Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

She was dreaming, right? She had to be. Why was she back here; at this time, this place? Minako looked around, was she in a genjutsu or was this because she greedily 'borrowed' too much of Utakata's chakra? Either way, what the hell was happening? Looking around at the evening sky littered with stars and brightened by man-made lanterns; the smell of fresh fruits and honey wafted about in the air combined with the warm, hearty music and noises of a festival. She recognized this place; this was the day before a fresh batch of students graduated from the academy, they were all celebrating and congratulating the top students, the ones most favored to become genin, she hadn't attended the academy; stuck with a personal master –one of the seven ninja swordsmen- because he thought it funny to name an almost starved to death street rat his successor.

'Fate wove the thread of life with pain' he used to say.

Her master said she would be taking the test this year as well, finally thinking her ready for it. Unfortunately, they don't tell the conditions or even give tips for the test to the newbie's. But, she understood because if her master had she would have been anxious and training like no tomorrow when he wanted her to rest for it. If only he had told her…

Then her hands wouldn't have been stained with so much blood.

Minako shut her eyes and tried to block out the images of her previous life, but when she opened them again; here she was, still stuck in this alternate reality; but no one seemed to notice her, passing right through her as if she was nothing; just another piece of trash on the street. How long has it been since she felt that way? Bowing her head and urging her body to move so she could bring her thoughts away from this time in her life, she took a step forward and apparently her body did the rest. Feet moving on their own to some unknown destination until as if halted by some unknown force they stopped and she looked up to see where they had taken her.

It was her.

Why was she not surprised…

Examining her child form closely, looking at the tiny plain yukata she wore to try and blend in with the others during this brief moment of celebration, she saw that her child self was trying to get in to the building of the Mizukage through a small unguarded window. Minako remembered that her master had gone in, telling her to walk around the building as she pleased, but the guards didn't let a child like her inside the building; no matter who her master was. So, her child-self went around the back and tried to find some kind of backdoor or secret entrance.

Haa, good times; good times.

Her child-self would soon find out though that that window was too small for her 11 year old body, and she would be caught and assumed a street rat trying to break into the building of the Mizukage to steal; because what her child version didn't know at the time was that that window led into a small research room and the window was only placed there to let the room air out once in awhile. Scientists and ninja got caught up in their work too often and when they did they didn't stop to do anything until it was completed, so the window was that size so they wouldn't have to worry about a sudden break-in while conducting research. But that was years ago, the last time Minako had been at the village the room was turned into a rather large storage closet for God knows what; the research room was moved to a much larger facility.

"What are you doing there?"

Oh, here he was. Right on time.

Minako's child-self turned around at the voice she heard surprisingly close or at least she tried to. Maneuvering her body at a weird angle to try and squeeze back out she ended up with her butt to the ground and a bump on her head from hitting the wall on her way down.

"I'm trying to get in." Minako muttered.

"I'm trying to get in." Her younger version repeated seconds after.

"I can see that." The boy wearing plain black shorts and a gray shirt muttered as he rubbed the back of his neck in what she assumed back then as a gesture of his irritation; but she would soon find out that it was only a sign of him thinking things over and not wanting to bother with whatever it was in front of him. Okay, so maybe it was a sign of irritation. But Minako had gotten him to quit it years after this meeting until it was replaced by him muttering whatever he didn't seem to like. "Why are you going in through there? Because you didn't know that doors existed, thought there was no entrance… Nope, that's impossible. If you're going in through that tiny place then that means you saw the guards, so that leaves one question; are you a ninja trying to break in or are you from the slums and trying to break in?" The boy finished piecing together his thoughts and looked at the girl expectantly waiting for an answer; but she only looked back and began standing slowly, trying not to make any sudden movements.

He let the question hang in the air as the young girl got to her feet, patting her butt and smoothening out the wrinkles in her small yukata. When she was done, she looked straight into his eyes and said slowly "Let's go with that slum theory. Although I guess that ninja one isn't too far a shot in the dark. But I like that slum one, so yeah…" Then she grinned like a fool.

He stared at her as an awkward silence lingered in the air, birds chirping in the background as he thought of what to do. Report her or pretend he never saw her. "You haven't introduced yourself." She said suddenly.

The boy in question raised an eyebrow at her remark, not saying anything and crouching down into an offensive position. Minako held up her hands saying "Wait, wait, wait." over and over.

"God, chill." Her small self muttered, Minako remembered how she wished she was grown up already. She had seen plenty of women ninja flaunting about their assets and perfectly toned bodies to get what they wanted from all kinds of men; when she grew in a few more years then she'd be able to do that too; getting guys to go at her pace. Like her damned master for one. But right now, she was still a board; and her face was at that weird in between stage of baby face and mature. But her master always said that she would turn out beautiful, the mole under her lips and near the right side of her chin proved it; he always said it was a beauty mark for women. Just as the mole under the right eye is the one for men. She was always happy to hear those words, but that was like saying your mom thinks you're pretty.

No, shit; it doesn't count.

Female ninja don't get to be princesses, their hands become calloused, their minds plagued by nightmares and their bodies always full of scars and injuries. Unless, you're a friggin amazing medical nin, apparently.

"Utakata" A male voice called and came to a halt as he saw the two of them. Then gave a small grin "And what have I found here? Your girlfriend perhaps? No wonder you've been wandering around all aloof like."

"She's not." Utakata muttered clearly peeved as he glared at her small self like this was all her fault.

"I was trying to get into the building." She spoke up clearly "But the guards wouldn't let me through, so I-"

"So you tried the window" The man said "My name is Harusame, and I see you've met my student Utakata" He smiled kindly "Would you like me to help you get in?"

"But, Maste-" Utakata's protest was cut off by Minako mini as she said 'yes'

Once inside, they walked around for a bit. Going through hall after hall and trying to find where her master had gone off to. She found that Harusame was a rather popular ninja since everyone greeted him; he was a rather kind and friendly man that wasn't feared, unlike someone else she knew. When they had been searching for a whole hour the young Minako decided that she would just stay and sit tight in one place until her Master was ready to be found, because when he was, he would just appear before her. The two looked skeptically at her for a bit then Harusame decided that they would wait with her in case something happened.

Just as Harusame led them to a good spot to sit around and wait, a man flicked a small rock towards Minako's head, making her turn around, but she saw nothing. Not more than ten seconds later, it was like her hand was being pulled by someone away and back from their destination. As she checked her hand, she saw a very thin string and decided not to fight it. Harusame on the other hand, took action and cut it in two as Utakata got a strange looking relic out. "Show yourself" Harusame called out to the air.

Very slowly, a tall and lean man came out; donning a few unique looking sword; swords that Harusame recognized as swords of the 7 ninja swordsmen. All those swords could only be used by one man, a man feared since he was a child along with his brother, they both had potential to become great, but if anyone answered; he would be the one that reached the farthest. Though Suigetsu was still waiting for his chance.

Mangetsu.

"Minako" He called glaring darkly at the two beside her "Come here"

And she went.

Obeying without a word of complaint, running up to him as quickly as she could. He broke eye contact with Harusame and suddenly broke the atmosphere and tension his appearance was causing and gave her a toothy grin that showed his shark like teeth as he flicked her on the forehead when she got near. Reprimanding her with an undertone of teasing "I said wander, not get yourself a boy toy. What am I suppose to do if he takes my favorite student away—"

She said clearly "I'm your only student"

But he continued on giving no sign that he noticed she spoke "-Because he found out that I chose her because she'd turn into a busty babe one day. Haa, stealing my dreams of having a beautiful woman serve me tea and clinging on my arm."

"Shut up!" The small Minako whined loudly. Then turned around giving a happy grin and thanking the two for helping her find her Master. They didn't say much; maybe stunned into silence or feeling awkward.

Her Master took her eyes off of her and looked at them once more "Yeah, thanks." He told them in a bland tone that then turned into a mocking one "Minako, if you don't get some beauty sleep you won't pass the exam tomorrow"

"You're having her take that exam already?" Harusame called out "Wouldn't it be best to wait a bit longer, there are many much older participants"

"No." He said flatly completely ignoring the suggestion of the older and much more liked ninja; turning and giving a wry smile "I'm expecting great things from this one."

The young Minako said her goodbyes to the two; sticking her tongue out and pulling her cheeks at Utakata-; whose eye twitched at her stupidity and childishness. Master and student, indeed; -then running off after her Master.

Adult Minako closed her eyes at the stupid memory; that was a simpler time. She should have realized the signs when they all entered that empty testing room, but she didn't until the announcer said it and that was the day that her childlike world was painted by the reality her master and every other worth knowing ninja lived in.

The test was right at the break of dawn and the time limit on it was one hour she remembered, she knew nothing then but she was also one of if not the most believed to come out on top, because of who had trained her. And right before the test, her Master was petting the top of her head –nothing out of the ordinary- until he said lowly "Don't be nervous let your excitement flow, do those and you'll pass." He gave her a manic grin holding up one finger, reminding her of the time limit "When I walk in, I don't want to be disappointed."

As she walked into that vast empty room full of nothing but the participants of the exam, speakers on all four sides announcing the requirements to pass. When the words were said, there was a moment of complete silence to take it all in. Just one fleeting moment. And then friends, acquaintances, strangers turned against each other in pursuit of their own dreams; she tightened her grip on her katana, charging into the fray without a second thought. She would live up to the standards and expectations of the master that gave her reason to continue living.

A/N: Please Review

So... yeah... Past and stuff

I'm working on two stories that don't have exact updating dates, but I try to always update every story every 2-3 weeks; so go ahead and read them if you're interested.

Tell me what ya think and some constructive criticism as to how I can improve my writing style.

I want to thank all the people who have alerted, favored and reviewed in my story thus far, so… yeah, thanks.

Ummm… I like cake?

xD

blob80 out.