The Distant Cry of the Wolf


Chapter 1: Waterfall Grotto

Hana pulled out the kunai knife out of the tree. Damn, how could I miss? The Haimaru Sankyodai yawned and napped in the sun. Hana jumped in the air and threw it towards her target. The knife flew through the air and landed straight in the middle of the maple tree. Perfect.

Hana sighed and sat down, leaning against the tree. She wiped the perspiration from her forehead.

She was thirteen-year-old Inuzuka Hana, the one named by her graduating ninja academy class as "Unforgettable and Dangerous". She had brown hair pulled back in a low ponytail in a red ribbon, which easily kept her hair in check and wasn't fancy like the other girls. (with the bows and it didn't take forever) Her fierce brown eyes made everyone wary, no one knew what she would do next; throwshuriken relentlessly, smile, or cry. Across her cheeks were two blood-red fangs, the tattoo of the Inuzuka clan; her clan, and her pride. Donned in a tight gray jacket (in the winter) opened to reveal a red tank top and black pants stopping at her knees, Hana wasn't usuallyconsidered pretty, but more of a tomboy and a dangerous animal than a beauty.

The three ash gray dogs napping a few feet away were her three companions, the Haimaru Sankyodai (the Gray Triplets). She had just passed her Chunnin exam with flying colors and was training to be aveternarian, Hana was a strong, independent kunoichi who didn't need a love in her life.

Hana stood up and whistled. The Haimaru Sankyodai stretched and followed their master back intothe village of Konoha.

In the streets someone caught her eye. He had dark black hair pulled back into a low ponytail, and dark eyes. Around her height and age, he wore the official ANBUuniform andcarried akatana on his back. He had a wolf mask turn upwards on the top of his head.

Uchiha Itachi, the respected ANBU captain since age 12, graduated at age 7 from the ninja academy, and he mastered his Sharingan at age 8. He was Konoha's little Uchiha genius, next to, well, Uchiha Shisui. He was the boy all the girls gushed about at school, at work, on the streets. Frankly, whenever she heard about Itachi, she wanted to barf.

And there he was, walking opposite her on the streets. He stopped in front of her and she stopped too, a couple ofmeters away. She looked at him, a frown playing across her lips, her arms crossed around her chest. Instantly, the Haimaru Sankyodai tensed, growling at him, feeling his intense chakra. Itachi's eyes barely glanced at them. Hana looked at him. Hana reveled in the fact that she was taller than the prodigy.

"So you're the Uchiha Itachi. Don't look much to me," Hana smirked. She hatedarrogant guys like him.

"Who may you be?" Itachi said politely yet haughtily.

"Inuzuka Hana, and my companions, the Haimaru Sankyodai."

Itachi looked at her indifferently, "From the Inuzuka clan, the clan with the dogs."

Hana nodded, staring at him. Itachi continued.

"A Genin no doubt." He obviously was talking about her rank. Hana frowned, making her height an advantage as she stepped a little bit closer.

"Chunnin for your information."

Itachi looked at her, "Chunnin? You probably got through with the looks... or the dogs."

Hana glared at him and Itachi walked away. Hana didn't look back, keeping her eyes in front of her, and walked ahead. Whatever, Uchiha Itachi is nothing.

What did he mean... got through with looks? Oh... he's soo on my will-kill list. I gave enough blood and sweat to become Chunnin like the rest of the stupid boys!

Hana opened the door to her house. Kiba ran towards her. Hana smiled and bent down to ruffle her baby brother's hair. He recently turned eight, and he felt "grown up." He held up his puppy Akamaru. Hana petted Akamaru, stood up and walked to her room.

"Hey sis, can you help me train?" Kiba said following her. "Mom's on another mission... again."

"I just came back," Hana complained. "Later."

She pulled off her gray jacket off, exposing her blood red tank top, and she threw her jacket at Kiba. "Can you put this away Kiba?"

Kiba frowned. "You do it," he said stubbornly.

"Hey Kiba, let's go take a swim."

"I wanna hang out with Shino!"

"What about your older sister?" Hana pinched his cheeks. "Now get out while I change."

Hana loved swimming. It relaxed her sore muscles, and she felt the cold water was more relaxing than the steaming hot baths all the girls gushed about. She changed into a red two-piece bathing suit and pulled on a long white tank top and black shorts. She grabbed two soft white towels and slipped on her sandals.

Hana and Kiba walked to the river by the waterfall. Kiba and Akamaru were excited, instantly by the running water. Theyjumped in as soon as they were close enough. Hana pulled off her T-shirt and shorts and waded in. The Haimaru triplets preferred the land and snoozed under the shade of an oak tree. Hana trickled water on them, irritating the ash grey dogs who continued to ignore her.

She smiled, remembering the hidden grotto she discovered behind the waterfall. She swam close to the waterfall's rushing water, waiting for Kiba to turn his back, and slipped in.

Hana pulled herself up easily, and stood soaking wet at the entrance. Just in case, she hadaweapon pack around her waist. She squeezed all the water out of hair, ran her fingers through it, and began to explore. She never went too in, and this was her chance. Hana walked in, the only sound was the rumble of the waterfall and the quiet patter of the water droplets falling from her lean body.

She wasn't scared at all of a dark cave. She wouldn't be a weak kunoichi, always depending on her male companions help. She was the leader, not the others, and she would continue being one. No way would she get scared and run back. The darkness grew heavier, and it was harder for Hana to see. She was all the way in and touched the wall. Nothing. Damn

She leaned against the wall, and closed her eyes. She listened to the silence, then opened her eyes. Someone's here.

Hana stared into the darkness, her hand on a kunai.