her fault and she could never forgive herself.

The flow could not stop as the tears rolled down her supple cheeks and down onto the grass. Soon sobs formed as she felt like she would choke in this sadness. Her form rolled into a tight ball as she refused to look into the eyes of this creature of light. The bright pink could never reach her and her darkness. She could not allow him to, it was just not where someone like him belonged.

"I-I'm so sorry." she coughed up meekly. She could not be sure that he heard her but she had to say something even if she was not suppose to. It would be best if they did not have contact. It would be for his own good. With that feeling she stood back up hastily and nearly fell back down. The sobs did not stop.

+++

"I-I'm so sorry." The words just escapes from her mouth. She really does not understand why she said that but it seemed to her necessary at that time. This is bad, all of the contact is bad. She knows that she could not be with this creature. A long time ago, she decided that she belonged to a different world than everyone else. No one else could live in her world and no one else could share in her pain. With building resolve she tilts her head again and moves her body all at once to a standing positition. So long as she remained here trouble would follow and harm him. She breaks away from his grasp and wants to tell him a final goodbye. However that did not come out.

+++

She stared down upon him from her distant cold world behind her shield of darkness. She could not see him but something told her to say something. A primal impulse that she could not sway.

"Please. . . Tell me. . . Y-your name?" She once asked.

[Trurouno]

Erihime hid herself in whatever little world she chose to create and tried hard to cut herself off as Ruadhri watched. She still sat close to him though, tucked in her ball against his chest and he couldn't help but hear the soft breaths of the terrified girl. When she suddenly moved he almost tipped back. He stared up in surprise, the girl still seemingly to desperately avert her gaze. He thought he should have said something in a situation like that. He felt like he should have been complementing her, as if movement itself was some achievement, but he stayed silent instead. Something inside him told him not to speak, that she had made a decision and the end all he could do was watch and wait. He sat there for a while, as the girl tried to find her confidence but eventually a shy, barely audible voice crept through the darkness. Ruadhri felt her reach out to him.

With a small smile he stood up alongside her and took a slight step back so they weren't almost touching. It wasn't that he wanted to try and get away, nothing of the sort. It was just. . . maybe he had got a little embarrassed being so close to a cute girl. "Awai Ruadhri" he said with a smile, nodding slightly as if to emphasise the introduction. "And you?" he added, offering her a hand. "What is your name?"
-------- Ruadhri fell unconscious after that, with the terrified girl quivering and swearing she would never become close to anyone ever again. It was everything he wished wouldn't happen. With all his heart and soul he had tried to save her, but in the end his heroism had only turned her further away. Should he have really been surprised? His skin burned and his muscles ached and he expected thanks? He should have predicted the worse, but he was young and stupid and the true depths of kindness were still obscure.

When Ruadhri had awoken he had been alone and since then Erihime had always been a little further out of reach. But that girl, even if she didn't have a name, had always been on his mind. She was his first attempt and his first failure. What had been young love had turned to worry and now was the fire that burned inside him to make a difference. She had locked herself away, she had told herself she couldn't be saved, but that was the very fire that now burned in the boy. He wasn't ready yet but one day he would take that step and reach out to her, when he knew he could save her. He wouldn't be ready for a long time and eventually they would leave the academy and forget each other. But one day he would stand in front of someone just like her and make a difference. In the middle of the field behind the school, underneath the frail tree he had almost burned down Ruadhri promised that. Maybe one day he would get his chance.

[C.J,]

Erihime is held in place. Form that moment that she stood up she had full intention to just run away like she had before. However the signals she sent to her legs did not make it - no they defied her. Fear crawls up her spine in the form of a suble shiver. Why was yhis happening to her? Even her own body would turn against her? No, for some reason there was a burning coming from the back of her head. A single impulse drove her to look back at this stranger. Just one look burned within her but she used all of her mental strength to resist. A conflict broke though her. A long time ago, she decided that she would create barriers between her and the rest of the world, no matter what. As a a creature of the isolated and desolent darkness, she could never let anyone else in. She swore it to herself once yet she was defying that cammand. Why?

What is it about this man that drove her every belief to the breaking point? Why was the only thing that she could ever build the resolve to do being tested now? Two years have past. Two years of running, abuse, and hiding, and supressing her pain have gone by and yet she still could retain that simple objective. For some reason from all those years something burnt up within her and was reaching a place in her soul that she could no longer ignore. For some reason an opening appeared in her cave of solitude, a narrow passage way that shone a light that she could not resist. A long time past. This whole time before she simply stood and fought the demons in her heart that seemed intent on betraying her. Even in her self destruction things could not go her way. Submitting she finally manages to look up slowly and hesitantly.

"Ru- dh. . . ri," she said silently at first barely able to get the syllabals together for this peculiar name. For some reason this name stuck within her heart somewhere and drew out another name, one that she had known before but had disappeared along with all of her misery. ". . .Awai." That time she did not repeat the name. The word came from her memories as she forced it with all of her power. Astonished she look up at this boy and slightly moved her curtain from her face. Through her dark vail she could see a familiar face. This face she could see a long time ago, but she had forgotten it, she had cast it aside to protect herself so she could never do that again. Her dark pupil became fixed on his every feature. Pink but a beautiful and powerful aura behind it. him. . .

"Nara. . . Erihime." immediately she widens her eyes and shifts her hand slightly. She wants to lift her hand to her face and cover her mouth, but the words are free now. She cannot do anything about it now so she prepares for the worst. Instead of running away she carefully braces her body for anything to come at her.

+++
"-No."

The words broke out of her before she could say anything more. That was all she could say before the impulse to run overtook her and she quickly turned and sped away. Tears fell from her cheeks and she forcefully lifted her hands to wipe away these tears. Erihime could no longer take this. The choking of her own sadness and the welling of fear in her own heart. Her eyes felt heavy and her lungs felt as if they were no longer hers to cammand. Her darkness was the only thing keeping her up, and her promise is what spurred her to do this. Not just to protect herself but to protect the others that were unfortunate enough to cross paths with her. After that boy she could not let anyone feel pain because of her. She was the only one allowed.

She stopped. Her irratic and uncontrollable breathing became the single sound in this area. Shadows grew and covered the girl and she could feel the cold creeping up and welcoming her. She was home here. He was probably back there still, basking in his light and feeling the safety that he deserved with her not around. With only that left to comfort her she fell to her knees and placed her head onto the cold brick wall hiding her in its darkness. With each escaping tear she could surpress this incident. Bury her pain, and him into her memories, maybe one day she would be strong enough to recall them. Until that day.

[Trurouno]

It had been a long time since the writing in the park. So much had changed since then, for the both of them. He had grown lonely and hopeful, she had become terrified and scared. It was so much different to the first time, back when they were still just children. But looking down at her Ruadhri knew his responsibility and took a hold of it with open arms. He knew he had to save her. He honestly believed he could, that there was nothing on heaven or earth that could keep him from his responsibility. Her name sounded like a gift from god to him, the final confirmation that she was opening up and beginning to trust him. Maybe it was just the first step towards helping her, but this was enough. If she trusted him, if she remembered his name and believed in him then maybe together they could make her happy. But. . . Ruadhri still didn't remember that they had met before. She remembered so clearly but nothing stirred for him, the memories were still just painful memories. In the end she was still a stranger, even if he was willing to devote his life to her.

She looked up at him, memories alive and fresh. She was so hopeful and the way Ruadhri looked back was just the same. He didn't need the memories like her, he didn't need to know they were linked by fate and didn't need to believe this was a meeting they were destined for. He already felt that way, even without her name. It was all his responsibility, the one he had to take on to make up for his weakness in the past. He had promised himself he would save everyone he could, all after failing to save that one girl. It didn't matter who that girl had been, not to him. What mattered was that he could make a difference, and right then his dream was to see Erhime as beautiful as she could become. Maybe then he would remember, maybe when he had made up for what had happened between the two of them in the past.

"Erihime" he smiled, thankful she had chosen to trust hime. "It's a beautiful name." All that mattered right then was the future and the difference that they could make for each other. Maybe one day it would all flood back and when that happened perhaps everything would change, but for now all he could do was help. She looked into the pink tinge of his eyes and he looked back. Back then Ruadhri had sworn he would make a difference where he could, that he would burn the world to save those that needed him. Right now he promised just the same. He would help her, he had to. . .

Taking a step back Ruadhri smiled before indicating towards the house. "Would you like to come inside" he asked. "I can get you a cup of tea if you’d like?"

[C.J,]

From that day in the academy Erihime's heart was bound by her own fears. Unwilling to let anyone else in and unwilling to change for the sake of the pink colored boy. Eventually she could forget him and everything else that tormented her every waking moment and even her dreams. If it is just pain, it could heal once left alone, the option of someone else healing that pain was long removed. She had to deal with that pain herself and even seeing that boy in class did nothing but remind her to keep that pain inside. Slowly he and it disappeared with each escaping tear. Graduation day was no milestone, only another step to greater pains.

-She could finally look into his eyes. A warmth that she has long forgotten creeps from a place that no longer existed to her. From that time in the park to each day at the academy she had this person with her. Her desire was not to simply know him - she thought it was but she could realise it now. She wanted more, she wanted him to be the one to break through her vail. His light is the only one bright enough to illuminate her heart and allow all of her being to spill out, not just the sadness or the fear. Maybe with his help she could stand on her own to feet. If relying upon his help could save her from her own desolation maybe it was worth letting one person in.

Tears swelled within her milky eyes and dripped down from her cheeks. A single drop touched her sore lip. That self inflicted pain that stung her up until now started to disappear and dissolve into something else. Joy. Her arms kept tightly wrapped around her own boy slowly slackened as she could open them again and wipe up her tears in her black sleeve. There is something different about these drops. The bitter flavour was gone, it was almost refreshing. She stares at the wet sleeve for a moment as Ruadhri's voice solidfies inside of her breaking world. His brightness alone could reach her - for now.

"Y-yes. I would like some tea," she addressed his question lightly. For that moment her eyes went back to his feet but she did not want that anymore. With her resolve to stay away from beings of light broken she made a new resolve: to refuse to be her old self anymore. She always thought that her world would never change but maybe it was time for her to force it to change and raise on her own two feet. If it is for him then that is enough for her. She looks back into his pink hued eyes and draws upon all of her remaining strength to create a coy smile. The first real smile she has been able to put on in years.

"Thank you Ruadhri-kun." She could only say in her mind.

((END! ))