Two and a half years after she left the Leaf Village, we find Ashley hot on the trail of the Akatsuki. Ordered to gather as much information as she can, Ashley abandoned her training in her homeland, the Land of Ambience, to pursue the members of the criminal organization. When she finally returns home, her friends are over joyed to see her again, Kiba especially. Back together again, Ashley and Kiba are happy to continue where they left off. But what will happen when one terrible decision tears them apart again? Will they be able to make it through? Will Ashley's friends ever understand her reason for leaving them again? More importantly, is the darkness in her heart, courtesy of Hakuba the Ten Tailed Wolf, real? Does Ashley truly wish to join the other side and leave everyone she ever cared about behind? And how will she react, when the Ninja World is on the verge of the biggest War in history?

****Winner of the Most Popular Naruto Fanfic Watty Award 2013/14**** **Currently being rewritten as the original is old and awful in this author's opinion** A coming of age story about a young Ninja, confused and hurt by the instances in her past, struggling to find her place and figure out what it all means. Can the kindness of a new Village warm a heart that time has taught to be cold and cruel? Can new friendships replace broken bonds, lost to the past? Is it safer to stay, or is it safer to run? A story not about one's physical strength, or of obtaining great power, but a story of overcoming and learning to change as old wounds heal.

Miki's loyalties to her heart are becoming difficult. She doesn't know who to rely on, who to trust, or what will happen. Her fears of Mei are increasing as things begin picking up and more deaths are occurring. Ryuu is becoming distant and almost cold and her relationships with the village are becoming strained. The Leaf is suspicious of a former Akatsuki member, and Mei will do all she can to use that as an advantage.....let the rivalry begin.