A/n: Okay Dokey, here is the Naruto fanfiction that I had promised some time ago. I separated this story into two parts, one in pre-shippuden and the other, obviously in shippuden. Anyways, I'm kinda sleepy considering that its nearly ten thirty and I've had a busy day dealing with 'Happy Birthday' posts on my facebook.
Warning: This does contain swearing and but it should never be too bad. May contain OOC
Disclaimer: As well as you, I don't own Naruto. Naruto is owned by the one known as Kishimoto, if I had been in his shoes... maybe the story would be better *Okay I'm just being cocky here* and events from 614 would never happen. Yep. I'm still upset from that, I hope you're happy. And Tenten would get some love!
Prologue
"My story starts in the past, back in the war times, before Orochimaru had defected the village. When I was a heartless enemy to the village… to you... Back then, I didn't have a name like everyone els,e but acknowledged by everyone from the infamous name of 'Red River'. Only Orochimaru and a few chosen others had known my true name…"
She heard the heart beat rapidly through her own chest. It had thumped wildly, as if any moment it would rip out of his chest. Her sharp emerald orbs narrowed as she heard the unique rhythm, and pulled out her kunai, a deep scarlet already dripped from the blade that came from her previous kill. The target stopped running and observed his own surroundings, long blonde hair had whipped in the wind down to his shoulders, with bright blue eyes watching the scene around them. All as if he had known that he was about to be ambushed. Her messy scarlet hair tied up in the high ponytail moved with the wind.
For Orochimaru-sama…She growled softly, tightening her hold on the steeled kunai. Without this life, this girl had nothing to live for, and if she were to die then she would die serving him. She pushed her sandaled feet from the tree branch to silently get over the kill. As she approached the figure, prepared to paralyse him, the redheaded girl failed to notice that he had been watching the reflection of his kunai. He had blocked the attack with the kunai, forcing the redhead to use most of her weight to power her attacks.
Her eyes widened horridly as the male figure's frown appeared once his eyes lay on the girl's. It was annoying that he was giving her a pitiful stare, "You look no older than fifteen, Red River. From the rumours of your silent kills, I thought you were a bit older," He stated plainly, his bright azure orbs flickered to her black singlet and grey undershirt. It was the proper uniform to declare that she was a hunter – an assassin. "Are these shinobi really taking innocent children to turn them into killing machines?!"
"Shut up! You are to die by my blade, Hoshitsuki!" This man was triple her age, according to the files that she was given when she was assigned by Kabuto to kill the man in front of her. She gritted her teeth together, and used her strength to edge the blade closer to her target. He narrowed his eyes, using the advantage of his strength to push her off him, making her hiss with irritation.
This wasn't a usual hunt for the girl. The man in front of her was the current Head of his clan, and he had suspected Orochimaru to have conducting harsh experiments. Since Orochimaru was considered to still be an inheritor of the 'Will of Fire', he could not let anyone foil with his plans… that is when she comes in. She mostly hunts for her service to Orochimaru , but there were a few cases where she would be fighting an exceptionally strong opponent, and offer her some large payment for the hunts. It was definitely an offer that she couldn't refuse or fail.
"You do not deserve this life…" He muttered softly, his blue eyes darkened with grief, "But you have lost this fight, Red River." What the redheaded girl did not expect was half a dozen kunai pointed towards her throat in that instant. Her snarl only expanded as she met eyes with the masks surrounding her. She had been too careless, now she would have to find a way to escape, which was very difficult but not impossible.
"You will be coming with us Red River. Don't resist."
There was no point in fighting. She will escape one way or another. After all, the Hoshitsuki man had a bounty on his head. If anything, she will definitely spill his blood by the next new moon. The Red River raised her eyes to meet the masks of the ANBU and complied with their wishes.
They had taken me back, interrogated me with brutal force… but I had been trained to put up with all sorts of torture. Eventually, they turned to a Yamanaka for scanning my brain for information, only by then… I had already found my escape.
"Search everywhere!" They ordered around, the ANBU were flashing throughout Konoha to find the redheaded assassin. "Someone go protect the Hoshitsuki!"
…
Her bare feet barely made a sound as she stepped on the wooden floorboards of the Hoshitsuki compound. Emerald orbs flashing menacingly to the rooms, not finding a trace of her target. That's when she heard a war cry from the outside, making her pause mid-step to follow the noise.
If it is the Hoshitsuki I am meant to kill… Her thoughts trailed off, she pulled out her kunai and let the moonlight glimmer over the blade as she advanced towards the courtyard. She gazed at her hands like she always did and imagined the scarlet liquid sprayed all over her fingers. It had always remained on her hands after many years of assassinating the ones that suspected him.
She slid open the door, letting the night air fan her face. Her brow furrowed deeply as she did see the figure, but realised that it wasn't the one she was looking for. The figure turned around, his long blonde hair – like her target – was blowing with the wind in golden ripples, his eyes a dark shade of blue and strapped in blue robes. He faced her, before getting himself into a fighting stance.
"Red River… I will not allow you to harm my Otou-sama." His brow furrowed deeply with concern, and the redhead could detect… pity… in his azure coloured eyes. It only took an extra moment for her until everything had clicked into place for her.
This boy, the same age as her was the next Head – it could be possible to use this boy as ransom, but her emerald orbs saw that this boy wasn't a weakling. She scowled furiously, and got herself into her own stance, just as the duo had leaped at each other, one had a scowl while the other had a smirk they knew that they had to prepare for the worst.
At that time, my thoughts were completely hazy… I never expected to meet the challenge for the next fourteen years of my life. Then again, I never expected to have you… and to have a dream.
A/n: Before I sign out, I just want to experiment with the whole Okaa-san, Otou-san thing... The only reason why I'm doing this is because my OCs actually do mention their parents and since I write Mum instead of Mom it feels really weird to write it out. Ah well, if you don't like it then tough... I think it suits well for this story. As for side pairings, I will definitely add my OTP... I've already got in mind of how to do that.
22/07/2013 - Happy Birthday me!
