A goblin?!
The goblin was crouched by the stream, a makeshift brown pouch in its hands, scooping water just as I had done moments ago.
From the many depictions of goblins in rhe fantasy stories on Earth, I had always compared them to chimpanzees. Humanoid, hunched back, and prone to sudden bursts of aggression.
Every nerve in my body told me to run, but like the idiot I was, I took a second to take a picture of it. And, as the idiot, the flash was on.
"Shit!"
The goblin turned it's face to me, understandably surprised. I prepared myself to run back should it run to me. But it did the opposite. It quickly filled up the water pouch and ran back into the forest.
It looked... scared?
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"Phew, not my best work but this'll do."
Throwing on the last bit of leaves on the floor for cushioning, Pakura had finished the simple shelter she was tasked to make.
"This would've been easier with Earth Release."
She takes off her forehead protector and wipes the sweat that had built up in there. She looked down at the symbol of Sunagakure, the village that she worked for as well as the village that betrayed her.
A feeling of frustration and annoyance as she remembered how she was ambushed. A poisoned kunai to the back, paralyzing her in place as dozens of other shinobis rained a flurry of kunais at her.
"To be pulled from the Pure Lands to serve another lord... Why did I agree to this?" She shook her head, laughing at her own decision.
Maybe it was because she hoped to faithfully work for someone that actually values her service, or maybe it was because she was terrified of the six eyed bloodied monkey with razor teeth and a Glasgow Grin that told her to do it. Probably the latter.
All that's left is to light a fire.
Using the leftover wood from all the trees she cut down to make the shelter, she made a medium sized campfire. Using Scorch Release to evaporate all the water, marking it dry, and finally she just used a simple Fire Release jutsu to light it.
"It's been a few minutes since Rion-sama left. I should look for him."
But she felt a presence coming—no, running towards her. A presence masked in her own chakra. "Pakura!" It was me who comes out from the bushes, out of breath.
"Rion-sama," she says, letting down her guard. "I was thinking of fetching you since you were taking longer than expected."
"Look." I ignored her worry and showed her the picture I took of the goblin.
As far as I remembered, there were no goblins in Naruto. But I was nerve-wracking, and I was worried that if we stayed, they'd come here. I knew how aggressive goblins can be and the fact that this one was red...
"What... is that? Is that a child?"
"No, that's not human. It's like uh... I don't know! But I have a feeling it's dangerous. I-I-I've seen those things rape people an-and-and—"
Pakura pat me on the shoulders to shut me up. I mean anyone would if they heard how fast I was talking and the frantic look I had. "Rion-sama, slow down. Tell me exactly what happened."
I told about the fact that I saw some footprints and how I found a source of water by following it. All leading up to the moment I saw the goblin and it ran away.
"We gotta get out of here before it goes back and tells others that were here!"
"Rion-sama, how are you sure this isn't just one... what did you call it?"
"Goblin?"
"Right. How do you know there's a whole camp of goblins? What if it's just a lone animal surprised by something that's bigger than it?"
"I—" I couldn't answer. I was overtaken with fright because I was alone in an unfamiliar environment seeing an unfamiliar specimen.
"How about this, you said that there were footprints, akin to a human's feet?"
"Yeah?"
"Then there's a chance that, as the goblin was running away it also left footprints."
I only stared at her, her hands still on my shoulders, not following what she's trying to say.
She continues, "I'll send a shadow clone there. If it left any trace, I'll follow it to see if what you fear is actually there. Will you allow that, Rion-sama?"
I finally understood her. I simply nodded.
"—Shadow Clone Jutsu!" In a puff of smoke another Pakura appeared, and without a moment to waste, immediately jumped between the trees in the direction of where I found the stream.
Pakura turned back to me, her lips curving into a reassuring smile. "And if anything tries to get close to you, I'll just evaporate all the water in their body." She gave me a playful wink, her confidence contagious.
That also brought a smile to my face. "Heh, thanks Pakura. Oh is that the tent you built?"
"Yes. It's a little shabby but I had to work with what I got."
"No, it's way better than what I could build on my own." I threw my tired body straight into the wooden tent. Only to regret it from how hard the ground was.
"I tried to softed the ground as much as I can with those leaves, but I guess that didn't work huh?"
I gave her a thumbs up through a pained smile. "As good as the one in my room, Pakura. Good job."
Pakura smirked at my reaction but didn't press. Instead, she crouched at the entrance of the tent and motioned for me to scoot over. "Move a bit, Rion-sama. It's going to be a tight fit."
I shuffled to the side, wincing as the uneven ground shifted under me. She crawled inside, careful not to disturb the hastily-constructed frame, and sat cross-legged, her back straight as a rod. "You've been handling this new world remarkably well, you know."
"'Remarkably' isn't how I'd describe it," I said, scratching the back of my head. "I feel like I'm barely keeping it together."
"Fear is natural, especially in a place like this," she said, her tone softening. "But you've shown courage, even when faced with the unknown. That's admirable."
I sighed, staring up at the makeshift ceiling. "I guess. I just wish I didn't have to deal with things like goblins on top of everything else."
"We'll handle whatever comes," she said firmly. "You have me, and I'll protect you. You're not alone, Rion-sama."
Her words eased some of the tension in my chest. I glanced at her, a small smile forming on my lips. "Thanks, Pakura. I mean it."
She nodded, her gaze shifting to the small opening of the shelter. "Rest now. I'll keep watch until my clone returns."
"Rest? Here? On this? Seriously?" Igestured dramatically at the hard, leaf-strewn ground under me.
Pakura chuckled, shaking her head as she leaned back on her hands. "You're alive, sheltered, and not bleeding out in a ditch somewhere. That's good enough for now, isn't it?"
I groaned, rolling onto my side, the leaves crunching under me. Sure, easy for her to say. She's probably used to sleeping in all kinds of hellholes. Meanwhile, my back is going to break before sunrise.
"Can't we make it a little more comfortable? Maybe find some blankets or... I don't know, something soft?"
She raised an eyebrow, her tone dripping with amusement. "Did you see a blanket store on the way here, Rion-sama?"
I scowled but then had a thought. A bold, probably stupid thought. I glanced at her, feigning casualness, though my heart was racing. "What about... you?"
Pakura blinked. "What about me?"
"You're, uh…" I coughed, trying not to make it sound as weird as it felt in my head. "You're sitting there, all calm and composed, and I'm over here suffering. Couldn't I just, you know… use your lap as a pillow?"
Her eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, I thought I'd crossed a line. But instead of smacking me upside the head like I fully expected, she stared at me, incredulous. "My lap?"
"Yeah," I said, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. "It's gotta be better than this." Better than this? It'd be heaven compared to this!
Pakura crossed her arms, her gaze scrutinizing me. "Let me get this straight. You want me to let you lie down and rest your head on my lap, so you can sleep better?"
"Exactly!" I said, nodding quickly. Come on, Pakura. Say yes. This is totally normal! Kings in stories do it all the time!
She sighed, long and exaggerated. Pakura shifted from her cross-legged position, tucking her legs neatly underneath her as she settled into a kneeling posture. She patted her lap with mock reluctance.
"Fine. If it'll shut you up, go ahead. Just don't drool on me."
I blinked. She actually said yes? "Wait, really?"
"Don't make me regret it," she said, rolling her eyes. "Hurry up before I change my mind."
Not needing to be told twice, I scrambled over and slowly lowered my head onto her lap. The moment it made contact, I felt a rush of warmth, soft yet firm beneath me. Oh god. This is amazing. Why haven't I done this before?
"Comfy now?" she asked, her tone laced with mild irritation, though there was a hint of a smirk on her lips.
"Way better," I mumbled, trying to keep my face neutral despite the fireworks going off in my head. This is unreal. Her thighs are perfect. How can she walk around with these and act like it's no big deal?
"Good," she said, leaning back against the wooden support. "Now stop talking and rest. You've been on edge all day."
"Sure, sure," I murmured, letting my eyes drift closed. But my thoughts were anything but restful. How am I supposed to sleep when I'm literally lying on the lap of the hottest kunoichi I've ever seen?
I shifted slightly, trying to get more comfortable without making it obvious I was savoring every second. Pakura glanced down at me, raising an eyebrow. "If you're fidgeting this much already, maybe you'd be better off back on the ground."
"No, no! This is perfect," I said quickly, giving her a sheepish grin. Perfect is an understatement. This is paradise.
She shook her head, muttering something under her breath. "You're lucky I tolerate you, Rion-sama."
Damn right, I am. I smiled to myself, my heart pounding in my chest. "That's why you're the best, Pakura. If I didn't have you, I'd be eaten by goblins or something."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," she replied, her voice dry but faintly amused. "Now close your eyes and rest before I decide to kick you off."
"Alright, alright," I said, settling in, my grin widening. Best decision I've ever made.