Just so you Guys know Italics means it is spoke in Japanese, Jessica will still speak in mostly English as that is what she is most comfortable in.
Traveling with merchants in a rickety, old wagon was not fun, well the ride was fun for Jessica and it was the people that made it absolute hell for her. The horses moved with a purpose and stopping in many different towns and villages helped expand her vocabulary and language skills. It was nice for Jessica to be able to communicate better than a toddler and to actually understand what the people around her were saying, not that hearing the males being absolutely rude about her was very pleasant. But she would not complain about having the ability to know where she was at the moment and how much the things she had were worth.
Her possessions were sparse and not in the best shape but as far as she cared it was all she needed to survive in this ass-backward country. A rough leather backpack she 'borrowed' from a traveler who stayed in the inn held all her earthly possessions; about a dozen roughly sharpened knives, one or two language scrolls, what was left of her leather jacket, her spare outfits, the money she had saved and 'collected' and some spare knick-knacks she swiped from patrons of the 'lovely inn' she had worked at. Jessica never claimed to be a good person and as far as she cared it was eat or be eaten in a place where children were taught to throw knives around like it was going out of style.
The sleepy eyed woman was just happy she convinced the caravan to take her with them. Ten years of kick-boxing really paid off and after showing some simple moves and her ability to use the knives she pocketed it was easy to get a ride to where the merchants were heading as a protective guard. Getting a small payment and the lack of questions directed at her was also a big plus.
After about three weeks of traveling and trading with no run-ins with any bandits Jessica was happy to reach the ninja village. Of course her sleeping in the back or a wagon while passing through the gates meant she didn't necessarily know that they had reached the destination until she had to help set up the stall and carry the heavy boxes of good.
"Fuckers better pay me good shit for this manual labor," Jessica panted as the last box was put down, "Hey boss I got to go so I need my payment." She yelled at the leader of the merchants she helped, in broken Japanese.
"Calm yourself girly, you will get paid after we are done with set up." was the large man's reply.
"You can suck my non-existent dick you ass-breath tit sucker."
"Girly you know we do not understand your gibberish."
"I said 'yes sir, right away sir' you dumb-ass who can't even understand simple English"
This was how rest of the day went, bleeding into the next morning as Jessica helped with the final parts of setting up the stall.
"Weak-ass mother fuckers needing a girl to do all the heavy lifting," she glared at the man as he paid her, "if you got off your ass you wouldn't have to have hired me in the first place and don't try to skimp on my payment, I said 15,000 ryo youass-face."
After receiving her money and a pretty Yukata and obi set from the merchants wife Jessica headed off to find something to eat. It was hard to find somewhere to eat though as Jessica was still very picky. Settling on a small tea shop the foul-mouthed girl ordered a pot of lemon tea and some snacks, mainly senbei (rice crackers) and edamame (Salted soy beans), while flirting with the serving girl.
"You have pretty eyes; they reminded me of the first leaves of spring."
"Your skin makes the moon envious of its beauty."
And so on went Jessica's flirting, getting cheesier with each line, until both she and the waitress were red and laughing from the silly things coming from her mouth. The tea was good and soothing, and with the salty and crunchy snacks Jessica's hunger dissipated. Putting down the small payment with a generous tip Jessica left the tea stall and began to explore.
Stopping here and there to check out stalls and shops, buying a few trinkets and some spare clothing, Jessica began to amass a small collection of scarves small bolts of cloth. With a sewing kit Jessica would be able to patch up and customize her clothing more as time went on.
After a few hours the now content girl knew she would have to get a hotel room for a little while if she was planning on staying for any length of time. She actually was enjoying the view and atmosphere of the village and while granted Konaha did not hold a candle to her beloved city, the bustling streets and crowds of people soothed her aching soul.
"I didn't realize how much I missed my home," she murmured to herself as she strolled along to a hotel, "the big buildings and my sweet Pam, even granpap's nagging is starting to be missed."
Jessica stopped suddenly; she could have sworn she heard something. A soft cry, there it was again, it sounded like a small child.
"Why is there crying coming from an alleyway?" the curious girl asked herself, "I should check this out, could be a reward in it for me." She smirked at the thought of finding some rich brat and getting showered in money.
Turning down the alley, Jessica couldn't help the gasp that escaped her lips. There sitting in a pile of garbage was one of the most beautiful toddlers the girl had ever seen. With dirty blonde hair and big, tearful blue eyes, Jessica would bet all her possessions that cleaned up the child would be the definition of Arian coloring, and looking so much like her sweet, pretty Pam.
Crouching down on his level and picking him up out of the trash he was lying in Jessica wiped away his tears and asked him in the softest voice she could muster, "What is your name little one?"
The reply she received was heart-breaking to say the least. With small dirty hand clutching her sleeves the small boy looked her in the eyes and said in a soft voice "Monster."
Surprise. I will figure out a time-line, but just assume It has been about three years since the Nine-tails Attack.