Prologue and Chapters 1-10

~Prologue

My name is Brandi Arthtic and this is my story. I’m a tri-demon by birth and a thief of the soul.
I’m like one of those bent trees that never grew right. Day after day, me and my partner of crime steal for our meals and risk our lives doing it. Nothing I do ever seems right but nevertheless, you have to do what you can to get by in life. My life has not been a walk in the park but I it‘s had some sweet memories.
My clan died soon after I was born and when I turned three my sisters disappeared. People helped me find some information about them and their location. So I’ve been searching for them ever since and I’m thirteen now. My vision of them is vague but I had a twin and two older sisters who were twins as well and that is all I remember. When I found the old location of my clan, all of it was burned down and I didn’t find a thing. The only thing I have left is this locket with the initials B. R. A. and a picture of a woman that looks just like me. I believe it is my mother; she has a caring smile and has her head held high with pride.20
That’s when I decided that I am going to be just like her as I grow older. She was nice, strong, elegant, loving, and caring. I could tell all that from that picture. I plan to make my mother proud of me.

~Chapter 1

“Come on Hanna” Hanna is my partner in crime. Has been for as long I can remember.
“Hurry up you slow poke” I said again. The animal barked a response and I understood it as a complaint. What did you expect? My partner in crime was a man? No man or woman would ever be able to keep up with a tri-demon. Hanna is an intelligent wolf, which I myself admire. Hanna is the only living thing able to keep at my pace other than Sen. Yes, Sen. Her full name is Sen Remo. Remos are odd ones but I will talk more about her culture when the time is right. Then there is Kisara, she has the same childhood problem as I do. She is an orphan as well, but she unlike me, has the money to pay for her things, I don‘t have any money to my name. Nevertheless, I enjoy my antics of stealing daily.
Come to think of it, that is where I am headed to now. I lowed down to let Hanna catch up. Hanna was another of those bent trees that sprouted in the wrong spot and grows bent and different. We both stood ten feet away from our destination. I glanced down at my companion she looked at me with hunger and an eagerness to get going with the routine. We do this routine everyday, I practically have it mesmerized in my head. I comes to me naturally and kids don’t try this at home. Hanna and I have been wanted for years now and we haven’t been caught once. We’ve been hunted by the best jonins and anbus out there and no one has yet to catch us. I’m proud of it actually.
I would pretend to look at something to buy while Hanna crept under the tables and slowly pulled meat from the top of them while the owner wasn’t looking. When Hanna gave the signal I would grab what I was looking at and run and I mean run. When we get out of the store the uproar would just be starting and we would already be out of there and out of eyesight not far away. Normally on top of a building or something. When you’re a ninja, you can learn to do many amazing things.
We were already on top of the store we stole from looking down at the chaos I created. Its weird but it has a nice feeling afterwards for me. Almost as if I have a purpose on this earth. It’s kinda like a mixture of joy, accomplishment and pride.
As I was watching I saw Sen appear and look up directly at me as if she had known I was there the whole time. Which I was but it just weird ho she does that. She looked around and looked back up at me slowly as if not to draw attention to herself. I held up the package of meat I had and she shook her head shamefully. She understood I had to live but she though I could live in a better way than this. But I do this for two reasons. One, my clan had been known for it’s ruthless thieves and two, it gave me a feeling that I had a purpose. That’s something she’ll never understand. I gave her a look that said get the Anbu away so I can come down. She nodded and reached in her back pocket for her wallet. She always pays for my bails out of jail and whatever I steal.
When the shop keeper calmed down and Sen was able to pay for my “borrowed” items I came down slowly so I wouldn’t attract attention to myself. I scanned the area and not very many people were still there. I I needed to I could easily run out of the sight of anyone before they could catch me. I finished my scan and walked out of the alley I was hiding in. I saw this guy named Kiba Inuzuka watching me silently. I wasn’t going to confront him just walk silently away without any notice. Kiba was in my class a few years back in ninja academy. He always stayed away from me like most of the other kids in school. They though of me as an traitor, murderer, worst of all a person who had no heart. They knew I belonged in Suna and they wondered why I wasn’t there. With my own “people” they called them. But no one in Suna was my anything, they had banned me from the village as if I held a life threatening disease.
Then I noticed an Anbu that was out of uniform. If it wasn’t for the long katana that hung around his waist I would have never known he was there. But he had already seen me and was heading my way. I couldn’t run away from this one, but you better believe I wasn’t going not try.
I started to sprint west from his direction but he was to fast. He slashed his sword down towards my feet and I fell to the ground grasping my ankles. All I remembered after that was Sen yelling at the man. He must have been one under her control and went against her orders. She was beside me on a stretcher she was saying I was going to the hospital I could see Kiba slowly following. I started to blank out the last thing I remembered thinking was why was he following us?
I didn’t wake up peacefully. I hurt all over especially down towards my ankles. It felt horrible. I was lightheaded and the slightest movement made me feel queasy.
“Where’s Hanna?” I asked. Wondering if she had gotten caught.
“She’s under the covers, I can’t get her out.” replied Sen. I chuckled. Of coarse Hanna wouldn’t leave me alone especially in a hospital, then I saw her head she looked just like a puppy. Her head sticking out of the covers with her head cooked looking at me and her short ears perked up. I smiled. Hanna always knows how to cheer me up when I felt down.
“Who are the flowers from?” I had just noticed them sitting on the windowsill. They were my favorite black, blue and red roses.
“Kiba” I scowled at how she said his name. It was that mocking, annoying, little talk of Sen’s when she talks about some one you like. I could have slapped her at that moment but I didn’t want to throw up. I was going to let her slide with that one. But the next time she did that she was going to have a nice red mark on her cheek.
I waited to read the card that was attached to the vase, I didn’t want anyone to see me read it. It wasn’t until that night that Sen was kicked out by the doctors that the room was finally quite. Now it was only me and Hanna. I didn’t have that queasy feeling anymore and I could move to a sitting up position that I didn’t need help with. So Hanna fetched (no pun intended) the card for me and I opened it up as Hanna crawled back into the bed and made herself comfy. I smiled as I read it. The card had a beautiful scenery of the lake here in town and had a beautiful font to match. It read:

I hope you get better soon and that you are back on your feet and doing what you do best again.
- Kiba
P. S I got the police off your back they won’t be looking for you when you get out of the hospital.

I smiled and put the card down. Maybe he liked me. I hoped so because I have had the biggest crush on him since ninja academy. I read it again and put it in my pocket. I was watching the moon in the sky when I fell asleep.
The next morning was chaotic. First I was getting a cast fitted to my ankle, then I was to stay in the hospital for another night, and go home that next morning. The first thing they did wrong was waking me up at six o’clock in the morning. Then they toke my IV out without my eyes shut, which made me faint. After I woke up they had someone try and say they were my mother. They let her in my room. We didn’t know her so Hanna bit her in the leg and she ran away screaming to find out it was a guy. Which is scary because that boy/girl had a breast.
When all that was finally over I was sent back into my room. When I walked in guess what. Sen and Kiba were sitting in my room. I blushed when I looked at what I was wearing. Which was one of my favorite blue tank tops with blood splattered over the front from the chain of events earlier that day and my pants which were torn by accident when the doctor tried to give me a shot and I wouldn’t cooperate with her. The nurse sat me down on my bed and left. I looked at Sen and she smiled with a pair of my clothes in her hand.
“Where’s Hanna?” I asked warily. I seemed to be asking this a lot lately. To mach for comfort.
“She said she was going to check up on your home, she wouldn’t say where because she said it was secret”
“Yeah it is that way the Anbu don’t show up at our house”
“Well that explains it” She motioned for Kiba to come hold my clothes and walked over to help me up out of my bed to the bathroom. He followed us all the way up to the door and handed Sen the clothes and walked back to his seat. I smiled. He’s such a gentlemen. Unlike Naruto who would have followed you all the way until you told him to go sit down, because he‘s just that stupid.
Sen handed me my clothes and told me to call her if I needed help. I managed on my own then sat down for a few minutes to regain my breathe. You may never know how hard it is to put on your pants when you have a cast that is bigger than the diameter of your pants leg. When I walked out of the bathroom Sen helped me to my bed and sat me down.
“ Kiba can you go get her something to eat?” Sen asked.
“Sure, what does she want?”
“Two tacos, please” I answered
“Fine, here’s the money” Sen replied with a smile
“Okay I’ll be back soon”
Once he was out of the room Sen started talking.
“Do you know how many people asked about you? They were curious when they didn’t see they’re favorite thief strolling the streets in search of dinner.”
I chuckled. I never thought about, I’m always that dose of drama everyone needs to finish their day right. I didn’t care what they thought, they didn’t care about me they just wanted their daily dose drama.
“Oh yeah, when your out this stupid place. I’m buying you some new clothes.”
“Why?”
“I saw your clothes, they’re torn, dirty, and in need of dire help.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes . . . Why might you ask?”
“You don’t normally offer to buy clothes for people, it’s just not you.”
“Okay fine, I got another check from the Anbu and I don’t know what to do with the extra money.”
“There’s the truth I was looking for and fine because if I say no your going to buy me clothes anyway and I might not like them.”
“I knew you would agree with my theory some day” I just glared at her and she smiled back.
“Your so wrong” I said angry because she had won this fight, She smiled and her ears perked. Then it twitched as if her heard someone coming. I was right on that. Right when she got up and opened the door. Kiba walked in with the food. Sen looked at him funny when he walked in with three bags full a little food. Each one was from a different place.
“Sen, hope you like fish”
“That’s an understatement” I said. He looked shocked that I had actually spoken to him for the first time since he has probably known me. Then Hanna walked through the door as well with a slab of steak in her mouth.
“Where have you been young lady?” I asked in a motherly tone while Hanna just ate the steak in one big bite.
“Eating, I thought they were going to let me go hungry and I couldn‘t let good meat go bad” I was wondering where the steak we had stolen went. Curse her, I wanted some to.
“Hanna you know when Sen is around you’ll never go hungry”
“Yeah, Yeah I know but one day she may slip up and then what will we do?”
“Your over exaggerating, now come over here and hush up”
“Fine” Hanna grumbled the whole way there and Kiba watched her wide eyed.
“I didn’t know Hanna could talk” he sounded like he just found the cure to all diseases.
“Yeah, she learned from the many years of living with humans on her own”
“Cool I wish Akamaru could talk like that”
“Speaking of which. Where is Akamaru?”
“At home, he’s with my mom for a check-up”
“Oh, good at least for you he cooperates when it’s check-up day” I glanced at Hanna who was mumbling in a corner. What a minute. You didn’t know that Hanna talked until now. I forgot to mention that didn’t I. Oh well, anyway to make sure I say it. Tira, Sen’s tiger talks to.
“Sen is drooling” His statement brought me back to the reality I was living in.
“What?”
“Sen is drooling”
“Give her the fish and she’ll stop”
“Really” With that statement he handed her the fish and she pretty much stopped drooling automatically.
“Cool” That’s was when Sen’s ear twitched again ( Great ) she smiled looking at the door and jumped up to open it. When she did open it, there was a man probably a foot taller than Sen at the door reaching for the doorknob about to open it. I curiously cocked her head as Sen tackled the man.
“Sen, do you mind telling us who this is” I asked uncertain if I should get ready to attack or not.
“Oh Yeah . . . This is Leon”
“Who?”
“Leon” She said oblivious that I wanted an explanation not his name again. I sighed. I’d never win with her. He carried a sword so I figured he was the one Sen was dating. Since she wasn’t about to kill him. She always talked about him when we rarely brought up the subject of boys.
“Well, Hello Leon. Come in” I said with another sigh.
“Thank You… Is it Brandi?”
“Yes”
“Sen has told me a lot about you” I laughed of coarse Sen would never stop talking about her friends.
“And I’ve heard of your antics In Konoha”
“Really, big shocker their”.
“I have a question if you don’t mind answering”
“Well ask the question and I’ll see if I feel like answering”
“I asked Sen this before but she didn’t know, What is your choice of weapon?” What was with the random question about my weapon choice? Wasn’t expecting that at all. I didn’t answer for a long time. I was trying to decide whether or not I could trust him. I reached down to my weapon pouch it wasn’t filled with kunai, shurikens or senbons. Something else that not many people would think possible to have as a weapon. There was a reason though why she didn’t carry kunai, shurikens or senbons. Then I went up and down the bandages on my arms. I acted as if I was cold. ( Which was semi true ) No one would ever take them off. Not even doctors. I finally decided to answer. What felt like a long time was really only five minutes. I toke a deep breathe and answered.
“I have a right not to tell you and I won‘t. I don‘t trust you right now and nothing Sen will say will change that until you prove I can trust you”
“Would you tell me?” I looked at Leon I though he wasn’t going to give up until I told but he didn’t say it and I knew Sen hadn’t said it either. Who could it have been then. I turned around to look at Kiba, he was the only one that could‘ve said it. I knew my answer and I was sticking to it. I wasn’t telling a soul. Trust doesn’t come easy with me. You had to really work hard for it.
“No” With that no one said another word about it. But then another more annoying question sprout out of no where. This question business is really getting old.
“ Why do you wear those bandages on your arms?” Leon asked again
“None of your business” With great luck the doctor came in and said everyone needed to leave. When everyone left I realized that it was really late into the night. I couldn’t sleep so I just sat up in my bed and gazed at the full moon. There were a lot of good memories of mine stored in that moon.

~Chapter 2

Finally I’m out of that prison. The doctors told me to stay off my ankle. But, then again when do I ever listen to anyone? I’m back to my daily antics. Who knew how much you could miss being cussed out behind your back because you got away with their goods. Man that was music to my ears to hear the butcher cuss me out. I don’t know why though. It’s another of those odd things I feel. I am on my way to Ichiraku’s ramen shop. Sometimes he gives me things for free if I help him do some work. Hanna’s off hunting deer since they’re in season and this is her only chance a year to visit her wolf kin. So hopefully Hanna comes back tomorrow with dinner at least with one deer we’ll have dinner for two weeks.
Since I can’t steal on my own, I’ve been reduced to working for my dinner. When I arrived at Ichiraku’s and asked for something to deliver they gave me some orders and when I returned there was already a bowl of ramen on the counter waiting for me. The ramen was delicious. Ichiraku’s always served the best ramen. Not even the best chef in the world can make any better than this. I said my thank and left.
Then the fun started. I saw Sasuke walking down the street and got an idea. I used a transformation jutsu and turned into his older brother Itachi. As I stalked Sasuke, I called out little brother and he stopped dead in his foot steps and looked behind his shoulder slowly.
“How are you doing little brother?” I asked in the best voice I could impersonate.
“What are you doing here?” He sounded so hateful. I had to bite my tongue so I wouldn’t laugh.
“Is that any way to say hello?”
“Like I would show any respect to you”
“You little snot” It took him a while to come up with a response, but it surprised me on what he said.
“Fine, Itachi how are you doing today? Or shall I say Brandi?”
“Who’s Brandi?” I asked in a curious voice.
“You know who she is” That’s when I slapped him. I didn’t slap because I enjoy it which I do, I slapped him because he figured it out quicker than I thought he would. I reappeared as my true self and he snickered. That’s when I hit him. How dare he use that sarcastic snicker towards me. This is why I wish Sasuke was dead. He has major problems. People say he’s my rival, but I think differently. He and Naruto are rivals. Not me and him. I just hate him with a fierce passion.
“What’d you hit me twice for?”
“Once for personal reasons and the second one for that sarcastic little snicker. Now run off and write your stupid depressing poetry”
“How did you know I wrote poetry?” He asked conspicuously with I tint of curiosity. I really didn’t I just made it up.
“A great ninja knows everything, isn’t that what you say?” I totally pulled that out of thin air.
“Yes, but . . . Stop using my quotes against me” Now he’s starting to get aggravated. This is fun. Really fun actually. I laughed at his confusion and when he went to hit me I grabbed his fist. He had a look of shock on his face.
“Every ninja should always be on their toes? Isn’t someone slacking off?”
“I’m not giving it my all”
“Are you sure?” Taunting him was always fun. But what I’m about to do is more fun.
“Yes actually I am, and I know your not giving it your all either”
“Well of coarse I’m not, but I fear that this is your all Sasuke. Come on admit it even Naruto could beat you” I couldn’t control my laughing now. This was just to much. “Come on Sasuke everyone knows it. Just admit it”
“Admit what?” he said coldly.
“That you hate Naruto because he’s stronger than you and you can’t stand it” I said colder.
“Take that back”
“Never, because you’ll never be able to defeat Itachi or Naruto and definitely not me”
“You want to see for your self whether or not I can?”
“Sure, because I know you can’t”
“Let’s try and find out”
“Fine, training area in the forest thirty minutes. Don’t chicken out”
“I‘ll be glad to come. I’d love to see what your capable of”
“Oh really? You might want to rethink that when you see my true forms”
“We’ll see” With that I disappeared out of thin air. Laughter and blue light globes was all that was left of me. This is my first battle between someone in the village because I don’t want anyone to know my secrets and they still won’t for my goal is not to kill Sasuke yet. I think I’m just going to play with his mind so I can see what he’s made of.
I spent only ten minutes getting ready, gathering information from my ninja info cards and making sure there was nothing that would cause me pain through the battle. That meant that things like hunger were taken care of.
I headed down to the area where the fight would take place and perched in the branch of a close by tree. No one could see me, but I can see anyone that walked through the area. I waited there for at least ten minutes give or take when Sasuke finally appeared through the bushes and trees. His eyes were darting about looking for me.
“It took you that long to get ready? Wow, you really need to work on that” I said from my perch. He slowly raked through all the branches but still couldn’t see me.
“I see, you gave me that much time to test me . . . Very smart”
“Good thing your not late I was getting worried you chickened out on me”
“Now why would I do that?”
“Cause your afraid I can see it in your eyes”
“Mind showing your face so I can tell to” I appeared behind him from my hiding area. You got to love those blood line traits.
“Of coarse, I don’t have anything to hide”
“Well, well isn’t someone eager”
“Of coarse I have other things to do than waste my time fighting you”
“Ok then, lets get started”
“Finally” I made sure that last word was dragged out and sounded sarcastic because that what gets him annoyed. I didn’t make the first move. I didn’t move at all. I just stood there, looking at him. He’s trying to figure out what I’m doing and whatever he’s thinking he’s wrong.
“Penny for your thought, Sasuke?”
“Same here, what are you waiting for?”
“I don’t know . . . I just think it’s funny to see you try to predict my movements”
“Really that’s what I was thinking”
“Chicken your afraid to make the first punch. I’m allowing you to get a hit on me. I’m being generous” This is the part where he slips up. He runs out for a front attack. I duck down and grab his legs and hold him in the air.
“You need to gain some weight, or even Hinata will be able to pick your lousy tail up” I tossed as if he were trash and sat on the ground. He tried to come from the back, but I guess he never saw my hand signs. This a simple genjutsu attack (Genjutsu is my specialty).
“d” I breathed. A look of puzzlement crossed his face. He must think I just said a random word because this genjutsu wasn’t in the text books. I made it up myself.
“WHAT?” He screamed looking around I could see his sharigan starting to appear. He’s going to find out that he can’t copy these movements. This particular genjutsu causes the attacker to feel like they will never stop running but they’re actually standing still and makes it seem like their opponent is getting father away. Like I said just a simple genjutsu. The catch is that the user of the jutsu can walk over to the attacker and attack him/her in any way. This certain genjutsu can actually kill someone. But I’ll let him live this time. I’m in a good mood. So the only mark I put on him was a cut across the cheek. This was done with my nail which was actually not a human nail. It was a dragon nail, Tri-demons involve a mortal body and mind and two demons that have come together in one host. My two demons are a wolf and a dragon. I’m the only one known of with this trait so I guess you can call me special. I stopped the genjutsu, when a woman’s voice called my name.
I turned around and there was Akaho-Sensei. Crap, I’m in trouble now. Now that I was caught off guard Sasuke came up and sliced my cheek from the back. Now we’re both in trouble for Kakashi-Sensei was there too. Along with Sen, Kisara, Naruto and Sakura. Sakura was red in the face with anger when she saw me with Sasuke.
“What are you doing Brandi?” Akaho asked
“Yeah Sasuke, what are you doing?” Kakashi added with a curious tone. I heard Sasuke gulp and he released my neck from his hold.
“Oh hi Akaho didn’t see ya there. How are you?” I asked trying to avoid her question.
“Don’t give me that crap Brandi” Sasuke tried to slowly walk away but Kakashi grabbed his arm and yanked him back.
“Ok fine, we were trying to see who was strongest”
“Thank you for the truth, Brandi”
“Your welcome, Akaho-Sensei” I muttered
“Who won?” Naruto and Sen asked oblivious of the situation before them.
“Brandi did” Sasuke admitted. I know I had a look of shock on my face when he said that. I was just about to say I didn’t know the fight was never completed.
“But the fight isn’t over” I said curious to hear his answer.
“Yeah I know. I also know you were just using only a little of your strength”
“That’s true, but so were you”
“No I wasn’t actually, your right I do need more practice” Did he just admit that in front of everyone? This is to weird.
“But that’s not true Sasuke, your stronger than me and Naruto put together” Sakura interrupted
“Then that should tell you both something, Akaho’s team is one not to be messed with”
“Sasuke, that was a good fight. I hope we can do it again only with our full strength”
“Yes it was, do you fight with weapons?”
“Yes, but a normal weapon of choice for most ninjas”
“Would you mind telling us?”
“Everyone will see soon” Akaho motioned for me and Sasuke to come over to her. She bandaged up Sasuke’s cheek first for his was deeper and longer than mine. But when she looked at my cheek the scratch was gone and only a faint scar was left. I realized that I had dragon claws and a wolf tail out to view. So I withdrew my claws back in but kept my tail out. It felt good to let it hang.
“Well, the reason we came looking for you two is that Lady Tsunade has just given team Akaho and Team Kakashi a mission together. We are to go to Suna and assist the Kazekage.”
“I can’t go. Not without Hanna.”
“Why not, Brandi, I would love a chance to return to my hometown?” Kisara asked
“That’s the point. I don’t want to return alone”
“But we’ll be with you”
“You wouldn’t get it”
“Does it have something to do with your childhood?”
“Yes, okay it does. Are you happy? You got the truth out of me” With that I ran away from the group and planned not to stop until I found Hanna.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After a while of deciding what to do Sen pips up.
“Akaho-Sensei? Do you want me to locate her?”
“Yes Sen, that would be helpful”
“Okay” Sen reached into her bag happy to help and pulled out a tracking device, a sleeping dart, an Anbu cat mask, and began working on trying to locate Brandi.
“Found her and I think she found trouble”
“What do you mean trouble Sen?”
“Well there is a blue dot representing her and then there’s a lot of red dots and she’s not far from here either”
“Okay then lets go look for her, Sen you lead the way”
“Yay, lets play follow the leader it more fun to travel that way”
“And you said that that team was nothing to mess with Sasuke” Sakura sarcastically said.
“It’s true, don’t underestimate her Sakura”
“I know”
“Anyway she has an Anbu mask, do you?”
“Well no, but . . .”
“Thought so” Sasuke walked up toward the two Jonin and Sen, to see what Sen was talking about and Sen was right that was a lot of dots. More than a hundred probably.
Thirty minutes later walking and Naruto, Kisara and Sakura were tired, so Akaho ordered a break.
“I thought you said it wasn’t far from here?” Naruto said
“Sen always over exaggerates things, anyway she thinks it’s not a long walk because she walks around the village for hours delivering things for her mother.” Kisara inputted
“Yeah but can’t she think about us?”
“She says every ninja should in top physical shape. Go figure.”
“Of coarse she does”
“Stop complaining and get up if we don’t hurry Brandi may die” Kakashi said
“Oh, I’m sure she’s fine”
“I’m not to sure”
“Then you don’t know Brandi” They started walking again and finally found me not even twenty minutes away.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I wasn’t in trouble I had actually found the pack of wolves Hanna stayed with when she went hunting. I was trying to decipher their answers to my questions for their speech which was a little different from dogs. I didn’t realize the group was there until the alpha female of the group started growling. I looked in the direction she was facing and saw the group. Sen put the locater behind her back. But I still saw it. I stood up from the bed of straw made for me and walked over to the alpha female and hushed her. She lowered her tail showing respect to me and raced over to her pups to stop their crying.
“I said I wasn’t going without Hanna and I meant it when I said you can’t make me”
“That’s fine Brandi, I respect your decision. We want to help you find Hanna. Calm down sweetie”
“I don’t need your help. You don‘t want to help me anyway. You want to find Hanna so I‘ll go on that stupid mission anyway. I can see it in your eyes.” I said as cold as I could make my voice, I saw the group of wolves race over to a spot behind me and I turned to look in their direction. Hanna was limping through the bushes and her side was a bright red. She fell over just a few steps away from the underbrush.
“HANNA” I cried out and raced to her side. I pleaded for her sake and mine for her to be all right. I picked her up and carried her to the straw mat. All the wolves moved for me to get by. Tails lowered in respect. Hanna let out a muffled yelp as I set her down. I felt tears run down my face. This is the first time I’ve cried in a while. I wiped them away and Sakura came closer.
“Get away”
“I just want to help” Sakura cried
“I said get away”
“Sakura, come here” Akaho advised and she obeyed her.
“Brandi dear, calm down Hanna will be alright”
“Shut up” I used an ability I haven’t shown anyone before. My eye allows me to use certain powers. It’s part of my clan‘s blood line trait. I tried to heal her wound. This is one of the four abilities I have and this one takes more out of me. But I‘d do anything to save her.
“Don’t just stand there, get Lady Tsunade and fast.” I screamed. If they really want to help then they needed to do something useful. Kakashi volunteered and raced towards the village.
“Sakura . . . Do you know what a healing herb looks like right?”
“Yes”
“Get some” She nodded and disappeared into the trees.
“Akaho, do you know where to find medical supplies?”
“Yes, I do”
“Can you go get me a mixing bowl and bandages?”
“Yes” Akaho disappeared and that left Sen, Naruto and Sasuke.
“Naruto, Sen. Come here. I need your help now” They walked over with wary faces.
“I need you two to help me heal her”
“We can’t do that though”
“Yes you can believe me”
“Focus your chakra on her wound. But first do any of you have some soldier pills?”
“No but Kiba does and his team is training not far from here”
“Perfect, Sasuke go get him” Sakura returned along with Akaho, with the herbs as soon as Sasuke left . Kakashi returned with lady Tsunade not soon after that to.
“What is it Bran-” Tsunade didn’t finish when she saw the sight before her.
“Naruto back up, let me get there” He backed away immediately and let Tsunade take his place.
“Her breathing is shallow”
“I know it is, I know what happened to she’s feeding me the information in my mind” This another one of my powers. Mind reading or speaking if you prefer but I can only do this with people I trust or love. I couldn’t believe this was happening to her. I couldn’t stop the tears from falling. Sasuke finally came back with Kiba and Akamaru. I heard Akamaru whimpered at the sight and felt his sorrow for her spread. Kiba sat down beside me and I didn’t even blush. I didn’t care at this moment. He handed a small pill and I ate it with out a second glance.
“Here let me help” I nodded and motioned for him where to move.
“Put your put your hands here and focus your chakra on her wound”
“Okay”
“Thank you. I’m sorry I snapped earlier” The blood finally stopped and we carefully cleaned her up. The wound was unmistakably resembled to that of a bear claw. Now it was up to me and Tsunade to stitch her up and bandage her. I mixed the herbs together and applied it to the wound, Tsunade stitched her up and I covered it with bandages.
“This settles it. I’m not going on that mission”
“Oh yes you are. Because you are the mission”
“How?” I asked confused. How could I be the mission?
“The Kazekage asked to see you personally” Great. Whoop de do!
“Akaho volunteered to take you, but he made it required that two teams fulfill this particular mission. We all know how stubborn you are”
“I said I’m not going and nothing will change my mind”
“What if I told you it had to do with your family?” My eyes grew wide. She has my attention now.
“What about my family?”
“I lied when I said the kazekage wanted to speak to you I wanted it to be a surprise”
“Okay” I answered suspiciously.
“It is actually you biological father who wishes to speak to you”
“I’m still not going, if he cares that much where was he ten years ago?”
“That’s a good question why don’t you ask him yourself?”
“I don’t want to see his horrible face” Now the tears really came and I didn’t care at that moment, but I realized it wasn’t Tsunade who cradled me while I was crying telling me it was all right . . . it was actually Kiba. I was glad it was him. I can’t remember a time I felt so venerable and if anyone was going to hug me it was going to be him, Sen or Tsunade. No one else was going to touch me.
“Brandi?” Hanna barely got the word out.
“What is it Hanna?”
“Go and talk to your father”
“Not without you”
“You’ll have to go without me” I know talking had to be hurting her so I tried to make her answers short. But I wasn’t going to leave her without a fight.
“No I won’t, I’m staying here with you”
“I want you to go”
“Why?”
“This is what you and me have been waiting for. A chance to find out about your family. So please go and tell everything when you get back”
“Fine, for you I’ll go”
“Thank you” I just sat there petting her fur trying to figure out how I could do this without her. I needed someone to watch her while I was gone and I could only think of one person who could do that.
“Kiba . . . While I’m gone can you watch Hanna?”
“Yes, I’ll take her home and let my mom have a look at that wound”
“Thank you” I couldn’t help it. I’ve never felt like this before. All I could do was hug him.
“It’s no problem” I picked Hanna up carefully and carried her to the Inuzuka clan with Kiba and everyone else behind me following silently.

~Chapter 3

“Okay teams we have to be in Suna in a week, so start packing. We’ll see you tomorrow”
We were standing in front of the Inuzuka clan and the only thing I could think of was Hanna. I didn’t want to leave without, but I want to make her happy.
“Wait” I decided to tell Akaho about the map I have for a save way to get there.
“What is it Brandi?”
“I know a quicker way to Suna and it’s safer this way”
“Really you’ll have to show us”
“It’s on this map. I found it in a book that was donated to the public library by an adventurer”
“Thank you Brandi. I’ll look at it when I get home”
“Akaho . . . I don’t want anyone to look at that but you”
“Why?”
“Personal reasons”
“That’s fine then. But sometimes I wonder why you stay secretive so much”
“Again personal reasons”
“Well I will see everyone of you tomorrow and on time, Kakashi read my lips be on time or we leave without you”
“Fine” Kakashi sighed and then everyone went home but me. I turned and walked into the house before me. I decided to ask Tsume or Hana (Kiba’s mom and sister) if I could stay the night with Hanna in the room they put her in. But when I walked in Kiba was the only one I saw in the room.
“Kiba, do you know where your mom is?”
“Ya, she’s in a room with a patient. She’ll be right out. Or Hana is in the kitchen cooking dinner”
“Thank you”
“No problem” I decided to ask Hana first. So I headed towards the small kitchen. When I walked in Tsume and Hana were in there.
“Well hello Ms. Arthtic. How can I help you?”
“I’m just going to cut to the chase, I wanted to know if I could stay in the room with Hanna for the night. I leave tomorrow.”
“I don’t see any problem with it. As long as you don’t rip out her stitches”
“I would never do that I want her to get better not die” I said sounding a little offended.
“I know”
“Thank you. It means a lot.”
“No problem”
“You say the same things as your son” Hana chuckled
“I’ve been told” Tsume gave Hana a side long glance and Hana practically fell off the counter laughing.
“I’ll be right back, I really need to get ready for tomorrow”
“First why don’t you stay for dinner?”
“I couldn’t, you’ve done enough for me already”
“Please stay, we’d love to have you”
“Okay I’ll stay, thank you”
“Like I said no problem” She laughed “And they said you were stubborn”
So I had dinner with the Inuzuka family that night and man did Hana embarrass the crap out of Kiba. It was fun, really fun. I guess this is what it feels like to have a family. For once I laughed happily not sarcastically.
Once the fun had died down I went home to pack. Kiba offered to walk there with me because it isn’t wise to walk the village streets alone at night but I can’t let him know where I live yet. When I got there I just grabbed the necessities first and then things I couldn’t live without. I also got a picture of Hanna out and put it in the locket beside the picture of the woman, that I think is my mom. When I get there the first thing I’m going to do is slap my father. Then the bombarding with questions will begin.
I’m glad Kiba was there when Hanna was hurt. If it wasn’t for him I don’t know what I would’ve done. At that moment I felt a strong connection with him. The tears started to flow down my face again. I wish that never happened to Hanna. If I had gotten there sooner I may have stopped it from happening. But it did happen, and I can’t change anything now.
I left my little house and headed back to the Inuzuka clan. It was only about ten minutes away from the village so I’ll be there shortly. As I walked I thought to my self. Trying to figure out what I had done wrong in the last eight hours, that would have caused fate to mess up. But nothing stood out of place. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going and ran right into a tree. So much for the rest of the day going well. I sighed. Today is not the best day ever for me. This actually tops to list on the most crappiest days I’ve ever had.
I finally reached the front gates of the Inuzuka clan. Kiba opened the last time I was there and since he isn’t here . . . I was going to do something that looked like a lot of fun when Sen did it. I threw my bags over the gate, noting breakable inside so it wouldn’t hurt it. Then I stepped back, ran forward and took a leap catapulting myself over the gates. It’s fun but don’t try it a home. ( If you do your just crazy ) I landed on my butt. It hurt, but it was worth and I could have sworn I heard my butt pop though. But I must be hearing things. I walked in rubbing my back. It seemed like no one was awake so I just found the room Hanna was in quietly and curled up beside her on the sleeping bag I had brought.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I woke up when I heard a door creak open. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. They were unfocused but I could see Akaho standing in front of the door with Tsume standing behind her. Why was Tsume here and how did they get to my house? That was the question that was going through my mind. Last night was a blur, but seeing Hanna beside me in a hospital like room reminded me of the events that happened last night.
“What are you doing here?” I asked Akaho when Tsume left.
“Getting you, your late and we can’t leave the major part of our mission behind”
“Oh yeah that’s right . . . Darn it all” I said making the last word longer than necessary.
“Hurry up and get ready” She snapped at me. I sighed and grabbed my clothes on the way to the bathroom. I changed quickly, brushed my hair and pulled it into a ponytail and put my shoes on. I went over to Hanna patted her on the head and promised I’d be back soon and told her Kiba would take good care of her. I grabbed my stuff, put my sleeping bag away and walked out the door. Akaho handed me breakfast, I said thank you to Kiba, Tsume and Hana and off I went to my worst nightmare . . . Suna.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We reached the village gates, there stood Sen, Kisara, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura and Kakashi. They all clapped when Akaho and I appeared. The whole way to the gates Akaho was complaining about how she said not to be late and so on. She practically dragged me there!
“There’s our missing person” Sasuke said with a laugh.
“Just shut up . . . You know your jealous because I got to sleep in and you didn’t” I said trying to defend myself.
“None of the sort” He fired back
“Sure. Someone’s in denial” I sang out.
“Now who needs to shut up?” He said with a fake snarl.
“I’m pretty sure it’s still you” Everyone laughed, happy I was in a good mood. Because if I wasn’t . . . the trip there probably wouldn’t be any fun.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We took breaks every two hours or so. Kisara, Naruto and Sakura were always complaining about having to walk and I just slept (Its amazing how I went to sleep with all the complaining), Sen was playing the flute. For me at least the rest of day went by quickly so we set up camp in an flat space with trees about for some protection. No need for anyone to keep guard because Sen didn’t sleep except for her quick three minute cat naps. While I was sleeping I heard something or someone rummaging through my stuff (The noise was coming from right above my head where my stuff was). I opened my eyes but didn’t move. I waited for my eyes to get used to the darkness and I slowly saw a figure that looked a lot like Sasuke (It had his cockatoo hair style). The figure turned his head and then I knew it was Sasuke.
“What are you doing?” Though I already had a good reason in my head regarding the question he had earlier. He jumped and looked directly at me with his eyes wide. I sat up a little and grabbed what he had in his hand. It was my weapon pouch. Well my guess was right.
“What are you doing with this?”
“Nothing”
“You were trying to see what weapon I use, weren‘t you?” I whispered low enough so only Sasuke could hear it.
“I was curious”
“Did you see what was in it?” I asked my voice rising.
“No I couldn’t open yours. It’s different from mine. Where’d you get it?”
“None of business. Go to sleep and I’ll try and forget what you were doing” He must have been real curious to go to this extent. I put the weapon pouch under the covers and tried to fall back to sleep. Like I was ever going to sleep now, I was wide awake with confusion.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next morning I woke up to the delicious smell of something cooking. I guess I finally fell asleep at one point in the night. It’s weird because you can wake up and not remember how you went to sleep. Whatever someone was cooking it smelt really good so I decided to get up. I remembered there was a river near by so I grabbed my clothes and took of to take a dip in the probably cold water. I walked passed the fire and found Sen cooking some really tasty looking fish for breakfast. My mouth watered looking at it.
“Good morning” Sen said cheerfully
“Good morning to you as well, looks good” I said regarding the food.
“Thank you”
“I‘ll be taking a dip in the river, see you later”
“Okay” I walked down to the river, undressed and walked in. The water was not to cold but it was refreshing and enough to wake my senses up. I took my time washing while I had it to myself, when I got out though I quickly dressed just in case Sen forgot to tell someone I was down here and one of the guys walked down here. Breakfast was already being eaten by Akaho, Sen and Sakura when I got back. So I helped Sen wake everyone else up. It was fun when I woke up Sasuke and Naruto who were forced to share a tent together. I went behind the tent pushed on it a said boo. I think Sasuke though it was Naruto cause I heard someone get slapped. I couldn’t help but laugh. Then it donned on them that it was me.
“Get up sleepy heads” I said once I got my laughter under control. I heard a muffled no and Sasuke was out of the tent quickly, he probably knew that if you didn’t get up when I tell you to I would do something to the tent . . . Well he was right. I had waited a few minutes for Naruto to come out. When he didn’t I flipped the tent over on it’s side and kept flipping it until Naruto was out. I couldn’t stop laughing . . . I had turned red in the face from laughing to hard, so was everyone else. After breakfast we packed up and headed out again.
The rest of the days went by quickly and nothing major really happened. I wasn’t happy see to my village when we arrived until I saw the villagers. Everyone looked like they were dying . . . Serves them right. I was still curious how the village got this way. The village never looked like this before. I’ve been here once before and it was so . . . So incredibly lively back then . . . I wonder what happened

~Chapter 4

It took forever to get the guards to let us in especially me but we finally got in thanks to Akaho and Kakashi giving them the mission scroll. So when we were in the jonins were trying to figure out what we would do next. Just like I gathered when Akaho and Kakashi kept looking at me. . . The first thing I had to do was a give a tour. Isn‘t it my lucky day? So out “tour” started at the Kazekage’s house and went to every major landmark until we came back around to the Kazekage’s house again. I felt like a stupid tour guide being followed by pesky tourist . . . Oh wait at that moment I was, That’s when the question I had been trying to avoid came out.
“Where is your clan located Brandi?” Kisara asked. Must people always ask questions?
“I don’t know anymore . . . Can we just go see “my father” and get this over with” I made sure I used quotation marks when I said my father.
“Sure his house is this way” Akaho said “Even though I would’ve liked to go sightseeing”
“Thank you” I was so relieved you could hear it in my voice.
“But first can we go shopping around the market?” I asked. Everyone looked surprised at me. I guess they don’t hear that come out of my mouth often or they’re just afraid I’ll try to steal something.
“Sure show us where” I turned on my heels and started to walk towards the area I remember the market being at. I still have a clear map of Suna in my head. . . Once you’ve lived in a place for six of your childhood years running away always looking for spots to hide you kinda don’t forget where everything is.
“Brandi, aren’t you hot?” Kisara asked dramatically waving her hand like a fan.
“Nope” I made sure the P in nope made a popping sound.
“How?” She asked confused as all get out.
“I’m used to this kind of heat, it actually feels . . . good”
“Wow”
“We’re here” I smiled the market was huge and hadn’t changed much except that there weren’t as many people around since the last time I came. This was the only part of Suna I enjoyed because here I could hide and blend in among the other children.
“I’m gonna go see if something is still here, you guys have fun when your finished go to town library” I walked towards the area that held a large statue. I remembered years ago an old man I had grown friends with told me that everyone who died fighting with bravery was on this plaque. The idea had popped in my head that maybe just maybe my mother’s name was on this plaque. I knew though that her grave lay in the leaf village where she had originally lived. One day I would find her grave and on that same day I would get her revenge. I looked at each individual name hoping I would see one that looked familiar. I saw one name and I smiled. . . This had to be my mother because the name was Braylin Arthtic. I didn’t say where she was buried but her death date was December eleventh nineteen ninety-five. Under her name it had Died saving her clan and child.
Now there was no reason to stay there any longer so I got up and left. I had passed by a small group of kids playing hopscotch, laughing without a care in the world. I smiled at them seeing them playing hurt but I was glad that they could grow up with friends. . . That is until one of them picked up a rock a through it at me.
“Traitor” The child yelled out but I kept walking. This is why I don’t look forward to coming to my hometown. . . Even the kids knew what I was. The kids laughed continuing to pelt me with the sharp stones. I had slight cuts on my arms making small holes in my bandages, as long as those bandages didn‘t come off it didn‘t matter. Those bandages cover up something way worse than small cuts. I rounded a corner and strolled into the market like nothing happened so I wouldn‘t alarm my team mates. I had passed by many beautiful things on those tables. But now I was only focused on one thing. Finding one item I was offered seven years ago. The man who runs the stall I’m looking for is said to still be alive. He was old and kind, he told me many things and taught me how to talk, read and write. He was also the same man who told me my father had betrayed my mother and had caused the demon inside me to kill my clan. Hopefully he stilled remembered our promise.
I found the stand in the same spot it was years ago. The man was still there but he had a boy about my age beside him. Probably his grandson.
“How can I help you young lady?” He asked searching my face. The boy walked away pretending to clean something up but I knew he was actually listening to our conversation.
“Hi Jericho. It’s me Brandi Arthtic. Do you remember me?” the boys eyes grew wide and he moved closer.
“I thought you looked familiar . . . My you‘ve grown so beautiful. Oh and look you got a headband. Suna headband at that.” He said.
“Yes I did. Worked had for it to. . . I didn’t know you had a grandson”
“Oh yes. This is my grandson Hitsuhori. He’s the same age as you are thirteen about to turn fourteen next month” I shook his hand and the boy slightly blushed before leaving to go help another costumer.
“How do remember I’m thirteen. I haven’t seen you in seven years?”
“Same as you remember me. It looks as though my grandson takes a liking to you” I giggled haven’t heard that before. “I’ve told him about you once or twice. How I taught you and how you listened so intently on what I was saying. . . Even though he doesn’t know you. . . You inspired him to work hard. He reads about you in the paper often and posts all your pictures out of the newspapers and magazines onto his wall”
“At least I inspired someone in a good way” I laughed “Normally I just inspire them to want to kill me”
“I always though you would take after your grandmother”
“My grandmother?”
“Yes. . . Me and you grandmother went way back. She was exactly like you, just she trusted people faster. She was known as the grand thief for years but when she died no one took her title until you came along”
“Title?”
“You haven’t heard? People all over are calling you’re the grand thief, It’s ironic because the last grand thief was your own flesh and blood”
“No I haven’t heard” I laughed “Must be why people here still remember me” Jericho shook his head nimbly, he looked like he was choosing his words carefully.
“Come with me” He walked past his grandson into a little house which I’m guessing is his home. “We need to talk. I didn’t tell you everything”
“I’m listening”
“As you know your whole clan was killed but you . . . The truth is there are more of your kind living”
“Yeah I know my father”
“Not just your father Brandi-dear”
“What do you mean?”
“Your three sisters are still alive. Where they are I don’t know. But some “reporters” have been looking for The Grand Thief wanting to interview her. They had silver eyes and the same pale skin color as you” He laughed “Did you know that the police won’t arrest you because shop keepers are telling them not to? They think that if you steal from their sore it must be good enough of a quality to suit you tastes”
“No I didn’t” I laughed “So you think those “reporters” are my sisters? How many were there? Where do you think they would be right now?”
“I think they’re going to go to Konoha and search there. There were three of them and yes I do think those people were your sisters. There has been rumor of more Arthtic bloodlines”
“Thank you for informing me”
“So what brings you back here to this old place . . . You want the blade don’t you?”
“Do you still have it?” I asked. He could probably here the excitement in my voice. But after hearing that he was alive, I may actually meet my sisters soon, and then knowing he remember me and our promise I was to happy to hold it in.
“Of coarse. But do you still remember our promise?”
“Yes, I have to write down the symbol of friendship of coarse”
“Good” The man slid a piece of paper across the table we were sitting at and I wrote an odd looking symbol on the paper. He taught this sign to me years ago and said if I still remembered it he would give me something special to him since he had great beliefs in me. But I also had to become a ninja first. The headband stood for that. Jericho took the paper gave it a satisfied glance and pulled something out of his coin pouch. He came out with something in a silk bag placed it in my hands and curled my fingers around it. The object was barely bigger than the length of my hand.
“This is a family air-loom I have no use for, neither my grandson. Guard it with your life and use it with skill. I’m honored to give it to you”
“I’m honored to receive it. Thank you Jericho”
“Your welcome sweetie” I hugged the old man. He was a lot like a father to me when I was young. He was the only one who didn’t see me as a monster in this cursed village.

~Chapter 5

Oh hi . . . I’m one of the new characters in the story. Can you guess who I am? If you guessed that I’m one of Brandi’s sister your partially correct. I’m Brandi’s twin sister. We look identical except my hair is bright blood red and she has, from what I hear, dark black obsidian hair like Elisabi and Rosary. I’m the youngest of us all, then Brandi, Rosary and Elisabi is the oldest. Elisabi and Rosary are twins to but unlike me and Brandi they’re identical.
The reason I’m talking in this chapter is because the ‘writer’ wanted to surprise her readers. Well SURPRISE! Right now we are on our way to a place called Konoha I think. Elisabi won’t tell me much but she said that this is where Mama grew up and was buried. I miss my mom even though I didn’t know her that much. Elisabi and Rosary are eighteen. So they knew Mama more than I did. Mama left us one thing before she died and it was a locket with a picture of herself in it. She told Elisabi that she wanted to give us these so that no matter what happened we would always have a piece of her. We don’t know if Brandi got hers but I have mine and on the front it has my initials carved into it. D. R. A for Dra Renee Arthtic. I always laugh when I right my initials down because my initials spell out my first name. I wonder if my mom made it that way on purpose.
“Elisabi . . . How many villages do we have to look in until we can get a house and stay in one place?” I asked because I really don’t like this traveling everyday thing.
“This is our last village, I promise we will get a apartment or a house here and stay if we don’t find her. This is the village that has had the most reports on our ‘Grand Thief’”
“Okay” Finally. I have been wanting to stay in one place for years but Elisabi said we needed to keep looking. I hope that we find my twin in this village. I wonder what she has been doing all these years.

~Chapter 6

After I left Jericho’s I went to the “meet-up” area. I was the first one there which didn’t surprise me. I had said the library because I wanted to see if they still had that book on the Remo clan’s history and because it was in plain view from the market and the others would know where it was. So I went inside and a librarian helped me find the book I was looking for. Hope you’re ready for a cultural lesson. The Remos are a clan of nekos or were cats, they’re hyper, highly intelligent, ( when they want to be ) and highly strong in taijutsu but lack in genjutsu. Every Remo has a demon inside them unless they are married into the family. Prime example of that is Sen’s mother Lin, a hawk trainer, married Sen’s father, Kon, so Lin was married into the Remo family and therefore does not have a demon.
Remos are quite strong at young ages and become things like Anbu like Sen. Sen is an Anbu squad leader and she’s only fourteen. They can be loyal to their friends and take trust seriously. If you break the trust of a Remo it would probably take years for them to ever even talk to you. Remos don’t sleep like normal humans. They take three minute cat naps twice a day. They don’t wear shoes, their clothes are always skimpy and light weight, they wear nothing to protect their arms or legs and fight using only one weapon. Most of them are know for quick tempers and great elegance. Most Remos also love to be crafty and some are known for their beautiful music. Remos are attracted to bright colors and are highly sensitive. Some Remos like water, most don’t though. Every Remo has at least one weakness. But then again so does everyone else. No one will ever be perfect. Each Remo owns a “pet” tiger, bobcat, leopard, lion, cheetah or any wild cat. It’s a clan tradition that every child gets an animal when that particular person is able to speak.
This just about covers everything. There are Remos out there that do not act like the normal Remo. An example of this case would be Sen’s sister, Rin, who left to join Orochimaru years before Sen’s younger sister was born. Rin does not like the bright colors, she was never hyperactive like the others and she yearned for ultimate power. There’s a reason I know who Rin is and she acts, but I’m not saying why just yet. Sen doesn’t talk about her sister because she’s a “disgrace against the family name”.
I saw people start to cluster around the door to the library. I waited to see if it was my team members. None of them looked familiar. It was puzzling but I think they were waiting for someone. I decided to leave before something drastic happened. When I walked out of the building, all I remember was someone had yelled “THERE SHE IS” and I was grabbed from all sides and shoved into a bag. I called out for help but someone banged my head against the doors. I couldn’t see a thing not even through the frayed string of the bag. . . Frayed string! That’s when an idea popped into my head. I could cut through those strings to make a hole and they will never know. I will never guess why people are so stupid that they don’t think to tie my hands and feet together, but hay this time it worked out for my well being. I reached into the pouch that held my new weapon. Let’s see what I can do with it. I ripped a slight hole into the fabric, just enough to get my hand though. I snapped my fingers drawing all my chakra together and the boy walking beside the man that was carrying me started to freak out. It is another of my lovely techniques my clan has so graciously given me. The boy jumped around and acted a lot like a monkey. I was hoping for a cow but the monkey works too. I am limited on how often I can use this though, but it is called Mind Wipe. For a limited amount of time, the user controls the brain of the victim, causing him/her to act like anything they want them to be. I haven’t quite mastered this yet but I can get it to work to my advantage so it’s fine.
I tried to pinpoint the location of the tender area in the back of the man carrying me. They must really want something from or of me because he didn’t put me down even when the boy was freaking out. I pictured the man’s back outside the bag the best I could and just plunged my blade through the bag into his back right in the middle below the main portion of your back. He screamed bloody murder so I am guessing that my guess was good enough to make him drop because he did. I made the slit in the bag bigger and slid right through the tiny hole. With my trademark wink and turned around and fled from the scene. I went back to the market and searched for a team member. I searched, and searched, and searched, and searched until I finally found Sakura.
“Hi Sakura”
“What’s the matter Brandi?”
“I was almost kidnapped by two men” I said as if nothing major had happened.
“Thank god you’re okay” Her eyes grew wide but she was smiling almost as if she didn’t believe me.
“You aren’t going to question me?”
“Well I’m just curious that you aren’t hyperventilating right now. I would be”
“I don’t hyperventilate. I normally stay calm because hyperventilating doesn’t change what is or did happen”
“I guess your right. But I would still be hyperventilating”
“Whatever, can I stay with you until you’re done?”
“Yeah, I don’t care”
“Thanks”
“Your welcome” Now I was following Sakura until she was finished drooling over things she could not afford. I chuckled. I guess she feels how it is to be poor now. However, she will not have that feeling when we get back to Konoha sadly I still will. When she was done, we walked down to the library. Everyone else was already there and waiting when we arrived. I did not tell anyone about the kidnapping that took place earlier that day, Neither did Sakura. I had made her promise not to tell so it wouldn’t alarm the other team members.
“Now that everyone is here. We need to find the place listed on the lovely scroll” Akaho sensei showed me the scroll so I could show them the way.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It took a while to find but we made it. The place was a three-story house with a beautiful front yard. I looked up at the sign and it read:

Private Property Do NOT Enter.

“What a shame. It’s a private property we can’t go in” I glanced at Akaho and she was giving me the coldest glare in the world. I smile slightly, toke a deep breath and walked in. I would need all my emotional strength for this and believe me, he’s going to pay.

~Chapter 7

I took in a deep breathe and knocked on the giant doors. The doors did not move instead a slit in the door opened. Light blue-gray almost silver eyes looked through it and as suddenly as the eye slit opened, the doors opened. I watched in amazement at how much money my father appeared to have. The room was large and filled with valuable looking artifacts. Some of them looked really old and others looked brand new. Then I wondered how much he paid Konoha to take me here. Then I wondered how he knew I was in Konoha.
A old, dreary looking person came through one of the many huge doors and motioned for me to come over. I warily followed him. It was the same man who opened the door, he led me through a series of hallways until I was standing in front of two gigantic double doors. The doors slowly creaked open to reveal a room larger than the first room I was in and I could not believe my eyes. There was gold on almost every piece of furniture. Expensive items were scattered all over the room and everything looked silk.
“Hello Brandi dear” A deep toned voice called out and at that moment I knew exactly who’s it was.
“Don’t you dare say that to me” The hatred in my voice was unmistakably there.
“What’s the matter?”
“First off, I’ve grown up poor all my life and you have all of this” I motioned around the room at all the stuff.
“Yes and I’m sorry”
“No your not, Why should you be? You have everything you could ever want.”
“But I don’t have you”
“That’s nonsense. If you care then where were you more than ten years ago? Where were you when I almost died? Where were a few days ago when my best friend almost died? Where were you then “dad”?” Memories of my past life flickered through my head and I closed my eyes trying to take in what was happening. I made quotation marks in the air when I said dad.
“I don’t know”
“Yeah I don’t know either. I’ve been wondering for years . . . Wondering if there was even one person other than me with this blood” I laughed “And the whole time you were here cozy in your little mansion”
“Brandi please just listen”
“Why should I listen? I haven’t listened to a single person in my life. Why should I start now?”
“I’m your blood relative Brandi . . . I need you”
“I don’t care if you need me. I needed you and you weren’t even able to be found”
“I know”
“Now answer me this. Why did you betray my mother?”
“I didn‘t feel that love I had for her anymore and when she gave birth to you . . . A monster of sorts I couldn‘t believe it. At that time I couldn‘t call you my daughter. So I tried to kill you but your demon went into a protective state and attack me. When your mother realized what was happening she was to late and couldn‘t stop it in time. So she tried calming you down, she managed to but everyone else was already dead. . . ” he trailed off not wanting to finish his sentence.
“And you were the one that killed them all weren’t you?” He nodded grimly.
“yes I did, and your mother couldn’t take their deaths, so she told Elisabi and Rosary to take you and Dra away from there and flee into another village. But you had long vanished when Elisabi went looking for you. From what I gathered you stayed in this village until you ran away to escape death”
“Yes I did. I ran away because even monsters deserve a chance at life”
“That’s true but . . . Some monsters killed anyway to prevent disaster”
“So if you could right now . . . Would you kill me?”
“Yes, I only summoned you here to tell you what happened and that you should watch your back closely”
“No . . . You called me here so you could try killing me” I said in disbelief. How could someone want to kill their own daughter even if I was a monster.
“You’re a smart young girl”
“I’ve had enough of your games” I yelled, lunging toward the jerk with my dagger in my hand. He tried to punch me in the stomach so I dropped to the ground and bounced back up using the dagger to cut both his legs causing poison to spread through his legs. Jericho told me that the poison was embedded in the blade and would never run out. He stumbled and I took my chance to kill him once and for all. I pulled out one of my rubber bands and pulled it back like an arrow. Channeling all my chakra into the rubber band making my genjutsu and bloodline trait mix together. I was going to finish this and I’m not going to regret it either. He threatened my life and confessed that if he could he would kill me right here and now. So I’m making sure that he doesn’t kill me first. I aimed the rubber band arrow towards his crimpled body.
“This is what I’ve done with myself while you were gone. You are the first to witness my full power, you should feel honored. Any last words?” I said coldly not holding my anger anymore.
“I always knew you would follow my footsteps”
“No dad. There’s a difference between you and me. I don’t have a choice. It’s my life or yours and I have dreams to fulfill, people to protect and I don’t have time to play your little games”
“Yes but once you killed one man that lust doesn’t go away, you will want more I promise you that”
“That’s the other difference we have. I’m not out for any ones blood except yours.” I smiled “CRASH AND BURN”
I let the arrow go and watched as his body was enveloped in a furry of fire. The smell of burning skin filled the room and all I heard was his screams. I looked away in shame, I felt disgusted with myself but I knew that I had done the right thing. I was not letting the ones close to me suffer because one man could not take in the fact that his own flesh and blood was a demon.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sen was the first to hear the screaming and she swore it was Brandi‘s screams. She knew she should not have let her go there alone. Sen started to race towards the hallway that brandi had walked through but someone grabbed her arm stopping her. She turned around about to rip the person’s arm out of their socket. It was Kakashi why was he stopping her?
“This is her fight Sen, you can’t help her. This is Arthtic power against Arthtic power”
“But don’t you hear her screaming?” Sen couldn’t believe Kakashi of all people was stopping her. He knew how it was to lose a friend and a teammate, she wouldn’t be able to live with that. She had to help Brandi, Brandi was the only one who understood how hard it was to have a demon and be shunned.
“Listen closely Sen, that’s not her screams. Even you said that Brandi shouldn’t be underestimated. We know nothing of Brandi’s power, we do not know what she is capable of”
“But that’s not an excuse to not help her”
“Sen listen, that is a man’s scream. Brandi is going to be fine. She lived through more though things than I have and lived through them. We do not know what she is capable of. Even Akaho the woman who taught Brandi the basics doesn’t know what she already knows” Sen was shocked. Kakashi of all people was stopping her from saving her best friend.
“Then what do we do? Just listen to their battle and hope for the best? I can’t stand around and do nothing while she could be in trouble”
“The only thing we can do is hope. But I’m going to try and find someone I think she knows here in the village. I was following her around at the market today and she had done some interesting things”
“Like what?” Sen couldn’t believe that Kakashi still didn’t trust Brandi enough to let her walk around a village with out doing something bad.
“Well first she visited the memorial for dead loved ones, then she went straight to an old man’s market stand and followed him into his house. She came out with something in her hand, something in a small bag. I stopped following her after that because she got out of my eyesight”
“So? Maybe she was visiting an old friend and he gave her a present”
“Yes maybe so, but maybe this old friend can tell us something about our dear Brandi”
“You all can go, I’m staying here and I’m waiting for Brandi”
“Very well”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I turned around from the sight and closed my eyes. I couldn’t believe I just killed my own father. Worst of all I do not feel any regret doing it.
“Did you really think that will kill me?” So I didn’t kill him. I turned back around and was staring right in the face of my father.
“Your little tricks won’t work on me missy”
“Then try this on for size” I swung my fist and connected with his jaw making him only stumble back a few steps but I took that time to and danced backwards making distance between us. I saw an arrogant smirk cross his face and fear washed over me. Would he try and kill me since I attacked him? I breathed in deep trying to calm my fear down. Having fear is human nature but right now fear is the worst thing to have it makes you weak.
I though of Hanna and Sen I couldn’t let them down. I couldn’t die knowing they might be in danger. Sen was my best friend and Hanna was my sister no matter what happens. I am determined to get out of this place alive. I saw my father unsheathe his sword and bloodlust flickered across his face. This was going to be his raw power against my raw power.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sen watched as everyone left except for Sasuke and Naruto who decided to stay and help. Sen walked forward catching Brandi’s scent but she smelled something else to. She couldn’t put her tongue on it . . . It smelt like burning flesh. Sen hoped to god that that flesh was not Brandi’s but someone else’s.
Naruto and Sasuke followed silently watching Sen morph before their eyes. She was slowly turning into something that they had only seen in textbooks. She had morphed into a full grown tiger right before their eyes and they had to believe what they were seeing. They followed Sen until she stopped in front of two huge doors. Her ears twitched and they heard it to.
“Did you really think that will kill me?”
“Your little tricks don’t work on me missy” The voice was deep they knew that it had to be Brandi’s father. No one else could have much hatred in their voice. They had to be related to Brandi somehow.
Then they heard Brandi’s voice. “Then try this on for size” her voice carried without even the slightest hint that she was scared. It was followed by a gut wrenching sound that sounded like her fist connecting to something hard. No matter how much Sasuke hated Brandi he admired her. She wasn't stuck on revenge like him, she could care less what you though, she just kept improving herself and didn’t give up without a fight.
They didn’t hear anything else, but no one moved an inch from their spot either. They were waiting to see what would happen next.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kakashi had found the stand he was looking for and he stood beside Akaho as Kisara and Sakura chattered about something way from the stand but still in eyesight. He searched the faces for the old man he had seen earlier. None of the faces were familiar except for the boy’s face but he didn’t think he would be any help. He felt Akaho nudge him in the side and she pointed towards the other side of the stand. In the shade the old man sat there looking straight at Kakashi and Akaho.
“Good day sir” Kakashi said getting the old man’s attention.
“It is indeed. Can I help you with something?”
“Yes actually. I wanted to know if you anything about our dear Brandi. She’s in Akaho’s team and we want to know if you knew anything about her capabilities in a fight”
“Yes I know Brandi. She’s a good friend of mine. Known her since she was just a little over two years old. I thought her most of the things she knows”
“Then you might be of some use to us. What is your name?”
“You need only my first name I am Jericho”
“I am Kakashi Hatake of the Hidden Leaf Village”
“Nice to meet the son of the “White Fang”” The name shocked Kakashi. He hadn’t heard that name in a long while.
“Nice to meet a friend of Brandi’s, may we talk I’m curious to learn a few things about her”
“Yes follow me, I won’t talk of her out in the open like this”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I danced back again from my father until I noticed he was trying to trap me against the wall. I danced back once more only this time I was headed towards the door. If I could get the door open then I could lure my father outside and I would have the advantage. Then again I would also be putting my friends in danger and I can’t do that to them. I danced in circles dodging every punch and kick my father sent at me. I kept circling him until I saw my opening.
I danced back out of range for a short quick time a slashed out with my dagger. He let out a shriek of pain as I slashed right through his stomach. He didn’t have a clue that my dagger had poison embedded in the blade. Sooner or later the effect the poison is having on his veins and tissue should kill him if I don’t put him out of his misery by then.
I was trying to think of something I could use to make his death slow and painful. The only thing I could think of was the Wanderer of One Thousand Miles. I distracted my father by dancing around taunting him while I made the hand signs behind my back.
“Wanderers of a Thousand Miles”
“How did you learn a jutsu I’ve never heard of?” He said jumbling it all up as he tried to break my genjutsu.
“You’ve never heard of it because I made my genjutsus up by myself”
“Amazing” He breathed I barely heard it he said it so low. I made a sarcastic smile and slashed his throat. What? I didn’t want to hear his annoying voice anymore.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sasuke stood in fear as he heard Brandi’s next sentence.
“Wanderers of a Thousand Miles” She had used that on him once before and she could’ve killed him. Now she was using to kill her own father. Then he heard her father speak once more and Brandi revealed something he didn’t think was possible.
“How did you learn a jutsu I’ve never heard of before?”
“You’ve never heard of it because I make my genjutsus up by myself” He couldn't believe his ears, never had he heard that that was possible. But then again it had to be possible because if it wasn’t we wouldn’t have our jutsus today. But it was just unthinkable that an thirteen year old girl can create all of her jutsus by herself and make them work.
He didn’t hear anything else after that the silence scared him because he didn’t know what was going on in the room before them and yeah he could go in there but Kakashi was right, this was her fight. So all he could do was wait and hope that he got to fight her again someday. There was still a lot about her he didn’t know. She had no ninja info card, she stayed silent sharing secrets with no one, she revealed little about her past and trusted barely no one. He was curious about her, he wanted to know her life and understand it. But he knew that she liked Kiba and he heard that Kiba likes her, so he would keep looking but Brandi for some reason intrigued him. He didn’t like her as a crush but like someone he could relate to and rival with.
The last thing he heard was a scream of agony before the doors started to creak open and Brandi’s figure fell at Sen’s feet.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Brandi is a girl of many secrets, I know nothing about her Arthtic powers but I do know that she has a whole batch of jutsus she has made up by herself. She is strong but her weakness is the ones she trusts. Her weapon of choice is odd but efficient. Her fighting style is irregular than from a normal warrior’s and she fights until the finish. She can be trusted only if she trusts you” Jericho told Kakashi most of what he knew about his dear friend. Brandi was like a daughter to him, he had taught her to fight, read, talk, love, trust. He believed she could achieve great things and never doubted her potential. I was true she kept many secrets because she is afraid to trust someone, to open up and let people in and he didn’t blame her one bit.
“Do you know her weapon choice?”
“Yes I do . . . But I will not tell you”
“Sir we need to know so we can get a idea of what she is capable of”
“She is capable of destroying a entire village but she could also lead an entire village with much courage. But in respect to her if she hasn’t told you I will not. She will tell in good time”
Thank you then Jericho”
“My pleasure”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This would be the last blow. I took my dagger and dragged in down my father's back. He screamed in agony as the poison flowed through his veins to his heart and in seconds he was dead. My mouth was dry and I felt lightheaded. I had killed my own father and here on the floor was his corpse and I felt no guilt for my crime.
I cleaned my dagger with one of the curtains and pushed open the huge doors. I had noticed that my father managed to cut me across my stomach and down my arm. I never felt the pain of those wounds, was this what was making me lightheaded? I gave the door a finale push and it creaked wide open revealing Sen, Sasuke, and Naruto. I smiled and fell to the ground.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When I woke up everyone was crowded over me watching my eyes flicker open. I bolted upright and looked around I was in a hospital room but it wasn’t exactly a hospital room. I glanced around some more and noticed that I was in the room I had last saw Hanna in. Was I in the Inuzuka Clan Vet Room? I still felt lightheaded and got up of. whatever the heck I was lying on, quickly running to bathroom to throw my guts out. Well no one said killing would be easy and painless.
No one said a thing to me until I walked back into the room.
“What happened with your dad Brandi?” Sakura asked.
“Nothing of importance to you.”
“Well what did he say?”
“What do you mean?”
“Did he say anything about your clan?”
“No” I love the fact that I can lie with a straight face
“Please tell me”
“Why? It’s nothing of importance to you.”
“I know, Well tell me if you ever need to talk about something. I’ll be happy to help.” I rolled my eyes and layed back down on the bead graciously taking the pain reliever Kiba held out for me.

~Chapter 8

Tsume had ordered everyone to leave the room and she checked on my wounds. Tsume said she was shocked at how fast they healed, it’s only been about eight hours since I got here. I never really knew how my wounds always healed quickly I have always guess it had something to do with my demons. A lot of thoughts were going through my head but the main three were Where was Hanna, What happened to Sen and the others, and the fact that I had just killed my father eight hours ago and I didn’t care. I wonder what Hanna is doing right now. Maybe she’s annoying the crap out of Kiba or Sen. Maybe she’s just lying in her kennel groaning about how much her wounds hurt. Both sounded like something she would do.
“Hanna is fine she is outside playing with Kuromaru and Akamaru right now” What was she a mind reader?
“Thank you. I’ve been wondering about her”
“Would you like me to go tell her you are awake?”
“Yes please. I need to talk to her”
“I will be right back then”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As Tsume walked down the hallway to the area she put Kuromaru when she was working she was playing through what might have possibly have happened to her. Sen, the feline, wouldn’t tell her one bit of information neither would Sasuke or Naruto. Tsume had always wondered just how many people were amazed of her. She knew Kiba has been fascinated of her since ninja academy. They had had the same class and everyday he would come home and tell exactly what happened at school. He told her that all the girls, but two, in his class always picked on her and that she would do nothing but shrug and keep walking, he said that it probably hurt her inside but she just didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of showing it. He had quite a bit of impressive theories when he was young it was strange.
Kiba told her that when it was time for their exams for their headbands, everyone was freaking out but a few including her. He said she practically never freaked out just stayed calm and to herself. At lunch she was always alone and he wanted to invite her over to eat with him but he was scared to. He said that on the days they had a test to show our ability to use genjutsu or regular jutsus she wouldn’t be there.
Tsume had wondered a lot about a lot of people and it was always the demons that topped her list. She was always fascinated at how they achieved more in life than the normal ninja. How they could still trust people after everything people have done to them. It was people like Brandi, Naruto, Sen and that other girl, Kisara. People say that they feel bad for Sasuke Uchiha but think about the demons. Get past the fact that they have a monster in them and you will see a person that is hurting in the inside.
Tsume had many questions for her but she would have to hold her questions, because she knew that that girl would not share her secrets with someone she didn’t know. Tsume now stood in front of the two glass doors watching the three dogs play and bounce about. It was amazing at how bad of a condition that dog was in not even a week ago and now she was fully healed with nothing but a scar to show which would one day have hair grown over it.
“Hanna, Brandi is awake. She wants to see you” The moment I said Brandi’s name Hanna had stopped dead in her tracks and was listening intently to me. This dog must love her a lot. Tsume understood that love to, her and Kuromaru were the same way. Hanna bounced over to me and gave me a doggie smile.
“Show me the way” Hanna laughed when she saw Tsume’s expression. “Brandi should have warned you first”
“Yes, being warned you could talk would have been helpful”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I was sitting upright on the bed when I saw Hanna burst through the door. I swung my legs over the bed and stood beside the bed in front of the door. Hanna ran over to me and jumped into my arms swiftly. She licked my face and normally I would’ve stopped her but right now I was to happy to see her to care. Kiba came in slowly and whispered something to his mother.
“Brandi I will be right back there’s some urgent business I have to take care of in the office”
“That’s fine I need to talk to Hanna anyway” She nodded and walked out of the room motioning for Kiba to follow her. When the door closed I set Hanna down on the bed and sat on the edge. I lifted my shirt to look at the wound my father had given me then I looked at my arms. The bandages on my arms were new. Oh god who changed my bandages and saw what was underneath them.
“Don’t worry Brandi I removed and replaced your bandages”
“Thank you . . . Do you want to know what my father said?”
“Of coarse I do”
“Alright, I’ll tell you everything from when we got there to when I fainted”
“And I am going to listen to every bit of it”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

There wasn’t anything going wrong but Tsume knew I wanted to talk to Hanna personally and Tsume didn’t want to intrude. Tsume was curious on what had happened to that poor girl greatly but on the other hand she didn’t want to know. Whatever did happen though resulted in Brandi having a deep gash in her stomach. It stretched side to side like the person who did it tried to make a ring around her stomach and back. There was another wound but she didn’t know how bad it was because Hanna kicked her out there before she could unwrap it. Whatever was underneath those bandages Brandi didn’t want anyone to see it. I gave them about an hour and a half before she went back into the room to tell Brandi she could go home. The other thing that amazed me was that Brandi had huge burn scars up and down her back.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tsume had good timing because I had just finished telling Hanna about what had happened she walked in and told me I could go home. She was gone about a hour and forty minutes. I wonder what the problem was. When she walked out again I got off the bed and found my bag in the corner. I walked out of the room and Hanna bounced down the hall. What did they give her, Drugs? She was never this bouncy.
I saw Kiba sitting on their couch watching TV and sat down on the couch opposite of him. He must have been really intently watching TV because he never saw me sit down and jumped when I said something.
“Thank you for caring for Hanna”
“She was no problem, the worst she didn’t was bite Hana when she tried to give her a booster shot” He laughed “Hana is fine though Hanna barely tore the skin. I don’t blame her for not wanting to take it though . . . They hurt and supposedly the animal ones hurt worse”
“Tell Hana I said sorry we both have a phobia against needles”
“I will, are you leaving?”
“Ya, I have to get ready for school tomorrow. It’s the first day of high school remember?”
“Oh crap that’s tomorrow?”
“You forgot”
“Ya, guess I’m going to the market today” We all laughed
“You better go to the market Kiba” His mom said as she walked in giving me some pain medication in case my gash in the stomach started to hurt.

~Chapter 9

I woke up when I felt the sun warming my face through my window. I rolled over and glanced at my clock, only seven. I still had an hour left to get ready, I got up sleepily and tried not to wake Hanna. I grabbed my new set of clothes and ventured into my bathroom. I smiled as the familiar sign in front of my door greeted me. It was a quote from famous guy saying ‘The only thing we have to fear is fear itself’. I can never remember who made it but, I liked that quote. The meaning of it is hard to describe but I felt like it says never be afraid to do something out of the ordinary.
My new outfit I myself thought was pretty. I liked things unordinary. But this was close to my old set, only the pants weren’t at my knees they were mid-calf down and my shirt was a T-shirt not a tank top. Every ninja has a unique style and this is mine.
I brushed my hair into a ponytail, put on my Suna headband, replaced my bandages which were unraveling, ate an apple, brushed my teeth. I was grabbing the things I needed when I remembered my necklace, put it on and then started the long walk to school.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It wasn’t as far away as I thought. I wasn’t the first there but I waited a little longer for Sen to show up. I sat on a cement bench pulled out a piece of paper and started to draw something. I didn’t even finish half of my drawing when Naruto walked up to me. He drew in a deep breath and spoke a sentence I couldn’t believe he said to me.
“Brandi, will you go out with me?” He just said it out there like he had practiced it a million times.
“No . . . never actually” The look of disappointment came quickly but I’m not giving in. Nothing will make me go out with him.
“Why?”
“Because your not very strong, don’t act very smart and I just don’t like you”
“I can change”
“I still wouldn’t go out with you. Because then you wouldn’t be yourself.”
“Ok then what can I do?”
“Nothing” He raced away in a hurry and I’m glad because the next thing I was going to say he wouldn’t like to much. I can’t believe he likes me.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sen and Hinata were talking as they walked to school.
“Sen I have a question for you”
“What is it?”
“Do you think Naruto or Kiba likes me?”
“I’m not sure about Naruto but I’m sure Kiba doesn’t”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I think Kiba likes Brandi”
“Really?”
“Ya, if you think about it he cared for Hanna while Brandi was gone, held Brandi when she was crying, they both own animals who are like their siblings, he sent her flowers in her hospital room, and blushes every time she looks his way”
“You do have a point there” Then they saw Naruto walk up to Brandi and breathe in deep. Sen always did have really good hearing.
“Why is Naruto with Brandi?” Sen asked confused. Brandi told her that she hated Naruto.
“Lets get closer and find out” Hinata walked close enough to hear their conversation .
“Will you go out with me?” Naruto asked. Hinata sighed she had been waiting forever to hear those words just not I this situation.
No . . . Never Actually”
“Why?”
“Because your not very strong, don’t act very smart and I just don’t like you”
“I can change”
“I still wouldn’t go out with you. Because then you wouldn’t be yourself.”
“Ok then what can I do?”
“Nothing”
Hinata now officially hated Brandi, Naruto asked Brandi out. Which means Naruto likes Brandi not her, and then Kiba seems to like Brandi as well. Hinata watched as Naruto ran off. She wondered what Brandi was thinking. Then she walked past Brandi without looking back while Sen plopped down beside her and snatched her sketch pad . Hinata couldn’t believe that the two guys she liked, liked Brandi.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hinata looked mad when she walked past me. Wonder why. Sen plopped down and snatched my sketch book before I could shove it back into the messenger bag she had bought me. It was black and the design on the font was a wolf running across it.
“Give me that” I said trying to pry it from her hands.
“What are you making a blueprint for?”
“It’s my dream house now give me that” That’s when she dangled it up in the air.
“You really want it?”
“I am not a freaking dog give me the freaking book” I heard something like a chime go off and Sen dropped the book in my lap.
“Fine, fine here that was just the bell lets go”
I got up and Sen dragged me toward the school. I’m curious on who my teachers are. Poor suckers. Everyone was directed into the gym and we sat on the floor while our homeroom teachers called their roster out and the students lined up behind their home room teacher. I was happy I’m in Kiba’s class. I looked at everyone else that was in my homeroom line. There was Naruto, Hinata, Shikamaru, Neji, Sora, Sai, Sasuke, and some other people I don’t recognize. Just what I need a bunch of boys in my class. Especially ones I don’t like. Then there was Hinata, she keeps glaring at me like she’ll burn a hole through my head.
We walked to our classroom, our teacher told us to sit anywhere she didn’t care. I chose the desk in the corner, solitude was always more likable to me. Kiba sat across the room, Naruto sat not far from Sai and Sasuke. Sora sat beside me and Sasuke sat beside Sora more away from Naruto than Sai. Sai sat in front of Neji and Kiba was sitting beside Neji. Hinata sat in front of me. Great I said sarcastically to myself. Then the kids I couldn’t recognize filled in the rest of the seats I was dreading this day already.
The teacher’s name was Mrs. Yuha. She went over the handbook with us, handed out planners and paperwork, then gave out lockers. A good thing for me thing is we don’t have to pay for our lockers. She let the class do what they wanted for the rest of the class period as long as we didn’t get to loud. Can you guess what I did? If you said I slept then your correct. The bell rang and we all moved to our different classes.
My next class was taught by a man. His name was Mr. Uchiha. You guessed it, it was Itachi. I saw Sasuke scowl and sit down in the back of the room. Itachi was our personal jutsu teacher. He taught us helped us develop Jutsus of our own and learn new ones.
“Sasuke, I didn’t know you were in my class. Won’t this be fun”
“Yeah whoop de do for me”
“I have something for you brother dear”
“What?!?” He said. If you were there you would’ve laughed at the tone in his voice.
“Your old teddy bear remember, Mr. Cuddles” If this doesn’t embarrass the crap of someone then what does? Sasuke turned bright red and the whole class hysterically laughing. Itachi put the bear on Sasuke’s desk and smiled.
“Okay calm down class”
“Yes sir” Everyone groaned and some where still quietly laughing.
“Now I want you to raise your hand if you have made your own jutsu” Should I raise my hand? Something compelled me to raise my hand because I didn’t even give it a second thought. The look of amazement on Itachi’s face had me astonished to.
“In all my years” He said something else under his breathe but I didn’t catch it. “Do you mind showing the class this jutsu?”
Before I got to answer that force that compelled me to raise my hand came back and forced me to get up and walk up to the front of the class. I reached down to my weapon pouch and pulled a rubber band out of my pocket. I aimed it at the dummy that sat in front of the class. Itachi may have to buy a new dummy.
“For anyone who doesn’t want to be burned or frozen I suggest moving back ten feet” The class backed away slowly. I pulled back on the rubber band and it moved back like a string on a bow. Something stopped me for a second because the thought struck me that I had used this to kill my father. I pulled out another rubber band and thought of fire and hate. I pulled back fully and released it in a furry of sparks. Good thing that the dummy was enclosed in a glass box with only one opening because the dummy exploded into a series of colorful flames.
I pulled out another one and thought about ice and water, I needed to get the flames out somehow. I let go of the end of the rubber band an it flew like an arrow and I could have sworn I heard the whoosh sound an arrow makes. The dummy was frozen in a block of ice. I heard sounds of awe and amazement.
I backed away from the glass room and let my shallow breathing return to normal before I passed out because I didn’t have enough oxygen in me. I looked over all the faces in the room and I smiled. I think instead of hiding what I can do I should show people what I’m made of. It felt good to get that off my shoulder and show some people.
“Brandi are you sure no one taught that move?”
“Yeah all my techniques are my own. No one could teach me when I was young . . . Except an old friend but he wouldn‘t teach me until my demonic power was sealed off”
“Interesting, you appearance shows no sign of any demonic energy. Naruto for example you can tell he has a demon because of the whisker embedded into his cheeks”
I let me true forms show. One moment I was a full blooded canine another second I was a blood thirsty dragon. Then I was myself.
“Turn back into a dragon real quick” Great. I knew I shouldn’t have done this. Stupid compelling force. I switched from human to dragon and Itachi walked over to me. He looked at my wings, felt my scales and backed away. I didn’t know if he backed up because he as scared or if he backed up because he was amazed. Then I thought struck me. Itachi was or is in the Akatsuki. I morphed human again and stood my ground ready to defend myself at any moment. He chuckled.
“You really think that’s what I’m here for?” How did he now what I was thinking?
“How can I be sure that isn’t your plan?”
“Trust me. I came here for a completely different reason. But you do know that you are the only Tri-Demon to exist in the current world”
“I know” It was a miracle the bell rang for lunch. Lunch and a ticket to get out of here not a bad combination. My stomach has been roaring with hunger for a while and lunch is FREE! I grabbed my messenger bag and practically ran down the hall way.
Can it be that after all the crap I went through someone finally decided to be nice to me? I saw Hinata and Naruto talking so I stood beside a random locker and listened to their conversation. Hinata was asking Naruto out and he said NO. When Hinata left in tears I marched over to him.
“What was that?”
“What was what?”
“You told her NO”
“Yah, why does it matter to you?”
“Hinata has had a crush on your since ninja academy and you don’t even care? She finally worked up the nerve. Your just a big jerk”
“Ok. And?”
“And? And? That’s it don’t even talk to me. I hope Hinata hates you. You’re a stuck-up jerk that has no care in the world how he treats a lady”
“You told me no what’s the difference?”
“It doesn‘t matter what the difference is and if I must tell you who I like to get you of my case I will”
“Who?”
“If I tell you, you have to promise to keep that big mouth of yours closed and you can‘t do anything to get him mad at me because so far we are getting along”
“Fine”
“It’s Kiba, happy”
“Kiba? Of coarse. He has a dog I don’t” He didn’t shocked like normal people do. Was it that obvious?
“No he’s caring, kind, and cool. You’re a idiot that only cares about himself” I turned around to walk away and I froze mid step.
“How long have you been there?”
“Long enough” Kiba was standing in front of me smiling. Oh snap. I blushed deep red and tried to run away but Kiba grabbed my shoulder.
“let’s get away from here” He said glaring at Naruto. Crap, that was all that was going through my mind. That’s when I realized that the locker I was standing beside was Kiba’s who’s was five down from mine. This is just a lovely string of events. I walked alongside Kiba as he led me to the court area. My stomach growled, I’m so hungry.
“We will get lunch in a minute”
“Do you read minds?”
“No” He laughed. “I heard your stomach”
“Oh” I sat down on one of the steps and he sat beside me.
“If I knew you liked me I would have asked you sooner”
“I can see that”
“But when I saw how amazing you are today in class I couldn’t help not asking. Naruto knew I liked you, but like you said he‘s only a jerk that cares about no one but himself.”
“Well I’m glad you are”
“Now who’s the mind reader?”
“Keep going”
“Will you be my girlfriend?”
“Of coarse” We both smiled laughing and he escorted me to lunch after I was done hugging him. I had two guys ask me out today and only one came out victorious. Lunch was delicious and after that the rest of the day went pretty well.

~Chapter 10

It was the end of the school day and we were back in Mrs. Yuha’s class waiting to be released. I was watching the clock intently until Sora said:
“A clock that is watched won’t tick as fast”
“Oh shut up don’t give me your poetry crap”
“Just a little advice” I glared at him. Why did he have to act all smart and give me advice. Especially stupid advice. I started tapping my pen on my desk and stared out the window. Hanna was sitting outside patiently waiting for me to be released so we could go get something to eat. I waved at her until I saw something out of the corner of my eye flying over to my desk. At first all I saw was this square whit blob but the closer it got the more I noticed it was a note.
I grabbed it and unfolded it slowly while Mrs. Yuha had her back turned. I laughed when all it said was look here in scratchy handwriting. I pretty much had it figured out but I scanned the classes faces anyway. I ended looking at Kiba who had a notebook up which said: Sora is right. I stuck my tongue out at him and turned my attention to Hanna again. Just what I need. The principle was trying to get Hanna to leave and Hanna wasn’t listening to a word of it. I sighed and raised my hand.
“Yes Mrs. Arthtic?”
“Can I go get my dog before she kills the principle?”
“I need your planner”
“Are you kidding me? Your going to put my dog in danger because of a stupid planner? Even if she can hold her own, she won’t be able to when he calls the animal control. Look out the window I’ll be right out there if you need to know where I am” She sighed
“Go ahead but leave your stuff here”
“Thank you” Everyone was silently laughing as they saw Hanna lower to the ground ready to pounce at any moment while the principle was red faced and yelling. I opened the window and hopped out. Mrs. Yuha’s class was on ground level thank god or that jump would have hurt.
“HANNA” I yelled louder than the principle forgetting that the window was still open. Hanna turned her head in my direction and slowly stopped growling. “Now is that anyway to treat someone?” She sighed but still stood where she was.
“Is this thing yours?”
“Yes she is mine and she isn’t doing anything but sitting here waiting for her master to be released from school”
“Animals are not allowed on school campus during school hours”
“And why not? What’s the matter with animals?”
“They are a distraction to the students working, now please remove your animal”
“No. She is doing nothing wrong and she has a right to be here as any student does”
“Young lady I don’t care if she has a right or not she is not permitted on school campus”
“Well last I knew smoking wasn’t permitted on school campus either but that’s not stopping you” I said motioning to the cigar in his hand.
“Don’t lecture me on what I can and can’t do”
“I’m just stating the facts, either Hanna stays or I tell the board about your addiction” I said addiction in a different tone making the students laugh.
“We have no need for clowns in this school”
“Students don’t need to have to second hand smoke either. Now either Hanna stays or I tell the board about your little addiction”
“You would never”
“Oh trust me, I would” I said with a scary smile touching my lips. This was to much fun. The principle was practically crawling in his skin and Mrs. Yuha wasn’t doing anything about it. From what I’ve heard all the teachers hate him because he thinks he can break all the rules because he’s the principle but no one has had the guts to stand up against him. Well I do and no where in the handbook does it say animals are not allowed on school campus it states they can not be in class. But it does state that smoking is not allowed on campus and anyone who brings it on campus will be charged.
“The board would never believe a student” that’s when a flash went off and Mrs. Yuha yelled out through the window.
“No, but they will believe a picture given to them by a teacher. Along with my little tap recording here” She waved the small box in the air and the principle turned a really bright shade of red I’m guessing he has anger management problems. That’s when everyone in class yelled out “GO MRS. YUHA” including me.
The bell rang and Mrs. Yuha dismissed her class. I jumped back through the window to get my stuff, tell Kiba bye and hug Mrs. Yuha who now became my favorite teacher for this year. I jumped back through the window again and Hanna and I walked home. Mrs. Yuha told me not to worry about it that she would go to the board the first chance she got.

End