Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto and not me.

A/N: Yippee, 50 chapters! Can you believe it? Neither can I! And over 500 reviews... I think I'll go faint now. But not before I say a BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED ME AND REVIEWED SO FAR!

Really guys, without you all pushing me on, I probably would have left this behind ages behind. But I'm really glad I have been able to continue. The story has become something really special to me. And that's why I decided as a special treat, that at the end, I'd include a bit from the original version of TTA I first wrote about 2 years ago.



Chapter 50: New Existence

Kita stared wide-eyed at the Hokage until a smile tugged at her lips. "I'm... accepted?"

Tsunade gave a breath of irritation. "Yes, now hurry and say your goodbyes. You're one of my shinobi now, so you listen to me."

The cat-eared girl seemed to react like an electric shock had run through her body. She whirled around to face Temari and Kankuro as Gaara strode out of the Hokage's office. "You guys are leaving already?" she asked with a slightly panicked tone.

Temari gave a weak smile. "Sorry Kita, but the village needs us back as soon as possible. Gaara can't stick around forever. You understand, right?"

Kita nodded slowly. "Yeah... I know... but... not even for a few more hours?" She glanced over at Gaara, but the red-head avoided her.

"No can do." Kankuro shrugged at her. He gave her a pat on the head, making her frown slightly. "But it won't be for long, so don't worry."

"I... thank you..." Kita said quietly, gazing down at the floor. "Thanks for bringing me here. I'll train my best until I'm back."

Temari bent down and gave her a hug. "But don't train too hard. You need to keep yourself healthy enough, so don't overdo it." She stood back up and grinned. "See you soon then."

Kita did her best to try and smile as the three started heading for the stairs. She gazed after Gaara as he went. Her fists tightened. "Gaara, wait!" She leapt down the stairs after him.

Gaara paused and turned as she stood before him.

"I'll... I'll miss you," she offered, looking hopeful. "But I'll write to you when I can, I promise."

The Kazekage stood silent for a moment, staring at her. Finally, he closed his eyes briefly and turned back. "Goodbye, Mitsukai Kita," he muttered before he continued down the stairs.

Kita felt her hands trembling as she watched him disappear down the stairs after Temari and Kankuro. He... He said goodbye like it was forever... Gaara... why does it feel like I'm being put in a cage?

Tsunade raised an eyebrow as she looked down at the girl. So that's how it is... geez, the kid looks like a little lost kitten... damn, I'm gonna have to look after this "kitten" too.

"Sorry for taking so long, Tsunade-sama," Kita apologised as she arrived at the top flight of the stairs. She realised her ears were drooping and tried to think happier thoughts.

The woman sighed. "Alright, come on in and we'll talk." She led Kita back into the office and took a seat.

Kita paused, glancing back at the stairway before sitting down.

"You're close to him, aren't you?" asked Tsunade suddenly.

"What?" responded Kita in surprise. She fidgeted for a second whilst the Hokage stared her down. "He... gave me a second chance. I've never really been able to thank him for it properly."

"Because he's such a stick in the mud," replied Tsunade, changing her gaze to her fingernails and frowning- she'd chipped one during the negotiations. "People like Gaara aren't easy to get along with, but you'll find a way someday."

Kita gave the woman a questioning expression.

"Nevermind..." She shook her head. "Let's talk about what you'll be doing while you're here." She pointed at the map she had laid on the table earlier. "Due to certain circumstances I'm sure you are well-aware of, you'll be restricted from doing any missions in the north of the country- that also includes the north end of this country though. Okay?"

"Yes, Tsunade-sama." Kita nodded. She looked thoughtful for a second. "Tsunade-sama... will I get much time to train?"

"I believe so," Tsunade answered. "Though, I also believe you might have a bit too much time on your hands."

Kita gave her another questioning look.

"It depends though, so don't rely on my words there." Tsunade swivelled around in her chair, hiding her own expression.

There was a knock on the door. Tsunade swivelled back around towards her desk, glad for the interruption.

"I brought tea," announced Shizune happily, holding up a tray and walking over. She placed it on the table and smiled as she looked over at Kita. "I take it the negotiations went well. Welcome to Konoha then, Kita-chan." She handed a cup of tea to the girl.

"Uh... thanks..." Kita replied awkwardly at the happy woman.

Shizune placed a cup in front of Tsunade. "Have you organised living arrangements yet, Tsunade-sama?"

"What? Damn!" The Hokage flung up her arms. She sighed and rubbed her temples. "I need a drink..." she grumbled, pulling out a bottle of sake.

"Tsunade-sama..." Shizune raised an eyebrow at her and motioned slightly to Kita.

"Fine..." muttered the Hokage. She gave Kita a hard stare. "Don't drink, okay?" She took a swig from the bottle.

Shizune shook her head. "Tsunade-sama..."

"What?" asked the other woman in an irritated tone. "Oh, living arrangements."

Kita's eyebrows were knit in confusion. What the hell... Is this what the Hokage of Konoha really is like? She seemed so serious and strict before...

Shizune gave up and shrugged in defeat. "Well, I do know of a place that would be appropriate for Kita. All she would need to do is keep the place clean and tidy until the tenant gets back from his training trip."

Tsunade tapped a finger on the side of her sake bottle. "I suppose... she would be leaving for Suna when he gets back anyway."

"Huh? How's that?" asked Kita. "Who do you mean?"

"Uzumaki Naruto-kun, of course," Shizune smiled.

That's right... Kita thought suddenly. This is the village Gaara told me he was from.

Another thought flashed across her mind. "But why would I be leaving when he gets back?"

"It's complicated," replied Tsunade, frowning at her. "But in the meanwhile, until Naruto comes back, you can stay at his apartment. Just keep it clean."

Complicated my tail, Kita muttered to herself whilst trying to avoid letting her ears express her thoughts. Judging from her reactions before, I bet she'd rather just not have me around when he gets back so he can't meet me.

"Now, about your team," Tsunade interrupted Kita's thoughts as she wrote down something on a piece of paper and slid it over to her. "I'll confirm the arrangement with them. Meet them tomorrow morning at the place I've written down. Shizune will take you to your apartment."

"Come on, Kita-chan. I'll point out some places of interest along the way." Shizune offered.

Kita stood up. She bowed briefly to Tsunade as the woman took another swig from her sake bottle whilst Shizune had her back turned.

And I thought this place was normal... Kita thought tiredly. Let's just hope the team is semi-normal at least.


Meanwhile, at the entrance to Konoha...

The three Suna siblings walked in silence as they made their way out of the village. Temari balled her hands into fists, staring at her youngest brother's back.

"I didn't know you guys were in town." A boy sporting a chuunin jacket and spiky ponytail said as he stepped out of a nearby shop with a bag of groceries.

Temari stopped, interrupted by him. "Shikamaru...?"

Gaara and Kankuro turned.

The young chuunin raised an eyebrow at them. "Here on business?"

"Uh, kind of," Temari replied awkwardly. "We were escorting someone."

Shikmaru's other eyebrow raised as well. "They must have been important if they warranted the Kazekage to come as well."

Kankuro snorted in laughter. "She probably would have complained the entire way if he hadn't."

"That important, huh? Hope she paid well."

"Not exactly, Shikamaru," Temari interrupted, giving a quick glance at her silent brother. "We were escorting Mitsukai Kita."

Shikamaru's face twitched uneasily. "That... girl from the last Chuunin Exams? She's in Konoha?"

"Please, don't worry," the blonde hurriedly assured him- she hoped he would understand. "She's going to be here for a little while and join a team. Kita's not the same person. She's actually very nice."

The boy gave her a doubtful look for a second before shrugging. "Feh, it's too troublesome to try and understand... I'll see you later then." He gave a casual wave and walked off.

Temari sighed. "You're the troublesome one..." she muttered to herself before turning and falling back into line behind her brothers. She frowned, again trying to work out the words she wanted to say.

"Hey, Bro, what you did back there was really uncool," Kankuro said unexpectedly, catching Temari off guard. Gaara shot him a sideways glance. His brother raised an eyebrow at him. "It's obvious she likes you."

Gaara frowned, staring down at the road ahead. "She's just a kid."

Kankuro gave a snort. "Yeah, and so are you, but look what you've both been through as kids. You'd think you could at least be a little nicer to her than that. Out of all the people in the world, you'd be one of the few who would understand her in a way those of us can't. I don't want to sound hypocritical, but grow up already."

Kankuro... Temari thought with a smile. You said it better than I could have...

Gaara's frown softened. 'I'll... I'll miss you...' Kita's words rung through his head.


"That building over there is Konoha's library," explained Shizune, pointing to a large white building. "The library is used by everyone in the village- not just by ninja, but it does have a special restricted section not open to the public. There are a number of books and scrolls in it with different training techniques and other information. However, some of the higher-class scrolls are kept under lock and key since they're forbidden, and only available to certain ninja of a high ranking."

Kita nodded vaguely as they walked. At the moment, she just felt too troubled to really listen whole-heartedly.

"And if you follow that street, you'll find the Ninja Academy, where the students attend. Occasionally, genin will be called in to help give the students a few tips and lessons on how to be a ninja. It's..." Shizune paused, seeing Kita's expression. She sighed. "Kita-chan, please don't think any wrong of Tsunade-sama. Really, she does mean well..."

"Huh?" Kita blinked and looked up. She gave a slight frown. "It didn't really seem that way..."

The woman gave a concerned smile. "It's just that Tsunade-sama is looking out for Naruto-kun. Don't take it as ill-will, but the two of them are very close. She's just doing what she thinks is in Naruto-kun's best intentions."

"Is it her best intentions that I don't meet him then?" asked Kita, her frown deepening.

"Unfortunately, it seems so," sighed Shizune. She gave a crooked smile. "But, she is one who would know exactly how Naruto-kun would react if he met you."

"Do you know how he would?"

Shizune's smile became more genuine. "I think he'd... fall for you."

Kita stopped walking. "What...? 'Fall' for me? What does that mean?"

"It's not what you think it is," replied Shizune hurriedly, waving her hands briefly. "It's... just that Naruto-kun has a way of making friends with some of the most unlikely people. He did so to Gaara-sama, when nobody in their right mind would have thought any good of him. And I believe he'd become friends with you too. That is why Tsunade-sama would probably have thought it would have been dangerous..."

"Oh..." muttered Kita. "Because of the Akatsuki?"

Shizune nodded. "Naruto-kun would never abandon a friend he knew was in danger. If the Akatsuki were to go looking for you, and Naruto-kun found out, then I have no doubt he would try and help you."

"And that would put him in danger," Kita finished for her. She gazed at the ground. "I understand..."

"I'm sorry it has to be that way," Shizune apologised. "But until we know it is safe for people like you, I don't think the villages can take those chances."

Kita shook her head. "No, it's okay. After all, that's why I was sent here."

The woman gave once last look of worry before she went back to pointing out places and explaining them. Kita nodded vaguely as they continued on. Although she understood, she didn't want it to be true. It was just... saddening.

So, to this Naruto, I am never meant to exist... because like what Shizune said- I'd be a danger.

Her fists tightened.

Why does it seem this way everywhere I go? I was considered a danger in Iwa, and then Araiki had to smuggle me out of Kusa because I was considered a danger there too. And now, even Gaara has palmed me off to a new place because I was considered too much of a danger in Suna as well... It's... Is it fair? I mean, is it better off that I hadn't existed? Then people wouldn't have been put in danger because of me. I don't want to be a danger to anyone...

"...And if you look over there, you'll see the place where Naruto-kun's apartment is."

Kita was snapped out of her thoughts as she spotted a slightly ramshackle-looking apartment building. The paint was faded and peeling, and looked like it suffered the "disadvantages" of too many birds roosting on it, but Kita gave it a smile anyway. A home was better than no home at all. The pair began to ascend the stairs.

"Uh, Kita-chan?" Shizune gave a worried look at the girl's empty-looking backpack. "Is that all you have?"

The cat-eared girl nodded. "Yeah... I only have the clothes I'm wearing really. I was borrowing Temari's old ones before, but they didn't really fit right."

Shizune tapped a finger on her chin thoughtfully as they came to the top floor. "Well, you can probably go get some new ones tomorrow afternoon after your meeting, so you should be fine until then." She stopped outside a door and handed a set of keys to Kita. "Here you are. Make yourself comfortable and get some rest before tomorrow morning. The place might need a little cleaning though, but hopefully it's not too much..." Shizune trailed off, giving a fake kind of smile at her words.

"It's okay," mumbled Kita, though not exactly keen on the idea of it.

The woman waved as she descended the stairs, leaving Kita staring at the front door.

Geez, I hope there isn't some pig sty in there. I haven't exactly have had to clean anything in a while from my lifestyle...

She gulped and unlocked the door.

"...eh?" Kita blinked. The place... was nowhere near the pig sty she had pitched it to be. There was a bit of dust around and the occasional cobweb, but apart from that, it was relatively spotless. Kita stepped inside with an expression halfway between confusion and worry.

Has someone else been cleaning in here? she asked herself, inspecting the kitchen. She opened the cupboards, finding a few cups of instant ramen present. She held one up. Strange... the expiration date is further than it should be if these were left here over a year ago.

She placed the ramen back and continued to explore the tiny apartment, stopping before a dresser in the small living area. A number of photos were set up on it. Kita crouched down to examine them. In one, there was group photo of four people- three kids and an adult. Kita picked out the smiling pink-haired girl and the grey-haired jounin from back at the Chuunin Exams, though she couldn't identify the scowling black-haired one. She lightly placed a fingertip near the blond one that grinned like an idiot.

That must be Naruto then, she thought. She glanced at the other photos, seeing many places and faces she couldn't identify, except for one where the blond she had just picked out seemed to be held in a headlock by the Hokage whilst the two of them struggled against each other. Kita gave a crooked smile. It's kind of weird, looking into someone else's life when they have no idea you even exist.

The cat-eared girl stood back up and sighed, feeling a little homesick and worried about those she had left behind.


The next morning...

BRRIIIIIIIINNNGGGG!!!!

"What the hell?!" Kita yelled as she became entangled in the sheets and fell in a heap onto the floor. She rolled around, desperate to escape the confines of the sheets until the sound suddenly cut off. "Damn it, I forgot I set the stupid alarm clock." She growled angrily from within the rolls of bed sheets and started the task of carefully trying to unpick her claws from the material.

She eventually made her way out before realising that in the shock, the jutsu on her tail had dissolved.

"Damn it," she muttered again, setting the jutsu back up. "I hope that doesn't happen anywhere public..."

Kita muttered more to herself and began to get ready for the day- or the day that was about to begin. The sun hadn't even started to peek out from behind the horizon yet. After making the bed she sat down and put her head in her hands tiredly. There was a niggling in the back of her mind that didn't quite feel right, like she had woken up from a dream and had somehow forgotten it.

But it felt dark... Kita thought with a confused look. And not quite... real... maybe it had something to do with the damn cat.

A notion in the back of her mind seemed to suggest she had something to do with it. Kita squashed the idea and got back to getting ready.


A bit later...

Hope Naruto isn't the kind to kill someone over wearing his spare set of pyjamas, Kita thought as she messily crammed the blue and white striped outfit back into the draw. Or eating his stockpiled ramen for breakfast- it's not like I had a lot of choice.

She pulled her gloves on after she exited the apartment and locked up, slipping the keys into pocket. Giving a last check of the slip of paper Tsunade had given her, Kita leapt over the guardrail and towards meeting her new team.


About 2 years ago during the Sound Invasion...

KABOOM!

"Nikkou-chan, run for it! I'll hold them off!"

"I'm not leaving."

"But you're too weak for this fight!"

"I won't leave you. We'll make it together, okay? I prom..."

"Nikkou-chan...? NIKKOU!"

"Susu...mu..."



A/N: I hope all of you have enjoyed the story so far. Let's hope one day I can finish it... one day... But in the meanwhile, here is that special treat I said I'd include at the start: the original version of TTA.

And also, it would be awesome if you would, in your review, say a little something about your favourite moment in the story so far. I would really love to know.

Thank you all for your support.



The Original Version of TTA (so old it's embarrassing, but what the hey):

Chapter 1: Cursed

"Kill her! Slay her before she curses the town!"

Water splashed as small feet ran through puddle after puddle of muddy water.

"Mama!"

"Kita! I'm coming!"

There was a sharp cry of pain.

"Wrench! Stay back! We must kill it!"

"But she's my baby!"

Tears fell to the ground, mixing in with the rain.

"She's not anymore, Mitsukai-san! Once that creature took over her body, she ceased to exist!"

"Mama!"

"Kita!!"

Arrows flew… A woman jumped in front of a small girl…

"Mama…? Mama!"

"Don't worry, sweetie… Run… Just run… Find somewhere safe…"

The woman's eyes glazed over. The child cried.

"Damn it! Keep shooting!"

Piercing pain… The child's eyes quivered as she fell to the ground, riddled with arrows. The villagers walked over to the two bodies.

"Is it dead?"

"Yes… It must be."

The lead man nudged the child with his bow. She was seven years-old. Her silvery-blonde hair was streaked with blood; her grey eyes were clouded over and glazed. She had once been a normal child, but no longer. What told her apart from other children were the ears. The pair of black cat's ears jutted out from head.

"Chief, what happened to her?" one of the villagers asked.

"It's the Nekomata, the two-tailed bijuu." whispered the chief in reply.

"But, the Stone ninja were supposed to be battling it!" exclaimed another.

"Whatever happened, it's here now, but rest assured. It will not be bothering us anymore. Let us dispose of its filthy body."

The chief of the village bent down to pick up the blood-stained body. He glanced sideways at the body of the woman, Mitsukai-san, the girl's mother. It was saddening that her sacrifice had ended so vainly. The villagers behind him gave a sound of shock. The chief felt his arm freeze suddenly and looked down at his wrist. Small fingers held onto him like grim death, their nails digging into his skin.

"You killed her, you killed Mama." A disembodied voice echoed, making the air cold and breath turn into steam.

"Demon… Die already... Leave us in peace." The chief fought against her grip. Skin scraped off his arm as he pulled away. There was silence for a minute. The arm still held its form in the air.

"You will only find peace in your own deaths, murderers." The arm dropped, yellow eyes burst opened; there was a flash of light and blood-curdling shrieks… then… nothing…


The glowing orb of the sun rose to greet the new day. Birds chirped harmoniously and fluttered over the town. They were an inappropriate feature to the scene that lay below them.

"Tsuchikage-sama… What is this?" A young chuunin ninja stared in shock and disbelief.

The ground was wet. Not with water, but with blood. Bodies were strewn throughout the main street, bloating in the ever-warming rays of the sun. Blood drenched everything, from the bodies themselves, to the walls of the houses and shops. The small army of ninja slowly took in the sight before them. A few of the ninja vomited from the horrid stench of death that wafted up from the ground.

The fourth Tsuchikage, a muscled black-haired man with deep scars over his left cheek, surveyed the deserted town and frowned. "It was definitely the work of the Nekomata…"

"Damn it!" A disgruntled ninja crossed her arms. "All the work we did and still it got away."

"The third Tsuchikage's sacrifice to seal the Nekomata in a human did not work…" Another ninja whispered sadly.

There was a silence as the ninja remembered their brave leader.

"Hey!" Someone exclaimed from the back. "Over there! Something's coming!"

In the middle of the street, a small girl limped along. Blood covered her arms and was splattered all over her dress. A few arrows stuck out from her body. As she neared the ninja, she stopped and looked up at them. Her grey eyes were full of hatred and pain.

"Have you come to kill me too?" she hissed. Her cat ears flattened threateningly. Suddenly she collapsed onto the ground, exhausted.

The Tsuchikage squatted down and stared in amazement. He lightly touched one of the cat ears. He could feel the blood flowing through them. "The third's sealing did work after all, albeit not as he intended it…"

There was a concerned mumbling throughout the other ninja.

"This little girl killed all these people then?" gasped someone quietly.

"What do you mean Tsuchikage-sama?" asked a jounin near to the man.

The black-haired man stood up, but kept his gaze upon the girl. "When we destroyed the Nekomata's body, the third decided to seal its spirit within a newborn baby so that it would no longer be a threat, and also that we would then have control over it. Just as the third forfeited his life to seal the Nekomata away, the spirit escaped and fled into the night. But… the sealing jutsu was still upon it, so it was drawn into the body of another, and as it would seem, it chose this child."

"We succeeded in conquering the Nekomata then, Tsuchikage-sama? Is our mission complete?"

"Yes. However, this isn't what we intended. There may be impediments between this girl's body and the new power of the Nekomata placed in it. That may well be the reason for the manifestation of the Nekomata's appendages." He signalled for the girl to be picked up and taken away. "But as the third wished, she will become a great instrument of power for the Stone Country." The fourth shook his head clear and again looked at the scene before him. He turned to look at his followers. "Now," he commanded in an authoritative voice, much different to the voice he used before. It was the voice of a leader. "Let's get these bodies buried before sundown, and try to find out the girl's name and her background. There must be at least one person still alive in this village!"

"Ossu!" Came the cry as ninja spread out.


The white flap that served as a door to the tent was lifted as a young chuunin entered. He bowed in recognition to the fourth Tsuchikage. The man offered him a seat in front of him.

"Rosuto, have you any news?" The Tsuchikage sipped some tea and looked over his mission notes.

Hoshino Rosuto nodded. "We are nearly complete in burying the dead. We found a few that were barely alive. We're treating them in the spare tent."

The man glanced up. "Why aren't they in the main hospital tent?"

There was a small grimace on Rosuto's face. "All of them, they refused to be in the same tent as the child. The second they saw her, they went into fits. They would not calm down until we placed them elsewhere and reassured them they were safe."

"How horrible." remarked the Tsuchikage. "That a child could create such fear…" The Tsuchikage picked up a pen and made some changes to his report. 'She's the perfect weapon for the Hidden Stone…'

"Sir," Rosuto continued. "We retrieved the information you requested as well. The girl's name is Mitsukai Kita."

The Tsuchikage dropped the pen in his hand. "Mitsukai? Are you sure?"

Rosuto nodded. "That is the information we obtained."

The black-haired man clenched his fist. "This just got a lot more complicated… Rosuto," he looked up at his subordinate. "Tell me, have you ever heard of a man named Mitsukai Musei?"

Rosuto shook his head. "I'm afraid I have not Tsuchikage-sama."

The man replied with a flap of his hand. "That's okay Rosuto. You were still a student at the time and the file on him was classified. Musei was a missing-nin, a powerful one at that, S-Class, as classified in the handbook. His bloodline abilities created much fear among those who went after him. Hunter-nin after hunter-nin would be reported back as dead or missing after they dealt with him. Such was his legacy... He was once one of the best jounin the Stone had. When he deserted us, he must have come here and settled down, at least until he was finally killed last year by a group of hunter-nin working together."

"Tsuchikage-sama, what will we do with the girl then?" Rosuto asked.

"Keep strict watch over the girl and make sure she does not escape our control." The Tsuchikage picked his pen back up and tapped it on the desk. "For these purposes, she will have to have a constant guardian… Rosuto?"

Rosuto winced slightly. "Yes, Tsuchikage-sama?"

"I am assigning you to become her guardian."

"Yes, sir…"


Chapter 2: The Man Called 'Leader'

Kita opened her eyes slowly. "Mama?" Like a nightmare, memories of her mother being pierced with arrows flashed before her eyes. "Mama!" she cried out and bolted upright. Though the room was dark, the seven year-old could see a man that sat next to her bed. Kita glared at him with slitted eyes. "Were you one of the people who killed Mama? If you did…"

The man looked startled for a second, then sad. "You don't have to worry, Kita-chan, I had nothing to do with it."

Kita relaxed slightly with the knowledge. "Then who are you?"

"I am Hoshino Rosuto, I'm going to be looking after you from now on." Nervously, Rosuto reached a hand out and placed it on the child's head. "Everything's going to be okay."

Kita looked up at the man who now claimed to be her guardian. He had hair that was grey, despite his young age of sixteen. His eyes were black, but they had a kindness deep in them. His handsome face was marred by his nose, which had been broken and put out of place a long time ago. He wore his Stone forehead protector in the normal fashion. Kita blinked. Somehow this man reminded her of a memory from long ago, one of her father. He wasn't her father, but he reminded her of him. Kita's mouth twitched with a small smile as the man scratched her behind the ears. It was a pleasant feeling.

Rosuto smiled as she began to purr like a kitten. 'Maybe she won't be as bad as Tsuchikage-sama thinks she will be…'


The medical ninja pulled off his stethoscope. "All her injuries have healed, Rosuto. It should be okay to take her outside now." He sounded nervous.

"Are you ready to meet the leader of the Hidden Stone, Kita-chan?" Rosuto asked. It had been five days since he had met the child. He had stayed by her side almost all of that time. Rosuto hoped that Kita now trusted her. The child had been plagued by nightmares, her eyes showed the pain and anger she still held inside, though it had lessened as she had come to regard him as a friend.

"Yes, Rosuto-san." Kita nodded and jumped out of bed. She suddenly felt edgy as she exited the tent with Rosuto, something was bothering her. She paused after walking a few metres. She looked beside her, there was another tent nearby. Suddenly the flap of the tent opened. A man walked out and looked up at Kita. He stopped and started to quaver. Kita's eyes narrowed and her cat-like ears flattened. She turned so that she faced him entirely. "Murderer…" she hissed.

"Monster… Leave me alone!" Despite his bandages and injuries, the man started to run away.

Her eyes turned golden in colour and her pupils contracted into slits. A cruel smile played on Kita's face. She ran a pink tongue over her teeth. A chase… Before Rosuto could react, Kita was gone, pursuing after the terrified man. The man reached the far end of the camp before there was a horrible screech. Blood flew up into the air and splattered against the roofs of the pure white tents. People stared in horror at what they had just witnessed. Kita appeared back where she had been moments ago, but this time her hands were covered in blood. The claws extending from her fingers melted back into her normal fingernails. Kita looked smug as she licked the blood off of her hands. She licked them clean until no trace of the blood was left. She glanced back at the man she had killed. "Another for my collection…" she whispered. Her nose twitched as she smelt fear, the majority of it coming from the tent the man had exited before. She curiously strolled towards it.

"Kita-chan, no!"

Kita felt the air get knocked out of her as she was tackled to the ground. She blinked as her eyes faded back to their usual grey. "Rosuto-san?" she asked fearfully. What had just happened?

"Kita-chan, no more… Please no more!" Rosuto's eyes were wide with shock.

"No more what?" she asked.

Rosuto rocked back to sit on his knees. He held a hand to his forehead. "You don't remember?"

Kita started trembling as she looked to the side and saw a bloody body. "What happened to that man over there?"

"Rosuto! What is the meaning of this?!" A muscled, black-haired man appeared and towered over the two of them.

Rosuto quickly jumped up and bowed deeply. He spoke quickly and nervously. "I'm so sorry, Tsuchikage-sama! I didn't think she'd…"

"She's perfect…" The Tsuchikage smiled as he glanced at the body and thought. 'Though it seems the spirit of the Nekomata is partly merged within her own soul, hence her quick reaction to anger…'

"But, Tsuchikage-sama, you told me…" Rosuto stuttered.

"It is no matter. He was not one of our own, just one of the villagers. Now come, I would like to talk to Kita-chan some more." The Tsuchikage led them away from the scene into the largest of the tents and sat down behind a low desk. Rosuto calmed Kita down. The girl continued to tremble however. The Tsuchikage coughed. "Rosuto, why don't you introduce Kita-chan to me?"

"Oh, yes, of course, sir." Rosuto apologised. "Kita-chan, this is the fourth leader of the Hidden Village of Stone, Tsuchikage-sama."

Kita regained herself and bowed to the man. "It's… nice to meet you Tsuchikage-sama. Rosuto-san told me many wonderful things about you."

"Ah, good, good, I wouldn't have expected any less. Please, have a seat." He motioned for them to sit. "Kita-chan, can you tell me what your father was?"

Kita brightened up; a childish gleam appeared in her eyes. "Dad was a ninja! He was a really good one too!"

"Did he ever teach you anything about being a ninja?"

Kita frowned as she thought. "No…" The Tsuchikage seemed disappointed. "But," Kita continued. "I watched him train a lot! He didn't know I was watching though. But I remember a lot of what he did!" This seemed to satisfy the Tsuchikage. He nodded in approval.

"How would you like to become a ninja, Kita-chan?" he asked. 'Though she does have no choice in the matter anyway…' he thought as he said it.

"Could I?" The seven year-old asked eagerly.

"I would be proud to have you enrolled in the Hidden Stone's ninja academy. We will take you tomorrow." The Tsuchikage smiled. Only he knew the smile he gave was for false intentions…


Chapter 3: Guardian

"Are we there yet, Rosuto-san?" Kita bounced around in the cart.

Rosuto opened the back of the cart. "Look for yourself."

"Wow!" Kita gasped as she looked. They were entering a deep valley flanked by two towering cliffs. The rock walls were like a pair of hands, slightly hanging over and protecting the Hidden Village which extended as far as the eye could see. The village itself was more like a city; interesting shops lined the streets, fruit sellers yelled loudly to attract attention, and people sat in small cafes by the street and chattered. "Is this really where I'm going to live now?"

"Yep," Rosuto nodded, smiling from the girl's bubbly reactions to her new surroundings. He glanced at Kita's ears his smile faded. There was no way she was going to be accepted so easily in Hidden Stone, not the way she was.

Kita noticed her guardian's saddened expression. "Rosuto-san, what's wrong?" She jumped down to sit in front of him. Her cat ears twitched curiously. Kita felt them move and glanced at them. She placed her hands over her ears tightly. "It's these things isn't it?" She winced as she clenched her ears too tightly and let go. "I didn't always have these, did I? But it feels like they've always been there." She tilted her head at Rosuto.

"Kita-chan, you're special. That's why Tsuchikage-sama personally invited you to become a ninja here in the Hidden Stone. He and I understand you, but other people like the villagers, they don't. That's why I'm afraid of how the people here will react to you, especially your class mates." Rosuto felt it hard to try and explain. He didn't want to have to say that other children were quick to point out what was wrong with you.

Kita looked away from the sixteen year-old and back at the street that passed away behind them. A boy with red hair and her age crossed the street behind the cart. He glimpsed into the cart and stopped to stare at the girl with cat ears. Kita smiled at him. The boy stared for a second more before running off. Kita's smile faded. Suddenly she felt something being placed on her head and turned. Rosuto was tying a pink bandana over her head to cover her ears, though the bandana did look a little off when he was done.

"Maybe this will help." He commented and patted her on the head. "It suits you, you know." The cart stopped outside an apartment block. Rosuto hopped out and helped Kita down.

"Is this where you live?" asked the seven year-old.

Rosuto nodded and took her hand to lead her up the stairway. When they reached the top floor, he opened the door to his unit. The unit was one of a definite male teenager. Laundry was strewn throughout the unit, some of which hung on the ceiling fan. The kitchen looked like it had never been used for nothing more than heating up leftovers from take-away shops. A few dirty magazines lay scattered on a table. Rosuto gasped and jumped on them. Quickly he grabbed them up and chucked them into the bin. He turned back to Kita and laughed nervously. The girl blinked unsurely then ran into the unit.

"Where do I sleep?" she asked and ran around. She leapt onto the couch, dispelling most of the laundry on it as she bounced.

Rosuto scratched the back of his head and sighed. 'Why'd you have to put her with me Tsuchikage-sama? I don't know the first thing about looking after kids!'

"What are these?" asked Kita, pulling the dirty magazines out of the basket.

Rosuto leapt at her. "Put them back!" Kita giggled and ran away from his grasp.

'Why!? Why?!' Rosuto shook his fist at the ceiling as he chased the girl.


"Rosu-sama!" Kita landed on her guardian's chest, knocking the wind out of him and jolting him awake.

Rosuto coughed and sat up. His eyesight focussed until he saw Kita sitting on his lap. She bounced happily.

"Today's the day! Today's the day!" she grinned.

It had been two weeks since Kita had come to Hidden Stone with him. With the formalities over, Kita now treated him like her best friend, giving him the nickname of 'Rosu-sama'. Rosuto smiled and patted Kita on the head, giving her a gentle scratch behind the ears. Kita suddenly slipped into her more cat-like personality and purred, nuzzling his hand with her cheek. "It is today, isn't it Koneko-chan?" Rosuto remarked using the nickname he had given Kita.

"Come on Rosu-sama! I want to get going! Ninja school won't wait!" Kita leapt off the bed and over to the mirror. She carefully tied her pink bandana on.

Rosuto watched her with a small smile, thinking how cute she was. Looking after her hadn't been very hard at all. If anything, it was like he owned a pet cat.

"Rosu-sama!" Kita yelled. She was at the door, ready to go.

"I'm coming!" Rosuto sighed and ran into the bathroom. He emerged several seconds later, somehow haven gotten his clothes on, brushed his hair and brushed his teeth.

Kita smiled at her guardian. He had made her feel safe and welcome when nobody else had. He understood her in ways others didn't. He was there to listen to her and comfort her. He was like the father she had lost a year ago… As Rosuto neared Kita ran to him and squeezed him tight around the legs.

"Are you ready, Koneko-chan?" Rosuto patted her on the head. Taking the child's hand in his own, he led her out the door to take her to her first day at the Ninja Academy.


"Rosuto-san?"

Rosuto looked up at Kita's teacher. He had been waiting in the hallway of the academy for Kita, which seemed mysteriously empty. "Yes?" he asked, wondering what was going on.

"Uh, I just want to talk to you about Kita-chan…" The tall, brown-haired teacher walked back into the classroom and sat at his desk.

Rosuto followed him and noticed Kita sitting on one of the tables up the back. She was staring up at a moth that fluttered around one of the lights. Her ears twitched curiously. Rosuto's realised her bandana was gone. He spun around to the teacher. "What happened? Where's Kita's bandana?"

The teacher sighed. "We had a small incident today, Rosuto-san. One of the other students stole Kita-chan's bandana while they were out playing. Needless to say, the students got quite a shock when they saw… Kita-chan went hysterical when they got over the shock and started teasing her."

Rosuto gulped. "Nothing… bad happened did it?"

"Thankfully no… She just ran up a tree and hid for the rest of the day. But I know what she's capable of, Rosuto-san. I was there that day too…" The teacher placed his elbows on the table and knitted his fingers together. "We sent the students home early as a precaution. I have had word with the Tsuchikage and he agrees with me, Kita-chan should be trained away from the academy. The students would only continue to tease her if she continued here. It could push her over the edge."

Rosuto nodded sadly. "I understand. I guess I will have to become her teacher as well now?"

"That is what the Tsuchikage suggested." The teacher nodded as well.

"As the Tsuchikage wishes then…" Rosuto turned and walked towards the tables. "Kita, we're going."

The girl's ears swivelled around at the sound of his voice. She smiled and jumped off the table and into his arms. Rosuto carried her out.

"Aren't I going to the academy anymore Rosu-sama?" Kita tilted her head at her guardian as they walked.

"You won't be going back there for quite a while Kita. But don't worry," he patted her on the head. "I'm going to be your teacher now."

Kita grinned and jumped happily. "Rosu-sama is going to be my shishou!"

"Yeah… seems so…" he replied slowly.


Chapter 4: Lost

Three months it had been now since Kita had come to be under Rosuto's care. The guardian of the Nekomata-child watched as she performed a Kage Bushin no Jutsu, producing five perfect clones. 'She's come such a long way in such short a time…' he remarked to himself.

"How was that, Rosu-sama?" asked all five of the Kita clones at once before disappearing into puffs of smoke and leaving just one Kita.

"Perfect!" Rosuto gave her thumbs up.

Kita ran over to him and grinned. "I heard that at the academy, they haven't even reached making one perfect clone yet! That must mean you're a really good teacher, Rosu-sama!"

"Maybe…" Rosuto scratched the back of his neck and smiled embarrassingly. 'Or it could just mean that the Nekomata's power is helping you.' He thought.

"Rosu-sama, I want to show you something I made!" Kita clapped her hands together in front of her.

Her guardian blinked and looked down at her. "When have you had time to work on something?"

"I don't sleep much at night, so I have plenty of time when you're asleep!" Kita explained. "Do you wanna see or not?" she asked.

"Alright, I'd like to see it."

"Yay!" Kita cheered and leapt back into the middle of the field. Breathing slowly, Kita grasped her hands together and closed her eyes.

'This will be interesting.' Rosuto smiled and thought. 'Maybe she made a variation to the Kage Bushin? That'd be…' Rosuto's smiled dropped as the blue sky above him faded into black and the sun dimmed. The grass in the field wilted and turned black like the sky. Dark red clouds flew backwards like a video on rewind.

'Oujou…' A high-pitched hiss whispered on the wind.

Rosuto felt his feet become wet and looked down. Blood bubbled up from the dirt, soaking it. "Kita…" His eyes widened as he turned his gaze back to the girl. Whispery, white forms surrounded her. From the forms, faces emerged. On each face there was a look of shear horror and pain. "Spirits of the dead…" whispered Rosuto on the verge of terror. The ghosts limped towards Rosuto, their eyes wide orbs of nothingness. The chuunin gasped as he recognised one of the faces of the spirits. It was of the man Kita had killed at the camp. Rosuto stepped back as they approached. "Get back!" he yelled and pulled out a few kunai. Just as their faded forms reached the Stone ninja, they dissipated into the air. The sky turned back into its cheery blue. The grass, however, stayed black and wilted, a sign that death had been there.

"Rosu-sama! Did you see?! That's the first time I've been able to make it work so well and… Rosu-sama? Are you okay?" Kita tugged on her guardian's arm.

Rosuto stared ahead, still in shock. The kunai in his hands fell to the ground as he turned to Kita. Suddenly he squatted down to her height and grabbed her arms. "Kita, don't you ever, ever, use that jutsu again. Do you hear me Kita?" His voice was authoritative and angry.

"Did I do something wrong?" Kita asked, wondering what had made him act this way.

"No…" Rosuto dropped his grip, but continued to stare her in the eyes. "But you heard me, right? Don't ever use that ever again." He frowned. 'That voice… that wasn't her voice…'

"Alright, Rosuto-sama…" Kita nodded sadly. "I just wanted to make you proud that I did something by myself."

"I'm very proud, Kita. But that… what you just did, you should never use it ever again, except in an emergency and your life depends on it. Okay?" The chuunin stared up into her grey eyes.

"Okay…" Kita turned away. 'I thought you'd be happy… the voice told me it would make a big impression on you… I guess I took it the wrong way…'


"Then what did you do, Rosu-sama?" Kita bounced up and down on the bed as her guardian told her a story about a mission he had done once.

Rosuto grinned. "And then I pulled out my shuriken and threw it as hard as I could, and then…" There was a knock at the door. Rosuto walked over to the entryway and opened it. Kita tilted her head as a masked man whispered something in Rosuto's ear and suddenly disappeared. Rosuto looked back at Kita. "I'll have to continue another time, Koneko-chan. The Tsuchikage wants to see me."

"Aww," Kita pouted. "But I want to hear the end of the story!"

"You will, I just need to go for a little while. I'll be right back!" Rosuto waved and ran out the door. 'What does he want to see me for this time?' he thought concernedly as he exited the apartment building and ran down the street. 'The ANBU guy said it was urgent…'

A few minutes later, Rosuto was running up the stairway to the Tsuchikage's office. He halted as he reached it and wiped his brow. Taking a deep breath, he entered.

"Have a seat, Rosuto." The large chair of the Tsuchikage was turned towards the window. Rosuto took a seat before the desk and the chair spun around, revealing the black-haired man. "Rosuto, we're sending Kita in."

"In?" asked Rosuto. His eyebrow twitched.

"We're sending her to the front line of the war with the Cloud. She will be of excellent use there."

"But… she's only a little girl still!" Rosuto exclaimed. "She's not ready to participate in a war!"

The Tsuchikage placed his hands on the table and pushed out his chair. Standing up, the Tsuchikage walked over to Rosuto and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I have heard some reports of her training time with you. It seems she called on the souls of those she had killed at the village. Am I right?"

Though he didn't want to confirm it, Rosuto nodded anyway.

"It is true then… Then I am right to think that my plans for her will work. With the Nekomata's strength, we will crush the Cloud." The Tsuchikage stared out the window and nodded, lost in a daydream of splendour. "Rosuto," he said suddenly, snapping out of his dreams. "Prepare Kita to move out tomorrow morning."

"Yes… sir…" Rosuto nodded and left. As he shut the door, he started to run.

Back in the Tsuchikage's office, the Tsuchikage frowned. The masked man that had been at Kita and Rosuto's unit emerged from the shadows in the corner. The Tsuchikage looked at the door. "Send a team of chuunin after him. . Makes sure he does nothing wrong."


The blood-red afternoon sun faded into a starless night as Rosuto reached his unit. Flinging the door open he grabbed his young charge and ran out to the balcony and leapt up onto the roof.

"Rosu-sama, where are we going?" Kita yawned. She had been napping.

"We're just going." Rosuto replied. "We're getting out of here. I won't let you be used for the Stone's evil purposes any longer. We're going to leave the country, go somewhere else where they can't get us. It'll be just you and me, Koneko-chan." Rosuto gritted his teeth and jumped onto the next roof.

"That… sounds fun." Kita yawned again.

Suddenly Rosuto skidded to a stop. Two chuunin stood on the far edge of the building. They were dark silhouettes against the pale moon.

"Hoshino Rosuto, you are under arrest for the desertion of your duties, as ordered by Tsuchikage-sama." One of them twirled a kunai on his finger as he spoke.

Rosuto's eyes narrowed. "You will let me pass. I'm getting out of here with Kita. The Tsuchikage is mad. His greed and lust for power will destroy us all."

"Silence! Do not speak ill of the Honourable Tsuchikage!" ordered a female chuunin in a strong voice. "You will die here for your insolence!" She smiled and glanced up above the two companions.

Suddenly a trickle of blood dribbled out from the corner of Rosuto's mouth. His eyes grew full of fear as he fell to the ground, his back riddled with shuriken and kunai. Blood started to cover the ground around him.

"Rosu-sama!" Kita cried out and fell onto her knees beside them. Another two chuunin landed on the edge behind them and stood up.

"Kita…" Rosuto coughed, tilting his head towards her. Painfully he dug around in his pocket before placing his hand in Kita's.

"Rosu-sama… please don't leave me!" She held his hand fearfully.

Rosuto attempted a shaky smile. "Sorry Kita… and I meant to give you this later… But now…" he laughed grimly, then coughed again, spitting up blood. "I loved being with you, Kita. I just... wish I could have protected you better… Stay strong… Stay strong… my Koneko-chan…" his voice trailed away. Kita knew he was gone. And with him, a piece of Kita went too.

Opening her hand, Kita saw the gift Rosuto had left her with; a silver necklace with a paw-shaped locket on the end. Kita slowly opened it and felt hot tears start to stream down her face as she saw the picture in it, of her and her guardian, laughing happily and eating ice cream. That memory seemed so far away now.

"Kita-chan, you will be escorted back to the Tsuchikage as with his wishes." The female chuunin informed her and started to approach. Kita stood up, still looking down at the young man she had thought of as both a big brother and father. Placing the necklace around her neck, her arms dropped and her gaze flickered to all the chuunin. The female chuunin hesitated.

"I'll kill you all for what you did." She hissed, her head suddenly snapping up to the two behind her. Long claws sprouted out from her fingernails and fangs slid down over her bottom lip. Her eyes flashed golden and deadly.

The female chuunin jumped back and looked at her fellow members. "The Tsuchikage told us not to hurt her, remember, but be cau…" Her voice halted as one of the chuunin across from her fell onto the ground. Kita was on his back, her fangs embedded in the man's neck. There was a sickening crunch as Kita broke the fallen man's spine. She glanced up at the man next to her. He stumbled backwards and threw a kunai at her. She ducked and let the weapon sail over her head.

"Too slow…" she smirked and leapt at the man, raking her claws over his face. The man shrieked in pain and covered his face. Kita pushed him to the ground. "How do you like that, huh?" she licked some of the blood off of his hands before slitting his throat.

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" yelled the last man alive. The female was nowhere to be seen. Five shadow clones ran to surround Kita. Kita observed them closely. "Give up!" shouted the clones together. "I've got you surrounded." The clones started to perform hand seals. "Kanashibari no Jutsu!"

Kita felt her body freeze up. Her mind started to go dizzy and illusions of her death flashed past her eyes. 'No, I can't stop, not here…' she growled in her mind.

'Pitiful… And I thought you were stronger than this…' hissed a cold voice in her head. 'Maybe I should just take away the wonderful gifts I gave you?'

'No, I will kill him. I want his blood.' Kita hissed back.

'Good… go get it then.' commanded the cold voice.

Kita stared up at the night sky, her eyes wide. Fighting back, she broke free of her paralysation and leapt at the clones. The shadow clones dissipated in puffs of smoke as Kita attacked them, leaving only the real body left. The male chuunin gritted his teeth as his technique was destroyed. Quickly he started another chain of hand seals. "Dorohane Yobouchuusha!" From his mouth, the chuunin shot out balls of hardened mud that flew like bullets towards Kita.

Kita casually slashed the mud balls apart with her claws. Her ears turned back as she stared up at the man. Within a few short seconds he was dead, his corpse fell off the roof onto the street below. Kita gave a purr of content and put the tip of her finger on her tongue. "Fear only makes the blood sweeter." She mused, sucking off the blood.

The other voice inside her purred also. 'Well done, you are much better than I thought. But they were only lower-class ninja, and you know what you want to do.'

'Yes…' Kita's eyes narrowed as she thought and glanced at Rosuto's lifeless body. His death was not revenged fully yet. Her ears twitched as she heard the presence of other people. A large squad of ANBU leapt onto the roof, surrounding her. Their faces were covered by masks, but Kita could tell that most of them were uneasy.

From behind the ring of ANBU, the female chuunin appeared. "You will be coming with us, Kita-chan, and we will harm you if you retaliate. Give up now and come peacefully."

Kita smiled darkly, making the chuunin nervous, and then suddenly raised her hands up. "Alright, you got me. I'll come quietly." The fangs and claws melted away. Her eyes turned back to their normal grey colour.

"Good, you made the right decision." The chuunin said, her confident voice returning.

'You don't know how right you are…' Kita thought slyly.


Chapter 5: Imprisonment

"We lost three of the chuunin you sent after her, Tsuchikage-sama." reported an ANBU to the Stone Kage.

The Tsuchikage stood in his office, staring up at the moon. He seemed to be in a daydream, only half-listening. "Sad, yes, very sad… Send our condolences to their families along with a bravery medal."

"Sir, I would like to know why you sent a team of chuunin and not the ANBU straight up… It would have been compli…" The ANBU fell silent as his master turned around to glare at him. The ANBU bowed. "I am deeply sorry, Tsuchikage-sama, for questioning your wisdom… I will not do it again."

"Good. I do not want to have you executed for your insubordination." He ignored the other man's flinch and flipped through the report handed to him. "Amazing… she did all this through hand-to-hand combat…" He glanced up at the ANBU and sat down at his desk. "Do you know what they used to say about the Mitsukai clan?"

"No, sir… I do not?" The ANBU asked curiously.

"They said that the reason it was so hard to kill a Mitsukai clan member because the first member of that clan struck a deal with Death himself. In return for amazing abilities, the clan member, at the end of their life, would become his slave to do his bidding. That is why the clan was also known as 'The Angels of Death'… Even without the Nekomata, Kita would still be a monster. When she starts to understand her bloodline, she will become one of the strongest and most feared ninja in the world. She will be a great weapon for the Stone." The Tsuchikage smiled. Suddenly he stood up, his voice becoming more business-like. "Where is she at the moment?"

The ANBU straightened up his posture as the Tsuchikage became authoritative again. "We have her locked up in one of the underground cells, sir. We secured the walls and the door with sealing tags so she cannot get out."

"I will come see her then. There is something I have to do."


The prison cell was horrible. There was nothing inside it apart from a wooden plank that served as a bed, a toilet and a tiny basin with a dirty mirror over the top. The walls were dark and moist, as was the floor that was covered in small lumps of moss in places. The front of the cell was unlike the others with a wall instead of open bars. Only the door was made of bars, and they were placed well together. Kita waited, knowing he would come, and surely enough he did. She kept her hand around the locket Rosuto had given her until she smelt the one she wanted come outside the clustered bars. Kita pricked her ears forward but there was no sound. She guessed there must have been sealing tags on the outside… Suddenly the door opened and a team of ANBU entered along with the Tsuchikage. He gave Kita a slight smile before he clicked his fingers and the ANBU leapt on her. Kita growled and tried to struggle back, but there were too many of them as they restrained her with chains. A blindfold was whipped around her eyes. A strange smell entered her nose suddenly and made Kita woozy. Before she knew it, she was out cold.


'Bah, you're still not strong enough.' the cold voice in the back of Kita's mind sneered.

Kita opened her eyes slowly. She was in a system of underground tunnels. There were strange sounds echoing around her, almost like far away talking. No matter how much she strained, she couldn't hear them. That was when she realised there was something missing. Slowly she raised her hands up to her ears. They were small and round. They were human.

'In here you are yourself.' commented the voice. 'You and I are separate spirits on the inside.' Kita turned around to face the voice and almost fell over. Before her was a giant black cat with silver markings. Its large yellow eyes stared down at her and its two tails twitched. 'I am Nibi, the Nekomata.'

Kita was confused by its presence. Though she knew she should have been scared, she felt comforted by it. She noticed its feet were constricted by four chains. 'So you're the one who made me like this…'

The cat seemed to chuckle. 'Yes, I guess so. But see these chains around my lovely paws?' The cat rattled them. 'That is your will that is keeping them there.'

'So,' Kita thought out loud. 'If I wanted… I could free you?'

'No,' the Nekomata's eyes narrowed. 'The last Tsuchikage placed a seal on me that will not let me leave. The chains are a representation of our separate chakra strengths and individual spirits. If you were to loosen the chains further, your spirit would decay until my chakra would flow out at its total strength and kill us both.'

Kita ran a hand over her ear. 'But, if we're separate spirits… how come…?'

The cat interrupted her by jingling one of the chains on its leg. Kita noticed that it seemed looser than the others. 'And that is just partly loose. So child, unless you wish for us both to die, never take off all the shackles.' Kita nodded and glimpsed past the Nekomata into the darkness behind it. The Nekomata hissed suddenly and moved to block her view. 'Do not look there. You would not understand…' The cat's ears twitched. 'It is time you were going.'


A blistering pain erupted on Kita's neck and she screamed. Her eyes flew open and she tried to sit up, which proved impossible with metal bands binding her hands and feet. She struggled against them, getting nowhere. The burning sensation on her neck subsided to a dull throbbing.

"Well it seems like it works, the third was a genius for inventing this." There was a familiar voice and Kita glared up at the Tsuchikage. The Stone Kage smirked at her. "You're awake, Kita. Good." He chuckled. "I have a present for you."

"Sounds lovely…" Kita's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Don't be like that now. What I just gave you will be a great help. To me at least…" He held up a mirror for her to look in. Around her neck was a strange set of symbols that ran along in a line. At the base of her neck at the front was the Hidden Stone's symbol. Kita felt like it was some kind of sick necklace. She spat at the mirror before suddenly the horrible pain from before shot through her. "Uh-uh, I wouldn't do that if I were you." The Tsuchikage kept the mirror up close to Kita's face so she couldn't avoid the sight of the symbols.

"What is this exactly?" she asked coldly.

"A special seal that binds your fate to mine, it's quite ingenious really. So if I die, you will too. That was the original design by the third Tsuchikage. I've added something extra, however. When I want to, I can cause deep pain to your body. What you felt before was just the tip of the iceberg. So, unless you become my ninja tool, you will feel like your body is being ripped apart from the inside. You'll even start to beg me for the comfort of death. Well, what do you say?" He raised an eyebrow.

Kita gritted her teeth. What should she do? The answer came to her after a minute's thought. She stared at the Tsuchikage deeply to make sure he would listen to every word she said. "I'll be your 'ninja tool', Tsuchikage-sama. But I will tell you this; it is my dream now to kill you. It does not matter that I will die too. I will avenge what you did to Rosuto-sama. I may not be strong enough to kill you now, but eventually I will have your blood on my hands. And I'll feel no regret, nothing. I'll be able to die happy."

The Tsuchikage laughed mockingly. "You will never be able to surpass me. Forever you'll be in my shadow, working under my command until you die. Now, I think you deserve some time alone." He clicked his fingers again and the ANBU appeared to throw her back in the cell.


Chapter 6: A Cruel Place

Three days later, a food tray appeared in her cell. Kita eyed it hungrily and crawled over to it. She was starving. The tray slipped back outside as she was about to pick up a piece of bread. Kita's hand shook in mid-air as the Tsuchikage stood at her door with the tray in his hands.

"If you want this, then you'll have to work for it. I have an assignment for you. You will join a gennin team and go hunt down a group of bandits. I'm giving you an easy assignment this time, but only because it's your first time." He unlocked the door to let her out. "Go to the second floor to meet your team. If I hear of any problems, you know what will happen."

Kita shot the Tsuchikage a dirty look before walking out.


Two days later a blood soaked Kita was returned to the Tsuchikage, held tightly by a pair of ANBU. The man's eyebrow twitched furiously as he sent waves of pain through Kita's young body. The girl tried not to scream as she endured the ferocious pain. The Hidden Stone leader grabbed her neck and wrenched her face up to look at him. "I said if I heard of any problems you'd know what would happen. And here you've returned to me with their blood soaked all over you and no evidence that you completed the mission!"

"I tried to save them! I didn't kill them!" Kita retorted. "And we were ambushed by them! They had heard we were coming and they hired a missing-nin to help them! The others had sent me to scout behind them, so that by the time I reached them, they were all dead and the bandits had taken off!" She took a deep breath after her argument. In a low voice she growled at the Tsuchikage. "If anything, it's your fault for sending underqualified ninja. Just like how you sent those chuunin after me…" The seal's pain shot through her once more. Kita tried to ignore it, but found it impossible. It was like she couldn't breathe.

"Lies!" the Tsuchikage roared. He let go of her and turned his back. "Send her back to her cell. I'll be back for her in three days."

The ANBU dragged her off.


Kita slammed her fist against the wall as she was placed back in her cell. The prickles on the hard rock bit into her hand. 'It's not fair! It wasn't me who killed them. For once it wasn't me… If anything, I tried to save them.' Kita placed her forehead against the wall, thinking back to the mission. The other members of the team didn't trust her. 'Of course they didn't trust me… They heard the stories. That's why they sent me to scout behind them, so I didn't have to go near them. If they hadn't, they wouldn't be dead… And all that wouldn't have happened.'

'The world's a cruel place, Koneko-chan.' The Nekomata said with an indifferent tone.

'Don't call me that,' Kita replied back, sounding tired suddenly. 'Only Rosu-sama can.' She fingered the silver necklace lightly.

'But who else have you got now apart from me? I'm the only one you can trust.' The cat was right. 'There's no use dwelling on the past.'

Kita sighed. 'You're right, Rosu-sama's gone and I'll never see him again. But… that doesn't mean I can't give up my dream just yet.'

'You made a promise to the Tsuchikage, yes.' The Nekomata nodded, and then grumbled. 'You haven't eaten very much over the past five days.'

Kita felt her stomach growl as the Nekomata mentioned food. 'Only what I managed to get off of the dead gennin…' There was a tiny pang of guilt as she said it.

'It is not like they needed it.' The cat replied. Kita knew it was rolling its eyes at her. 'Child, if you intend to kill the Tsuchikage, you must learn that emotion is only a blockade that will get in the way. You must never feel guilt or regret for what you do.'

Removing herself from the wall, Kita slumped down onto the board that served as her bed. 'It's easier when you help me to do things. I couldn't have killed all those people before myself…'

'I will not be more hospitable in the future. You must teach yourself to overcome the weakness of your emotions. It is the only way.' The cat placed a stress on the words 'is' and 'only'.

The seven year old nodded. Her dream and promise must live on. Her thoughts were interrupted by a growling stomach again. Quietly, Kita pulled out some rations from her pocket and nibbled on them. "I will become stronger…" she whispered into the darkness.


The Tsuchikage came back in three days, just like he had said. Before opening the cell door, he sent waves of scorching pain soaring through Kita's body. She resisted the begging urge she had to ask him to stop. The pain stopped and a piece of raw meat landed on the cell floor. Kita jumped on it and started to eat. She didn't care that it was raw. It was food and that was all to it. When she finished she heard the cell door open. Warily, she exited to stand before the Tsuchikage. He handed her a small book and an ANBU mask.

The man spoke gruffly and shortly. "Page twenty-one: four days, wear the mask at all times, and bring back evidence."

He left, leaving Kita alone in the underground cavern. She opened the book and flipped it to page twenty-one. 'Kashuno Dai, C-rank missing-nin, specialises in swords.' Kita frowned. 'It doesn't make sense…'

'What doesn't?' The Nekomata yawned.

'He sends out all these underqualified ninja, but then suddenly he sends me out to take care of a simple C-rank missing-nin.' Kita scratched one of her cat ears, which flickered.

'Who cares, just go finish the mission.' The cat yawned again.

'Alright...' Kita placed the cat-faced mask on and slipped the bingo book into her pocket before running up the stairs.

The villagers of Hidden Stone avoided her as she ran through the street. Most of them didn't even recognise it was her with the mask on. The cat ears must have looked like it was part of it. Still, she felt edgy with them around and leapt up a ladder to the roof of a building and continued from there until she reached the end of the canyon. Kita took out her bingo book and checked it for information on Kashuno Dai's whereabouts. Underneath in someone's scribbled writing was a note saying he had been last seen south near a small mountain village. The village was near where Kita had been days ago when the team was killed. Kita wondered briefly if there was a connection, and then set off.


Chapter 7: Security

With a strange thud, a bag landed on the Tsuchikage's desk. A small amount of red liquid leaked onto the wood. The Tsuchikage eyed it suspiciously.

"I brought you proof, just like you wanted. And here is something else in case you aren't satisfied." Kita stuck a bloodied katakana into the desk next to the suspicious bag. "In case you were wondering, he was the one who killed the gennin, not me. Though I doubt you will believe me..." Her reply came with a short bout of pain from her neck.

"You should have better manners when you're before me, Kita. I congratulate you on your first successful mission, though." There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice as he praised her. "I have another mission for you now."

"What?" Kita asked, and then stopped herself before she got into trouble.

"No rest for the wicked, I'm afraid. And you have been a naughty kitty, haven't you?" he said haughtily. "Page thirteen; three days, and again, wear the mask at all times and bring back evidence. This time the whole body and not just… this..." He glanced at the bag. "Go."

Muttering under her breath, Kita left to read the booklet on top of the building. She flipped to page thirteen. 'Again… another C-rank missing-nin… It's almost like overkill. This still doesn't make sense. Hey, Nekomata-sama, why is he giving me such easy missions when I could be doing better?' This was the first time she had addressed the tailed beast by its name.

'-sama?' The cat repeated and then gave something that sounded like it was half-purring, half-laughing. 'How respectful of you. But then again, I am so much more respectable than that man who calls himself a leader. Ah, isn't it simple child? The Tsuchikage is killing off those not worthy. A man like that who lusts for power will rid himself of the inadequate and then keep a tight circle of loyal followers that will keep him in power. Thus raising the overall power of the village's strength and making sure that he has very good protection from those who try to overthrow him.'

'So he sends me off to take care of the little jobs so that he can send those ones he thinks are worthless into battles which they won't come out of alive?'

'Exactly. The man has made a very fool-proof plan. And with you as his main player, he protects himself from internal turmoil.' The Nekomata added and then nodded. 'You are still young, so I will not scold you for your lack of knowledge.' It laughed. 'Time will fix that. Speaking of which, I have a plan of my own.'

Kita listened intently. 'Yeah?'

'You have three days, yes?' Kita confirmed the time to it. 'A C-rank ninja is no trouble for you. So you can find the person and then quickly finish it. With the remaining time, you can spend it training. The Tsuchikage will not suspect a thing if you do it correctly.'

Kita smirked. 'Thank you, Nekomata-sama. You are very wise.'

'Koneko-chan, we have a long way to go, so let us begin.' For once Kita did not correct it for using her special nickname.


Kita crouched low to the ground and let the shuriken fly overhead. The missing-nin's skills were laughable. Another set of shuriken flew towards her new position. With the grace of a cat, she leapt and cart-wheeled out of the way, then threw her own set of shuriken. The missing-nin dodged, receiving a few nicks on her arm.

"Stupid kid!" she yelled angrily, pulling out more shuriken. "There's no way you can beat-" Her words were cut short as a kunai landed in her throat. She gasped for air before landing onto the hard ground. The birds in the forest grew silent, knowing what had just passed.

Kita walked over to the woman, looking down at her and shaking her head in pity. She took off her mask. "Your anger made you lose concentration. When fighting against me, you shouldn't have let it get the better of you." Kita placed her foot on the kunai and pushed it in, ending the woman's life instantly.

'Place your hand over her heart for a second, Koneko-chan. There's something I need to do.'

Kita did as the cat asked and held her hand above the dead woman's heart. There was a tiny wisp of silver, then nothing. 'You asked me to do that to the last one too.' Kita commented. 'Why?'

'I will tell you in due time.' The cat replied, almost snapping at her. 'We need to preserve the body now.'

'How come?' Kita asked.

'Obviously the Tsuchikage will have medical ninja check to see when the ninja died. We do not want him to find out, especially since we are going to train for the remaining two days.'

Kita felt slightly panic stricken. 'What do we do then, Nekomata-sama?'

The cat purred. 'Keep the body 'alive'. We do this by getting blood and oxygen to continue circulating around the body and by keeping the chakra supply burning. Until the time is right to let it 'die' again. Koneko-chan, I need you to perform a special set of hand seals for a jutsu. I realise you have very little control of chakra, so I will help you. This will be the first and last time however. If you want to continue training, you will have to do it yourself.'

The great beast sent images of the hand seals to Kita. 'How do you know this jutsu, Nekomata-sama?' Kita asked curiously.

The cat snickered lightly. 'You are like a kitten, so very curious about the world around you… For a time I was very interested in human jutsu. I spied on ninja teams whilst they fought in wars. One of the teams I trailed had a very well trained medical ninja. He was skilled in medical jutsu and used the bodies of the dead to cause diversions. We will do a jutsu I learned from him. Now, perform the seals over the body.'

Kita went through the seals in her mind once more before performing them over the body. She felt a surge of chakra leave her body and leap into the corpse of the woman she had killed. The body gave a slight jump before it settled again. 'We can train now?' Kita asked.

'Yes. I will teach you from now on. Today we work on using your own chakra. I know you can use skills like the shadow clone, but that doesn't mean you have proper chakra control. You need to learn how to produce the right amount. Since I am with you and you have some access to my jutsu, there will be many ninjutsu and genjutsu where precise amounts will not matter, but when using jutsu like the medical justu we just did, you have to create a precise amount or else the jutsu will fail.' The cat looked through Kita's eyes to observe their forest location and used her nose to smell out a nearby river. 'Today we will learn tree climbing. If you can master that today, then we will move onto water walking, which is much harder. You will have one day for that. On the third day, we will remove the justu on the body and take it back to the man.'

Kita looked up at the sky, hoping that Rosuto was watching her grow strong.



And that's all I wrote! Thanks for reading and I hope to see you next time!