I appeared outside the village just barely stopping myself from collapsing. I knew I wasn't safe though so I concealed what was left of my chakra and using the rest of my strength I started running into the trees the old fashion way.

'So inner you had an idea of why the cramps have been so severe?'

'oh did I? I don't remember.'

'INNER!'

'Okay okay. I think it's more severe since-uh…actually never mind, hehehe'

My eye was twitching as I listened to inner laugh nervously.

'What do you mean never mind.'

'I just, never mind okay, I was too busy listening to Sasori's sexy deep voice.'

I tripped. Catching myself before I could face plant I was about to scream at inner when I heard some rustling a few yards in front of me.

Jumping up and behind a tree I tried to steady my breathing so as not to alert whoever it was. It wasn't Akatsuki that I knew they would have never made their presence know not even by a squirrel, so who was it?

After a few minutes I was about to write it off as an animal that made the noise when someone stumbled out into the open.

Two men walked out pushing down a girl that looked no older than ten. One of the men had longish choppy brown hair was tall a scar running down his cheek and had a strange tattoo covering his left arm. His clothes were too dirty to determine color and hung on his frame limply.

The second man was bald and sported an eye patch and didn't wear any clothes but pants and shoes. He had massive scars and had a similar tattoo on his left arm as well.

My eyes took in the girl my heart almost stopped. At the sight of her a ghost of the pain in my lower stomach came to life. She had black hair that went past her hips but could be longer if it wasn't so tangled or cut in places. She had a small body that was covered in bruises and cuts crusted with old blood. The dress that she wore looked like it had been white once and pretty but was now more similar to rags than a dress. She wore no shoes and her hands were tied behind her back. Dirty bandages covered her eyes.

She whimpered as she hit the floor curling into the fetal position to make herself a smaller target. The men laughed. I was about to jump out when the loss of chakra made itself known once again. My back tingled with the weakening seal. The seal was constantly supplied by my chakra to keep them strong.

I tried to keep the seal firm but it broke instead along with the pain in my lower stomach. Dropping my black cloak so it wouldn't be ruined my wings tore through the back of my shirt making a lot of noise, stilling the laughter from the men.

"Who's there? Come out and we won't kill you!"

I panted quietly on the brink of collapsing again. What little energy I had earlier gone but the slow ache in my stomach was lessening. I heard a small yelp and a growled 'shut up' and an idea rose in my head.

I dug into one of the many pouches on my belt pulling out a small pill. Taking it I felt a strong surge of chakra. A henge changed my hair white and grew it longer, eyes a cold grey-blue and my clothes a long white gown. I stepped out, back straight, my wings folded close to my body out of sight for now. I walked up to the men until I was five feet away.

"Who the hell are you?" The bald one spoke. His voice was gravelly like a smokers.

"Tell me what you are doing to that girl?"

"None of your business bitch." The smaller man this time. His voice was higher and whiny compared to the other one's.

"Yah! We are of the Blessed Ones! We could kill you with the power of Kami!"

Hmm so these are what the Blessed Ones are like. Guess those tattoos identify them to each other.

"Why would Kami bless a pair of thugs like you?"

"We were chosen to carry out the law of take back our world"

"We cleanse this world of the weak to make way for the chosen."

"You look weak to me."

"I'll show you weak!" and with that said the smaller man rose his left arm and a light flashed, a ball of lightning and fire attached to a chain appeared in his hand. He swung the chain snapping the ball in my direction. I in turn spread my wings lifting one in front of me to shield myself.

There was a gasp as I moved my wings. I inspected the one hit by the strange weapon as the men gaped. The feathers were singed but otherwise they were fine. This proved that they were weak at least in my eyes.

"W-who are you?"

They looked afraid as they stared at my wings the girl and weapon forgotten. I felt the henge waver slightly, time was running out.

"Give me the child, if you were truly blessed by Kami you would have been able to harm me but you are just imposters, now leave my sight before I decide if you are worthy to live in MY world."

They did just that and when I knew they were out of sight and wouldn't turn back I let the shuttering henge drop. I turn and grab my bag and cloak before I trudged to the girl. She was deathly silent and that scared me.

Falling to my knees beside her I touch her shoulder. She flinches away from me but I ignore this. Humming a soft lullaby I untied her and helped her sit up. She relaxed enough that I could lean her against a tree. I pulled out my medic kit and started on her deeper cuts.

I wanted to take the bandages away from her eyes but decided to clean her up first.

"Tell me your name little one."

"…"

"It's okay. I won't hurt you, my name is Sakura."

"…Nina."

I paused in wrapping a cut on her arm. She had stayed silent so long and the soft voice surprised me.

"Nina? That's a pretty name. Do you have parents or a home that I could-"

"No."

I was silent again. I was fighting not to fall asleep by the time I was done cleaning and wrapping her cuts. The pill was only short term and was only a prototype. Its supposed to be easier on the body then the soldier pill but so far it's been ineffective except for small recoveries.

I started unwrapping the bandages from her eyes without any complaint from Nina. When they were removed I was astonished by what I saw. Her eyes were beautiful. Her long lashes just as black as her hair, they framed her big eyes perfectly but the color was what really caused me to gasp. They were yellow. They were not a sickly or ugly yellow, but a topaz yellow that glowed.

She blinked a few times, "Are you going to kill me now?"

I was shocked. "Why would I want to kill you?"

"My eyes are yellow my mother sold me to the Blessed Ones as a sacrifice because she thought I was an animal. They covered my eyes because they thought me a demon and I hear them debate all the time if they should just tear them from my head since there evil or to ugly to look at."

My gaze softened. I pull away and stretch my wings out a little so she can see them. "I'm strange as well and I would never dare take away your beautiful eyes." I then grab her arms and stare her in the eyes my expression hard and serious. "Nina I'll take care of you if you wish but if you agree to stay with me you must learn to fight. I live a hard and dangerous life and I am wanted dead by many people, I can't guarantee a stable home or food on the table everyday but I am willing to protect you."

I watch her letting my words sink in even as I fought a losing battle with the darkness that wanted to consume me. I watched as emotions flickered over her face. "I-I want to stay, with you and become strong."

Her eyes were determined and strong. They reminded me so much of Naruto's determined gaze when we were still friends before Karin came to stay.

I nod picking her up and turning so that I was now leaning against the tree I draped my black cloak around Nina. When I was sure she was comfortable in my lap I wrapped us both with my wings so we resembled a cocoon. I sang softly until she was asleep and when I was sure that she was I let the darkness consume my vision completely.

The next morning I woke up before dawn refreshed my chakra supply replenished. I stood Nina still in my arms sleeping as I sealed my wings away again. I changed my top after I set Nina down and sifted through my bag to make sure I had everything then I woke up Nina.

"Nina-Chan wake up, we have to move."

She woke up with a start and stared at me. She nodded standing up and handing me back my cloak. I looked her over again knowing I had to buy her new clothes and shoes if I wanted her to keep up and not draw attention when we were in town.

"Nina I'm going to take you into town okay? But when we get there I'll have to place a henge over us so that no one will know who we really are, understand?"

"Hai. Um what is a henge?"

"A henge changes ones appearance momentarily so that one's enemies can't recognize them. I will teach you to control your chakra to do this but remember strong ninja can sense a henge so you can't use it in all situations. My henges are complete so I can hide us really well."

I straighten up wrapping the cloak over my shoulders and grabbing Nina before disappearing in a cloud of white feathers.

Reappearing close to the main road leading into the small village I glance at Nina who was surprised. I smiled softly before turning to her and placing a blue glowing hand on her head.

"Ready?"

"R-ready."

I place the henge over us both at the same time. I looked like a fifteen year old teenager with short muddy brown hair and baby blue eyes I had a flat chest and normal features. In short I was forgettable especially in my plain civilian clothes. Nina looked to be the same age but had enough similar features as to be my sister. The only differences were her eyes were brown instead blue and her hair stayed long but was all nice and tidy and one length. I'll have to cut her real hair soon.

I stood up grasping Nina's hand before pulling her gently with me toward the village while giving her an encouraging smile.

She stayed silent while I put up a façade of childish happiness. The role came to me easily.

We found our way to a small shop that sold a surprisingly wide range of things. There I bought Nina a few sets of clothes consisting of a normal civilian outfit in pale colors, loose traveling shorts and shirt, a few fishnet shirts both in her size and mine and finally her ninja outfit. It consisted of a dark purple sleeveless top that went to her navel and stretchy black pants. I got myself spandex shorts as well and some weapons that I would train her in. The weapons were the usual kunai and shuriken but also a katana that a quite unique handle that she had been eyeing. The handle had wolves etched into it with small yellow stones for eyes. The wolves seemed to be running up the handle to the blade and when the blade met the handle the wolves were transformed into birds in flight along the edge of the blade. There was kanji etched near the blunt edge that read 'Freedom that it be on feet or wings.' I had to use the rest of my money for the sword but the shy smile on Nina's face made it worth it.

'You're going soft, FOR A KID!'

'No I'm not going soft I don't know why but with her, I'm finally genuinely happy. Plus you can't pretend the overwhelming feeling to protect her isn't there.'

It was true ever since I saw her beautiful sad eyes I felt like I had to protect her no matter what. She still had shields up but she trusted me even if it was just a little bit.

'But she'll slow us down.'

'Who ever said I cared, plus the mission should last a month if not two. In that amont of time we would have gotten bored out of our minds, so stop complaining and go away.'

'Hmph.'

Coming back to reality I pull Nina into an alley after making sure no one was watching I took out a hidden scroll and gave Nina a simple lesson on how to seal objects into scrolls. That being done we walk back out and I take her to a dango shop I had seen earlier.

"Have you ever had dango before?"

"No…didn't you spend the last of your money on my sword?"

"Yes but I never said that we were paying for the food now did I?"

"Huh?"

"I can't lie but that doesn't keep me from being naughty."

She gave me a funny look and I in turn gave her a pout before smirking and dragging her into the Dango shop.

I ordered five sticks of dango and two cups of green tea. It arrived quickly and I let Nina inspect the sweets as I took a soothing sip of my tea.

"Oh my Kami! This is amazing!"

I laughed. Nina was moaning quite loudly in pleasure with every bite she took. She really lightened up when given some food. I can't seem to stop giggling at her, "so… seconds?

"Yes please, pretty please with a cherry on top?"

I laughed again she was giving me the cutest puppy dog look ever, much better than Naruto's.

I was about to answer her when I sensed two very powerful chakra signatures right outside the shop, and one of them was spiking furiously.

"Damn it Kakazu! I'm fucking starving stop being a cheap bastard and buy me some fucking damn food already!"

"We can survive on bread and water."

"I want real fucking food!"

My eyes were glued to the front of the shop, as was most of the customers, waiting to see if the pair would come in and eat or leave.

"Fine Hidan but you owe me."

"About damn time you old bastard!"

With that two men walked into the small shop. One had a mask and a hood covering most of his face and hair only allowing you to see that he had dark skin and swamp greenish brown eyes. The other was obviously handsome with silver slicked back hair and strong features what was most surprising was that his eyes were purple. His headband said he was from rain and the masked one from waterfall. What made me groan in exasperation was that the headbands were crossed out and that the were wearing Akatsuki cloaks.

"Who are they?" Nina whispered.

"Shh, they are Hidan and Kakazu as you heard them call each other. See their headbands," I leaned towards her pointing still whispering and watching the pair. "See how there's a slash through the symbols. That means they are shinobi who betrayed there village and became missing nin. The cloaks they wear mean that they be some of the strongest and part of a large organization made of missing-nin named Akatsuki. If I remember correctly these two are nicknamed the Zombie Brothers, one a Jashin worshipper and practically immortal the other sewn together and impossible to kill unless you destroy all five of his hearts. Stay silent follow my lead, we don't want to draw attention to ourselves especially seeing as they can probably see through our disguise."

With that said I pulled back my eyes scanning the shop. Most were silent not looking at the criminals, others whispering and giggling, these being women, the Brothers were arguing again and were walking in our direction. I quickly scanned the room looking for the empty one they could be walking to not finding one. My heart sank when I glanced at Nina and saw her eyes widen with fear staring above my right shoulder.

"Hey Bitch move the fuck over."

"Hidan shut up. Miss please excuse my friend, are these seats taken."

I turned towards them, I concluded the silver haired one with the bad mouth was Hidan and the other Kakazu. I was about to refuse but the look Kakazu was giving me let me know that if I didn't let them sit I would regret it, dearly.

'make them pay for the seat'

'why'

'he won't sit if he has to give money for it'

'I don't want to die today thank you very much.'

I sigh giving a slow nod while raising a hand towards Nina gesturing her over to my side. She quickly made her way to the seat beside me and wrapped her arms around my waist hugging me close her head resting on the side of my breast my arm wrapped around her protectively.

My eyes never left them as they took their seats across from us.

"What's your name Bitch."

"…"

"I asked you a fucking question!"

I stayed calm and rubbed Nina's back when she began to shake. His voice was too loud and it was scaring her. Kakazu was counting money ignoring us.

"Fucking Bitch answer me damnit!"

"Why don't you just drop it! I don't see you giving me your name so I don't see why I have to give you mine. Now please you're scaring my little one."

My temper got the best of me but that should shut him up for a while. Kakazu paused his counting to look at me closer. Hidan was silent, shocked that I would yell at him. The waiter finally came taking the spotlight away from me by asking, or more like stuttering profusely, if we were ready to order forgetting I had already ordered.

"Ten damn sticks of fucking dango and don't forget the fucking sauce and Sake!"

"Water."

The waiter looked at me, I asked for another five dango sticks and more tea. The tea should calm me.

Nina rose to her knees cupping her mouth, I bent down so she had easier access of my ear.

"We have no money."

I turn to her to whisper into her ear, "That's why we have to make sure we leave before them and leave them the bill." With that I giggled leaning back and giving her a wink.

"My fucking name is Hidan and this Cheap Bastards name is Kakazu, now bitch tell us your damn name."

I glared wishing he would burn alive as I tried to think of something to say. Damn witches!

"My name is…"

Edited 11-6-14