Disclaimer!!: NARUTO AND ALL RELATED TITLES DO NOT BELONG TO ME! They belong to Tokyo Pop. (Though I wish Shikamaru-chan did belong to me!)

Hey everyone, before you read, this is only the first chapter, so if you're confused just keep reading and i'll update soon. If you have anything at all you wanna sat anything at all, please, please, please! leave a comment for me!

CHAPTER 1

The night was still. Not even the water rippled in the stifled silence of the night. The moon shown down upon the still lake; casting an eerie glow upon its untouched surface. A flash of green was caught reflected in it's depth for only a moment. A lone traveler gazed over in surprise. Quickly he turned back to the path, walking briskly in the icy death grip of the night. Every tree leered at him, the owls, strangely silent. Not a single sound could be heard.

Suddenly a twig snapped be hind him. Terrified he spun around, anxiously searching the trees and bushes behind him. The inspection lasted for several minutes before he let out a relived sigh. Just as he turned back around right in front of him was a figure, their green eyes flashing in the moonlight. He let out a terrible scream as the kunai pierced his heart, and the moon turned red; blood red.

Tataharu Hanasaki looked around the market, surprised. Apparently much had changed during her long absence. The streets were crowded with people celebrating, merchants hawking their wares, and plenty of men drinking. 'What could have created the change', she wondered? What occasion? She mulled through the crowd, and saw some men drinking outside a bar. She walked up to them and bluntly inquired "Why are so many people out? What's going on?"

They all gave her a funny look then burst out laughing. Their alcohol stained breath made her grimace, but she held her ground. Finally, one of them stopped laughing long enough to answer. "Why the hell wouldn't there be? You been livin' under a rock? The Battles take place today!" They let out some more raucous laughter and one leered at her lustfully. "Hey babe, you need some protection. It's dangerous out there today. Here, just let us..." he began, streching a large hairy arm out to grab her. Next thing he knew, he felt the sharp bite of a kunai against his neck. His arm was twisted backwards painfully and he let out a cry of anguish.

"No thank you. I believe I can handle myself." She retorted, smiling brightly behind him. Letting go, she flung him into his friends and they all fell to the ground in a drunken mass. Scrambling and yelling, they fled, as Hanasaki spun her kunai and replaced it in her pouch. Sighing she turned. She hadn't realized how long it truly had been since she left. The Battles were today. But at least she was home now, her mission complete. Thinking of her mission she reached into her long jacket and felt for the scroll she had placed there. Sure enough her hand contacted with the strange heat it gave off. Suddenly, a wave of pain rammed through her right arm, and releasing the scroll she grabbed desperately at her heavily bandaged arm. The scar imprinted there seemed to want to burn its self as deep into her arm as possible.

Dizzy with pain, she managed to stumble into a side ally before she collapsed in pain against the wall. The cool surface helped to ease her pain. Gasping for air she waited silently for the pain to pass. Finally, she struggled to her feet, and, panting, began to move her arm some. When Hana was finally satisfied that if was functional she leapt up to the nearest roof top. She had no desire to be bumped around in the crowded streets below, or to have to deal with more lecherous idiots. Jumping from rooftop to rooftop, Hana made her way to the Mizukage's Mist Palace.

When she finally arrived at the gates, she presented her identification to the guards and proceeded into the inner palace. It was a long journey to the Mizukage's meeting room, but she didn't mind. Every now and then, she would spot mist and water clones carrying food and sake to guest room for important guests, or non-important documents to the main gates. Several twists and turns later, Hana began the decent down into the main body of the palace. Like a giant iceberg, the palace not only floated in the middle of the lake, but the largest part was submerged beneath its salty waters. Chakra torches lit the halls adding the eerie underwater feel. Hana loved looking out the windows, seeing fish swimming by, or being eaten by seals or sharks.

The interior was not a majestic one. The once royal blue walls had faded and become shabby and cracked. The Village has suffered for years, because of one coo, rebellion, attack or betrayal after another. The history of the mist truly was died red with blood. However since the last coo, Zabuza's, and the current Mizukage took over, more missions had been pouring in. He had less violent, and less cruel tactics, and while the ninja were just as strong, there was a higher survival rate and a higher success rate. Some of the older jounin still clutched at the old traditions of the village, and taught accordingly, but most of the village was happy to come into a brighter time for the Village.

Turning the final corner, she came to a halt outside the Mizukage's door. Before she could even knock loud arguing voices erupted from the office. Recognizing the offender's voice, she let out an exasperated sigh and slid down the wall opposite the room. Knowing that it would take a while she though grumpily to herself, 'Might as well get comfortable'.

"It's not safe to let her wander around like that! The more missions you send her on, the more likely it is that her power will awaken. It's unsafe and poor judgment on your part. You're endangering the whole village by allowing this!" Tatahami Hanomora stood fuming at the Mizukage's desk. No matter what he said the boy wouldn't listen to reason.

"Yeah, yeah, you've mentioned this before, but we've moved on out of the past. Honestly, on this matter I don't give a damn about what anyone thinks about it. She's one of our best and we need her in the field. A good portion of all the missions are hers. If we ever want to restore our village to its golden day before blood and inner turmoil, then we need all able-bodied and skilled ninja in the field." The Mizukage leaned back in his chair, annoyed at Hanomora's gall to confront hi about this yet again.

"Then would her talents not be better put to use training young ninja at the academy?" Hanomora offered tentatively. The Mizukage snorted with amusement.

"Hanasaki teaching at the academy? Ha! She'd kill those poor kids. It took forever to simply find her a personal student she didn't want to kill at a glance. No, she stay's in the field. That's that. Now as for you, if you'd like to keep that sly tongue in your head, leave now before you say another stupid thing and I cut it out." He glared at Hanomora over his hands, daring him to test his patients.

"Of course, Mizukage-sama. Thank you for listening." Hanomora muttered as he bowed and left. He respectfully closed the door and then growled. Mizukage-sama never would listen to the voice of reason. The council would simply have to force his hand.

"Good afternoon Tatahami-sensei." A voice from behind him caused him to jump. He turned around and was surprised to se Hanasaki behind him, bowing respectfully.

"Ah yes, Tataharu-san. The same. I see you're back from you're extended mission. Was it successful?" he inquired politely. Secretly he hoped she had failed. It would only help with his case against her. Her five month absence had been a wonderful time in his opinion, time spent trying to denounce her.

Smiling sarcastically, she replied "Why yes, I was indeed successful. You must be proud of your little student, going on A-rank missions all by her self." Her eyes twinkled knowingly. Neither one was fooled by the pleasantries. Tensions were always high between the two of them.

"Hmf!" he scowled as he turned on his heel and left her standing alone in the dark hallway. Hanasaki glared after him. She could never forgive Tatahami-sensei for what he did to her, but then again, he wouldn't forgive her for her past actions either, accident or not. Taking a moment to calm her-self, Hana let out a frustrated sigh. Finally she opened the door and walked into the Mizukage's office.

"Yo! Hana-Chan! Sooo? How was your little chat with Hanomora-san? Did he propose to you yet?" This was the first thing she heard upon entering the Mizukage's room. She smiled and continued in happily. "Welcome back." The Mizukage greeted her warmly, a goofy grin on his face, his deep blue eye of glittering.

"Yeah, good to se you too, Hiro." She replied, smiling lightly. Mizukage-sama was one of the few people she could be her self with. He had always given her strength, and accepted her, even from the time he had first offered her a place at the academy when she was barely surviving on the streets. She walked over to his desk and pulled out the scroll, careful to use her left hand, and placed it on his desk. "All rouge-nin have been apprehended and eliminated. Luckily, they were under orders not to open the scroll until they had brought it back to the village, so its secrets were not revealed." She reported, now serious.

"Good. However, it was discovered just yesterday one was still hiding here. When we raided his apartment last night it was empty. We'll have to send you…" He was interrupted by Hana's stifled snort.

"Sorry," She muttered, "but Hiro, really. You think I would leave any loose ends? Come on, you know me better than that. I took care of that idiot last night on his way out of the Village. What a weakling!" She smiled maliciously.

"Oh? Why yes, how silly of me. I suppose we should just make you Mizukage now. What good am I, such an old, useless man?" Hiro cried, feigning despair.

"His teasing brought a grin to her face and she declared pompously, "Yes! Behold the new mighty Mizukage if Kiri! Bow or suffer the consequences!" She laughed striking a powerful pose, one foot resting on the Mizukage's desk. Hiromata broke down laughing, and Hanasaki joined him, grinning.

"Ya' know, I really am glad I discovered you first. If anyone else had become your first sensei I would have been so sad!" He gave her an affectionate little smirk. "Go on now. I had you entered into the Battles just in case you made it back here in time. And I'm sure Sangi will be quite happy to see you again. You can submit the official report at your leisure. God knows I've quite enough paperwork to be getting on with any way." He rose and walked to the door opening it for her.

"Wait!" She said, suddenly serious again. "Hiro, why, why can't we explain my power to the council? Or to Tatahami-sensei? Then wouldn't they stop bothering you with requests to contain me? And Tatahami-sensei might even understand about… that! I didn't mean to do it, you know that! It was before I had control over my power! I'm safe now! Why can't we tell them? Why?" Hanasaki looked at him, frustrated confused, angry, hurt. Hiro closed the door.

"We've been over this Hana." He cautioned, completely serious. The light mood had completely vanished from the room, leaving in its place uneasiness. "The finer points would escape them. They're morons. Hanomora-san in particular. That much power, and the methods involved would terrify them, and you'd be confined for sure. I'm sorry Hana, but your power must remain our secret." He reached towards her, about to put a comforting arm on her shoulder when she looked up from the ground, an unconvincing smile on her face.

"I'll do my best at the battles, Old Man!" She teased. Quickly she ran from the room, waving. As she passed him, Hiro spotted something glittering on her face.

"Hey! I'm only 21 you little brat!" Hiro called in return, waving back until she turned the corner. His face became pensive as he leaned against the door post. "She must think I'm stupid if she thinks I can't tell when she's crying." He muttered to himself. "What will I do with her?" he whispered to Mang, his ermine, who was poking her head out of his robe. "What will I do with her indeed?"

just a few quick author notes: Hanasaki is my RPC. I will take a few liberties with age and descriptions of places, but otherwise I will try to stick to the reality of the Naruto universe. And remember, this is only the first chapter and i promise it will get better, so comment and favorite please!

(also, I might come up with little questions of the day too!)