AN: yes, I live. Unfortunately I do not yet have another chapter of healing for you, but I haven't really had time to think about it. This story sort of popped into my head about a month ago, and I've had the prologue sitting on my computer since then. I figured it being February 2nd and all I ought to publish it. Not promising anything with regards to regular updates, school is keeping me insanely busy this semester, plus I've been doing a bit of beta-ing (and I'm sorry I'm behind guys, I've been sick. Soon, I promise, I'll get your chapters back to you). Anyway, I still hold to my promise to finish everything I start, it just might take me a while to actually finish. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this story.

Prologue:

Yamanaka Ino was a pretty blonde girl and more than a half-way decent kunoichi. Today though, if it went well, would make her an excellent kunoichi. She could hardly wait! She was waiting eagerly at her family's training ground for her father, humming absent-mindedly to herself as she fidgeted, shifting her weight from leg to leg.

He was late. Thirty seconds late! How could he do this to her on today of all…

"Hey princess," her dad said tiredly. He been busy with Ibiki all day and was definitely ready to hit the sack. But he had delayed teaching Ino this jutsu long enough, and he left on another mission tomorrow. He had to start teaching it to her now.

"Hi daddy!" she exclaimed happily. Inoichi's eyes brightened at her warm greeting. No matter how old she got she would always be his little princess.

"Now the technique that I'm going to show you tonight is essential if you want to progress any further in our clan's jutsu," Inoichi said seriously. "You have already learned how to completely master one mind," here he paused and held back a smile at the sight of his daughter visibly preening; "the next step is to learn how to enter many minds at once."

Ino's jaw dropped. "Is that even possible?" she gasped, awed.

"Yes, it is, although it is extremely difficult and only about one in fifty Yamanaka's ever master it. I have the utmost faith in your ability though Ino," her father said sternly.

Ino gulped. Her father would let her get away with almost anything, but not when it came to her duties as a kunoichi – and more importantly her duties as the heir of the Yamanaka's techniques. She was going to have to master this jutsu, no matter how hard it was.

"Now the trick to this technique is that instead of trying to project your consciousness into someone else, you need to think of it as a wave of rushing water that will spread out and absorb everyone it encounters. Start with a small wave and try to see in the minds of some of the animals in this field. And remember, you're not at a stage where you can be manipulating people's minds at this magnitude. Just try to read the thoughts, okay?"

Ino nodded in determination. She could totally do this! Focusing her chakra as her father showed her she steepled her fingers before separating them all except the thumbs and triggering the jutsu. She pictured her consciousness rushing outwards, only to feel it abruptly snap back into her.

"You need to use more chakra, Ino," her father explained patiently. "This exercise is going to tap into every reserve you have."

Nodding again Ino repeated the gesture, trying to put more chakra into it. She felt like she made it a little bit farther, but the feeling of her conscious snapping back into her body was twice as painful. She winced, much to her chagrin, but thankfully her father didn't say anything about her weakness.

"More, Ino! That elastic feeling you're getting? Think about breaking the elastic. Otherwise you're only going to hurt yourself. Push all your chakra out and break it before it can snap your consciousness back into your body!"

Ino resolutely steadied her stance, putting her hands in the correct position. She was going to get it this time, or she wasn't Ino Yamanaka! Cha!

Hastily pushing all her chakra out and away, Ino felt a moment of elation when she realized she could sense everyone in Konoha! And then abruptly passed out.


Ok, I guess this doesn't really tell you what's going to be happening, but the title ought to give you some idea. Hopefully it won't be too too long before I update. Cheers!