Disclaimer and author's notes:
Standard disclaimers apply...
Unfortunately, I am not Kishimoto, I don't own the characters.
I am just borrowing his characters to have some fun, I won't make any money out of this =^^=

Hello everyone! Thanks for stopping by and showing interest in my work!

June 18^th 2004: stupid me posted the unedited version first, this is the edited one.

This is my first attempt to a Naruto-Fanfic, so please be gentle =^^=.
I am afraid I am not as much into the characters as I am with 'Rurouni Kenshin'.

This story starts after Orochimaru's ambush on Konoha, before Itachi appears.
I'll stick to the original storyline and include a 'side-story'.
Contains spoilers if you have not read the manga or seen the anime so far.

One last thing:
English isn't my first language - as you might have realized by now -,
so please do not comment grammar and spelling mistakes... unless you correct me =^^=.
I'll try to give my best...

Enough babbling from my side, on to the story:

A Shinobi's love

The Old Peeping Tom

The early morning sun found its way to the high trees of a light wood, coloring the leaves light green. For some time the sunbeams played with the leaves high in the treetops, finally they reached two figures sheltered between some humongous roots of an even more humongous tree.

One of the figures, a small dark-haired animal with a bushy tail and funny white-haired tufts on its ears, blinked up to the sky. When the first sunbeam tickled its nose, the before motionless animal became lively and jumped on the chest of the sleeping figure beside it.

It was a young woman, probably in her early twenties, wearing a neatly fitting black shirt and trouser, leaving nothing of her womanly proportions to imagination. The animal didn't care at all and opened its mouth, speaking loudly.
"Get up, Ume-chan. The sun is rising."

Ume had the feeling of something heavy on her chest and heard a naughty, nevertheless velvet voice calling her. Obviously she wasn't a deep sleeper, because instantly she blinked and finally opened her silver-gray eyes fully. Upon noticing the furry animal, a disapproving grimace appeared on her aristocratic face. This surely wasn't the way she imagined her days to begin... being greeted by her widely grinning comrade... early, VERY early, in the morning and having to look at sharp fangs... a bad smell escaping the yap... PHEW, unfortunately Nekoi wasn't very found of peppermint, Ume resumed.

No, having a way too fat cat sitting on her chest and greeting her at a time she usually preferred to sleep wasn't a pleasant way to wake up. A small room, a warm bed, someone who brought her tea to her bed... this was all she was asking for.

“GET YOUR LAZY BUT UP! DON'T FALL ASLEEP AGAIN!"

Though her eyes were still closed, Ume knew that Nekoi looked even fatter now. The furry ruffled up, with an arched back, the claws dangerously near from being exposed. It was wiser to stop daydreaming.
"There is no reason to get serious, Nekoi-sama. I was only planning the next steps."

As if Nekoi didn't know her well enough to guess the truth, but for once she fell for it. Satisfied, a smirk crossed the cat's features briefly.
"Finally you're getting grown up and reasonable, Ume-chan."

Right, she wasn't here for relaxing. Vitally important tasks laid ahead and rubbing the sleep of her eyes, Ume sat up.
"Did something happen during the night?"

Contently the cat left her chest and cuddled herself in the first warming sunbeams. It had been a little cold between the roots.
"Four Hidden Leaf Village Ninja passed our place one hour ago heading for Sand country. Also some ANBU are patrolling through the forest. They didn't notice us, I removed the cover only a few minutes ago."

Nothing out of the ordinary, Ume concluded. Konoha had just been ambushed by Orochimaru and his group, they were still high on alert and checking the area. Disapprovingly she shook her head. They had missed her, that shouldn't have happened under such circumstances.

Lazily the cat winked with half-closed eyes.
"Get up and move finally, Ume-chan! I want to leave and take a nap myself. I have more important things to do then spending my time with you."

Selfish was a word that described Nekoi best. Her own comfort had always been her first thought, but Ume had a better idea in mind then Nekoi's nap.
"First, I want to take a bath in the nearby lake. I don't want to arrive in Konoha all dirty and messed up AND I don't want to get discovered while bathing."

Luckily, Ume's personal hygiene was on Nekoi's favourite list, too. Otherwise she would have vanished by now.
But Ume didn't miss the traitorous glint in her eyes, even when it was just for the split of a second, it was giving Nekoi away.

Sighing, Nekoi played the stressed, good friend.
"For you, I'll even delay my precious nap."

******

The water felt great on her skin. It was just perfect, not too warm and not too cold, her sore muscles relaxed. Hunting was getting her, she was not used to it anymore and couldn't stand it as good as she could while she was still younger. Despite the welcomed effect, she had to leave, there was no need to try her luck further and be discovered.

In addition, the wide grin on Nekoi's features could mean nothing good. On top of that, she had noticed an all too familiar presence by the lakeside, that needed to be taught a lesson. Again.

Demonstratively relaxed, she swam back to the bank where Nekoi was sitting on her clothes and keeping an jealous watch over her weapons. At least for the weapons Nekoi cared, Ume resumed bitterly.

Paying attention not to expose her naked body to the hidden presence, Ume left the lake, wanting nothing to do but to erase the smug grin out of Nekoi's face.

Lazily she put on her garment - she almost heard the disappointed deep-drawn sigh behind the nearby bush - only to grab even faster her wooden shoes.

Instantly one of the shoes landed on Nekoi's head and the other one in the bush. The noise of her shoes against two heads gave her a good feeling. She was getting better.

**OUCH**

"Didn't I tell you to guard my back, Nekoi-sama?"

Besides a big bump between her tufted ears, the cat didn't seem to be affected one bit.
"FEEE, he is far better than you, Ume-chan. Why should I spoil the party for him?"

"My privacy isn't that important to you, is it?"
Ume couldn't hold back irony in her voice.

The answer was swift and blunt. "No."

The bush joggled and a white haired old man appeared, rubbing the huge bump on his forehead.
"Geez, Ume-chan. Couldn't you be more gentle? This way we'll never get you married."

As if this was her only problem. But he had trained her too long and she knew him too well to be offended by his peeping. At least she was worth being peeped on and not hiding beside him anymore while he was 'collecting data' for his book. That had been embarrassing at least. Should his next apprentice deal with him.
"I thought the last book of your triology is already issued, Jiraiya-sama."
AND she couldn't hide her pride that she had spotted him and even hit him. After all, he was one of the three sannin. Admittedly, it was an quite easy task when he was distracted this way.

Out of nowhere, music was heard.

**TAADAAAA**

Jiraiya turned around on his wooden clogs performing a little dance, Ume rolled her eyes. 'Not again.'

**TAADAA**

He suddenly stopped his movements and pointed proudly at Ume. Ume sweatdropped.
"I, the great Jiraiya, am working on the next compilation. Another triology featuring..."

"Yes, yes, I can imagine."
Negligent Ume waved her hand, she didn't want to hear all the details.

Being a little offended by the lack of enthusiasm, Jiraiya turned his back to Ume.

'Great, now he is sulking. When it comes to his books, he is like a little child.'
Ume thought and tried to lighten up the mood.
"I am a bit in a hurry, I am sorry, Jiraiya-sama."

He was back to his old self - Ume always wondered how easy to predict he was. AND he must feel like excusing himself, she noticed.

"I simply couldn't pass up the chance." He grinned widely. "The training works, Ume-chan. I doubt there are many people left to pass you unnoticed."
Though being caught red-handed, Jiraiya had found his composure and put his finger on her weak point: her improving skills. She had never before been able to track him red-handed, but it was no wonder with his lifelong experience, she acknowledged.

"What do you want, Jiraiya-sama?"

Jiraiya's dirty grin and dreamy look faded.
"I saw that you took my advice to come back to Konoha. Have you considered to join forces?"

"Yes."
Her grumbling stomach and her need of a proper bed had made her change her mind. She didn't even dare to think of her other reason. How pitiful.

Jiraiya's expression changed from a easy-going to a serious one.
"You know that you'll have to face Uchiha Itachi someday, don't you? Do you think you are ready for this confrontation after all what happened?"

Feeling uncomfortable all of a sudden, she straightened. If she felt this way only after hearing his name, what would happen if she had to confront him? She needed a few to seconds to regain control.
"Sure, I can face him."

Doubtfully, Jiraiya cast a glance at her.
"I hope you are right, Ume-chan. Not even to face him, but also to fight him."

Unsure, she looked aside. Facing him, fighting him? Winning the fight? Surviving she would, that was certain. 'Know thy enemy' they say. Taking this into consideration her changes were excellent. But the same went for Itachi. And could she really fight HIM? Changing to topic was her only option without exposing too much of her thoughts.
"Will you be in the selection committee?"

Negatively he waved his hand.
"No, I turned down the offer. Too much responsibility."

Briefly a knowing grin crossed her features.
"Not so much responsibility as working on your next triology.?"

A blush appeared on Jiraiya's cheeks.
"I can't let my fans down."

Ume grinned wickedly.
"Be sure to hand me a copy, Jiraiya-sama."

"Sure, Ume-chan. Take care."

He didn't care to leave her enough time to say goodbye and disappeared.
"Take care, Jiraiya-sama." she muttered. Who knew when she would see him again?

Meanwhile, Nekoi had been following the conversation closely. She strolled aside and observed Ume putting her long thick hair in a plait, hiding her needles in it. Not very successful, it looked as messed up as always. Nekoi shook her head. Why did she have to be stuck with HER of all shinobi?
"Good luck in Konoha, Ume-chan."

Offended, Ume bit her lips together.
"This has nothing to do with luck."

The cat just gave a shrug.
"However you wanna call it... I am off for sleep."

In a puff of smoke she disappeared. Ume knew, that she could rely on Nekoi if it got serious - despite her disinterested manner. She stretched her back and prepared to leave also. It wasn't far until Konoha.

Why did she listen to Jiraiya? she cursed under her breath. Her grumbling stomach and hurting back reminded her of two of her reasons.

*****

Impressive.

This had always been her first thought upon seeing these gigantic portals. Though they lost a bit of their impressiveness from time to time she saw them.

And After all she was finally back. Back were she never had wanted to be again. And for what reason? She didn't even want to think about it. How pathetic...

Mentally she checked if everything was in place: her precious sword was on her back hidden under her shirt.
Not that the portal's guards wouldn't find it, actually that was its purpose. Still, her needles were her best weapons and she had seen that they wouldn't find them.

Now she was close enough to get the guard's attention.
"Hey, you! Where do you want to go?"

There was no need to use some jutsu on him, she wanted to pass the gate officially. She straightened and gave him a bright smile. Not too bright though, that would make her suspicious.
"I heard you're recruiting shinobi and I want to apply for this job."

He threw a doubtful glance at her, she knew this look very well. Too well. Her appearance was fragile and delicate as if fighting was not her style, but she was thougher than she seemed to be. If they still could, her enemies could tell. But they couldn't utter one word anymore, she resumed with a satisfied smile. She had to shake her head to get rid of the thought.

"Weapons?"

"Shuriken, kunai, and..." skillful, she paused a second as if giving away a secret "... a sword."
Questioning, she raised an eyebrow and upon his approving nod, she reached behind her and slowly, not to give him any ideas of an attack, she unsheathed the sword half-ways.

Finally he was impressed not only by her good looks and he waved her inside the village.
"Application takes place in the tower you can spot from every place in the city."

*****

She shot a glance around in her room, she had rented for a few hours to sort out things and to concentrate before the apllication. Spartanic, but she didn't need much. A bed, a drawer, a desk and one shower on the floor for all apartments. This room had consumed her last money. She could have gone to her brother and ask for a room, but it was risky. After all they cared too much for each other to be one anothers burden.

Casting a glance into the mirror, she decided it would be wiser to throw over a cloak. She wanted to be successful because of her abilities and not because of her looks in her hometown Konoha. Nothing more left to prepare after an hour of meditation, she headed for the tower which was indeed easy to spot.

On the way she noticed inhabitants rebuilding and repairing the damage the attack had caused. The townsfolk surely loved their village, they were rebuilding it with enthusiasm. A city worth protecting it with one's live, she acknowledged.

Only a few hundred meters away from the tower she started to move more careful. They didn't have the chance to be picky about shinobi they hired - the losses had been serious -, but surely they had built up tests to pass. She spotted some hidden presences, evaded those as well as some traps. Very easy, she grimaced confidently, but she wouldn't make the mistake of lowering her guard.

To pass the tower's floors and to reach the top wasn't as easy as reaching to tower, but was still feasible. Some hand-to-hand combat, some ninjutsu, some genjutsu, some spying to use,.. on Chuunin level only. Ume had passed the Chuunin level long ego, actually it bored her.

Only one hour after she left her spartanic lodging, she stood in front of the recruiting commission.

Unlucky as she was, her brother was part of the commission, she spotted him immediately after entering, and he didn't bat an eyelid upon seeing her. Right, a Shinobi didn't show his feelings. Even when they were siblings and hadn't seen each other recently.

She wasn't short of breath and still looked as if she had just left her accommodation. The commission was surely informed how long it took her to come here and she knew that they were impressed.

The old man in the middle with goggles on his nose asked the first question.
"Name?"

It had taken her some time, but now she remembered his name: Mitokado Homur, a member of the village council.
"Morino Ume."
No sign of reaction, though they all knew her name. They continued their selection procedure as if she was a stranger. Surely they had files about her, but she hadn't had an intention of lying.

"Can you prove your identity doubtlessly?"

Wordlessly, she shoved her hair aside and exposed a long scar, reaching from the side of her left eye to her shoulder. It was fading, but still visible. Then, she rolled up her right sleeve and uncovered the tattoo on her upperarm. In addition, her brother nodded consenting upon a questioning look.

Her identification was accepted, since they continued their questioning.
"Age?"

"22."

"Born in?"

"Konoha Village."

"Rank?"

"Probably Jounin."

"May I remind you, that you didn't even take the exam for Chuunin rank. What makes you content of your abilities?"

"As an independent hunter-nin I tracked down reasonable number of well-known Jounin-ranked missing-nin. I think this is evidence enough for my skills."

There was no point in lying here and every single person in this room knew it. She handed over a paper with a few names written on it, it was her best reference and it was her only one. Besides her reputation, but she wasn't quite sure if she could rely on her reputation.

The members of the selection commission quickly skimmed the paper, before Mitokado turned his attention back to her.
"And why don't you continue to work as a hunter-nin? You are independent and earn more money."

Ume frowned. This question was expected and not easy to answer.
"For once, I want to come back to my hometown, to have a place to live and people to protect. The life of an independent hunter-nin is a rootless and lonely one."

"You know, being member of a Jounin-team means putting your life on the line for others and to rely on others. Moreover, trusting each other. You'll have to work in a team and not alone anymore. Are you sure, you are capable of doing so?"

She didn't bat an eyelid and didn't hesitate one second.
"Of course, sir. I've thought about it and already drew my conclusions. I am able to adopt in a team and rely on comrades."

"Why do you come back to Konoha NOW and why do you want to join our group?"

"Jiraiya-sama told me of your delicate situation. I considered for some time my future and decided to come back. After finishing my last job, I came directly to Konoha."

"Will you swear to protect the village and its inhabitants with your life?"

"Yes, I will."

The members of the commission shared one look. Finally, Mitokado stood up and nodded.
"You are recruited. You'll be picked up from your team later this day and will be informed about your task by them. Morino-kun can guide you your room."

No further questions where she had been all those years? No, they surely knew every little detail of her live, maybe better than herself. Otherwise they wouldn't have excepted her so easily. She was lucky... or maybe not, considering that her brother would lead her to her room. Surely he would have a bunch of questions for her.

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A/N:
I hope you liked it and that you will be waiting for another chapter =^^=.
And I do hope I didn't mix up names and characters... not to mention English
grammar and vocabulary =^^=

As I already mentioned, I am not as deep into 'Naruto' as I am into 'Rurouni Kenshin'.

Jaaaaaa naaaaa,

Mara