The Kunoichi and The Potion Master

Chapter 1

Naruko Uzumaki had lost count of how long she had been alone; for the past couple of months she had taken up residence in one of the many holdings that had been built into the Hokage Monument, well the only one that had survived the war anyway. The room was well lit by a single window and the walls were adorned with shelves upon shelves of scrolls that she had scavenged from the ruins of the many villages; if her friends could see her now they would think she had lost it, Naruko and reading just didn't go together.

A worn futon was crammed into a corner and a single door led to a simple bathroom; the weathered desk was littered with scraps of paper and bottles of ink and took up the majority of the room. It was here that she spent most of her days when not out scouring the ruins for new finds or hunting for food.

Naruko had studied a variety of subjects during her solitude, some that had even fallen into legend and lore; she through herself into the research and training, anything to keep herself from dwelling on her memories. She had recently started reading up on herbs and healing arts, something she had avoided till now as the memory of Tsunades death seemed so fresh.

She was hunched over the desk, ink brush in hand and a huge tome open on the groaning desk when a bright flash of fire appeared.

Years of battle reflexes had her alert and weapon on hand before the fire had even died down. Blue eyes wary she watched with slight curiosity as the flames took on the form of a strange orange and gold bird with long tail feathers. The bird, a phoenix she now assessed, eyed her for a moment before giving a serene cry, lifting its leg toward her.

She stared in bemusement at the thick bundle of paper tied to the creatures leg and not for the first time wondered if she had finally cracked. It was only when the bird gave a rather insistent chirp did she bother to remove the letter:

Dear Godaime Hokage

I hope this letter finds you in good health and that the village of yours is as prosperous as it was during my last stay.

You needn't be concerned with my identity; I was a good friend of Sarutobi and was greatly saddened by his death.

I'm afraid that I cannot express the same sentiments about my home, Hogwarts School of Magic. Dark times lie ahead and I'm afraid that I cannot fight it alone. Sarutobi spoke highly of your skill and that of your people; I hope we can come to an agreement of sorts.

I wish to request a team of your best warriors, ANBU weren't they? To guard my school against these forces and protect a certain child by the name of Harry Potter, who upon acceptance, will be described in more detail. All expenses and housing will be taken care of and money is no object; the price for services is left to your discretion. Likewise transportation will be arranged for the Shinobi. If you are able to assist me in this manner I would be in your debt. Fawkes, my phoenix, will convey your reply to me.

Sincerely

Albus, Percival, Wolfric, Brian, Dumbledore

Headmaster of Hogwarts.

Naruko didn't know wither to laugh or cry as she read the letter, written in curling letters and green ink. The notion of magic didn't surprise her or the fact that the old man knew about this so called world; he wasn't known as the professor for nothing. With a sigh she dipped her brush into the fresh ink to reply even as her thoughts began to drift into painful memories.

Dear Headmaster of Hogwarts

Its with a heavy heart that I inform you that the Godaime is no longer with us and has fallen in battle. Circumstances happened which led to a war that our land wasn't prepared to face and the cost was great.

As such it is with a heavy heart that I announce that the Elemental nations are no more. Every village has fallen and the land is nothing but a desolate wasteland. There is no one who can assist you here, with the exception of myself, there were no survivors to the war. If you would be so inclined I would be able to assist you if you wish but beyond that is sorely up to you.

Naruko Uzumaki

The last Shinobi

Naruko cast a sad look at the curious phoenix and gave him the letter with a tired smile,

''Tell him I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help.''

The phoenix gave her a penetrating stare before screeching lightly in understanding and with a burst of flame disappeared, leaving her alone once more in the fading twilight. The dark and powerful loneliness that numbed the pain of loss now only increased the burden of solitude, yet still she couldn't shed a tear and only remained silent in the small room, returning to her research.

It was a simple thing the letter and yet she couldn't help but think about it. Perhaps this would break the monotony of her existence, books were sufficient distraction but she needed...something more. Something to stifle the flood of emotion that was welling up behind the walls of her mind.

Far away in England, the Headmaster of Hogwarts sat down heavily in his high backed chair. He re-read the short reply and stroked his beard in deep thought and felt a great deal of sadness and empathy for this young woman who , despite anything, seemed willing to help him.

Its not like he had a lot of choices and help, no matter how little would be welcome and yet what good could a person ,so damaged as she must be, do?

A shrill cry from Fawkes drew his attention and he gazed at his companion in question.

I know what you are thinking but do not fear my friend. She is damaged yes, I sense a great deal of pain but also a deep strength. She wont fail the task you wish to give her, she might be the catalyst to change things from where they are heading.

''That may be true but can she be trusted with another burden?'' Albus Dumbeldore sighed and leaned back into the cushioned chair, feeling everyone of his years.

That's not up to you to decide. You owe it to Sarutobi and Minato to take care of her Albus, you know this. And besides I do believe you were faced with a similar person before and have you not come to depend on him?

Albus winced at the reproachful tone and pulled out his quill with a glance toward the still glaring phoenix.

''I know, I know. Don't look at me like that.'' he mumbled scribbling a reply.

A/N: Okay this is the first chapter of many and for those that don't already know this will be a Severus Snape/ Naruko fan fiction. In this story Kyuubi isn't inside the seal and Naruko WILL be different from cannon. If some of the Harry Potter characters seems OOC that's because it suits my story and this is Fan fiction after all.