OK! I guess I'll do a quick disclaimer: I don't own Naruto obviously, all I own is Miyoko. Ok, now that that is out of the way I'd just like to point out that at the moment I am not 100% what couples if any I want at the moment though I do have a few in mind. Anyway, hope you enjoy and please review! I love constructive criticism so feel free to give it!
A thick mist hugged the land as it always did in the beginnings of the day. It was strange for anyone to be up at such an hour when the sun was not even up yet, much less a young kuonoichi and her sensei. "Sensei, why are we up so early to train?" she questioned looking up at the much taller man. She reached the bottom of his rib cage, but that didn't make her short for her age, he was just exceedingly tall. Brown hair fell to just below the girl's shoulders even though it was pulled into a high ponytail and sapphire blue eyes were covered slightly by bangs. Her skin was rather pale, but that was common for those from Kirigakure since they didn't get much sunlight in the watery village. She was wearing a pair of black shorts and a black long-sleeved turtle neck with black ninja sandals on her feet and black fingerless gloves on her hands. Her Mist hitai-ate was tied around her forehead. On her left leg was a pouch that held kunai and shuriken and on her back was a black bag with a few scrolls, money, food, and clothing in it.
Beady eyes looked down on the girl and a small grin appeared on the man's face as he spoke, "I'm taking you somewhere special, it is your birthday after all." The newly turned eleven-year-old girl seemed to accept this answer as she gave a curt nod and continued walking in silence. She had no reason to doubt the man since he had done nothing to betray her trust, but what confused her was why her other two teammates weren't coming as well. It was too early though to think about complicated explanations such as that for the sun had yet to rise and what little light had appeared from the horizon only left their world in a gloomy, grey light.
It took the pair about two hours of silent walking before they came to a stop at the edge of body of water. "Have you learned to walk on water yet?" the man asked. The young girl gave him a look as if saying "Duh!" but instead responded with, "Of course, it's one of the first things my clan teaches us, after trees of course."
"Good," was the simple reply before he stepped out onto the water. They hadn't taken but twenty steps before both stopped and turned around. The girl looked confused and went to ask her sensei what was going on when he grabbed her wrist and began to run while pulling her.
"What's going on? Why are hunter-nin chasing us?" she asked worriedly looking up at the tall man pulling her.
The reply was grim and if he hadn't been pulling her, the girl certainly would have stopped dead in her tracks, "They've been sent to execute you." There was a slight pause but before she could speak the man continued, "The Mizukage has ordered the extermination of certain clans with kekkai genkei. The Sanboushi clan was on that list." Silence filled the area and only the soft patter of their footsteps on the water could be heard.
"Why did you save only me?" the girl asked finally without looking up at the man, her gaze set dead straight in front of her. "You could have warned my clan."
"Your clan hates me," he replied with a small laugh. "Or do you not remember when they found out you had been assigned to me?" That got a small chuckle out of her as she did in fact remember their reaction to the news. "They would have never believed me if I had tried to warn them. Shit," he said as he turned his head to look behind him. The girl didn't turn around but did turn her eyes as if trying to see behind her that way. Her once round pupil's suddenly shrunk and became vertical slits like that of a snake. Without having to be told what had happened, she followed her sensei as he began to run faster, easily keeping up with him.
"I couldn't let them kill my favorite pupil now could I?" he added once their speed had increased. At this she let a grin appear on her face but did little else as response. "Create a water clone," he suddenly instructed which finally brought her gaze to the man. "I'll lead them away, you keep going until you hit the southern barrier island. Once you do run for as long as you can. When you get to the other side of the island, go to the harbor and look for a man in a black cloak. He'll take you over to Wave Country. From there go to Fire Country and get to Konoha as fast as you can. When it's safe I'll come get you."
Snake eyes looked hard at the man beside her. He looked down at the small girl and grinned his usual grin revealing his sharp white teeth. "I promise, now go!" he told her as he split off in a different direction. A water clone was quickly made and followed with the man as the girl continued to run towards the ever nearing island.
It didn't take too long for her feet to hit dry land, the island she ran to was the closest to the mainland, and by that time the mist that had encompassed her the whole time began to thin out. Once on the land her eyes returned to normal and she stumbled forward a bit before stopping completely and leaning over, breathing heavily. Quickly though she stood up straight and continued walking while reaching in her bag and pulling out a water bottle. As she drank slowly from the bottle, so as not to make herself sick, she continued walking taking care to not make too much noise. Her body was telling her to stop but her mind kept telling her to keep moving.
By the time she reached the other side of the rather small island it was just past noon. Her tired blue eyes began to search the harbor for the man she was supposed to find. It took only a few minutes to spot the man and she walked over. "Sanboushi Miyoko?" the man asked with a steely voice. His face was cast in shadow by the straw hat he wore and his grey eyes seemed to pierce through her. Due to her complete lack of energy though she gave no outward sign of shock and a simple nod as an answer to his question. "Come on," he said as he motioned her onto the deck. Quickly she walked up the plank to the rather large boat and followed him to a room. "You can stay here, I'll wake you when we reach Wave Country." She gave a nod that she had heard and entered the room. Almost immediately she went to the bed and laid down. It didn't take her long to drift to sleep, and thankfully it was peaceful due to complete exhaustion from the physical strain of her run and lack of chakra from running so long on the water.
With a shake the girl woke up to look into grey eyes. After acknowledging she was awake the man left. Looking to the window Miyoko noted that it was probably early in the morning again. She left the room and met the guy on the deck. He led her to the galley where she was fed and then left to her own desires.
As the sun was rising the boat pulled into the Wave Country harbor and the pair disembarked.. "Do I owe you anything?" she questioned once they were on solid ground again.
"Your sensei has already taken care of the payment," was the cold response. She simply nodded and turned to leave when he spoke again. "Perhaps we shall meet again one day." Blue eyes stared into grey, confusion clearly showing, then without a word she turned and left.
Not wanting to stay in a Wave Country for long, Miyoko continued her journey to the other side of the island to catch a boat to Fire Country. She managed to hire a guy for relatively cheap and by the time it landed on the coast of the Fire Country the sun was beginning its decent. Quickly moving away from the coast she ran until nighttime and set up a small camp. Not even bothering with a fire she ate some of the bread she had brought and fell asleep.
It felt like it was only a few hours before she was awake again just as the sun was rising. After a quick breakfast of fruit, Miyoko was on her way to the Leaf Village. She had been only a few times but like any good kunoichi she had remembered the way almost immediately. If she traveled at a slightly above average pace and stopping only briefly for lunch, she could get there by sunset. With that thought in mind she sped up a bit.
Sure enough, with only a stop for lunch and a few water breaks, the young girl made it to the gates of Konoha just as the sun was shedding its last rays of light. The shinobi on guard looked at the young mist-nin breathing hard, wondering if they should do anything to help. When she had gained her breath enough to talk she stood up and stared them down. "I need you to take me to the Hokage. Please," she stated through pants.
The two guards looked at the girl suspiciously. With a slight sigh of frustration Miyoko reached into her pockets and pulled out her identification card. "There's been a terrible attack in Mist and I must speak with him," she pleaded. Hesitantly one of the two stepped into his little hut and called the office.
"We're calling to make sure it's ok for you to enter," the one that had stayed behind explained. She simply nodded and waited for the other to return. It took everything she had not to look impatient but with what had happened within the past few days, she had reason to be. When the second guard finally returned with the ok, she all but ran to the gates to follow the guard that would take her to the Hokage.
After what felt like the longest walk of her life she finally arrived only to be told she would have to wait more since he was finishing up some paperwork at the moment. Fifteen minutes of waiting and many strange looks later she was called to see the Hokage. Upon walking in she was greeted by a kind yet tired looking old man who wore a gentle smile on his face. "So, Sanboushi Miyoko is it? From the famous Sanboushi clan I assume. What can I do for you this evening?" he asked.
"There is no Sanboushi clan," she spoke, her voice unnaturally cold and a scowl on her face. The two ninja at the door along with the Hokage looked at the girl with wide eyes, obviously they hadn't heard of what was happening on the other side of the world.
"What do you mean? They are a clan from Kirigakure who specialize in water jutsu and-"
"They were exterminated a few days ago at the order of the Mizukage." Her voice was cold and hollow sounding. "My sensei managed to catch wind of the plan and I escaped thanks to him. As far as I know I am the only one left."
Silence enveloped the room at the news. "If what you say is true, then I take it they will be sending hunter-nin after you."
"They have already, but I lost them shortly after arriving in the Wave Country. My sensei lead them off my trail and they probably assume I am dead if I know my sensei." A nod was the only thing she received from the old man as he thought over the situation.
"Very well then," he announced. "I will have a team of shinobi look into the matter to confirm what you have told me. In the mean time you will remain under surveillance and given a place to live."
Miyoko could have cried at that moment if she wasn't so tired physically, mentally, and emotionally. "Thank you, so much," she managed to get out. The man just offered her a small smile as she was led out of the office. Her guide took her to a small apartment building that seemed to be attached to the tower and given a room. It was an extremely simple room, probably meant for people who weren't planning to stay long. It contained a bed, a nightstand, a desk, and a dresser. There was also another door off to the side that no doubt led to a small and simple bathroom.
With a curt nod to the man who had led her to the room, she stepped in and shut the door, locking it behind her. Looking around the empty room once more she slowly walked over to the bed and sat down. As she sat in that silent, empty room, the weight of everything settled in and she cried for the first time since fleeing her home.