Never Let Go [Hiatus]

Part II, Chapter 15 - Breaking Through Defenses

It's gonna be a long chapter once more.. but you will understand why by the end of it^^

The girl stood by the bush, her hands behind her back as she stared at her feet. A blush rose up her cheeks and she shifted uneasily, stealing Madara a quick glance before averting her eyes back to the ground. Madara froze. Experience screamed for him not to let his guard down. For all he knew, she was perhaps just a pretty diversion. He had to admit that he was indeed astounded by her beauty. It was the first time someone had rendered him motionless with second thoughts about a kill.

'E-erm...' her voice snapped him out of his reverie, pulling him back to the situation at hand. He gave himself a mental slap, hastily tuning his senses to the his surroundings as he prepared for an ambush or surprise attack.

'I said I'm sorry. I really, really, didn't mean to spy on you.' she repeated, slowly lifting her head. Madara checked and re-checked his surroundings. He didn't sense anyone else. He spared the girl another look. No weapons,open and defenseless. It must have been a whole minute before he was convinced that alarm was uncalled for. He let his body relax, turning away from her as he slid his kunai up his sleeves discreetly.

'Ano...' she started, ' A-are you alright?'

Ohmykami... What am I supposed to do?

'E-er... I'm fine?' Madara replied as he smiled awkwardly. Now that he had concluded that she wasn't an enemy, Madara took the opportunity to look at her properly. She seemed to be about his age, maybe a little younger.

Damn, how can someone be so beautiful? he thought, drinking in her perfect features. Her large amber eyes sparkled against the darkness of the night, shining so brightly they put the stars to shame. That same pair of eyes, so soft and gentle yet burning with spirit and cheer. So, so alluring, they drew him in like bees drawn to honey. The clouds parted, allowing the moonlight to bathe her in its gentle glow. She looked up at the sudden brightness, her porcelain skin bringing out the redness in her hair. That red, that fiery type of red, its intensity vividly reminding him of passion, fight and vigour. Madara blinked. Standing beneath the soft moonlight, she looked almost transcendental, like an angel just short of wings.

God must have spent a long time on her...

As though sensing Madara's gaze on her, the girl tilted her head towards him, eyeing the transfixed boy in curious wonder. Then suddenly, she burst into hysterical laughter.

'Oh My God! Are you really alright? You looked like you've just seen a ghost!' she approached him, waving her hands in front of his face.

'Hello?!' she exclaimed, catching her breathe as she clutched her aching stomach. Madara took a step back, feeling his cheeks heating up. She had been to close. He wondered if it was normal. Kaede-sama certainly hadn't taught them interpersonal social skills well. But she's a pretty girl, and he's a guy. It should be normal, right?

Madara cursed himself. Damn, he was a skilled assassin, highly revered for his abilities and potential, yet he had let his guard down so easily around her. Just because she was beautiful. She certainly wasn't the first rose that he had encountered. But there was something different about her, something that he could not put a finger to. Madara shook his head, willing himself to focus.

No, Kaede-sama said to trust no one. Trust no one but yourself.

'I'm fine. Thank you for your concern. I should get going.' Madara turned to leave. The girl stopped laughing.

'Why? But we've just met! Oh I get it. You are angry, aren't you? Like I said, I didn't-'

'I know. You didn't mean to spy on me. And no, I'm not angry. It's just-'