Here's chapter one! I'd meant to get it up yesterday but I had just gotten back from church camp and was exhausted so naturally I fell asleep and had no intentions of waking up. My family had other plans...but now I'm rested and ready to post. Actually this will be the last thing anyone hears from me for a while since I'm going to visit family in Utah and Colorado over the next threeish weeks and will not have my laptop with me. After that my frined xXToraUchihaXx is coming to visit since we haven't seen each other in nearly a year and we have a story idea we want to develop together so I don't know that the next chapter will get typed until the last few weeks before school. So I'm sorry guys! But please review and I will be sure to get the next chapter up ASAP.

My dreams were dark and convoluted, that much I remember; what they were about though, lingers out of reach in my memory. There was blood and screams of pain. Flashes of silver instruments and dark caverns haunted them. In one, the one I remember best, a man appeared before me and lamented how he couldn't care for his family anymore because of me. He told me I had killed him and left his wife and children to fend for themselves. Any specific characteristics he had possessed were unclear though. Regardless, his words echoed in my head, reminding me of what I'd done in the past. Who I'd been.

I awoke seconds later, stiffening and clamping my teeth down on a cry that threatened to tear itself from my throat. I relaxed, cracking my blue-green eyes open to take in my surroundings. The smell hit me first though. Sterility and the scent of chemicals. It triggered an immediate reaction. My limbs seized up and panic set in before my brain registered what my eyes saw.

It was bright in my room, far brighter than any "medical room" I was used to. And this room obviously wasn't a hole in the ground somewhere, a fact evidenced by the stream of sunlight coming through the window. Beyond the glass I glimpsed the roofs of building as well as a few leafy branches which stretched close to the window.

I was just about to get up and look out the window, when my ears caught the sound of a door opening. I quickly settled down into the bed, evening out my breathing so it seemed like I was still sleeping.

"She should be waking up soon. I think a few of us should stay. We may have to restrain her. No telling how dangerous she could be to the village with those strange flashes of chakra," came a voice from doorway.

Carefully, I pretended to stir, fighting down the instinct to simply take down these medics. The four, I believe there were four of them, went silent and one approached my bed, ready, I assumed, to restrain me if need be. I blinked open my eyes and flinched at the medic-nin's face. I couldn't help it. The past couple years had instilled that reaction in me whenever I saw faces peering down at me from above. The glasses he wore only made it worse. My hands twitched as I fought to keep them from lashing out.

"It's alright. We're not going to hurt you," the medic, who had been the one to speak before, said trying to soothe me. I managed to relax a little, realizing that I was in the danger that had been my existent for two years. That was until a medic walked over with a silver instrument that I didn't really recognize. More accurately I saw the gleam of it in the light and my mind blew the image of it way out of proportion. It triggered bad memories that had been lingering at the edge of my conscious to overwhelm me at the opportune moment. So my first instinct, like any sensible living thing was to get away from the threatening object.

Perhaps I should mention that because of my, ah, issue, I have sharper than normal senses, even for a shinobi. I also have long, fang-like canines and sharp fingernails that are probably better categorized as claws.

So naturally I used these to attack and left four gashes along the medics forearm and knocked the instrument from her hands. My next objective was to bolt out the window. Unfortunately that plan was cut short when the bespectacled medic slapped a chakra tag on me and sealed my chakra. Bad idea man. I toppled to the floor and shook as I tried to fight back the foreign chakra grafted into me back with will alone. Without my own chakra to back it up unfortunately it was a rather futile venture. I felt it seep into my coils pushing at my control. I twisted to reach for the tag, but was forced to dodge a medic coming toward me. Idiots, I was trying to save their lives. Why couldn't they leave me alone? Remind me why I came to join the good guys when they all want to die so badly.

As I twisted away I caught a glance of myself in the mirror. Dark blue hair fell haphazardly around my face and shoulders, down from its customary ponytail. My eyes had become violet with thin, cat-like slits replacing my pupils. This wasn't good.

I had landed on the bed, and I quickly came to realize it was perhaps the worst place I could be. One of the medics was there having completed a fuinjutsu on the space and I had fallen right into the trap. Immediately chains of kanji and chakra wrapped around me, pulling me flat against the bed while forcing my limbs to be splayed out. The other three medics each came to man a corner of the seal. I was shuddering uncontrollably now. Being immobilized in a medical room with a glasses-wearing man looking down at me. How horribly familiar this was seeming.

"T-take off the tag," I managed to gasp out through my closing throat, "can't control the o-other ch-akra."

The female medic at my left arm glanced over to Glasses with a worried look. He seemed hesitant, but when the chakra flashed and wracked the seal he nodded to her. Keeping, one hand on the seal, she deftly detached the chakra tag and I relaxed as I felt my chakra push back the grafted one. Then I tested the limits of the seal and found a weak point in it I could use to break it if need be, but for now I'd play along with them. Regardless of my decision though I struggled against the chakra infused kanji bonds. It was an instinctual reaction, one I couldn't suppress when the memories were still so fresh.

The door opening once more and the resulting scent that wafted through gave me pause. I recognized that scent; it was musky and something akin to wet earth, though not quite as distasteful. A memory of a blurred silhouette and rain flashed through my mind and I realized where I knew it from. Whoever was entering the door had been the one to bring me here, possibly my rescuer. I tried to twist myself to get a better view of the door and somewhat succeeded. Of course what I saw there was most definitely not what I'd been expecting.

A boy, about my age of fifteen, stood there. He had dark, spiky hair, but that was about the only definitive feature I could make out, aside from his pale skin. He wore a high-collared olive green jacket that covered the lower half of his face and a pair of dark sunglasses, obscuring his eyes. Honestly it was a bit creepy, but I'd grown up around worse. My ears meanwhile picked up a sound that was suspiciously similar to that of skittering legs. The soft sound intensified as he approached us and I watched curiously, trying to guess what the sound was.

"Are you going to be done with your aggressive behavior?" he asked. Dang this kid was blunt. He sounded almost amused though and I peered at him carefully. Now, I'm a sarcastic being by nature so the response I gave I couldn't really help.

"If by aggressive you mean trying to save their lives, then yes, yes I am."

He nodded, giving no outward reaction to my snark that I could pick up on, and motioned to the medics who released the seal, allowing me to sit up and stretch. I was a bit bewildered as I was used to being able to discern the emotions of others with ease and it had become very difficult at the moment. It was very unsettling. He had turned toward Glasses now and was talking to him.

"What are the extent of her injuries?"

The medic responded quickly, the relief at such a familiar subject showing on his face, "From what we were able to tell, she is healing at an incredibly fast rate. Actually we only came in today to contain if she woke up as we predicted she would.

I nearly hissed with irritation. Talking about me like I wasn't sitting here, right in front of them! I had half a mind to slash another medic. The boy must have picked up on my steadily rising killer intent, because he turned back to address me.

"Since you're recovered, I'll be taking to see the Hokage."

I deflated rather rapidly upon hearing that. Oh yes. That little mountain in the road that I had managed to forget until now. I knew if I sought refuge here I'd eventually have to go see her, but I'd rather not talk to the temperamental, insanely strong Hokage. I'd heard rumors about the sole female Sannin and it reinforced my opinion that knowing one Sannin was more than enough for anyone. Regardless of my misgivings though I followed him out of the hospital after changing into some standard issue clothes the staff gave me. Pants that fell below my knees and a dark blue longsleeve shirt. I really didn't like how close it was to my hair in color. I would need new clothes, especially since the ones I had arrived in were basically rags by now. I had to admit though, being out of that torture chamber and in the fresh air was an immense relief.

My gaze flitted to my stoic companion, trying to glean something about him. I heard the skittering sounds again and realized they were coming from him. Okay, so apparently there were things crawling across his skin...kinda gross, but not the worst thing I'd ever heard or seen. I was raised around things far more likely to scar me. Although the quiet was starting to bother. Don't get me wrong, I usually like quiet, but with my nerves wound so tight it was grating on my, well nerves. Guess the best way to figure out who my companion was was to ask.

"What's your name?" So maybe not the politest way to ask, but I was taught to extract answers via torture and fear so manners were a bit of a stretch for me. Maybe I'll pick them up. Doubt it though.

"Shino Aburame," he replied.

Oh. That explains a lot. He's from that clan. The one with the kikaichu beetles. Who live on a member of the Aburame clan and fight for them in exchange for chakra. I'd met one once. Well maybe met wasn't the best word considering he was a corpse. My "sensei", as I suppose he was at that time, was thoroughly intrigued by him and had spent a good bit of time experimenting on him and learning what he could about the Aburame clan.

I stopped this train of thought as quickly as I could, not ready for the dark memories that waited to swallow me up should I set foot down memory lane. Not this soon at least.

"I'm Tenshi," I say back. I don't have a last name that I knew of and the one that I could possibly use is one that I no longer wanted and would earn me way too much grief from the world.

Since I was being taken to the Hokage I assumed I was in Konoha, Village Hidden in the Leaves, exactly where I'd hoped to be. As I followed Shino-whom I had dubbed bug-boy in my head, yes original, I know-to wherever the Hokage was I couldn't help my eyes from dancing down the streets and taking in everything I could about the civilians and off-duty shinobi going about their everyday lives. I'd seen this before of course. Back when I was still one of his favorites and embarked on recon and other missions. Now though, I saw them as people and not as enemies, targets, or possible obstacles to my goal. They were also perhaps, if the Hokage would allow it, a glimpse of my future.

We came to the base of a tall building. More of a tower actually. It rose from the ground in a cylindrical manner, with a sign over it that I didn't bother to read. I turned to look at Shino who hadn't said anything since giving me his name, but he didn't spare me a glance and instead continued through the door. Slightly miffed by his lack of response, I followed him over the threshold, up a staircase, and down a hall to the doors of the office.

As we stood outside, my nose twitched slightly, picking up the distinct scent of alcohol and even though it was relatively faint I nearly facepalmed, remembering that the female Sannin had a reputation for her drinking and gambling habits. Hopefully it was just stored sake and the woman wasn't drunk.

Bug-boy's knock was met by an irritated shout of, "what is it?" Apparently that meant come in as that's exactly what we did. The first thing I noticed when we walked in was the paperwork. Piles of it on the desk and strewn haphazardly around the room, likely put there by a fit of frustration. Then my gaze landed on the Godaime Hokage, Tsunade Senju. Long, blonde pigtails fell down her back while sharp brown eyes focused on us. My gaze was drawn to the purple diamond on her forehead. I was curious as to what it was. Had to figure that out later.

My eyes met Tsunade's and I held her gaze for a time before glancing away first. It felt as though she could see right through me. She smirked slightly before looking over at Shino.

"She's the one?" she asked him. Shino gave a brisk nod before the Hokage continued, "Then you're dismissed Aburame. And no bugs in my office," she snapped while Shino inclined his head and turned to leave.

I was a little edgy now. I might not exactly trust him, but bug-boy was the only person I knew or at least was acquainted with. I was by no means looking forward to facing the insanely strong, so-called "Slug Princess" without an ally. While I was experiencing my dilemma, she continued to look me up and down before starting into the interrogation I'd been expecting.

"Who are you first of all and what are you doing in Konoha?"

I breathed deeply through my nose, knowing once I started there was no going back. I then replied, repeating my name for the second time in about five minutes, "My name is Tenshi. I-I'm here because…," I paused struggling to control my shaking voice, "I came here to seek asylum. From Orochimaru." There, now it was out. Hisname seemed to have an immediate effect on the Hokage. Her eyes narrowed and her hands tightened into fists. I opened my mouth speak quickly, knowing she would likely ask for information. Information that was connected to dark rooms, glinting needles, tables, binding, betrayal-

I snapped out of the train of thought swiftly, already feeling my hands shake at my sides, "Hokage-sama I know you're going to ask me about him and for information, but I-I can't...the memories." My entire frame was shivering now and I fought to keep myself from succumbing to the memories that pushed in on all sides. My eyes flicked to Tsunade's to find they had softened, not much, but just enough for me to know.

"You were one of his experiments, aren't you?"

I winced at the word experiment, but allowed a single nod to convey that she was right. Being referred to as an experiment was a newer thing, even though it was all I'd really ever been.

"What did he do to you?"

I raised my hands, palms facing me to display my claws, "gave me these for one, as well as fangs. I also heal quickly as your medics noticed and my speed, strength and senses are heightened." That wasn't quite all of it and I could tell Tsunade wasn't quite sure I'd told her everything, but she let it go. For now. No doubt she press me on it later.

"You have shinobi capabilities, right?"

"Yes, I do." Probably more than she realized.

"Alright gaki, you can stay here for the time being, but I'm going to have a watch on you until you're deemed trustworthy. I'll also assign you to a team, or at least have you assigned to a jounin or toku-jounin to keep you out of trouble."

I felt a breath I didn't realize I had been holding release. I wasn't going to be kicked out. I could stay in Konoha. My internal celebration was cut short by my niggling doubt. How long would they keep me around if they knew the extent of what I was? Who I still possibly am?

I knew eventually Tsunade or someone on her orders would push me for more information. Or maybe I'd find the guts to tell her the rest myself. Whatever the case may be I would have to confront my past and come to terms with it. It's sure to come back and bite me as it is. So perhaps the sooner I was forced to reveal more the better for the sake of my sanity.