Legend of Hiraeth: The tale of Uchihara Arisa

Written by jasminechild

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, that honor goes to Kishimoto Masashi-sama.

Prolouge

"The sadness will last forever." – Vincent van Gogh

All around the Elemental Nations, children were prepared to be tucked in for a good night's sleep. Mothers and fathers fondly waited for their children to hop in their beds, so they could begin telling them a bedtime story.

When a mother in Konohagakure no Sato sat on her son's bedside, ready to tell a story so the young one would fall asleep, she asked him "Which story would you like to hear tonight?" The boy answered in a quiet tone, "I wanna hear about the legend everyone talks about." The mother was at first confused, until understanding flooded her. She knew exactly which legend her son was inquiring about. "You want to know about Uchihara-hime? Really now?" the mother asked in a sly tone. "Okaasan! I really, really wanna know! Please tell me?" the young boy pleaded. The mother, feeling amused at her son's behalf, still felt the beginnings of discomfort stirring in her chest. After all, the tale of Uchihara Arisa-hime, was not a light one.

Meanwhile in Sunagakure no Sato, a father and a mother glances at each other when their young daughter who lies between them, asks about an old legend. "Why do you want to know about Uchihara Arisa-hime?" the little girls mother asks. When their daughter answers in a tone so innocent, the truth in her words sets chills down both parents spines. The daughter answers, "Because she was the best, wasn't she?" For a moment their small, dark bedroom stays silent. Yes she certainly was, thinks both parents at the same time.

At the same time in Kumogakure no Sato, a father smiles sadly down at his three children, who were mere seconds ago insisting that he tells them about the mysterious legend of a woman not one child knew about. And so he begins... "So it's my time to pass the story down to the next generation. Listen, my children, because I will not tell this tale again. Listen and learn while I tell you the tale of Uchihara Arisa..."

AN: Hi everyone, whoever you may be. Wow, I have absolutely no idea how to go about this stuff. I guess I should start with telling you about this story, why I started writing this and my reasoning's behind my choices, although those will probably also be explained in the upcoming chapters so that you will have it easier to follow along. But first, let me apologize in advance! English is NOT my first language, this is my first fanfiction, I have huge anxiety over the fact that while this story is inspired by other SI/OC fictions in the Narutoverse in the sense of PUBLISHING, as in I got courage to publish my very first own story, I am terrified over the possibility of being unaware that I might be writing a similiar story/"using the same idea" as someone else. I have read a massive amount (in my opinion) of fanfics and have yet to encounter an idea like this, but what I am trying to say is I am terribly sorry if I may be doing something like this and please do note that if I do, I am unaware of it and please, if this is the case then tell me as soon as possible. I have the utmost respect to every single one of you in this community, both authors and readers.

Moving forwards, to the "story behind the story". I do consider this a fanfiction but as you will notice, I am also using this as a personal method of therapy. I warn you now this story will not be a light one. I don't know if this is "right" or "allowed", but life is not kind and I feel like this is the only way for me to actually admit thoughts, experiences and feelings that has happened to me. I'm afraid, and in my case I call it hiding behind a username and a screen. It is the only way for me to speak for the first time to anyone about the darkest aspects of my life since I am simply so tired of holding it all in. I simply wish to tell it and get it out, and the only ones I am comfortable sharing it with are you people, and I hope with this I can not only "help" myself, but perhaps some way help others or at least maybe some can relate to me and my story and not feel alone in the world as I do.

So, to the actual fiction side of the story. This is what you probably call an SI/OC fanfiction set in the Narutoverse. I love Naruto, so that is why I chose this specific anime/manga. However, this story will include and is heavily influenced by Chinese and Japanese traditions, clothing, beliefs etc and I will be shaking and stirring them together simply by my taste. Also I want it to be known that I will be exploiting the term fiction for all it's worth in this story as to what is or is not realistic, and will not be stopped by what I call (for my lack of knowing the English literature better) socially established "rules", and will be quite headstrong about this subject unless I am violating the rules of this website. This story will contain quotes, inspiration, influence from movies and songs and I will do my best in remembering to always refer to the source, and if I miss this or forget, I am sorry and will always try to fix it later.

I am most likely forgetting way too much that I wanted to say, but it will have to wait for the next author's notes since now my anxiety has reared it's ugly head and in my opinion this AN is getting way too long. My apologies. If not anything else, I at least hope you will enjoy this story regardless of my use of this as self-established therapy. I love you guys already anyways whether you like it or not, since you all gave me the courage to actually do this by simply existing on this wonderful place.

With best regards, jasminechild