Saizo (SLBP PART 1)

Chapter Eight

Lina's P.O.V.:

"Saizo..." I whispered his name...

Saizo, who's in his ninja gear complete with his Anbu mask, didn't acknowledge me though. He just stared down my molester and in one swift movement, swiped his kunai across the magistrate's throat..

"SAIZO!" I yelled.

How could Saizo just kill him like that?!? I know that magistrate tried to feel me up but still...!

However to my surprise, the magistrate just fell onto his knees as he kneeled himself before Saizo...

"For-forgive me! P-p-please! Let me-me off!" he stammered and I stepped aside as I observed the situation before me..

From my side view I saw that there was a thin slice of red line across the magistrate's throat...

So Saizo just made a slight cut...

"Let this be a warning." Saizo said simply, receiving a whimper as the magistrate's agreement.

He then approached me and lifted me bridal style without my consent.

"H-hey! Put me down!" I whisper yelled but Saizo tightened his grip on me and jumped onto the top of the building in the alley.

"Sai-"

"Hush little lady." Saizo answered as he jumped swiftly from rooftop to rooftop.

I bit my lower lip as I decided to hold back my questions till we reach Saizo's destination..

I then realised he's heading to my house...

"You could just have told me you're sending me back home." I grumbled as he finally put me down in my backyard.

"I could set you down in front of the entrance door if you want." Saizo rebutted at me while I smacked his shoulder.

"You know my grandma will kill us both if you do that!" I scolded as I crossed my arms. "And how did you end up in that alley? Were you stalking me?"

"Well who knows?"

"Saizo! Don't play around with me!" I pouted but Saizo just cupped the right side of my face as his thumb brushed my cheek gently.

"Please don't ever give me a heart attack like that ever again..." he said simply before removing his Anbu mask.

My heart thumped faster at his gesture as I struggled to find words to answer him...

"Please take care of yourself little lady..." Saizo gave me a wry smile before wearing back his mask and disappearing into the night...

*~*

"Nee chan, Inuchiyo is here!" Yahiko called out to his elder sister.

"Alright! You sure you don't want to leave with us?" Lina asked as she wore her slippers.

"Nah it's fine! I'll be going with my other friends later on! Enjoy yourself!" Yahiko responded with a smile and Lina smiled back as she walked alongside Inuchiyo..

"I hope this spring's festival is just as good as the last one." Lina commented as she looked up to her side, giving a big smile to Inuchiyo.

"Hm... Yea..." was Inuchiyo's distant reply.

"Strange..." Lina thought to herself. "Hmm... Maybe Inuchiyo's distracted about something regarding the War Council..."

"What would you like to wish for later on? We always go to the temple to drop a coin at the offertory box..." Lina tried to make conversation with Inuchiyo.

Inuchiyo answers her but he's vague with his response. In fact he's ambiguous with her throughout the whole festival...

Lina decided not to ask him regarding his weird character for tonight as she wanted to be considerate.. Maybe he's really stressed out with work...

They went to the temple after watching the fireworks and dropped a coin each into the offertory box, clasping their hands and closing their eyes...

After that's all done, Inuchiyo walked Lina home...

"Thank you Inuchiyo... I had a wonderful time tonight as usual. Thank you for keeping your promise of always going out with me to festivals." Lina turned to smile at him.

Inuchiyo suddenly grabbed Lina's hand and pulled her into him, crushing her into a tight bear hug.

"I love you." Inuchiyo blurted in a hoarse whisper as Lina's eyes widened and her head shot up to look at him.

"Eh?"

"I've loved you ever since we were kids." Inuchiyo repeated himself. "I love you so much Lina..."

"Huh? Where is this coming from???" Lina asked, clearly bewildered as she tried to pull away from him.

"Stop Lina... Didn't you hear what I said? I said-"

"Yea-yea I know! You said you love me but I wanna know what prank you are pulling on me!" Lina huffed as she pouted in irritation. "It's not funny Inuchiyo!"

"It... It's not a prank Lina..." Inuchiyo answered quietly as he released her.

Lina's eyes widened even more as a breath hitched her throat.