I do not own naruto or anything affiliated with it.
The Blue Lotus
In the land of iron, snow blew violently whipping and lashing at the two samurai training as they did every day. Their skin long used to the harsh cold. One dashed toward the other intent on getting the upper hand once and for all only to be fooled by a substitution jutsu. "Aghh" she growled frustrated that she could so easily be tricked.
Looking around she tried to sense any movement or chakra fluctuations nearby. But of course her mother would never go easy on her using every trick she had up her sleeves. Sheathing her blade and taking a deep breath she gathered her chakra to her fist and punched as hard as she could into the earth. It rocked and split apart forcing the older woman out of hiding.
Feeling triumphant the girl smirked knowing that her mother was not expecting that she quickly pulled out her blade and lunged into the woman. A puff of smoke is not what she was expecting and before she could turn around a dagger was pointed at her throat.
"And that's how the game is won. Remember Ren it's not with brute strength that will help you achieve victory, but having an unyielding strength of the mind. For that is why I named you Ren. The lotus is your namesake and I hope you apply it in life."
The woman pulled away looking fondly at her 18 year old daughter. She was about the size of a preteen, though her features looked more womanly despite her small stature. The poor thing stopped growing when she turned 12 but she was strong and resilient just like her father.
Soon she was going to have to make a choice to stay here in the land of iron or leave to her mother's old homeland konaha. Her illness didn't give her much time to tell her little Ren about her past and she wanted to make her strong, but for now she would train her daughter and when she went to bed for the night a letter would have to be written to the Hokage.
She knew Ren would probably go to konoha. The girl was too much like her aunt. Wicked temper, tremendous strength, a fantastic healer, and easily distracted by some kind of vice. Thank God Ren's addiction had been books rather than gambling or liquor. She had not been meant for the cold harsh reserved life of a samurai. She was just too rambunctious.
She knew the time would come soon, and hopefully her child would be able to find happiness somewhere on this hectic path she had to take.
Two months later
Ren stopped just a few short yards from the gates of her mother's village. It looked gigantic compared to the small community she was from. A mixture of civilians and shinobi combed through the streets going about their business not paying any kind of attention to the girl staring in wonder. This was where her mother was born.
Thinking of her now she sighed, sad she wasn't with her, angry she kept her life a secret for so long, but understanding her reasons. She had been undercover though she fell in love over the years she played her part. The hokage was doing a very gracious favor by accepting the daughter of a missing-nin into the village. She knew most likely the elders would keep a close eye on her.
Finally gathering the nerve to step through the gates she approached the two guards nearly tripping over her own feet thankfully strong hands caught her shoulders. "Thank you, I apologize I'm not used to this terrain yet." Blushing, she looked away embarrassed by her clumsiness.
"Not to worry little lady it's all in a days work for the honorable beast of konaha!" The man shouted and just as fast as he appeared he vanished before she could get a good look at him.
Finally getting to the guards she explained that she was to meet with the hokage. They had been expecting her but she was 2 days early. Scrambling they hurriedly escorted her to his office. As she was shuffled in she was greeted by an elderly man, not really suitable for the main seat of power in her opinion.
She walked forward stopping in front of a grand desk stacked with paperwork. She didn't envy the poor man. She knelt before him, "Thank you for giving me this opportunity Hokage-sama. I hope you will allow me to serve you and the village so long as I live." Looking down waiting for a stern response Ren didn't expect the raspy chuckle she received.
"If you keep acting like the samurai that you were raised by you're not going to blend in too well living in this village. Get up be confident, loosen up, you're in your new home."
She stood up, confused looking at the old man smiling at her. How was she accepted so easily, "I beg your pardon Hokage-sama, I don't understand aren't I the offspring of a missing-nin? Don't I have to be watched?"
"Don't be silly child." Laughing Sarutobe walked to the girl clasping her shoulders, "Tsunade and Mai were like my own daughters. They found their own paths and would be accepted back into the village in a heartbeat. Sadly I have lost a daughter but gained a granddaughter."
Turning her towards the window he let her take in the sight of what she would forever call home, "Now once we get your information filed we'll show you your apartment and workplace."
"Workplace Hokage-sama? Won't you be using my skills in missions?"
"Of course you will but I also need you to guard an underground library. It holds many of the villages records and we need someone powerful but discreet. No one would believe a new face would be guarding such important documents.
"Above it will be a shop you can make into whatever you wish, though that'll just be a cover. Can you do this for me Senju-san?"
Smiling, knowing just what kind of store she intended to run. Finally a place she didn't have to control her urges, a home she could be comfortable in. Ren bowed, "Of course Hokage-sama. It would be an honor, though my family name's Katana. Katana Ren."