Author's note: So Akina's outfit… we'll be talking about that. (I'll be typing about that?) Anyway, this outfit took me forever just to think up. It's definitely gotta gothic feel to it, in my opinion and yet a little samurai. Picked that up from Bleach and I can honestly say I'm really proud of it. Check out the artwork for it out on DeviantART and give your own opinion please.

BTW… *!Ugh, this chapter is like twelve pages long!* but hope ya guys enjoy. And the orphan scene I came up with is a little sucky and random, but I like it so that's why it's here.

READ THIS:
Oh and sorry to say if I don't update for a little while, but I've used all the MB on the wi-fi this month… shame on me I'm addicted to the internet :'( so that's why I put my nose to the grindstone to give you 4 freaking chapters! o_O so u might want to pace yourself w/ them or you can read 'em all at once. Your choice, but the end of chpt. 5 is kinda cliffy and it's my suggestion that you don't make yourself suffer because I warned you that I can't update until at least the end of the month. So sorry again and please enjoy.

Chapter's song: "Let love in" by Goo Goo Dolls (Perfect song ^_^)


Chapter 2
Memory hole

Land of Wind
Akina left a trail of footprints in the sand— not that she could see them through the sand blowing in her face though. I need to get out of this sand storm. Akina wiped her eyes, then, she thought she saw a village in view, but the sand kept blowing and Akina kept running— hoping she wasn't going insane. A hot spring! Just what I need… Akina realized as she ran into the wall-surrounded dome village that kept the desert sand out. And to think this little desert town would be the marking place for the end of her travels.

Flashback
Akina walked peacefully through the hard dirt street of a small town; but things didn't stay peaceful when Akina stopped to the sight of a girl running towards her, roughing up the dirt. "Outta the way!" the girl yelled as Akina quickly and nonchalantly stepped to the side when the pint-sized girl kept running with a loaf of bread in hand. Akina then looked to the direction the girl had come— and here came the guards chasing. "Get her!" Green eyes watched most the guards run by slightly annoyed—grabbing the last one and pulling him back by the collar to have him face the green-eyed drifter. "What's going on here?"

The guard would stare in amusement when this small woman pulled him back with such ease; to then reply when Akina stared at him with a narrowing expression. "That thief stole!" Came his stupid sounding answer, pointing in the girl's direction.

Akina hated pointing, worse she hated stupid answers, 'cause she couldn't control her witty replies. "That's typically what thieves do."

The guard couldn't waste time. "If you'd excuse me, miss…" with that he left after the other guards on the girl's heels. Akina stepped back out into the street as she asked, "Why do I get myself involved in these situations?" She then looked around with shifty eyes, she was talking to herself— Akina shrugged and then used her merging jutsu to pass through a wall.


The little girl ran down the maze of alleys, she couldn't keep running, her heavy breathing would give away her hiding place, so she just kept running, to collapse any moment. But then— a hand stretched out from the wall, as the girl was pulled through that wall to the other side! "Whoa!" was the girl's gasp focusing on Akina sitting on the ground in the tight alley. "Who are—"

Akina grabbed the girl— pulling her down backwards, between her own legs, covering the girl's mouth. "A friend… now shush, love."

The girl held her breath, Akina keeping her soft palm over her lips; they both could hear the guards, on the other side of the walls of their cramped alley. "Where'd she go?"

"She's gone!"

"…Oh well, just a common thief… come on boys."

"Crap! What a little thief!" With that last statement Akina listened to the footsteps of the guardsmen become further and further— the kunoichi took her hand away from the girl's lips, keeping her palm still close to her face though as Akina informed, "They're gone." But before Akina removed her hand totally away, she felt something drip on it. The girl then began stifling; Akina being was slightly annoyed, but lovingly enough to ask, "Hey, what's with the tears?"

The girl turned around to face the older green-eyed girl that saved her. A young girl with onyx eyes and long black hime-cut hair wiped her tears away. "I'm sorry… I don't want to be a thief." She muttered in her sobbing.

Akina softened her stare; she stole that loaf of bread she held. "What's your name, love?"

The little girl shook her head, just wiping more tears. Akina saddened her eyes, as the emerald glow of them came more neon. She's an orphan.

Akina took a breath. "Forgive me, I'm suppose to introduce myself first… names Akina… I'm also an orphan too, but luckily I was blessed to know my name."

The girl was now smiling as the tears faded with one last sniff. "Akina?"

Said girl smiled, waving her hand back and forth. "Hey don't wear it out now." Akina then think and cross her arms over her chest. "Well, I was never good with remembering names anyway… I'll just use nicknames for ya, okay?"

The girl smiled and nodded, "Thank you." She said, but directing sad eyes back to the bread in her lap when her stomach growled, and yet she wouldn't eat the stolen meal.

"How 'bout you tell me where you got that, love?"

The girl's expression changed to fear in a split second. "But they'll—"

Akina stood sternly, onyx eyes watching her. "They won't do a thing… come, I know a way to make you feel better."

Food stand
The clerk looked to Akina as she approached the stand, with the brat that stole from him. "You…! Guards, guards—"

Akina swiftly placed her hand over the man's mouth, coming face-to-face and scoffing with a curl of her lip. "Shush... hey now, no need for that." Akina removed her hand and direct eye-to-eye contact with the clerk, until she went digging through her wallet. "She would like to correct her wrong doings… I believe this will cover her debt." Akina then flopped a lot more sums of money that any loaf of bread would be worth on the table.

The clerk eyed it with drooling greed, before he stanch it up and snottily confirm Akina's bribe to keep quiet. "Very well then."

Akina then scoffed, "Could I have some anko too please?" The man plopped it rudely in her hand as she then exclaimed, "Thanks…" to walk away with the orphan following. Akina sat down on the edge of the sidewalk with her.

"I can't believe you just did that… you're so serious?"

"You're welcome?"

"Thanks so much… I never met someone so… like you."

"Just a thanks will do." Akina then dug through her sleeve for a knife, and then took the bread from the girl's dirty hands.

"So tell me about yourself… how old are you?"

Akina never wished for small talk. "…Thirteen." Akina answered as she cut a slice of bread and spread a little anko on it. Akina placed the bread in her mouth and stood, pushing off the sidewalk with both hands to then take the slice of bread out with her right and chew, walking away and not even saying goodbye.

But the orphan followed like a stray dog. "Hey, only a year older than me… no way?"

Akina stopped and turned back with a scolding annoyed look, she wasn't getting away from this girl. "Hey don't act that surprised… I've gotta move on—"

"Wait! You can't leave… I got to show you my home."

"But you said you were a orphan…" the girl then grabbed Akina's hand. "Come with me."

Orphanage
Akina walked up to an— what looked like a rickety, abandoned orphanage home that was right slab down between to way larger buildings. The stairs squeaked as they climbed them, and so did the door when they forced it open. Watching Akina to follow on up the stairs.

"I came here when I was just a toddler and the lady that use to own this place was very nice. Taking in children and finding them homes. She found every last one of my friends a home…" she'd then pause, reflecting on what she just said. "And now you're my friend… you can stay here, you're an orphan too."

Akina was taken back; she would now have to speak for herself. "Oh no, I'm fine… I've been on my own for awhile."

The poor little girl saddened, but forced a smile. "Well, you can at least stay one night, then get a fresh start in the morning."

Akina gave a curt nod, wishing to not be ungrateful. "Thank you… you're too kind, sweetie."

The girl rolled her eyes and skipped away— leaving her guest standing in the doorway of a room with four beds on each wall. Onyx eyes could see through Akina's apathetic façade, seeing sympathy. "…Don't worry, someone's bound to come find me… adopt me. This is my home. I could never be rootless like you, hehe. How you s'pose to get found if you keep moving on and on anyhow?" The twelve-year-old then placed on a brave face when she plopped her butt back to her springing bed. "So where do you have to go that's so important?"

"Huh? Oh nowhere… just traveling."

She then gestured Akina to sit on the bed across from her. The green-eyed teenager went and sat, sighing in the process. "So you're a nomad?"

Akina shrugged. "I guess you could put it that way… you're pretty knowledgeable?"

"I read." The girl implied with a tilt of her head.

"Really now… what do you like to read?"

"Um, anything really… mostly ninja and different villages."

Akina keened her stare. "Ninja huh? Why the fascination?"

"You're kidding… ninja are awesome, especially kunoichi."

"Why do you think so highly of them?"

"They saved me from a fire." Akina keened her eyes again as that'd confirm, She lost her parents in that fire. The twelve-year-old smirked, "They're such strong women, like Tsunade ooh, ooh and The Black Rose of Konoha… I look up to the women of the Leaf, the women of the Mochizuki clan. If it wasn't for them, there wouldn't be such a thing as kunoichi." Akina closed her eyes, she never heard someone speak so highly of herself, or her clan. "That's why I brought you back here…" Akina re-opened her eyes in almost distrust to the little girl. "Are you a kunoichi… that was a jutsu you used, wasn't it?"

Akina stayed quiet, to then turn off the light switch with her telekinesis and lay down. "Night, sweetie?"

The girl would growl a whine, laying down and taking order like Akina was her mom. "Goodnight, Akina." It was awesome, and so surreal— she had a real life kunoichi as her friend— she had a friend.

Next Morning
The young orphan woke up to the morning sun as it shined across her covers, warming the blankets. She leaned up to look to Akina's bed— that was now made and missing, "Akina…" the girl was then breath taken when she'd look to various colored roses in the vase that was empty last night. "Where did these roses come from?" She came more surprised to the blue roses in the vase that could not exist in nature— only a Mochizuki could create them. But blue wasn't the only color that amazed her when she looked to the single black rose that laid on the nightstand, on top of a note. "…She couldn't be?"

The onyx-eyed girl then grabbed the scrap of paper, to open quickly and start scanning it, reading.

-I'm afraid this is farewell, love… some people believe black roses mean death, I believe they mean farewell and so do you. You believe in me and I thank you for that. In repayment I will believe in you. I believe you're a special little girl who anyone would be blessed to have as a daughter and I will spread the word to every stranger that might want a little girl like you. Goodbye, or until we meet again.
-Signed, Mochizuki Akina-hime A.K.A The Black Rose of Konoha.

The orphan started crying with a stuttering grin. "T-thank you…" but it then dawned on the star-struck girl. "Ooh, ooh… I-I met The Black Rose of Konoha!" Onyx eyes then looked down to the letter, as she looked across Akina's signature. "I have her autograph!"

Somewhere down the road
Akina walked at a slowly steady pace, to then sigh to her preamble thought, When did you get so soft, Akina? I have no right to complain about my life… I'm so blessed, overly blessed. I just wish I could have kept one blessing… just once. Akina then sighed once again as Itachi had haunted his way into her thoughts. How long would it take for him to fade from her thoughts— maybe by the end of her travels, maybe not until the day she died? Akina didn't know, just had to keep walking. This was only her first stop.
End of Flashback

Hot spring
Akina was the only one in the bath; as she drowned her head low in the water. And that was so long ago. All I got left to do is the rest of this land and then to the black roses? Akina straightened her posture and placed her elbows back— set on the edge of the floor, above the bath. She sat in the water, scanning her body— her breast especially as she couldn't see her scar anymore from her pushed together cleavage hid it. Akina then brought her forearm in her view as she stared at that visible scar. "…Itachi?"

Akina glanced to the water that rippled at every move she made, she watched the ripples when she heavily dropped her limp arm in the water— thinking back to her first days with the Uchiha boy she promised she would never fall for.

Flashback
All the members of squad five stood in front of Yukata— a lake behind him. "Today you will be learning the walk on water technique…" he then turned around as he proceeded out to walk onto the water. "Like so." Yutaka smiled cockily to look over his shoulder to expect impressed students, but fail— they all had a blank expressions. Yutaka held his head in doom, as he lazily waved his hand. "Come on you three, just do what I instructed… god knows you'll get it." Yutaka then walked back to the shore as the genin approached the water.

Akina was the first one to try and step out, doing it successfully and smirking— but to then growl when she seen Itachi step beside her. Shisui then stepped out too. "Hey master, we got the hang of it."

Yutaka just muttered from his shore side position. "Great, great… whattaya need me for?"

The medical chief shoved it off though— as to then see a medical ninja appear behind him, bowing. "Sir! We have news about the missing patients… we think we got a lead."

Yutaka knitted his brows together. "…I'll be there." With that order, the ninja vanished, "You kids keep practicing… I'll be back, got some medical business." PUFF?

The students looked to the shore as Yutaka disappeared. And yet more people had gone missing from the village. "He just left us out here?" Shisui inquire, to just have his other comrades stay quiet. "Do you two ever speak?"

The two looked to each other as they then both averted their eyes in their blushing. When Akina did, she noticed something floating in the water by the shore side? …What is— Akina's wide green eye then became wider when she realized it was piece of paper— "…A paper bomb!" Akina exclaimed as the boys glanced to her, but BOOM!

The explosion was far out, so the genin wouldn't have to escape its blast. Yutaka hadn't set it to blow them up though— more to destroy their balance. The explosion created waves in the water, as they came running under the genin's feet— losing their balance when— SPLASH-SPLASH! Then Shisui came cackling, when Itachi and Akina popped their heads up from the water— him still standing. "Oh this is good… this is rare." Akina and Itachi just pouted annoyed, just floating above the water. "You two really do make a cute couple." Akina and Itachi's composer was then destroyed as they became flustered— but then to then each of them grabbing one of Shisui's ankle's "Huh?" SPLASH!

Went the sound as Akina and Itachi pulled him in to shut Shisui up, but he then raised his head from under the water— bobbing with them. "That was cold… the both of ya." Shisui pulled himself from the water as he then re-stood atop of it. "I'm still the best." Akina and Itachi rolled their eyes, before they both also pulled themselves from the water. "…So which one of you is second best?" Asked Shisui, annoying Akina deeply.

She looked over to Itachi as he gazed back innocent and emotionless. "I don't know, but I'm not losing to you." Akina scoffed. She knew the arrogant Uchiha would just ignore her, but he proved her wrong with, "You're not beating me either." he said with a challenging stoic reply.

Akina eyed him evilly and then smirked, "Hmph… yeah, yeah, just keep talking, Uchiha."
End of Flashback

Akina sighed, Why couldn't I keep my walls up… not that I regret you Itachi, but— she then placed most of her face under the water, her emerald eyes the only thing staying above. If I don't get out soon, I'm gonna be boiled… all this reminiscing really eats up time.

The Mochizuki moseyed out of the hot spring, dressed and ready to go as she walked the sandy streets. She ran her fingers through her hair, wrapping one curl around and around until— Akina stopped her daydreaming and her feet when she came upon her reality as four men stood off in the middle of the street. Three against one, Akina assumed, having three of the men being on black horses, higher than the commoner that stood surrounded. One specific man spoke out, as Akina then realized the men on horses were ronin. "I think you need to pay for our services, Jiro."

The commoner now known as Jiro, bravely stood his place. "I think your unlawful service is not needed."

The ronin growled, and then went for his whip at his belt and swung it in the air to then go to snap it to hit Jiro— SMACK. Went the sound of the whip, but yet Jiro felt no sting? He opened his eyes to a black haired woman standing in front of him— sheltering and having the whipwrapped around her chain-mailed forearm. She yanked it from the man up on the horse and then threw it back in his face with anger not showing through the expressionless face. He'd grind his teeth for the mystery woman to seriously joke and warn, "You don't want to know what I think?" The ronin began having their horses circle the two rebellions, Akina keeping a calm eye on them as she asked, "Can I help you, gentleman?"

"We're here to collect for our services."

"And what 'service' would this be?"

"…Keeping this village prosperous."

"And how do you do this." Akina asked, guiding the ronin to run out of answers.

The ronin growled, "I'm really getting sick of your questions."

"I'm really just sick of you." Akina mew.

One of the other Ronin chuckled, "Can we kill her boss?"

Akina raised the corner of her mouth as her lips curled mewing, "Now there's a good question." Akina narrowed her eyes softly, they were set in a tranquil stare, until they opened evilly back open with a plan— vines then grew from the sand soil and appeared behind the horse's behinds when— SNAP! Whipped and spooked two of the horses! WINNY-WINNY—GALLOP-GALLOP! Went the uncontrolled horses running, taking the ronin with them, seated and saddled on top. Until Akina got another plan— throwing a knife to the saddle strap, as it cut through and the ronin then fell off with the saddle! "Oof— ouch!"

The ronin remaining close to Akina watched his comrades fall and fail, but turned his attention to the kunoichi. "You're going to pay for that!"

"Sounds good to me… less of my time to waste on a battle that's already won. Fifty enough?"

"Keep your filthy money… I was thinking of paying with your life!" With that said the ronin charged with his Japanese steel in hand— Akina then puffed into petals when black roses bloomed in the surrounded, circled area. "Huh? What the devil?" was the ronin's scared quiver. The roses then began exploding, one-by-one, as the first boom was enough to have the horse get spooked. WINNY! He cried and went up on his back hoofs, knocking the ronin off into the dirt! Once the horse took off, Akina re-formed and placed her foot next to the ronin's face, as he'd lie on the sandy ground. "May I ask one more question?" The ronin gazed up at the young woman petrified when she mewed, "Do you know what black roses mean?" The ronin then shot up, and started running away for the safety of his life. Of course Akina wouldn't have killed him— if she could avoid it, but he didn't need to know that. Just putting on a bloodthirsty act was enough to evade bloodshed.

Akina made her black roses wilt, with a single movement of sliding her foot swiftly— in the process of turning to the man she saved. "They shouldn't bother you again."

"Thank you… that was amazing." The middle-aged man named Jiro spoke out— he was a well-built man, with short platinum blonde hair and tan skin with aqua eyes.

"Thank you… and please don't mention it."

"So you're a ninja?"

Akina placed her hands in her pockets. "How'd you guess?"

"Um, pardon me… I'm Jiro, but I really should repay you."

Akina shook, lowering her eyes to the ground. "No really… I said don't mention it."

"Please! Why don't you join me and my family for dinner and even a nights stay?"

"I couldn't impose."

"You wouldn't… we'd be happy to have brave company such as yourself." Akina gave a curt nod, she didn't want to, but he was so afraid in his begging. How could she deny, her ninja pride wouldn't allow it.

Farmhouse
Akina approached a small farmhouse— Jiro opening the door and proclaiming, "Honey, I'm home… and with a guest."

The wife came from around the corner, from the kitchen. "Oh, hello there… what's this about?"

Jiro smiled and pointed, which annoyed Akina. "She's a ninja… she saved me from the ronin. I invited her to stay with us… by the way, I didn't catch your name?"

"Akina." Said person simply stated.

To have Jiro pick up where he left off. "This is Akina… huh, honey?"

The wife seemed to have spaced out in her trance, until she suddenly snapped back. "Oh… I'm sorry. It's nice to meet you, Akina. Now if you'd excuse me." The wife implied, sneaking fast and away back into her kitchen.

Akina looked with suspicion, but then Jiro saddened his jolly expression. "You'll have to excuse her… she's not herself lately." He then guided Akina away from the foyer. "Let me show you to your room."


They walked up the stairs as then down the hall with only four doors— one that would be Akina's bedroom. "This is where you'll sleep… it was my son's room. He doesn't come home often though and I hope it's suffice."

Akina lied, "It's fine." It spelt like… boy's room and looked like it as well— with girl poster girls on the walls. Jiro then walked away, to have Akina continue to follow for the tore he was giving. He then peeked open another door at the end of the hall. "This is my daughter's room… this is the main reason why my wife was attacking so lost." Akina then walked into the dark room, as a young girl no more than seven lay lifeless in her bed. "She's been in a coma for sometime… after she fell off her horse. They say she's trapped in mental trauma. I wish I knew when she'd come out of it?" Akina just stared, to then direct her attention back to Jiro when a tear rolled down the father's face. "Come now… have something to eat and drink." said Jiro as he wiped his face, leaving the room in haste.

They strolled back down to the kitchen— the woman was just putting on a pot of tea. "Care for some?" Was her smiling question to her husband and guest.

Jiro placed on a vest from the coat-rack. "Well, I got to get back to the shop to close up, and then I'll be right back." He kissed her cheek. "Bye." And obviously left out the door with that.

The woman with bobbed fudge brown hair and pumpkin eyes looked to the ground in disappointment.

Akina had to say something. "I would, ma'am." That was the best she could do? Well, it worked to raise the woman's attention. But she went back into a trance as she got a cup from the cabinet. WHISTLE! The teapot rang— the tea being ready. "Um, ma'am?" Akina advised, but she was set in her trance again. WHISTLE! "Ma'am!"

The woman's attention was then brought back as she picked up the hot pot in haste and from the side— which she realized was wrong to drop the searing tin pot. "Ouch! Oh dear… I'm sorry." The woman then fell to her knees— picking up the broken glass pieces, with her red burnt hands.

Akina scooted over and grasped the woman's wrist— she then healed the burn under healing chakra. "Hey, it's all right—"

"No it's not! My life is a shamble… my oldest son is gone most of the time to support us by working for a Daimyo, my daughters in a coma, my husband works so hard and I-I…" The woman stood from her groveling while Akina watched emotionless for her just to scramble for another teapot. "I'm sorry… you're tea."

Once the woman found one, Akina also stood to take it from her. "Doctors orders… for now let me handle everything, please."

The woman looked as if Akina had three heads, but then bowed her head, putting her hands softly in a thankful prayer. "Thank you."


Akina lay in the bed— having her mind wander while the adults slept. "I'll handle everything…" "caused by mental trauma… I wish I knew when she'd come out of it." "With empathy jutsu, you can take on others pain…" with that last thought; Akina leaned up to sit on the edge of the bed. When did you get so soft, Akina?

The black rose entered the daughter's room— opening the door slowly, making her way across the room to the little girl with her mother's hair. Akina took a breath and placed her chakra hand on her temple. "Empathy jutsu…" to then close her green eyes and see visions. The girls trauma of her brother leaving— her mother crying— her father cutting himself in the garden— ronin beating her— kids picking on her— her falling off her horse— Akina then broke away, in heavy breathes as she now would always remember these thoughts. She put her hands to her heart and head, grinding her teeth. "There you go… your burdens are on me." Akina faintly smiled. "Though it's not much according to others, but pain is pain I suppose." crick, went a floorboard from the direction of Akina's guest room.

A young man— about Akina's age stood in his room, staring at the bed and suitcase. "Who's bag is this?" It was Akina's, and as then— "Huh" gasped the young man when that girl put a knife to his throat and shoved him against the wall, bending his arm back.

Akina looked at the man— he had Jiro's eyes. "…Wait you're?" Akina backed off, to only have the teenager grab his sword and point it out! "Wait, I'm an ally… your father invited me."

"Yeah right… my family can't afford a ninja!"

The lights then suddenly turned on. "She's telling the truth… she saved me." the little girl with her mothers hair informed, as she stood in the doorway.

"Kata?" The young man breathed in surprise— dropping his sword.

Jiro and his wife also entered the room. "What's going on in… Kata." The shocked mother then grabbed her little girl in a crying hug. Jiro watched in stun. "H-how?" looking to Akina for answers.

"No extra charge." She'd joke.

Jiro smiled, "Oh thank you…" as he dropped to his knees, hugging his daughter.

The young man turned to his sister's savior. "I apologize…"

Akina closed her eyes, grinning. "It's okay… I'm the one who attacked and I'd kill someone too, if there was a stranger in my bedroom."

The young man blushed wildly, but his mother than snapped him out of it with a hug and much embarrassment. "What are you doing home?"

Meanwhile Kata turned to Akina. "So may I ask my savior's name?"

"Akina." Kata nodded and then looked bleak in fatigue when Akina add, "You should probably get some rest… the jutsu I used will effect us both."

The girl's big brother then went over to his sister and knelt down saying, "Okay, arms around my neck." Akina smiled— that reminded her of Itachi. Akina didn't follow the family leaving the room, but she did leave— out the window. I can't stay… if the empathy jutsu takes one of my lives. Don't need these people planning my funeral, while I reincarnate my soul back to my body. With that thought, Akina left with no goodbyes. Letting that family be a family— their family.

Hotel
It was at the break of dawn and Akina was still laying in the bed, which was an odd behavior for her. Her breathing wasn't there— shallow at best— until she shot up all of a sudden to gasp for the breaths she knew she had lost. She held her head— tucking her knees into her chest, the voices were playing in her mind once again. Almost ten years these voices had been haunting, and they were beginning to become annoyed in their tone. When will you come to us… you need somewhere to call home? You'll die without salvation… please we're here to help.

Akina swallowed her pride and thought back, Where do I go?

Find your castle.

I want to find myself first…

When you find us, you'll find yourself… we'll be waiting as always.

Akina thought about what they meant by "her castle" and she cleverly knew their code. "Mochizuki castle."