Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its properties.
Chapter 1 - Meisiekai Redyui
She was never one to miss a target, to let one escape her grasp, to spare a life. That wasn't about to change now, or ever. She stayed true to her word, to capture or kill her target; Whichever were the case. She carefully examined her pouch as she stayed perched silently on a tree branch. Throwing needles, she looked up. Scanning the area she looked back down to continue. Three kunai, she looked up. She had to keep a watchful eye out for her victim.
She finished picking through her btools and decided on a kunai blade. A throwing needle would be the most proficient way, one to a well placed nerve point could disable a man. However she was still learning the technique, and she wanted this done with the uttermost haste. Her ear twitched, almost like a dog. She picked up noise, the snapping of a twig to be exact. She pulled her mask above her mouth and patiently waited.
A man soon walked out into the forest path. His long, dark brown hair spiked up and falling down to his back reminiscent of Madara Uchiha. She had only heard stories of a man so powerful the entirety of the great ninja nation had to unite to defeat him. A war consisting of the Great Allied forces, versus two lone men who's power were so great it warranted such a combined effort. She was sure this man was no Madara Uchiha, very sure. Willing to bet her life on it, for if it was him, he'd have no problem dispatching her. The man kept along his path, not weary of the danger that befell him. The woman held a light grip on her kunai as she dropped from her perch.
She made not a sound when she touched the ground, as if she weighed a feather. She snuck up behind the man, and prepared for the kill. Her ear twitch, another branch snapped not in front, but behind. Compromised. "Tu'san! Look out!" She looked over her shoulder to see the compromiser. A pale skinned man with dark red hair, behind him three other men in similar attire. Tattered garbs of bandits. One of their headbands was marked with the symbol of the Mist, with a distinct scratch through it. Rogue.
The woman turned around just in time to narrowly avoid a straight jab aimed at her by the man now known as Tu'san. She gritted her teeth, she wasn't planning on getting her hands dirty. She traded out her kunai for her katana, whipping it around threateningly. "Just who are ya anyways? Come here trynna pick a fight with lil ol' me huh?" Tu'san demanded, angrily stomping at the ground. "So ya go—"
"Shut up, I don't have time for rambling." The woman spoke. Her tone was quick, cold, and calculating. Bare was it of any emotion, except slight annoyance of the situation. She peeked over her shoulder, wary of the four man on her flank. Only two of them carried a weapon, the red haired one and the one beside him. Both weapons were rusty kunai blades on the verge of shattering.
"Tell me ya name, ya scum!" She bit her lip and eyed him carefully. A slight twitch of her leg and she moved. Tu'san gasped as he felt a cold hand close around his neck. She was fast. "Put him down!" Said the man of red hair. He charged the woman, the other three in tow. She placed a swift knee to Tu'san's groin which knocked the wind from his lungs. She tossed him into the men and they scattered.
A kunai blade whirled at her from the trees. She caught it quite easily, it was poorly thrown. She pocketed it the weapon, it could come in handy layer. One of the men let out a startling battle cry as he leapt towards her. It did nothing to faze her. She swiftly whirled out of his path and countered an off balanced punch from him. She kept her grip on his hand and twisted his wrist the full 360. This time the sound her made was a pitiful cry. Her neck tingled, the red haired guy was closing in from above. With ease the guy she was holding was thrown upwards to counter his partners attack. As soon as her hands were free she weaved hand signals and without word shot a spew of molten fireballs at them. The result was the incineration of the two man. Scraps of burnt clothing, ash, and ember fell from the sky in which they perished. Two dead, three left. She hadn't even used her katana yet. Another kunai struck the ground near her. The user had missed pitifully. She shook her head and turned to take on her challenger.
He had dark black hair and bright blue eyes, he looked barely twenty. "You'll pay for killing my friends, tn!" Ugh he had that annoying habit, making noises at the end of every other sentence. She hated that for some odd reason.
He charged her, his taijutsu was very sloppy. She weaved between each one of his strikes, analyzing the perfect moment to attack. As he pressed forward she was forced to move backwards. He overextended and forced a punch at her jaw, the last mistake he'd ever make. She stuck her foot forward and took away his balance. As he fell helplessly to the ground she jammed her sword into the back of his neck. It made a sort of squishing sound as she removed her blade and flicked the blood from the tip. Safe to say that man was off to catch up with his two friends in the afterlife. The whole crew would be united very soon. A branch snapping once again caught her ear.
"Smart…" She nodded. Tu'san and his companion valued their life greatly. They weren't planning on fighting, they were fleeing. She ascended into the treetops and began to search. Found them, they weren't very smart. Instead of splitting up and bettering each man's chances of survival lest one be caught, they were fleeing together. Too easy.
She descended from the trees, landing on the back of Tu'san's friend. "Fuck!" He shrieked and picked up his pace. "No! Please!" The man under her begged, and it fell on deaf ears. A second later the rusty kunai she had kept was lodged in the man's throat.
She wasted no time and jumped back into the trees. Tu'san was fast, all man were fast when that adrenaline began to pump. However he was still too slow. He nervously looked over head as she eased closer and closer. He screamed out at the realization of his certain death, hoping one would hear his cries. None heard, except himself, the woman, and the birds. A palm hit the back of his head and sent him spiraling into the ground. He didn't even have a second to process what had happened. The last thing he felt was the initial pierce of her sword as it impaled his neck. "Hmph." The woman remarked as she lifted up the guy. She examined his face and dropped him. Wrong guy. Hardly she made mistakes like this, very rare. She chuckled, these five souls had perished for no reason at all. Four could have still been living had they not got involved.
She sheathed her sword with a light sigh. Meisiekai, the name in which belonged to her. A bounty hunter. In these days the bingo book was scarce, but what names that did populate it she brought them in one by one, dead or alive. If alive, just barely. Her job was easy, rarely she came across one who could match her. Once she had tried to go after the biggest name in the book. None tried, because all knew of his might. He was a God, she heard them say. She wasn't convinced, she had to find out for herself. She tagged his name with her stamp, Sasuke Uchiha, and tracked him down. He was like no other, a one handed deity.
She put only two scratches on him. Impressive in its on right, few men alive could say they scratched Sasuke Uchiha. The woman combed her silky grey hair back and checked her surroundings. Her eyes were inky black, and her skin was a nice shade of brown. Not too dark, but not caramel. Her attire could be described as a long white top that fell down to her thighs and clung to her hips. The sides were slited, and a creme sash acted as a belt at her waist. Underneath but not visible, black compression shorts.
Meisiekai was rather young herself, the age of twenty-three. She cast a glance at her detached arm sleeves. Black and white camo pattern… And red. Red, blood, the blood of the five men. This warranted another sigh from her. Luckily her leg sleeves of the same design were spared of the bodily fluid. The next village from here was a two mile trek. It was a rather large village though, and she was wanted in the land of lightning, very wanted. She recently tore down a flyer for her arrest, offering 10 million ryo. Money like that could change a poor man's life, if they were strong enough to haul her in. She had figured Sasuke hadn't known of her status, or she'd be in a cell somewhere. Or dead. At the thought of that man she grimaced, she would one day kill him. Wipe him from the planet, when she got strong enough.
Meisiekai stood to her feet and gathered her tools. Next stop, The Land of Hot Water. Her only challenge, getting past the Hidden Cloud. For her, it would be no hard task. She'd also have to pass the Land of Frost, but at least there was a collection office there. She may have missed this target, but she had others to turn in. She may have not had the corpse on her, but she had proof. As she began to walk, she started to ponder on her bout with the Uchiha.
One month prior.
Meisiekai silently leapt from tree branch to tree branch, stalking her target; Sasuke Uchiha. She stopped when he stopped. She watched quietly as Sasuke began to set up a camp and fire. If he was truly as strong as she heard, one mistake could be her end. She didn't believe though, Sasuke Uchiha was pretty much folklore where she came from. Grizzled war veterans told stories of him and his supposed friend, "Blondie" they called him. How him and Blondie brought the entire ninja world to peace. She heard legends of how Sasuke took on the five great Kage and lived. Some would argue he held his own. Meisiekai would have to be made into a believer. Breaking away from her thoughts, she looked down. Sasuke was laying next to the fire, possibly sleep. She admitted it took guts to sleep out in the open, even in times of peace.
That would be his last mistake. She equipped a kunai and steadied her aim. With deadly precision and even deadlier force she threw the kunai straight for his head. Bingo. It hit its mark, burying itself in his head. That was the end of the great Sasuke Uchiha.
Poof!
Or so she thought. In his place was a log. Great, just great. "Looking for me?" A voice asked from behind her. Meisiekai immediately jumped from her perching position and rolled to a crouch. There she saw him. Sasuke Uchiha, walking up to her and stopping a fair distance away. His eyes cut to the log briefly and her's followed. They both met each other's gaze again and he took a good look over her as she rose to a stand. "Who are you?" He asked, his tone just as cold as hers would be.
Meisiekai didn't answer, instead she reached for her katana. Sasuke did the same, keeping his eyes fixated on her. Meisiekai caught on glimpse of his Sharingan and looked away. She trembled softly, for all she knew that one glimpse could be the end right there. She studied all about the Dojutsu, and knew well what it was capable of. "I'll ask again," Sasuke started, snapping to get her attention, "Who are you?"
Meisiekai dashed forward, whirling a kunai out of her pocket with her free hand and throwing it at Sasuke. He deflected it with his sword, before dashing towards her. His sheer speed caught Meisiekai off guard and forced a retreat, but she was already in his grasp. He grabbed her arm with an iron grip and stared into her eyes. Meisiekai did not return eye contact, looking at the ground as she plotted her next move. She kicked at his foot, tossing him off balance. She slipped away from his hold, grabbing a handful of shuriken from her waist pouch and hurling them at the Uchiha man. Sasuke blocked each one, the clang of metal ringing through the air at each deflection. Meisiekai quickly weaved some hand seals and opened her mouth as she retreated. "Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullets!" She exclaimed. Longs bullets of fire about the length of a substitution log flared from her mouth and towards Sasuke. The far more experienced ninja gracefully evaded each one as he channeled lightning throughout his sword. He locked on to Meisiekai and dashed in towards her.
He thrusted his sword forth, electricity hissing and singeing Meisiekai's arm. She backed away once more but Sasuke easily closed the gap. He swung his blade downwards and caught part of her shoulder, warm red liquid sliding down her shoulder. Meisiekai let out a low feral growl, she wouldn't go down so easily. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!" The surrounding area began to glow orange as Meisiekai found herself staring down the path of two very large fireballs.
She smirked, she could do it as well. She formed the hand seals as she jumped back, "Fire Relea—" she was cut short by a bolt of lightning flashing just across her face. She dug her and in her pocket and pulled out her last kunai. Whirling in the air she descended towards Sasuke, narrowly avoiding the fireballs. Her arm had first degree burns on them, nothing she couldn't withstand. She charged Sasuke, throwing her kunai at his feet and running in with her katana ready to strike. Sasuke jumped up, and Meisiekai met him. She grazed his cheek with her sword and managed to catch his leg, pulling him down. "Checkmate." She mused and aimed a punch at his chest. Sasuke twisted and kicked her arm. He connected with a heel directly to her jaw that freed him from her grip, before aiming a roundhouse at her head.
His second attack sent Meisiekai flying in a spiral into the dirt. She rebounded just in time to narrowly dodge a beam of lighting. Again he shot another lightning beam from his sword, with Meisiekai staying out of its path. "Troublesome." Sasuke muttered. She proved to be quite the slippery woman. He knew of one thing she couldn't escape. "Amar—" His words were cut off as he found himself against an onslaught of fiery bullets. He shielded his face as her attacks tattered his clothes and singed parts of his skin. This time, Meisiekai had him on the ropes. She threw a blow only to have it caught and redirected. It forced her to spin on a heel and throw another punch aimed at his chest. Sasuke shifted out of harms way. He ducked low, sending a hard kick at her shin that put her down on one knee. Meisiekai wasn't done though. As Sasuke reached in to grab her she lunged for his neck at a faster speed. Still the man dodged, yet she had anticipated this. As he moved his head to the left it brushed against the tip of a kunai blade.
The blade cut deep in his cheek and forced him back. Meisiekai rose to her feet, trying hard to regain her breath. She knew without a doubt Sasuke was hardly trying. The little damage he did receive was because he allowed it to happen. Even the events that had just transpired. Had he not been so quick to grab her, he would have avoided that cut. The cut stung slightly, nothing but a small annoyance to him. "Fire Release: Infernal Storm!" Meisiekai shouted. From her mouth she spat a wave like current of flames, setting the forest ablaze. Sasuke made a mental acknowledgement. Never before had he seen this jutsu, but he wouldn't die to it.
Meisiekai found it best to escape now, lest she wanted to die. This man was to overpowering to overcome in an all out fight. She cut her losses and fled. She looked back to see Sasuke standing there among the burning trees and falling branches, watching her. That was the last she had saw on the man named Sasuke.
Bolt smiled happily to himself, preparing himself to go outside. It was a rare day, he had the day off. Konohamaru was sick with the flu. He insisted on continuing their lessons at first, but Naruto himself sent him home. His father didn't want a flu spreading and running wild in the village, that would be a huge headache. A month has passed since their battle with two members of the Otsutsuki Clan. The Chunin exams restarted, without Bolt much to his great anger. The winners ending up being Shikadai and Shinki of the Sand. Both were promptly promoted to Chunin of their respective villages. He sighed and emerged himself in thoughts, thinking back to the battle a month ago.
"Hello Bolt!" The familiar voice of his friend snapped him out of thoughts. Sarada approached him, Mitsuki nowhere in sight. "Yo Sarada." He smiled at her and lazily looked around, "Where's Mitsuki?"
"He went off to help around the village, that kind of stuff." Sarada answered and her blonde friend gave a half nod. He didn't understand wanting to work on a free day, Mitsuki was a strange kid. "How's your sister?" Sarada asked, trying to make small talk as they both began to walk. Bolt shook his head as his eyes danced around the village. "She's fine, as clingy as ever." Sarada couldn't help but giggle. She envied Bolt for having such a cute sister. She longed for a sibling of her own, but that seemed as likely as cats giving birth to dogs.
"How's your mom?" Bolt asked in return, and they began their usual conversation.
Looking over them perched atop a building was Sasuke. He watched them with small interest for maybe a minute or two, then continuing on his path. In less than five minutes he was knocking at the door of the Hokage's office.
"Come in." He heard Naruto say. Sasuke waited a few seconds and burst through the door. He appeared before Naruto standing on the man's desk, careful not to knock his paperwork over. The edge of his sword was pointed at Naruto's forehead. "You gotta be on guard always Naruto, even if its me." He scolded. He caught the grin on Naruto's face and smirked himself, waiting for the blonde to correct him.
That he did, "I am on guard." Naruto motioned behind him and Sasuke turned. In the corner of the room were two shadow clones, one holding a charged Rasengan. They both made teasing expressions before disappearing in a poof of smoke. Sasuke sheathed his blade and dropped down from the desk. "So what brings you by? Is it time for your reports already?" Naruto asked, tiredly burying his cheek in his palm while he waited for an answer.
"Kaguya's dimension has been untouched so far, no trouble on that front. There's been some small conflict in the Land of Frost, nothing deadly. I spotted Orochimaru near the Land of Sound. I don't know what him and Suigetsu are doing there but you should keep an eye out. There's also been an alarming number of bounty hunters as of late. You should see this." Sasuke pulled a bingo book from his pocket. He tossed the book to his friend.
Naruto caught it and began to flip through it. He didn't see any familiar names, until towards the end. "Bee? Who would add Bee's name to this thing?" He asked with a raised eyebrow as he continued. He came across other notable names; Orochimaru and Suigetsu, Jugo, even Karin. He got to the last page of it and looked up, then down to read the name, "Sasuke Uchiha… I thought Bingo Books were discontinued now that we're in peace? Even so, what village would put you in their wanted list?" He inquired curiously, as he was sure Sasuke hadn't done anything to warrant it. Had he?
"Precisely, these are not Village produced." Sasuke spoke, "I've found out that their a different kind of bingo book, the hunters book so to speak. Some time ago a group of mercenaries got together and began to compile hits and murder warrants into a book. They mass produced that book, giving them out to various hunters, rogues, and mercenaries." Naruto sighed over Sasuke's words. "That book is one I managed to take from a guy who tried to kill me. They're paying good money for the heavier people, I'm listed for a payout of thirty-five million ryo. There was a woman who attacked me not too long ago." He motioned Naruto to look at the small scar she had placed on his cheek.
"They know who you are, yet they don't fear going to battle with you if they think they can win. Once again, it's starting to get dangerous out there. Sasuke, are you sure you're okay wandering around?" A voice of concern for his friend tinged Naruto's tone. Sasuke chuckled, nodding. "Very well, when do you plan on departing again?"
The Uchiha gave it some thought, deciding upon an answer. "I'll leave again at midnight. I'll pay a visit unto Sakura and my daughter. If they find out I came through without visiting they'll be upset, and no doubt you'll tell them." Sasuke watched as Naruto turned around to look out the window behind him. "I'll be going now, until next time." Sasuke through his hand up and turned to leave. "Take care, Sasuke." Naruto called, still watching over his village.
Sasuke descended the staircase and exited the building. Now he'd visit the hospital, as he knew Sakura would be there at these hours.
Two weeks had passed, Meisiekai expertly avoided the grasps of the Hidden Cloud. Now she stepped foot in a new land. True to its name, the Land of Frost was barren and cold. During the Fourth Shinobi War, most of the residents of the Land of Frost were relocated to Konoha out of fear that their land would become a battleground in the war.
Only about a fourth of those people returned, the rest stayed in the Land of Fire. The Village Hidden in the Frost had now become a mercenary town. Crooks, rogues, and criminals of all kinds gathered there for shelter. It was also where the collection office now resided, and a bounty hunter outpost nearby. She was sure she had put all other hunters out of business by now so she wasn't expecting to meet to many folk there.
That was still far to go. She heard rumors of a small village nearby home to Land of Frost natives. Those who had been ran from their home village by mercs. She had also heard they were planning a revolt to take their town back.
Interesting. Meisiekai thought to herself. Conditions were brewing rather fast, she knew she should make her way to the Land of Hot Water before things got violent. If she didn't, oh well. The woman enjoyed a good bloodbath.
A/N: So this was more of a short introduction chapter to get everything going, get my character introduced. I'll try to flesh out her character more and more these first five chapters. This is my first fanfic in quite a bit. It won't be entirely OC centric down the line, but the introducing arc will be mainly focused on Meisiekai. Don't worry I'll try to make her as likable as possible.
I was tempted to go the route of making another Next Generation centric fanfic, but I wanted to try something new. Anyways I should have a new chapter out hopefully Friday, that's the mark I'm setting. First five chapters will average maybe 4k to 6k words, and once that's over we'll get into the thick pf the plot. Anyways thanks for stopping by, leave a review maybe, and I'll see you guys Friday
~24tee