Sana POV

I looked down at the red flowers that surrounded me on all sides as I sat on top of a grand grassy hill. I was alone, of course, but I preferred it this way.

My eyes were fixated on a particular flower beside me that seemed to stand out for its grand and luscious petals. I smiled before picking it up and bringing it to my nose. I cherished its sweet scent before putting it down and gently exhaling.

It seemed today would be a beautiful day. The sun was shining brightly above me, the sky was blue and clear of clouds and the breeze was not too heavy but not too light. It was perfect.

I enjoyed days like this. I found that my mind was clear, I felt calm and it was the best time to get some writing done. I ran my fingers through my long, pink hair before beginning to write in my notebook.

I'm not sure how much time passed when I finally decided to stop slacking off, but I got up and prepared to go back to my cottage.

I picked up my notebook as well as the basket of strawberries I had put down when I first came here and fit them snugly in my arms before walking in the direction of my cottage.

The place I called home was not far from Konoha. It shared a similar climate being cold in the winter and warm in the spring. However, it was buried in a deep forest, the likes of which no shinobi went through. I had decided it was the perfect place to live.

Even though I was alone, I had never considered myself lonely. I found that interacting with other people made me nervous and often times I acted like a complete klutz. It took me a while to get used to people so I often came off the wrong way.

My train of thought was broken when I finally saw my cottage in the distance and I immediately began to rush towards it.

Seeing as it was spring, it was surrounded by all types of flowers. It made me happy seeing my home in the middle of shades of pink, purple, blue and green. Looking at it now, no one would imagine that I built it myself. It was something I was proud of.

I continued on my way and I was very close to the entrance when I realized someone was standing at my front door.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

Who was that?

My cottage was located in the middle of a vast forest. It was not easy to find at all. In fact, this was the first time I had seen another human being in over ten years.

I found it strange but I decided to not to overthink the matter. Perhaps he had gotten lost. I could give him directions back and then continue on with my day.

I walked closer to the mysterious person and my eyes widened.

That cloak.

I examined the black design that was decorated with distinct red clouds. I felt my heart begin to beat quickly and I stood there speechless.

Was this real?

That was...the Akatsuki.

He must've sensed my presence because he looked to his left to face me and I stiffened upon seeing a bright orange mask.

I wasted no time marching to my cottage door and standing in front of the man who was blocking the entrance to my home.

He looked straight at me and there was a silence between us.

I didn't know this man.

"Sana," the deep voice said.

I stiffened at the sound of my name. I felt a bit uncomfortable but he didn't say anything more.

He pulled out a scroll and dropped it in front of me. It landed on the ground rather softly and I looked at it before tilting my head at the strange man. My mind was desperately trying to comprehend the situation but it was to no avail. I was much too confused.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when the man began to approach me. My heart rate seemed to skyrocket as I got ready to defend myself. What I didn't expect, was that he walked right past me furthering my confusion. Yes, I was relieved, but this situation was messing with my mind.

I turned around as I watched him walk into the thick forest before disappearing from my sight.

There was a silence.

What just happened?

I looked down at the scroll he had left on the ground with cautious eyes.

Was I supposed to open it?

There was another silence.

Was this some type of messed-up snow white reference? Of course I wasn't going to open it.

When a random suspicious stranger comes up to you and gives you an apple do you eat it?

Of course not. It's absurd.

I kicked the scroll with my foot and it flew a bit before landing on the grass. I looked away walking into my home and coming back outside with a lit candle. I decided I was going to burn it. I walked over to the scroll as I brought the flame closer and closer to it when I suddenly stopped myself.

For some reason...there was something telling me to open it.

I mentally slapped myself but I couldn't help my overwhelming curiosity.

I blew out the candle before carefully picking the scroll up. It had a smooth texture, and despite the fact it had been stained because of the wet grass it seemed to be mostly unaffected. I slowly unravelled it keeping my guard up in case anything happened. Nothing did. I began to read the writing and my eyes widened.

It was from Nagato.

...

He was still alive?

It seemed...he wanted me to come to Amegakure.

Amegakure?

He wanted me to travel all the way over there?

I ran my fingers through my hair as I thought. Was this fake? I looked back at the thick forest in which the masked man had disappeared into. I knew I could probably track him down but I highly doubted it would do me any good. I looked curiously at the writing; the only person who knew my cottage location was Nagato and seeing as that person was wearing an Akatsuki cloak...he was probably his messenger.

This was most likely real.

I stood stunned as I bit my lip. I thought deeply for a moment.

Would I really travel all the way to Amegakure to see him?

The answer came back in an instant.

Yes, yes I would.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Chapter 1| Poison Apple

A/N: If you don't know where Amegakure is maybe these images might help:

Anywho...

Vote

Comment

:)