guardian of the storm | ✓

Chapter Seven ~ Stranger

~Chapter Seven~

The underground passage was dark and damp, cobblestone lining the floor while torches lined the walls every five or so feet. Booted feet walk along the cold stone, a red cloak covering their attire. Pure white hair cut in a shag, piercing eyes that seemed to changing color every minute and sharp cheekbones made the man get more than one glance from the female population residing within the black market.

Makeshift workshops and tents were set up, forbidden items being offered for sale. His ninja headband was tied securely around his left bicep, hidden underneath his sweeping cloak. This place was lively, filled to the brim with criminals, crooks, thieves and exiled shinobi.

Most chatted happily with each other, the worry or rivalries left in the world above. No one could get in, unless they were pretty bad making some sort of sick trust form between all the people down there.

And up until today not a single regular shinobi had made it down to the Underneath.

However he didn't care for looking for someone to be his bounty or start some sort of fight, he was retrieving information for someone very... special. "Haha this place is the best! Bitches everywhere and tons of booze, why haven't we come here sooner Kakuzu?" The voice rings out belonging to a man with magenta eyes, his partner looking annoyed by his very presence.

He takes a step in their general direction, immediately knowing these two were who he was looking for. He stopped and looked at the same goods the two were peering at, raising an eyebrow at the various weapons and their prices.

He tsks and shakes his head, "So expensive, don't cha think?" His faint accent shines through when he looks at the one with glowing green eyes. He could feel his own eyes shift to a eery green the long he was in the presence of the fellow bounty hunter.

"Yes, I agree." Kakuzu's eyes flicker with recognition as he takes in the man's appearance. "Why don't we go look around for a better deal together?" Without any more words the two venture off, a swearing idiot trailing after them.

They make small talk before they both reach the same conclusion that they found the right person. With a quick flick of a wrist and a rattle of coins the two exchange their goods, the man getting a file and Kakuzu leaving with a fatter wallet.

With a low grin the man makes his way back to the surface, squinting slightly at the sudden sunlight. He walks into the forest, the file tucked away safely and with a flick of his hand lighting strikes making him disappear within seconds.

Ah yes, my Lady will enjoy this information very much.

***

Winter kneeled before Lady Tsunade, the sky outside a pitch black and the blinds drawn shut with the door securely locked. An ANBU Black Ops stands in the corner, a shield of pure chakra surrounding the room ensuring no one could hear what they were talking about. Her mind was a whirlwind of information.

"Lady Tsunade, are you sure I am the right person for this mission?" Winter rasps out, staring at the blonde haired woman. "I'm still technically a Genin."

"A Genin in the Bingo book."

Tsunade exams the black haired girl before her, "I am telling you this right now Winter, this mission is taxing and there is a chance you will not return alive. Not only that but you will have to bear the burden of treorchy on your shoulders until it is completed with only the three of us knowing the truth." Tsunade closes her eyes briefly, "However out of all the shinobi in this village, and any other for the matter, you are the most likely to complete this mission."

Her eyes open, "You have a forty three percent chance at success. The person that was originally in mind only had a eighteen percent chance."

Winter's spine locks up at her odds and her mind begins to calculate everything once again. She clenches and unclenches her hands before nodding her head. "I'll do it." Tsunade nods, relief flickering in her eyes.

"Very well. Akari here will complete the seal to alter your appearance... and seal away the other things we talked about. But first..." Tsunade holds out a hand and Winter gets to her feet, reaching up and untying her Leaf headband. She places it in her outstretched hand before taking off her Storm headband, handing it to Tsunade as well.

Without the comforting weight of both headbands Winter feels a strange sense of vulnerability overcome her. The ANBU walks forward, his porcelain cat mask glimmering slightly. Laying down on the bed Tsunade had brought, Winter closes her eyes as the ANBU does his job. A white hot searing pain overcomes her body and she clenches her fists tightly.

Her nails break her skin and beads of blood slowly build up as the sensation grows unbearable, to the point where she wants to scream until she can't scream anymore. It abruptly vanishes without a trace and she slowly opens her eyes, standing up.

Lady Tsunade nods her approval. "Remember, it will never be broken unless Akari undoes the seal... or if you die." Winter nods solemnly, her body feeling... different. "You are dismissed, do not fail me." Winter starts to do handsigns and just before she vanishes Tsunade says one last thing.

"Good luck."

With a poof Winter arrives in her cabin, grabbing a plain brown satchel and filling it with money. She reluctantly pulls on the plain white dress Tsunade has given her before putting her across her chest. As she turns to leave she catches a glimpse of her new reflection.

Smooth skin. Auburn hair. Brilliant green eyes.

Not a single scar visible on perfectly tan skin.

She was a stranger to even herself.

***

With a scarf wrapped around her lower face the transformed Winter walked into the forest, sparing a single glance at the Leaf Village behind her. It would be a while before she would be let back in those walls again. Shaking her head she starts on her journey again with a heavy heart and a clear conscious.

She was doing this not for the Leaf, not for Tsunade, the citizens, Naruto or even the memory of Inazuma and her old team.

She was doing this as a final parting gift, to help her wipe the red out of her past.

For days on end Winter traveled, only stopping to get food or water. Forests gave way to plains, plains to deserts, deserts to wastelands, and wastelands to ruins. It was on the third week of her departure that she found a small town filled with gaunt faces and a few rich, fat people.

She walked in, noticing the confused and wary glances she got. The buildings were poorly made, not many people looking like they had a clean pair of clothes. Everything had a layer of depression and hopelessness hanging overhead. Ignoring a few catcalls Winter walks towards a rickety old inn, dust covering the door.

When the bell rings a fragile old woman walks out, a sad smile fixed on her face. "How may I help you?"

"I'd like a room for tonight, you see I got lost on my journey and need to rest."

The woman nods and with gnarled fingers rings up a total, excepting the money with shaking hands and a slightly greedy look at her purse. "Have a nice stay." Winter accepts the key and makes her way up the creaking stairs, into a tiny room with a horrible mattress. Setting her satchel on the ground she lays down the bed, her gaze settled on the ceiling that held on to many cobwebs.

To ensnared in her eyes she failed to notice the shadow overcoming her until it was to late. With a rough hand covering her mouth, another grabbing her legs to keep her from kicking, a needle was slid into her skin. Flashes of red and purple cloud her vision as she feels her limp body being picked up.

"Heh looks like we got a good one this time boss."

And everything goes black. 

Ah I am so sorry for the late update, however I have an EPIC idea for this story that starts this chapter *insert evil grin here* Let the new arc... begin! 

Picture of the mystery guy above/off to the side.