There must be another way
Cause I believe in taking chances
But who am I to say
What a girl is to do
God, I need some answers
What am I to do with my life
How Am I supposed to know what's right?
I can't help the way I feel
But my life has been so overprotected

Britney Spears's- "Over Protected"

Sixteen year old Anko turned the water to her shower on hot. She had her first mission as a Tokubetsu Jōnin today and she wanted to get to Sabutobi's-sama's office early to get all of the details.

She smiled at how good her life had turned out in the last four years. Things were a little rocky at first. Example[s]: the therapy she had to go through for over a year [and occasionally still went to] was stressful but her therapist Tsunade was a major help considering she had experience with Orochimaru. She had had the hardest time making friends [or whatever they were] and had to rely on the snake jutsus her ex-sensei had taught her in order to protect herself from the bastards who wanted to hurt her. Most importantly she couldn't give or gain anyone's trust. The council and the other ninjas on her rank were polite her but she could tell that they hated her and would have given anything to videotape her death.

But all in all, she was in pretty good shape. She was a high ranked ninja considering her age and at least she had Hokage and Tsunade who liked her [or at least pretended they did]. And it was all because that sorry excuse of a savior of hers had rejected her…

She dropped the bar of soap she had in her hand the second that thought entered her mind. What would her life had been like if he had let her stays with him do you suppose. Would she need therapy? Would she be a Kunochi? Would she have live long enough to find out?

She shook her head. 'Don't let him ruin your perfect day.'

After a few more minutes in the shower, she got out, dressed in her customary mesh, white skirt and trench coat attire, and grabbed an apple before locking her apartment and leaving for the Hokages.

Sabutobi sat at his desk reading a report about the death of the Kazakage of the Village Hidden in the Rice Patties apparent death. Just reading it gave him a bad vibe that something bad was about to happen. He hated that he had to send someone like Anko to help clean up this big bloody mess but she wanted the first mission he could get his hands on so this was about it.

"Lord Hokage, Anko Mitarashi is here." A Kunochi stated. The Third closed the document "Send her in then." The receptionist nodded and disappeared, a moment later she was replaced by Anko. "Good morning Anko." Sabutobi greeted "Morning." She returned "What's my mission?" Sabutobi chuckled, "My my you're in a hurry to get started." He joked

She smiled "I'm really excited about this. I plan to complete this mission with absolutely no problems Hokage-sama." She said

He smiled back. "I'm glad to see such determination Anko, but you should know that there is something very unusual about this mission." He put his pipe down in order to speak his words more properly. "The Kazakage of The Village Hidden in the Rice Patties has passed away under mysterious circumstances. I believe that it may be murder, but that's why I'm intrusting you with this task." He leveled his eyes with her. "Your job is to find out what caused his death and who the culprit was if there was one."

Anko nodded "Right! When do you expect me, I mean us, to leave?"

"Right away." He stated.

Anko began standing when the Hokage added something "Two more things Anko." Anko turned back to him warily "For safety measures, I'm sending Tsubaki and Mizuki with you-"

"What for? It's like what a B-ranked mission?"

The Hokage sighed "C-ranked actually, but with these circumstance, I believe having a back up is necessary just in case-"

"I know I know." Anko cut in "In case I ran into trouble" those words were something she had use to hearing from everyone.

'No respect for the Hokage?' Sarutobri thought. "They're already waiting for you. Good luck." Anko bowed and started leaving. "And Anko," Sarutobi interrupted again. 'Now what?' she thought. She turned back to him. "Be careful." He warned. Anko paused at this but shrugged "Right." She closed the door softly behind her.

Mizuki disregarded his conversation with Iruka as Anko approached them. "Good morning Anko." Iruka greeted cheerfully. Anko smiled awkwardly "Yeah you to. Are you the fourth party for this little mission?" 'Please God don't let him be...'

"No, I was just wishing Mizuki and Tsubaki here good luck; the same goes to you to."

"Yeah uh thanks." She turned to her companions. Tsubaki smiled politely and Mizuki, well his smile was just strange. It reminded her of the Cheshire cat getting his stomach punched in.

"Are we ready to go?" she asked. They both nodded in agreement. 'At least this trip will be quiet.' She thought. They said their goodbyes to Iruka and set off. "Alright then men, we're off to the Land of Rice Patties!"

.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.

Eight year old Kimimoro glanced back at the guards Lord Orochimaru had assembled. There expressions were impassive except for the fear in their eyes every time he or Orochimaru looked at them. "Lord Orochimaru, are you for certain that we can count on these three?" The Snake Sannin looked down at him and smiled "Do you doubt me?"

"No my Lord." He stated apologetically. Orochimaru put his hand on Kimimoro's head. "Of course not. Don't think of them as guards, there more of decoys than people."

The Kaguya survivor nodded. Anything his savior said had to be the truth. "When will we return to The Village of Rice Patties my Lord?"

He chuckled in response "Soon, and it's not The Village of Rice Patties anymore, it Otogakure, or the Village Hidden in the Sound."