CHAPTER ONE: NOTHING BUT A GAME

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It was nothing but a game, a game created by the gods for mere mortals. The Number One and the Number Two Headbands. The rules were clear and precise; anyone could challenge the wearer of the Number Two Headband, but only the wearer of the Number Two Headband could challenge the wearer of the Number One. And who ever achieved the Number One headband, was granted any wish their mind could think up. The gods would then take the two headbands away, but every five hundred years, it starts all over again. Or so the legend goes...

Small feet slapped the ground as the little child ran through the forest, the war cries behind fueling her thumping heart to make her go Number Two Headband grasped tightly in her small fists. Fear was carved deep into her face as she scrambled over tree roots and held in the cries and tears as the spiky vines tore and her skin and clothing. Light!! The girl's eyes grew as she willed her body to go faster and faster.

A wave of relief rushed through her as she barreled out of the thick dark forest. She didn't dare glance behind her, she knew they were coming, challengers for the Number Two. And normally she would've just handed it over and ran, but she couldn't. Not after seeing what it did to her mommy's village, not after seeing the same people that she waved to on the streets try and kill each other, not after seeing...and all for what!! A stupid headband!! This is what had confused the girl, it was just a dumb piece of clothing, yet men, women, and children were mercilessly killed for it. The small girl shook her head; these thoughts would only slow her down.

"Get back here you lil bitch!!!" Her fear escalated to new heights, as her heart thumped and pumped louder in her ear. 'A compound.' Her eyes lit up as a large compound came into view. She could hear the threats and curses being thrown after her, but her mind was solely focused on the compound. She slid to a stop in front the large gates and started pounding on the doors. "HELP!!!! SOMEONE!!! PLEASE HELP!!!" She cried banging on the doors, her small fists starting to bleed as she banged harder.

"Well, well, well," She froze, the cold voice moving thru her veins, freezing her stone still. "What do we have here?" "Listen hear you little brat, you hand over the headband and maybe, just maybe I won't kill you." The girl frigidly turned her head, she was completely surrounded. She gulped and swallowed her fear...well most of it. "N-No. You can't have this headband." She said pressing herself against the gates. "Why you little bitch!!" Her eyes widened as the man launched at her.

"Ahhhhhhhhh!!!" Pain erupted in her mid-section and spreaded towards the rest of her body. She grunted in pain as another fist pounded her. She blinked slowly as a barrage of fists started to attack her fragile body. She let out a whimper as she clutched the headband tighter, her vision blurring. "Mommy." The word died in her throat as she blacked out, the pain to severe to withstand any longer. The last thing she saw was a pale face among the crowd, its un-natural yellow glowing eyes sending shivers down her spine.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Misty tropical blue eyes fluttered open, before quickly closing them. The light stabbing her eyes. She warily opened her eyes again, blinking until her eyes adjusted. She tried lifting her head but found the task to hard and simply laid back down. From what she could tell, she was in a hospital bed. How, was the big question. 'What happened?' She wondered as she stared up at the white ceiling. Her mind flashing the events leading up to the brutal beating.

"The headband!" The girl quickly sat up, before grunting and laying back down. "I suggest you don't move." She gasped and looked over at the other person in the room. "Hokage?" The little girl spoke. The said man nodded. "Your father is on his way." The Hokage said moving closer to her bedside. "And your headband is on your hand." The Hokage said gently lifting her small fist. The Number Two Headband wrapped tightly around her fist, a few drops of blood reddening them. The girl calmed slightly and settled down.

"How'd I get here?" "Well the Uchihas brought you in. Your in their medical ward right now." "Oh." The girl nodded slowly. "I must ask, exactly why were those men after you?" Sarutobi asked taking the seat next to her bed. "I-I..." She couldn't tell him the truth, she couldn't let Kohona get contaminated, not like her mother's village. "I stole some money from them." The girl said looking down. "I was hungry and..." "It's fine. Don't worry about it now." The Hokage said patting her head. He could sense she was lying but wouldn't press the issue. "It's all over now Ino."

Ino nodded as she turned and looked out the window. 'I promise, Kohona will never fall victim to the Game of the Headband.' Ino's hand unknowingly tightened around the Number Two Headband. 'I swear it!!'