I Didn't Save You So You Could Be a Dog

The wheels rolled over gravel, making the carriage sway gently.

Pakura sat across from him.

She had changed out of Sunagakure's combat uniform and into the ordinary shinobi clothes provided by Konoha. There was no ninja tool pouch at her waist, and her hands were not bound.

Yet there was not the slightest joy in her at returning to the village.

She leaned against the carriage wall, her eyes fixed on the forest sliding backward beyond the window.

Those eyes that had once burned with the flames of Scorch Release on the battlefield now held only emptiness.

The carriage was quiet.

Pakura did not even ask what Konoha was like, nor did she show any concern for Qian Ye's injuries.

She simply sat there.

Like a dull blade that had been discarded, then picked back up.

Qian Ye watched her for a while.

"What are you thinking about?"

Pakura did not turn around.

"How I'm supposed to live from now on."

Her voice was soft, devoid of any emotion.

"Didn't you already decide to follow me?"

"Follow you?"

Pakura laughed.

There was no warmth in that laugh, nor did she have the strength to mock him.

"I'm a rogue shinobi from Sunagakure."

"Konoha won't trust me, and Sunagakure certainly won't let me go."

"You saved me twice."

"So to you, I'm just a prize that was still worth the cost."

Qian Ye did not respond.

Pakura finally turned to look at him.

"Didn't you say it yourself?"

"From today onward, my name is Ye, and I'm your bodyguard."

"In everyone else's eyes, aren't I just your maid?"

"Whoever you want dead, I'll kill."

"Whatever you want me to do, I'll do."

Her hands rested on her knees, her tone calm enough to make him uncomfortable.

"Don't worry. I'll fulfill my