Greetings oh wonderful people (if anybody) who have decided to read my story! Just so all are aware, this is my first fanfic and I'm not really sure how these things work yet... I apologize for how bad it is in advance. Depending on what people think I may or may not continue it, so have fun praising/trashing it. I look forward to some honest (if brutal) reviews. And don't worry, most of the chapters won't be as terribly boring as this one. Enjoy!

Addendum: Wow, I started this story likethree years ago. That's kind of a long time. Well, if you're just getting started, WELCOME! I feel like this story might last a long time, so I hope you have a blast on the ride to the end.

"Konoha?"

Okure peered at me gravely over the firelight, shadows flickering elusively over his face. He would never be straightforward, that guy. Something I would always resent about him as the clan leader. I sighed, waiting for him to respond. Sometimes he did take a while to remember people were talking to him. The other chuunins and jounins sitting in the stadium acted patient, but I could feel tension in the entire place. Silence… "Yes."

"Why Konoha?" I asked. I'd guessed why, but I needed to make sure my instincts were correct.

More silence. I could wait all night if it meant an explanation. Some of the other ninjas I couldn't speak for. "Nyuushin Niwaka. Do you remember why your parents left our clan?" What a stupid question. Of course I remembered. But then again, I'd only heard from Okure after Mother and Father had already gone. I didn't necessarily know that he'd been telling the truth. You never could tell. I nodded nonetheless. "Heisei and Ketsui wanted you to be a skilled ninja like they were." Before the accident. "And one of the requests we specifically received from them was for you to train in Konoha." Of course, it was such a special village. Konoha and its little flimsy leaves. "The Third Hokage has promised to accept you as one of his own genins."

Something snapped in my mind, and my eyes narrowed suspiciously. "One of his own. And when you say that, you mean that you're throwing me out of the clan." I suddenly felt very aware of my forehead protector, securely tied to the side of my hip. I'd had it since I was five. I really wasn't ready to give it up. In fact, I never wanted to give it up. "That is what you mean, correct?" They were no longer my family, so why be courteous?

"Niwaka-chan," someone said from the upper levels. Glancing up, I recognized a man, somewhere in his mid-twenties, bright red hair waving around his ears. Gaman. "We're not throwing you out. Far from it. You know how little education you'll be able to get here." He had me there. The Nyuushin Clan was solitary, settled several kilometers away from the Hidden Star Village, though we rarely made contact with them. "You've learned nearly all the techniques the clan has to offer."

"I could wander around some," I protested, instinctively brushing my fingers against my forehead protector. "Become a travelling shinobi—"

"Travelling shinobi have no respect for their comrades!" Okure said angrily. I drew back, surprised. "You will not wander. It's the best thing for you to live in a village atmosphere with other genins. You can't continue as the only genin in our clan forever. Where will you learn teamwork? Or new jutsu? This is what your parents would have wanted."

"My parents can go to hell!" I shouted, feeling tears prick my eyes. "My parents were never here when I needed them. This village is all I have. I would rather be a mediocre ninja than an exile."

Okure lowered his lined face. "I'm sorry you feel that way. But…" A hand clenched at my heart. "We've already agreed on a deal with the Third. The Nyuushin Clan cannot go back on its word. Out honor is at stake if you refuse, Niwaka-san."

I bit my lip. I could sense the other ninjas' eyes on me, waiting for my decision. All this for being the daughter of two of the most important ninjas in our clan. I suppose their word was law, just short of Okure. Despite my fury at his jurisdiction, I wasn't selfish. The clan comes first, that was what Gaman had always told me. I had never imagined causing such an upset. But it was clear what a real Nyuushin would do in this situation.

"I'll go," I growled, hiding my discomfort. "But don't expect me to fight for this village again. You say I'm a Konoha ninja now, so I am."

I could see Gaman place his head in his hands, and the other jounins shift in awkward silence. Okure thought for what seemed like an eternity, but finally, eyes on the fire burning bright before his seat, he said, "Very well. Tomorrow morning you leave."

Red eyes. That's what I hate most about mirrors. The first thing I ever see is that shock of crimson on either side of my face. Some people mistake me for possessing the legendary Sharingan on first sight, but the Nyuushin don't have bloodline limits passed through the eyes. Supposedly there is a trait in our history that crossed with the Uchihas' but no kind of power was retained, only the color.

I stared at myself, distrusting my courage. The girl in the mirror looked cool and confident, black-violet hair pulled away from her face in a plain braid, and mouth set stubbornly. To tell the truth, I'm not as brave as I make myself out to be. I feel comfortable arguing with Okure and Gaman only because they've known me from the moment I was born. I try to avoid the other clan members as often as possible for fear that I'll be unable to come up with a coherent response.

I felt a presence behind me and turned away from the mirror slowly. Gaman closed his eyes, face passive. "Are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be," I muttered. I slid a pack onto my shoulders and made sure I had a sufficient amount of supplies in the pocket-bag next to my protector. Six kunais. Fourteen shurikens.

Three explosive tags. And 2 smoke bombs. "Shall we?" I asked, gesturing Gaman toward the door.

Several villagers watched from their windows when Gaman and I crossed the entrance threshold. It occurred to me I was leaving behind nearly fourteen years of childhood memories and loyalty. A trace of guilt crossed my mind remembering the things I'd said the night before, but I brushed it off, refusing to think about it anymore. If Konoha was where they wanted me, I would go there and accept it.

"Niwaka-chan," Gaman said in a sing-song way. "You've never been good at spiting people, and you know it." I ignored him, clenching my pack. How did such an annoying guy become a jounin?"Niwaka-chan, don't be like that." He appeared in front of me, grinning and I cursed myself for not paying more attention. "I know this isn't what you want, but it was your choice."

"Choice!" I snapped, stopping in my tracks. "More like an ultimatum! My happiness or the village's honor. I can't win either way. If I leave, then I give up my home. If I compromise the Nyuushin Clan's status, then I'm forever blamed. What choice did I have?"

Gaman laughed quietly. "You do have a point."

I frowned. "Of course I do, you fool."

"Whoa, easy, easy," he answered. No sooner had I taken another step that I felt a kunai pressed to my throat. "Let's not be forgetting who's the jounin here. The kunai slid away and I sighed.

"You're a terrible person," I muttered.

"Yeah, I am. Now first one out of the Bear Country has to treat the other to lunch." He leapt into the trees and away in an instant. I smiled and jumped after him. Whatever time I had left as a Nyuushin, I planned to savor it.

It took us nearly three days to reach the Country of Fire, and another few hours to the outskirts of Konoha. Despite everything, I couldn't deny that this country was beautiful. We'd arrived just as soon as the sun began to set. Golden streaks crawled along the horizon melting into blue and red. It was almost as if someone were painting a scene across the sky. The Country of Bears had never had a sunset this gorgeous. I was so enraptured that I didn't notice we'd passed the gates into Konoha. Until I bumped into something hard.

Looking up, I glimpsed a face, half covered by rough-looking black hair and wearing an honestly surprised expression. "Hello there," the man said easily sliding into a smile. "I suppose you're new here?"

I blushed furiously, tripping over my tongue thinking of a response, until Gaman came to my rescue. "Izumo, don't scare her."

"Gaman-sama?" the man asked incredulously. "I haven't seen you in years."

"Me either." Another man stepped up next to Izumo. This one gave me the impression that he had a large, hairy spider perched atop his head, but I also noticed the white cloth stretched over his nose.

"Kotetsu too!" Gaman said with a smile. "I should've guessed you two would still be hanging around each other."

"Habit," they said at the same time and glanced at each other, one eyebrow raised each.

"Anyway," Izumo said, slipping into a business type tone. "Who's your friend?" He and Kotetsu seemed to be analyzing me. I tried to back away behind Gaman, but he just pushed me forward.

"Now's not the time to be shy, Niwaka-chan." He grinned widely down on me, giving a thumbs up. "These guys aren't going to eat you."

"Yeah, right," I said inaudibly.

"Niwaka-san?"Kotetsu said thoughtfully. "Interesting name. You have that kind of air about you though." I blushed even harder. Stupid strangers. I wouldn't be able to talk for at least ten minutes now. Or so I thought.

"Well, Niwaka-chan," Gaman said. "This is where I leave you."

"What?" I cried, forgetting the other two ninjas momentarily. I would have to meet the Hokage alone? I would have to navigate the town without a guide? "Right at the gate?" I jabbed a finger at Gaman's chest. "What kind of clansman are you? Abandoning me in some random village."

"Sorry!" he insisted, smile shaking in its place. "The mission only entails me taking you to the gates. I swear, Izumo and Kotetsu can show you around and introduce you to the Hokage." He scratched the back of his head, and I turned around with a 'hmph', hair swinging around my shoulders.

"Fine," I told him. "But when I see you again, I am going to beat you senseless, you hear? Even if you are a lousy jounin."

"It's a promise," Gaman said, clasping my shoulder. He let go and with a salute melted back into the trees. The sun was gone now and lamps burned down the length of Konoha's streets. For a moment, I felt the imminent isolation take hold, but I forced it back. Before I could settle, I remembered the two ninjas, obviously waiting for me to say something. Slowly pivoting back around, I kept my eyes glued to the ground. I peered up at them shyly from underneath my lashes. They looked utterly perplexed.

"I told you her name fits, Izumo," Kotetsu said behind a hand.

"Shut up," Izumo said, nudging his friend. "This is the one that the Hokage asked us to look out for, remember? From the Nyuushin Clan? That's why Gaman-sama was escorting her."

"Right, Nyuushin Niwaka." They nodded to each other (everything they did seemed to be in sync) and looked to me with friendly faces.

"Shall we?" Izumo asked politely. I bobbed my head just enough for confirmation and continued my extensive study of the gravel and dirt on the road. "Very well." Izumo's cheer was almost infectious, but only almost. "Just follow us, Niwaka-san."

Konoha turned out to be a big village, much bigger than my own. But it was to be expected, since this was one of the five leading villages on the continent. Izumo and Kotetsu weaved through a couple streets before stopping. "That's where the Hokage lives," Kotetsu told me pointing to a large white and red building adorned with the symbol for fire. It's only another block away, but you must be hungry now. I'll bet Gaman-sama doesn't feed you enough. He's so stingy."

"And we're passing the ramen shop right now," Izumo observed. "We'll treat you."

"No!" I said, quietly, but still louder than I had intended. "I have enough money for—"

"But we would be bad hosts," Kotetsu said with a smile. "Besides, you shouldn't meet the Hokage for the first time without eating first. He can be pretty imposing."

"I guess just once," I said grudgingly. I hated owing people anything. I always insisted on doing things myself. I often had trouble repaying debts especially monetary ones. Out clan is not the richest around.

Ichiraku Ramen was just down the street. It looked like a pleasant place, refreshingly open with a small bar-like setting. Only two people were there when we entered: a chuunin or jounin probably around Gaman's age and a blonde boy with a shockingly orange jacket. I smiled, seeing the way the kid was shoveling down his ramen. The ninja beside him seemed amused as well. So Konoha was a party town.

"Welcome!" said a kindly middle-aged man. "What can I get you?"

"What would you like, Niwaka-san?" Izumo asked.

The three of them were looking at me expectantly and it was the most unsettling feeling in the world. "I-I'll have whatever that kid's having," I said, flicking my eyes to the blonde boy. "Since he seems to be enjoying it so much," I finished softly.

"Ayame!" the man called behind him. "One order of pork ramen!"

"Hai!" I heard a woman shout from the back.

"Do you make all your decisions that way?" Kotetsu asked. Hey, don't talk to me about decisions.

"No," I answered hiding behind my bangs. "I thought it looked good."

I was handed the bowl a few minutes later, and I broke my chopsticks apart finally realizing just how hungry I really was. I was about to dig in, when someone sat heavily in the seat on my other side. "Pork ramen?" I recognized the blonde boy and blinked at his impossibly wide grin. "Good choice, nee-san. What's your name?"

I hesitated. What an energetic kid... "Nyuushin Niwaka." I began eating my ramen, which, I might add, was delicious.

"Greetings, Niwaka-san! I'm Uzumaki Naruto." He gestured at himself with pride. I glimpsed the forehead protector nearly hidden under a bush of hair. So he was a Konoha genin? We were comrades then, or would be soon. "Hey, nee-san, I've never seen you before. Where are you from?"

Kotetsu and Izumo seemed slightly aggravated, but waited patiently for me to finish talking. "I'm from the Bear Country," I said at length, giving him a very timid smile. "I've just been sent to Konoha for training."

"Oh so you're a ninja?" he asked still with that enormous grin. "Maybe we'll be on the same team!"

"Maybe," I said. I liked this kid. He was making this village seem less and less hostile. "Well, Naruto-kun, I have to see Hokage-sama before it gets too late. I'll see you later, right?" I thanked the old man, and followed Kotetsu and Izumo out of Ichiraku.

"Of course!" he said happily, waving. "See you later, Niwaka-san!"

"Konoha welcomes you, Niwaka," the Hokage said. Kotetsu had been right. The old man was pretty imposing. The way he wore his robe and hat, and the way his eyes pierced through whatever he looked at showed that he was no one to be trifled with. Anyone who looked carefully could see how many things he'd witnessed and done. "As is customary, we will give you a place to live, and take part in all the missions given to you. Understood?"

"Hai, Hokage-sama."

"In addition, you must receive a Konoha village forehead protector to show your alignment with the Country of Fire." He opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a protector similar to mine, but with the Konoha leaf instead of the Nyuushin feather. I stepped forward, feeling a weight on my chest, and took it with numb hands. "Izumo and Kotetsu will show you to your house. You'll be called to the Ninja Academy tomorrow morning to receive your assigned genin team." I bowed and made to leave the room. "Niwaka." I turned around again, standing up straight. "Konoha is lucky to have you. Don't hate your parents for anything they've done. It was all done for the best." What do you know, Hokage? I thought bitterly as I left the room shadowed by the two ninjas.

Only a few streets away, Kotetsu and Izumo showed me a small, quaint cottage and gave me a key. They said a few quick goodbyes before excusing themselves for the beginning of their shifts on guard duty. I was half sad, half relieved. I wasn't sure whether I wanted company or to be alone. After unpacking my few belongings and setting them out, I collapsed into the small twin bed by a window. Sleep came easily enough, but when it did, I still had a sense of emptiness eating at me.

Dawn hit me straight in the eyes what seemed like seconds after I'd closed my eyes. I tried to shut it out, but unfortunately I was one of those people who could never go back to sleep once they'd woken up. I threw on a black dress covered in zippers and pockets and a deep purple jacket before daring to step outside. Konoha was bustling at the moment. Shops were in business, customers haggling and dealing. A few passing ninja stopped to inspect me, assumingly noticing my chakra, which was slightly unique from theirs. But they went on after seeing that I wasn't a danger.

I hadn't donned my new forehead protector yet, preferring to keep my old one until I absolutely had to remove it. After some adventurous exploration, or as a normal person would say, 'getting lost', I finally found the red-roofed ninja academy where I saw a cloud of other kids milling around. I stuck to the shadows, not knowing what to say or do if one of them approached me. Although I tried to observe all of the genins in the yard, it would seem that I missed one. A few meters away from me a girl was standing against the wall of the academy. She seemed to be even shyer than I was, not even looking around at all. Whenever she accidentally caught someone's eye, she jerked her head down again, cheeks turning pink. The girl wore her hair short, though two midnight-blue locks framed her face. What was really fascinating were her pale eyes, both having a slightly violet coloring around the edges and no pupils.

I almost felt bad for her. She looked like the type who couldn't carry a conversation whether she knew the person or not. Fortunately for me, those kinds of people were the only ones who I could talk to easily. I closed the distance between us and tapped the girl's shoulder. She jumped and nearly tripped over her own feet. "I'm sorry," I said sincerely, helping her up. "I didn't mean it, I swear."

"I-It's fine," she stuttered. Her voice was the meekest I'd ever heard in my life.

"I'm new in this village," I explained. "I don't really know anyone."

"Oh, I'm sorry!" she said, bowing. "My name is Hyuuga Hinata."

"Nyuushin Niwaka." She smiled brightly. "So everyone's getting their new teams today, huh?"

"Yes. I'm a bit nervous, actually," she said with a furtive glance over at that the crowd of genins. A familiar sock of blonde hair caught my eye, and I looked from Hinata to Naruto, hiding a tiny smirk with my hand. To be honest, I thought that it was adorable.

"Well, I hope you get a good team." I paused. "Naruto seems like a nice guy," I said tentatively, watching Hinata's expression. As I expected, her face turned a vibrant shade of pink.

"H-he is," she said, making sure to avoid looking at both me and him.

"You should get him on your team. I'm sure you'd be a great combo." She was utterly speechless, as if I'd given her the highest praise in the world. All at once all the genins began to flood into the building, leaving me and Hinata standing at eh entrance. "I guess this is it," I remarked.

"Y-yeah," she said. I gave her a reassuring look, and we walked in together, awaiting our new, official genin teams.

So ends the first chapter! Huzzah! I hope it wasn'ttoosickening. Ummm... Other things... You probably recognize Izumo and Kotetsu, the dynamic duo of awesome ninjas. We've met Naruto and Hinata so far, two of my favorite characters personally. I'm actually on "vacation" right now with my cousin in Maryland, but she's at school and her parents are being all boring (with talk of electric bills, credit cards, and shopping), so I'll be working hard to get chapter two. Peace out, homeslices!

Oh P.S. about Niwaka's name. The reason Izumo and Kotetsu act that way is because niwaka means 'unexpected'.