I don't own any of the Naruto characters and this is my first time writing a fanfiction so go easy on me ok? =)

I just wanted to try and see if this works...so plz don't flame me if it doesn't.

Also, I changed the original story...because I really liked Itachi and I didn't like his role and fate in the actual story that much =( So he doesn't kill his entire family.


It was the perfect day. The weather was amazing: clear blue skies with the sun shining steadily, no wind and the temperature just right. I smiled to myself as I glanced around me, satisfaction swelling up inside me. Today was perfect. I glanced sideways at my best friend, Yuri, who was walking beside me. Her pretty green eyes were downcast and a frown marred her face.

"Yuri, let's have some fun today!" I said determinedly. My mission today was to finally bring my friend out of her recent depression and the market was the perfect place to do so.

Yuri gave me a small smile. She could tell what I was thinking.

"Thanks Aya," she said gently. Suddenly, Yuri froze, her gaze fixed on something behind me. Confused, I turned around; searching for what Yuri was looking at. My eyes fell upon a black haired shinobi and narrowed.

Uchiha Itachi.

As if he read my mind, Uchiha's head turned towards Yuri and I. Beside me, Yuri let out a small gasp and ran. I glared at him for a split second more before I tore off after her.

Damn Uchiha.

I followed Yuri down the street until we came upon the bridge over the river. There, she stopped and throwing herself on the ground, she started to cry.

"Yuri!" I exclaimed, kneeling down beside her.

"A-Aya," she sobbed. "What do I do? I love him!"

I was silent. My personal experience with relationships was less than zero so when it came to boy problems, I was clueless. Frantically searching through my memory, I tried to remember what Kurenai had told me: nothing came to mind. I always tuned out when she talked about this sort of stuff. Mentally cursing my stupidity, I forced myself to say something.

"It's alright Yuri, you can do better than him," I said awkwardly. Yuri laughed through her tears.

"Typical Aya, s-saying something like that," she muttered. I gave her a confused look and she laughed more.

"It's j-just like you to not pay attention to guys. Itachi-kun's the best shinobi in Konoha. There's no one better than him."

"Yeah right," I snorted. "Kakashi-san's amazing too."

Yuri shook her head. "Itachi-kun's better."

"Well even if he's a genius, he's got a pretty horrible personality," I muttered. Yuri shook her head again.

"You're prejudiced Aya," she laughed. I was relieved to see she had stopped crying.

"Well you can't expect me to like someone who rejected my best friend," I reasoned.

"Itachi-kun...is amazing," Yuri signed and smiled when she saw my sceptical look. "He's kind, strong, loyal and everything anyone's ever wanted in a man."

"And you call me prejudiced," I teased. "I think you're just blinded by his looks."

"At least you admit he's good looking," she grinned.

"I never denied it," I replied smoothly. "But it doesn't make him anymore likable."

"Let's go to the Academy," Yuri laughed, getting up. "We promised Iruka-san we'd help him today."

"Alright," I agreed as we both got up.

"Aya?"

I stopped walking and glanced back at Yuri.

"Thanks."

I glared at the Uchiha who was sitting across from me. He returned my gaze with steadily, a small hint of amusement evident in his otherwise emotionless face.

"I refuse," I snarled, turning to the Hokage. My grandfather sighed.

"It's an order Aya. You and Itachi-kun will work together to organize the Chunin Exams this year," Sarutobi said.

"Why with him?" I pointed rudely at the Uchiha.

"Because Itachi-kun has experience organizing this before," the Hokage replied.

"Then, why me?" I snapped.

"Because although he is perfectly capable, I don't want to place too much burden on him. Two people organizing it will be easier. And because I trust your abilities," Ji-chan added as an afterthought. I snorted but I admit, the compliment appeased me slightly. Ji-chan's approval meant a lot to me.

"Fine," I growled, getting up. "Let's go Uchiha."

I walked out of the room, not bothering to check if he followed. I made my way out of the building before I turned around. Sure enough, Uchiha was standing there.

"Let me make one thing perfectly clear before we work on this thing," I declared. "I hate you."

"That's slightly unreasonable. I don't think we've ever talked before," his voice hinted at amusement. I couldn't help but notice the deep and velvety tone of his voice and mentally scolded myself.

"So? Maybe you're so contemptible that you make people hate you without even doing anything," I snapped. "Maybe your very existence is annoying."

The moment those words came out, I regretted them. Sure I hated him but I was brought up properly. I knew when I was crossing the line.

His eyes hardened and he was silent for a moment.

"I think that before we work together, we need to resolve your hatred towards me first," he said. "I think I have a right to know why you hate me so much."

I considered ignoring him and walking away but the guilt of my previous statement made me stay .

"You rejected Yuri."

Surprised showed on his face for a split second. Whatever he had been expecting, it wasn't this.

"So you hate me because I didn't accept your friend's confession," he said slowly. I nodded.

"Aya-sama, Yuri-san is an extremely nice girl," Uchiha murmured. "But we are not compatible."

"Do you know how much she suffered because of you?" I demanded. "How much she cried? How hurt she was?"

"I think that's slightly unfair," he said, looking at me steadily. The overwhelming force of his dark ebony eyes surprised me and I fought down a blush.

"How so?" I demanded. My voice was harsher than I intended for it to be because of my own anger at myself.

"Think about it," Uchiha said softly. "I wouldn't be doing her a favour by accepting her when I don't see her that way. In the end, she'll be the one to get hurt."

I struggled for a response.

"You'll never know!" I blurted out. "Maybe you'll like her in the end!"

"But before I do so, it is extremely rude of me to lead her on," he reasoned. I huffed but didn't contradict him.

"So now do you hate me any less?"

"No," I replied. "But I'll tolerate you."

Uchiha gave a small chuckle. It was so quiet that I almost missed it.

"I'll walk you home Aya-sama," he offered.

"No thank you," I retorted. "Save those manners for the other delicate young girls who have unfortunately fallen for your evil charms. I can take care of myself."

"Ah...I have charms do I?" his tone was amused.

"For lack of a better word," I shot back. "Actually, more like evil spells."

"And my spells seem to work on everyone except for you."

"Because I'm smarter than most people."

"I'll keep that in mind. Allow me to walk you home Aya-sama," Uchiha's tone was gentle but firm. I thought about arguing but thought better of it. Turning my head, I started to walk home. He followed behind me silently. I couldn't help but admire his stealth. He was so quiet that sometimes I doubted whether or not he was actually behind me. The moment I thought that, he'd let out a small cough or make some other small noise.

It was almost as if he could read my mind. Scary. No wonder he was called a genius. After a while, we reached my house. Arranging my features in a scowl, I turned around.

"Satisfied?"

"I will be after you're actually safely inside the house," he replied.

My scowl deepened as a plunged my hand into my pocket and took out my keeps. I unlocked my door, opened it and made a great show of stepping into my house before I looked at him again. Sticking my tongue out at him, I slammed the door in his face.

"Ugh!" I groaned. I was feeling guilty again. "Stupid, stupid temper."

"Nee-chan!"

I felt something around my torso. Looking down, I saw my brother Konohamaru hugging me.

Smiling, I patted his head.

"You're late Nee-chan!" He scowled. "Ebisu-sensei's boring."

"Well then since your sister is back, I'll be leaving," Ebisu-san came out into the hallway.

"Thanks Ebisu-san," I smiled apologetically. "You're always babysitting him."

"It's alright Aya-sama," Ebisu-san bowed as he opened the door. He then left, quietly closing the door behind him.

"You have to show him respect Konohamaru," I scolded as we went upstairs.

"But he's a big pervert!" my brother replied stubbornly.

"Even so, you have to show respect to your peers and especially your teachers, no matter how much you dislike them," I explained as I went into the bathroom. Then, remembering the way I had treated Uchiha, guilt swelled up in me again.

"I don't dislike Ebisu-san!" Konohamaru protested as I filled the bathtub.

"Then start treating him with respect alright? Or else people will start saying that Nee-chan and Ji-chan didn't raise you properly," I smiled.

Konohamaru nodded solemnly as I undressed him.

"There, now off you go into the bath," I declared. Grinning, my brother jumped into the bathtub, splashing water everywhere.

"Konohamaru!" I exclaimed, wiping water from my face. "What have I told you about splashing?"

He beamed at me. Sighing, I left the washroom, dripping with water.

I headed to the washroom connected to my room and began to draw up a bath for myself. Once I was relaxing in the warm waters, I finally allowed myself to confront the guilt that had been nagging at me.

Stupid Uchiha.

Somehow, every time I looked at him, the anger I felt at Yuri's rejection would flare. I understood now that he had done the right thing but that didn't make it any less painful for Yuri. I remembered his amusement when I had glared at him and how he was seemingly able to read my mind.

He had a way of making people feel completely exposed. As if he knew everything about you. I shuddered and slid deeper into the warm water. I'll start being nicer to him tomorrow...for the sake of the Chunin Exams and also, my own conscience.


Please review!