Obviously i don't own Naruto nor the characters, clearing that up now. Same disclaimer for all future and previous chapters.

Hope you like things getting dark fast.

Let me know what you think.

second edition notes: Added more descriptions and such, same plot line just hopefully sounds better. Tried to iron out a few contradicting thoughts here and there, basically working it. As of writing this I had a good idea but i forgot so i'll come back to this once I've remembered.

Two Weeks ago

Monica was struggling to keep up with the main group. He heart was pounding, her breathing was heavy, and her legs felt like they were going to snap. Lee, her sensei, had been pushing her hard to improve which she believed was both a blessing and curse. On one side she needed the extra training as she kept on falling behind, which was the other side. She was considered average in terms of looks, a few freckles dotted on her fair skin and she held her headband with the leaf symbol on her forehead, to keep her orange hair out of her eyes. She would have been called ginger if it weren't for the vibrancy of her colour. The shoulder length hair seemed to shift from bright gold highlights to dark brown shadows, depending on the light. She played down her femininity through a beige coat and certain tight fitting clothes which instead of showing off her figure, made herself less noticeable with a pressed chest and the illusion of thinner hips. Her coat was practical too, holding many pockets and made of scratch and water resistant material.

Now she was falling behind with two other ninjas keeping her unwanted company. She gritted her teeth as she chose her route over and over, she could never get the hang of foresight and blind trust in the trees. With the aid of her chakra she would grip onto a tree like a limpet and make sure of her footing before leaping across to the next tree. The forest they were training grew large pine trees. Many times taller than the oak and the alder, elm and the ash; back around the village hidden in the leafs, Konoha. There were fewer branches at what was seen as a 'safe' height. So the genin trainees had to either make do with gripping from the very bark of the trunk or get higher.

"Come on Monica this is easy." Teased a boy called dentsu. He worse bandages over his arms which were now dirty from the training.

"I could do this all day." Jeered the other boy called Nago. Usually known for wearing hoodies but right now, wearing tight fitting black shinobi vest so he didn't have to worry about damaging his preferred clothes.

These two unfortunately were her teammates. Them, and along with the majority of her class, felt she wasn't meant to be with them. She was two years older because she wasn't as skilled as most graduates and took longer to become a genin. Lee noticed how her efforts were proving somewhat fruitless and he knew that she was trying to improve. So Lee gave her a 'helping' hand. Now she was exhausted and forced to be teased as part of her torment. She hated the fact she did not have much in the way of natural talent. Nevertheless, her sensei had inspired her to keep going to which she was sure she should have passed out hours ago. An improvement in stamina to which she was grateful for but still desired to be better, to shut up her teammates.

"Hey Nago, want to make a bet? Tonight's pudding says she'll run into a tree."

"Oh, I like that, But I think she ill trip and fall out of the trees."

She tried to ignore them. Unfortunately, they teased just enough to distract her. She gripped the sappy tree trunk too hard and she got a burning sensation as her right palmed grazed against the sticky bark. She started blowing on her hand in an effort for the pain to wear off. However, this just resulted in a chain reaction of feebily grabbing onto something, anything, and a lot of screaming. Before she knew it, Monica was staring up at the sky from the bottom of a tree. She could hear the laughing of her teammates grow fainter as they never stopped to help her. When Monica tried to move she was met with the resistance arrived from total exhaustion. Her body had enough, exhaustion and pain dragged her down to a dark and uncomfortable sleep.

"Well well well! Look at what we have here. Lost in the wood are we dear?"

Monica opened her eyes, she felt like she was being mocked again. She jumped up in fright, those voices were too old to be her classmates. She focused her eyes to wake up fully. It was evening and the blue sky was hinting at an orange sunset. Standing in front of her were three men clad in leather and plated armour and weapons, mostly a range of daggers and kunai, were drawn. Monica took her kunai out from her pouch and held it in her right hand. The cold metal sizzling with pain against her raw skin which had been rubbed off when she fell.

"Easy now darling, listen to us and we won't hurt you." One spoke with lies in his voice

"Yeah we are your friends, we know a place where we can get you cleaned up." Smirked the other bandit.

Monica had heard enough. No one would buy those lies, except maybe the blind or really dumb because they were obviously holding back smiles and giggles from they little 'performance'. She had to escape but to do that she first had to attack. She leaped forward to strike at the closest bandit. In retaliation the bandit grabbed her by the neck and throw her against the tree trunk. Gasping for air she looked up. Her body was moving too slowly. She bit her lip to manage the pain returning from her fall. She lunged back forward but this time she darted to the right. Too slow. The bandit's deadly blade had caught her and glided through her flesh from her left thigh, up her left side, and only stopped at her ear. The young girl collapsed onto the forest floor. She was telling herself to get up but her left side felt like it was white hot. She coughed up blood and thought to herself 'why'. She couldn't feel her leg o her arm. Her right arm still worked but she made a feeble attempt to raise her guard. The last thing she saw was a large boot aimed right for her face before her body gave up and she slipped away from consciousness but not before a dull kick to the face.

Monica woke up again. As far as she could tell, she was indoors and the orange glow of fire illuminated her surroundings. It was a simple large room built into a cave or some rocky feature. The ceiling was thick with smoke and the air stung her eyes a little. Aside from that the room held few objects, some retrofitted logs and stones as seats and a few rugs for comfort. This screamed rough living or at least a hideout and more luxurious accommodation was available. Her body refused to move in its bonds but as time passed she could hear voices talking, heading for the room she was tied up in. She was getting some energy back but it was best to not move. Even twitching sent pain shooting throughout her body. A glance to her left shoulder showed some of her wound. Caked in dirt and dried blood she was surprised she didn't bleed out. From her field of vission she could see the ground was soaked in her blood as well, she was still bleeding.

"We could get hostage money from her, She's from the Leaf anyway. They'll pay good money if it means one of them gets back… alive." He looked at the vulnerable shinobi laying on the floor. The man glared at the others to get the message through that they can't do too much to her.

"Man we really have had an impressive haul today." Another voice bragged

"Once she is awake we should have a bit of fun, I get first dibs, damn I hope she's a virgin."

Monica closed her eyes. Oh shit she repeated to herself. Shit Shit Shit she cursed while pretending to be unconscious. Hoping they would be put off if she wasn't awake to 'enjoy' the bandits. To put it in their words of course.

"Why not now while she's unconscious?" The room then roared up in laughter.

"You hound!" The laughing continued but soon died down.

"Ah you don't get it; her struggling is part of the fun. Unless you want to take her on dates and buy her flowers. What are you, a romantic fuck?" the teasing continued.

"Alright I get it, sheesh, Well if you get first dibs I'll get first pick of the earnings."

"You know what? Fuck it. Deal."

"Yeah check if she's awake I'm getting horny just by thinking about it now."

"Psh." Monica could hear one of the bandits approach where she was laying.

"Hey lady are you awake?" He stood on her thigh where the cut was its deepest. All she had to do was not move. Not feel Pain. It hurt too much, and she gave a cry to stop it. She writhed in her bonds which caused more pain, all she wanted to do was soothe her wounds. "Ah she's awake." The man laughed at her pain while Monica started to wriggle away which put her through excruciating pain and all the while her left side was still too too stiff to move.

"Where are you going lady?" He took a kunai out and buried it into the floor by her head and leaving it as a message for her to stop. Tear rolling down her eyes as she looked away. This is it she thought. "Hey, she's all yours, try not to burn out all of the fire in her eyes. I love how they sparkle in pain, anger and fear." He walked away for the man who called 'first dibs'. Passing his comrade he commented.

"Romantic fuck." The man grabbed her and pulled her legs closer. She wanted to resist but found he was too strong for her. He was going to rape her and that would be it. Life over, Career over, chances of redemption or at least getting even with her teammates, over. She could hear him getting prepared

Monica suddenly heard the man above her scream out in agony. She looked up at him to see the point of a blade piercing out of his chest where his heartless heart ought to be. The blade sunk back into the chest only to be swing around and cut the man into two halves. Blood splattered across Monica's face. She watched in awe as the shinobi who had cleaved through the rapist spun to parry the blade of the bandit behind. He looked left and threw a kunai with his left hand straight into another man's neck who scratched at it as he fell. With another spin, he kicked the third aggressor in the face and caused him to fall back. Standing ready for the next attack. The kicked man jumped back up and the two remaining fighters bore their swords down on the shinobi. He blocked both blades easily, their strength was no match for the two bandits. With the two blades locked he threw them both back and with lightning reflexes he cleaved the right arm off one man then immediately sliced his neck wide open. Before the dead man could fall the sword plunged into the last man's chest from his shoulder. The unknown shinobi turned to face Monica. He sheathed his sword and approached the girl. His left hand became blazing bright yellow. Monica's vision began to blur. Her body shutting down again from the blood loss. She couldn't. She had to see who her saviour was.

Suddenly one of the bandits who had jutsu up his sleeve became visible and stood above Monica. The was a cry and the shinobi, who hadn't anticipated an invisible enemy. Had his right hand covering his left eye. Crimson blood coating his left side. With a look of death on his face he drew a kunai seemingly from nowhere and flicked it at the new opponent. He laughed as he easily moved to deflect the kunai. The moment the two blades touched a bright flash of yellow followed by dancing sparks. The second kunai hit its target, followed by a third, then a forth, a fifth, and a sixth. The man was long dead but her saviour brought his left hand to his face and with a small burst of chakra. The blades erupted in powerful arcs of electricity burning the body as it fell into a heap on the floor.

Monica tried with all her might to stay conscious. She knew enough that he was cutting her bonds with his left hand. She felt her body being picked up. With the last of her strength she reached out to touch his cheek and focus on his face. She looked right into his purple right eye then she looked at his left eye and saw the open wound on his face. Cutting through where his eye used to be.

As Monica rested she started dreaming of her class laughing, laughing and mocking her. Calling her names and teasing her. Around in a circle and provided no escape, she had to push through the people to get out. She had to get out, air was choking her but she had not noticed the important detail, she could hear the laughing but the bodies had no owner, no face, no identity. She'd then return home to a mother who was getting ready to leave, run away and pushed passed her daughter, knocking her over and not saying a word as she abandoned the household. A father who didn't even acknowledge her existence, sitting on a sofa and drunk beyond sanity, his gray eyes lacked the spark of life as he sat and made no attempt to stop his wife. She'd head to her room only to hear more laughing from outside. Tapping on the window as pebbles were thrown at the glass. Turning now to try and block out the voices she saw herself in the mirror, Hideous and covered in spots, marks, and scars. The laughing growing louder. Stop it Stop it Stop, shit fuck, she kept cursing and swearing to the voices in her head. With a gasp she woke up to the real world.

Looking around she saw it was dark. She was leaning against a tree trunk with a thick cloak covering her body. She looked over the fire in front of her. Sitting by the fire and staring into it was the shinobi from earlier, He was wearing a sleeveless jacket. His right arm showed black tattooed patterns on his shoulders while his left arm was completely covered in ornate and intricate patterns. Looking up at his face she noticed he had a bandage covering his left eye and a fresh scar over his cheek. He snapped out of his trance and in a rough voice spoke out.

"Morning will be up soon, it'll be safe for you to go back then. Just rest."

"Who are you?" Monica mumbled. She may of had a jolt waking up but quickly she settled down and grew tired almost immediately.

"Doesn't matter."

"But you saved me?"

"Could have been anyone, I'm not special."

"B-but you lost your eye for me?" She was staring at the red scar which was coated in something that looked green.

"If it makes you feel better I lost it years ago." Monica was surprised. He looked around her age or perhaps a little older. She noticed he was dirty and had unkempt hair. It was difficult to tell his emotions were, he just glared into the fire with a voice expressionless and devoid of caring that he had lost a piece of him. After silence crept back in between them. Only the crackling of the fire penetrated the night. It was difficult to comprehend a life where you could be injured so young. Yes, Monica knew that a shinobi life was dangerous and she had seen older shinobi with many injuries, especially after the recent great war. At best he could only be chunin level.

"W-where is your headband?"

"Headband? Oh, I don't have one."

"But which village do you belong to?" Monica asked but the man didn't reply to her. He allowed silence to creep in and had no intention of answering her. Monica eventually worked out that her left arm worked again and she reached up to touch her ear. She felt something sticky just below it and pulled away to see a green substance on her fingers.

"Don't touch your wound, I've sealed it but that doesn't mean it won't reopen. The green stuff is just a herbal mix to help it scar over."

The female shinobi sat up to get a more comfortable view of her saviour. As she sat up the cloak fell off her chest and she realised she was actually topless. Unintentionally gave him a full view of her breasts. Her cheeks blushed firetruck red and with an 'eep' she covered herself up with the cloak she was given.

"Y-you s-saw me t-topless?"

"Had to heal you, clothes were destroyed anyway. You can use the cloak until you find another top. You don't have to give it back." He remained expressionless, not giving a single thought that he just saw a pair of breasts. She swallowed and she accepted that no reaction was better than and over reaction. Still she never knew a guy to dismiss a naked woman, much less to take advantage of her. For some reason she could trust his word, healing was all he intended to do.

"H-how did you find me? Who sent you?"

"Why do you want to go back?" He snapped back coldly.

"I didn't… I don't… What's your name at least?"

Her saviour sighed, "Fukushi."

"Thank you, for saving me, i thought..."

"You should sleep. I'll keep watch." Fukushi interupted. Normally Monica would have said something else but instead her eyes gladly agreed and closed as she leaned back.

Morning came and Monica found herself alone. Where was Fukushi? She got up and wrapped herself in her cloak. It was very early but light enough to see where she was sitting. The campsite was nothing more than a small cleft between two large trees and a small fire which was still smoldering in between the two trees. She noticed her headband was left on the floor and she picked it up to look at it. What did it mean to her? She understood that it meant she belongs somewhere in this world. But it wasn't the leaf that saved her. In fact, where was Fukushi from? He certainly did not have any village markings. Did that make him a rogue? No nukenin were egotistical and tended to labour the fact they reject their homeland. This man gave the air that he wanted to be forgotten. Why would anyone want that? He would save her and not take any credit for it but instead vanish into the shadows? She sighed and a tear rolled down her cheek and it splashed on her head band. She was scared. She didn't know how she should feel but she felt alone all of a sudden

"Fukushi?" She listened and for a moment, there was only silence, even nature took a breath for a moment.

"Oh, you're awake?" Fukushi's voice called from above. He jumped down from the top of the tree and landed with a quiet thud. "You want to head over the ridge there. If you can stand you can walk." He pointed in a direction to his left and proceeded to turn around and walk away.

"Wait please, don't go!" Monica called out, her voice betraying her fear as it cracked and wobbled.

"You'll be fine, if there was anyone nearby they would have attacked us by now." He looked over her shoulder to see Monica limp towards him, not fully healed, but still trying to catch up despite her injury.

"No, you don't, I don't want to, can I?"

"Can you what?" Fukushi sighed.

"Can I stay with you? I don't want to go back!" He noticed tears in her eyes, while he remained unmoved.

"Don't take your home for granted, Go back." He snapped and turning around to face her, no emotion in his face almost like he was bored or only half present.

"At least train me!" Monica practically shouted at Fukushi. But then mumbled her next words. "At least I could bring something back."

"Why would you want that? Don't you have teachers to do that for you?"

"Yes, but i want to be better, be stronger. So this never happens again."

He remained silent and he turned away and started moving away. Monica felt utterly abandoned, heart sinking. She didn't know what to do and tears streamed down her cheeks. For the first time someone gave enough of a damn to risk their life for her sake and now he was just going to leave her like this. She wanted to find out about him. See thought if he could teach her how he was so strong. Or at least get him some sort or reward for her rescue once the two of them return to the village. Just anything but be alone right now.

"Come. I'll get you started, but that's it!" Monica stared, shocked but obeyed his words. Almost in a trance she approached him and as she tried to catch up. Some small voice said it was alright to drop her identity, for a while at least. Perhaps by doing so she could understand why he chose to be forgotten. If he could have strength to fight so well without anyone then could she do the same? Her headband clattered to the floor. The symbol of her village watched as she walked away.