The Kunoichi sat before the fire she had created as the shroud of night engulfed the skies above the forest. She was chasing a man through the forest and this was the closest she had been able to get to him. The Kunoichi estimated that he was a day ahead of her now. She knew she couldn't afford to let this chance pass; she doubted that she would ever get this close again. She knocked over her pack as a sudden noise from behind caused her to instinctively turn around. She had been very on-edge, mostly due to the fact that she had been getting very little sleep. She concluded that it was just the wind as she took notice of her supplies that had fallen out of her pack.
"Let's see…3 kunai knives and a two days rations at most." She said to herself.
The Kunoichi took a look at her map which had also fallen out of her pack. The nearest village was about a half-day's worth of travel away. The Kunoichi put the map back into the pack. She wouldn't be able catch up to him with her lack of supplies. She decided it was in her best interest to travel to the small village and gather some additional gear and food. The Kunoichi looked up into the trees. They appeared as silhouettes against the light cast down by the moon. She absolutely loved the forests that covered The Country of Fire. This was because they had, up until recently, been quiet and peaceful. The Kunoichi slipped into her sleeping bag and rested her head on her pillow. She had grown quite sleepy and it was time for her to turn in.
The sun was just beginning to rise as the Kunoichi pulled herself out of the sleeping bag. Her pink hair shined in the morning sun. It had grown long during the time that she had spent searching. She quickly gathered her things; she didn't have time to stand around. She began to make her way through the forest, heading in the direction of the village.
This part of the country had remained mostly unscathed during the war. It wasn't the nicest place in the world, but compared to those regions that were severely ravaged during the war, it seemed like paradise. The Kunoichi had seen those places during the war, and the images of the destruction stayed in her head. She had changed a great deal over the course of the war, not only on an emotional level, but on a physical level as well. She looked like someone you would not want to mess with. She was a badass, and not only did she know that, but so did anyone who ever crossed her. She had killed many people, including women and children. This fact did not bother her in the least. The enemy was simply that, and war was no place for discretion.
The sun was just over the Kunoichi's head when the village came into view. She did not know what to expect when she got there, as she had never been to this village before, but she did know one thing for certain - she was being followed. Whoever was following her was obviously not hostile. If they were, they would have surely attacked by now.
"Show yourself." The Kunoichi commanded as she drew a kunai into her hand, assuming a defensive position.
Moments later, an old man stepped out into the clearing. He was of very small stature. The Kunoichi estimated that he was no taller Five-and-a-half feet.
"Please put away the weapon. I am unarmed." The old man said.
The Kunoichi did just that as she began to question him.
"You have been following me for the past hour." She asked, "Care to explain why?"
The old man walked over towards the pink-haired Kunoichi.
"I can see from your forehead protector that you are a ninja of the Hidden Leaf," he said, pointing at the leaf symbol on her forehead protector, "I also noticed that you are headed towards the village. I'm here to warn you; the people of the village despise the ninja."
The Kunoichi looked at the old man with a puzzled look on her face.
"Despise? Why do they despise the ninja?" She asked.
"War." The old man said abruptly
"War?" the Kunoichi questioned, "This war does not involve them. They have no reason to despise us."
"You're absolutely correct. This war does not involve them. That's precisely the reason why they despise the ninja." He said.
"I'm not so sure I understand what you mean. Why don't you go ahead and elaborate for me?" She inquired.
"The villagers are afraid that the ninja will bring the war to their land." He explained, "To tell you the truth, my feelings are the same as theirs, except that they may be much more aggressive to you than I have been."
"Are you saying I should be expecting a fight?" The Kunoichi asked.
"I'm not saying that they will attack you. At least, I don't think they will." He said, "But don't expect a warm welcome."
With that being said, the old man began to take his leave. He walked off into the trees without saying another word. The conversation had left the Kunoichi troubled. She hoped that she wouldn't have to engage in combat with villagers who are in no way associated with the war. The thought of this made the images resurface in the Kunoichi's mind. She wished more than anything that they would go away, but she had long since accepted the fact that there are some things that can never be unseen. She took a swig of water, hoping it would soothe her mind, and then continued onward towards the village.