My life had always been predetermined for me since I could remember. Every choice I had made was really the whispers of my mother. For years I lived blindfolded by her delusional dream of a perfect life. Everything from the cloths I wore, to the way my hair was cut. All of it was carefully planned by her.

She thought that by making me look more feminine and sweet that I would attract more attention from the men. It only succeeded in making me look more like an easy target for the angry villagers. It also makes me look washed out with my pale skin and white clothing. I didn't fight my mother though. I knew how hard it was to raise a child that was the village's monster.

On many accounts I would ease drop on her conversations with the other mothers of the village.

'Have you thought about giving her up for adoption?'

'It must be so tiresome to raise such a thing.'

'Give her to the Mist ninja, I'm sure she wouldn't last long'

Mother wouldn't shout at these women and their tasteless comments. She would only nod with a sad smile. Causing a scene would only further their excuses to spread nasty rumors. Back then I didn't want to be more of a burden to my mother and father. I simply did as I was told in hopes that their dreams for me would actually come true. As years went on the tighter the chains around my neck became and the heavier the weight on my shoulders. I was no longer trying to please my parents, but trying to tread water while being held down. Drowning in their constantly rising expectations.

'Be more ladylike Moe. Ladies don't burp.'

'Stop messing up your pretty dress and sit still'

'Why don't you talk with that young man? He isn't wearing a ring.'

'You should learn how to run the shop so you can take over one day.'

Not even once have they ask me what I really wanted. I was never given the chance to voice how I felt about anything. It was either their way or nothing at all. My father wasn't really concerned with my future as long as I married a man with a stable income. He was far too busy with running the weapon shop to even notice what I wanted. The only thing he was good at was being my mother's mega phone. Making sure I heard her laws loud and clear.

My obsession with collecting small sea creatures started when my mother declared the beach off limits. How could she keep me away from the one thing in my life that made sense? I would sneak off in the middle of the night and bring back my treasures. I kept them so I may have a part of the ocean in my room. It was the only way to remind myself of who I really was.

For the first time in years I felt like I was burning alive. Every part of me screamed out in pain and soreness. For once I felt real, I felt alive! My heart pumped with every step. My lungs burned as I breathed. It was the farthest I ever ran! I love it! Maybe I was wrong about the whole running thing.

I knew the medical centers were further inland. Kisame wouldn't last that long, so I figured medical ninja would work too. Their barracks was top of the line in technology, resources, and looked better than the surrounding buildings. I knew this was probably a bad idea considering Kisame was a ninja himself, but I couldn't be picky at a time like this! Someone was dying! Several ninja were standing around the front doors chatting and didn't seem too hostile looking. I trotted over to them, my heart freaking out from the slowing pace. My body was still new to the whole physical effort thing.

For ninja they were pretty slow to notice my presence, but then again I seemed to be invisible to everyone. Only when I was standing right next to one did they actually see me. The man I stopped next to jerked in shock, his eyes widening for a split second then looked alarmed by the state I was in. The fellow ninja he was talking to glared in suspension, his hand resting on his hip where I was sure kunai were hidden.

"I…I need, a doctor…"

I tried to catch my breath, my hands resting on my sandy knees. It was harder to breath now that I had stopped running. I felt the high, and adrenaline slowly die down, leaving my body with an ache.

"Go get Kano! Now!"

"Right!"

The cautious ninja took off obediently into the building. My legs shook, black spots swam in my vision, and my head felt like it was in the clouds. My hands slip from my knees, my body finally giving into the strain I had put it through since this morning. Luckily for me the man was quick to catch me before I made contact with the ground.

"Hey! Lady! Damnit Kano! Get out here!"

I heard voices surround me, but it felt like my head was submerged under water. Their words sounded faint and distorted as my eyes tried to focus on their blurry faces. The only thing I could make out were their headbands and their moving lips.

"She's lost a lot of blood, and her heart is beating so fast!"

"Lay her down."

One voice sounded so calm, while the others seemed frantic. It soothed me while everything else blurred around me.

"I'm going to heal your hand okay? What's your name?"

It was a male voice. Calm and soothing like the music of ocean waves. I think I smiled in my delirious state, the blue-green glow lit up my fuzzy view of his face causing me to squint from the sudden harsh light. He repeated his question, trying to get me to focus.

"…Moe…"

The glow from his chakra made his sea foam green eyes shine, the first thing I was able to focus on since I fell. I tried to wet my dry tongue to speak again. I needed him to heal Kisame, not me! I placed a shaking hand on top of his, gaining his attention once more. His brilliant eyes making me freeze up once they looked away from my mangled hand.

"My friend…needs help."

He gave me a reassuring smile and nodded his head. The glow surrounding my hand slowly dimmed and the pain was no more. It was amazing what some ninja could do even If I didn't like what they were trained to do.

"Everything will be okay. Can you stand?"

He offered me a gloved hand, and I took it. He helped me to my feet, and I immediately regretted standing. It felt like a million tiny hammers in my head. I wanted to vomit. I groaned as he held me upright, his free hand rubbing my back gently. I never thought ninja could be gentle like this. I always thought they were cold emotionless soldiers. His touch didn't seem to be that of a killers at all. I glanced at him from the corner of my eyes to get a better look at my healer. His hair was long, mid-shoulder length, and tied back in a lazy low pony tail. It was a soft sandy color, much darker than Chika's bright shiny blonde curls. He looked to be a few years older than me. He was probably every village girls dream man with that half grin he had.

"Where is this friend of yours?"

His voice was there again to draw me out of my dizzying dazing.

"On a beach not far from here…It's…"

I swallowed back a gag and tried to continue. I caught Kano shooing his fellow ninja away from us, and they slowly left back into the building with suspicion written all over their faces. Did they know who I was? I guess there wasn't anything stopping them from hearing the villagers' hushed whispers of silly superstitions.

"It's below some cliffs…I can show you..."

I held the hand he had offered tighter and started leading him down the path back toward the jagged rocks. I kept trying to pick up the pace, I knew Kisame was in pain, but my body would lurch in defiance. Kano followed, keeping a sharp eye on my wavering body. I would sway as I walked.

"Down there…"

I pointed down the slope toward the beach below, forgetting that the cave was out of sight.

"I don't see anyone…"

His ocean green eyes searched the small beach with a worried look. I knew he would never find Kisame without my help so I began the climb down to show him the way.

"What do you think you are doing? You are not well enough to climb!"

I ignored his shouts and watched him jump down gracefully. How did he manage that? I guess it was a ninja thing. He glared, his eyes radiating disapproval at my reckless actions.

"In the cave, he is hurt badly…"

I didn't hear Kisame moving, or making any sort of noise. Was I too late? Did he bleed out already? I felt the bile rise up in my throat once more as I approached the cave with Kano by my side.