Chapter 1

Rumour

I woke up slowly at first, blinking away the sleep. As soon as I sat up I groaned at the familiar and annoying sight. Two maids were bowing at the foot of my bed, one holding a towel and another holding my clothes. I grumbled before allowing the two maids to take me to the bathroom.

"Which soap would you prefer today, Izo-hime? Lavender, Strawberry, Sugar Cane, Peppermint or-" I interrupted her, slightly irked.

"I'm training today; scentless soap would be preferred." I stripped down then and walked down into the large, hot pool which was supposed to be a tub. It was quite magnificent; I had to admit with its circular stone steps and intricate masonry tiling. The maid nodded, not at all fazed by my quip.

The maids gently lathered my hair and body. To some this would be awkward, to me it was normal.

Perhaps I should explain myself.

My name is Izo Takano, sister of the Godaime Akaruikage (5th Light Shadow), Kage of Koosengakure no Sato (Village Hidden By the Sunbeam)which is in Akarui no Kuni (Land of Light).

This blood relation has put me in place of royalty, something which I dislike terribly but have to live with.

I have long black hair, violet eyes and peachy skin. I only became 'Izo-hime' about 2 years ago but I've been drilled in the ways of our country's ridiculously imperial etiquette and protocol. Before you say I sound stuck up, please think again. This was a title I never wanted and would give up in a heartbeat. I only do all this for my village.

My feelings on being a 'Hime' are mixed and often confusing. I don't like the attention, I don't like the etiquette or protocol and I don't like the council. However, I will do what is best for my village. If that means I have to wear absurd royal costumes, parade around as if I think I'm better than everyone else and marry some impossible, jackass daimyo in the future than...so be it. The people of Akarui no kuni take all their imperial stuff very seriously and to extremes. I guess all someone has to do is touch me during a ceremony and it's an offense.

Bottom line.

I hate this life, I think it's ridiculous...but I'll do it.

I'm 10 years old and considered a village 'prodigy'. Yet another title I do not want.

I don't really know why they call me a prodigy. Prodigies are supposed to be perfect in every way, which I most certainly am not. Yes, I'm mature for my age and powerful for my age. But it's not extreme.

I have exceptional skills in Taijutsu, average skills in ninjutsu and average genjutsu skills. In case you hadn't already guessed I'm mainly a taijutsu fighter. I do not have a dojutsu or kekkei genkai but I do have a technique unique to me.

It all started when I was first forced into this life. I was forced to know everything about politics. I was to know all the Kages by name, both current and past, as well as their most famous techniques. This was so I would be well versed during political debates and able to do research.

I hadn't expected to actually stumble upon a file that interested me.

The Yondaime Hokage of Konohagakure.

He was dead, but his technique interested me to an almost obsession. I became enthralled with the idea of the 'Flying Thunder God Technique'. It was a transportation technique where the user could go from seal to seal, however learning it was impossible.

So I decided to try and imitate the technique.

My result was the 'Flash Step Technique'. In fact, it turned out to be better than the Thunder God Technique as you didn't need a seal. It was also impossible to imitate because unlike going from seal to seal I had seals tattooed on my legs. One on each thigh, one on each calf, one on each ankle and one on the bottoms of each of my feet. These seals regulated the chakra flow in my legs, allowing me to move at inhuman speeds. What took most an hour could take me a second.

I had to build up my chakra capacity to extremes. I had more chakra than most of the villages strongest. If someone else tried to use my technique the amount of chakra they would need would drain them to the point of exhaustion and they would only be able to use the technique once. They just wouldn't have the capacity to do the jutsu.

There was also one other fault.

Without the tattooed seals, the vast amount of chakra would cause your average shinobi's legs to collapse within them. That's right, their legs would implode.

Hence, I became known as 'Izo of the Flash Step'.

As for my taijutsu, it was a given that I used my unnatural speed along with it. The two skills complemented each other nicely. Resisting the urge to implode 24/7 had made my legs extremely strong; therefore I used mostly my legs and feet when fighting. I usually just shoved my hands in my pockets while fighting, but that didn't mean I couldn't throw a decent punch.

I sighed.

The maids were now finished and they helped me out of the steaming water, allowing me to dry myself. They then gave me my training clothes, smiling with twin looks of adoration. Some of these people were just too...ugh, too happy. I mean, yes, this was Koosengakure, a village known for its happy people, festivities and parties. But that enthusiasm rarely reached the estate where my brother and I stayed and I was not allowed to go out (as I was a princess).

I slipped into the blue silk, long-sleeved qipao styled shirt my baggy black cargo pants (with plenty of pockets) and my black ninja sandals. I pulled my hair up into a side pony, leaving a few stray bangs to fall in my face. The maids then assisted me in tying a black sash around my middle and kohling over my eyes.

With that done I left the estate as quickly as I could, grabbing my grey weapons pouch and putting on my brass knuckles. I said I didn't use my hands often in a fight, not that I never used them and brass knuckles were a good way to add a little extra hurt to the mix.

I stretched my left leg lazily, then my right before focusing my chakra into my legs. I felt the warmth spread through my leg muscles and my seals burn. 3 steps were all it took and I was suddenly standing in the training grounds.

My twin teammates, used to my sudden appearances, were lounging against the same tree. One leaning against one side and the other leaning against the other side; facing away from each other.

"Heya Izo-hime~" One of the twins sung and sprung up to stand in front of me. It was Keizuna. Keizuna was the girl and looked exactly like her twin brother with her silverfish eyes, leeth build, tan skin and wild blond hair. The 13 year old girl likes to keep her long hair up in pigtails. Her brother, Hazuna, crept up beside her with a sly grin that disturbed me. He had long hair also, for a boy, but it really only went to his collar bone.

"Yeah, Izo-hime, heya~" He sang and my eye twitched. They were so irritatingly alike.

"We heard something interesting the other day, didn't we Hazuna?" Keizuna asked her brother, eyes still trained on me. She suddenly shared her brother's grin.

Why did I feel like I wasn't going to like this?