"Brother!","Itachi!" We waited a couple moments hoping to hear a response or for him to just simply appear but weren't surprised when we got nothing. Sasuke and I had just finished what little training we were able to do on our own, and it was time for us to head home and change for the upcoming festivities latter this evening. Earlier Itachi had refused to train with us saying that he had his own things to work on; recently that was all he ever did. It seemed the longer he went on in ambu the less we saw of him and even when he was home he became more and more distant.

" Ama, you think we should split up?", I looked over at Sasuke and nodded.

" Yeah, he might have even went home already and we just didn't see him."

" True. I'll just head back then and ask mom if she's seen him. If you don't find him in the next half hour you should head home too."

" No problem I'm sure one of us will find him he did promise to take us after all."

Sasuke looked less optimistic but nodded and ran off in the direction of the Uchiha compound while I went further into the woods. Normally Sasuke and I would stick to the open training field located right outside the walls of the compound, and would only ever go into the forest with Itachi but I had to at least try to find him. The deeper I went the more dense and dark the forest became; Itachi had warned me of going in on my own explaining that the older members would come this far out to practice their more dangerous techniques as to not hurt anyone or damage anything. I looked up at the sky and sighed, if I go in any further I won't have enough light to find my way back out. Hopefully Sasuke's found him or at the very least he'll be ready to go when I get there. I turned back dragging my feet along the forest floor as I went.

"Stupid Itachi, stupid anbu, stupid missions I wish everyone would just leave him alone."

I was nearly at the edge of the tree line when I heard a rustle among the tree branches behind me and too my right. Turning I drew out the ninja blade secured on my back and scanned the area in front of me but saw nothing.

" Who's there?", no response. " Sasuke if you're messing with me it's not funny!"

At that moment a kunai flew past my head just barley missing me and implanted itself in tree. Then another came aimed at my left leg, but I dodged just in time. The third was a shuriken which I had no choice but to attempt to block with my blade due to its speed. It hit my blade causing the metal to sing, but I was to careless and caused it to graze my arm.

" You're improving, Amaya."

I watched Itachi drop down out of the trees and places his remaining weapons back in his pouch. I scowled at him despite the soft smile he was showing me and sheathed my blade.

" We've been looking everywhere for you! Do you even know what tonight is?"

He let out a soft chuckle and pocketed the weapons he'd thrown at me before bending over to poke my forehead with two fingers.

" Of course I know what tonight is I did promise you didn't I? I was hoping you'd trust me to be there on time and just head home and change though now we'll be late."

I felt my face get red letting the warm irritation wash over me.

"We still would have had to wait on you to change, so we'd be late either way!", he laughed.

" We both know I'm faster than you and Sasuke now come climb on or we'll be really late."

He crouched down and waited for me to climb on his back wincing slightly at the cut on my arm. As soon as I was firmly situated Itachi starting running off at top speed making me duck my face behind his head to keep the wind from stinging my eyes.

" Did you drop the things you'll need off at our house or do we have to swing by yours?"

" I'm not as irresponsible as Sasuke of course they're already at your house. Aunty even said she'd help me get ready."

" Well you'll have to sit and let me treat your wound before all that. Sorry about that by the way I didn't think you'd have any trouble deflecting it completely."

I let an irritated growl escape my throat and dug what little nails I had into his shoulders.

" Well if you trained with me more then I would have! Sasuke's are too easy to deflect!"

He laughed and slowed down to a walking pace once we entered the Uchiha compound, but still held me on his back.

" Sorry about that too thing's have just been pretty hectic lately. There's even talk that I'll be made an anbu captain soon."

I perked up after hearing that and wrapped my arms around his neck in a sort of hug.

" Really, that's awesome! Your only 11 and you're already gonna be made a captain you really are amazing big broth…."

I cut myself off realizing what I was about to say. Itachi stopped, even though the main house was in view, and turned his head to look at me a kind knowing smile on his face.

" Amaya, you can still call me brother if you want. Despite what you may have heard nothing's changed between us."

" But mom and dad told me that…."

He shifted his arms so I was held more firmly to his back more so to shut me up then to keep me from falling, and turned to keep walking again.

" The adults can plan whatever they want the future is undecided, and if we don't want things to change than they won't. You don't have to force yourself to do anything."

But, what if I want things to change? If I got stronger when the time came would you accept that change, Itachi?

" Brother , Ama!"

I looked up and saw Sasuke standing of the porch already dressed in his formal wear. Dark blue and black with the Uchiha symbol stitched onto his back and a golden luck talisman dangling from his waist, ringing as he walked up to us. He looked mad at first but his expression softened once he saw the cut on my arm and turned to a look of concern.

" Ama how'd you get hurt? I knew I should have went looking for you."

Itachi set me down after reaching the top step on the porch and poked Sasuke's forehead.

" Amaya is fine Sasuke it's my fault just a little cut from training I'll fix her right up then we can head out ok?"

Sasuke's face changed from concerned to jealous after the word training passed Itachi's lips. Crossing his arms and shooting daggers at me and his brother as I was sat down to get my wound treated and wrapped. Aunty came out soon after and continued fretting over me and scoulding Itachi saying he should have been more careful and that I was too young for all that. He didn't seem to hear her though and just focused on applying antiseptic and tightly bandaging my arm. It didn't take long before Aunty had me ready to head out; looking in the mirror I could see that she'd done her best but I frowned regardless. Maroon and gold the colors of the Hoshi clan a seven pointed black star stitched in the back of my yukata and that same symbol in the metal pin that held up my hair. I was not an Uchiha, I would never be blessed with natural talent like Sasuke and I'd never activate the sharingan like Itachi. I have to work hard to keep up with them.

" Smile sweetheart you look lovely, and it sounds like your parents just arrived as well, ready to go?"

I nodded and followed her out of the room back into the main hall where the rest of the family was waiting. Itachi wore an outfit exactly like sasuke but black and gray instead of the dark blue and next to him my parents stood chatting excitedly with Uncle each sporting the Hoshi clan colors. My mother teared up and crushed me in a hug after seeing me before turning and thanking Aunty for her hard work. Dad and Uncle just smiled and nodded in approval as I went to stand with Sasuke and Itachi.

" You look lovely Amaya seems difficult to move in though. Don't move to recklessly and mess up mom's hard work or you'll be in for it latter."

Itachi chuckled and glanced down at Sasuke who stood their silently and light pink dusting his cheeks as he stared at me.

" I know I look weird Sasuke you don't have to stare."

" No.. not at all you look really pretty…", He looked away embarrassed that he'd been staring for so long. I looked up at Itachi itching to leave as to not miss anymore of the festival already in full swing out in town.

" Can we go? Aunty took to long and I at least don't wanna miss the firework display."

" Hold up kiddo." My dad said placing a hand on my shoulder and showing off his new camera in the other.

" One picture and then you can go not everyday we get you three together especially dressed up like this. Ready? Three, two, one cheese!"

The bright flash stung my eyes and I'm sure I saw Sasuke blink, but I smiled as I saw how happy it made Dad and everyone was. With how busy everything had been lately it was nice to have everyone together.

" Now Itachi be careful and watch out for those two. This is the first year you're going out to the village celebration and not staying at home."

" Don't worry mother they'll be safe with me besides I promised I'd take them up to see the fireworks from the top of the Hokage faces this year."

" Alright, have fun then and try not to stay out too late."

Itachi led Sasuke and I threw the crowds with ease from stall to stall and took us on top of one of the building for a clear view of the parade before heading out for the Hokage faces. By the time we got to the base of the mountain the sky had gone black and the fireworks could start at any moment.

" Brother it's too high we'll never make it in time."

" Don't worry Sasuke I'll get us there come on hop up."

He crouched down and had Sasuke climb on his back. Sasuke struggled a bit due to the formal clothing but eventually got comfortable.

" What about Ama?"

There's no way I can ride piggyback in this dress I'll just fall off I.

" You'll have to hold on tight ok Sasuke?", He looked confused but nodded as Itachi let go of his legs in order to scoop me up into his arms. A light blush dusted my cheeks, he's holding me like a baby.

" Alright ready?", " Yeah come on we gotta hurry I can't hold on like this forever!"

At that Itachi ran completely ignoring the stairs and headed for the side of the mountain I closed my eyes expecting an impact but was surprised when I felt none and felt my weight shift more into Itachi's chest as he climbed the rocks using only his feet. We were up in a matter of seconds choosing to sit right above the face of the second Hokage, Sasuke looking slightly out of breath but excited.

" Brother how'd you do that!"

" It's an advanced chakra control technique. I gather chakra to the bottoms of my feet in order to stick to the rock. If your control is good enough you can even walk on water."

Sasuke and I looked at eachother each excited at the idea of training to walk on water. Itachi smiled at us knowing full well how difficult a technique it was but didn't say anything and looked up at the sky as we rambled on about training on top of water. Soon enough the fireworks began and from where we were sitting it seemed as if we could almost touch the light they gave off. I looked between the two boys I'd seen as my brothers since birth, Sasuke's eyes wide and filled with light as he oohed and ahhed at each explosion and Itachi leaned back on his elbows watching along with a kind quiet smile. I may not be an Uchiha I may not possess all their talents or their kekkei genkai, and I may have to work extra hard to keep to their level but they are my family and I never want us to change. I want to stay here just like this. But that's impossible now isn't it? This happy memory isn't real, because you already knew what you were going to do to this family didn't you Itachi?