Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto, why would I be writing this?

My name is Anko Mitarashi.

I was never one for obeying the rules.

Listening to my superiors…nah, it never really came easy for me.

I always used to get scolded for skipping classes and ignoring instructions…heh, good times…good times.

When I wasn't rebelling or pulling pranks on my teachers, I'd look at him.

I'd stare at him.

I'd gaze at him.

And I always hoped he would look my way someday.

With that spectacular golden hair…

and those gorgeous azure eyes.

He was something special that man.

I remember him…

I remember that man…

That man…

The man I can never forgive.

The man who stole it from me…

The man who stole what I held dear…

The man who stole my heart.

My heart always commanded me to go up to him and confess my feelings.

But I never take orders, even if it's from myself.

That's why he never saw me…

He never saw me…even when he did I wasn't there.

He didn't love me.

He loved someone else.

I remember her…

that woman he loved.

That woman…

…who stole his heart.

With that flaming scarlet hair…

…and that upbeat attitude of hers.

Yeah…

…I remember her.

I always hated her.

I would cry myself to sleep.

But even then…my mind wouldn't let me drift away from him.

I saw him in my dreams…

with her.

Her.

HER.

Not me.

HER.

The hate I felt…

The resentment and scorn that I nearly gave into…

All that bitterness…

it was nearly made me into someone else.

And by Kami if I ever become like HIM…

…I'll kill myself first.

I couldn't hate her.

I couldn't, as much as I wanted to.

I couldn't.

Because if I gave into my hate so easily…

…and before long, I'd look like HIM.

With those golden slits in his eyes…

eyes of hate.

Those eyes…eyes of evil.

Eyes of…a snake.

I don't ever wanna be like that.

That's why I had to let him go…

but even still…

I longed for something I thought I would never have…

love.

Love.

Such a simple word…yet…

I thought it was something I'd never grasp.

But that's when he came along…

Another him…

but not another HIM.

Something I always had dreamed for…

someone who could love me.

He's a great deal younger then me…

…but I don't care.

And he doesn't care.

He loves me…

He does…

And the day he told me he did…

I cried.

I cried until there were no more tears I could cry.

And I kissed him.

I smothered him with my damp cheeks and affectionate lips.

And he returned what I felt to yield.

Love.

Love…

Love for me.

I always told everyone I never took orders…

…but I'm taking them now.

My heart is ordering me to be with him…

…and for once in my life…

…I couldn't be happier to take orders.

FIN.

HIM-Orochimaru