To all my readers: I have an important note at the bottom of this chapter that I would really appreciate if you read.

Artwork done by me. 

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Warnings: All warnings are addressed at the bottom on chapter 2. Additional warning for this chapter... OC's thought process is starting to become more psychopathic than sociopathic.

Beta: Cyndaquil123

(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง

Let me introduce myself.

You didn't think I was done, did ya?

Well I've just begun.

Some people live for attention, playing the victim.

But baby I was born to do the killing.

Monster by Kira

(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง

Feel the crick-crack snip-snap of the ribs underneath my feet.

Taste the slick-slimy-sticky of their blood on my lips.

Hear the wheedling-whining-wasteful cries in my head.

Smell the sickeningly-sweet-sweet-sweet flesh all around.

See the bodes the bodies the bodies the bodies the bodies the bodies the bodies the bodies the bodies the bodies the bodies the bodies—

. . .

. .

.

There was a sense of disquiet when I awoke the following morning. I had returned to bed scarcely an hour before dawn and enjoyed a few hours of rest before Kakashi gently shook me awake. It took me a handful of seconds to shake off the grogginess and become alert enough to wax a smile on my face at my teammate.

I could see his lips move upwards in a quick small smile behind his mask, but then a somber expression returned to his features. "There were a lot of murders last night."

"Oh dear," I feigned. "That must not look good on the palace guards."

"All security was focused on the royal family, so the nobles who came to visit had to provide their own guards," Kakashi said, leaning back to allow me to sit up. "Over thirty deaths."

A frown tugged on my lips, even as a swell of pride bloomed inside of me.

Oh, how I knew their victims would be praising me if they knew. Truly a shame I could not have drawn out their pain more so, but at least I knew those monsters would not feast upon innocents anymore. A sense of content settled over me at that thought. Everything I did was to create world without monsters—with only love and peace. What a hero I was to venture on such an honorable quest.

The hero the world would never admit to wanting, though.

A pity.

"Do they require our assistance?" I inquired. "Are we to hunt the murderers?"

Kakashi shook his head. "No. They're contacting another group from Konoha to come for that. Our mission remains the same."

"Oh, I see. Does Kanako want something of us, then?"

Kakashi nodded. "She said this would have unnerved a lot of potential clients—they may want to hire Konoha shinobi instead of their own guards now. Everyone's still impressed with how you saved the heir and his family."

I smiled in response. "Konoha will receive better business from this then. How fortunate."

"Yeah. So get dressed, Kanako will be tending to the nobles so she wants you to appease the heir and his family."

"Very well. Where's Obito?"

"Getting food. He should be back shortly."

I nodded at that and hopped out of the bed. I released my long hair from its braid, and ran my fingers through it. The knots came away with ease—as I used proper shinobi force—and I worked quickly to become presentable. By the time I had my hair finished Obito returned with a cart filled with food. He beamed upon seeing me. "Good morning, hime!"

"Good morning, punching bag," I greeted cheerily. He pouted a bit at that, sitting next to me at the vanity and offering me some kind of bun. I took it out of his hands with my mouth—as my own hands were busy twisting my hair in some elaborate bun—and ate it in two bites. I swallowed the sweet juicy bits, licking my lips. "That was surprisingly good."

"I know, right?" Obito asked, tossing one to Kakashi. The silver haired Jounin ate it in one go, giving a shrug in response. Obito snorted. "If you don't think that's amazing, you're crazy."

Kakashi cocked his head. "I've been called worse. Naasica, is this one okay?"

I glanced over at the kimono he laid out. "Yes, that will be fine. Thank you."

"Need help getting into it?" he asked.

"Mn. I'll need help tying the obi, and if you could straighten everything out when I'm done, that would be appreciated."

Both boys nodded at that. Once I had wolfed down enough to be satisfied I changed into the red kimono with Obito and Kakashi's assistance. Then I applied light make up—and ate one more sweet roll of deliciousness—before calling myself presentable. "Okay. Let's go kiss some ass."

Obito snickered at that while Kakashi rolled his eyes. My teammates fell into place behind me, and we moved through the somber halls. As we walked we could hear bits of horror-struck gossip from the servants that passed by, and the faint cries of loved ones as their mourned their monster.

You should be thanking me, I thought. But I know you won't; not yet at least.

(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง

The servants opened the door for us and let us into Nebu's private suit. He, his wife, and their mistress were seated around a table covered in food. There were large, plush, empty cushions scattered around the opposite side of the table. Nebu looked up at me, dark circles under his cold eyes. "Good morning, Senju-hime."

"Good morning, Nebu-donno."

He gestured towards the seats. "Please, sit. Your guards are welcome to join us."

I inclined my head in an acknowledging manner before gracefully sitting down. Obito and Kakashi sat on opposite sides of me, silent and blank-faced. I smiled at Nebu. "Did you sleep well?"

"Well enough. I'm glad someone like you is protecting my family. It is a shame that protection could not be extended to my nobles, though," Nebu said softly.

"If I were stronger and forewarned I would have been able to do more," I responded quietly. Yes. I would have prolonged their suffering. Oh, if only...

Nebu nodded. "You are not a god, and such expectations are unkind to set upon you. You have already performed well in your duties to protect me and my family."

I only continued to smile.

"That being said, I was wondering if you would indulge me—a favor, if you will," Nebu said carefully, his eyes never leaving my own as he watched for my reaction.

My lips stretched a bit wider. "I would be honored to assist you, Nebu-donno. You need only speak of your desire, and I will move mountains to make it a reality."

"Unnecessary for the moment. My son is fascinated by the shinobi culture. Would you please allow him to accompany you on the rest of your stay here, and answer his questions?"

"But of course," I said without hesitation despite feeling vaguely affronted at being assigned glorified babysitting. But I was all smiles and teeth, forcing a faint blush across my face to convey a sense of embarrassment and humility at being asked such a thing. "Where is he now?"

"Mo, come in."

The door opened once more and—

My smile slipped.

Of all the stupid luck!

Momo—Mo—stepped in, looking just as he did last night when I practically molested the boy in a fit of boredom and irritation. I planted the smile back onto my face, morphing my expression into that of polite indifference. Mo, heir to the upcoming daimyo, stepped forward and bowed to his father. "Thank you, Outo-sama."

Nebu's lips curled into an odd smile. It was neither soft like the one reserved for his mistress and wife, but nor was it cold like the one used for his guests. I couldn't say for certain that the two had a strong bond, or that Nebu thought of Mo as anything more than his heir.

He should be due for a spare heir soon, though, I thought. Royalty and nobles typically had two to three sons. The firstborn being the heir, the second born being the spare, and the third used as a political bargaining chip for marriages or alliances. Third sons typically had it best; they received all the luxury of being noble/royalty, but none of the responsibility. Even the daughters had more duties than a third born son.

No one had more than three.

No one. It was considered bad manner to have four or more sons, and in feudal times they would sell their fourth and onwards children into slavery, or shinobi clans. The practice didn't publically continue, but the fact that not a single family claimed to have a fourth son—or more than two daughters—was downright suspicious. More than once Konoha orphanages would "mysteriously" find a baby at their doorstep with a sizable amount of money attached to said baby. No questions or investigations ever went into those children.

Mo then turned towards me, a charming smile on his face. "Thank you for looking out for me, Senju-hime. If it's alright with Otou-sama, I would humbly request to steal Senju-hime's time now. I wish to test myself against her."

"You may do so. Senju-hime, I trust you will be able to join us for dinner?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง

"Do you require changing first, hime?" Mo inquired politely.

"No," I responded, clipped. "Do you have a private yard we might use?"

"Yes, please follow me."

(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง

I rolled my shoulders back as I awaited Mo's first move. The little brat had earned my ire with his deception. What kind of soon to be prince sneaks up on undressing women on rooftops? He shouldn't have been there, and he should have identified himself right away. Now the annoying cretin posed a mild threat to my secured alliance with his father. If I wasn't certain how Nebu would take the death of his son, then I would have slit his stupid little throat already.

Displeasure must have shown on my face because Mo looked decidedly nervous. Hesitantly he said, "I'm sorry for the deception, hime."

I inclined my head in an arrogant manner. "Do you think pretty words will make me go easy on you? It's against my nature to hold back."

"I would have nothing less than your full e-effort," Mo said, transitioning into a stiff stance.

Kakashi and Obito sat in a nearby tree. Mo and I currently stood in a grassy clearing in a courtyard. Mo then shot towards me with a battle cry.

I effortlessly swatted his outstretched first with my tessen, then with my free hand I hooked a finger through his shirt and threw him hard away from me. He slammed into the ground hard enough to crack it and retch. He stayed there for a solid minute, wheezing for breath and trembling. In a cold voice I called out, "Is that all you can do, little boy?"

Pathetic mongrel.

Mo rolled over onto his side, coughing. "Y-You truly a-are incredible, hime."

You say that like your opinion matters to me.

"You didn't answer my question. Are you done, little boy?"

"De-epends." Mo pulled himself to his feet. "Can y-you make me stronger?"

Can? Yes. Will? No. There's no benefit to me for doing so. My lips curled into a sneer. "Why would I train you? I'll only be here for a few more days, and I have far too much value to be regulated to a permanent babysitter at the capital."

Mo's face turned into that of open hurt—Oh my God you cannot be so damn transparent if you're going to be a ruler—before he lowered his gaze. "You a-are correct. If I went to Konoha, th-then?"

"I still have missions to perform. I would barely be able to spare you an hour's worth of time every week," I lied. I could probably do more, but I certainly didn't want to. "Why do you even care? You're going to be the next heir, you should prepare yourself for the throne, not train."

"I shouldn't lead if I can't protect my own people," Mo said firmly. "But you—you're strong enough to single-handedly protect all of your people. I need to be more like you. Please, train me. Name any price."

I shifted my weight as a sudden idea came to me.

Madara's tool would be actively against Nebu. All of our potential supporters disliked Nebu and his lawful-good policies, so it would be to our benefit if we were against him. Naasica of Konoha had to support him, which created a bit of an issue. Both sides needed something of Nebu and—

Well what if we put someone else in Nebu's place that supported Madara's plans, and Naasica of Konoha?

A smile curled its way onto my lips as a sort of glee bubbled inside of me.

And before me is a kind-hearted, idealistic child... asking for my help.

For.

Any.

Price.

The smile stretched wider and wider on my face and I slowly sauntered towards the boy. "Very well. You will need to come to Konoha for your training sessions, but... yes. I can give you the power you desire, as long as you're willing to take the consequences with it."

Mo beamed. "Thank you, hime! Thank you so much. I will. Nothing is too much for the sake of my people."

"I couldn't agree more. Nothing else matters if it's to protect those we love." If my smile looked a bit twisted no one commented. "Obito, darling, why don't you come out and help me? You remember how I trained you, yes?"

"Oh God. Is the daimyo going to be okay with you mutilating his son?"

"Oh I won't leave any visible damage," I dismissed, giggling. "I know how to hurt someone in just the right way the bruises won't show on the skin. Let's start with a little light blindfolded obstacle course!"

"A-A what?"

(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง

The day went back pretty well. Mo passed out a little after lunch and we escorted him to his room to give him rest. I enjoyed a lovely late lunch with Kakashi and Obito back at our room, and then we dined with Nebu and his family (minus Mo) that evening. Nebu and his wife seemed greatly amused by the state I put their son in, while their mistress worriedly asked me questions upon questions about his health after such training.

Then my team returned to our room and relaxed for the rest of the evening.

Or so we should have done if not for Rabu's interruption.

I had already changed into my nightdress, and Kakashi was in the middle of braiding my hair for me (because he was the better of the two of us at it) in the center room. Obito sat opposite of me, staring intently at our game of Go. Both boys were dressed in their casual clothes, with only one weapon pouch on each leg.

There was a knock at the door and Obito let out a quiet curse as he got up to answer the door. He cracked it open and asked, "How can we help you, Rabu?"

Rabu's cold voice carried through the door. "I need to speak to Senju-hime in regards to the murders that transpired last night."

"Let him in, Obito." I took a sip of my white rose tea. "Do take a seat, Rabu-kun. However may I assist you?"

Rabu entered the room with a straight back and his previously charming demeanor was gone, replaced by an icy disposition. Obito took his place at my side, and Kakashi paused in braiding my hair, but after another moment he decided to continue on with it. Rabu stiffly sat across from me, where Obito was previously sitting.

Rabu leaned towards me. "I'm sure you've heard about the murders that occurred last night."

I feigned sympathy. "Yes. Truly a horrible thing. Those poor families must be in such pain, it breaks my heart to think about it."

Obito coughed, but didn't react further to that. My teammates knew I didn't give a damn about strangers, and both likely wanted to roll their eyes at my show. But Kakashi and Obito understood that appearances had to be kept up, and my response was appropriate for Naasica of Konoha.

Rabu's lips thinned. "Interesting you should say that. Then perhaps you'd be willing to help me in the matter?"

"Of course. Konoha is always willing to assist the daimyo," I demurred.

"Before I explain how you can help me, I think a little disclosure about myself is necessary," Rabu said quietly, cold eyes raising to meet my gaze.

Mn. What lovely vicious eyes, I thought. Those are the eyes of someone who craves righteous violence.

What would they look like if I popped them out of his head?

Not that I would, of course. He was not a monster, nor was he an enemy to Madara's plans. I had no reason to kill him, and thus I would not. That didn't stop me from wondering what kind of fight he would put up, or the face he would make as I killed him.

Those kinds of thoughts circled in my head more and more frequently. Madara said they were the thoughts of a veteran; someone so thoroughly drenched in battle and cruelty. No one could come out unscathed after everything I had seen and done, Madara said, and it was to be expected that it would leave its mark on me. He said I was perfectly normal to think those things, and that he too thought those things at times.

As long as I didn't act on them, it didn't matter that I thought them.

Violence without need makes a monster.

Cruelty without need makes a monster.

Since I was the hero I could do neither. A monster couldn't be the hero, after all!

I couldn't help but admire Madara more so when I heard him explain his thoughts. He had those thoughts far longer than I, after all, and had gone that long without indulging any of it. His self-discipline was unparalleled, truly.

What a great master I had.

"You see," Rabu said, "I'm rather above average when it comes to chakra-sensing. As an Uzumaki I already have top-notch sensing capabilities, but mine goes further than that. I can tell exactly what kind of person someone is by feeling their chakra. And you, hime, have the most malicious chakra I have ever met. Frankly being in the same room as you makes me sick."

"That's rather rude," I commented. "Is that why you never came back to the banquet? Being with me for so long made you sick to your stomach?"

He smiled without humor. "Yes. I had to lay down for the rest of the banquet."

"Oh, dear. I'm sorry my chakra made you feel so sick."

"My point, though, is that your signature is very unique," Rabu continued. "And truly, I can't help but wonder... why I felt your signature at each victim's side last night."

Ho-hum-dee-dum. Is that all? I was rather hoping for a bit more of a twist.

I lazily lifted my shoulders in a shrug. "I haven't the faintest idea. You already said yourself that you had to leave the party last night because you were so sick, and lay down... it seems to me like you had a bad nightmare."

He flushed angrily. "I know when I'm awake and when I'm asleep."

I hummed. "I can't offer you an explanation, because I don't have one. I was asleep in my room all night, which can be verified by everyone in my part. We're all highly respected members in Konoha, so if you truly wish to call us a liar... Surely the daimyo doesn't wish to cause such unnecessary drama so near his son's coronation? Oh, my! Does he even know you're here?"

At Rabu's furious look, I knew I had my answer. I smiled sweetly at him. "I'm so sorry you had a nightmare about my chakra. I'll be sure to keep my distance from you from here on out, okay? But I really can't help you with anything else. Kakashi, Obito, did either of you notice anything strange?"

Both boys shook their head.

Satisfied I turned back to Rabu. "There, see? If you wish to take this further, you'll have to issue a formal inquiry to our Hokage."

And that was that.

There was no way in hell Hiruzen would ever investigate his last Senju; moreover such a valuable assent to Konoha. What did it matter even if I did kill those nobles? They didn't matter to Konoha, and thus didn't matter to Hiruzen. Oh, sure, he'd probably slap my wrist and scold me if found out, but it wasn't like I was butchering children from Konoha, or harming Konoha.

Rabu knew the Hokage wouldn't question me, and the absolute fury and disgust in his face was delightful. I couldn't resist laughing at him. "Honestly, if that's all...?"

"That's all," Rabu spit out. "Good evening, hime."

"Good night, Rabu-kun."

(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง

A brief interlude

Rabu stood outside the door, feeling his stomach churn. Naasica's chakra was the most disgusting thing he had ever felt; more twisted than any politician or killer found in the whole city. It was like tar, the way it oppressed the air around her. It left a rotten taste in his mouth.

How anyone didn't notice it was beyond Rabu.

Or maybe they did, and they couldn't do anything about it.

She was untouchable. Konoha's treasured princess. Her strength was terrifying, and she displayed a keen diplomatic mind with it. Konoha would fight tooth and nail to protect her, and make her happy.

Worst of all, she already managed to enamour the new daimyo and his family. Nebu was a cold man, but even he couldn't resist falling for her sickeningly sweet smile. It didn't hurt for her to save his family repeatedly, and now with the murders from last night Nebu likely all the more aware of how fortunate he was to have Naasica on his side.

No one would dare fight against her.

Not in the open, at least.

Rabu clenched his fists.

She was an abomination. Rabu knew that like he knew the sky was blue. She should not have been born. Every breath she took was violation against nature itself.

But she was untouchable... for now.

Rabu couldn't do anything to her. Not with his meager amount of evidence, but...

Someone as disgusting as her had to have left her tainted touch someplace physical. She must have done something else before those murders! Hell, it probably won't the last time she'll want to kill. She's a serial killer ain't she? Her chakra screams psychopath.

She'll strike again, Rabu knew.

And when she did... Rabu would be ready.

She wouldn't be untouchable forever.

(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง

Chapter is short because next chapter will wrap up time in the capital, so this is merely a progression set-up. We're nearly done with Part 1, guys! Up next is Akatsuki.

Answer: Hermione Granger if you don't count her a a dual-protagonist. Otherwise I'd go with Graystripe from Warriors by Erin Hunter.

Question: Who do you hate as a character?

Important Note: As some of you may or may not know I have been working on publishing my own original story. I've gotten to 150 pages so far, with a little more than half the plot left to write. I hope to have the original first draft done before winter this year.

I've published the prologue and the first chapter of the story on Wattpad. Link here: www dot wattpad dot com / story / 140846002-dawn-of-the-rose 

I would really appreciate any and all comments / reviews / feedback / interest on it. The whole reason I started fanfiction is hopefully become a published author, and I've finally reached the first big milestone, so any support given would be truly, truly appreciated.

Thank you for your time.