Kasumi
She ran through the forest at breakneck speed, occasionally looking back at the flickers of bodies that pursued her.
She leapt on a tree branch and jump off just as four shuriken hit the place she just was. She front flipped over another branch just as another shuriken sliced through it, and the ribbon in her hair.
As it fell of her maroon hair was flowing in the wind behind her as she ran.
She looked back one more time to see...no one!
'Perhaps they gave up again.' she thought.
Her head was still turned, so she didn't see Might Guy right in front of her.
She slammed into him and they were both sent sprawling out in front of the gate to the Hidden Leaf Village.
The Village was still rebuilding from Orochimaru's attack, so it wasn't a pretty sight.
Kasumi, trying to regain herself from the impact, slowly began to rise.
She was once again alert when she remembered the ninja chasing her.
As she rose, Kakashi, Kurenai and Asuma appeared in a circle around her.
"Well, who do we have here?" Kakashi asked.
Before Kasumi could answer, she ducked as a shuriken flew above her, and straight past Kakashi.
"It's an ambush!" Kurenai yelled.
Five ninja jumped out of the trees, kunai unsheathed, and dashed at the cornered runaway.
Two of them were stopped by Guy, and another two by Asuma.
The last one was taken out quickly by Kakashi.
"What are you here for?" He asked the ninja.
He only answered by weakly pointing at Kasumi.
They all looked at her as she began to back away from the scene.
Since they took care of those ninja following her, they can't retreat to report where she is.
Before she could make a break for it, she was stopped by Guy, who stood right in front of her, hands on his hips.
"So, a runaway huh? Seems pretty foolish to enter another ninja's territory. What makes you think we wouldn't kill you?"
"Because, you still haven't." she answered.
"Well, while we're all swapping stories, how about telling us yours." Kakashi suggested.
Seeing that cooperating with them might keep her alive, and from violence, Kasumi told them everything. She told them how Raidou crippled her brother, and her reason for leaving her village was revenge. She told them of finding him in the second tournament, but only with his memory erased because of Project Epsilon. She told them about her half sister, and how she was defeated by her so that she could kill Genra. Finally, she told them about the destruction of DOATEC, and the escape of her super clone Alpha-152.
"My, seems like you've had quite an adventure miss." Asuma commented.
"It's Kasumi." she said almost inaudibly.
"Well Kasumi. It's nice to meet you. I'm Kakashi Hatake. These people are Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, and Might Guy."
"It's nice to meet you all, but I must be going. I'll only be trouble if I stay."
"On the contrary Kasumi," Guy said with a smile, "We'd love for you to stay. It's not everyday we meet a runaway as noble and kindhearted as you."
'Except for Haku.' Kakashi thought.
"No, I must go. If they gain knowledge that I am here, they might send others."
"Well, even if they do, I doubt they'll be a match for us." Guy said.
"You can stay here, where it's safe." Kurenai said with a smile.
"I don't understand. I'm a runaway, an outcast. You're supposed to be ending me at this very moment." She said.
"Well here's a secret: We aren't all like the other ninja clans. You haven't presented us as a threat. In fact, we see you as a soon to be friend. Besides, at least here you'll be able to sleep soundly and safely. Here's a room key. You're room will be under one of my students, Naruto Uzumaki."
Kasumi took the key slowly, then held it closely to her chest.
"Thank you," she said quietly, "it's been a long time since anyone has been willing to take me in despite the risks."
"Well, we're all about risks." Guy said.
Kasumi rose up and left out the door.
'Maybe I'll go take a nap now.' She thought.
She turned the corner just as a blonde haired boy skidded to a halt in front of her.
"Sorry Ma'am! Diddn't see you there." He said bashfully.
"Naruto! Watch where you're going!" Sakura said catching up to him. "Sorry miss, my friend can be quite the knucklehead at times."
"Oh, don't worry about it."
"I see you've already met them." Kakashi said walking out.
"Who are you anyway?" Sasuke asked catching up.
"This is Kasumi. She comes from the Mugen Tenshin clan up north. She'll be with us for a while." Kakashi said.
"Nice to meet you. My name's Sakura Haruno."
"Sakura, a pretty name for a pretty girl."
"Thanks. I think so too."
"I'm Sasuke-"
"Uchiha. Yes, I've met you're brother, Itachi Uchiha. I know you harbor a great hatred for him. He seems, dark, but not as insane as his blue partner."
"Where'd you meet him?" Sasuke asked, a little more intrigued by this woman now.
"He was once a close friend of mine. That is, until he murdered his village and tried to murder me."
That little not earned her stares from everyone.
"Well, my name's Naruto Uzumaki! I'm going to be Hokage one day!"
"Hokage! Where is your Hokage?"
Her question was anwered by dark wandering stares, and she knew all too well what happened.
"I'm sorry for your loss."
"Don't worry. Hey Sakura, why don't you and the guys show Kasumi around. Being female I'm sure you two will have much to talk about." Kakashi suggested.
"Okay sure! Let's go to the raamen shop first! I swear you'll be hooked on it like I am!" Naruto exclaimed gleefully.
'The markings on his face seem familiar somehow.' Kasumi thought.
One thing was for certain, and she knew it. Eventually, Ayane would come.