A/N: Italics are thoughts, bolds are author's notes.

I do not own any of the Naruto characters.

-Anri-

Anri stared at the mountains east to her small wooden house. She sadly twirled her straight dark brown hair around with her fingers. This view… I wish mom and dad were still here with me. Anri sat down at the bank of the river, admiring the view. A cool breeze swept by as the chirping birds flew near her.

"Hiro…," she whispered as she reached out her hand to pet her dog, "what do you think mom and dad meant when they said to go to the leaf? Did they mean the Konoha ninjas?"

Hiro nuzzled her palm. "Yes… I believe so. It is a long way to walk, though."

Anri smiled. "Remember the time when I first found you?"

"Yeah… It seemed like a long time ago," he agreed. "Oh, and happy seventh birthday!" He added cheerfully.

"Thanks," Anri grinned. "That day you were drowning because of an injured leg… Now that I think of it, we've been together for a year already!"

Hiro shrugged. "I was only a puppy when I began my ninja dog training. It's tough, I tell ya."

"Yup, I think mum and meant for me to become a ninja. But ninja training doesn't seem to be my style. After all, I'd hate to injure any animals by fighting."

"Is all you care about animals?" Hiro huffed, "you know you can get hurt too."

"Yeah, yeah." Anri scooped up a handful of water from the river. "It's just that I've lived here for so long. The Land of Rivers is my home."

"Well, it's safest if you go to Konoha. During my ninja dog training, I've heard that a group of strong criminal ninja have their hideout in Land of Rivers. They're called Akatsuki, I believe. A child like you could get kidnapped or killed by them easily!"

"Heh. Like they would notice a helpless, dirty child."

"You have Byakugan," he reminded her.

"Well, unless I will myself to use it, they can't tell, according to mom. That's because my Byakugan is special; my eyes look normal if I don't use it. Mom's eyes are pale green even when she isn't using Byakugan."

"Anyhow, your parents died two years ago. It's a miracle you survived, but I think it's about time you made your move," Hiro stood up, "Pack your stuff."

Anri looked at her reflection in the water one more time. As she stood up to leave, she was interrupted by Hiro's growling.

"Anri! I sense someone with strong chakra around here! We can't run, we have to fight!"

Anri tensed as someone stepped out of the bushes. He had dark hair, a slim figure, and was wearing normal cloths. Not Akatsuki then. I've heard they wear a black cloak with red clouds.

"Good job sensing me," he smirked. "I see you have a ninja dog here, and I also sense you have potential to become a ninja."

Anri shivered at the coldness in his voice. "What do you want!" she shouted.

"Heh… I see you definitely have potential. But that doesn't matter because I'm going to kill you! To destroy River Country I have to pull out its roots!"

He ran towards her, fishing out a dagger from his pocket. He threw it at her.

"Anri!"Hiro called. She suddenly felt dizzy. I guess this is it. Anri waited for the pain but it never came.

"Huh?" she said weakly. It didn't take long for her to figure out why she didn't die. "HIRO?" she screamed. "HIRO!" she buried her face in his fur. "Hiro… Why… You were my only friend!"

The dog turned to face her, blood oozing from his wound.

"Anri…," he coughed, "learn to be a ninja… The potential in you… Use it… Protect yourself."

The dog went limp and the light faded from his eyes. "HIRO!" Anri screamed.

She closed her eyes and turned towards the stranger, shaking with anger.

"You… You killed him! Argh!" She opened her eyes. "I… Will… Kill you!"

She ran towards the enemy. "MANGEKYO SHARINGAN! BYAKUGAN!"

The rest of the fight was a blur.

The enemy shook with fright. "What—Sharingan!? No, that doesn't look like Sharingan… Those veins! Byakugan!? You… You can combine them!?" He backed away, frightened.

"Yes, thanks to you. My best friend here blocked for me so I technically killed him and awakened the mangekyo Sharingan! And I'll kill you right here and get my revenge!"

She ran at him with new strength. Before she knew it, she killed him. She stood at a pool of blood.

"Huff… Huff…" She staggered to Hiro. "Hiro… I got revenge… Please wake up… Hiro..." Anri kneeled down beside her beloved dog. Memories flooded back to her. He comforted her when she felt sad, helped her when she was in a bad situation, saved her many times. He was the only one who truly, truly loved her.

Suddenly she heard a man's voice. Another enemy? She turned to him with a glare.

"Are you here to kill me?" she growled, "then come at me!"

"Hey, I'm Kiyoshi," he said with a friendly grin. "Are you okay? Come with me. I'll teach you ninjutsu."