I am sorry for the super late update, I'll be updating more regularly from now, hopefully you are still reading this :D

This chapter is NOT edited at all, so you'll find a lot of mistakes x3. I've done a little editing and rewriting for the previous chapters, and I'll edit this one when I have time.

Enjoy!

She raised the glass to take a sip, feeling the keen burn on her tongue and throat - a burn that made her recoil at first but nonetheless savor the taste.

Her demanding lips kept seeking the bitterness as she swiftly gulped down the sake greedily until no drop is left.

Lady Tsunade faced the window, gazing onto the joyful festival that Konoha is hosting. Her bitter mood matching the taste of her alcoholic drink.

The colorful lights and laughter rose high, clear and resplendent touching her heart despite the sadness that has manifested there.

The festival was always a place of unrestrained joy. The costumes lit up the dark night, a riot of colour to rival any gardener's paradise. Women and young girls dressed in their best clothing, some preferring it feminine with flowers or sakura petals embedded in them others adorned bold colors and makeup to match their look. It was a day to celebrate after all and they were resolved to enjoy it, except for her. Music filled the air, festive beats lifted the spirits and made the people want to move, jump and sing, but to her and with the alcohol she consumed, it was like a sledgehammer to her poor brain pounding it vigorously with each beat determined to turn it into soup.

Right now she'll do anything to drown in the heavenly bliss her drink provides and in the solitude of her office. The hibernal state of the place, void of any presence except her, dark and cold; it matches perfectly with the bitter state of her mind and heart. It is too hard to be around people, sharing their laughter with a smile of her own, gazing upon their happy, carefree expressions while they cuddled with their loved ones and laughed among each other.

It was too much for her to bear; even though the wound had almost healed but it still run deep, forever angry and present. A cruel reminder of what she could have - and her necklace is a glaring evidence to this - but now they are nothing but a memories to taunt her.

The joyful atmosphere of her oblivious villagers, the glint of happiness that always sparkled in their eyes once they join their loved ones was too much to endure; for now despite the many summers that has gone, bitterness still looms.

The taste of it never once left her; gnawing at her heartstrings and stabbing viciously at her soul...ever since she lost her brother and her beloved fiance. She could never forget nor forgive. She has more bitterness than will ever subside, it consumed her with its bittersweet taste of its sour filled emotions as it tickled her tongue and urged her to empty her stomach - or was it the alcohol she consumed.

Nonetheless, the taste of the sake is euphoric and numbing, more better than the one festering in her heart that with each passing year it grows like a tumor, pushing on the side of her that was serene enveloping her instead into toxic darkness.

However, she was able to lock it away on many occasions - even though it was able to slither from its cage when something triggers it, like the sight of a happy couple locked in an embrace- since now her time is fulfilled with more meaningful work.

The work of a hokage - the leader, protector of konoha and the one the youth idolized.

She never wanted to be a one, too much work to do and a lot of responsibilities to handle; most importantly, she was afraid.

Afraid to disappoint them - her people and her friends - it's funny, how people vary in ranks, appearance; yet they are so similar at the same time.

Fear, the most dominant emotion that knows no boundaries, it defines people and spares no one. Even the mighty Hokage can fall under its clutches and get hooked with its shackles.

But why is she afraid now? Shouldn't she be happy like the rest of Konoha?

No, she was scared because she bears the responsibility and the life of every citizen on her shoulder and right now dread has also settled upon them: the distrustful emotion is wiggling its way through her thoughts, warning her of an impending doom.

She can feel it, something is going to happen, something bad.

But what? More importantly, when?

"What brings you here at this late hour?" the words left her lips in question after she felt a presence in her office.

"My lady, someone broke into Konoha, we suspect it is Sasuke Uchiha, but that is not all. Miss Eve is missing, we lost her trail after she ran to catch up to Sasuke. Both of them disappeared without a trace," the Anbu bowed his head, shame laced his words as he recited what happened moments ago. Despite their agility and speed, both of their targets managed to flee without a hint to track them.

They should be ashamed indeed, for Anbu groups are not measly lowly, ranked ninjas, but elite creatures who are the eyes and ears of the villages.

Furthermore, they are the sword and shield that protect them from danger. To lose the track of someone not even ranking S or A on the list, is absurd and dangerous.

On the other hand, she knew who Eve is; a woman whose reputation precedes her - not her exactly, but the other dark half, the Black beast, the infamous bounty hunter - thus, she indulged in no fallacies that she was not threatening.

Then why did she allow her to stay you may wonder?

Well, the first time Eve stepped into her office and the morbid scent of trouble was sewn to her like a second skin. She knew that she is dangerous; she felt it, smelt it and now she has seen it.

Regardless, she had plans of her own. She wanted to pay a close attention to the person that might be a future ally or enemy while Ibiki gather information about her, alas, not much could be found about her, but the information they gathered on the black beast was enough to make her a powerful ally.

Or a disastrous enemy.

But time was not on her side. It slipped away from her disregarding her plans and feelings, for time is a selfish and treacherous creature, caring for nobody but itself and abiding only by the plans of destiny.

Yes, Eve is dangerous and to be able to evade the Anbu's like that was evidence enough, but to lure the one person they've been hunting for years?

Preposterous!

Naruto is in one hell of a surprise!

Besides, what does Sasuke want with Eve? Why did he come here for her. Is she, perhaps, one of orochimaru's minions or worse, is he seeking to recruit her to serve him?

Did he discover she is the black beast?

If so, then she should not fall under the rogue's clutches, especially the likes of Sasuke and Orochimaru.

Lady tsunade, the current Hokage of the village hidden in the leaf, turned and faced the Anbu with narrowed honey eyes.

"So I gather that you gave up the search for them?" she inquired, her words calm, yet sharp like a steal.

The Anbu flinched and shuffled on his feet, he knew his lady's temper is pernicious, she could turn his bones to dust with a flick of her finger, and right now he is eyeing the glass that she's twisting in her hand while her narrowed gaze still locked on his trembling form.

He gulped and replied, "O-of course not, my lady. I've kept a team hunting for a trail to trace them. I just came to let you know."

He was thankful for the mask that hid his worried expression, and drifting eyes that kept looking at everything but her. He might be an Anbu leader, but lady tsunade's temper is unpredictable and he can't afford to lose a hand...or a leg for that matter.

"Good, keep looking. I'll notify Naruto and his team in the morning; they will handle the mission, but for now try to find any trace of them. Dismissed." she barked at him, the anger that was shimmering now surfaced.

"Oh, and one more thing, declare Eve a rogue and put her on the wanted list. She is a traitor to the leaf now," she announced.

"But my lady, her headband wasn't c-" He argued, but was cut short with a raise of her eyebrow and a challenging glare, so he fell mute.

"Yes, my lady." With a tilt of his head he obliged his leader and took his leave with a poof of smoke.

She released a tired sighed, now instead of one prey, they have to hunt down two.

You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into girl. My plans will not be disregarded because of your carelessness. I'll hunt you down until I get what I want.

For the sake of the leaf and the world. Heck, for the sake of my own sanity, you'll be caught!

She opened the right drawer in her desk and fished out a tattered looking scroll. The ease of which she glided her fingers across the scroll and spread it for her seeking and focused eyes, bespoke of someone whose mind never faltered or hazed by the foul drink of sake.

She took the bottle to pour more sake and found it empty.

Just my luck, now I needs more sake.

*********

The branches curled like grasping claws, scratching at their neighbors every time the breeze danced between them. A mass of looming trees carpeted the ground; they stood tall, buff and proud, their hands almost touching the sky with rough, long and unkempt almost shaggy, like uncombed hair, green grass kissing its feet as they swayed in waves with each caress of the wind's touch.

The sky shone bright and unblemished, the sun almost blinding and the heat is stuffing, but the trees provided shade sympathetically.

With perspiration coating their brows and licking its way to their masked cheek until it disappeared entirely, they jumped on the branches with ease and agility of a dancer who is light on her feet. Garbed in black from head to toe in similar outfits, nothing visible to sight but their beady eyes.

The four unknown figures trotted to a stop and landed gracefully in a squat on the ground, as they straightened their form, they gazed upon the greenness that stretched before them.

"Are you sure this is the place?" a raspy voice broke the silence, like fragments of chipped rocks grinding and scratching against each other which indicated his old age or his unhealthy habit of smoking.

"Absolutely master! It is as the ancient scroll suggests." Another youthful, yet gruff voice replied in affirmation.

The third unknown black attired figure fished out a dull looking scroll and stretched it out to the eager gazes of his friends. Torn at the edges from the harshness of time while dirt stained the black inked veins indicating the long life and hardship the scroll endured.

When the moment comes that mountains move, the forest shrinks and rivers shiver, a duel shall end an age of pain but call upon the evil.

It shall be then, when the wicked one returns, the false sister and the children of darkness shall mark a vicious war,

to claim the protector, the guardian, the immortal.

Once fire burns like ice, a woman will mend the broken bonds.

but a betrayal shall cause an age of sin and fury will cloud the mind of the innocent.

"That's it! I don't get it..." exclaimed the fourth in confusion.

"Nay, my friend! There is another piece missing..." The first one with the raspy voice claimed and gazed upon the fourth with unconcealed fury. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in his black eyes.

"M-master I swear it was the only one the old hag possessed. H-he confessed before the bite of my kenai slit his throat that this is the prophecy of time." The fourth breath stuttered in his chest and an audible gulp sounded.

"Then, we have a journy to make fellows, for our mission is not completed yet, due to the lack of information and someone's inability. We need to find the second part of the prophecy before we present it to the chief otherwise all our heads will be served for dinner and I tell you, I like my head intact. What about you?" The first one - their leader - assured with heated words, for no matter who they served, their lives are always on the line, for they are ninjas whether good or bad.

A chorus of " Yes, Master " sounded.

"No more slacking then in your duties you fools, or else I'll severe your heads myself, " he challenged, his tone promising minatory consequences.

With collective nods of agreement and slight shivering, they disappeared in a blink toward their unknown destination.

Okay, I know it is uneventful, but remember this story is about the secrets revolving around Eve and konoha, so this chapter was necessary to give you a glimpse of what will happen next (I dont mean the next chapter...maybe ;p).

Thank you for reading and I hope you are enjoying the story so far.

Dont forget to vote, comment and follow (pretty please, I'll give you cookies) :3

*Eva.