A/N: Hello and welcome to "Beauty In The Beast"! This is my first Naruto fic, and, in fact, my first fanfiction written in English. Yes, it has an OC. Yes, there is a possibility of her having some kind of a relationship with Gaara BUT romance is not the focus of this story. Nether is Mary Sue-ness. So, if that is what you were looking for, sorry for the dissapointment... This story is rated "T" for a reason. So, kids, I don't think you want to read it... unless you want to have nightmares, that is xD I had to re-think the plot five, if not six times. Oh,and one itsy-bitsy note. I love to stick big, fat, annoying, nerve-teasing cliffhangers in my story... BEWARE!!!
And... what self-respecting author does not want reviews? Please. Pretty please. I would really appreciate that.

Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER

All the characters, places and such from the world of "Naruto" are a property of Masashi Kishimoto and his partner companies. All the new and original characters and places that have not been mentioned in the manga and anime "Naruto" are property of myself and are NOT free to use.


Chapter1

Smooth is surface of the mirror,

Like the innocence of child.

But inside the deep glass window,

Hidden is, so deep within,

It's dark...

Shadows, small shadows flickering all around...

"Ghost-girl! Monster-girl!"

"Ghost-girl... Moooooooaaaan!"

It's cold...

"Come on, monster-girl! Show us your fangs! Show us your monster eyes! Moooooooaaan!"

It's grey...

"Leave me alone!"

I opened my eyes and looked around, slowly adapting to dark.

"Wha? How did I get there?"

I was sitting on the dusty doorsteps of an abandoned farmer's market. Near me was resting a half-melted candle and a book. Candle was still burning, its flame trembling in the breeze.

"Ohh, now I get it..."

I was probably wandering around the village at night, as usual. Came here, without even thinking where I am going. Was reading... Then fell asleep. Simple.

The sun was about to rise. Its golden rays slowly started wrapping the Hidden Leaf Village in their awakening embrace. Several mourning birds started chirping, other birds replying them, and soon the streets were floating in their chaotic, yet beautiful melody. I inhaled the mourning air, so mild and refreshing... I need to get going home, or Grandmother will start worrying. I got up, gathered my belongings, and started walking back home. I easily found my way back - those sleepless nights are useful after all.

I walked pass the small shops and markets, restaurants and libraries. Everything was asleep, silent.

Then I stopped.

In front of me was the infamous Ninja Academy. The place of my dreams, the place of my heart's desire. The place I was forbidden to enter. Grand and numerous, its windows were glancing at me suspiciously; its doors were shut tightly. Oh, how I wanted to climb over the fence and take just a little peek inside!

But I hurried home.

I opened the door of our small, but comfy house. The door (evil thing!) did not bother to open quietly. Loud 'squeeeeak!' echoed through the hallway. Damn it.

"Anita? Is that you?" I heard.

Great. Now I woke up Grandmother...

"Anita? Answer me!ยป she demanded.

"Yes... I was just taking a little walk..." I explained. A little walk? Right...

"Don't lie to me, I know you were out all night!" she started to come down the stairs, cursing and calling me "shameless girl' and "ungrateful daughter of streets".

"I am sorry, Grandmother, I couldn't sleep... Please, forgive me." I bowed.

"Now, now... Today is your big day, isn't it? You should get ready!" she smiled.

I glanced at her. "Old and decaying", as she called herself, she had that regal appearance you usually notice when looking at some royal person. She was glowing with pride; she was so perfect in everything she did, that sometimes I wondered if she really is "just an old witch spending her last centuries in this rotten world".

"Yes, I guess it is..." I replied with a polite smile.

"All right then, let's get going!"

She sat me down at the table, and started making breakfast. It felt really uncomfortable, I was capable of helping her, and yet I knew - She will never allow anyone to help her, especially me. I was eleven by then, and still she treated me like a child. She cared about me, like I was her only treasure; ever since that day when she found me, stubborn and nearly unconscious, with no memory of what happened whatsoever...

I was seven years old when I met her. I don't really remember that day, but Grandmother described it quite well:

"It was a cold November evening. Wind was howling as mad, it rained rapidly. I was walking down the street, carrying groceries for dinner. Suddenly, I slipped on the mud; my bags obviously fell as well. I started gathering them, but one small bag was missing, I looked all around that place but it was nowhere in sight. I was about to leave, but then I felt that someone was pulling my coat from behind. I turned, and here you were, a little girl stretching out her tiny hands with the missing bag in them.

'Oh, my...'

What surprised me the most was your look. You were incredibly skinny, your clothes were torn, and you had scratches and bruises all over your body. Your hair was covered in mud, several leaves were stuck dead to your head; it was impossible to assume what color your hair was. You were constantly shaking, ether because of cold or feather. You looked like a lonely, lost ghost, so pale and small... And yet, on your skull-like face, covered with dust and blood, shined a smile. That smile was like nothing I've seen before. It glowed; it was so warm and kind that I almost slipped down again.

'You... Dropped your bag...' you said, still stretching the bag out.

'Thank you...' I carefully took the bag, afraid that you will vanish in this eternal rain, that you will disappear with a smallest blow of wind...

You looked down, shyly.

'What is your name?' I asked.

'I don't know...'

'How... come?' I was shocked.

'I just don't know!' you fell down on the road, crying and hitting the mud with all your might.

I put my bags down and picked you up.

'Now, now, it's enough crying. A beautiful young lady like you shall not let emotions overcome herself, understood?' I said.

'Understood.' you wiped away your tears, and glared at me proudly. That was the first and last time I saw you crying, my child...

I chuckled and patted your head. I talked to you for a little bit longer, and found out that you don't know who you are, or where you are, who are your parents, where you live, how you got all the way down here... Just nothing. A blank.

I took you home, bathed you, and wrapped you in my white robe. It was way too big for you, you were just adorable with your long blonde hair and huge, curious grey eyes. No longer were you a torn down ghost from the street, you looked like a fairy, like an angel that fell down from the sky.

As you sat on my lap, observing the house with pure childish interest, I was carefully treating your scratches and bruises.

'Wonder where you've got them from...' I thought worried.

I was rubbing the lotus balsam into your cheek, when you suddenly pushed my hand away and jumped down. You rushed down the hall, tipping over the robe, but getting up and continuing running. I gasped... You stood in front of the mirror.

You touched the mirror surface and stroke your hand down it. Amazed, you waved your hand, watching the reflection mimic your every move. You smiled and started jumping, waving, grinning to the mirror. I came down to you and held your shoulders.

'Now, time to calm down.' I said.

'Is that me?' you asked, still astonished.

'Yes, that is you... Anita.' I smiled, and my reflection smiled in reply.

'Anita? Is that my name?' you asked, your eyes open so wide I was scared they'll fall out.

'Yes. Would you like to be my granddaughter and live with me from now on?' I asked.

'Yes! Yes!' you hugged me happily.

'Then welcome home... Anita Chitsuke.'

You were living with me, ever since. One day, about four months after our meeting, I found you in the library, carefully observing the wall decorated with weapons. You rubbed your hand against the large katana blade placed in the middle.

'Ow... Ow!' a drop of blood appeared on your finger, and you quickly put it in your mouth.

'Anita! What do you think you are doing?' I rushed up to you.

'Iamsorry' you mumbled with a finger in your mouth.

'Let me see it!' I demanded, and you obediently let me to take a look. 'Ahh, it's nothing... Now tell me, what were you doing here on the first place?'

'I was just walking around...' you answered. Suddenly, your eyes filled up with that same glow as when you first saw your reflection. 'Grandmother! I want to become a ninja when I grow up!'

'You what? Why?' I asked, very surprised.

'They are so strong and wise! Can I be as strong and wise as a ninja, Grandmother?'

'Why, yes.' I chuckled. 'I will find you the best sensei I can, and we will start training as soon as you turn nine ok?'

'But why nine?' you moaned disappointed.

'You are too small, you have to wait. Now, no more questions! It is time for you to go to sleep.'"

She kept her promise. She found me a sensei, a friend of hers, as she told me. His name was Rashi, and that is pretty much all I can recall about him. He wore a mask over his face, navy blue jumping suit and a grey vest. His eyes were dark and cold, and, to be honest, I was scared of him a little. He taught me some Ninjutsu and chakra control, and that was pretty much it. I spend far more time building up my physical strength, as he said it is far more important then summoning demons and making "little spells". Man, he was wrong...

My body complexion is weak and thin, it was obvious that Taijutsu won't get me far. And yet, he insisted, training me to exhaustion, when I was secretly reading Ninjutsu books at night.

"Anita, eat up! We have tons of important things to do!" Grandmother gave me a cup of tea and pancakes.

I ate, silently, while somebody knocked in the door.

"I'll go get it..." Grandmother said. "Coming!" she yelled.

I heard a familiar 'squeeeeak!' as she opened the door. And then... silence.

"Grandmother?" I asked.

Silence.

"Grandmother Chitsuki?"

No answer.

"Come on, Grandmother, this is not funny!" I yelled angrily and rushed to the door.

I gasped in shock.

Several men were standing at the doorway. They all were dressed in black, and had masks covering half of their faces. Two were standing beside the door. There were probably more outside.

One was holding a kunai knife pushed against my grandmother's throat.

"Now, Moonblood kid... Do as we say, and the old woman will stay alive for a while longer.", he demanded.