After much toil and trouble at sea, I was almost grateful that I was soaked in smelly sea water, rather than blood. After a small rest, I set off again in the very early hours of the morning for the Hidden mist village. Many hours had passed and I had negotiated my way through the thick mist and mountains that made the Hidden mist village very difficult to find for foreigners. As a bonus, the journey from shore to village was fight free and my clothes had dried (despite the cold weather)!

It was noon when I entered the village, hoping to look for the Mizukage's office. I felt that I needed to ask her permission to train in the village to increase my chakra control ability. As I walked about, hopelessly looking for the office, I realised that it was indeed the widest and largest building in the village. I headed towards there like some kind of simpleton, not really aware my surroundings (because of the mist), until I accidently bumped into someone. It was a female. As I bumped into her, I felt as though my heart was beating and the world has slowed down. The sensation of bumping into her was amazing. In that one moment I felt her soft body against mine, but I had to move away quick and apologize.

'Sorry madam… I didn't see you there.' I kept an innocent, humble face, just like it was during my days as a slave.

'It's okay', she smiled so effortlessly yet it was so beautiful!

I kept walking to the Mizukage's office, reflecting on those 20 seconds of awkwardness. I had to make sure once that it wasn't a genjutsu, much to the joy of a child passing by as he saw me doing the genjutsu release! I asked myself questions like, who she was, what her name was… even things like her favourite food. Was her personality as beautiful as her appearance? She had a pretty face, wore a simple but beautiful kimono which covered but accentuated her full figure. It was unusual for an inhabitant of a shinobi village, or indeed a Markovian woman to be full-figured and indeed to embrace it! In Markovia, if a woman was full figured and well-fed, she was considered beautiful. It was quite rare for a Markovian woman to have such a figure. Mainly because all the Jashin women were warriors who kept active and the Jentile women were slaves and like any slave, were always on their feet working. They were also restricted to an unextravagant supply of food. During my time in Markovia, there was one such woman who exhibited such beauty. Her name was Salima Markov the fourth, and she had a goddess-like status in Markovia. All the men dreamed to be with her and all the women wanted to look like her. But ever since I met this woman in the Hidden mist, I never thought Salima the fourth's beauty would be surpassed.

At last, I reached the Mizukage's office. I was in the main corridor until I was immediately stopped by a bodyguard. He was middle-aged, wore an eye patch over his right eye and was incredibly tight about security.

'The Mizukage has no time for foreigners!', he shouted at me, hoping I would go away. He was eager not to let me through.

'What's all this commotion about?' A woman in her thirties stepped out a room, the man stopped.

'Ao, what have I told you? We do not live in the Bloody mist anymore! I'm sure this young, handsome man has important business with me, seeing as he travelled so far…' That must have been the Mizukage. I never had her down to be flirtatious or pretty either, mainly because I thought the Mizukage was initially male.

The Mizukage and I chatted for a while, I told her about my journey so far, and she was impressed with by defeat of Kisame, who happened to be a former inhabitant of this village.

'If a non-shinobi like you can fight against Akatsuki, it gives us mist shinobi no excuse to get involved too! We must show the ninja world that the Mist mean business', she said, with an optimistic smile on her face. I had much trouble figuring out her personality. Sometimes she would smile like this, and other times she would be in a fiery mood (mainly with Ao!).

After talking some more, the Mizukage then asked me a very random question. 'So… Masakhi, this afternoon is a wedding reception hosted by 2 of the prominent Shinobi families in this village. Would you like to come?' It was a while since I attended a wedding. I simply had to say yes, I didn't want to be impolite. She then replied, 'Great, see you there!' She smiled again.

Shopping for something nice was difficult, but I found something for the reception. I reached the venue on time, and I was overwhelmed. Back in Markovia, I was only allowed attend the slave weddings. The venue was huge, beautiful and the food at the reception was like nothing I had tasted before! I was enjoying myself, getting to know the other villagers in the process, and then I saw her, the woman I met earlier. She smiled at me, the same way she did earlier. Was this a sign? I didn't know whether I should go upto her and talk or not but I did anyway, forgetting my shyness. I just had to be myself. Take a deep breath and…

'Hi, we meet again!' I said.

'Indeed. My name is Setsuka Kazama, nice to see you again! ' she replied with a vivacious tone. For this Occasion she wore a different kimono, something far more elegant, but it had the same accentuating effect on her curves. I had introduce myself too.

'I am Masakhi Mishima, of Markovia. It's an honour to meet you'. She laughed and blushed.

Setsuka and I talked a lot for a while, about many things. It was then time for the bride to throw the bouquet. We joined the Mizukage, Ao and the others.

'I think you should go up there and try to catch it, eh Lady Mizukage?' I really hoped that Ao was drunk when he said that, he wasn't doing himself any favours, insisting that the Mizukage was past marriageable age. Overall this was a comforting start to my stay at the Mist village. After that evening, the hard work began…