When He Met Her | Prologue |

Chapter 2

Riku slowly opened the door to his home, hoping he wouldn't get noticed by his mother. He looked around to see if she was around but only found the living room empty. He sighed with relief and let you in. You walked in nervously, unprepared on how to behave in a higher-up's home.

"Looks like my mother is asleep at the moment. So, is it okay if you sleep in the living room tonight? I'll have a room for you tomorrow." Riku said as he left the living room and returned with a pillow and some blankets.

You stayed emotionless and only nodded. You were so afraid that you were being tested due to some events in the past where you actually were being tested. Riku noticed you were being tense and sighed.

"Hikairi, I may have the power to hurt you, but that doesn't mean I will. You can trust me, this isn't some test I assure you." Riku said as he approached you, looking into your blue orbs once more.

You stared back into his emerald eyes and shook your head before you got lost in his eyes. You then attempted to give Riku a smile but ended in failure as you had a scary smile on your face. Riku grew pale and sweatdropped.

"You alright, Hikairi? You had a scary face just now.."

"What do you mean? I was smiling." You blinked and tilted your head. Riku laughed and smiled at you.

"Don't worry, it was a nice attempt but let's get that intent to kill out of it first." He said while making your bed. You sighed and watched him.

"Done! I hope it's good enough for you."

"Thank you for your generosity, sir. I'll be forever at your service." You bowed to him. Riku laughed nervously, then he grabbed your shoulders and made you stand straight.

"Please, there's no need for any of that. We're friends, right?"

You stood there, continuing to question this man who was given the title second in command. You thought about what he said about friends, but you never really had a friend.

"Sorry, sir. I do not know what it feels like to have friends nor how to act in a friendly manner." Riku sighed and ruffled your hair. It caused you to have a sudden flashback of an older man smiling while ruffling your hair.

"Father..." You thought as you blushed from the comfort you were feeling.

Riku noticed you blushing and smiled softly at you. His attention drifted as he focused on your features. You looked up towards Riku and noticed him staring at you. You got nervous and was beginning to panic, so you decided to try what you do best and become serious. You already had let your emotions loose for far too long, it would be unacceptable to let all your years worth of training go to waste.

"Pardon me, Riku. But can you please remove your hand from my head." You said coldly while giving Riku a serious expression. Riku blushed out of embarrassment and slowly pulled away his hand.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." Riku said as he laughed nervously. You sighed and walked past him towards your bed.

"It's fine. Forgive me, I have a mission tomorrow so I must rest. I'll leave first thing in the morning so I won't bother you or your mother." You said as you removed your gear and placed it beside the bed.

"No, don't go!" Riku paused then scratched the back of his neck and blushed as he realized what he did. Your eyes widened in shock, you were not expecting that type of reaction. He was oddly different from the majority of ninja living in the village. To you, Riku was awkward, very friendly, and did not have the look of someone who has killed another a day in his life.

"I-I mean you don't have to leave. I already said you can stay here Hikairi." Riku said while trying to hide his face with his hair. You didn't know what to do, you felt different around this unusual person but if you rejected the offer of a higher up who knows what could happen to you.

"Alright... but I won't always be here. You out of anyone should know how my missions are like." You said while facing away from Riku. He smiled and hugged you from behind. Your eyes widened from the hug while you felt your cheeks warm up.

"What the hell... he's so touchy." You thought to yourself while letting out a hint of a smile. Riku quickly let go and laughed nervously.

"I'm sorry I forgot for a second you don't like it when people touch you."

"It's okay. Goodnight, Riku." You said while getting into your bed. Riku sighed as he walked away.

"Goodnight Hikairi." Riku says before he left the living room. You sighed in relief as soon as he closed the door to his room. You got out of bed and went outside then sat down by the door to watch the moon. You kept staring as the wind blew your hair back.

"One day, I'll find some meaning as to why I always look up to you." You sighed as you walked back inside.

~ Next morning ~

Riku slowly awoke from his sleep and stretched. He stood up and made his way towards the living room. Riku had expected you to already be gone and heading out to your mission. As soon as he got to the living room, his face turned red as he saw you still there sleeping. The morning sunlight was going through the cracks of the window and shining on your sleeping face. You looked calm and still as you slept peacefully.

"She really is beautiful..." Riku thought to himself as he kept watching you sleep while blushing. He slowly realized he was acting creepy and took a deep breath to calm himself down. Riku made his way towards you and softly shook you awake.

"Hikairi.. wake up." Riku whispered to you as your eyes slowly opened. You saw Riku smiling as the sun shined on him and thought it was a dream and closed your eyes again. Riku shook you again to wake you up.

"Hikairi, wake up. You don't wanna be late for your mission today." Riku said a bit louder so you'd hear him. Your eyes opened immediately as soon as you realized you weren't sleeping. You looked back at Riku and noticed he was really close to you. Your face turned red as you pushed him away. Riku lost his balance and fell back.

"Why were you so close to my face?! You caught me off guard.." You said while calming down and catching your breath.

"Ow... I'm sorry I scared you. I was just trying to wake you up so you could get ready for your mission." Riku said while rubbing the back of his head and slowly standing up. You looked at him with a faint blush appearing on your face. He was shirtless, and he had a toned upper body. Although things like how a male looks isn't something you ordinarily pay attention to, Riku continues to catch your attention in ways you never thought would matter before. You both made eye contact with each other and quickly turned away. Riku took a deep breath and started blushing.

"Is it okay if I... walk you to the base?" Riku said while looking down to the ground, waiting for your response. You looked back at Riku and was slightly happy. You weren't used to this kind of attention but you were starting to enjoy it.

"Sure, I would like that." You said while trying to attempt to smile again, but once again it didn't turn out exactly like that. You looked like you were in pain instead which caused Riku to run towards you, worried and wondered you were hurt.

"Are you alright?! That face you made looked like you were in pain!" Riku said worriedly. You blinked but laughed as you thought he was joking. Riki sighed but was still frowning.

"I really have to teach you how to smile properly." Riku said while chuckling next to you. As you two continued to laugh beside each other, Riku's mother was hiding and smiling.

"Those two look great together." She smiled brightly.

A/N: I'm sorry I'm extremely late with continuing this story but I wanted to get another chapter in before I forgot about it. Thank you to those that actually read this book! I'll keep writing this book!