A/N I still don't own naruto. Jeez I hope this story doesn't suck. Next chapter brings us to the present, about where the show picks up.

The Merchant of Konohana

12 years ago.

The day was hot and humid, like all the days he'd spent in this damned country.
The man currently thinking that thought was also wondering why he'd chosen
moving to this stupid country instead of a nice agonizing death in a decent climate.

At this point this man was in his mid twenties but did not look it. Already his hair
was thinning a great deal and his rotund belly mocked his actual age. Overall he
looked like a typical middle age man, for his country at least.

Sighing he forced himself forward, and the word forced only applies because like
many of his people he was a bit of a drama queen and the heat and high humidity were
not helping his mood.

"No wonder this place is called the damn Fire country," he muttered to himself as he
continued on.

He sighed again, which was a waste of breath since there was no one to hear him.
The only things around him were trees. Which brought up an interesting question.
Where were all the animals? He was pretty sure you got them in forests. Of course he
hadn't been in one since he was a kid. Oh well, maybe they were south for the winter,
or north for the summer, or whatever else stupid animals did to occupy their time. But...
well none of that did a thing to explain why the further in the forest he went the more fallen
trees there were. Not that he was complaining of course. As annoying as it was to climb
over the damn things, or find another way around them, the fallen trees were fare less of a
pain in the ass than the upright ones. He couldn't figure out if he was even headed in the
right direction. Village hidden in the leaves indeed. Well, at least it wasn't false advertising.
Not that, that little fact was much consolation. Oh well nothing to it to keep walking and hope
he stumbled upon the damn place.

Eventually he did indeed stumble upon the village and was quite shocked at what he saw.
People everywhere were injured, homes were wrecked, and everyone seemed to be in a state
of shock. Maybe it had something to do with all the damn trees being knocked down and the
happy lack of animals. Oh well he was there, that was all that mattered.

Setting down the heavy pack that currently held all his worldly goods the man looked around,
trying to get his bearings. First things had to come first after all. Normally he'd ask around what
happened and after he had a satisfactory answer try and get a feel for the town. The second he
knew what was needed he'd open shop. Given the state of the people he'd probably reconsider
that and try and open up shop first. It was not that he was heartless, far from it, and while he may
not have graduated from medical school he knew it was a really dumb idea to keep people
wounded people out in a dusty street. Jeez hadn't anyone heard of pavements around here.
Oh well, that was all wishful thinking. Ms. Hergel had made it very clear. Upon arriving he was to
find and meet the guy in charge of this place, the Hokage, or something. Anything else would be
"an act of extreme disrespect and foolishness." Since he was no longer "in the west where manners
did not count." He figured the last part was probably a joke. Anita had a funny sense of humor these
days.

Anyway first the Hokage then, assuming he didn't make some mistake that would get his head
cut off or whatever they did around here if they didn't like you, he'd set up shop and try to help
some of the wounded. After that he'd try and get a feel for the town, not that mattered, he was
stuck here after all.

And so Konohona's first banker set off for Hokage tower. Which, all things considered was easier said then done.

He'd figured the place he'd be looking for would be the tallest in the damn village, after all it
was where the head was right? Unfortunately it was quite hard to figure out which of the damn
buildings was the tallest, since quite a few of the larger ones were missing several stories. He
didn't want to know what had caused the damage. He just really didn't. What he wanted was
to see this damn Hokage, and then move on with his day. No, that wasn't true. What he really
wanted was to wake up and find out everything had simply been a horrific dream or, barring that,
that everything had been cleared up, his life was no longer in danger and he didn't have to live in a
village with damn ninjas in a country that was simply a massive sauna in disguise.

He would have continued wondering and silently bitching, if not a single word caught his attention.
There were other words surrounding that one word, but he couldn't understand them. Currently he
was a little out of the loop when it came to the lingo of this place, but he'd catch on, he'd have to.

Without further ado, he used a simply process of elimination to figure out which was the hokage.
Unfortunately it appeared to be the dead guy in the middle of the street. Well, that would be just
his luck. On the plus side, it seemed like the old guy holding a rather energetic baby was currently
in charge, well if the way everyone came rushing to him for directions was any indication. Oh well
it was just time to interrupt family time.

Walking forward he thrust the letter that had been clutched safely in his hand out to the old man,
who greeted him with a puzzled look in return. Sighing more loudly than the situation warranted the
man bowed and then reached out and took the baby, who had mere seconds before had decided to
place his boundless energy in crying and screaming.

After the baby and letter had been exchanged and the child had calmed a bit, thanks to a very
subtle rocking motion, the old man started to read the letter. When the old man had finished he made
a few hand signs that were unrecognizable to the foreigner.

The old man's mouth opened.

"You would be Mr. Fred Mortinson would you not?"

Fred was a bit astonished, but that was only cause he didn't think ninjas used the same
bag of tricks as Anita. Well, except for those weird hand motions. Oh well might was well
hope that they weren't some curiosity thing since he couldn't do them while holding the baby
in his arms.

"Yes, I take it you are the Hokage-sama? I am here to introduce myself."

The old man gave a sad chuckle.

"Thank you for attempting to follow our customs Mister Mortinson but at such a time I am
afraid customs must take a back seat to necessity. I have little time to greet you properly or
discuss your business. Our village has just been attacked and I need to see to my people's safety.
Now if you wouldn't mind returning the child..."

"Of course. One thing before you go running off. If it is alright I would like to set up shop, any
large open building would do."

"At a time like this? I have heard rumors about your country Mr. Mortison but I had dismissed them
up till now. If you wish to stay here you may need to reconsider your priorities."

Mr. Mortison wanted to flinch, but he'd be damned if some freaking self important asshole of a mayor,
or something, was gonna intimidate him when people needed help.

"I think you misunderstood sir. I wish to help your people, right away, for free. I have had more than a
little training in first aid and I'll need a place to work, beside the street if you don't mind."

The Hokage's eyes drifted as Fred spoke, seeking and finding the small patch upon the foreigner's cloths.
Nodding his head in understanding the Hokage barked out a few commands in a language that Fred did not
understand and then made more hand signs.

"Follow this man, he will direct you to a suitable work space. We will talk when everything settles down."

With a nod Fred followed the designated retainer, more than ready to get to work.

In retrospect he really should have asked about the child, but he'd been too self absorbed to notice the look the villagers were giving it.