War is often misunderstood by civilians. Most only know of the bloodshed and the many nameless

victims caught in the crossfire. Few know of the character building situations that force young

shinobi to sever the ties to their emotions and tap into the animalistic obsession of the kill.

Mothers complain of leaving their 'perfect angels' in the custody of a captain who is even more

intimidating than the cold steel of an enemy's kunai rubbing against your throat.

I believe my mistrusting nature is to blame for their harsh words about me. I am and forever will

be the only woman in the bloody mist's forces that is not patrolling over the sick or wounded. I

had miraculously fallen into the good graces of the mizukage after saving his body guard's wife

and child from a hostage situation. In return for my bravery, the kage promised me anything my

heart desired.

I wished to prove myself to everyone especially those who ridiculed me because of my gender. "If

a war should break out, I wish to have a position in your forces," I told him with a serious gaze.

The mizukage, who was shrouded in the formal attire of a kage, nodded, "I'm sure the other

medical shinobi will be relieved at your assistance--" I immediately bowed and cut him off, "I beg

for your forgiveness Mizukage-sama, but I was asking for a position on the front lines as a

soldier,"

"Surely you jest, I would never let an attractive young woman join the ranks with hundreds of

lusting, bloodthirsty men,"

At this, I straightened myself up as a slight smirk crept across my lips, "I'm confident I will be

able to hold my own with them,"


Those memories of battles and war strategies seemed to occur lifetimes ago. I had been discharged

from my highest position I had achieved, a first lieutenant of infiltration. They said if there were

more women like me our battles would have more enemy bloodshed, but our population would

decrease due to the lack of children being born. I would never be the type of woman to relax at

home while the man would be out on missions. To me, that theory of a fairy tale life was the

biggest load of bull I had ever heard. I, nonetheless, still believe in a man or boy should act

chivalrous towards a young lady. It would be respectful, but the simple act of opening a door for a lady would not grant that pervert an all access pass up her skirt. Unfortunately, that is how most

men seem to operate both then and now.

Most women find me as acting cold towards men, but I find it as a type of revenge. The male

gender at first charmed me, and while I was within a warm embrace, he plunged a metaphorical

dagger in my back and left me for dead. Since a male had harmed me first, I found it only fair

that now I was able to break down males without so much as an ounce of remorse. I was a firm

believer in that old saying 'an eye for an eye', but if there was anyone's 'eye', or heart in my

situation, I wanted, I would want the heart of the man who tore my heart to shreds so long ago. I

promised myself to remember his name and curse it until the day I die, and that man's name is

Kisame Hoshigaki.

I would always chew that name around in my mind before pointing out to myself how much of

an idiot I was for thinking with my heart instead of my mind. However, the decisions made by

the mind are almost never the choices that makes someone truly happy.

After a few weeks of being bored with typical civilian shinobi life, I packed up things that held

value to me and left the village. That could not use me anymore, and I would simply go insane

without something to do.

Since I had stored my valuables within scrolls for easy transport, I decided trying my luck at

traveling abroad. Because of my chosen life as an ex-war shinobi, I seldom saw the peaceful

economically stable villages that knew little of wars. The villages I had become familiar with were

filled with war torn buildings, rampant illness and men, women, and even children dying in the

streets. It would ease my mind if I was able to see if there was some form of peace in this

shinobi world.

I had decided that Konohagakure no sato would be my first stop since the village was prided on

having the best hot springs in the great shinobi villages. After a quick trip up to my hotel room

to drop off my things and pulling on the complimentary plush bathrobe, I was joining a few of

what I assumed were tourist girls and eavesdropping on their gossip.

"He looked so…..mysterious," A raven haired young lady told her friends as she seemed to be

swooning , "I couldn't see his face, but his eyes were a really pretty red,"

"Didn't he have a friend with him?" Her brunette friend asked the black haired girl, who twisted

her face into a grimace, "yeah, but his friend was really tall, had a bandaged sword, and while he

drank at the tea shop with his friend I saw that the skin on his hand was blue,"

My ears perked up as the brunette and the third girl, a coppery red head, gasped, "Are you

serious?" The copper haired girl asked.

Only a few feet away from them, my fist clenched as the raven haired said a phrase I was quite

familiar with when hearing about this shinobi.

"I know right, I bet he looks like a freak,"

"Maybe he can't help it," I told them opening my eyes to glare at them.

The raven haired girl snickered as her cronies closed in on me, "What's wrong blondie, don't like

us talking about your boyfriend?" She taunted while her friends laughed along with her.

By now, I had enough of the raven haired girl and her underlings. I got up silently deciding to

not let my temper get the better of me. After slamming the door to my hotel room, I flopped

down on my bed.

"He's not my boyfriend," I muttered, rolling over to clutch one of the fluffy pillows to me and

turned to gaze out the window. 'Besides, he's a guy, and he used me,' I thought frowning, 'I was

nothing more than a cheap toy that was quickly thrown away once he broke me,'