??? POV

I rush through the forest as I hear the trees rustle violently behind me.

I didn't know they would find me! I just wanted flowers for Auntie.

Oh no, oh no, oh no.

I escape the forest and dash toward my home.

"Cassy!!!" I scream as ninja burst out from the canopy.

"Help!" I scream as loud as I can until I see a lady rush out of the house.

My leg gets caught in a stump in the clearing and I fall on my face.

"Conner!" I hear my Mom yell in a silent plea.

I get my face out of the dirt and I see 10 ninjas from the Hidden Sand village come charging toward us.

"Help!"

The next few moments...were chaos.

Cassy takes out a Kunai and charges into the mess of ninja.

She quickly kills one of them, but before she could turn her attention, they overrun her.

One of them got past her and grabbed me.

"Stop fighting or the child gets it," he says as I feel cold sharp steel against my neck.

Aunt Cassy, who has taken out another two men, finally stops moving and lets the men tackle her.

My heart heats up in rage as I see her face get slammed into the ground as they tie her hands.

"Now...it's time for THE MOM TO COME OUT," he begins yelling the second half.

I see Mom slowly walk out of our home.

"Don't hurt my boy," she demands

"Oh, I won't hurt him...he is the future Kazekage should anything happen to our current one...his other child is cursed," a ninja says

"I'm coming," Mom says as two ninja speed toward her and treat her the same as they did to Aunt Cassy.

"The boss said we can't touch the Mom...never said anything about another lady," he says looking at Cassy.

"So kill her,"

"Stop!" I yell in fear as he looks at me.

"Make me!" He says with the biggest smile ever

His head explodes as fire engulfs my vision.

(Y/N) POV

What does this trail lead to?

A well-beaten path goes east and west. I study the path to determine whoever uses it, seems to go east more often than west.

"East we go," I mutter

One can hope I pick up a lead...but I'm doubtful.

A year has passed and I still got nothing.

God...it's so boring...nothing exciting happ---

"Help!!!" I hear a young boy scream in the distance to the south

"Nevermind," I say as I start rushing toward it.

It takes me 2 minutes to reach the location of the sound.

I almost flew right into the opening, but I caught myself on a branch before I exposed my position.

I see multiple ninjas holding down a brunette lady and another man in front of a child. Further down I notice another two ninjas holding down an older blond woman.

"Kill her!" A ninja says as I spring into action.

"Fire Ball Jutsu!" I sign with my hands as a fireball attack the man standing next to the kid

"Inferno Jutsu!" I sign as the area gets lit ablaze.

I take note of the three others and surround them with a barrier of water to protect them from the flames.

I hear the ninja scream in agony as their flesh is burned.

I hear only 5 screams.

And on cue, I spot a Kunai sailing toward me.

Instantly I track the source, catch the Kunai mid-flight, and then throw it back at twice the speed.

The ninja didn't know what was coming. The knife Impales his chest as he is sent flying backwards.

The screams die down and the flames disperse.

I look at the three others as their eyes search around curiously, bewilderment is evident on their faces.

It's the Brunette who notices me first.

"Can you disperse these water barriers," she mouths as I let the chakra go.

Water swooshes into the burnt ground as I notice the Blond woman rush toward the boy.

"Conner!" She says as she hugs the boy who couldn't be older than 10

"Who are you?" The Brunette asks as I look at her

"You first," I say defensively.

She studies me for a moment before looking at the other two, the Blond gives her a nod and she looks back at me

"I'm Cassy, other there is my sister, Martha, and her son, Conner," she says

"Your turn," she finishes as I smile

"Name is (Y/N)" I say as I look at the forehead protesters on the ground, the bodies have burned to ashes by now.

"Why were the Hidden Sand ninjas attacking you?" I ask her as she looks at me

"I can't tell you," she says sternly.

"Don't mind her, let us invite you inside our home, for a cup of tea," Martha asks me.

I study her expression, looking for any intent of foul play...I see no trace.

"Ok," I mutter as Cassy groans.

The boy looks at me with an expression I can't explain.

"You didn't burn down the house...great job," Cassy says sarcastically as I can't help but chuckle a little.

"You'd be dead if not for me," I point out as she looks at me

"I woulda dealt with it," she mutters silently as we enter the house.

It seemed comfy. The house was small but cozy. As soon as you walked into it, there was a room containing the kitchen, living space, and dining tables. I notice three doors, two to bedrooms and one to a bathroom.

"Nice place," I comment.

"Sorry if it's a little small," Martha says as I take the chance to look at everyone

Martha seemed to be in her 30s or 40s. She seemed to be wearing coveralls with a t-shirt underneath. Her blonde hair is braided into a single braid that travels about halfway down her back. I notice a couple of scuffs on her clothes and face, but I assume that happened with the ninja

My attention falls to Conner. Looking at him, his age is likely closer to 9 than 10. He wears dirty jeans and his white-collar shirt is caked with mud. He shares His mother's hair but he seems to keep it short.

And then Cassy. She wears dark combat pants and a black tank top. Her light skin is covered with mud and blood as her eyes trace me. Her red eyes look at my every moment as they analyze my intent at the moment. Her brown hair is kept in a small bun, I pressure that's to ensure it doesn't get in the way of her watchful eyes.

"I ain't gonna cause trouble," I tell her as her eyes still trace my every move.

"If you keep staring, I'll assume you've taken a liking to me," I tease as her eyes meet mine for one last time before they turn to Martha

"He gets tea and then he is out," she demands

"He helped us, we must repay the favour," she says as Cassy looks back at me.

"He looks...deadly...I don't want him around," she argues

Well...I can't prove her wrong with that one.

"Cassy, a guest once in a while is ok...plus he helped us. If he was gonna hurt us, he wouldn't have stepped in," Martha reasons as Cassy looks at Conner

"I don't like this one bit," she mumbles

"So what are you doing out here anyway?" I ask them as Martha looks in my direction. Cassy scoffs at me and leaves the house

"Don't mind her, she's just very protective of us," Martha tells me

"I noticed," I say as she smiles

"Seeing how you helped us, I see no reason to hold the truth, so buckle in for a long story," she says