AN: So now, we are going to take a look into the past of one of our OC's...Aina! I hope you enjoy this short story! Where it states an age, that is how old Aina is during that section. Aina is eighteen in the other chapters of our story, if that helps at all!

Chapter 12: Etanaru Aina

Sitting around a massive round table were ten of the greatest shinobi of Amegakure. They were the elder's council, who would evaluate the ninja of the village for Pein-sama, leader of Amegakure. Large stacks of papers lay before them.

"Hm, seems most of them are fairly average ninja. We're seeing none with a kekkei genkai," one of the elders spoke up, a few papers in his hands.

Another looked to him. "That makes the third year in a row."

"This one seems to stand out, though...Etanaru Aina."

"What is so special about her?" a deeper voice questioned.

One with glasses peered from behind a paper about said girl. "She seems to exhibit a natural talent for chakra control. She would make an excellent ninja."

"Mayhaps we should have her study some medical ninjutsu. We are lacking of medical ninjas as of late."

"This is true," the man let out a sigh. "It's hard to decide where to place her...she would do well many places."

This time, a woman spoke up. "Let's start her with some medical ninjutsu, and see how she does. She would be the most helpful there, but we can be ready to have her study something else if this doesn't work."

"All in favor, say 'aye.'"

Everyone in the room spoke up.

"Any opposed, say 'nay.'"

No one spoke out.

"Then it is agreed that Etanaru will begin training as a medical ninja."

Age: 13 years old

"So..." a young preteen looked at her sensei skeptically, giving him a face, "you're saying that I should train to be a medical ninja?"

"That is what I'm saying," the older ninja replied.

"Aww! But I wanna kick the bad-guys' butts!"

The sensei let out a chuckle. "You'll learn over time. Right now though, medical ninja are desperately needed. You have the best chakra control out of all the genin your age in Amegakure, even compared to some who are older."

The girl blinked. "...Really?"

"You never noticed?"

"Never thought about it."

"Ah..."

After a short moment, the young genin, Aina, let a small smile creep onto her face. "Well, if you say that, I guess it would be best if there were more medics in the field, hm? I can always kick some bad-guy butts later."

"Heh... Sounds like a plan," sensei replied with a smile. "Let's get you registered then."

"YOSH!" Aina punched the air with enthusiasm, following her sensei. "I'm gonna be the best medical ninja EVER!"

"Whatever floats your skirt up, Aina," sensei chuckled.

"Hey! Don't say that, pervy sensei!" the green-haired girl scolded, causing her teacher to laugh heartily.

Age: 15 years old

"Gah!" Aina's companion cried as his body hit the tree. As it fell to the ground, she quickly ran to him, catching him in her arms.

"Hiroto!" she cried, collapsing due to his weight. She looked to her sensei. "They are both down. What are we gonna do?"

"This brings us at a massive disadvantage. With both Ken and Hiroto down, we're are two enemies each. We need to finish this fast."

"Give me enough time to seal this wound, then I'll be ready to help."

The four enemy ninja didn't seem keen on giving her time. They charged at them the moment her medical ninjutsu was cast.

With one hand over her companion glowing green, her other hand reached into her side-pouch, pulling out a kunai. With deadly accuracy, she managed to hit one of the enemies on the arm in a pressure point. His arm fell limp as he stopped. He began to study his arm as she tossed another kunai, this time hitting his chest.

"Good work, Aina. I can manage the three until you're done."

"Yes!" She placed her other hand over Hiroto, causing the glowing green light to grow. Within a moment, his wound had closed up, allowing her a sigh of relief.

Her sensei managed to take down another enemy, leaving only two left.

"Seems we're even now." Aina smiled as she ran next to her sensei.

"Seems so. We just need to keep pushing forward and eliminate these two."

"Let's do this!" She charged at the enemy, a kunai held forward. As she approached, her kunai began to glow, becoming engulfed in lightning.

"She's a lightning user?" one of the enemies shouted, shocked.

"Seems like she's nothing but trouble!" he spoke back, beginning some hand seals.

"No, don't use your water style!"

It was too late. As the water jutsu was cast, Aina charged him with enough force to land her kunai in the water. The shock traveled through the water to him. He spazzed out as the electrical current flowed through him.

"Dang it, this isn't good!" the other began for sensei.

Aina stood next to the shocked ninja as his body flailed uncontrollably on the ground. Wordlessly, she finished him with a kunai.

Her sensei made quick work of the other ninja, finishing the battle. Once all was deemed clear, the green-haired medical ninja returned to her allies. Her hand glowed green as she gave a more stronger healing jutsu to them.

"You have become a formidable kunoichi, Aina." Her sensei smiled to her, standing behind her.

"I hope to be as good as Lady Tsunade someday! She was the best medical ninja ever...but I want to be even better!"

"Still gonna try to top her?"

"Well, of course!"

Age: 16 years old

Pein looked out to Amegakure as the rain continued to fall. He was debating a problem and possible solutions to it, though nothing of any exception was coming to mind.

"Pein-sama," her voice was quiet as she entered. Konan stood beside him, looking out herself.

"Yes?"

"I have something you might like to see." She handed him the paper in her hand.

He studied the document carefully. "Etanaru...Aina?" he looked to her questioningly.

"Yes, she has shown great skill in medical ninjutsu. We have been searching for a medic nin for almost two months now, yes? I think she might be who we are looking for."

"Hm," he studied the document closer. "She's become a powerful ninja already...I'd like to see her."

"Personally?"

"Yes, have her come here immediately."

"Yes, sir." Konan spoke as she turned into small pieces of paper. She flew out the window, in search of the girl.

"Wow!" Aina's eyes widened as she saw the table. Food covered the entire surface, save for the place settings.

"You are always so hungry when you come home from missions, we prepared a feast for you." Her mother smiled.

"Domo arigatou, mom!"

"Mm, let's eat!" her father spoke up, entering the dining room. "I'm starving after smelling this."

"Heh heh, me too!"

The family quickly sat down, preparing to eat the meal. As they were about to begin, a small tapping was heard at the door.

"I'll get it," her father stood up, gently resting his chopsticks down.

"Hello, Etanaru-san," Konan greeted.

"God's Angel," he breathed, surprised to see her.

"I am here to speak with Etanaru Aina, if I may."

The man blinked his eyes a couple times. "Oh, of course! Let me get her now...Aina!"

"What's up, dad?" the green-haired girl asked, her mouth full.

"God's Angel wants to see you."

Both Aina and her mother's eyes widened. "Wait...really?"

"Yes, so go now!"

"Yes, sir!" she quickly swallowed her food as she ran for the door.

"Hello, Etanaru-chan. I am here as a messenger for Pein-sama. He has requested an audience with you."

Aina gulped. "Of course. When would he like to meet?"

"As soon as possible. Are you available now?"

"Heh, heh..." she let a cheesy grin fall on her face. "We were in the middle of eating, but I can go now if you'd like."

"It would be greatly appreciated. I'm sorry to pull you away at such a time." Konan began to walk towards the center of Amegakure.

"No problem at all, I can eat later."

A few minutes later, Aina was guided into the central tower, where Pein-sama could be found, though none ever spoke with him directly. Konan, 'God's Angel,' always spoke Pein's words to the public.

"He's here," Konan stated, pointing to two large doors.

"Ok," the green-haired girl carefully opened the door, stepping in. "H-hello...?"

"Etanaru Aina, it is a pleasure to meet you." the orange-haired leader greeted.

Her brown eyes went wide. "The pleasure is surely mine, sir."

"Do you know why you have been called here?"

"No, sir."

"Are you familiar with an organization called 'Akatsuki?'"

"Of course!" Aina smiled. "They were the organization started by you to free Amegakure back during the Third Shinobi World War."

"Yes," Pein began to look out the window. "Currently, we have ten active members, but there is a problem. We have no medical ninja among them."

"Then," Aina started. "Are you requesting my assistance for the Akatsuki?"

"Yes, you have proven yourself to be a fine medical ninja. I believe that in time, your name could be as well known as Princess Tsunade's."

'Princess Tsunade...maybe I could be Princess Aina, Medical Master!' the girl thought to herself with a smile on her face.

"Would you do us the honor of serving as a medical ninja?"

"Pein-sama...I would be honored to be among the Akatsuki. I will gladly offer my medical ninjutsu for them," she spoke confidently. 'Yosh! I am a member of Akatsuki! Mwahahahaha!'

"I would like you to move into the main base as soon as possible. How long will it take you to be ready?"

"I can be ready by tomorrow morning. Surely, my family would like a chance to say farewell."

"Of course. Be here tomorrow morning at sunrise."

"Yes, sir!"

"Whoa, really?" Ken looked to her, baffled.

"Yeah, I know! It's crazy, isn't it? But I, the great Aina, get to help the Akatsuki!"

"That's insane! Congratulations, Aina." Hiroto smiled to her.

"Arigatou! I'm so exited! This is possibly the highest honor anyone from Amegakure could get! You guys remember studying the Akatsuki at the academy, right?"

"Of course, it is definitely a high honor. Though...we will miss you." Ken came up to her and offered her a gentle hug.

"Aw...arigatou, Ken...Hiroto! Get over here! I want a group hug!"

Hiroto came over, squeezing the other two ninja. He stood a good foot taller than Ken, who was a little taller than Aina herself.

"I'm gonna miss you both! What are you gonna do without me?" Aina grinned to them.

"Well, I guess we'll just have to get better so we don't need your medical ninjutsu!" Ken grinned, raising a fist in the air.

"You bet! We'll be so good, you'll be hearing about us soon!"

The green-haired girl chuckled. "I can't wait for that day to come! All three of us will be famous! Maybe we'll be the next Sannin!"

"Ha ha, that'll be the day. Take care, Aina!"

"You too, Ken! And be well, Hiroto!" she waved goodbye to her comrades as she left.

"Of course, Aina!"

Their team sensei suddenly appeared in a puff of smoke. "Not bothering to say farewell to your sensei, huh? I see how it is..."

Aina gasped and turned back to meet the face of her sensei. "What? No! It's your fault for not showing up until the last minute!" With a laugh, she ran back over and hugged her ninja master.

He hugged back and grinned. "Do your best, Aina."

"I'll do better than my best!" she exclaimed. "I'll be the next Lady Tsunade! Or better!"

"Let's hope for the latter then!"

"See ya!" the brown-eyed kunoichi grinned, sending them a short wave of the hand before heading out again.

The rest of the group waved back, the two boys calling out more good-byes.

"Make us proud, Aina..." sensei smiled to himself.

"Aina," a familiar voice called. "Hey, Aina, snap out of it, un!"

"Hm?" the eighteen-year-old girl blinked, awaking from her reminisce. "Did you need something, Deidara?"

"No," he replied. "But it is dinner time, un. It'd help trying to get your attention if you're not a space cadet, un."

"I spaced out? Oh! Ha ha, gomen!" she smiled.

He rolled his eyes and held his hand out to her. "Whatever. You coming, un?"

Aina chuckled and grinned, taking his hand. "Definitely. Food is good!"

AN: So, what do you think of Aina, now that you know where she comes from? She's quite a fun character! I enjoy having her be my Naruto-self! (As Emi is Sakura's character). I suppose this is a good chapter for a reminder disclaimer: WE OWN NOTHING OF THE NARUTO SERIES! THE ONLY THINGS WE TAKE CREDIT FOR ARE AINA, EMI, KEN, HIROTO, AND AINA'S SENSEI (Who has no name...)! There, that should last us, what, 5 more chapters? Well, feel free to comment your thoughts on Aina. Don't know when, but we'll give you a chapter for Emi too. Domo Arigatou! ~Nino and Sakura!