Happy Halloween. I am back with another chapter for this story. This will focus primarily on Karin and why she dislikes Naruko. One could say the bashing of Karin is unjustified and slightly biased. Well, let us look at the facts by looking into the anime. Karin is initially believed to be a more modified version of Sakura in her younger days as a fangirl. She goes as far as to attempt to molest him or steal his clothing. She even acts violently when someone namely Suigetsu insults Sasuke or makes a comment; much like Sakura used to act toward Naruto. Her fanaticism goes far as to immediately forgive him for stabbing her to kill Danzo at the Battle. She and Sakura develop a rivalry at the onset and act alike. In many fics, several fics depict that if she were Sakura's sister; she would go all out to make Sakura's life hell. However near the ending of the manga/anime; Karin has seemed to outgrown her obsession where it is stated that she helped Sakura birth Sarada during her travels with Sasuke.

Karin's hatred toward Naruko will be more out of anger than just mere petty jealousy. Although it will be made apparent that the latter is not at fault. Read and review.

Italics-thoughts

Underline-flashbacks

Warnings: swearing, mentions of non-con, royalty bashing, slight Karin bashing, bloodshed.

Chapter 11: Like A Woman Scorned

There was no sign of the storm stopping anytime soon. Tents were closed up tightly in an effort to keep the biting cold out. People huddled desperately around the fire to get warm. Of course, the adults were mindful to attend to the needs of their young and elderly who could not maintain their body temperature well enough. Each group took turns getting close while other groups attended to meals cooked over the fire. They all sat on fallen trees that served as make-shift seating. The only section of wood that was not occupied was one belonging to a certain red haired occupant. Some people passed giving weary or scathing glances at the lass before resuming their conversation. The red haired lass in question only rolled her eyes caring little what they thought of her. She was pretty much used to it by now.

There were very few people in the convent that would have anything to do with her or even strike up a conversation with her. Even in gypsy culture, a woman's reputation was defined by how others saw her or how her actions were perceived. She knew the looks were on part due to the scandal a few years back. Karin had not been the one at fault. However, the stigma of the event lessened her value in the eyes of potential suitors. Her red eyes burned wildly. It was when she truly came to hate Naruko.

Flashback…

It had been two years since Karin became a reluctant member of The Jinchuriki's. She was nowhere close to finding Tayuya. The first few months, she kept an eye out hoping to catch a glimpse of her younger sibling to no avail. This frustrated the young girl so much that she finally complained to Kurama. The man stoically replied that even if they were to travel around the world non-stop, the odds of finding her sister were less than none. For Karin, it was like saying 'she is likely dead anyway'; another way of adding salt to the wound. The young redhead was forced to leave the matter alone for the time being and practice more on her dancing. Indeed, in the time that Karin spent with the troupe the leader decided she should earn her keep by participating with her fellow females in dance.

A month after Karin was introduced into the group by Naruko. She was soon introduced to girls and the other children around her age. Their names being Sakura, Tenten, Sasame, Isaribi, and Rock Lee. Sakura was a strange girl in Karin's opinion with an abnormally (in her case) large forehead, strange colored hair and eyes that would otherwise be considered exotic and a slim frame. Karin once made the mistake of taunting the other girls only to get scolded roughly by the others. Sakura however, emphasized physically that she was not some weak wallflower that could get pushed around. Since then Karin made well to leave her alone. Tenten was a Chinese girl with two buns atop her head who liked to deal in weaponry when she wasn't dancing. The bun haired female was the most tolerable to her despite the consternation of the others. (1) Next were Sasami and Isaribi; both had been taken into the group much like her but for different reasons. Sasame lost her family to a plague that ravaged her hometown and was left orphaned and penniless before she joined the troupe. Isaribi had originated from a small fishing town where she was viewed as a witch because she was the lone survivor of a plague that turned people's skin scaly that not only left them crippled but would slowly destroy them from the inside. The few that were still healthy or had not yet felt the ill effects of the deadly virus felt the way to rid of the disease was to riddance of the one who startedit. The young girl learned what her home village planned to do with her left in the middle of the night and never looked back. The poor girl traveled for many months, alone and homeless with nothing more than the clothes on her back and the few things she carried in her satchel. It was by chance she was found near death from pneumonia by a woman she would come to call her surrogate mother. The said woman was named Manatsu and later was introduced to the other girls who she would come to call friends.

In the present day, Karin was still somewhat of an outcast but still accepted by most of the troupe. They had stopped at a port town in Italy where the real troubles began for the feisty red head. Karin had gotten into a small argument with Naruko about taking up some of chores and later complained about how 'spoiled' the blond was because she was the group darling. She then stormed off into town.

"Stupid blonde princess, telling me how being in the group means helping to earn my keep and all that guff. Just because she's Kurama's niece; we all should-

GAH! Karin collided with another person. She recovered quickly and got up to scold the person who bumped into her. "Watch where you are going you clumsy oak! You" her rant was stopped when she noticed the handsome stranger getting up.

"Pardon me, madam I wasn't looking where I was going" he replied. The man was a few years older than her probably 18 or so with short brown hair, side swept bangs that fell slightly over his russet eyes. He was adorned with a brown cloak over his plain white tunic and brown pants held up by a brown belt. Karin blushed and twirled a strand of hair.

"I-it's al-alright, sir-"she stammered inquiring his name. The man bowed and took her hand. "Thompson. Thompson Marik. Son of Admiral Romulus Jacques Marik. And who might you be lovely creature?" he asked charmingly. Karin blushed again and hung her head shamefully. "Karin. No last name. Not anymore" she added sadly. Thompson raised a brow but did not ask. He grinned at her. "Well Karin, what brings you to these ports?" he asked.

Karin opened her mouth to answer but shut up. She didn't want to tell this new handsome boy that she was part of a gypsy troop or that she was a clanless orphan with no penny to her name. He might get disgusted with her or turn her in. "Oh that…well I am actually part of a traveling performance group and we are currently setting up port" she lied easily. Thompson looked at her to determine if she was lying or not. "Is that so? Well then, if that is so why don't you and your group get together and perform in the towns square before the village. I think we all could use a break from all the wars and territorial struggles we've been facing. What say you?"

Karin pursed her lips unsurely. "I'm not sure. My leader is not too fond of crowd spectacles unless he reserves it first. Plus, Naruko might try to take you from me too". Karin saw the look of hidden disappointment. "But I will see what my leader thinks and try to convince him" she assured him. Thompson beamed. "Excellent! I shall see my father and arrange for it". Thompson made to leave but turned around to request of Karin one last time. "Oh perhaps we can meet elsewhere sometime. Oh please say you will". Karin thought it over but smiled. "Alright. It's a date then" she exclaimed happily. "Just wait for me to give the word". With that Karin sped away now feeling happier than before since before she lost her sister and parents. Little did Karin suspect that a serpent was about to penetrate her orchard of happiness.

()

It was much to Karins' happiness and surprise, Kurama agreed to the proposal for a performance once he made certain it was safe to do so. After all, the Italians had little to fear from gypsies. They had many such as them come before and leave within the week or so. To add even further to Karin's pleasure, Thompson did not sway his affections to the blonde princess like the others before. Two weeks past, Karin continued her secret escapades with Thompson. The cold of winter slowly gave way to the warm spring of April. Karin was elated with bliss. Thompson was everything she could want in a man; handsome, kind, and romantic. He was her prince and if things went correctly as she planned, he would rescue her from her dark prison. She was confused however as to why Thompson never told his father about them. He told her that he wanted to wait for the right time to tell his father about them. Also, it would cause problems if the admiral were to learn about his son associating with a commoner.

Tonight, Thompson sent her a message to meet with him in the forest on the outskirts of the town. Karin was excited. There Karin sat in her dressing beau, adorning her face with cosmetics and adorning herself in a gorgeous pearl white satin gown that she had 'borrowed' from a clothesline. Her hair was sleeked in a neat bun with a golden hair clip. Inspecting herself in a large mirror, she looked like a real princess.

"Ha top that Kinpatsu-hime (2)!" she laughed mirthlessly. She picked up her cloak and donned it over her. If anyone were to catch her, they would ask questions and likely report her to Kurama. She scoffed. "After tonight, I will never have to worry what that old buzzard thinks or does ever again". Karin tiptoed as quietly as she could, easily slipping into the shadows and behind the wagons. As soon as the coast was clear, she dashed swiftly away from the camp and to her destination. She was unaware that she had been spotted. Following the directions on the note, she hurriedly rushed through the cobblestone streets. She entered the forest entrance and walked along the trail that Thompson pointed out to her. It was quite dark save for the glow of the moon sifting through the trees. She gulped nervously as the path seemed to get darker as she walked. She wiped some sweat from her brow. Just when she thought her journey would never end, her destination came into view. And with it, was the object of her love standing beside a large boulder.

"Thompson!" She came out with arms wide open. Thompson turned to face her; but not with his usual friendly smile she was used to. Karin stopped just an inch from him.

"Thompson?" she stammered. "What is it?" There was something off about Thompson. He appeared feral and smug. Thompson crossed his arms and laughed creepily. "This is quite a wonderful surprise. Even better than I imagined it" he boasted. Karin raised a brow in confusion. "See Karin, I suspected as much what you were when I saw your troupe's wagons roll into town. His smug expression turned serious and cruel. "You honestly believe me to be a fool? A traveling circus? Please, an imbecile could see it. How could you ever think that I the son of a respected admiral love you…a commoner of all things. A gypsy!"

"T-Thom-Thompson" she sobbed, tears running full force down her face. This was not how she planned this evening. "But I am not a gypsy!" she wailed desperately. "I never wanted to be part of that life. I only wanted to find my sister but had no way of doing so. Don't you remember me telling you that on one of our outings?" Thompson did not pay the poor girl any mind. He walked up to a thicket of trees just a few feet from the boulder and whistled. "Okay boys you can come out now. She's all ripe for the picking!"

Karin gasped in fright and horror as about five men a few years older than Thompson. They were armed to the teeth and rather dirty looking individuals. Karin backed away. "Who-who are those men?" she shrieked. Thompson propped a hand on his hip. "These my dear lady friend; are some henchmen I handpicked myself. They do my bidding as called. And when they do their task correctly as they often do, they get a reward. And tonight my dear, their reward is a night with you" he clipped happily. Karin put a hand over her mouth.

"Reward? You don't mean-

"Yes my dear. See, these good gentlemen here have worked so hard and they could definitely do use to blow off some steam" he replied cryptically. Karin looked back and forth between Thompson and his men. Suddenly her mind clicked in realization. Thompson clicked his fingers. "Boys she's all yours. But remember to save some for me, I saw her first after all" he called out. The men chuckled sadistically as they rounded on the poor lass.

"NO!" Karin turned to run back to the encampment. Damn the consequences if she got in trouble, it was better than being mounted on by those barbarians. Sadly, the poor girl didn't get too far. A scream left her lips as she was pulled back and thrown roughly to the ground. The men began to rip and shred her gown off her body. Karin fought and struggled to get away from her assaulters but to no avail. Soon, she was in nothing but her bodice and shredded underskirt. She shuddered in revulsion at the multitude of hands roaming her pubescent body. Just when she thought it couldn't get worse, the voice of her betrayer called.

"Stop!"

All actions stopped. Thompson approached her prone body. Karin smiled with hope. Perhaps he had a change of heart and come to rescue her. The man kneeled down to her with a blank expression. Suddenly he grinned at her. "You really do have a nice figure" he drawled seductively at her. Karin's face fell. Thompson lowered his hand to go up her skirt and-

THWACK!

Thompson and his thugs were suddenly thrown off. Karin slowly opened her eyes once the weight was lifted off her. "YOU MONSTERS! How dare you lay a hand on a lady?"

Karin eyes widened but then narrowed upon recognizing the voice of her rescuer. Above her holding a large stick was none other than the bane of her existence; Naruko. Naruko was adorned in her usual pigtails, an orange jacket and matching skirt. Her face was contorted with anger. Thompson shook off his shock and snarled at the blonde.

"Little bitch. You're gonna wish you hadn't done that! Although, you might prove even more palpable in the sack than your friend" he said smugly. Naruko growled and gripped her stick higher lifting it like a baseball bat. "Bastard! You're gonna regret laying a hand on Karin or any woman" she snarled. Thompson threw his head back and laughed. "How do you propose on doing that? I am the son of an admiral; with more wealth than someone of your status could hope to achieve in three lifetimes. Besides, even if you did report me to the authorities, no one would take your side. You're a gypsy. Someone like you will have probably had a ton of experience".

Naruko glowered hatefully at the man. Thompson clapped his hands. At once, his henchmen were by his side. "Change of plans boys. Forget the red head. Let's have us a blonde instead" he suggested with half lidded eyes. Naruko's eyes widened as Thompson's henchmen launched themselves at her. She swung her weapon at them managing to knock at least two of them. However, one of them managed to catch her upper arm in a tight grip. Another thug grabbed at her shirt getting ready to rip it off. "Now why don't we-"

A loud cry, a flash of metal in the moonlight, and blood spattered on the ground. The two thugs that had grabbed Naruko lay dead on the ground with one of their arms missing and their bodies slashed. Thompson and his three remaining henchmen gaped at the dead bodies of their comrades before gazing at their killer. Kurama stood full height above his victim's bodies with a bloodied sword. His expression was of pure murder and rage. Naruko and Karin gazed in fear as the leader locked gazes with them. (3) "O-Oji-san, I-

"I will deal with you later" he snarled at her before turning his attention to the now frightened form of Thompson and his so-called fierce cohorts. "You have made quite a horrible mistake tonight. One was attacking one of my members. Second mistake was going after my niece. But the worst one of all; you offended I, the leader of the Jinchuuriki's; Kyuubi". Thompson's eyes widened and stumbled backwards. "K-Kyu-Kyuubi?! You're Kyuubi?!" he screeched putting his fist to his mouth. Kurama grinned revealing his fanged teeth causing his spectators to shiver. Thompson shuddered fearfully and looked to his cohorts for help. He scoffed and crossed his arms akimbo. "Well so what. There is still more of us than there are of you" he boasted. Kurama chuckled ominously. "Is that so? Light em up!"

At once, several torches lit up lighting up the previously dark forest. Thompson and his remaining cohorts were surrounded. From the forest, came about ten men armed to the teeth and full of vengeance; for the perceived wrongs to their beloved princess and another gypsy female. Kurama stepped forward and raised up his hand. He let it down uttering a single command: "Kill them". The roars of combat and bloodshed echoed through the forest. Once their query was dealt with, the men all departed back to the wagons. Except for Kurama who surveyed the slaughter before him. He scrunched his nose in distaste. In his mind, it was a well-deserved death. He was certain the town would not share in his sentiment.

"Ano…Oji-san, what are we gonna do now?" Naruko asked keeping her gaze to the floor. Kurama shook his head. "We leave tonight. Once the Admiral and the townspeople learn of the slaughter, they will seek vengeance and blood shed". Naruko looked over to Karin who was nesteld safely in the arms of one of the men. "What about Karin?" she asked worriedly. Kurama gazed at the frazzled redhead. "She will be put into the care of the nurses, there she can reflect on her follies" he replied coldly yet held a twinge of sympathy. Naruko gaped open mouthed at her uncles cold words. Kurama walked away. Naruko rushed over to Karin. She looked worse for wear. Her face was runny and tear-streaked from the struggle "Karin, are you alright? I am so glad that nothing bad happened to you. It was a good thing I came when I-

Her hand was slapped away harshly. "Get away from me, you bitch! It's your fault". Naruko caressed her stinging hand. Karin was curled into a ball with tears gushing down from her bespectacled eyes. Her red eyes glared viciously at the blond. "You just had to interfere, didn't you? Couldn't handle the fact that I had all the attention for once didn't you! No! Now thanks to you…I'm ruined!"

Naruko shook her head, unshed tears gathering in her eyes. "I was trying to save you! I didn't bring my uncle into this. I swear! You gotta believe me" she urged desperately. Karin grit her teeth. "If you hadn't interfered, I could have been spared this…this 'hic' this… Humiliation!. Now I'm ruined…no man will want me after this! I was right all along. You're not a princess, you're a curse!"

"Karin that's enough!" the man holding her scolded. Karin ignored him and offered one final blow to her. "Hear me this and hear me well Naruko-sama; I will never forgive you for this as long as I live". Karin was carried away sobbing lamenting the loss of her first love, loss of her 'virtue', and her standing with the rest of the troop. Naruko stood there hanging her head. Her bangs shadowed her face. She sniffled slowly letting tears drip to the ground.

Flashback Ends…

Karin had not been raped that night. Yet, the stigma of her 'assault' left a big mark; not only on her reputation but her heart. The few younger men who were not present at the battle refused to come in contact with the girl who apparently lost her 'virtue' to an outsider that pretty much marked her as 'damaged goods' for every other man. It had taken Karin at least three months to recover from her ordeal. No amount of therapeutic counseling from any of the women was enough to help her. She had never completely forgiven Naruko and made double efforts to make the young girl's life difficult by any means. Whether it was by verbal abuse, spreading false rumors about her to the other gypsies (much were later debunked or rebuked) or even tattling on her to Kurama. The latter being what ultimately led to the rivalry between her and the blonde.

In the present, Karin still held consternation and resentment toward the blonde princess for her status as a pariah. Her only reprieve was in her dancing. She performed well as a dancer and even those who looked at her with contempt agreed. The few times she purposefully tried to sabotage her groups performances in a bid to make Naruko look bad ended with a harsh scolding from Kurama that ended with threats for a beating. She then opted to keep her petty squabbling with Naruko secret and only when the leader was not present. Karin stretched herself again and watched the flames flicker. The red and orange blended together. For a brief moment, she thought of her sister Tayuya. How was she? Was she well? Did Tayuya hate her; for not saving her? Karin sighed and leaned forward gathering her knees beneath her chin. The course of 6 years seemed so long ago. She added another piece of wood to the fire. A yawn escaped her lips. It was getting pretty late. At least she could take a nice warm nap in one of the wagons. There she fell into a fitful sleep.

()

I can honestly say this was one of the most difficult chapters I have ever written. It gives me no pleasure to write about rape, nor does it give me pleasure to put characters in those unpleasant situations. I wanted to give insight on Karin's feelings toward our protagonist and why she resents her so. Half of the inspiration came from reading "A tale of Two Cities" and the background of the novel's main antagonist; Madame Darfage. While she herself was not a victim, her sister was. Another bit of Karin's tragic history stems from the well known injustices of the wealthy aristocracy against peasant folk. Thompson was the idealistic spoiled, wealthy, brutish aristocrat that was endowed with a silver spoon in his mouth and believes the world is his to do as he pleases without concern for the consequences.

Karin is plainly not the most stable minded of individuals, if her violent outburst are not any indication. She is in complete denial that it was Thompson's fault not Naruko's. Athough, her infatuation with a pretty face blinds her to see the man was no good rotten scum. Now as to why Naruko resents Karin will be for another time. Until then, read and review.

Chapter Footnotes:

(1) What the plagues are could be anyone's guess: the plague that hit her village could be anything like tuberculosis, swine flu, or bubonic. Instead of Isaribi's skin deformity being a result of Orochimaru's experiment, it will be a human disease.

(2) There is no known Japanese word for 'blonde' but in terms it means "golden hair".

(3) Oji-san: Japanese term for 'uncle'.