Ino Yamanaka cradles Kiba Inuzuka's lifeless body and wonders why she ever became a ninja in the first place.

Sakura Haruno looks into Sasuke Uchiha's eyes as they both move in for the killing blow and can't believe she still loves him.

Hinata Hyuuga watches the battle rage and hates herself for not being able to do more.

Tenten bleeds and bleeds and bleeds and curses the heavens because she knows that if she dies, no one will cry for her.

They are kunoichi. Their missions are dangerous and life threatening and if they somehow manage to survive, the nightmares they're left with guarantee that they'll never live a normal life.

Because when Ino is fifteen she shouldn't have to let some dirty, greasy old man run his fingers over her body and place his oily lips on her neck but she is a kunoichi and seduction missions are something she has to do.

Because when Sakura is thirteen she shouldn't be thought of as weak as she cries for the boy she loves that has abandoned her and their village but she is a kunoichi and kunoichi aren't allowed to cry.

Because when Hinata is nine her father shouldn't cast her aside because she isn't strong enough but she is a kunoichi-in-training and being strong is all that matters.

Because when Tenten is twelve she shouldn't have to take a life but she is a kunoichi and every situation is kill or be killed.

They are kunoichi and they will always have to do more, be more, give more and they will have to trade away their humanity because if they don't they'll crack under everything and then they'll be useless to everyone.

They are kunoichi and they often wish they weren't.