AN: Heads up, this story is quite long. It start's when the main character's ages are 10 and will continue on until they are 24-26 or so. I have been writing this story for more than a year. I promise you there is written effort, character development, mystery. Some chapter might get slow, like this one, but i's important.

Thank you for reading! 3 I appreciate reviews, both good and bad.

All Love!

7
Age: 11

Due to her two week suspension. Ryou did nothing but train relentlessly from sunrise to sunset. She had no one waiting for her at home and now that she didn't have to concern herself with her idiot team this two week leave of absence was just dandy.

She had to become faster… stronger… Another one of her checklist goals was to develop a personal jutsu soon.

Before she proceeded with her plan to sneak into the Uchiha police department she had to gain speed and there was only one person that could help her. And as much as she hated it, she had to do it…

She stood behind him and without hesitation tapped his shoulder.

"Ryou! It's so nice seeing you!" He hugged her tightly.
"Hi Gai." She said putting on the fakest smile she could muster.
"How have you been? I'm so sorry I heard…" He began.

'I don't need your sympathies….' Ryou almost growled out. She stopped herself tho.

"It's been rough, but I've been fine… I could be better. I was thinking that maybe you could help me."

Gai raised a bushy eyebrow slightly taken back.

They soon stood at the training grounds. Gai had completely bought the idea that teaching Ryou how to be faster would help her feel better. His logic was that training releases endorphins and so she would be happier- makes sense no?

"Ryou, I feel like it would look good on you-" she cut him off.
"I'm not wearing your stupid jumpsuit Gai. Now let's get to the point." The way she was treating him it was almost rude.

'Geez….' He thought slightly taken back.
This was not the Ryou he had gone to the academy with.
Gai started a routine and would make her wear weights on both her legs and her arms.
For exactly two weeks whenever she could Ryou would meet with Gai and the rest of team Choza which consisted on Ebisu and Genma. And she would work on her speed with them.

It wasn't until one day Saisho-sensi showed up at her doorstep…

"Yes?" She opened the door slightly not wanting him to see anything in her home behind her.
"Ryou, you're on mission suspension, but you are still expected to show up for training." He said with his arms crossed a disappointed look in his brown eyes the two thin lines at the edge of his lines slightly crinkled just like his father's.
"I have been training." Ryou replied dully "Just not with you."

She attempted to close the door, but he stuck his foot in and instead stepped inside the house. He looked at the once regal house which was a dumpster of a mess and smelled as if something dead was still in the house.

"Ryou, where's your father?" He asked his eyes wide.
"I don't know- or care." She hissed with venom.
"Ryou- calm down." He asked attempting to reach the girl.
"Stay away from me!" She snapped. "All you're doing is holding me back."

She began to run out of he house, but he got a hold of her arm.

"You think we're holding you back?" A challenging smirk made way to his face as he quickly devised an ingenious plan.
"Tell you what, meet your team at the training grounds tomorrow and if you prove that we're only slowing you down. You're dismissed from training. Deal?"
"Hn, I won't miss you." She said pulling back her arm forcefully and leaving her sensei in her house.

He couldn't help, but sigh, dealing with Ryou was going to be even harder now...

Meanwhile, the green eyed pre-teen focused all of her chakra in her nose, it was time to work on her original part-time main mission. Her mother hadn't passed down a lot of things to her. However, she had always been very thankful of having inherited her mother's very sensitive tracking abilities.
As soon as she picked up the smell of her victim she rushed to find him.

Obito found himself walking the streets of Konoha he had the day off and was chewing on a candy. His hands were raised behind his neck as he looked up at the sky. It was a really nice day, he was wondering what Rin was doing when he suddenly bumped into someone.

"Hey watch where you-" He began.

Then he noticed it was Ryou and completely straightened his back.

"R-Ryou!" He exclaimed. He didn't want to end up like Kakashi with an almost broken nose on the floor.
"Sorry, I should've watched were I was going." She apologized and offered a kind smile.

She had found her target.

"I'll see you later Obito-san…" she trailed off and slowly walked away.

This behavior was different.

"Wait- Ryou. What are you doing?" Obito asked.

From a window not so far away Kakashi watched the exchange. He unconsciously traced the slope of his nose.
that was close, she had almost broken it, when she punched him the other day.

He looked at the old picture of her. The picture of the smiling young girl and then back at the turn out outside his window.
In a year she had completely changed. She now wore a black long sleeve dress that reached to her mid tights and just to her elbows. A pair of fishnet tights covered most of her legs. And she wore a sleeveless long opened robe that reached her knees.
And of course her clan's signature wear the slash across her waist with a thin gold string tying it together. Her hair was even bigger and more unkempt. And the cherry on top was her Konoha forehead protector displayed on her head.

The girl in the picture and the one outside his balcony almost looked like two complete different people, and he wondered if he should update his photo.

Later in the day Ryou stood in the park playground with an Uchiha boy.

"Bye Obito! Thank you for today! I had a lot of fun." Ryou said with a small grin. She half meant it, she half didn't mean it.
He grinned back and they both parted ways.
'Great…' Her plan was in motion.

Well at least something was going right.
The following day, she finally showed up to train. Kurenai hugged her tightly and began asking her a bunch of questions. Asuma asked some and was friendly to her. It was when Saisho-sensei showed up that things turned ugly.

"Alright team. Today we are going to try a new strategy. Us against Ryou. If she can beat us, just as promised she doesn't have to show up to train, but if we beat her, during out next missions she has to carry all of our stuff."

Ryou got in a fighting stance, she saw Asuma and Kurenai do the same. Saisho-sensei stood there with his hands in his pockets a broad smirk on his face.

Ryou was crazy if she thought she could take the three of them at the same time. She was the first one to charge and attack Asuma. He successfully dodged her attack and counter attacked with several shuriken. Kurenai did the same, Ryou barely dodged her blades. They had been fighting for what felt like hours and so far she had the lower hand in the fight. Feeling exhausted and completely drained she feel to her knees.

'How are they not tired…' she thought feeling exhausted.

It almost seemed like Asuma and Kurenai wouldn't run out of weapons, and they didn't even look the slightest bit exhausted. And that's when Ryou realized she had been trapped in a genjutsu all along...
"It's no use…" She growled, she felt like she had been stuck in this illusion for hours and there was no way of getting out of it.
The illusion was released she had only been in it for 20 minutes.

It was useless, she couldn't release a genjutsu, she couldn't even create crystals yet- she was still too weak.

She had lost...

"Seems like genjutsu are your weakness Ryou, but don't worry we'll help you work on that." Saisho-sensei smiled at her kindly. Ryou was scowling. She couldn't believe this was happening.
"And- as promised, the next mission Ryou will be carrying all of our stuff!" Asuma and Kurenai began grinning. This only made Ryou's scowl deepen, she had her arms crossed in neglect.
"Hn…" she rolled her eyes at the group.

"Also, another reason why I wanted the three of you gathered is due to the Chunnin exams that are coming up. I'm recommending the three of you, since I feel like you guys are ready for it."

Saisho explained what the Chunnin exams were and that he wasn't expecting them to participate but that they should still do it. Without another word before the rest of her team could say anything to her Ryou disappeared.
This meant she had to train even more. The sooner she reached a higher rank, the stronger she would become and the sooner she would get her hands on whoever destroyed her family.

Her most recent personal missions were:
1) Defeat Genjutsus
2) Create a chakra crystal
3) Befriend Obito Uchiha
4) Obtain the files of her mother's murder and sister's disappearance
5) Find Whoever was guilty and kill them…

...Slowly.

She wasted no time in filling out the form and the next day it had been slipped under Saisho's door in his home.
Ryou was home and found her father holding his head in the kitchen table, the house was still a bloody mess…

"How old where you when you created your first crystal?" She hadn't spoken to him in weeks.
Still holding his head he looked at his daughter, almost like he was in pain. There wasn't a change in expression in her face.
"25." With that she began walking away, "Wait-" he called. She ignored him and once again left the house.

She spent the entire day at the local library doing research on genjutsu and how to avoid it. Hours and hours researching her newfound weakness and how to fix it. If anyone else found out bout it, it would be bad….
It was then that she felt his presence. Slamming the book shut she turned to see Kakashi peering over her shoulder. She had been so absorbed in her studies that she did not hear or smell him coming.

'Why the hell is he always where I'm at?' She thought frustrated. He seemed to be just about everywhere!

"Reading about Genjutsu?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
"Do you want me to break your face Hatake?" She snapped threatening him pushing her books away from her, as if in disgust.

He gave a step back self consciously, expecting her to really break his face. She didn't want him to know what her new weakness was- him knowing could be dangerous.

"I heard you were participating in the Chunnin Exams." He began casually in an attempt to ignore her menacing glare.
She began walking away from him, "Yeah, and what of it?"
"Just confirming. I guess I'll see you in the field. I expect you will follow the rules."

She turned to glare at him with a pair of fiery eyes.

She was about to physically attack him, but thought wiser not too.
'Save it for "The Field"'… a voice inside her head said.
A twisted smirk made way to her face she didn't say anything else and with that she left him standing confused at the entrance of the public library.

Personal Goal #6:
If possible, beat Hatake Kakashi.

It had been months since the killings at her home had transpired. More than half a year at least. All teams had been training extremely hard for the Chunnin Exams.
And Ryou had been working on her personal projects as well.
She still wasn't able to defend herself against Genjutsus, or to create chakra crystals. But her friendship with Obito had been growing which was always excellent progress and got her one step closer to obtaining those forbidden files.

Team Saisho presently found themselves at the Chunin exams gate. Ryou had easily breezed through the written part. Now it was time for the real magic the second part or the forbidden woods and the third one the one that consisted on individual combat.

First up it was Obito vs. Gai, Ryou and Rin were standing next to each other cheering loudly. Obito got distracted looking at Rin cheering. The boy had been completely engrossed and didn't notice Gai move to roundhouse kick him in the face. Sadly, the fight was over in record time.

Gai was to pass to the second round.

The Second fight consisted on Kakashi vs. Asuma. And in this one even if Ryou knew what the outcome would be, she was almost leaning over the balcony from where they were watching. Kurenai by her side. "Kick his ass Asuma!" Ryou would cheer violently while shaking her fist in the air.
Saisho-sensei watched Ryou cheering interest from the other side of the room. It had been a while since he had seen the girl show so much positive energy.
Sadly, Asuma lost the battle.
Kurenai fought against Genma and won, which was starting to look good for Team Saisho.
The final fight of the first round was Ryou versus Ebisu.
Let's just say Ebisu ended up on the floor with his dark glasses completely cracked and Ryou stood above his body her rubbing her injured knuckles with a bored look on her face.

Now it was time for the second round.

Kakashi vs. Gai, was entertaining to watch and despite the fact that Ryou prayed Gai would win... predictably enough Kakashi won.

Of course.

He was lucky they hadn't encountered each other yet-
Kurenai was to fight Ame Hageshi from the Sand Village the battle endured for some time and Kurenai attempted fighting the puppet user but was not very successful. Despite her team cheering from the stands she soon dropped to her knees and raised her hand in surrender.

'I guess genjutsu aren't that useful against puppets…' thought Ryou as she watched with a small pout.

Now it was Ryou's turn.

Ryou vs. Hana Akai from the Grass village
Ryou stood in the field before a pretty girl with bright violet hair and vibrant matching pink eyes. Her long hair was held up in a pony tail and was covered in flowers.
She wore a brown dress with matching pink flowers in it.

"Now beginning the match between Ryou Noa and Hana Akai."

Ryou felt the pit of her stomach slightly churn. She had heard of this girl. She came from a team of older Genin from the Grass village. Those vibrant eyes, she was obviously a Genjutsu user.

The match began and Ryou with closed eyes gave a massive jump back. Hana gave a jump forward and began attacking Ryou with a small blade cutting her arms as she tried to defend herself.

"No!" Kurenai said from the balcony banging her hands on the metal rail.

Few of Ryou's friends were cheering for her.
Asuma stood next to Kurenai worried, "I wonder how Ryou's goanna get herself out of this one…"
In his head he pictured all the potential scenarios in which Ryou could win this match and all of them were very slim.
Kakashi watched with interest, Genjustu was the girl's main weakness. There was no way she would get out of this one. He couldn't wait to see the girl loose and become publicly humiliated before the entire ninja community.
Ryou looked away while attempting to attack the girl. She couldn't look at the enemy's eyes. If she looked she'd be trapped in a genjutsu and the match would instantly be over.
And suddenly the brunette threw a fist at the girl greatly failing. Her eyes went wide as Hana ducked.

"Missed me!" Hana giggled and stuck out her tongue at the girl who kept her eyes closed. "You're going to have to open your eyes at some point." She said with a smirk.
'This isn't working out…' Ryou quickly ducked and touched the ground quickly before doing a quick backflip. And in that moment a huge cloud of white smoke filled the bottom part of the arena.

Hana stood in the cloud of smoke coughing.
"Come out and fight me!" she shouted. Her shrill voice echoing the arena.
'Just what is she thinking…' Saisho thought slightly concerned.
He had almost a year training her and he knew that the only ninja art Ryou had never been able to master was genjutsu. She could easily tell when she was in one, but getting out of one was a whole other story.

The smoke cleared out and everyone was surprised to see Ryou all the way across the arena crouching with both of her hands pressed against the floor. Her forehead protector had been lowered to cover both of her eyes. Hana stood in the center of the arena confused by the superfluous amount of rectangular thin papers surrounding her in a thick circumference.

"Move and your dead." She hissed out to her enemy.
Making time to calibrate her other 4 senses completely. Hana observed her carefully figuring out just what she was thinking.
"While you were blinded I covered the entire perimeter with bombs. You can't jump over them. One wrong step and say goodbye to both of your feet."

Hana stood frozen with eyes wide.
The Grass village girl analyzed her opponents face carefully. She couldn't tell if she was bluffing or not.

The Hokage leaned forward and began watching with interest. Kakashi noticed the interest of the Hokage and mentally cursed the girl. He even thought of a way to sabotage the fight, but there was nothing subtle that he could think off. Wait a minute- there was something…
He glanced at Obito who had regained consciousness recently and was leaning way to forward on the balcony gripping it so tightly his knuckles were turning white.

"What? But that makes no sense! What are you going to do now, wait for me to simply walk out?" Hana shouted back fear edging her voice.

Ryou stood up. Her eyes still hidden. She would have to rely on her other senses hearing, smell and touch.
She could smell Hana. The flowers in her head made it easy to locate her in the arena. And as long as she kept talking it would be even easier to know how she was moving or what she was doing. Ryou wasn't very conversational, but she had to keep Hana talking.

"Of course, only I know which papers will trigger the bombs." A smirk made way to the leaf ninja's face.

"But Ryou is blind folded. There's no way she can know what Hana will do. One wrong step and she's done." Rin said with concern.
"Ryou you better not blow yourself up!" Obito shouted leaning further over the balcony.

Kakashi was now observing every single movement the girl did. She was planning on winning this fight- blindfolded?
Was she out of her fucking mind. It was impossible.

He couldn't get the Hokage's intrigued expression from his face. He had to distract her, somehow...

"Look!" He suddenly exclaimed and leaning forward pointing. Both Obito and Rin looked at his finger and Kakashi took this opportunity to shove Obito forward over the rail and down the balcony.

"AHHHH!" Obito shouted as he fell forward.

Ryou recognized the voice. She instantly removed her forehead protector and looked in the direction where her friend had fallen eyes wide. Everyone but Kakashi had turned to face the boy that was loosely hanging off the balcony.
Kakashi kept his eyes on the girl, 'perfect.' Now, the only thing he needed was for Hana to make eye contact with Ryou.
It was then that our protagonist saw Kakashi's dark eyes piercing her, she noted the bored expression on what was visible of his face and knew he was behind this. Rin was attempting to help Obito up. In that moment Ryou took advantage of the distraction and shot several shuriken stars at her opponent.

"Ack!" Hana groaned as she held onto her new injuries.
She turned to look at Ryou jus in time for the girl to squeeze her eyes shut tightly.
'Nice try Hatake..' she thought smugly.

Still with her eyes covered Ryou hopped on two particular pieces of paper before reaching the small circle were Hana was standing with her small knife. Ryou's grin became wider as she pulled out a pair of Shuriken in her hands. She threw more shuriken where Hana was standing, she ducked- too predictable. And Ryou holding her kunai made a jump to attempt and slice her. She landed on the palms of her hands and instead managed to kick the girl in what she assumed was her back. She could hear her feet shuffling nearby and with a swift flick of her arm the girl was off her feet.
A horrified scream left Hana's mouth as she fell into the paper trap bombs, many other white papers flying in the air. The people stared with their jaws dropped, eyes gauging out of their sockets. Several Chunnin were already rushing down to the field.
Everyone held their breaths. The arena was completely silent.
Hana opened her violet eyes and saw Ryou was standing on top of her the kunai knife had been tightly pressed against her neck. The match was over.

The audience was still quiet. Everyone looking at the match with their eyes wide. "What the fuck just happened?!" Obito shouted his eyes the size of golf balls. He had done a rather quick recovery from the shock of almost falling into the arena.
Hana's eyes were just as wide, her hair now a complete mess.

"I lied. there are no bombs. This is just a bunch of white paper." Ryou said with a small chuckle. Before throwing some papers on the scared girl.

Obito actually crouched to his knees 'That was pure genius!' He said anime crying. Why couldn't he had thought of something like that?!

Rin cheered, so did Kurenai and Asuma. Kakashi stood frozen. He saw the amused expression on the Hokage's face and he felt a pang of jealousy.
'Clever girl…' he thought bitterly.
Hana felt mortified. She couldn't believe she had been fooled by such a basic trick.

"And the winner of this match is Ryou Noa." The coach declared.
Ryou lowered her headband to her neck and a broad grin became plastered on her face, she helped up her opponent with a hand. And stepped away to meet her team. Saisho-sensei was thrilled He hadn't seen the girl smile in so long, this was the real accomplishment.

"Only you would think of that!" Asuma said playfully punching her shoulder. Kurenai gave her a hug. Ryou actually hugged back.
"Ryou-chan is so smart!" someone said.
"I don't think anyone else could've thought of such a brilliant plan."

The Hokage's pleased face, even Minato-sensei looked impressed.
She was alone for a brief moment and Kakashi, the only other Chunnin in her generation, approached her.

"Next time it's going to be just you and me in he field, and I'm not falling for your stupid paper tricks." He threatened.
"Hm. We'll see about that." She retorted with a pleased smirk and narrowed eyes.