The road stretched ahead, dusty and ordinary, flanked by trees that whispered secrets in the afternoon breeze. Merchants' carts creaked behind you, laden with goods that would fetch a decent price in the next village.

Time fractured.

Sakura's shout. Sai's hand going for his scroll. The merchants screaming. And the glint of steel aimed at your blind spot—where your guard had dropped for just a moment too long.

The Nine-Tails' chakra flared like a wildfire.

Then a blur of orange.

Clank.

His forearm caught the blade meant for your back, the impact jarring through muscle and bone. A thin line of red bloomed against his jacket, but his focus never wavered—not on the wound, not on the blood.

His other arm wrapped around your waist.

Then you were moving, the world becoming a rush of wind and leaves and the steady drum of his heart against your ear, until he landed heavy on a branch and pulled you tight against his chest.