Awww…. It's kinda sad right now… (sniffle) It'll get better! Really! Keep with it!! Um, pleeeeaase?! And no one kill me!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, people! I'm not that much of a genius…

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Silent tears ran down Haru's face as she walked away from Konoha. Letting go of Neji was the hardest thing she had to do. She loved him more dearly then anything in this world, but she couldn't afford to let him get hurt in her own war. She had to kill Orochimaru without him.

It was far beyond dusk when Haru stopped her trek. The dark had gripped the forest, and Haru would have went longer if it had not been for the nagging feeling she should stop. With a deep sigh, she sat on the lake's bank, listening and using her internal eyes to pick out anything unusual. There was nothing, at least, not at the moment. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, though. Suddenly, a kunai flew out of the dark of the forest, striking Haru in the leg. She cried out and Sound Ninja began to pour out of the forest from the direction she would have continued in. Haru jerked upright. It was an ambush…The Sounds closed in on her. She rapidly began to unseal her chakra, and sent ice crystals shooting out at her front and sides, mowing down the nearest shinobi. The battle for her life began there.

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Dawn found Haru collapsed on the bank, half of her body in the water that was dyed red. All the Sound Shinobi had perished that night by her hands, but she was on the verge of passing out from exhaustion and blood loss. Haru looked blearily over the water.

"D-damn him… if I'm going to quit now…" she whispered, and gasped in agony as she rose to her feet.

Blood ran down her arms and legs, stained her clothes, and fell to the ground as she continued onward to find Orochimaru. Anyone would be able to find her trail now.

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By the afternoon, Haru was struggling to keep on her feet. The sun had grown hot, and she had left the sanctuary of the trees hours ago. Sweat soaked in with her blood. She stumbled, and crashed to the dirt. Only will brought her back to her feet, but it didn't keep her there for long. She fell with a crunch into the ditch. Staring blearily up at the sky, things began to cloud and her throat began to tighten. Hot tears slipped down her cheeks, but no sound escaped from her throat. She couldn't even wipe the tears from her face.

When she awoke, pain ricocheted throughout her body. She felt as if she had been crushed then thrown aside like a human rag-doll. A ragged groan escaped her throat as she tried to sit up. The caked blood on her clothing and skin made the feat virtually impossible, as did the tormenting pain that gripped her. When she did manage this, she was only able to see the dim outlines of objects, as darkness had settled once again. She was still on the road. Fresh blood kept flowing from the corner of her mouth, confirming that she had internal bleeding. Inwardly she cursed herself. This was a stupid thing to do. With a small cry, she rose to her feet and stumbled to a nearby thicket, collapsing in a clearing. She fell back with a sigh. As she passed out once more, a memory gripped her like a vice.

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A five-year-old Haru looked up at her father with a smile. She had achieved a feat that no one else in her village had. She passed the Chuunin exam. Elation shown in her eyes.

'Papa! I passed!' she exclaimed, jumping excitedly around him.

Her father looked down at her, his face hidden by his Oinin mask.. He turned his back to her.

'Then begin acting like a ninja… you foolish little child…'

He then walked away towards the Mist villages exits, out to yet another mission. Haru dropped to her knees, crushed.

'Papa…' she said quietly, her eyes dry even though she was saddened.

Haru was used to this coldness, and had learned not to cry over it, but it still hurt like a punch to the heart.

'Do you hate me that much?'

She rose to her feet with a small shudder, heading home for dinner.

Later that night, the village was unusually dark. An ominous sense hung in the air. As Haru made her way home from Mizuri's house, a sudden chill gripped the air. It wasn't the cold that bothered Haru, as it usually got cold in the Mist village, it was the fact that it was the middle of July. Haru hugged her shoulders, looking around, instinctively putting her guard up. She approached the door of her home. Everything was dark. Cautiously, Haru pushed open the door. Sobbing came to her ears. To left of her, a small, flickering glimmer caught her eye. She dared to open the door. A horrific sight came into her line of sight. It was her father, lying on top of a table; covered in cuts, burns, and bruises. Her mother was standing next to his bloodied form, weeping. Haru ran to the table.

'Papa! Papa!' She cried, grabbing his hand, 'Wake up!'

'Ha… Haru…' he said from behind his mask, 'My beautiful flower… I'm so sorry I was harsh on you… I… Only wanted you to become a strong Ninja…'

Haru's teary eyes widened. Her dying father squeezed her hand.

'Live strong… live anew after each cold winter like a beautiful flower…'

With those final words, her father perished. Haru started to weep. She knew it would eventually come to this, and that begging for him to come back would do her no good, but she cried anyway.

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Tsunade stood, her back to Kakashi, Neji, and Hisa. She sighed.

"Find her, no matter the cost… as of now… she… is an Nukenin…"

Neji took a step forward.

"Hokage-sama! Please! She foresaw our demise! Don't rank her as such…" he cried.

Tsunade looked over her shoulder. Hisa put her hand on her brother's shoulder, trying to comfort him.

"This is not to be taken lightly… she left with out anyone's say, or orders… That is all..." said Tsunade gravely.

Kakashi and Hisa nodded gravely and left. Neji turned away.

"Neji-sama…"

Neji turned to Tsunade.

"Bring her back alive…"

Neji nodded.

"Yes, Hokage-sama…"

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Haru woke painfully the next morning, her whole body throbbing. With a groan, she rose. There was a rustle in the trees near her. Haru cursed inwardly. She had barely any energy, but drew herself to her feet anyway. Her hand had barely moved to her kunai holder when a girl that appeared to be a couple years younger than she walked out of the bushes. She had light blue hair and a dark tan complexion. Her intelligent eyes locked on Haru's, showing her confusion as well. Haru looked at her forehead protector; it showed the markings of the Mist. Her eyes widened.

"You… You're from the Mist Village…" Haru stuttered.

She dropped to her knees, shaking. The girl walked to her and crouched. Blue chakra flowed around her hand. Without a single hesitation, she put it on Haru's chest. Haru's wounds slowly began to heal.

"You're from Konoha?" the girls voice came like the soft breeze of a spring day.

Haru nodded slowly, still stunned. The girl looked at her.

"I'm Masako, from the Mist…"

"H-Haru…"

Masako smiled.

"I knew someone who looked an awful lot like you…"

Haru looked at her. She stood.

"I need to go… Thank you for your help…"

Masako stood next to her.

"Where to?"

"The Sound… I need to … take care of something there…"

Masako's face shown uncertainty for a brief second, then she smiled softly.

"I would like to accompany you…"

Haru stopped.

"I don't want anyone else to be hurt…"

"I realize the dangers of the Sound…"

Haru closed her eyes. She sighed.

"I can't promise that you'll not be hurt…"

Masako shook her head.

"I want to help you…"

Haru nodded.

"As long as you understand…"