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"Very well," Replied the bored Chunin, "Welcome to Konohagakure no Sato."

Demonic Princess Chapter 2: Dealing with Demons

As they passed through the gates, Kana's enthusiasm disappeared. Faces turned to look at them-unwelcoming faces.

"Why are they staring at us?" She asked loosing her self confidence, as she moved closer towards Takatsu and Garra. As they walked, many villagers curiously stared at them as if not sure whether to shun them or welcome the travelers.

"I'm not sure," He mumbled, uncomfortable under their watchful eyes.

Garra was tried of being stared at, having people act like he was some kind of new animal that was just discovered. He glared at them, his icy eyes narrowing when others tried to glare back; they all stumbled back into their shops and continued about their boring business, as if they were ignoring the three travelers. But Kana and Garra knew that they were still being watched. They felt it in the back of their minds, sending a chill down their spine. Kana tilted her head towards Garra a little bit, careful not to make it obvious that she knew the man was there, Garra caught her gaze a nodded slightly.

Kana tried to concentrate on where the intense stare was coming from. It was too harsh to be from the villagers, it felt was very…powerful. Kana didn't understand what she was feeling and asked Suzaku for help.

"Good, you are aware that someone is watching you very suspiciously. What are you feeling right now is his chakra, when you concentrated on his location you found his chakra. The man is very strong, and it seems his intentions are not bad. He is just curious…so be mindful of your actions. Do not give him a reason to attack."

Kana mentally nodded her head at Suzaku thanking her, and then turned her head in the direction of where she thought the man was. It was so fast she barely saw him, but she caught the symbol on his shirt. It was some kind of fan, the top half white and the bottom half red; and then he was gone. Just like that, the man disappeared. Startled, she squinted at the roof tops searching but it was useless he was gone.

The main road took the travelers to the Hokage tower. The large red building was far taller than any in Suna. It had the kanji for 'fire' written in front of it, just like Suna had 'wind'.

Garra looked past the building at the faces carved into the large mountain.

'That would be a good place to see the moon…' he thought imagining the clear sky and bright beautiful moon in front of him. He shook the daydream away, 'Later,' he told himself, then continued walking with Takatsu and Kana into the Hokage tower.

Kana had never seen so many ninja in once place before. Every turn they took, their were ninja's. They wore a strange mask, and looked at them curiously; unsure of where she had seen them.

'Of course!' she thought remembering, 'They are ANBU. I read about them in one of those scrolls. They are under the direct order of the Hokage, and protect him with their lives.'

Kana mentally gave herself a high five, excited that she was actually getting to see them. Once they reached the end of the long hall way, they saw a receptionist. She was busy talking to what seemed like a villager. They each were dressed in a simple t-shirts and skirts, and neither was armed.

"Excuse me," Takatsu interrupted, "We would like to see the Hokage please,"

The women looked around her friend at Takatsu then at Kana and Garra.

"I'll talk to you later," The receptionist mumbled then waved the Takatsu closer, "Do you have an appointment?"

"No, we do not. But if possible we would like to see him now." Takatsu asked politely.

The receptionist groaned, then got up out of her chair and lightly knocked on the giant oak door.

"Hokage-sama," She called through the door, "You have foreigners that wish to speak to you."

"Let them in," A voice responded. And so the receptionist did as she was told and let the three travelers in.

An aged man sat behind the desk taking a drag from his pipe, then exhauled the smoke slowly.

"How may I help you?"

Takatsu stepped forward, "My name is Takatsu and this is my sister Kana, and my brother Garra. We wish to stay in Konoha for awhile, and I would like to enter them into the Konoha Academy. There is just one problem."

"And what would that be?"

"I am a traveling merchant you see, and I make my money by selling goods. We would need to leave the village from time to time, but that might be a problem because they wish to become ninja's." Takatsu explained. Kana looked up at him, marveling at his deception skills.

Sarutobi took another deep long drag, the exhaled it slower than the last one, "I see," He finally responded, "And why have you chosen to enter them into the academy here in Konoha?"

"Well sir, they begged me too. It has been their dream to be a ninja sense they saw them in other villages, and I thought out of all the others Konoha is the best place for them to grow up in." Takatsu confessed, hoping the Hokage would believe it.

Kana began to get the feeling of being watched again and turned her head behind her to look at the door. She couldn't shake the feeling and it only seemed to get more intense. Kana swallowed and stepped closer to Garra, nearly holding his hand. He too felt that they were being watched by the same person, but his face did not reveal any sign that he was aware of it.

"Okay, I'll let you stay here for now and those two may enter the Academy as well. But I will not help you find a place to live, that will be your job. Also be aware that I will have my men watching you, but only for security purposes sense you have been to other villages." Smiling at the two children the Hokage signed three papers than handed them to Takatsu, "These are papers stating that you are now residents of Konoha. Please enjoy your time here at Konoha."

Once they had excited the Hokage tower, Sarutobi announced, "You may come out now." And a young boy materialized from his hiding spot, "What did you think Itachi?"

The young boy was around the age of 11 or 12; his long raven hair was tied in a low pony tail, and was dressed in the standard Anbu uniform.

"I'm sure the man knew I was here. The girl seemed to sense where I was because she turned around and looked at me even though I was masking my presence. The boy I am not sure of, if he did know I was there is made no motion that he did." He answered his voice dead of any emotion.

Sarutobi nodded, "I see potential in both of them, it just worries me that they will have to leave from time to time, but that I guess cannot be helped. I would I like you to watch them, but do not over due it. They are already aware of your presence as it is. You are dismissed."

"Hai, Hokage-sama." Itachi replied bowing, and moving towards the door.

"Oh, Itachi?" Sarutobi called.

Itachi turned around, "Yes?"

"Pay close attention to Naruto, will you for me? I have a feeling that he will want to become friends with the two new students and it worries me." Sarutobi requested, rubbing his temples.

"Of course, Hokage-sama." Bowing the young boy then left.

The three searched for a suitable house but they were all to expensive.

"Why don't we find an abandoned one, like we did in Suna?" Asked Kana, as they walked through the older district of Konoha, where all the larger clans lived.

"I suppose we could, I just wouldn't know where to look." Takatsu answered rubbing the back of his head.

They excited the rich district and as they were walking Kana noticed a beat up path that went into the forest.

Curiosity getting the best of her, she walked away from the others and onto the path.

"Kana?" Takatsu called seeing her stumbled onto the path, "where are you doing?"

Garra was instantly already on the path following her without a moments hesitation. Takatsu groaned and followed the two young children.

Kana went deeper and deeper on the path pushing overgrown branches out of her way. The dense forest then seemed to thin as Kana heard the sound of rushing water.

"A river!" She announced back to them even though Garra was within a couple feet.

Seeing a break in the forest, she became excited and quickly pushed her way through. A thorny bush clung tightly to her clothes, and Kana pulled hard to get away from it ripping the sleeve of her shirt. Not even caring about her shirt, the young girl pressed on, as she was practically out of the forest.

The river was much larger than she had imagined it to be, the current of the water was harsh and could easily knock an adult off their feet let alone a child. Kana stared at the running water wanting to touch it.

She stepped closer to the rushing water, just wanting to grasp the powerful yet soothing water in her hands. Kana reached out her hand, yet it wasn't close enough.

"Kana, be careful!" Garra called to her, becoming increasingly nervous watching her.

"I am!" she replied, jumping onto a large boulder. Laying flat on her stomach she reached her hand down and touched the icy cold liquid. It flowed into her hands then disappeared through the gaps of her fingers. She frowned and grasped more water in her hand, but with the same result.

Garra's eyes widened as he saw the boulder slowly begin to slide through the mud into the water.

"Kana!" was all he could cry before she fell into the rushing water.

Kana's POV:

Water filled my lungs I found myself in the chilling water. Swimming to the surface I gasped for air but water forced its way down my throat. I coughed up the liquid, its coldness stung my throat. I kicked my legs hard underneath the water trying deperatly to stay above water.

"Kana-sama!" I heard Takatsu yell, and then the splash of his body entering the water. A rush of water pushed my head underneath the surface again as I dove deep into the river.. The current was strong as it pulled me farther down the river; my small body was unable to challenge nature's unstoppable force.

"Taka!" I managed to yell, my voice raw and scratchy before i was pulled back under the water.

I saw Takatsu swim towards me but current keeping an even distance between us. The current pulled me deeper down under the water and I tried with all my might to swim towards the surface but it only seemed to become farther and farther out of my reach. I kicked my feet, and used my arms to push the water out of the way again but this time it didn't work. I slowly sank down lower and I lifted my hand towards the surface hoping to grasp an invisible hand. I began loosing my strength and will to fight the unbeatable current. I became discouraged, barely able to move my arms and legs as they were becoming increasingly numb. The tingly sensation felt like a thousand needles digging into my skin as all me senses dulled.

I saw Takatsu above me frantically searching the surface for me. I wanted to do something, anything to let him know I was underneath him, slowly dying.

My eyes felt heavy as the pain in my chest became unbearable; my lungs screaming for oxygen, yet none was being given to it. The watery surface became blurred and I heard my heart beat within my ears. The normal rhyme slowing:

Bump bump……bump…bump…..bump…..bump…….bump……….bump

The pace slowed even more to a dangerous rate.

I was told that usually when people are about to die they say they saw their life flash through their minds. Things that they wish they wouldn't have done and things they wish they would have. But I thought of something different…as my heart beat it's last beat, all I could think about was, my angry father and how mad he would be. I could no longer hold my heavy eyelids open and I faded into darkness.


"Kana," A voice whispered to me. The voice was familiar, it's warm smooth tone was welcoming and I followed her voice.

A women with long orange hair that reached the floor stood behind the gate. Her cream complexion was smooth like a porcelain dolls. Golden red eyes beckoned me closer as my feet began moving on their own towards her.

"Suzaku?" I called, not sure who this women was.

She nodded, "Yes child, this is my human form. Let me help you…you are on the verge of dying…let me save you." Her words made my head spin and I found myself agreeing yet I had never made the decision to do so.

"Close your eyes and I will take care of everything." Suzaku purred as I watched her return to her demon form.

I did as she told me to and closed my eyes, this time however choosing to.

---

(Back to 3rd POV)

The water around Takatsu began to bubble, the icy cold liquid instantly warming with increasing temperature. The water became rougher than before, if that was possible, and a wave threw Takatsu out of the river hitting the hard ground with a thud, falling instantly unconscious.

Garra watched Kana rise out of the water her whole body glowing a red-orange color. Her hair was more defined standing up in mid air, defying gravity. Kana's eyes seemed to glow a more golden red color as she rose higher above the river. The amount of chakra emitting off her made it seem like she was parting the river in two; the rushing water being pushed back in two separate directions.

Air filled Kana's lungs and her limbs became stronger as large amounts of demonic chakra pulsed through her small body. She laughed insanely staring down at Garra, becoming bloodthirsty.

Kana lifted her hand and looked at it, stretching it then balled it into a fist, preparing to attack the young boy.

Garra stared up at Kana, trembling; complete and utterly scared. His instincts told him to run, to get away from this powerful being that wished to destroy him; yet Shukaku urged him to stay and bow before her.

"Suzaku will not hurt you if you show her that you are willing to follow her."

Garra did as he was told and fell to his knees bowing his head. His whole body shook in fear as he stared down at the wet mud.

Kana cocked her head to the side, curious of what he was doing. She descended from the sky, and gracefully walked over the watered dirt. Still bloodthirsty she raised her fist and hit the child behind his head.

Garra wimpered, blood oozing out of the wound, as he crawled into the fetle postion as she began kicking him.

"Stop it!" Screamed Kana, "Suzaku, stop it NOW!"

Suzaku growled but released her hold on the girl. Kana's features immediately returned to normal as she fell to the ground unconscious like the others.

Itachi stared at the scene with wide eyes. Never before had he ever witnessed or felt anything more sinister. It was worse that the Kyuubi, much worse. It was like the wrath of god himself. Itachi shook his head, 'I must report this to Hokage-sama.'

---

On the other side of Konoha a few hours earlier-

A young blonde headed boy ran from a mob of angry villagers. A loaf of bread and apple were tucked underneath his arms as he sprinted as fast as his little legs would take him. Turning corner after corner the boy desperately tried to loose them but they seemed relentless and deadest to beat him again this morning.

Turning another corner he saw it was a dead end. The wall was too high to climb and he had only precious seconds before they found him. Looking around frantically, he saw no place to hide and placed two fingers together, transforming into a rock. An instant later the crowd rounded the corner and were confused to find the dead end empty. They didn't hang around to long, and soon the crowd disbursed all going their separate ways; mumbling curses and that they had better things to do than look for a demon.

Naruto waited a few minutes then he dispelled the jutsu appearing within a cloud of smoke.

"I guess they do teach you something useful in the academy," Mumbled the boy walking towards the exit of the alley cautiously. He looked left, right, and then right again before darting out into the crowd of people where he wouldn't be seen. The closely condensed bodies shoved and pushed Naruto around but he managed to get out of the main streets and into the allies that would safely take him home.

The boy lived in an abandoned apartment complex. He had only cold running water, a heated stove that barely worked, and a small refrigerator that had been abandoned along with the house. The other things like the ripped up mattress and worn down sheets, Naruto had found in a dumpster himself. He remembered carrying the mattress home. It was nearly three times his size as he slowly pushed it two blocks without any help. The edge had ripped because of it, but Naruto didn't care. It was either the mattress or the cold hard floor, and he would choose the beat up mattress any day. Once the blonde boy returned home he sat down on mattress and tore off a small piece of bread, eating it slowly. He then turned to the apple, 'It will rot faster than the bread, so I'll eat that first before the bread.'

Naruto then left the small room and went into what was supposed to be the kitchen. There was a large hole in the wall that leaked out all the warmth in the house. He opened the only working draw, and grabbed a rusted kunai. Slowly and delicately, he cut the apple's core out then, chopped up the good pieces of the apple and set them inside the refrigerator. Picking the core up, he put it in a basket near the stove where other flammable items such as pieces of wood, paper and fabric were stored. Once breakfast was over, Naruto decided to go check the dumpster to see if he could find anything useful.

Once he was outside again, he shivered.

'Winter will be here soon, I better find a heavier blanket…' Naruto thought to himself. He talked to himself a lot. Other kids had refused to acknowledge him, and only laughed at him when he talked. So the boy had begun to stop talking, the humiliation and teasing wasn't worth saying only a few words. The blonde didn't understand why everyone hated him so much; he had often wondered if it was the way he dressed. He couldn't afford any new clothes; he could barely keep himself alive as it is. Naruto shrugged, and continued walking.

Once he arrived at the dumpster he was glad to see he was the only one there. It was a popular dumpster among those that were homeless, because it was large enough so people could throw whatever they liked in it. Climbing into it he began ruffling through the items. There was a lot of wrappers, and rotting food within the dumpster but he was looking for things more important and he quickly moved the items aside. A broken chair was near the top and Naruto's eyes lit up. He could stack things underneath it to replace the missing leg. He moved the chair aside to the far end of the dumpster where their was the least amount of trash and then continued his search.

A thick jacket was buried deep within the trash; a giant hole of fabric was missing on the left side where your heart is. The boy smiled and placed it on top of the chair. Then after amount ten minutes of solid just digging and digging around he found a blanket much thinker than the ones he had.

Naruto gasped, today was a lucky day indeed! First he had escaped the villagers carrying food, and now he found three great items! He felt like crying, he was overcome with joy.

Hearing voices of the beggars off in the distance, the boy decided to grab his precious items before they were taken from him forcefully. Hurrying home, Naruto set the chair in a room next to the kitchen where a table should be, and placed the coat on the counter next to the stove. He then grabbed a piece of fabric out the basket and put it up to the jacket to see if it was big enough. The jagged fabric barely covered the hole but it was good enough for Naruto and he placed that aside onto a counter opposite of the stove.

He then moved into the bedroom carrying the large blanket. He wasn't sure why it had been in the dumpster, as he sat inspecting it.

There were a couple of stains and one large stain of red in the middle, so he assumed that that may have been the reason. Naruto then jumped up, and scrambled over to the window where he could see the sun.

'I forgot! I have to go to the Academy today!' Quickly checking how he looked in the broken bathroom mirror. Naruto washed his face and changed his clothes into something a bit more descent and less smelly from the garbage.

'I'll have to go to the river later to wash my clothes…' Naruto mentally reminded himself before running out the door to the Academy.

Naruto listened intently on everything his sensei said, thinking of ways to apply it to his daily life to make it easier.

"Chakra control is very important so we will be studying it today." Iruka announced. Once it was lunch time Naruto left the academy, not bothering to stay for the physical training. He wouldn't use that as much as he would the ninja techniques they taught them. Deciding to stop by the library on his way home, Naruto sneaked into the scroll section where all the ninja scrolls were kept. He found a couple on basic chakra control and substitution Jutsu's and decided to take them home.

Looking around to make sure no one was around; he stuck them in his shirt and carefully left the library inconspicuously. Hurrying home again he set the scrolls under a loose floor board next to the sharpest and newest kunai he had collected from the training grounds. His house was often broken into, and most of the time they would just break or take items such as his pillow.

Naruto saw the clothes lying on his bed, reminding him that he needed to go to the river and wash them.

"Go wash them," Kyuubi suggested, "No one will be there at this time of day."

Kyuubi inwardly smiled the widest smile showing rows upon rows of teeth as he saw the boy heeded his advice.

'This shall be interesting.' Kyuubi thought to himself.

He knew that Kana and the others were here. The fox had immediately sensed Kana's first tail when they walked through the gates; her body already synced with demonic chakra making it much easier to sense. Kyuubi couldn't hold his laughter in, the excited booming voice rang though Naruto's mind, he had to cover his ears it was so loud, yet that didn't help at all. Every fiber tingled with excitement at seeing Suzaku again, the fox was practically trembling with excitement.

Once Naruto reached the river he put his clothes into the river and found that it was hot. Confused and a bit surprised, the boy walked up the river to find the source of the heat. As he approached, an immensely powerful and evil chakra stopped him in his place.

'Ah how I have missed this chakra…' Kyuubi mumbled to himself, feeling the chakra just as Naruto did.

The blonde boy's body was frozen still as he saw a young girl hovering in the air, seemingly parting the river in two with just bare chakra. She laughed wildly, her red-orange hair hanging in mid-air. The girl returned to earth and gilded over to a boy that was around the same age as Naruto. He had blood red hair and the kanji for love written on the top left corner of his forehead. He seemed to be bowing to her, yet she began hitting and kicking the poor boy.

Naruto's eyes widened in fear, 'Is she going to come after me?'

But his fears vanished as he saw her fall the ground suddenly unconscious.

'Kyuubi' thought the boy, 'What was that?'

The boy had opened the connection between the two along time ago when the villagers had almost killed him.

'That was the Ten Tailed Phoenix. Kid, listen carefully she is just like you. She has a beast sealed within her as well.'

Naruto slowly walked home, shuffling his feet against the alley dirt. He kicked any rocks in his way, as he continued to just stare at the ground.

'Just like me…' he kept repeating inside his head, the words meaning so much to him. It meant that he was no longer alone in this world. He couldn't shake the feeling of wanting to meet her…who was she? Where did she come from? Why is she here? Will she want to be my friend or just run away like all the others?

So many questions raced through his mind as he attempted to sort them all out. The cold air chilling his bones, as the wind came through the giant hole in the kitchen. Late that night he sat wrapped up in his new blanket staring up at the stained ceiling, still thinking about her. But the funny thing was, the more the thought about the more he realized he wasn't afraid of her. Earlier, he was acting on instincts; on wanting to get away, not because he was scared though. He remembered the image of her hovering in the sky, a shiver of excitement pulsed through his body; it was a foreign emotion to him but he sure liked it and wanted to see her again.

---

Kana woke up to the smell of cooking food. She felt different as she sat on the edge of the bed. Rubbing her temples she flexed her fingers and noticed they didn't feel as weak and fragile. Her muscles were stronger than before as the demonic chakra pulsed strongly through her veins along with her normal chakra.

She walked out of the dark room into the living room slash kitchen where Takatsu stood cooking. The house was warm and bright, with multiple lamps around the house.

"Where is Garra?" She asked ambling into the kitchen.

Takatsu looked up a sad expression of pity on his face, "Do you remember what happened?"

Kana shook her head, "No, not really." Takatsu turned back towards the boiling pot of stew, and then pointed towards the closed door next to Kana's opened door.

She crossed the open room to the door and slowly turned the knob entering the darkened room. Kana expecting to find Garra sleeping but was surprised to see his back facing the door as he stared out at the glowing moon.

"Garra," She asked, "What happened earlier? I can't remember anything." The boy didn't move for a moment then he slowly turned his face. Half of his face was swollen to a purple blue color. His left eye was puffy and black, as he looked at her.

Images suddenly bombarded her mind; images of her hitting Garra. Kana dropped to her knees staring at her hands.

"Garra…" She whispered tears falling from her eyes, "I…I'm sorry. I don't know what happened, Suzaku just…took over. It wasn't….me…" She trailed off crumbling to the floor, gripping her head.

'SUZAKU!' She mentally screamed, 'How could you! You knew he wasn't an enemy, he's my friend. Why? Why would you do something like that?!'

There was a moment of silence then Suzaku answered, 'Do not blame things on others,' Her voice harsh and cold, something far different than what she sounded like earlier, 'I saved your pitiful life. You should be grateful, not yelling like a banshee. You agreed to let me help you. You were the one that feel into the river. If you hadn't none of this wouldn't have happened. It was YOUR fault neither mine nor anyone else's. So do not put the blame on others when you know it was fully your fault for hurting those around you.'

Kana clenched her fist tightly, her angry rising, 'You controlled me into saying yes! And if I would have said you, you would have done it anyways because you didn't want to die! So don't play mind games with me! It was NOT my fault! You controlled me; I didn't hurt Garra YOU did!'

Suzaku sneered, 'You better watch what you say to me. I could kill you so easily right now…'

Kana laughed, "Really?!" Stepping closer to the bars, "Why don't you try? You can't touch me. See this- Kana pointed to the seal on the gate, 'This keeps you from harming me. Just because I'm young and small, doesn't mean I don't know anything! Don't you ever try to control MY body again.'

'Or what?' Suzaku asked narrowing her golden eyes angrily at the girl, 'You'll go crying to daddy at how weak and incompetent you are? You can't do anything, littlegirl. So I suggest listening to me, and continuing to be on good terms with me or else your life WILL become worse than living in hell.'

Kana severed the connection, and laid on the cold wooden floor sobbing. Screaming in angry, she slammed her fist into the floor snapping the floor boards in half creating a small whole.

Garra stared at her in shock, "Kana are you okay?" He asked moving to her side.

Trembling with rage she shook her head looking up at him, "No, I don't think I am."

---

Three hours earlier-

Itachi stood in the Hokage's office. He had just given his report and Sarutobi stared long and hard at him.

"Itachi you are sure of this?" The Hokage asked, eyeing him.

"Hai, I am."

The aged man sighed turning his chair to look out over Konoha, "Watch her, Itachi; of every hour of every day, even when she's in the academy to do not let her out of your sight. If what you say is true, I believe she is the one of the tailed beasts and has come for Naruto; possibly the seventh or eighth by what you said of her power level. But this might work to our advantage as well. If we can keep them here, and gradually get them to side with us, we would have two very powerful Jinchuriki. When you think the time is right, reveal yourself to her and offer to train her. I wish to keep both of them here, so do not scare her off."

"Of course, Hokage-sama. I will do as you wish." He responded.

Sarutobi smiled, "It's just like catching a fish. Naruto was the bait, and now you just have to wait for the bite before hooking the fish and reeling in your prize."

---

Kana sat on the couch in the living room sipping hot tea, trying to calm down.

"Kana-hime, you must be strong minded to keep her from taking over you. I will help you, okay? So don't worry about it, Garra's fine. He will heal in a couple of days." Takatsu reassured hugging the girl, "besides your first day at the Academy is tomorrow, so be happy kay'?"

She nodded her head taking another sip of tea, she then got up from the couch and hugged Garra tightly.

"I'm so sorry Garra. Please forgive me; I won't ever let it happen again." She cried, trying hard to hold back her tears.

Garra wrapped his own arms around her waist hugging her back, "Yes, I forgive you. Will you please stop crying now, it's making me sad. I like seeing you smile and happy, it suits you better than being sad."

She nodded, wiping away her tears, "Kay". Kana then smiled hugging Garra once again, "Thank you," She whispered, "I don't know what I would do without you."

---

As the young Anbu captain walked home, his thoughts mainly focusing on the young fiery haired girl. Something was different about her, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Maybe the Hokage was right and she is a tailed beast, which could explain why she seems different. But Itachi couldn't help but think that that wasn't it. He would need to watch the girl, learn more about her and only then will he be able to discover what she is truly hiding.

---

Garra soon left the house to go up on the mountains with the faces to look at the moon, leaving Kana and Takatsu alone.

Sighing, Takatsu sat across from Kana on the opposite couch deep in thought. He chose his words carefully, thinking long and hard on how he would like to go about the subject of which he needed to talk to her about.

"Kana-hime…" He started, getting her attention, "I need to talk to you." She nodded her head for him to continue, "You know this world is not your home, correct?" Again she nodded, not seeing where the conversation was going, "Good, but I would like to remind you of why we are here. This world has gained too much power, destroying the land around them and destroying the life itself. That's why your father sent the tailed beasts to wipe the earth clean from all of the wickedness, but they underestimated the ninja's and got themselves sealed within puny humans. And that's where you come in, you are to finish the job of destroying the nations.-

"Takatsu, I already know all of this why are you telling me again?" She asked still not seeing his point.

"What I'm getting at is this. Kana, you do not belong here. You aren't here to make friends with all the other people here. You are here for one purpose. So what you need to concentrate on is getting stronger. Not piddling around playing with other kids.-

"But I have to become friends with the demonic beasts for them to follow me! I have to get them to trust me first or else it won't work!" Kana protested feeling like she was being scolded for doing nothing wrong.

"I know that, but what I'm saying is don't get involved with other humans. Do not get attached to those that will eventually die by your hand. You cannot fail this, Kana-hime. Your father will not tolerate it and if you come back without his pets, or the mission has failed. He will not allow you to come back if not live at all. I'm just preparing you because, these people are capable of such horrible things that they will do to anyone that is not like them, someone that is different; and you are different Kana, you aren't human. Just remember that." Takatsu finished walking over to the kitchen to continue cleaning the dishes.

Kana stared at the wooden floor for a moment before retreating back into her room where she could be alone in solitude to think about Takatsu's words. But the room felt claustrophobic, the small walls seemingly to close in on the girl as she opened her window exciting the house.

She jumped slowly from roof to roof; her pace was leisurely for she was in no hurry. Kana also had no idea where she was going. The village still very foreign and unfamiliar to her as she tried to find a park; she eventually came to one, a large slide and other play area's where placed on soft sand; the element familiar to her as she scooped up a hand full. The young girl let it fall through her fingers and decided to sit on a swing, and slowly drifted back and fourth.

'I'm so confused,' She gripped her head, 'I know that I must carry out my mission yet, this world is so beautiful. From the depths of the ground to the highest mountain, I want to see it all and marvel at its sheer wonder. But why do I feel this way?' she asked herself the questions lingering in her mind as she continued to search for the answer.

'You are learning and growing. It's natural to feel this way.' Suzaku answered, her loving sweet voice seeming to attempt to calm Kana.

'Go away, I do not need advice from you, you will only try to hypnotize me and ensnare me in your trap.' Kana snarled, clenching her fists tightly.

'I will not attempt to take over your body again, I promise. It was a one time thing, okay. Please let me help you, you so confused and unsure of what to do. Which is something I will not allow my host to be, confused; your mind is the most powerful tool a ninja can have. I want to teach you, and help you become stronger. Because if you haven't already figured it out, I too cannot return to your father empty handed.'

'Fine, I will trust you for now. What do you mean you can't return empty handed?' Kana mentally asked continuing the conversation.

'From now on, I'm going to be completely honest with you and help you understand the chaotic world you have been born into. Your father is not as innocent and wonderful as you think he is. Yes, he is a great warrior and no one has been able to defeat him but he has a wicked side to him, which only we demons have seen. We did not choose to follow your father; we were forced under his control. We use to roam free across the demonic realm able to do as we pleased as long as we did not harm anyone. Then your father came to rule and turned the demonic world to chaos, ruling through fear and pain; whereas your grandfather ruled through peace, tolerance, love, and loyalty. The phoenixes, being the strongest demon clan, he enslaved us first to prove that those weaker than I, could not stand up to him. He forced me to ensnare and control everyone else. None of us demons wanted to return to the demonic realm so we allowed ourselves to be sealed within humans. But I had to return and report to your father, where he came up with a new plan and sealed me within you.'

Kana nodded, 'Everything I have known was a lie…is there anything else I should know about? What happened to my mother…?' She wondered, but Suzaku shook her head, 'I'm not really sure, I just know your father had something to do with her disappearance.'

Kana rubbed her eyes, to information overwhelming, 'Thank you for the information, but I think that's all I can handle right now. I would like to be left alone for awhile.'

'Of course.' Suzaku mumbled, mentally moving farther back into the cave away from her thoughts.

--- The next morning ---

Kana sat on the edge of her bed, looking out at the rising sun. Staring at horizon she thought, 'Today is the day,' she sighed moving over to the bathroom.

She stared at her refection in the mirror; her eyes were shadowed and dark from the lack of sleep and her bright blue eyes had lost some of its sparkle making them seem aged. A small frown was carefully placed on her face, instead of the bright smile she always wore. Her half open eyes just started hauntingly back at her, the stress from the night before finally taking its toll on the small girl. Her long hair was tangled and messy, and she finally picked up the brush

The girl fumbled with her it trying to brush out the tangles in her hair. Pulling it into a high pony tail, her long hair still reached her shoulder blades; her short bangs covering her forehead. Opening her closet she assessed her clothes: a short black skirt, a green dress that slit at the sides, a navy t-shirt that had a deep green thorny red Rose on the front, and a fitted plain white t-shirt.

She sighed shaking her head, "I will defiantly have to go shopping." So to get her by today she threw on the black skirt and the navy rose t-shirt, with navy ninja sandals.

"Kana," Garra knocked on the door, "Are you ready yet?"

Quickly checking herself in the mirror, she nodded approving the outfit. Kana then practiced smiling before putting on her happy face and walking out the door with Garra. As they walked, Garra watched her out of the corner of his eye. The young boy knew something was different about her but he couldn't put his finger on it, yet. But he would find out, just by watching her carefully.

Once they arrived at the Academy, a lady at the front desk told them the classroom number and the two walked down the long halls until they reached the correct classroom.

There were only a few people who had arrived as earlier as, Kana and Garra. A shy blue headed girl with pale purple eyes, an equally quiet hooded boy in the back with glasses, and a boy dressed in practically rags in the back. He had bright blonde hair, but you could tell it needed to be washed, and his bright blue eyes seemed to be diming. The blond boy sat staring through the window, a far look on his face.

'That's him,' Suzaku announced excitedly, 'that's the Kyuubi container!'

Kana turned and stared at the skinny boy, who still looked dazed.

"Sit where ever you like," Their new sensei Iruka told me, motioning to the numerous empty seats.

Kana turned and stared at the skinny boy, who still looked dazed. Smiling at the man, she walked to the back and pulled out the chair next to him, "Does anyone sit here?" She asked.

The blonde boy didn't respond, he didn't even motion that he had heard her.

"She asked you a question," Garra said, nudging the boy in the shoulder.

He slowly turned around, as if he was in some kind of trouble. When he saw Kana smiling down at him, his eyes began to sparkle.

"No, no one sits here. I usually sit by myself," He managed to mumble, quickly hiding his blush.

Kana smiled again at him and sat down in the middle; Garra sat on her right, closest to the isle.

"What's your name?" She asked introducing herself, "My name is Kana, and this is my brother Garra."

"Naruto…" He murmured a tinge of pink on his cheeks. Garra seemed to role his eyes at the shyness of the boy, and he crossed his eyes surveying the room.

Kana looked at Naruto strangely with her head cocked slightly to one side, everything seemed so familiar about him. Like she wanted to be close to this boy all the time, yet she just met him. She had felt nothing like this before, not even when she met Garra. She quickly turned away and stared at the desk biting her lip.

Garra looked at her out of the corner of his eyes, seeing her bite her lip hard enough to make it bleed. Deciding to say nothing Garra turned back to look at the front of the room.

Gradually, more and more children entered the room, filling the seats. Kana and Garra were stared at as they entered, each one giving them a different kind of look.

Once the class was full and buzzing with conversations, Iruka quieted the class and introduced the new students.

"This is Kana and Garra. They just moved here and will be in this class from now on. Please be kind and show them around the village."

A dark haired boy, with his hair pulled back making him look like a pineapple lifted his head off the desk that was a row in front of them, just enough to acknowledge them. His eyes slowly scanning each one, "So you lived in Suna?" He announced, making it sound more like a question.

Kana looked at him curiously a smirk appearing on her face, 'How observant…' She thought to herself.

"Yes, we lived in Suna for awhile then decided to live here." The fiery headed girl answered politely. Once the class turned their attention back to Iruka, the pineapple boy turned fully around.

"My names Nara Shikamaru," He said nodding to both of them, "If you guys need any help around the village just let me know."

Kana smiled warmly, "Thank you, if we do we know who to ask." She then turned her attention, like the rest of the class, to the front where Iruka was beginning their lesson on the Geographic's of fire country.

He pulled down a large map of the country that was very detailed and began his lecture, "Fire country is very large, we have over 50 small villages scattered across our land, plus the Fire Daimyo's city; we are not the largest country but the largest hidden village with the most military power and influence. We trade many goods with most of the other villages except, Kumo and Iwa. They still remain our enemies, even after the war."

He continued to talk for another half an hour before we exited outside to train. Iruka lined them up next to targets and gave them each a set of kunai and shurikens. Once everyone had their set, he announced, "Try to hit the target, then once you can do that aim for the bull's-eye. Begin!"

Everyone nodded and took their respectable stances, one foot slightly forward and the other slightly behind. Kana stared at the target counting the distance with her eyes, then lifted her hand and flicked her wrist throwing the kunai. It embedded deep into the wood, dead center.

Garra soon followed with his own kunai a little off to the right but pretty close to hitting the bulls-eye. Their classmates gasped and stared at them, especially Naruto who hadn't even hit the target yet.

As if oblivious to the others watching, Kana threw her shuriken next hitting the top of the target where the head would have been if it was a real person. Noticing that she missed the bulls-eye, everyone turned back to throw their own kunai. Little did they know, she hadn't been aiming for the bull's-eye… she had been aiming for the head all along.

'Kana,' Suzaku said, 'do not attract too much attention. We don't need more people watching us. Hide your abilities when you come to the academy, act like an average student.' She advised. Kana inwardly nodded her head understanding.

Shukaku was also giving Garra similar advice.

They ran laps around the training ground before being dismissed to eat lunch. Everyone hurried out to playground, except a few who calmly walked.

Kana and Garra chose to sit up in a tree where they could see the whole playground.

"What do you think, Garra?" Kana asked quietly, taking a bit of her oniguri.

He shrugged, "its okay, they teach pointless things that we could read out of a book, instead of preparing us for the real world."

"Yea, I noticed that too. What do you about Naruto?" She lifted her head to see him eating his lunch alone under a shaded tree.

"He needs some work, and defiantly new clothes. But he has potential." Garra mumbled.

Kana barley heard him as she stared at a group of kids walking towards Naruto. They began pushing him around, and threw his apple into the sand. Another boy punched, a much larger boy than Naruto, punched him behind the head making the blonde boy fall to the ground.

The fiery headed girl gripped the tree tightly, her full attention now on the scene. Garra turned to see what she was looking at and sighed; knowing that she will go and help him just as she had done to him.

"Just go already, save the poor boy the pain."

Kana nodded and disappeared then reappeared by the swings. She walked over to the group of boys and pushed her way through them to the center where Naruto was. He was curled up in a ball trying to protect his head as the boys continued to kick him.

Kana stood in front of Naruto protectively, "Stop hurting him." She hissed dangerously, glaring at each boy.

The large boy who had punched Naruto stepped forward, "Or what? You're going to hit me with your dolly?" He laughed at her, and then tried to push her aside. She stood firm, "Leave, before I decide to hurt you." She warned through clenched teeth.

The boy scoffed, "I believe it's you who will be the one getting hurt, little girl."

By this time the scene had attracted the attention of almost everyone on the playground. They looked curiously at the new girl as she stood protectively over the blonde boy. Garra's full attention was on Kana, 'What are you going to do…'

He thought then looked to his her fist clenched tightly, 'You wouldn't…'

Kana narrowed her eyes at him, she was a year older than him and at least an inch taller, "Who are calling little, pipsqueak?" She taunted, stepping closer to him to show him she was easily taller. The boy growled then threw a sloppy punch at her. Kana ducked effortlessly underneath it, then jabbed him in the stomach.

He doubled over coughing, his friends around him yelled and then threw their own punches.

Garra's eyes widened as five sets of fists came at Kana. She sidestepped the first one, kneeing him in the stomach. The second boy threw his punch, but it was too slow and she caught it then punched him in the nose. The third boys first came at her faster than the others and she tried to dodge it but his fist connected hitting her squarely on her shoulder. She heard a sickening pop sound, and then a searing pain as it was dislocated.

Kana dropped to one knee clutching her shoulder. The remaining, two boys smirked down at her, "Your not so tuff now, are you?" One of the boys sneered bringing his leg up to axe kick her; but was stopped suddenly by a wall of hard sand, which slowly wrapped itself around his leg. Garra stood by Kana's side glaring at the boys. Using his sand, the young six year old, threw him across the playground.

"Who's next?" Garra asked his sand crawling up the legs of the remaining boy. He looked at him terrified, then turned around and ran away from the two. Once all the boys had left, Garra knelt down next to Kana, "Are you okay?" He asked pointing towards her shoulder.

She breathed in sharply, "Yes, I only dislocated it. I need to you pop it back in." The red headed boy nodded, and then in a blink he shoved the bone back into place. Kana bit her lip hard, the searing pain almost overwhelming for a moment but it slowly dulled until it was only hurt when she moved it. Helping her up, Garra and Kana turned around to Naruto who stared at them with tears in his eyes.

"Thank you…" He whispered then shook his head, "Why? Why did you help me?"

Outstretching her good hand, she waited for Naruto to grasp it before she helped him up.

"Because, they had no reason to be bullying you," Kana replied smiling at him, "Do you have any where you need to be after school?"

Naruto shook his head, "No not really."

"Good," She said happily, "Why don't you come and train with us then?"

Naruto just stared at them wide eyed, "Are you sure? I mean I'm not that good, I don't want to hold you guys back…"

Garra shook his head, speaking to him for the first time, "You won't hold us back."

---

Itachi sat on top of the academy, looking down at the three. He had seen the whole fight and was quite surprised the girl held her own against those boys. But then again he wasn't that surprised, after seeing what had happened at the river. He would follow them, and watch them train. Maybe he would get to see them actually fight. Then the eleven year old boy was gone leaving no trace that he had been there.

---

The classroom was abuzz about the new kids fighting with Yama's and his friends. Yama was a large built kid who had been teasing and hurting Naruto for awhile. The teachers didn't do much about it, only Iruka had tried to break it up once.

A boy with a white dog on his head reenacted the fight to his friends, over exaggerating everything of course, as he pretended to be punching and kicking invisible enemies.

Shikamaru walked over to Kana, Garra and Naruto, his hands in his pockets, "That was some fight. You guys really scared the crap out of Yama and his friends." He then turned to Naruto, "I don't think they will bother you for awhile." Smiling at them he returned to his seat.

Oblivious to the fact there had been a fight, Iruka walked into the noisy classroom.

"Settle down." He commanded, and the class slowly quieted, "Today we are going to work on ninjutsu."

---

Well! Chapter two is done. I don't think there was that much action in it, it was probably really boring. But I had to be done. PLEASE REVIEW!!!