Chapter 2

(Shizuko's P.O.V.)

It was nice to have someone to talk to even though she never talks back. The only way I know she listens is by the tilt of her lips either in annoyance or amusement at my ramblings. It was unnerving at first never being able to see her eyes due to the dark cloth that covered them. I've been alone the last five days ever since the incident. I fear if I stopped talking my grief will overpower me again.

I knew I shouldn't trust her, she is from my clan's enemies, one of our main goals was to wipe out their demons. To eradicate darkness and bring light back to this land. I don't think she's a bad person though, she saved me and my sword from those thugs. I owed her a life debt.

I peeked at my black clad companion and took in her appearance. The first thing I noticed was the tattoo on her forehead, it looked like a swirling symbol, that was framed by her silver bangs. That was the only silver in her hair, the rest was a deep black that reminded me of the darkness she commanded. I looked away as I played with my sleeve as her grey cloth covered eyes met my side gaze.

"Hey, Lie, what happened to your village? Nobody has heard from your village in five years…." my voice cut through the awkward air. I kept walking, but I felt Lie stop behind me. Turning around, I froze at her change in demeanor. It was like all the light had disappeared and a hostile dark energy surrounded her.

"They are gone," I went to ask what happened but it seemed to get darker in the clearing.

"Do not ask again. You wouldn't understand angel." She spits out her words. I flinched , cowering back as I watched the darkness spread.

My sword had begun to glow against my back, as the swords main purposed was to destroy darkness.

Resisting the urge to run and scream I took a deep breath and remembered how she saved me.

"Lie, I know you don't want to hurt me," inching forward slowly I clasped her balled up hands in mine. "you don't have to tell me now, whenever you're ready. I promise I won't abandon you." I gave her a small smile despite my trembling.

Her darkness retracted and evaporated. "We've wasted enough time, Konoha is only a half a day walk away." She swiftly took her hands out and walked ahead.

"Hey! Wait up!" jogging up I match her strides and start to prattle on about Konoha village and how nice people are there.

FF

As the sun started to set we saw the gates of Konoha in front of us.

"Who's there?!" we looked up at the ninja on the gate.

"I am Hikari Shizuko of the Village of Angels, and my companion! I have urgent business to discuss with the Hokage." for a moment it was nothing but silence, I glanced at Lie biting my bottom lip, but she stared at the gate. It felt like ages passed before the gates started to creek open. We headed to the Hokage's building, as soon as the Secretary saw us she let us in.

"Hokage-sama." I bowed to the older man, his eyes filled with kindness as he stared back at us. He glanced over at Lie and she stuck her hand up giving him a small wave, before her hands went back to her pockets.

"Lie!" she quirked her eyebrow and smirked at me. But the Hokage laughed with warmth.

"it's alright Shizuko, the Village of darkness has never been allies of Konoha. What brings you here?" I clasped my hands together. My knuckles turned white as I remembered the heaviness of her body, suffocating, as the fires burned around me,and the smell of burnt flesh.

"I came here to seek refuge, a man by the name Orochimaru slaughtered my people and destroyed my town. He was looking for this." I took the sword off my back holding up the angel blade.

"The angel blade, said to be one of the most powerful swords created, can cut through powerful beasts and genjutsus." He strokes his beard as he stared at the glinting blade.

"Yes, I want to enroll to be a ninja for Konoha, as well as Lie, please great Hokage." I bow once again. I could feel Lie's eyes boring a hole in my head, but I forced my eyes shut.

"I have no problem with you two joining Konoha. The Village of Light has always been an ally of ours and will always be welcome. But, you must ask Lie herself, if I'm not mistaken you've been alone the last five years, are you ready to rejoin the world?"

His eyes pierced through Lie's clothed ones as if he can see through it to her soul. Quickly standing straight, I grasp onto her sleeves, "Please stay Lie." I could almost see her calculating in her head on her choice as she looked at me.

She lets out a heavy sigh, "Fine, I will stay only as long it helps me reach my ambition."

Letting out a squeal, I throw my arms around her, her body tensed at the touch and she tried to extricate from my embrace, but I flashed a grin and giggled. She lets out an annoyed sigh before giving up.

"However, if you stay you will have to go by different last names and tell no one who you actually are." The Hokage's words broke through my euphoria.

Frowning I let go of Lie, I tilted my head my brow creased as I stared at him.

"Both of you come from powerful clans with powerful abilities. I fear if other villages and clans knew you were here they'd attack. They would take one of you to use you against your will and your new homes. I ask that you refrain from letting others know, for your safety and this village." Lie and I looked to each other before turning back to him nodding.

"Welcome to Konoha, my assistant Asuna will show you to your apartment. You will have to leave immediately for the ninja academy with the others to be placed into genin groups. Good luck." He smiles dismissing us, by the time we left the Hokage's office the sun was peeking through the buildings.

It's time to start a new journey, not as Hikari Shizuko, the only survivor of the Angel clan. But, as Hoga Shizuko, ninja of Konoha.