It's time for a quick peek into Aka's past and the discovery of her abilities. Italics indicate a flashback.
I do not own any of the Naruto characters. I do own Aka, Mintah, Shizou, and Atumi though. Anyways, enjoy!
Chapter 4
"Would you like some tea?" Mintah set a small tray carrying a chipped tea set to the low table. Aka kneeled opposite of the old man, Shizou.
"Thank you, Mintah. Help yourself to tea and rice, Aka. You must be starving after your travels. Its no short distance from the Mist Village."
"Thank you, but I am fine, Shizou-san." Aka bowed her head folding her hands in her lap.
Mintah sat next to Shizou and watched the curious new visitor.
"You know," she said after a few minutes of silence, "Aka-chan, you look like an older version of Atumi-sama's little girl."
"Mintah! You know we are not to speak of the little Yasashii. Don't go digging up buried memories."
"I apologize, Shizou-san, but, she looks much like Lady Atumi doesn't she?"
The man studied Aka for a moment. Aka could feel their eyes on her though she couldn't actually see their faces.
"You do have a point though," he mused.
Aka sat calmly under their studious gazes. The room was warm and somewhat suffocating. At home in the village, Aka had always left a window open in her small hut, even during winter. She liked it cold.
"Excuse me, but may I turn in? It has been a long day." Aka asked politely.
"Ah, of course, you must be tired. Mintah, please show her to her room."
Mintah nodded and stood leading Aka to the stairs.
"Here, you go, Aka-chan. If you need anything I am just across the hall." Mintah said.
As she was sliding the door closed Aka turned slightly.
"How far along are you?" Mintah froze in the doorway, he eyes wide in shock. Aka 'watched' the blood drain from her face.
"How do you-?" Aka turned to fully face the older woman fixing her with a pair of dull eyes the same shade as the sky outside.
"Th-three months. Please, you mustn't tell Shizou-san. He can't know."
Aka blinked and nodded. Mintah bowed.
"Thank you, Aka-chan," With that the door slid shut and Aka was left alone in the room. This room was warm too. Aka pulled at the collar of her dark grey robe. She made her way over to the window and cracked it open, allowing a cool breeze to circulate through the room. She then settled down by the window.
Kakuzu was soaked to the bone. His cloak was heavy with water and his clothes stuck to his body.
"Damn that Orochimaru. And damn that bastard, Leader." Kakuzu grumbled as he found shelter in a cave. It had gotten colder recently. The sky was predicting snow. Great, just what he needed.
"This brat better be worth it, or else I'm just going to kill her too."
Aka sat at the window. Snow was imminent. This would make the job much easier. For a clan village full of kekkei- genkai users, the place was pretty destitute. She could sense that many of the people were undernourished. Then again, there was something familiar about this place. Was it something in the air? Memories of when she had first been brought to the Bloody Mist were drifting to the front of her mind. She had been so young, so weak. She had cried for her mother for weeks. Aka fell asleep at the window.
"Mama! Mama look at what I made!" A three year old Aka ran to her mother who sat weeding in the garden in front of their small home.
"What is it, my snow angel?" the woman cooed. Aka opened her tiny hands, cupped around her creation. A small bird made of ice shined in the early spring sun. The small sculpture cocked its head to one side and ruffled its icy wings. It chirped up at the two females. Aka's mother's eyes widened, fear etched across her face. She smacked her child's hands causing the bird to fall to the ground shattering to pieces. Aka stared in shock at the ice shards, tears welling in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry, my snow angel." Her mother hugged her tightly.
"I'm sorry I hit you baby, but I need you to promise me something." She pulled Aka back so she could catch her little girl's grey eyes with her dark blue ones.
"I need you to never do that again, okay? Just keep that in between us. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Mama."
The dream shifted. She was no longer home with her mother.
"Get up girl!" She felt a heavy boot slam into her small stomach. She gasped as she sat up from the mat she used as a bed. Zabuza towered over her. The man's cold dark eyes glared down at her. He grabbed her by the hair and dragged her to the small training yard behind the barracks where Aka lived.
"Lord Yagura said you were a rare prize that we could use to accomplish great things for the village. Let's see if he was right. Show me what you can do."
Aka stared up at the man. Tears blurred her vision.
"DO SOMETHIING!" he yelled. Aka screamed and threw her hands over her head. From the ground shot a large ice spike nearly impaling Zabuza. He easily jumped away.
"That's more like it," he chuckled darkly.
After an entire day of training, Aka could no longer stand. She laid out on the ground covered in sweat. Zabuza stood over her.
"You're pathetic," he growled.
Aka ignored him, her tired mind wandering back to her mother, so far away.
"Mama," she whispered.
"Tch, you still thinking about that disgusting woman? She doesn't care about you."
Aka simply looked at Zabuza.
"She sold you to us. As long as you remain useful she will continue receiving payments from the Mizukage. She was glad to be rid of you. You're nothing but a monster. A killing machine that will one day destroy everything you touch."
Aka stared at Zabuza from the dirt. Was she really a monster?
"You serve the Mizukage and the Village of the Bloody Mist. We do not tolerate weakness. Grow up or go die." With that Zabuza turned and left the yard leaving the now five year old girl in the dirt.
Aka jerked awake. She had not thought of her early days in many years. She couldn't even remember the last time she had dreamt. She stood from her spot at the window and stretched. It was cold outside, the sun was setting. Snow had begun to fall whilst she slept. Now was the time. The mission begins now.