Stop the Mugging (B-Rank):

For the past few days fliers had been posted in nearly every shop window, and on every telephone pole littered through the village warning women of the fact that some kind of horrible ‘monster’ was lurking the streets and alleyways. This ‘monster’ was so far faceless; no sorts of sketches of what the creep looked like, nor any additional Intel at all save for ‘be on your guard’. The man had mugged multiple woman at knife point, each report saying the exact same thing: the women had been walking along, they were grabbed from behind and dragged into an alleyway, and he had used a knife to keep them under control. Even a mission had been posted with a fairly decent payout for whomever completed it by bringing the mugger in.

None of that mattered though at this very moment for the sleeping female who had once again tangled herself in the sheets, and whom was snoring very softly and peacefully: not that she knew such a monster was lurking the village considering she had been very busy. It was nearly six in the evening, but Kaia had spent the past day and a half in the woods doing some hardcore training, so it had been a little after eleven o’clock that morning when she had finally made it back into the house. She had done nothing more than strip right out of her training clothes and fall, face first, into bed, where a dreamless and thankfully peaceful slumber had claimed her and held her hostage right after she had set the alarm clock to go off at six in the evening.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The beeping of the alarm clock as the clock struck six in the evening caused Kaia to startle awake; her head lifting as her blue eyed gaze searched for whatever horrible thing was making such an equally horrible noise. It took her but a second or two to realize it was the alarm clock which she herself had set before she reached over – with some difficulty since she was all tangled up – and slapped the button, effectively slapping the alarm clock back into silence. Rolling over Kaia groaned; her body was aching and throbbing as if each limb had its own separate heartbeat. She had pushed herself so hard she was surprised she had managed to drag herself home; in fact, she hadn’t even bothered eating before falling asleep, something which her stomach reminded her of by growling to life on cue.

”Shower first...” Kaia grumbled to her stomach as she untangled herself from the bed sheets and headed into the bathroom. She made quick work of showering herself – or as quick as she could with her body throbbing – making sure to wash herself completely as well as wash and condition her hair. When she was rinsed off and dry she wandered her way back into the bedroom and over to the closet filled with her and Daremo’s clothing. Considering Kaia was technically off duty, and the fact that she was throbbing too much to even think of training, she pulled out one of the items of clothing she owned but rarely used: a short kimono that was black in color with a beautiful cherry blossom print all over it, as well as the matching sash to go around her waist. She laid the items out, pulled out the appropriate undergarments and got dressed; pausing long enough to properly roll her hair into a beautiful bun which she secured with two polished lacquered hair sticks. She glanced at herself in the mirror and couldn’t help but smile: without her weapons, or her headband, she could pass as any other civilian in town – though considering the silk on her back and how much it cost, likely an upper class citizen. Shaking her head at herself she smiled once more before heading out of the bedroom and toward the back door; knowing with a fair amount of certainty where Daremo probably was. She slipped her feet into one of her pairs of wooden geta; these with a pink strap that matched wonderfully with the pink of the cherry blossom petals on her kimono; before heading outside.

A glance toward the pond caused her to tilt her head slightly to the right; her smile growing far more pronounced as it always did when she saw her love. She really didn’t want to bother him, but her growling stomach was being far too demanding. Even still, she leaned against the door frame quietly as a means to give him a few more minutes before wincing  and straightening; that was apparently a bad idea – her arms hurt worse than she thought. ”Love?”, she would call out softly, knowing that her voice would reach him regardless. ”Want to come to the market and grab a bite to eat with me? I hurt too much to cook...” Simple words, but they spoke loads of the pain she was in – for a Taijutsu user to be in too much pain to do something she enjoyed? But, she wasn’t complaining; she had put herself into that position with what she had done. For now all she wanted was food – though, she still had no idea of the dangers lurking in the market at the moment.

Word Count: 883

Pain. Crippling pain. Heart raced, pumping blood through his body rapidly, and perspiration were forming on his body, but, the purple hair man didn't panic. His teeth clenched, grinding into one another, as another strong pain surged through his body. Yet, not a word nor whimper, escaped his lips.One. Two. Second. He mentally counted, feeling the pain subsiding for a moment. Giving him a moment of reprieve the torturous stimulant.
 
Questions on why he even bothered in going through this regiment briefly plagued the mind before being ruthless locked away, for now. It wouldn't be the first time he questioned his chosen this particular path, and quite frankly, he knew it wouldn't be the last. The path chosen wasn't something many would willingly go through, either because of sheer laziness, or fear of the almost certain death awaiting them at the end. He didn't fault those who questioned his path, any reasonable person would. 
 
Again. Like a vengeful spirit, looking to seek retribution because of some slight against them, the pain returned in threefold. It felt like someone had injected molten lava into his veins. The feeling were searing hot, and there were little doubt that his core temperature had raced a few degrees because of it. His head throbbed from resentless assault and he became lightheaded, but, because of his training, he didn't greet unconsciousness, though, a part of him wish he had in order to escape from the pain. Every three seconds, the pain would reside before coming back a little bit stronger than before as his body fought against it.
 
A war of epic portion was being raged in his body, well more specifically his chakra network. The chakra in the complex pathways busying in fighting off the foreign energy invading the system. Said energy wouldn't be denied though and were fighting just as hard. It was this internal struggle behind the searing pain he felt every three seconds as more of the invasive energy was drawn in. This internal conflict wasn't what he wanted. Instead, he sought out harmony between the two energies, trying to find some common ground amongst the crashing force. If not, then, every time he drew in chakra, the pain would be brought forth.
 
As a shinobi, especially a medic-nin, not being able to draw out chakra when needed is a detriment to the occupation. There is risk involved when too much chakra is used and a nearly crippling pain shoots through his body because of it. On a mission, his life is balanced on a razor edge where the slightiness misstep can spell career-ending injuries or death. The same can be said in the operating room. Where the smallest mistake can have devastating consequences. It is these potential risks that would be lowered if the two clashing energies could co-exist with one another. But, because of his own personality, and the will of the foreign energy, the process is taking longer than necessary. However, he has a gut feeling that a breakthrough was on the arisen he just needed to preserve and endure: like his occupation namesake. 
 
The pain subsided once more, allowing for a moment of reprieve. Eyes fluttering over and closed quickly due to the sunlight before reopening once more. A beautiful scenery greeted him. From his position, looking across the small pond which he sat on seiza style, where his legs were underneath his thighs and buttocks resting on his heels, he could make out the picturesque scene. Beautiful plants of different shades of red, yellow, and blue, were in full bloom on either side of the small pond. There was more flora scattered throughout the large backward with some growing along side the stone pathway leading from the back door to a small patio in the center of the yard with a fairly large tree overshadowing it. Eyes flickered down to the undisturbed clear water underneath him, noticing the three koi fishes, blue, red, and black, swimming about in a leisurely pace. The marine life being a new addition to the empty pond when Kaia had officially moved in with him.
 
Speaking of his love, her voice called to him, "Yes, love?", his eyes looking in the direction which it came from, head turning with, and soaked in the appearance of the woman standing in the doorway. If he were one of those romantic playwriters, he would have said, that Kisshōten, the goddess of beauty, had been reincarnated into Kaia, or that she embodied said goddess, and in some instances surpass her. That her radiance was brighter than Ameratsu's sun. But, he wasn't one of those playwriters, so his words would never be as elegant as theirs. However, that didn't stop him from appreciating the form before him. His eyes taking note of the style of her hair, moving down to the eyes which sparkled of happiness, to the lustrous lips that he enjoyed kissing so very much. The black kimono with cherry print on them looked stunning on her, fitting her curves perfectly, and with its length, showed off her tone, hairless, legs. How many times has he had them wrapped around him in some form? He did not know the number, but, he did remember each time. Suppressing those thoughts, his eyes traveled down those wonderful legs, noting the pink strapped geta, before moving back up body, and giving a look of approval. 
 
Immediately, he picked up on the pain within her voice and knew what the cause was. As her promotions were looming ahead, she had been training more intensely as of late. She having disappeared, though he knew where she was, for nearly a day and a half only to return home at eleven. He has helped her removed her clothes and get into bed. Once she was sound asleep, he took the opportunity to make sure she didn't have any serious injuries before going about doing house chores and other mundane things. He didn't bother in healing her, knowing some taijutsu users enjoy the pain that comes from extreme workouts. 
 
Getting up from his seated position, light perspiration glistened off his bare upper from the pain experienced only some time ago. Not wrapped in medical bandages, his abs were shown in all of their six-pack glory, for her viewing pleasure. Also shown, on his right side, third rib down, were two puncture marks with the surrounding area(half the size of a dime) discolored. Wearing only a pair of black shorts which came up past his knee, Daremo walked across the pond. Reaching Kaia, he leans down for a quick kiss, "You look beautiful.", he complimented, "Sure, just let me cleaned up first. It won't take that long considering I won't have any company joining me. Unless?", what he was implying was obvious. Waiting till she had re-entered the home before following suit, closing and locking the door behind them, he moved towards their shared bathroom, leaving the door open in case Kaia took him up on the offer.
 
The shower was a quick affair. He made sure every inch of him was cleaned, his hair shampooed and condition and other necessities done while showering. Stepping out of the bathroom with a towel secured around his waist, he walked into his bedroom. The towel being unwrapped moments upon entry, given Kaia, if she was in the room, another show. Although, the act was a common one when it comes to him, he has a habit of doing such in his bedroom. In only his birthday suit, he moved over to the walk-in closet filled with his and Kaia's clothes. Rummaging through the clothing and picking a kimono he hadn't worn in some time despite it being one of his more recent creations. Laying the pieces out on the bed, he moved towards the drawers and grabbed his undergarments and slipped them on. The kimono soon followed suit with him then opening up a jewelry, taking out a hair clip which matched the kimono and used it to keep his hair together in a low ponytail. To finish his attire, he slipped into a pair of dark green strapped geta, something he hadn't done in years. Slipping his wallet onto his person, he turned to face Kaia. 
 
"Do you have any place in mind?", inquiring about their destination. He didn't know if she had any places already picked out, hence the question. While there were only a few places in Konoha he frequently visits to eat, he is fond of quite a few others. So, it didn't matter what place she chose, it would be fine with him. Once a destination had been decided, or not, Daremo would walk out of the house, locking it, besides Kaia, not in front of her, but beside her; she was his equal.

---

1494

Something was wrong: it was the very first thought as she took in Daremo’s bare chested appearance: though the second had much to do with how much she enjoyed the view. The mark on his chest she was all too used to seeing – though it had worried the hell out of her the first time she had laid eyes on it – but it was the perspiration that gave her need to pause. The day was not overly hot, even seated in direct sunlight should not have caused such a reaction: especially considering Daremo wasn’t wearing a shirt. The only thing she could think of that would cause a reaction was something to do with that wound he had – such as pain. Kaia bit her bottom lip but didn’t comment; she trusted Daremo, trusted that he would tell her if something was truly wrong. So, for now, she decided to move on past it.

So, with a smile on her face and happiness shining out of her eyes she watched as he made his way over to her, returning the kiss automatically when he bent down for one. At his compliment her eyes lit up even more, and a genuine smile spread across her face again: she was generally a happy person but Daremo definitely brought out the very best in her. ”Thank you, love.”, she would respond to his compliment before listening to him speak if his willingness to come with, but of his need for a shower first – one he made quite clear she was more than welcome to join him in. Just as Kaia was beginning to consider the offer her stomach let out a roar of protest as if it knew exactly what she was thinking. With another smile and a shake of her head she would laugh softly before responding, ”I think I’ll sit that idea out this time around… I haven’t eaten anything in quite a while, and if I join you there’s no telling when we’ll get done. I’ll be waiting for you...” Yes, this was probably the best decision if they wanted to get to the market before it got too dark out – not that Kaia yet knew of the new danger that lurked there, waiting to find some innocent woman to drag into the alley way and rob.

Kaia ended up in their bedroom during which time Daremo was in the shower: sitting on the edge of the bed with a book in hand she had started reading a few nights prior. Thankfully, her and her growling stomach wouldn’t have to wait long as soon enough Daremo walked into the bedroom with a towel around his waist that was removed moments later. Chuckling to herself Kaia simply shook her head in response, ”Well now you’re just teasing me.”, she would respond playfully. Either way she kept her hands to herself until Daremo was done getting dressed, which was when she tossed the book to the side and stole a quick kiss before answering his question, ”Not really, no: you can pick if you’d like. Definitely want some bubble tea, though.”

Leaving the house she would pause long enough to Daremo to lock it before heading toward the market, walking beside him, her hand reaching out to grasp his: it was just natural to do so, and she hardly cared who saw them walking as such together – the opinions of random strangers mattered little to her, as usual. Most cared little for public displays of affection, but considering what the pair could have been doing in public the fact that they were only holding hands was just something everyone could deal with as far as she was concerned.

She would make idle conversation until they reached the market, where on the nearest telephone pole was stapled the warning about the mugger which had been stalking the streets for the past several nights. Her happy look vanished, brows furrowing thoughtfully as she made her way over to the pole she had spotted the flier on, getting a better look at it. The flier gave only a few details as the women who had been attacked had apparently been so from behind, with a knife up against their throat; thus they had never seen his face. After reading it over several times over again she would turn to Daremo, had he followed her over, with a curious look on her face, ”Have you heard anything about this, love?” If this animal that was going around hunting women was this big of a threat she was fairly sure the village higher ups had likely requested some help with dealing with it. She was definitely out of the loop on things since she had been gone or busy for the past few days and she was beginning to feel a tad bit naked without her weapons: sure, the mugger only wielded what had been described as a kitchen knife, and she knew Daremo could very easily handle such a creature, but it still felt weird not to suddenly have them on her when the chance might come up that they were needed – as it was, she looked like a simple, harmless civilian.

Word Count: 868 | 1,751

Having put on the pieces of the kimono, he did a quick glance in the full-length mirror, making sure everything on his person was perfectly in place, and if not, making them so, and nodding in approval afterward. When it came to dressing up, either for such a simple occasion as this or something more formal, he adopted a perfectionist nature. Everything about him had to be near perfect or else he would find some fault, one way or another. Clothing, an exception being training attire, must not sag too much nor be too tight on him only a perfect medium of the two would suffice. Hence why, a majority of his clothing were either hand made, such as the kimono he was wearing, or custom tailored to fit his size and build. Costly? Yes, the amount of money spent on sewing material and paying the tailor is something he doesn't readily talk about it, though, Kaia knew the exact amounts having been told so.
 
It can be assumed with relative ease, his perfectionist nature when it comes to getting dress stems from his background. Growing up in a Geisha environment, where dressing impeccably for guests were drilled in his head countless of times, and where perfection is required in everything one did, left a mark on him; a bigger one when taking into account he became a Geisha sometime later. So, when it came to dressing up, he automatically slips back into his routine as a former Geisha without much conscious thought. The saying 'One can never stop being a Geisha' was indeed true when it came to him, at least in this circumstance.
 
Grabbing his wallet and slipping it onto his person, he walked over towards Kaia. A smile gracing his lips at the sight of Kaia tossing the book she was reading onto the bed. His lips capturing hers in the quick kiss she initiated but with him turning it into a deep, passionate one, with his powerful arms snaking around her waist, bringing her flush against his chest. The kiss didn't last long lest they end up doing anything but finding something to eat. "Well, we can figure it out along the way or something will catch our attention.", Stepping back from Kaia, his right hand following the curve of her hip, and teasing the front of her kimono, before falling back down to his waist-side. "Along the way, we will stop and get bubble tea.", something new had come about since Kaia started living with him. With her having the drink almost daily, he had developed a tiny fondness for it that was steadily growing, though, he doubts it will ever reach her level of obsession. 
 
Pausing long enough to lock the house's door, Daremo turned to face Kaia who were waiting for him. Automatically, his hand tenderly grasped hers as they began walking towards the market district, making idle conversation along the way with a smile present on his face The opinions of others who saw this small display of affection mattered little to him. Not like there were many people who openly said anything, the two holding hands had become a common sight around Konoha. And, it isn't a secret to the populace that the pair were in a relationship with Daremo not being shy in kissing Kaia in public, with the more heavy kissing being done in less crowded areas. 
 
Nearing the market district, the poster stapled on a telephone phone pole, warning people, especially women, about a mugger stalking the streets at night, reminded him on troubles at the hospital and current situation in Konoha. He had been called in, the day when Kaia went out to train, to help determine the cause of death of a female body found in the alleyway after some unfortunate kids accidentally stumbled over it. The woman's head had nearly been decapitated from the force of slice, which was caused by a butcher knife, the clean edges, and width of the cut being evident of that. It was through talking with colleagues that he learned of other cases where women were killed and robbed of their possession, or simply robbed. No one knew who the individual that was behind the attacks, only that he seems to target those of opportunity or presumed wealth. He had wanted to mention it to Kaia but she didn't return home until this morning, therefore, he didn't have any time to do so. 
 
Giving her hand a reassuring squeeze, he followed her to the telephone pole, and read the information on the poster. There wasn't anything new added to the staple piece of paper, only the same stuff which was told to him by others. Seeing Kaia look back at him, her smile no longer present, he knew what she was about to ask, "Yeah, I have heard about that. The day when you went out to train, I was called in to determine the cause of death of a lady found in an alleyway not that far from the Hokage's Tower. Not to go into too much detail, but, her neck was slice with a butcher knife, the wounds being consistent with one found a meat shop, and all of her possessions were stolen post-modem. It was after that where I learned from some colleagues about the number of women having come in with bruises and small injuries with them all saying they had been robbed by someone with a butcher knife. ", he admitted. 
 
"From my understanding, there is a B-rank mission reward for anyone who can manage to catch this criminal. Who seems to target wealthy women or those who appear to be in a higher class." His eyes lingered on Kaia's for a few seconds as an internal battle was being raged in his head. "If you want, we can try and catch this guy. The money is decent enough, and there is no indication that he is anything higher than a chuunin, for the few kunoichis that were target were genin or recently promoted chuunin. With us dress like high-class civilians. We can try and bait them out. There is no incident where he targets men, so you will be the one targeted." It were cruel in wanting to use Kaia as bait, but he knew she would have suggested if he didn't. She wasn't the type to let something like this occur if she had a means to stop it. 
 
Eyes flickered across the street, noticing a figure tailing a woman of relative high-standing that were making her way towards there direction. Without warning, Daremo pressed Kaia up against the telephone pole, and kissed her deeply. The kiss lasting long enough for the woman, and the figure, a man, to pass by. "Seems like, he found his next target.", he whispered, his body still being pressed up against hers. To everyone else, it just seemed like the couple were displaying their love more openly. "If you going to do this.", a single kunai were discreetly placed on her person, hiding from the view of all, but easily accessible to her, "I will feel better knowing you have that." Appearing to kiss her once again, he continued speaking, "There is an alleyway not that far from here. He will try to drag you in there. And that will be the place where we take care of him. I will be tailing you from a distant, but close enough to stop anything from happening to you." having said what was need, Daremo stook a step back and looked at Kaia. His eyes spoke of his belief in her, an undeniable will to protect her, and his love for her. Once the silent message were convey and acknowledged, Daremo started slowly walking away from Kaia, at least to everyone else. In truth, his love was well within his sights, and he was waiting for mugger to make a move on his girlfriend. . . and future wife.

---

1345[2839]

Kaia felt the reassuring squeeze of her hand and couldn’t help but smile: she was confident in her abilities but it was always nice to know that someone had her back – especially considering she knew some of what Daremo was capable of from having sparred him. She listened in silence as he spoke, explaining that he had known about what was going on since the day she had gone off to train; he had been called in to help investigate the death of a woman whose neck had been sliced and whose possessions had been stolen. He had also learned from some of the people whom he worked with of numerous other females who had shown up at the hospital with various injuries and claiming that they had been mugged by someone with a knife. As Kaia continued to listen in silence, absorbing the information like a sponge, she listened as Daremo went on to mention the reward that had been put up for any who could stop the mugger permanently.

Even without the monetary gain as a reasoning Kaia wanted to put this mugger down: the fact that someone like that was still free and loose on the streets to attack, harm, or kill whoever crossed his path didn’t sit well with her at all. She had a natural dislike for bullies, and this mugger seemed like one of the worst she had heard of. No, she wanted to stop him – and from the look she was getting from Daremo she knew he would know that’s exactly what she wanted to do.

So, when Daremo mentioned that with the way they were dressed the chances were likely they, or rather she would be targeted? She nodded her head, perfectly fine with that very idea. In fact, it worked well with the plan formulating in her head already: this was not the first time she had used herself as a distraction or bait – though before it had been done as a child who had immediately been considered harmless. Now, it would be as a young woman with enough expensive silk on her back to make any career criminal excited.

Out of the corner of her eye she watched a man begin to stalk a woman, something she kept track of even with the sudden deep kiss from Daremo as he pressed her up against the telephone pole: the pair passing by with neither – especially the would be mugger – paying them even a passing glance. When Daremo mentioned it seeming like the mugger had found his next target Kaia gave a slight nod of agreement: which meant she was going to have to work fast, less that poor woman have her blood spilled next. The kunai that Daremo hid on her person was no surprise; she had no weapons on herself, and if she was going to play bait he’d want her armed and able to protect herself, something which made her heart swell with love and her smile to appear once more. Daremo’s plan with the alleyway not far away caused her to nod once more; it was exactly along the lines of what she had been thinking. It was easier to take the mugger down if he was targeting her, rather than try and deal with it after he had claimed his next victim. ”Alright.”, she would respond, knowing he would be close by and watching in case something should happen.

When Daremo finally pulled away she saw the look in his eyes and couldn’t help but smile gently once more, ”I love you.”, it was the simplest way to convey that she knew what he was trying to get through to her without having to actually say it. She watched then as he walked away, or rather, put some distance between them: something which would look like he was walking away to everyone else.

Putting her head back in the game she began to move, heading off in the same direction the mugger had taken off in at a brisk walk; her purse clutched to her side for part of the plan that was to come. As she neared the mugger and the woman she opened her purse, making busy with looking like she was searching for something and all the while keeping a look out from the corner of her eye as she passed the mugger up whose focus snapped off of the woman and onto Kaia. Kaia paused by the mouth of the alley way, making it look as if she had suddenly dropped her purse, and began picking items up: this giving the woman he had originally been stalking time to pass without having to worry about her accidentally being drawn in to what was about to happen.

Picking up the last piece of what she had spilled she closed her purse and made to look like she was going to pass the mugger by when, out of the corner of her eye she watched him look around for a moment before jumping up behind her, the knife being pressed instantly to her throat, as he proceeded to drag her backwards and into the alley.

Kaia noted several things right away as she allowed herself to be dragged back: the most important was the fact that the mans chin rested almost on her head, an immediately advantage she planned on taking care of in just a moment. The next was that he was physically strong; yet she was slightly stronger. She could have broken out of his grasp with enough strength behind the movement, which was phase two of what she planned on doing…

Knowing that Daremo was watching Kaia made her move: dropping her purse to the ground she raised her hand, effectively grasping the one with the knife to her throat and keeping it from moving. As the mugger opened his mouth to speak, clearly shocked, Kaia would slam her head backwards and into his chin effectively causing the mugger to bite into his tongue hard enough to taste blood. While he was distracted by the pain Kaia would bent forward, effectivelly flipping the mugger up and over her so that he slammed, back first, into the ground, knocking the wind out of himself as he began to choke on his own blood and gasp for air at the same time.

Kaia wasn’t going to give him time to catch his breath though, as with a quick move she flipped him over, grabbing his arms and pinning them in a very uncomfortable position behind his back: one that with the slightest of twitches would have his arms ripped out of their sockets. ”Listen to me and listen good… One little twitch and I rip your arms out of their sockets: trust me, it’s painful. You are ruining what was supposed to be a nice evening out with the man I love, an for that I’m not inclined to be gentle with you. But, because I don’t want to ruin my pretty kimono by staining it with blood I’m going to turn you over to be someone else’s problem. If you so much as twitch wrong or even look at me wrong I will very quickly change my mind and make your life hell, do you understand me?” This was not the gentle Kaia people knew: this was the shinobi, the woman who was pissed off that her nice and relaxing evening had been ruined: the woman who had wanted nothing more than to go have a quiet dinner with her boyfriend before heading home to relax. So she was definitely not playing games. Unfortunately for the mugger he thought she was, and with the slightest of twitches she did exactly what she had been threatening to do: she pulled both of his arms right out of their sockets, leaving him completely unable to use them as Kaia then moved off of the muggers back and hauled him to his feet: not a single hair on Kaia’s head out of place.

Thankfullly, there were quite a few shinobi on duty around who as she walked out of the alleyway with the guy were more than willing to take him off of her hands after a quick explanation. Glancing around for Daremo Kaia realized quickly she had left her purse behind and headed back into the alleyway to claim it…

Word Count: 1,399 | 3,150 / 2,500

Daremo couldn’t help but grit his teeth as he watched the mugger stalking Kaia: the very urge to move forth and cut him down, feed him his own teeth, or do even worse ghastly things to him rising up. But, there was a reason they were doing it this way, and he knew Kaia was more than capable of handling herself. Still, he kept a watchful eye on his beloved even as she was dragged into the mouth of the alley way; him having maneuvered himself slyly on top of one of the nearby buildings so he could watch.

Kaia handled herself flawlessly: not a single hair out of place, no heavy breathing – though her anger certainly was clear. She was not fond of the idea that this mugger had disrupted their quiet evening, and neither was he. She pinned the man in such a way that his arms would end up being injured should he try and flee, and warned him against such. It seemed the mugger though this an empty thread, however, as he moved specifically after Kaia had told him not to: Kaia executed her threat regardless, leaving the man pained as he was hauled up to his feet and handed off to a few shinobi on duty.

Daremo took the time to drop down into the alley way, picking up Kaia’s purse and following her; not surprised at all when she returned to the alley to retrieve it. Pulling her into his arms for a moment he simply held her against him before loosening his grip enough to reach down and tilt her head up with a gentle finger underneath of her chin, his lips claiming hers in a deep and passionate kiss that he held for several minutes before releasing her and handing her purse over. “We’ll collect our reward for the muggers capture later. Let’s get your bubble tea and head home – I’ll cook for you.” If Kaia would agree he would head off to do just that; walking hand in hand with her beside him once more, not worrying about the reward they would simply collect in the morning – or perhaps the afternoon, if they ended up sleeping in late.

Familiar strong arms claimed her in a hug, one which she returned. As her chin was tilted up she couldn’t help but smile before returning the deep and passionate kiss. While she had been all dressed up and ready to go out the idea of Daremo and her simply grabbing some of her favorite bubble tea and heading home where he would cook for her was an even more appealing one. So, she nodded her head yes in agreement. ”Alright, let’s do that instead. So long as I get my bubble tea...” The idea of spending a relaxing evening at home instead of out and about was beginning to be more appealing. Dinner out was nice, yes, but Daremo cooking a meal specially for her? Even better. Plus, it would just be generally more comfortable at home.

So with the mugger having been handed off to the proper authorities, and Kaia not really caring about picking up the reward until the following day, she walked hand in hand with Daremo to go get her tea and then head back to their home…


Word Count: 185 | 3,335 / 2,500