Maru walked down the road that she presumed lead to Konoha. She looked different then she had barely 20 years ago. Back then she was at least eight but her childlike appearance lead many people to believe she was almost five. Even now, when she was 27, many a person thought her to be only in her teens. Besides the fact she was five feet, seven inches tall her face and body seemed to be too petite to be that old. That old? She had already thought she was old but she did not look it nor did she feel it.

Her body was lean and every curve showed beneath her clothing. She had really matured since she had first started the academy in the village hidden in the mist. She had been the one who had earned her hips, waist, and breasts first out of all of the other rookies. Maru had also won the rookie of the year when she had graduated the academy. Most believed it was because she had been more attractive, mature, and had grown faster than the other girls. She was starting to believe that herself.

Truthfully, she wasn't that great at ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu or any other for that matter. She had barely made jounin while all the others had passed with flying colors. That was why she was seeking the help of someone she has known for a very long time. The strongest man she has ever known. To surpass all of the other Shinobi that made fun of her failures and her secret. She had to find her hero. The man that had saved her from her demise all those years ago. She had to find Jiraiya of Konoha.

That was why Maru was walking this road. Everyone said that it lead to where she was headed. It was quiet on this road though. Maybe she had taken the less traveled road. Konoha was a highly populated area so it was hard to imagine a less traveled road. Every step she took echoed off the trees. She was listening to everything she could, absorbing the sounds of anything around her.

Her brown leather like hair was long and floated behind her and her red bangs stuck closely to her face. Her eyes were sharp and consisted of large emerald like orbs within them. Though many people could see gold in her eyes she was yet to notice it. Her nose was cute and button like and her lips were like cotton candy. Her eyelashes were smoky and full. Her cheeks were vibrant and rosy. Her legs were long and slender and her stomach was flat and tone.

Everyone had considered her the most attractive woman in her village, though she rarely showed off these attractive features. Her legs were hidden behind baggy Capri's, her stomach mostly hidden behind a tight tank top and a half jacket, her hair tied in a high ponytail instead of loosely resting on her back, and the nape of her neck was covered by a high collar on the jacket. There was only one feature she found the worst on her figure. She bore two triangle-like marks on her face. One vertically under her left eye and one lying horizontally on her right cheek. They were reminders that she held the secret of a beast sealed within her. Most of the time she covered them with makeup but she could never forget they were there.

She had walked almost past the gates that belonged to a village. When she had noticed that they were in front of her she lifted her head lazily to look at the sign to see which village it was.

She had done it! She reached Konoha! Maru's face brightened at the sight of the fire emblem atop the gates. She walked cautiously through the gates and immediately heard the buzz of activity within them. She felt lively just soaking up all of the noise. There was only one problem, where would she start searching for the man she hadn't seen in 20 years? She saw the large building in the middle of the active town. She assumed that was where the Hokage resided. Maybe she could ask there. Hopefully the village leader would be of some assistance. She headed towards the building with every sight and sound soaking in through her skin. She reached the entrance of the building where she was greeted by some Shinobi.

"Do you know where I could speak with the Godaime?" She asked as politely as she could mange.

The first Shinobi smiled at the woman before him. He had never seen her before and she definitely was not from Konoha. He replied while scanning her every outline suspiciously.

"She isn't here at the moment."

Maru was disappointed. What was the Hokage doing leaving office? What if something were to happen to the village?

"Do you know where I could find her?" She asked sweetly.

The man pointed to a place on the outskirts of the village. "Just look for a girl with pink hair gettin' the snot beat outta her." He snickered.

Was that supposed to be a joke? It wasn't funny to her and she certainly didn't get it. She raced away to the place the man pointed and could hear some sort of racket going on around her. She stopped and could hear yelling only a length away. She peaked at the direction the sound was coming from. There was a woman in a green robe with blonde hair and a girl who looked like she had just taken a serious beating. Maru looked closer and could see the girl had long bubble-gum pink hair. Was this the girl that man was talking about? She decided to watch a little longer.

"Tsunade-sama, could we take a break?" The girl panted.

"You're kidding! We've only just begun! I told you I'm not going easy on you!" The woman ran towards the young girl and released a punch the girl barely managed to dodge. The punch did manage to catch a tree and blow it to bits though.

Maru's eyes widened at the sight of the tree raining to the ground.

What inhuman strength! She thought.

She lifted a pinky at the pair and managed to squeak out"excuse me?" She definitely didn't want to disturb a woman with that much power. Her squeak was apparently not heard and the two ladies went on with their duel. She took a step back and happened to step on a fallen branch. With that snap the woman with the blonde hair quickly threw the boulder she was hefting in Maru's direction.

Maru snapped her head up to look in the direction of the boulder and squeaked "Oh, shit…"

Maru woke up to the sound of a rhythmic beeping. She struggled to open her eyes and when she did the room spun around her. So many questions ran through her head; when did her room get so bright? Was this her room? Where was she? Why did she feel nauseous? What was that beeping noise?

Just then a woman walked into the room. She grabbed a chair and sat next to Maru's bed.

"Are you awake?" She asked

"Uh…. I think so" Answered Maru.

"That's good. I have to apologize for my actions. You caught me in training. You should really be more careful"

"Ok I will remember that. Say what's your name miss?"

"My name is Tsunade."

"You mean to say you're the Godaime?"

"Yep, in the flesh"

"Then can I ask you a question?"

"Tell me your name first."

"My name is Maru Chicoro. Now may I ask my question?" Maru asked impatiently.

Tsunade's eyes widened at the name but she immediately calmed herself. She seemed to know Maru just by looking at her. It was almost as if she were an old friend.

"Ahhh," Tsunade smiled. "I know what you are looking for. Or should I say 'who.' I'm sorry Maru he isn't here. He left on a trip with his student. He didn't give us any warning as to where he would be. I'm sorry if that is a disappointment."

The life drained out of Maru's eyes as she sat up slowly in the hospital bed.

"Oh, ok… I guess I should be going then I have some business to take care of and I should leave as soon as possible" Truth was, Maru was disappointed. Her journey came to an end so abruptly. But, her journey did not end. In fact it was just getting started.