A Troubled Past

Clang

Metal hitting metal sounded as a worn kunai hit the dirt, marks of overuse scraping the edges of the sharpened blade. A petite girl around the age of twelve fell ungracefully to the floor, her once clean clothes torn in some places while dirt smudged her being. Her face was a bit child-like, her large sapphire eyes like giant almonds as they stared tiredly at a wooden log mutilated with various sorts of cuts and markings. Her blonde hair was tied up neatly in a bun while small inklings of curls fell beside her ears, framing her heart-shaped face.

Shaking slightly, she stood in her spot looking at the damage she had caused. Puddles were present which she simply shrugged off, knowing she was the cause of them. Sighing, she grumbled to herself as she repeated lectures to herself. Leaving her weapons behind, Brielle walked into her quiet abode, knowing no one was home. Though it didn't bother her much, the eeriness the house projected caused the hair on her arms to stand. Many unfortunate events had happened in this place, and though it was home, sometimes she wished the walls weren't painted with hurtful memories.

With the afternoon still brimming through the heightened windows, Brielle decided to leave the dreary house. After washing up in the shower, she put on the elegant light blue summer dress her mother had bought her last year. Placing on white sandals, she pushed through the door, as she walked out into the bustling roads to behold the working class citizens of Kirigakure. As she tucked a long strand of loosely curled locks behind her ear, she portrayed her beautiful smile, one she had inherited from her mother as she gave small nods to familiar faces.

A mission. A mission from the leader of the proud leaf was the one and only reason that the man bearing nothing, but attire for the average chunnin and a sheathed katana was on his way to the village hidden in the mist. Each strong step propelled him from one sturdy limb to the next until a large gap in the flow of the trees started to occur. It was as if the forest it's self was warning the Uchiha male to turn back. Stopping short on the last tree his hand grapsed the branch allowing him a silent drop onto the line that separated the beach from the forest.

Activating his sharingan he gazed across the open water wishing that some type of device would flow by and allow him easier access to the village, but he knew that wasn't going to happen any time soon. Releasing a deep sigh Raigon bolted for the water, avoiding the fact that he knew it was shark infested, and focused chakra in his feet. Each step brought him closer to the completion of his mission and each second brought with it more worry. There were several unanswered questions that went along with this mission, but it was not his place to ask.

Closing his eyes for a moment Raigon nodded to himself and increased his pace noting that his quota needed to be filled before the falling of the sun. After an hour or so of running he came upon the general area of his mission's designation. Slowing down he jumped from rock to rock gaining altitude only to reach the top of the cliff to see a young girl. She was rather young to him atleast seeing as she was about twelve to his much more mature thirteen. Given his position and status Raigon remained much more mature than most, but in this scenario it seemed that he would win either way.

The girl seemed to be smart enough to be a ninja. The small welts upon her hand showed that she was training with Kunai and had a rather firm grip as all ninja should, but she was wearing a dress ass if her training was not the most important thing in her life. A shrug and tug brought up a showing of apathy towards the situation and a hiding of his handsome facial features. All that could be seen was his red hair and with the possible view of the other people that too was gone with his jumping onto a nearby building.

With his jump brought notice and with that notice brought a man, who obviously lived very close, kicking at Raigon's back. With a cross block this kick was blocked yet the force of it caused Raigon to head for the ground. Tossing the man down he landed upon his chest knee first with his Katana drawn to the poor soul's throat. It could not be seen, but a smug look came across Raigon's features as he decided whether or not to end the man where he lay or to see what he knew. It was all up to fate and Raigon's mood.

The serene look of the village filled Brielle with a sort of joy, knowing that she could escape her hell-like domain to a place of sincerity and beauty. She was happy to be in such a peaceful village around familiar, loving people. Though they all lived quiet and normal lives away from riches and glory, they all managed to keep one another happy, even if that meant sharing a simple smile.

Moving towards a familiar fruit stand, she greeted the old man with a smile as she picked up an apple from the mound of fruit stacked on top of one another. A sudden noise caught her attention as she turned around, her blonde hair whipping and hitting her face, settling over her shoulder. She watched as a shinobi held a katana over a man whom served as a ninja in her own village. Quickly deciding he was an enemy, she narrowed her eyes. Clutching the fruit in her hand, she pushed chakra to her hand. Pulling her arm back, she aimed the apple towards the ninja's head and threw it. Immediately after, she jumped on to the building, landing in front of him, pulling out a kunai from a pouch hidden beneath her dress. Holding it to block the throat of the ninja he was going to kill, she glared at him, her sapphire eyes burning with extreme hate and anger.

"For you to kill a shinobi of this village would most likely threaten your purpose of being here." She refused to remove her eyes from the boy's face, who, now that she examined him, looked a bit older than she. Taking in the portion of his appearance she could see, she held her breath as she thought to herself, all the while keeping her mind and body alert.

As soon as the apple flew from the blonde's hand Raigon's body reacted slicing the apple and bringing it's self to have the ip of his katana placed upward. As she landed the positioning of his Katana played a vital role in nagotiations. She landed in a position that would block the man's throat, but put her own against the very tip of his blade causing her to be at risk more than himself. Raigon shook his head slightly and moved his free hand to pull the mask down to his neck showing his mouth and the uncaring expression upon his face.

As he got a closer look at her with his sharingan he could tell that she was not the one he was here to look for, yet the blonde curls that surrounded her face interested him. The eye contact that she had maintained upon trying to save the man with the broken leg had cursed her. His red eyes swirled spinning her into a genjutsu that seemed like everything was going naturally. Everything that happened indeed had, but that was when he pulled her into the genjutsu.

In the woman's eyes he had pulled down his mask and sheathed his blade. Raigon stood taking her hand with the kunai and tossing it to the side. With a smile he leaned over giving it a light kiss. As this happened in her eyes in reality he pressed his blade softly to her throat and pulled the kunai from her hand. The same hand baring the kunai gave a fierce punch to the downed man's head knocking him out completely while continuing with the genjutsu she introduced herself.

The words flowed freely from her lips in reality as well letting him know her name. Sighing Raigon freed her from his genjutsu and pressed the blade slightly harder simultaneously. The unbreakable weapon drew a small bit of blood that seeped to the tip. The leaf ninja stood and flicked his wrist to the side making a crescent shape. He sheathed the blade quickly and spoke out to the woman there.

"You should always watch a ninja nad not his eyes. That could be the death of you some day and I am not here to kill, but to gather so don't label me as you have the rest of these...people" Raigon nearly spit out that last word although his face held that same emotional look to it. It was as if his voice was the only thing changing about him and even that held an air of regality and arrogance that never seemed to fade.

Brielle felt a sudden lightness in her head as she watched the man's eyes turn a dark red, something she had never seen before. Narrowing her eyes, she stared, enticed by his good looks and the uniqueness of his eyes. She watched as he sheathed his weapon, hearing it click as it settled in its bounds. Taking her hand, he kissed it, causing the girl to blush a dark red, as she pulled her hand away. As he asked her for her name, she mumbled it, still embarrassed while he told her his own name.

Suddenly, the world around her became foggy as she grumbled. She froze, her eyes widening as she looked to see the same katana that was once sheathed at her throat. She looked to the ninja before her, her eyes holding little as she masked her fear of him. The lack of movement of the man she was near told her he was either dead or unconscious, either way, she would need to help him. She cringed slightly as he cut her throat into a shape she could hardly picture as she held it, her own blood coming between the crack of her fingers as she tried to apply pressure to the wound. At this point, she knew it was going to scar. Shrugging off the thought, it seemed to hold little importance to her now as she looked up at the boy, his hair shining in the sun over head. She squinted to see, though his shadow blocked her eyes, allowing her to adjust to the sudden covering of light.

Listening to him, she looked down, her eyes staring at her own hands in annoyance and anger. She was more angry at herself than this boy she hardly knows. As he seethed the last word, she shot him a glare. Standing, she clenched her fists.

"Label? I've done no such thing. Don't come here and pretend that you know us, or rather, me." Her mouth formed a grim line as she looked over the boy, her eyes falling on his masked mouth, her sapphire eyes a piercing blue.

Raigon sighed as he pulled the mask free of his lips showing the entirety of his face and features. Raigon's red eyes swirled abit allowing the three dark black tomoe to settle into a new position. Looking at the kunai that he had taken from the woman a secondary sigh escaped the man's lips. No matter where he was or who he was with the truth of his nature always managed to show it's self. Flipping the kunai in his hand he pointed it towards the woman. He was offering her tool back to her in a manner that was both koy and unassuming.

For some reason he felt as if his mission came second and that a force was driving him to introduce himself formally to the woman. With a slight bow he spoke, "Hello, I am Raigon Kisuke Uchiha, leader of Konohagakure's elite Uchiha Clan, and I apologize for my harming of your village's ninja. I am here on a mission that causes no harm to anyone, but he indeed is unconscious and has a broken leg due to my blocking of his kick. If you would like we could take him somewhere to be tended to."

Raigon locked eyes with a passing hawk in the sky and set it into a genjutsu. The black hawk was on course to Konoha as a sign that the mission was a success and that the one known as Mishura had been stopped from going on his mission. Raigon had accomplished his goal as he now had nothing to go from or build upon. He rose from the bow holding the same stotic look not knowing what to change his facial expression to to match the situation at hand.

Raising a hand he rubbed the back of his neck and forced a very sincere looking smile into play as he closed both of his eyes following what he had been instructed to do in situations like these. "I do apologize for my rude entry, but your friend brought that upon himself. If at all possible I would like to act as if this small fiasco never occured and start with the last fresh greeting." Raigon knew not what her answer would be, but he slowly opened his eyes making sure that things were not going to get worse with any of the other ninja.

Brielle watched in silence, her teeth biting the inner portions of her cheeks as the boy brought down his mask. Blinking, she stared at him, making sure not to demonstrate the pang of shock as she noted how young he appeared to be. She stared at his defined features, noting they were still child-like, similar to her own baby-face. Her crystalline hues were then directed to her own kunai as he held it out to her. Hesitating, she reached out to it, watching him carefully. Grasping the handle, she took it, only lightly grazing his fingers with her own. She placed it back in her holster as she moved her arms to her chest, crossing them over one another as she watched him bow, much to her surprise.

His introduction caught her off guard as she stared at him in disbelief. For him to be so young and to be the leader of the Uchiha clan arose many questions. Biting her tongue, she remained quiet, not wanting to get into another debate with the boy before her. Sighing, she let her shoulders slouch slightly as her eyes wandered to the unconscious man laying beside them. Getting him to the hospital is top priority at this point, she figured, her eyes moving to the Uchiha in front of her.

"Yes. We should take him to a hospital." She stated, her tone monotonous as she felt a strange feeling erupt in her abdomen. Something about the boy annoyed her greatly, yet his overall appeal and strength was most admirable. That, in itself, pissed her off. His sudden smile, she noted, though forced, caused a light shade of pink to cover her high cheekbones. His apology seemed to lack emotion as she simply smiled.

"You're forgiven." She stated light heartedly. "But, to make up for this very unorthodox encounter, I suggest you stick around to make sure he is recovering properly." She finished, her sapphire eyes tinted with mischief. A gentle wind picked up her wavy blonde locks as she turned, her body kneeling before the unconscious shinobi. She checked his pulse quickly, noting it was stable, though weak. Looking over her shoulder, she called to Raigon.

"If you don't mind, could you help me lift him up?" She stated, flashing him a small, friendly smile.

A slight breeze brushed Raigon's fiery bangs across his young, but handsome features. He was now forgiven and as this conversation seemed to go to he was wanted here by this woman, but for what reason would she need him to stay around. Silently puzzling this Raigon knelled next to her noting where she hid her weapons in-case her friendly smile was not very sincere. His eyes could tale from her facial features that something had changed in her or rather her opinion about him.

A shrug came about and with that shrug came a small golden glint. Locking eyes with that small glint it went a shade of red and crawled from under the crate towards Raigon. He pet it's head slightly before picking it up and handing it to Brielle. "Tis yours now. She seems gentle enough, no?" The smile that Raigon showed this time seemed more real now as it did grow to become such. "She is a beautiful thing or atleast in my opinion of beauty she holds high standards." Looking from the snow white kitten up to the young blonde girl a small shade of red came from his cheeks.

Not knowing what was happening or why for that matter he looked away from the woman's seemingly glowing features and picked up the fallen man. Holding him over his shoulder with one hand he looked back at the woman avoiding eye contact for the first time in his life and smiled, "Are you coming or do I have to watch over him alone?" Walking forward his dark red eyes scanned the lay of the land holding it to direct memory. Coming up to the hospital he stopped as the men outside glared at him holding one of their ninja. Glancing eye to eye with each one of them he let them know to keep their low opinions to themselves.

Walking trough the sliding doors he took the man to the front desk seeing the woman reading a magazine. Leaning his head to the side a bit he shrugged and walked in the direction that her finger was pointing hoping that the woman was still behind him, but that brought up a question. Why was he doing this for her when his mission was over. Why was he avoiding looking into her cyan eyes or at her rose colored cheeks? Why did he even bother wasting thought on any of it at all?

Shaking his head once more Raigon laid the man in the bed and avoided sitting in the only chair in the room by sitting on the open window seal. His eyes could not help, but enjoy the view of all the open water and embrace the salty sea breeze that came to him. That too brought upon a question, but the sun shining in the mist village didn't deserve much thought so he gave it none. Closing his eyes he avoided everything, but the gentle sounds of nature to calm himself.

Brielle lifted her head to look at Raigon, her eyes blinking in confusion. Standing, her eyes widened as she looked at the small ball of white fluff in his hands. A smile laced itself onto her cheeks as the kitten was handed to her. Petting it's head with her index finger, she heard it squeak. A childish noise came from her throat as the cute animal caused her to double over with love and affection. Cradling it in her arms, she used her finger to pet him, it's small paws raking at her fingers, small mewls coming from his pink lips. Giggling, she looked to Raigon once more, only to see the injured shinobi on his back, the boy facing away from her. His comment was a bit cold, though she didn't seem to mind much. His cold demeanor, to her, was a shell he portrayed to hide his other thoughts. She knew this tactic well. She used it constantly.

Sighing, she followed. She was a bit absorbed with the animal in her arms to take any notice of the looks exchanged between the males. Hiding the small kitten in her arms, she quickly followed the back of the boy walking ahead of her, the wounded shinobi resting on his shoulder.

As they entered the room, Brielle stood by the door, watching as he placed the man on the bed and proceeded to walk to a window, his thoughts obviously pondering something. Taking this chance, she walked beside him, her view on the village as she took a deep breath.

"For whatever reason, this village has a peace about it that can't really be described." She stated, her voice soft and feminine as she petted the small animal. Without looking at the boy, she continued. "It beautiful in its own way. Maybe that's why it attracts only certain kinds of people..." She finished, turning her head to look at Raigon. A small smile graced her porcelain skin as a breeze picked up her golden locks, sending them over her shoulder as it silhouetted down to her lower back.

A noise caused the girl to turn as she looked to see a man in a lab coat, his eyes hidden behind his glasses as he read over a chart. After analyzing the man on the bed, he set up several IVs while wrapping his leg. After this occurred, he left with little words to share. Shrugging, Brielle looked at the still being on the bed before sitting in a chair beside him in silence.

Standing Raigon pondered what she meant by a certain type of people. Several things could come from this statement, but one of the most obvious ones was that he was one of these certain people even though he was brought here on a mission. His head tilted slightly again showing his wonder physically this time. The breeze that picked up carried his hair upward momentarily throwing read bangs back at the man standing there looking hapless. His eyes grazed her soft skin and watched the same winds carry her golden silk like hair over her shoulder.

His hand naturally moved to the back of his head to scratch out of confusion as a natural laugh escaped his lips. That same red hue came about him for no reason and that was something he didn't know a thing about and wasn't used to at all. Once and once only he closed his eyes to blink and as his eyes opened a kunai was coming for him. Instantly his hand moved to grab it before it could free it'self from the man lying there's grip, but the fact remained that he still had ever intention of killing Raigon.

If it was one thing that he had learned through all of his training and time as the leader of the Uchiha was that it was never wise to allow anyone the chance to take a second shot at you after you had let them live. Even a clansman would be killed for a crime as atrocious as this, but as Raigon's right hand moved for the hilt of his Katana he accidentally looked into the face of the girl sitting in the chair. For some reason her prescience was keeping him from doing what he knew he wanted to and should have done.

Freeing the man's hand he looked into his eyes causing him to fall into a deep genjutsu that Raigon made sure educed a long deep sleep. At that same time the hawk that he took control of flew into the room. It's talons softly gripped Raigon's wrist as it locked eyes with him relaying a message. Nodding he sent it back into the sky on patrol for anything that Raigon would, could, and should deem suspicious or deadly in any way form or fashion. Softening his hardened facial features only a bit he spoke.

"This is not something that I would do, but it was done because you are here. I am unsure as to why, but it happened. Also, what did you mean it attracts certain people....was that in reference to me?" Raigon was surprised that he had allowed such a large slip of tongue, but was not very objective towards it. Change was at times needed, but he was unsure if this small change would lead to more or if it was just his instincts naturally adjusting in the best manner to the situation. Either way it seemed to be a growing experience that he needed to become an even better ninja than he was.

A sudden movement caught the girl off guard as she looked to see the man suddenly spring upwards, his kunai drawn. Her eyes widened as a small yelp escaped from her lips, her arms protectively around the kitten in her arms. Looking towards the Uchiha, she paused and blinked, watching as he managed to block the oncoming attack. He looked conflicted as he put his katana away. Brielle gave him a stern look, before quickly softening at the sudden realization of the matter.

As he questioned her statement, the girl stood, standing less than a foot from him, her head tilted up slightly as she looked up to view his face. She watched his once hard features soften a bit, his eyes no longer hard and stern with anger and hatred. Reaching out, she made her actions slow, in order to keep him from lashing out at her. Her slender fingers moved to his forehead where she took a strand piece of his fiery hair and tucked it into place. Sending him a smile, a light giggle erupted from her throat as she spoke.

"Possibly." She answered, not fully intending to answer his question. "You won't know unless you look into it." She finished, her sapphire optics locking eyes with his own crimson ones. she quickly broke the gaze by moving past him, her shoulder skimming his own as she sighed. "Would you like to go somewhere?" She asked, "I'm not a fan of hospitals." She concluded, her gaze still on the village as she awaited a response. For whatever reason, she knew his departure would come, his loyalty to another village. Spending time with him seemed to be the only thing she wanted at the moment. Not having many friends, she enjoyed his company.

Raigon tensed slightly at the woman's hand caressing his forehead before moving to put his hair back in the correct place. It was a foreign feel, someone touching him without the intent to kill, but it was something that Raigon knew he could learn to enjoy. Calming down further he released his grip even more upon the hilt of his sword. He noticed how she playfully brushed her shoulder against his as she moved past him.

Turning and slowly walking behind her he became a slight bit confused. He wasn't sure if the same tactics as assassinations applied when getting close to someone in a casual manner, but he tried and closed the distance between them to where he was right over her shoulder. His hands felt like awkward things to him as he knew not what to do with them in accordance to being this close to her, but he just did what he felt was natural.

Wrapping his arm around her shoulder Raigon looked out avoiding the odd sensation from the red coloring his face to match his eyes. Swallowing a large lump in his throat Raigon bit his lip not knowing where to go in this place or what to do. There was something that he had in mind, but that thing was something that only he enjoyed to do and that not many others felt was right or jest. The feel of this hospital was getting to him as well though so he swept her into his arms and took a leap out of the window.

He landed with the agility of a cat smiling as the little white ball of fur showed excitement at being a part of such a fun jump that it could never survive alone. Raigon's smile shifted over to Brielle and his eyes followed and shifted to the ground as the red hue remained. Sprinting off he came upon a section that seemed to be pretty secluded and wooded. A few more minutes of running brought them deep into this Kirigakure forest and he sat her down staring into her sapphire blue eyes. "I don't know if you enjoy the forest as much as i do, but it is rather serene and I do apologize for the way we exited the hospital, but it seemed to be necessary to add excitement." He smiled still petting the small cat with one hand and looking into her eyes.

Brielle let the salt hinted breeze hit her face, a serene feeling enveloping her. Not looking towards the boy, she felt his presence behind her. She quirked a thinly shaped eyebrow as she turned her head to look over her shoulder. Noticing his hand resting on her shoulder, she blinked. Hearing the kitten meowing in her arms, she squeaked as she was lifted off the ground, much to her surprise. Looking at the boy's face, she tilted her head in confusion, noticing a fading pink on the male's cheeks. Smiling softly, she looked down towards the kitten as it tried to climb up her shirt.

A sudden gasp escaped her throat as she shut her eyes tightly, the wind blowing her hair upwards. Landing softly, she peaked one eye open, realizing they were safe on the ground. Turning her head, she giggled as the kitten mewled in excitement.

She didn't feel the need to question where they were headed, her eyes simply remained on the path the boy was sprinting in. After minutes passed, they were in a familiar forest. Being place on the ground, she eyed the kitten, noticing the boy's hands petting the animal's head gently. When he finished speaking, she lifted her head to look at him, her gaze a bit shy as she blinked, nodding slightly. Her sapphire hues were highlighted with the small amount of sun peaking through the high tree tops as they met the boy's crimson eyes.

"I love the forest." She stated, her voice just above a whisper. Smiling, she nodded in understanding as he mentioned his reasoning for jumping from the window. Giggling, she changed her position, kneeling to make sure her body underneath was not exposed. Letting the kitten from her arms, she placed it on the grass, watching as it pawed at it, all the while meowing at the odd feelings it provided. The girl gave the animal a tender look as she tilted her head.

"He's so cute, isn't he?" She asked, her head turning to look at Raigon. She tucked a strand of blonde behind her ear as she awaited his response.

Looking down at the small kitten playing in such unfamiliar things to it as grass and soft ground Raigon smiled. It was such an innocent and beautiful sight to see and made the heart open up for some reason. To think such a creature was found messing around under a shop crate in the center of the shopping center in Kirigakure. His eyes glanced about the woman and his smile became more of a carefree one to an even softer state that Raigon didn't truly know how to describe.

In all honesty in this place at this time with this woman and that kitten he didn't honestly care to try and break the thought into millions of pieces just to probe and better understand it. He simply sat in the grass next to her and toyed playfully with the kitten letting the bits of sunshine poking through dance along his handsome features and reflect from his dark red eyes. Her cyan hues seemed so lovely as they sat there, but what thoughts were these for a shinobi, even one in a relaxed setting and state as this.

Raigon shook his head slightly and spoke out to the woman, " He truly is a cute one. I am glad that we happened to find him so easily and to have him be so healthy." Something new was spurring inside of the man and it wasn't all bad or even bad at all. It just seemed that it was something that needed adjusting to and that would be adjusted to. Allowing a sigh to escape his lips Raigon smiled at the woman and allowed his title and role to leave him for just a moment so he could simply be Raigon with nothing weighing his shoulders and thoughts, but this girl and the kitten that seemed to love to nip at his fingertips.

Smiling towards the innocent fur ball she couldn't help but smile. Her eyes became gentle as she used her pointer finger to rub the kitten's back who in turn, mewled in surprise. Giggling, she shifted slightly, gaining a more comfortable position. Raigon spoke and the female looked to him, her smile still present. Nodding in agreement, she entwined her fingers, placing them on her thighs.

"Yes. He is a cute one indeed." She stated, sighing at the bliss of the moment. With little movement, she got onto her back, her body sprawled carelessly as her blonde locks formed a small halo around her head, some silhouetting and spreading behind her. Looking to the sky, she paused shortly, the silence getting to her. The want to learn more suddenly emerged as she glanced towards the boy. She still knew next to nothing about this boy, yet she trusted him as though she had known him for some time. The thought was odd, really. A girl that had experienced so much and had so much trouble finding someone to befriend and trust had been an unknown boy that was once an enemy. That truly was odd. Sitting up, she propped her body up using her arms, leaning against them for support as she looked to Raigon, her lips in a line as she looked thoughtful.

"Tell me about yourself." He request came out more like a subtle demand, though she ignored it. Eying him, she bit her bottom lip, waiting to see what he had to say.

Raigon shut his eyes and thought a bit. Thought about how for some reason this woman made him feel different and like he was more than some sword which was meant to only slay those around it. She made him feel as if there was more to life than the village he was losing connection to, but that was foreboding for he knew that there was a reason he was losing connection to the village. He feared now what the hawk had to show and that fear lined his face.

Closing his eyes Raigon could see the destruction of his village and of the people in it. Some were escaping, but none were man enough to fight it and try to win for those that they supposedly cared about. It infuiated Raigon honestly and his emotions seemed to actually start to surface. No matter how hard he tried to fight it a tear came through his tightly clenched eyes and that one tear ran for what seemed like centuries just to get to his chin and fall. To fall in the same manner that his village did to the hands of some infection.

That one tear that feel became one not of salted water, but of blood and pain. The single tear that dripped from his cheek made everything clear to him now and as he cleared his throat his eyes remained closed and the bloody tear from his left eye continued to flow. "I am the leader of a dying clan that was and slowly is being killed of by people who want our power and fear it at the same time. I have lost both my parents and twin sister to war and violence which I wanted to stop, but now I am not even there to stop it in my own village. Everyone that isn't dead will be when I am done because I can see and none of them are trying to stop this." Because of her position Brielle was close to Raigon and as he sat up they were nearly nose to now, his eyes opening to see this and allowing her to see every bit of the pain and truth in his eyes and words.

The delicate female rested her sapphire hued optics towards the male before her. Concern showed on her face as he seemed to be in deep thought. Is face became contorted with a look of hurt and anger. Tilting her head to the side, she sat upright, her hand out held, hoping to help in some way. Her eyebrows furrowed in worry as he spoke. She sat, listening to his words, her ears tingling with every syllable.

She swallowed hard when she finished. After a blink, he was before her, their faces close as a bloodied tear trailed down his cheek, staining it. His crimson eyes held emotions that she had never seen before, especially in this man before her. Blinking, her look of concern never faded. Words never made it past her lips as her hands reached out to him, touching his cheek gingerly. Her soft fingertips traced his cheekbones with a kindness that she knew nothing of. It was hard to muster words of comfort to the boy, considering she knew not of what he was experiencing. All she felt she could do now was understand. Placing her forehead to his, she sent him a caring smile, her eyes locking with his own.

"You're strong. I believe in you." She didn't feel the need to say anything more as she blinked, her eyelashes brushing against his fair skin.

The hawk showed one thing that gave Raigon the hope that there was still a chance that he needed to take in kumogakure. There was something there that he needed to get, needed to do, needed for his people, and that had to be his main priority. There was never any wish to leave this girl but in this very moment there was a spark of hope for him. There was something there that showed that his people could actually be saved.

He didn't really know what to do so all he could was kiss her soft hand that touched his cheek and reluctantly pull his face from hers. "I have to go and help them Bri. I will be back, I swear it." Standing Raigon could only keep gaze with her long enough to show his pain in having to leave, but for now he had to go and at least try to save those who he had grown to know as loved ones and who he was raised to protect. Wiping the bloody tear a feel of determination could be felt burning from him. Raigon nodded and with the formation of a seal was gone in a flicker to head for Kumogakure.

EXIT

Brielle looked to him, her eyes burning with hopeful intensity. He looked thoughtful for a second, until the squawk of a hawk brought him from his thoughts. She knew that it was time for him to take his leave. As he kissed her hand, she tried her best to smile, the look of loneliness lacing it's way to her doll-like face.

She nodded at his words, her smile slightly faltering. She stood when he stood, his eyes portraying his sadness in this abrupt departure. As he wiped thee bloody tear from his face, he nodded and left. Sighing, Brielle looked down, her hands balling into fists, her scarred knuckles white. A small mewl brought her from her angry state, tears that threatened to fall being shaken away. A small smile formed on her porcelain skin as she bent over, picking up the small kitten and holding it's gentle form in her arms. Petting it with her index finger, she kissed the top of its head. With that, she left home, hoping to one day see him again.

[Exit]