This is my first Naruto-related story so I hope you like it.

Please comment when you're done reading. :)

Chapter One

The Beginning of a New Life

My name is Hoshito Mattaya. I'm 17-years-old. Looking back on my childhood life, there's a couple things that I regret and miss.

This is my story.

I'm an only child; I lived in a small house with both my parents on the outskirts of the Water Country. My parents loathed ninjas and everything about them. Growing up, they would repeat the same things over and over: "Don't become one of them! Ninjas are devils! They have no mercy and kill anyone that troubles them!"

But I never had the feeling of them being devils whenever I saw them. I saw protection and love for their country when they battled. But, of course, I wasn't allowed to watch. I would sneak out and hide in the bushes; a small person like me never got caught. Before the sun went down, I would sneak back into my house and pretend like nothing happened.

I knew my parents loved me; it's why they never wanted me to become a ninja because so many ninjas die in fights. So, to repay them, I acted like a sweet little girl, the type every parent wanted as a child. Because I never went to ninja school, I was tutored by my mother at home.

One day, after getting twenty math questions correct, I asked my mom what her true reason of hating the ninjas was. "Aren't they supposed to protect the village? What was so bad about that?"

I immediately regretted asking the question. My mother—always smiling, wearing the prettiest face a lady can possible have—looked furious. Her eyebrows pulling in on each other, created a crease in between them, stress lines showing on her forehead.

"Ninjas act on hate and revenge. It's a continuous battle that never ends. As long as there are ninjas in this world, there will always be war, and people will always be dying." Each word was said with venom, and for the first time, I was scared of my own mother.

I pictured her in the ninja uniform, with the forehead protector put on nice and tight. My mother would make an awesome ninja, I thought. She would be known as the strongest female ninja ever to be born!

At the age of nine, my parents died; my mother by cancer and my father by a heart attack. From that day on, people would stare at me and whisper things. Even the kids were scared to come up to me. That was when I felt the feeling of loneliness for the first time... and it was terrifying. I hated every second of it; it sickened me so much I almost thought of suicide.

Then, something happened.

For the first time in all my life, a ninja came up to me.

"Honey, where are your parents? Are you lost?" She asked.

I shook my head, unable to reply. She looked nothing like my mother, but in some ways, she reminded me of her. The way when she smiled, her eyes squinted, and the feeling of warmth and love just by being around her overcame me.

"My parents are dead." I heard myself say.

The lady frowned and then said: "Then you should come live with me; no child should be left alone! You look like you're only ten years old—much too young to be taking care of yourself!"

Her name was Hanato Laylo. She provided me food and a home for months. When she had asked me about my education, she was surprised with the answer.

"All females should at least know how to defend themselves! Especially if they're as pretty as you! Boys out there are crazy some times, you know."

At the age of 10 I entered and graduated ninja school. I studied everything they taught me and practiced it every day until I got it perfect. I watched Laylo practice too, and when she was available, she helped me. At age 12, I became a Chunnin. I truly appreciated everything she did for me.

But the thing that I remember the most was when I first saw the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. All the ninjas were gathered together, awaiting the visit of the Mist's first official Seven Shinobi Swordsmen.

My thoughts immediately ran to my mother's words: "As long as there are ninjas in this world, there will always be war, and people will always be dying."

'The people that stood before me don't even deserve the title of people', I thought. 'They're monsters, all of them! They killed to become what they are now; that shouldn't be allowed!'

I know that's what should have stayed in my mind; should have took all my thoughts away and concentrated on it. What I really thought, though, was something completely different.

The men that stood in front me shined. Not literally, but the way they stood there, proud with swords almost as tall as them, made them look less like monsters and more like Shinobi that can do—will do—anything for their country. They were known as the strongest ninjas in all of the Hidden Village of the Mist.

September 28th was the scheduled time of Hanato Laylo's group's return from her mission. I waited—with cake I made all by myself on the table—for her arrival that night, but she never came. I hoped that it was the rain that was putting off her return, but the next two days it didn't rain, and she still didn't return. On the third day, Laylo's close friends, whom I met a couple times, held the ceremonies of her group's deaths. Only one person survived, and came back with a special message from Hanato Laylo herself.

Dear Hoshito Mattaya, it read, you were like a sister to me in so many ways, and I know that after the deaths of your parents, this would feel just the same. I'm not going to ask for your forgiveness, because I know it would be hard to accept; instead, I'm asking you to become a wonderful women and a brave Shinobi. Don't forget me and everything we did together, and I won't ever forget you. I'll be watching over you—make me proud. Hanato Laylo.

Tears shone on my face and I quickly wiped them off. Layla was like a sister to me, and she did so many things for a stranger she met on the streets. I knew that there was something I could do to show her how much I've learned from her and how thankful I was for her presence.

And, if I recall right, that was the day I knew what I was going to do with my life.