Konnichi wa!

Okay everyone, before I forget, I will tell you that Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto are NOT twelve years old!

Let's just say they became Genin early – ten years old. Okay? That will make the main branch to this prologue go much smoother!

So! Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura are 10, while Kakashi is 24. Everyone is now two years younger! (Even though they are mentally still the same!)

Woohoo!

So, anyway, that's all. And I'm glad you like the story, and I'm sorry I couldn't post this up sooner! Damn muse… she/they just HAD to cut her/their damn nails…

Heheheh – if you don't understand what I mean, let me just say this – I get my inspiration from my collection of Naruto-muses (for details on who these muses are, please see Treacherous Heart, chpt18, end author notes) and their sharp nails. They poke my forehead whenever I'm struck with inspiration.

Now they ALL either bit/chopped/cut/clipped off their nails!

Wah! –bawls- Now what do I do?

Oh well – they grow back in, like, two days, so no worries!

I'm glad you all like the story!

Here's chapter four!

Taken (Hell to Fire)

Chapter Four: Taken (Hatred)

I didn't know how much time had passed. Everything in my mind was shaken up and muddled – I didn't have one coherent thought in my body that I knew of.

Just blissfully blank thoughts. I kept my mind carefully clear. I felt weightless – my entire body seemed to be floating, though I could feel the soft mattress at my back perfectly well. The pain was gone, and I did everything I could not to think.

It had been years since I was able to do that, and I relished in the feeling.

There was shuffling beside me – someone was there!

"This is the kid?" A rough voice asked.

"Yeah – it seems that way," a second voice replied, closer to me. "Tsk." Something hard prodded my side gently, and I didn't risk moving in response. "Doesn't look like much."

"Yeah," the first voice agreed. "I say we waste 'im – right here, right now."

I couldn't help it – my breath caught in my throat for only a moment, but I forced myself to breathe easier.

I prayed the two above me hadn't noticed. Their conversation continued as if they hadn't caught anything.

But one could never be sure.

"Yeah…" the second one agreed. There was a small chink of metal.

Swords! I thought. They have swords! Awe – CRAP!

But where was Zabuza and Haku? Fighting with…?

Blonde, pink, and gray haired heads flashed through my mind, and my eyes snapped open just as a thin, deadly blade plunged down.

NO!

I forced myself to move –

MOVE OR DIE –

And I bolted away from the two swordsmen, my heart pounding in my ears as I backed up into the opposite, wooden wall in the windowless room. They both turned to look at me, and my eyes widened when I saw the glint in their eyes.

Oh God they really want to kill me!

My body began to shake.

The first – one with swirling tattoos all over his bare chest – chuckled.

"Look at him. Heh – some boy they picked – the runt's shakin' like a leaf."

My fists clenched in an attempt to stop my arms from trembling. The second man – with deep red slashes under his eyes – laughed.

"Yeah – you're right. Heh – you're funny, boy."

My eyes narrowed. However scared – and yes, I'll admit I'm scared – I was, I could NEVER let that pass.

I'm an Uchiha. My pride won't let me.

My selfish, selfish pride.

"Yeah, well your FACE is funny," I shot back.

Childish – yes. Effective in bringing my demise a little closer to me in my future – also, sadly yes.

Oh crap.

The second man sneered, and he pulled the sword from his sheath.

"You think you're clever, don't you brat?" He hissed.

I couldn't help it – my pride had made my body go completely into autopilot – I couldn't stop it.

I smirked.

"Heh – cleverer than you, at least," I replied smoothly – tauntingly.

Damn you, Pride. DAMN YOU!

The second growled.

"That's it," he sneered. I tensed as I realized he was going to attack. "Let's cut him up – piece by little piece."

The first grinned, fingering the handle on his own sword.

"Let's."

My eyes narrowed.

"Just try it."

When will I EVER learn to keep my Godforsaken TRAP shut?

Oh, and Pride? If I die, it's on YOUR head.

The two swordsmen leapt forward.

They were not as good as I had given them credit for. I could dodge them easily, and they weren't nearly as fast as me.

But I was still recovering from cracked ribs and a shattered shoulder blade, and I didn't know how long I had been bedridden.

Not to mention I had been stripped of my kunai and shuriken.

So… with those few factors in mind, let's just say that the fight DIDN'T go as well as it should have.

And that's putting it lightly.

A sword flashed on either side of me, and I let out a cry as both my arms – which I raised over my head at the very last moment – exploded in pain and red copper gushed from my skin.

The smell made me want to vomit, but I forced it down as I jumped away.

My arms were completely useless now – the two swordsmen had both cut deep into the muscle, and the pain was overwhelming.

Lights burst behind my eyes, but I barely had enough sense to see them coming at me again and I managed a shaky dodge.

They had been attacking and I had been dodging for about an hour now – I shouldn't even have been winded, but the recovering bones drained my stamina in unbelievable amounts.

Not to mention the gashes on my arms, and the two on my right side – the part that I had twisted to face them, protecting my vital organs from the blades.

My arms were shaking – blood was all over the floor – all over me.

I smiled grimly. The worst wound the two had was a gash on the first one's leg and the other had a swollen ankle – that was all.

I couldn't help but find the situation as grotesquely funny.

God – I'm really going to die here, aren't I?

This sucks.

My arms were numb now – as was my side. My legs were trembling from exhaustion.

Now that just isn't fair. Fucking two against one.

Dammit.

I knew there was only two people who knew where I was – Kakashi and the other two probably had no clue where I was.

Tsk – they probably thought I was out there dead somewhere.

For some reason, the thought made my grim smile widen. I could almost see the frustrated tears in Naruto's eyes if he heard something like that and the way that annoying Sakura would start bawling at the top of her lungs.

I couldn't imagine what Kakashi would do – probably close his eyes and thank God I was gone.

No – no matter how damn full of himself Kakashi was, he wouldn't be that cruel.

Even though I probably would.

I sighed. The two swordsmen laughed.

"Had enough yet, boy?" The second one asked. The first one grinned.

"That's too bad, 'cause we're just getting started."

I summoned enough strength to glare at them.

"Go to hell," I snapped with as much venom as I could muster.

Yes – there were only two people who could save me – who even knew where I was.

Haku… Zabuza… you two…

One of the swordsmen bolted forward and slammed an elbow into my stomach before I could react, sending me flying backwards and to the ground, toppling head over heels to collide with the wall.

I collapsed onto the floor, gasping as my insides screamed. My vision began to go blurry, but I wouldn't allow myself to pass out with these two in the room.

If I had to die, I'd die awake, not unconscious and faint on the floor like a frightened female.

Dammit – Uchiha pride was a lot more trouble than it was worth.

I opened my eyes and managed to push myself into a sitting position on my knees, leaning heavily against the wall.

The two swordsmen were blurry to my eyes, and I felt them come closer.

One of them tilted my chin upwards with the hilt of his sword, and I looked up at him with glazed, half-lidded eyes. He was merely a shadow to my sight, and I saw a bright glint above my head – which I knew instantly was a sword.

"Now you die, kid."

My barely coherent thoughts drifted back to the only two that could help me. My eyes widened, and for a split moment, my vision cleared.

I hate you.

The sword plunged down.

Something flashed right over my head, making my hair blow, and it slammed into the swordsman's torso, making him fly backwards with a cry.

Someone was next to me – arms were around me – a desperately comforting voice crying to me, but I couldn't understand a word of it. My eyes were on the one in front of me – shielding me. I recognized the sword.

"Zabu…za…" I breathed, unable to believe it.

The assassin didn't look at me – I could tell – his shoulders were tense and his sword was held in a shaking fist – he was furious.

But why?

"You DARE touch him?" Zabuza's voice was thunder throughout the room, and I couldn't help but flinch. The arms tightened, drawing me closer into a warmth that smelled like soft, frozen rain. After a moment, I clung to it, burying my cheek into folds of comforting cloth as I looked up at the assassin. "You DARE trespass onto something that belongs to ME?"

I couldn't help but feel a twinge of anger.

What're you talking about? I belong to no one!

But still – I couldn't deny the presence of a soft, nervous warmth that had grew in my stomach at the words.

Someone… cares?

Tsk – no way. This is Zabuza – he doesn't CARE. He's a fucking assassin for crying out loud. He CAN'T care.

"Zabuza…" one of the swordsmen shakily said. "Listen, we didn't mean it – we were just –"

"SILENCE!" Zabuza roared, and I winced slightly, my shoulders tensing. Comforting hands rubbed the muscles – rubbing the tension away. I relaxed once again – being tense hurt my arms. "You don't know who I AM, do you? I am ZABUZA – DEMON OF THE HIDDEN MIST! DON'T YOU DARE ANGER ME!"

Just shut up already. I thought foggily. Shut up and kill them.

I heard soft clicks as sandals retreated.

"Zabuza –"

"ENOUGH!" The assassin bolted forward. "NOW DIE!"

The massive sword swung, and I twisted my head, burying my face in soft cloth.

I didn't want to see death – not yet.

I wanted to keep what little innocence I had left.

At least for a little while longer.

But – GOD – the screams.

I was aware of hands placing themselves firmly – but gently – over my ears, muffling the shrieks.

"Get it over with Zabuza!" The soft, familiar voice I had clung to previously begged from right above my head. "Just please end it – the poor thing's shaking!"

And I was – I knew it too. The screams that echoed in my ears seemed to mirror the ones in my soul – they terrified me.

God – Zabuza really knows how to make someone suffer.

But God – make it stop!

I gasped inaudibly and buried my head deeper into the chest I was held to, silently begging for it to end.

And it did – as soon as Zabuza heard that I was shaking, the screams cut off immediately, and I slumped against the body that held me, completely relaxing – forcing myself to. I sucked in multiple deep breathes as soft fingers ran through my sweaty hair.

"Iie – poor thing," the soft voice whispered softly in my ear.

"Was it really that bad?" Zabuza asked.

"The child isn't an assassin, Zabuza-san!" The soft voice snapped, but with barely any venom. I didn't think the voice had the power to BECOME venomous. "He is still just that – a child!"

"Tsk – you're no older than he is – two years older, tops."

"It doesn't matter, Zabuza-san. I KNOW what death is like. He is still pure, untainted."

I smirked weakly into the cloth.

If only you knew… if only you knew…

"Well, excuse ME, Haku. I never exactly HAD a childhood, so I know NOTHING about this subject. Excuse ME for giving those pathetic excuses for fighters what they deserved. It's what they got for ever TOUCHING him!"

They must think I'm unconscious or something. I thought idly.

"How bad are his wounds?" Zabuza asked after a moment.

"Bad. But they would have been fatal if we had shown up a second later."

"Heh – our timing is just THAT good." The soft voice chuckled gently at Zabuza's comment.

"Yes – but he needs medical attention immediately."

"Here – gimme 'im Haku – I'll carry him."

I felt rather than heard Zabuza kneel down next to Haku and me, wrapping powerful arms around my torso and lifting me up with ease, sliding one arm under my knees while the other supported my upper back, holding me to a strong, firm chest.

I had no strength to even open my eyes – I let Zabuza hold me, forcing myself to breath evenly and deeply. To have erratic breathing would mean more pain.

But it was strange – I felt no nervousness or fear in the cradle Zabuza's arms made.

That wasn't what I had expected.

I only felt a peculiar feeling of safety, and my body immediately snuggled closer to the warmth of the muscular chest, hearing the reassuring heartbeat beneath my ear. I felt absurdly safe – a feeling that I hadn't felt in years.

I blamed it on the blood loss.

But how could a person I hated give me such a feeling of security as he gently set me on the bed? How could I be so compliant when Haku slipped off the armbands, revealing countless old hurts and pains? Shouldn't I hate him for doing that?

Yet… I allowed him to dress my wounds – to touch me and doctor me – to whisper comforting sweet-nothings into my ear as I drifted off to sleep.

The ferocity of which Zabuza attacked MY attackers came to my mind right before I lost it.

Perhaps… I don't hate them after all.

But how could anyone be sure – let alone myself?

End Chapter Four – Taken (Hatred)

Well, little by little, the prologue is drawing to a close. Either the next chapter or the sixth chapter will be the end of the prologue. Then I can start with the REAL story!

Kyah! I'm excited! Look forward to it, m'kay?

I'm so glad you all love the story so far!

Please read and review! I would like 39 of them! But I would love it if you gave me forty!

Ja ne!

DDB