Chapter 3

I woke with a start disoriented and breathing like I'd just run across the entire continent and back. A bird crowed somewhere nearby as I looked wildly around searching for Itachi and my family. The wreckage and bodies were nowhere to be seen and nothing in the forest was out of the ordinary.

Just a dream I thought to myself relieved flopping back down to look up at the leaves overhead.

The forest was calm and peaceful. The sun was low in the east, just barely risen, shedding weak light threw the cover of the surrounding forest. It illuminated my pack and the obvious absence of my Akatsuki possessions. My cloak and ring were both gone. Itachi had probably taken them with him. I could not have them with me or I would be discovered too easily.

The bag I always used on missions to carry my stuff and prove my identity, was leaning against a tree. I picked it up and opened it. Itachi usually was very good about getting everything I needed but I had to make sure. There was a supply of weapons, clothes, money, and food in it along with the usual letter Itachi had forged from the last village. I didn't bother reading it, knowing what it would say. Instead I grabbed an outfit from the top. It was my usual, the Kagura clan wear, red sleeves t-shirt, short black shorts, with my kunai holder and shuriken pouch.

I packed up and looked around making sure I hadn't forgotten anything. A piece of paper fell out of my pocket as I turned to leave. Stooping down I picked it up. It was a picture of Itachi looking over his shoulder at something while someone took it from behind a rock. A target picture. I had gotten it from the Hidden Stone Village. He had meant for them to catch him on film or the person would not have lived to deliver it to the village or manage to get that close to him.

I smiled down at the photo and traced his features with my finger. I started off placing the snapshot back into my pocket remembering how fun it had been to fight Itachi and the success of that mission. It had taken nearly four months before to gather all the info we needed to get our prize. Admittedly I didn't need anymore strength but it did feel amazingly satisfying to gain more from the daemon inside the boy. Almost as good as Itachi's touch. Almost.


With one strap of my bag over my shoulder, I walked along the path to the village slowly wanting to make myself seem like less of a threat in anyway I could. It would be more difficult than usual to get in considering the recent events the village had just gone threw. Orochimaru's attack along with Itachi and Kisame's failed attempt to take Naruto they would be even more suspicious of new comers.

Those Idiots letting him get away. I can't believe both of them were nearly defeated. I expect it from Kisame but Itachi... This Juraiya must be pretty good for an old man. I thought as the gates came into view.

I sensed the ninja lurking in the trees as I approached. Only three I'm insulted. Their chakra was well developed and my guess was they were skilled high ranking ninja. Still easy enough to take out if necessary but I'm here to get in not fight. I reminded myself surreptitiously.

The three anbu black ops jumped out in front of me apparently trying to surprise me. They were all alert for signs of a threat. I stop giving them a friendly smile that did nothing to dissipate the tense air around them.

The middle one in a cat mask asks, "State your business here."

"I am Sorin Kagura the last of the Kagura clan, a traveling ninja. I heard Konaha was low on ninja and wished to help." I replied persuasively.

They looked at each other and nodded, "Come we'll take you to lady Hokage." and escorted me into the village.


These Anbu are either idiots or they have a very elaborate trap going here. I thought as they took me threw the streets of Konoha. Or their more desperate than we thought. All the better for me.

We pasted stores, restaurants, and many inhabitants who gave me curious looks as we past. It must be strange to see a thirteen year old girl being escorted by three Anbu and looking like it was no big deal. It was however a big deal. Why were three Anbu waiting at the gate for me? Maybe they had seen Kisame or Itachi in the area. That didn't make sense though, why would they let any outsiders in if they knew a potential threat was lurking nearby? I looked threw potential reasons as a large red building loomed overhead.

The Anbu stopped outside and I pretended to look around at the village like a tourist while really watching them and looking for escape routes if necessary. They looked at each other, nodded, and one jumped away up the building.

"This way." the Anbu in the cat mask said.

I pretended I had only just realized they had moved. The cat masked one walked in while the other waited until I had entered before following. I do hope they don't think that will throw me off.

They took me down several hallways until we reached a door that the cat masked knocked on.

"Come In" a commanding female voice sounded from in the room.

"Thank you Lady Hokage." he opened the door bowing respectfully, "We have someone to see you."

He stepped aside and I walked in. It was a large circular room with wooden desk facing us and windows along the back wall. Behind the desk sat a blond kuniochi who, I knew from my mission briefing, was the Sanin Lady Tsunada. Standing beside her chair with a pig in a jacket was her black haired maid Shisuna. The third anbu member was already in the room.

"Lady Hokage," I bowed respectfully, "I am Sorin Kagura, a traveling ninja and I heard that the leaf village was short on shinobi at the moment so I have come to offer my service. I come at no prise. I simply would like food and shelter in exchange for one more shinobi to help the village until the village has regained its strength."

Shisuna gasped,"Wait you mean you are one of the Kagura clan that was wiped out five years ago? I thought they were killed by one of their experimental jutsu, we were told none of them survived."

I flinched both at the memory, still fresh in my mind after all these years, and at being called an experiment, no matter how true it was. I allowed a small amount of pain to enter my voice, "Yes they were murdered, everyone but me. Its not something I like to talk about." That was absolutely true I was the only one and I didn't like talking about it.

"Hmm, we could use more shinobi." Tsunada muttered to herself clasping her hands on the desk in front of her, "If you are skilled enough. How old are you anyway?" she asked me.

"I am thirteen but I have trained in many of the hidden villages in my travels and have been loyal to each. It shall be no different here."

"Very well then but you shall be assigned to squad seven. You will meat your squad and your new sensei, Kakashi, tomorrow at the training ground. Here is a map of the village," she threw me a map that I snatched one handed from the air, " the details of were you will be staying are on there. You are dismissed."

"Thank you Lady Hokage for your kindness." I bowed again and walked out.

The Anbu started speaking in whispers as soon as I closed the door, "Are you sure this is wise?"

"What if she is one of Orocimaru's?"

"If she is the last of the Kagura clan we might have let a threat into the village."

Tsunada answered curtly, "Get Kakashi over here we don't have any available ninja so he'll have to watch her for now."

"Right Lady Hokage" One of them replied with the hint of doubt still plain in his voice and they left.


Not too bad. I thought as I stepped into my new apartment.

It had only the essentials nothing fancy. A nice bed, a kitchenette, and bathroom.

I got to work emptying my backpack. No point in looking like I was ready to leave at a moments notice even though I was.

Deciding I should take stock of my weapons I lay them out on the bed. I have nearly two-hundred-fifty. That was a lot less than I usually had but without my cloak to carry them and wishing to look like no threat to the village Itachi had taken most of them. I pick up one kunai in particular. Its covered in blood long dried. Her blood. Unwelcome the memory comes back to me strong as ever like it had just happened.

I collapsed on her lifeless body sobbing and yelling for her to wake up. Its too late she is already gone. I pull the kunai out of her chest with my blood soaked hands. "Mother I swear that on the day I die this kunai will carry my blood to atone for what I have done to our clan."

Overcome by the memory and the the screams of my dead clan members I raised the kunai to my throat pressing it into my skin just wanting the pain to go away.

Itachi's face on that same day came to the forefront of my mind clear as a bell.

"Look at you. Sitting on the ground crying over a corpse. You almost make me pity you. Come with me and your ability will not be wasted. If join us your clan will not have died in vain."

"I am sorry mother,"I whispered as I lowered it, "I live today for Itachi. To help his cause. One day when he has gained his power I will be killed by this knife. Until that day comes I live for Itachi."

I put all my weaponry back were it belonged and put my mothers kunai in it's holster with the rest. One day mother one day soon.