Alright, this story has a couple of OCs that I will give short background on because the OCs belong to my friends. I sort of have to add them because I was so intimate with details in the future that involve a couple of them. When the other OCs surface, I'll give a short bio. on them. Anyway, it's good to be back on FanFiction and hopefully I won't disappear again. Enjoy the first chapter! R&R please!
The Village Hidden in the Mist – this place – so cold, so empty. No other day was different. If it was not raining, it was snowing and vice versa. Rarely did the villagers ever get a look at the sun. The constant clouds hid the hope of the comforting warm rays.
As everyday went so far, it had snowed for at least three days now, leaving snow up to at least anyone's ankles. Treading through the powder blanket, a young preteen girl was searching for her uncle in the heavy mist.
Her faded gray eyes reflected nothing but the masses of snow around her and the wind-chilled breeze played lightly with her charcoal black hair and the light snowfall blended with the thin silver streaks lining her hair. Her simple black tank top covered a short-sleeved mesh top, that both ended in the mid of her stomach, and a mid-thigh high skirt did nothing to keep her warm. On her legs, she wore bandages that started at her hips and stopped just above her ankles. The only thing left on her was her open toed black sandals that most ninjas wore.
This girl made this search around the village a daily routine since she was old enough to walk on her own. Her slim figure may make her look like a common female villager but she was actually a trainee apprentice ninja. Though she never attended a formal academy, she had her own personal trainer of sorts that remained hidden from the rest.
"Akane Momochi," a soft voice called to her from an alleyway beside her.
Akane shifted her head to the side and addressed the one who had called her name with her eyes. "I've been looking for you, Haku." She smiled lightly at the young boy in a kimono outfit. "Where are you and Uncle hiding today?"
The boy addressed as Haku turned away from her and disappeared into a cloud of mist that amassed from nothing it seemed. Akane took a few steps back and almost fell in the snow.
"Haku!" she called as her vision became of no help to her. Her eyes widened a little more and a smirk formed across her lips as she realized the test she had been given. Without hesitation, she ran into the thick of the mist. "I am not going to lose this time Haku!"
Every time Haku or her uncle greeted her, they would follow it with a test, usually one involving sharpening the senses. It was a key part of her training that sight was not something to rely on.
When she sensed that running was a lost cause, she stood still in the fog and darted about the white blur with her eyes. Akane was not doing this just to keep her senses sharp – but to keep herself alive. The first few times she had tried this training with her uncle and Haku, he nearly killed her each time until her speed increased and her reflexes reacted almost before the action would happen. It was a strategy that was vital to her training as a ninja.
Akane looked over her shoulder in time to dodge three senbon needles that would have seemed invisible had she not been alert. She crouched low to the floor and began running through the snow searching for water that she could use. Her techniques required that she use water to make it more effective. Her hands moved in rapid succession of the first creating a series of symbols and when she stopped she called out a technique name. "Mist Clone Technique!" she called out as mirror like images of herself appeared in the mist all around her.
Maybe, just maybe, it will distract him, she told herself as she continued running.
"That was clever but I can see right through it," Haku's voice whispered into her ear right before five senbon formed a line down her spine.
Akane fell in the snow, pulled them out quickly, and stared at the drops of blood sliding off the needles. She growled thinking of how she could not dodge that. Back on her feet, she started meditating to gather chakra into her feet.
I have to hurry! Haku is not going to waste time because I'm not moving! She scolded herself until she felt the right amount of chakra flowing through to her feet.
A smirk formed across her face and she began running at an abnormal rate. The mere gathering of chakra caused her speed to increase to just below Haku's average speed. It didn't seem like much of an accomplishment but Haku's speed was beyond any ninja she had ever seen before.
"Where do you think you're going?" Haku appeared beside her while running at the same speed.
"Around," she answered before darting to the left causing Haku to follow after her. Quickly, she spun around and finished a sequence of hand signs. "Water Vortex Technique!"
Haku remained unmoved by the motion. "You can not conjure that much water from snow." His eyes widened in fear seeing a wave of water suddenly rushing at him from the blinding fog. "What?" he cried as the water hurled him across the ground.
It's still too weak but it will manage! Akane dashed across the ground and stuck her hand out towards Haku. "Water Prison Technique!" Just as she said that, a shell of water formed around Haku and he was rendered immobile from the inside.
Akane sighed knowing the battle was over and a few light claps echoed from the fog as it began to lift. A figure began to approach her through the cloud and she prepared for anything more her uncle would throw out for her.
"Uncle Zabuza!" Akane's face lit up with joy and she released Haku from his prison the moment her hand removed itself from the water shell. "How did I do this time? I've gotten much better from the very first warm up against Haku, haven't I?"
The man labeled as Zabuza loomed over the girl with his height and glared down at her. "I was impressed that you were able to melt the snow with your chakra." He touched her head and ruffled it as he messed with her hair. "Don't think that you are better then Haku now. Your next warm up will be much more difficult."
Akane nodded and bowed to her uncle as he began taking her further away from the main street. She trotted to catch up and walk by his side and she looked up at his face that seemed disappointed in a way.
"Are you angry with me?" she lowered her eyes to the snow ahead of her.
Zabuza looked down at her and sighed. "No, I have other thoughts in mind for you and I have a gift."
At first, Akane gave him a puzzled gaze because she was not used to her uncle being so generous to her. He was always brutal and harsh but he was the only one that would let her train as a ninja and for that she was always grateful.
"Haku," Zabuza snapped his glare to the young boy walking on the other side of him, "go get Akane's present and be quick about it."
Haku simply nodded and disappeared into the fog with a simple stealthy step. Zabuza stepped in front of Akane and she had time to stare at his sword that was almost equal length to his own body. Only a master of strength and hand-to-hand combat could wield it with such ease as he did.
"Akane, you already know that you are not allowed to become a formal ninja because of your parents and that I am your only chance at achieving that dream, right?" Zabuza crossed his arms with his back still facing the small girl.
Akane stepped a little closer and nodded. "Of course I do, but my parents don't like your training any better," Akane played with her fingers. "They still haven't told me why they don't like you. Every time I ask, it's almost like they don't want to talk about it."
Zabuza smirked under the bandages covering half of his face and he turned around as his hands made their way onto his hips. "They are scared of me, Akane. If I teach you how to become a ninja, they will cower knowing you are stronger then they are and you are crafted in the very image of me. You are my prodigy Akane and I believe it is time that you think the same way as I do."
Akane stared at her uncle's eyes for a moment in confusion. "What are you talking about?" She shivered a bit feeling a different aura coming from him.
She had trained with Zabuza for about five years now and already knew that he could be cruel and ruthless but his eyes gave off a sense of darkness that she had not seen before.
Haku appeared beside him with a weapon strapped to his back that he unhooked and handed to Zabuza. He held a massive blade up to her neck and watched as her eyes widened until they could not anymore.
"T-The Guillotine?" Akane stared at the blade threatening to slit her throat.
"Yes, this is an exact replica of the sword I have. It is fit for you and will be usable even when you grow a couple more inches in a few years," Zabuza lowered the blade and faced the handle to her. "Go on, take it."
Akane's eyes widened with excitement. She had been waiting for a long time to get such a weapon crafted by her uncle. The sword was a very special item to her and it reminded her so much of the power her uncle had when he wielded it, just how she wanted to be.
Without hesitating, Akane grasped the sword and twirled it around once before letting it rest on the ground. A few gasps for air escaped her mouth before she gripped the blade again and swung it in a perfectly balanced manner. Zabuza applauded her with his stare and crossed his arms signaling her to pay attention.
Her blade rested beside her as her eyes met Zabuza's. "Uncle, what did you mean wanting me to think the way you do?"
Zabuza and Haku looked to each other and back to the young girl. "You really are oblivious, Akane. All these years that I have been training you and you still have yet to discover that I am a Missing-nin of the Hidden Mist Village."
"W-What?" Akane chuckled. "Don't even play around like that. I don't know what I would do if you were a criminal!"
The same unseen smirk crossed Zabuza's lips under the mask and he laughed maniacally. "Here's the thing, Akane, I am a criminal. To the village, I am a wanted man. The slash across my headband was not obtained during battle like I've told you before. But don't have an episode; I have a reason for my actions."
Haku tossed Akane a strap to cradle her sword but she let it drop to the ground. Her eyes were filled with fear and betrayal. "You've taken this joke to far. I told you not to say things like that," she desperately tried to make them say that they were only kidding.
"This is not a joke!" Zabuza thrust his arm forward and grasped Akane's neck. "Listen to me Akane, look around the village and tell me what you see!" Zabuza faced her towards the street and tightened his grip. If he gripped any tighter, he would snap her neck. "There is nothing in this village but pain and suffering. There is no hope in this village. If the Hidden Mist Village were to be engaged in war, this village would crumble to pieces in a matter of seconds. When you walk home, what do you see?"
Akane could only release a choked gasp as an answer.
"Akane," Haku's calming voice soothed her slightly, "I was one of the many poor souls in this village that had no hope. Then your uncle, who offered me a chance to end this suffering for everyone by aiding him, found me. He gave me hope. He gave me a purpose."
Zabuza released her neck and Akane immediately fell to her knees in the snow. "It's true. I tried to assassinate the Mizukage and failed. Thus the treatment towards this village continues. If I can not fulfill my duty and save the villagers of this horrid reign, my duties will fall on you Akane, my prodigy."
Prodigy? Akane stared at the white blanket surrounding her. Her hands slowly grazed the snow and grasped the sword harness. But I could never kill the Mizukage. I have never seen such mistreatment that he is talking about. I could never do that.
Zabuza knelt down to Akane's level and pulled her chin up for her to face him. "Think about all the people you could be letting down if you fail to continue my legacy. The Mizukage must die at all costs. My bad reputation is a result of my failure. Until my death, that is my mission."
Akane forced herself on her feet and she slung the holster over her shoulders. "Uncle Zabuza, if I am to continue your work, what will I have to do?" Her eyes stayed focused on the floor, not wanting to make eye contact with Zabuza or Haku.
Zabuza grabbed Akane's sword off the ground and held the handle towards her. "Take the Guillotine and train with it. Remember my techniques that I have shown to you and pass them on. Fulfill my dream for it will become yours soon enough."
A chilled breeze sent shudders up and down Akane's spine and her black hair fell into her face when her head lowered even more. The tiny frozen drops melted when they touched her and the ice blended with the faded white streaks in her hair. Her hands reached forward and held the sword tightly in them before she slipped it into the holster on her back.
"I want you to come looking for us tomorrow and I expect you to be emotionally ready for what I am going to do to you." Zabuza threw his head back and laughed loudly.
Akane moved her hair behind her ears and she started walking back through the snow.
"Don't be late," Zabuza warned her one last time before she disappeared into the mist that was becoming thick again. "Let's leave her parents alone tonight, Haku."
Haku tilted his head ever so slightly. "What if her parents call a squad of Hunter-nin and they come after us again?" he suggested as he looked to Zabuza for an answer.
"We have escaped them before so we will escape from them again but we will have to lay very low today and tomorrow. We will give Akane a little more of a challenge when she comes looking for us tomorrow." Zabuza cracked his neck.
Haku smiled, the edges of his lips tilting upwards. "You can't keep lying to her Zabuza. I hardly think that she will believe you much longer."
Zabuza shook his head. "You doubt me too much, Haku. Akane will do anything I say. Can't you see the loyalty in her eyes? She would never disobey me." He chuckled and faded into the fog with Haku at his side.
Akane continued through the snow as she kept hands folded in each other by her chest. This awkward feeling welled up inside of her and there was no one she could really explain it to. She had no friends and her parents would not know how to deal with it. The steel against her back grew colder with the icy winds and she held her hands even closer to her body.
What if I don't want to kill the Mizukage? What will Uncle do to me? Akane nibbled on the edge of her thumb as she broke into a run for her house. And what if Uncle is right?
Just as she said that, she spotted three kids huddling against one another in the snow and one looked up at her with eyes begging for her to help. Her hands formed fists against her chest and she ran trying to shake off her disbelief.
As she turned onto her street, she slid to a stop in the snow and darted her eyes around. There was this feeling that someone was watching her in secret. It wasn't much of a secret if she could sense their presence but whether the presence was harmless or not remained a question. She took a step forward and a line of five kunai knives formed by her foot.
Her first reaction was to take her own sword out of its holster and use it as her own defense. "No sense hiding now!" Akane's cry echoed down the empty street.
Three Anbu ninja appeared on each side of Akane and she lowered her weapon. One of the three stepped closer and motioned for the other two to step back. "Akane Momochi," the Anbu spoke, "we have been hired by your parents to escort you home and send you straight to the Hidden Leaf Village under the command of the Mizukage and Hokage. We also believe you have knowledge on the whereabouts of your uncle, Zabuza Momochi."
Akane strapped the sword to her back and stared right into the animal-resembling mask of the Anbu ninja standing before her. "I swear on the Mizukage's life that I have no clue as to where my uncle is hiding. If you don't mind, I would like to go home now."
The Anbu ninja surrounded her on all sides and walked in step with her as she approached her home where her mother and father waited outside with bags at hand and concerned looks on their faces.
"Akane, sweetie, we were so worried about you. Don't worry about your stuff because we already packed it and it is being shipped to Konoha with the rest of the furniture," her mother greeted with a smile.
Her mother tried to grab Akane's arm but she swiftly shook off her mother and balled her hands into fists. "What? I didn't think you were serious about these Anbu taking us to Konoha! My whole life is here in the Hidden Mist Village!"
Her father stepped forward and grabbed her wrist signaling her that he would not tolerate such behavior from her. "Your whole life is revolving a killer that will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants. Akane, we think that what he wants is you."
Akane flicked her hand free again and stepped backwards causing the Anbu to become alert and ready for her to fight back. "Maybe he wants me because he finds potential in me! You wouldn't even let me attend a formal ninja academy! I would have no one to support my dreams to be a ninja if Zabuza was not here!"
The Anbu surrounding Akane drew out their weapons and focused on her. "Akane Momochi, our mission is to take you and your family to Konoha today. Whether you are coming or not is not up to you but to your parents and they feel it is in your best interest to never see Zabuza again."
She shook her head as her eyes started to become watery. "I don't want to go! I don't want to! I'll never become ninja if I leave Zabuza!" She flailed her arms as her parents tried to grab her again but the Anbu grabbed her and rendered her immobile with simple rope to tie her hands and used sedatives to calm her down.
"Rest assured Momochi family that we will take care of everything from here." One Anbu nodded his head and slung Akane over his shoulder knowing she could not move on her own.
Staring at the snowy ground, Akane slowly entered a state of unconsciousness. Her sight blurred as her last visions of the Hidden Mist Village entered her mind – The endless snowfall and the cold wave that washed over her every time a snowflake landed on her warm skin.
Well, hopefully you enjoyed that. Heads up though. The first couple of chapters will come relatively fast but I can't say for anything past that. Thank you! Oh yes,and please notify me of any grammar or spelling errors you may have spotted.