Well, it's about time I get off my lazy butt and due myself some use. Everyone has their first story at some point and either scared or fearless, it's been gotten done so now I will take a shot at it ;) My first story so please, take it easy.

Summery: Ginger was just finding contemptment in her life. It wasn't perfect but she was gradually getting better, healing her wounds. That is until gets mixed up with the Akatsuki, the fearsome group said to never come across. How will her past link her with the Akatsuki and the entire ninja world?

Warnings: Uhh, I'll let you know when we get there.

Disclaimer: I in no way or form own anything from Naruto :(

All Kishimoto Masashi

K. So, further a due, please enjoy!

Chapter 1: Maroon Dawn

Blood dripped down my fingers like a broken faucet. I kept my grin though. Four men down, three to go. I watched closely as the ninja whispered quickly to each other from their respective places about me. I make my move when suddenly one ninja pulls out a scroll and has a windmill shuriken flying my way, which I quickly dodge. I failed to recognize the illusion and scarcely miss being kabobed in the back by the real one. One guy come at me from my right but since I'm on the ground, I quickly knock him out with an earth move. I've done that thrice now. You'd think they'd learn.

A ninja pops his hand from the ground to grab me. Not startled, I twist a hold of his wrist and fling him out. I punched him hard in the gut and sent him sailing away. I smiled happily. I was feeling a bit tired, which was strange, but I stored the thought in my mind for later.

"So, are you finally ready to give in? Just give me back that scroll and we can forget this ever happened. See, I've even left your friends alive." The ninja I pointedly was talking to sneered under his mask and ran towards me and hit me with quick punch and kicks. I blocked most of them but taijutsu was never my best. I grit my teeth after a particularly painful kick hit my cheek. All right, enough playing.

My fist hits the ground and it shudders. The man hoped quickly to a tree and I pursued, throwing clay kunai at him. He effortlessly dodges and disappears. It throws me off and I rewardingly receive a kick in the back that sends me sailing into a tree.

"Okay, oww.", I grumbled, cursing when my back popped as I got up straight. Waiting not another second, I send a blast of water towards the last ninja. He was more than surprised at the quick movement and finds his own self slapped onto a tree which now has my grinning. I unnaturally speed over to him and end him and his consciousness with a whack of my wrist.

"Finally." I sighed. I had been playing with these guys too long. It was a simple self-mission to complete; take out the ninja, grab the scroll, come back before further injury. I used the first three ninja as practice dummies on some of my newer battle moves. I didn't take too far as to kill them, but the process was the most likable reason I felt crashed and unusually jaded. Fishing through the guys vest, I find the stolen scroll I'm looking for. "Secret art scroll of blah blah blah."
This wasn't exactly my problem. I'm not even a real ninja per say and I don't live in side the walls of Nami but I felt some since of duty to help them out. I know they've unknowingly helped me.

So I pocket the scroll and leave quietly. I look around for Flaffy but she's nowhere in sight. I rolled my eyes. Well, she'll most likely pop up later on.

I live in a small little town. It's a yonder ways before the delectably, Great Naruto Bridge. I always made trips to the main village to study the ninja way. I had to learn in private. I doubt they'd let some strange 17 year old girl study with the 6 year olds. I would stealthily hide under floorboards or out side of windows to get a lesson. It wasn't that hard since I almost knew nothing about chakra. I was never detected. Of course, this was all two years ago. No need attracting unwanted attention in this place anymore. I know what I need. I licked my lips thinking of Naruto. Delicious. That was my favorite part of the ramen and food here. It's all so different.

I don't walk around in ninja gear. Not really even the common pedestrian cloths either. I wear a normal light lilac top that hangs loosely to my shoulders, knee length black khakis with hidden pockets, and some dark brown converse. I keep a red water pouch and a little bag for small weapons on my hip and the black ninja headband on my head I made, that I think, helps to complete my own look.

I slip off my headband and casually walk through ninja village. The atmosphere fells prickly. I'm sure they've noticed the missing scroll by this time. This whole place alone is known for its strong military, so that's not surprising. I watch amusedly as ninja hop roof to roof, over each other, like they're playing leapfrog. I grin, imagining any of these grown men and women bouncing over someone in front of them and saying "Ribbit."

A scout ninja suddenly leaps from the roof and stops in front of me and a few other people strolling by. He has spiky brown hair and has a black mask to cover most of his face. "Do any of you have any intelligence on the ninja that passed through here exactly 3 hours and 12 minutes ago. They've stolen something precious to the village and it's crucial to capture them as soon as possible." We all shake our heads. I feel a small spark of panic in the back of my mind. I didn't have anything to do with the thievery but what if they caught me with the scroll as I go through the village? That most likely wouldn't go over so well. Ninja here have been known to search people on the streets if suspicious and the curious look the ninja's now giving me makes my stomach flutter. "Well… if you do happen to come across any intelligence, please inform a ninja right away." With that, he zooms off instantly, leaving the others gawking in amazement.

Going through the rest of the village was easy, getting into the tower where all sacred things are kept? Yeah. No go. Ninja are swarming like cockroaches around the place and I was getting too irritated, waiting for a moment to try sneaking past them. Instead, I casually sneak over to a shrub in plain view and drop the scroll there. And from that, I feel pretty smug walking all the way back to my little town. To my side, Flaffy comes and walks in sink with me, chattering happily in her own language. I grin and pick her up; glad I have her and don't get shocked like before.

The wind picks up and I sigh as we make our way to the small abandoned cottage house I live in. It's better than how it was in my past. I close my eyes and shake off the memories. No. I've defiantly gotten stronger. I'm not that same person. I don't seem so convinced though, even if it's to myself. Flaffy sensed my change in mood and playfully thumps her tail against my thigh. I force a smile for her which is curtly ignored. I tiredly set her down when she starts whining.

The house is quiet and cold like always when we enter. It has a thin wood table; seat of six, an old brick fireplace that can't circulate smoke correctly, a few nailed shelves and cabinets, and a black metal bed. It feels empty but warm. Cold but safe. It counters its self in so many ways. My life counters. I counter.

A drumming headache suggests it's a good time to shut up and rest. I can't stop myself from kneeling by my bedside, in a way you grace a fallen solider, and whispering selfish thoughts to my all above. It never alone will be enough, but maybe it will be enough to empty my tears.

I finally caught you. I laugh happily. I finally caught the largest Sea Bass know to man. It's about the size of a baby whale and it wiggles furiously against my line. Now, now, little fish. If you hold still and let me sketch you, I promise I'll let you go. The fish still remains stubborn. It twists and trusts its tail on by red boat. It rocks shakily in the cobalt blue sea. Water starts pouring in the boat and I stick my rod in my mouth and climb up the yellow sail of the boat. Nice try Sea Bass, but you won't make me loose! I whip my rod back and watch as the fish pops half way out the water. Wake up! The fish garbles nosily in the line. Come on! Come on, come on, come on! An eddy kisses the tail of the Bass and suddenly, we're swirling. Wake UP! Come On! Water drenches my head and I'm pulled tighter and tighter. Down, down I go. Snow on stars, cheese on macaroni. Wake… Dampness. Consumption… Darkness. W…

"Aaahhhhh!" I bolt awake. My face is tapped with sweat and my heart is pounding as fast as a hummingbird's. I snap quiet when I see a little boy, around 14 years, a yard away, looking like he just poked a sleeping bear. His face is pale and nervous and I can't find my voice. We stare at each other for about a minuet. I look away and give a not-chalant cough.

The boy suddenly snaps out of it. His brown eyes gleam and he takes his hand and points to me. "Hey you, lady." I raise an eyebrow. "I came out my way here to tell you to run away right now or else you'll be caught by those ninja in the main village!"

There are so many questions that pop through my head the second he spoke but I'm only able to muster up is an intelligent, "Hugh?"

"I'm serious. The people in the main village are looking for you. The woman with the red hair and weird shoes. You must run now if you don't wish to be caught."

"I'm sorry." I slowly rub by face. "What do you mean? Where did you hear this?"

The boy just shook his head and growled out, "Ginger-san, get out of this place." Next, he runs away with night on his heels and roses to his cheeks. I stand up shakily and tie on my shoes and put on my pouches. What did that boy mean? Why would I be chased, there's no way? How'd he know my name? My shoes are weird? Come on Ginger. Get you head out the cloud and focus.

…No

No…

"…Crap."

The second that word leaves my mouth a bolt out the cottage. Damn it. I lividly curse myself in the only two languages I know and start running. How could I have been so stupid? Of course they were looking for me. I did leave the scroll out in the open to be noticed and stored properly but they were still going to try finding the bandit that stole it. And I made the sole mistake of forgetting how easy it is to track chakra signatures once traced. And I sat through all those classes that hot year. Some of my chakra was left of the scroll when I put it in the shrub.

Wait. But, how did they know it was me? I raked my brain and remembered that spiky haired ninja I saw in the village before I left the scroll. "Oh Yeah. There's that guy." I thought sarcastically. Plus, that little kid knew a bit more than he was letting off. It was startling he even knew where I was. Who I was. I never reveled my identity. The smallest thing, and my first name included.

I faintly feel chakra signature speeding towards me. I speed up even more and bounce wildly in the woods. I absently wonder if Flaffy's aware of the move. She's not stupid. I had to confirm this to myself before I double back with worry. She will defiantly meet up with me latter. She's always wondering off all the time anyway.

And so the night chased by with me under it. I wasn't not sure where I was running but I ran and ran. Just like when… I hit a root and fall flat out on the ground of the forest. My breath is heavy as in and exhale. I look up to the sky and it says it's dawn now. The tress above wink in the light and swing their heavy branches in such joy to a joke I will never hear. I'm sore and stiff so I don't blame myself as I'm lulled to sleep by the calm of the forest.

When I wake up, the sun's giving me a harsh glare and the wind sits low, blowing on me as if to say shoo, shoo. My back pops as I sit up straight and I wince at the noise. Just another reward from a not to mention, earlier battle. My shoulders and calves ace but I slowly walk ahead forward.

"Flaffy, where are you", I mummer. I keep on with the winds ushering pace and the calm of the trees. I smile. Going back to my little cottage was out of the question. Ninja were probably swarming through that place now. Snooping through my ninja notes and English novels. I groaned. Yeah, that won't be there when I get back. I should have hidden everything. That was my only other home. I have nowhere else to go now. I put my hand in a pocket and almost cry when I can only bring out 300 yen. Perfect. Just perfect! Now I'm going to starve and die for real in the wilderness.

I grumble to my self and walk around a few foxgloves innocently standing in the way. Just my luck. All my money, placed nice and ready to steal at the cottage. How…

I stop in my tracks as I hear a faint shriek coming from my left. I suddenly get a chill. My arms feel frozen and my palms sweaty. The sound was sinister and cold. Another shriek's let out. This one a bit closer and I can't stop the flinch. Ok. That's more than enough of a signal to scat. The hair on the back of my neck prickles. I should run, but I know I'll do the exact opposite. I'm not going to be afraid anymore. A couple of screams won't scare me and it makes sense. I'm a strong fighter. Perhaps, if I can keep these fellows from escaping, I will be able to snag some cash from them. In the end, it will be fine. I nod to my self as my gut twists disdainfully. "Well. Let's go."

Running to the left, I'm faced to a clearing. Blood is scattered across almost every strand of grace in dainty droplets. I dryly swallow. Two bodies lay motionless near a ravine. They were both cut up, bloody and mangled so badly. I can't even dare to think of going near them to pickpocket.

Usually, when I see dead ninja like this, cut up, burned, or just wrangled to the point of no recognition, I would use my bending to push the earth around their bodies for rest. Regardless of their story, they at least deserve that. I couldn't stand the thought of some raccoon sniping out the entrails of some poor person.

The wind seems to shifts and my hair stands on my body so fiercely, I can't even breathe. There's no time for this. Who ever chopped up these two guys like this were more than worthy opponents. They were to be incredibly strong and dangerous. And I just so brightly decided to swing by, knock on their door and ask for sugar. Stupid girl.

The wind hits me fiercely as I dash back the way I came. I move quickly and I reach the foxgloves again in the matter of minuets. Sighing in relief, I walk to the way I was heading originally. All is fine, until I feel that prickly feeling ten-fold. I run. Small breaths, quick steps, chakra, air. I'm sailing forwards past the trees with easy and just as fast as I move, I'm being sent back flying. I yelp as I scrape on the ground. Dirt cakes in my hair and twigs snap at my body and face. I groan as I stop rolling and notice I'm by those damn flowers again.

Fast movement forces me to my feet and I run in another direction. I don't get very far before I get stopped by two people blocking my path. I'm faced with a malicious grin and a toiled glare. "Huh. And so where do you think you're going little girl."

My throat feels so constricted. I can't speak. I can't even breathe. Here, a yard away from me, stands two of the most dangerous criminals know in this crazy world. In front of me are two members of the Akatsuki.

Yay, first chapt finished! I kind of like the plot so far in my head. I know you may be a bit confused on Ginger, our main character here. I'll explain more stuff about here later. I love context clues so watch for em.

So, what do you think so far? No or Go? I would love to hear some feed back from you guys. This is a first story so a little friendly guidance would be appreciated. Till next time ;0