[Land of Iron]
Snow continues to fall over the Land of Iron, cold wind howling into the night as delicate snowflakes decorate nearby trees.
Located East of the great mountain– Three Wolves, a moderate minka(Traditional Japanese home)resides just outside the samurai capital.
Ameyuri Ringo sat on the tatami mat in her living room, observing the 4 Konoha nin resting near the entrance.
The four shinobi are wrapped in bandages to protect their open wounds from the cold, wool blankets hugging their bodies to maintain warmth and damp cloths on their foreheads to fight the fever creeping in.
Ameyuri turned her gaze onto Taiju, "You still glare at me after I healed you?" She spoke with a teasing tone.
Taiju clenches his jaw,"You beat the crap out of us."
"Accurate."
A scowl forms on his face, moving his shaky hand to touch his face, the frost coating his fingertips sent a shiver down his body.
"I don't know what's more humiliating, the fact that I sobbed for your mercy or the fact you broke my sword without it being in my grasp?" He starts to lament.
Ameyuri gave him a blank stare, " As a swordsman, defeat is guaranteed whether by the hands of another swordsman or time itself. "
He rolls his eyes at her analogy, "I don't need a philosophical lesson right now."
She chuckles softly, "Well...since you're under my roof and I'm the sole reason that you and your comrades are alive gives me all the rights to lecture you~" The Mist nin flashes her canines.
Taiju couldn't suppress the chuckle rumbling in his chest. "Haha–ack...ack!" He coughs violently, blood spilling from the corner of his lip.
"Don't make a mess on my mat." Ameyuri chastised him, wiping the blood off with a rag.
Taiju lets her wipe the blood with no retaliation, looking over at his unconscious comrades, he notices how pale Yugao's normally vibrant skin is, Tayuya's lips have cracks like Earth tremors and Kin's bandages has blood seeping through it.
"Why did you heal us." He questions her, fist balling the wool blanket.
Her pitch-black eyes bore into his own charcoal pupils, opening her mouth and closing it just with a breath separating the moment, "During our one-sided battle I felt a flicker of joy flowing through my veins. I haven't had a dopamine rush like that since the first day I stepped foot on the Land of Iron." She pointed a manicured fingernail at him.
"You lot have potential to give me a decent fight. That's a possibility I'm willing to risk my life to experience. " She grins like a madwoman.
"You are utterly insane."
"Don't be rude!" The crimson-haired beauty pouts. "You should be more considerate to a ladies feelings. "
"Pfft–yeah right, maybe if an actual lady arrives I'd –ouff." He gasps for air as Ameyuri punches his gut.
"Don't be cocky boy!" She barks at him, "I can easily drag you out to the blistering cold with no problem at all!" She threatens.
Taiju inhales rapidly to regulate his breathing, letting the cold air comfort his lungs as he withstands the soaring pain at his abdominal area.
In a rare display of restraint, he bows his head on the mat, palms aligning with his head. "Please...teach me." He chokes out, swallowing down his pride to seek guidance from a superior warrior.
Ameyuri observes his submission, a smirk plastering on her face,"Oh–Kami, is this a surprise?" She giggles.
Taiju maintains his position, not daring to look at her without her approval, tears swelling his eyes. "I can't leave this land without knowing I'm stronger than you. Call it the delusion of a bruised ego or whatever... He digs his nails into the mat, "I will paint the snow with your blood. "
"Such a bold claim ~" A blush blooms on her cheeks, dark eyes shining with excitement.
"And if you fail to succeed?" She questions.
"Then my life is yours to dictate. " He offers.
"So dramatic ~" Ameyuri stands up, cupping his chin so she could stare down at his soul.
"From today forward, I own you and your kunoichi friends up until you can beat me in a duel." She flashes a wicked grin." His breath hitched, eyes twitching.
"Very well." He agrees.
As night settles across the Three Wolves, shadows blurring in the fog. The Ringo residence has four new occupants that filled up it's minimalistic environment.
Yugao ~
I woke up to the sight of an unfamiliar wooden ceiling, the cold prickling at my skin and a faint scent of jasmine. The years of Anbu training stimulated my mind to act fast but the sharp pain that went across my nervous system rejected the idea.
My eyes looked frantically to my sides, trying to assess my situation and all my worries vanished when my eyes landed on Taiju bowing his head down to the mat, the swordsman that bested them was in front of him, her calmness in such a degrading situation of the man she respects and cares deeply for made her blood boil.
"Ta...tai..." I called out, attempting to speak only results in me swallowing dried up saliva that made my throat sore.
This was truly my lowest moment as a Shinobi, decisively beaten even with numbers in their favour.
'She even had the audacity to mark my cheek.' I reminded myself, the numbness of my face was the only thing making the wound bearable.
I think my inner musing has caught her attention as the very woman who demolished my swordsmanship, nursed my wounds, has Taiju's chin in her palm, faces unnecessary close and speaking to him in a way that is way too intimate.
[End of POV]
Ameyuri's eyes perked up.
"Look who's finally awake." Ameyuri cheerfully announces.
"Yugao!" Taiju abruptly reaches for her.
"I told you not to move you idiot!" She reprimanded him, pushing him back down to the mat.
"Ouch!" He winces,face scrunching with discomfort.
"Taiju–" Yugao yells in a raspy voice.
Ameyuri moved to the kettle, pouring a new cup with warm water, she positions it near Yugao's lips.
"Drink slowly it's still a bit hot." Ameyuri warns her.
Yugao hesitated at the first sip but thirst dominated her mind and she drank every drop of the warm liquid.
Taiju watches her drink with such need, biting the inside of his lip, he diverted his eyes from the vulnerable moment, looking at the other two occupants.
Tayuya and Kin have yet to wake up, the only signs of life is their chests moving against the blankets in slow motions.
"You two better wake up, I hate silence. "