Red Field

Cold, pale, snake-like eyes. They fill my vision. They scrutinize every move I make. They mock me. I can't ignore them, even when I shut my eyes I can still feel them pressing against me. Smothering me. No matter how fast I run; how high I jump, I can't get away from them. In fact, the more effort I put into escaping the bigger and more powerful they get. They're growing rapidly now, growing bigger, and bigger, and bigger…until they push me down and I burry my head in my arms, clamping my lips together to trap the shriek threatening to rip out of my throat.

I jerk up right my heart crashing against my chest in a panicked tempo. Fear chokes me briefly while I scan the woods around me. I sigh in relief. The eyes are still just a nightmare. I take the extra time and scan around me for a second time, using both my eyes and ears more carefully, searching for any other signs of danger.

"All clear," I sigh. Tightening the headband protector around my left wrist, "I can't believe this, I'm still haunted by him…no matter how far I run." I stand and stretch myself out. "Speaking of which, I wonder where I am now."

Far in the distance, I can hear footsteps. Quickly, I coat the bottoms of my feet with a thin layer of chakra, and run up the nearest tree for cover.

Taking a few centering, calming breaths; I gather myself and sit on my branch. I cross my legs, close my eyes, and rapidly complete the seals needed to activate my greatest weapon, my ability to hear… well…everything.

I feel my hearing increase and spread out over the forest, searching for the sound of the footsteps that have alerted me to the fact that I might be in danger.

Birds….the wind rustling some leaves in the trees… a snake –I shiver- ….Wait, what was that? Oh, just a rat running around… focus… focus…Ah-hah! There!

Hmm, a male perhaps. I can tell by the thoughtless, but careful way his feet touch the ground that he is a ninja. He seems relaxed, he's whistling. I focus harder, pressing my eyelids even harder together.

I can hear his mind now.

I am shocked. I was sure that he was human, but his thoughts have an animalistic edge. I open my eyes, did I miss something out there? Who is this person?

Should I stay and solve this mystery? Risk meeting a potential threat and getting into a dangerous battle? Or should I flee now while I am hidden, get as much space between me and that thing as possible?

No, I have to stay, but I will leave myself an out to escape as quickly as possible if need be.

I climb to a higher, thinner, branch to get a better view, and once again I am surprised. He is just a boy –only my age- bright blonde hair, wearing an orange jumpsuit. There's no way he is trying to hide, and he's not rushing to get anywhere. Just strolling along with his hands in his pockets. I must have misjudged him, he can't be a ninja.

That's enough time wasted here. I crouch down to prepare my leap to the next tree, forgetting how thin this higher branch is, until it snaps.

Suddenly, I am rocketing towards the ground, closing my eyes and preparing for the bone shattering, life ending thump. Before that happens though, I feel a disturbance in the air around me.

Before I can open my eyes to see what has caused it, strong solid arms pull me against an equally solid chest.

Gasping I open my eyes and peer up at my hero. Warm, blue eyes meet my shocked green eyed stare. His face showed a mix of gloating pride, humor at my expense, curiosity, and wariness.

"Who are you?" He demanded, still holding me.

Who would have thought answering such a question would change my life the way it did.