1Yo! First story so comments are GOOD! XD I'll give you a virtual cookie!

Disclaimer: ...do you really think I'd be writing fanfiction if I owned Naruto? And I don't own Layla, my friend Dianna does- maybe you've read her fanfics

Name: Hyuuga, Umeko (means: patient)

Age: 18 (August 6th)

Height: 5' 4½" (I upped the height of the people in Naruto so.. Naruto was 4' 11" and I added 3 inches so now he's 5' 2") (just add 3 inches to everybody's height)

Weight: (Umeko would kill me if I told you! . )

Eyes: Hyuuga eyes

Hair: dark purple/black and reaches about an inch or so above her shoulder-blades. And since she's trying to grow her bangs out, she pins them up but they somehow manage to get into her face..

Clothing: a kimono-like top that is short sleeved and is a plain off-white but the trim is navy blue. It reaches about mid-thigh and she wears tight black capris with a fishnet shirt underneath the top... the Konoha hitae-ate (is that right?) is around her forehead and she wears the jounin vest (but she usually takes it off when she has no missions), and ninja shoes.(sometimes she wears a plain purple kimono if she talks to Hiashi-sama or if she has to go to a meeting with the main branch)

History: as a branch member of the Hyuuga family, she is looked down upon. A couple years ago, she was to protect Tasuku Hyuuga, a weak, frail boy who was ill with cancer. Even though she was cursed to protect him, she loved him with all her heart and did everything she could to make him happy, for she knew he would not live long. He died at the age of 7 of the cancer but, Hiashi or the elders did not hold a grudge against Umeko and she was not punished. So now, she works as a part-time maid for the Hyuugas when she's not on missions or training

Attitude: immature at times, but can be somewhat serious when she wants to. She's very good with kids and has a soft spot for them, and she has a soft spot for kittens and puppies... but she HATES being called short (think of Ed from FMA) and she doesn't like guys who think girls are 'below males' or are considered weak.

Jutsus/Powers/Skills: you'll have to find out and read! Because I am lazy and don't feel like typing her jutsus. (But she can use a kanata...)

ON WITH THE FANFIC! XD

"Meh... I hate shopping... well, then again, it depends on what I'm shopping for! ...Or whom.." Umeko looked down at the shopping list that one of the maids gave her. 'Tofu...?' "Who eats tofu?" Umeko tried to think of some one who would eat that... "It's so ... blech." Her nose scrunched up in a disgust manner.

"Talking to yourself again, Umeko-chan?"

The said young woman looked around for the voice and saw Kakashi Hatake step foreward with his 'Icha Icha Paradice'. "You're still reading those perverted, sick, wron-"

"Hello to you too, Umeko-chan..." His eye never left the pages as he talked to her. Umeko's eye twitched 'That perv. How did he become one of the highest ranked shinobi reading that?' Glancing at her long list she sighed. "I'm sorry Kakashi-san, but I have to get some groceries... so I'll see you whenever."

Kakashi's eye finally un-glued itself from the book, and... he put it away? Umeko's eyes widened as she looked at the silver-haired jounin walking towards her with a smile. Well, she assumed it was a smile because his eye had that upside down U shape. "Do you mind if I came along?"

Umeko's eyes only widened more and her mouth hit the ground. Is this THE Hatake, Kakashi? The 'all mighty' copy ninja who's copied over a thousand jutsu? The woman's pale purple orbs narrowed suspiciously, "You don't really want to help me do you?" Kakashi's eye opened at that, and had a confused stare. "You just want to help me so you'd have an excuse to be late- and not have to teach your squad. Am I correct?"

Kakashi nearly fell over but kept his balance, standing up strait with a hand rubbing the back of his head with sweat drops all around him. "You caught me red-handed Umeko-chan..."

A mushroom sigh escaped Umeko's mouth, "Oh, brother..." She rubbed her forehead and walked up to Kakashi, forgetting about the groceries. "Do I have to walk you to your team so you won't get lost?" Umeko grinned up at Kakashi, who grinned back.

On the way to the bridge, Kakashi asked the Hyuuga how things were going back at the house.

"Eh, it's as good as it gets... well ANY WHO! HOW'S LIFE TREATIN' YOU AND YOUR TEAM?" Kakashi stepped back at her sudden change of behavior. He sighed. "Fine. But they still don't understand the meaning of 'teamwork'."

"Ohhhhhhh, well tha- RAMEN BUDDY!" Ah, it seems she's found the blue eyed boy.

"Umeko-chan!" The blonde ran up to the Hyuuga and gave her a hug (more like a tackle). He got off the Hyuuga and sat off to the side, letting her sit up as well, and grinned like the idiot he is. "Hey, hey, after training can we go to Ichiraku Ramen?"

"Sure Naruto, but I don't have any more money..." Umeko's eyes closed and she teared up remembering the 20-somthin' empty bowls of ramen and the bill that Naruto had. 'All my money- gone. In less than 10 minuets!'

"Eh... Umeko-chan?"

Umeko looked up and saw all of Team 7 staring at her like she had 3 heads and one was a giraffe looking one with neon green spots and had a sticky-note saying 'Kiss me I'm Irish!' She blinked and then erupted in laughter. Yup, she's mental alright.

Seconds passed and Umeko was drained of laughter. She stood up brushing her self off when a piece of crumpled paper fell from her pocket. Gliding with the wind, it landed closer to Sakura and she picked it up. Her eyebrows knitted together, as she read the first few words. "Umeko-san, is this a grocery list?"

Umeko's eyes widened as her pupils shrank. (I.K.- not like you could truly tell, or anything...) Getting the paper back from Sakura she took off back to the market place glancing over her shoulder while shouting, "SORRY NARUTO, BUT I HAVE TO TAKE A RAIN CHECK!" And, since the 18 year old Hyuuga wasn't looking in front of her, a very promising rock just so happened to be in front of Umeko's foot.

Face planting into the ground, Umeko mumbled, "Damn rocks..." Pushing herself back up, she took off again, this time running past a very familiar streak of silver and black. Pulling all of her weight to her heals, she skidded, allowing a trail of dust to fly and she turned back around- facing the opposite way she was going- and ran after the silver and black.

"LAYLA-CHANNNNNN!" Umeko pounced onto the back of the girl.

"Ah- eh? Umeko-san?" The Hyuuga unlatched herself and grinned. "What are you doing here?"

"I could be asking you the same question. And I live here!" Umeko said proudly.

Even though Umeko was 2 years older than Layla, Layla was more mature and taller than Umeko. While Umeko stood at a short 5'4", Layla stood at about 5'6-7".

"Well, I'm here to train with Tsunade-sama." Layla looked down at her feet.

Umeko's goofy grin went into a straight line. "He didn't bother you did he?" Umeko's voice dripped with toxic venom.

The silver haired girl snapped her head up. "No! He didn't hurt me or anything of the sort. Kelie-sama sent me here because she taught me all she knew..."

Umeko let the moment go and focused on 'she taught me all she knew'. "So, you've gotten a hell of a lot stronger, then?" Layla grinned and nodded. "Well, then, when ever you have free time, call me! I need to see how much better you've gotten!" And with that, the Hyuuga gave Layla a quick hug and dashed off.

"Faster. Faster. Faster..." Umeko chanted to herself as she ran throughout the market place, gathering the food needed. Making a face once she bought the tofu, Umeko dashed home. Halfway there. Umeko slowed down to a jog, then a walk and finally she came to a stop. She blinked. And then blinked again.

"Why the hell am I running around?" Putting her hands and arms throw the plastic bag handles, she did hand seals and disappeared in a puff of smoke, and appeared in the kitchen of the Hyuuga household.

"Where were you Umeko! You left at 8:30 and now you're back at 11:40! It doesn't take that long to buy groceries! You're lucky that I'm not going to tell Hiashi-sama about this..." Umeko's eyes were half closed and she drowned out the maid's nagging with her own thoughts. Thoughts about team 7 and how disappointing it must be to have Kakashi of all jounin as a sensei, to thoughts about how to bring her wallet back to life with money. 'Man, I really need a job- wait- I have a job... I'm a jounin... hm.. I wonder why I don't have a squad assigned to me? I guess Hokage-sama doesn't trust me... He he... Has that crack in the wall always been there? Who painted this kitchen anyway? I hate this color... '

"UMEKO! You're not listening to a word I say, are you?"

Umeko looked up at the maid and grinned stupidly, "Nope!" And after that was said, she was kicked out of the kitchen and was left to fend for herself in the cold cruel world!

Not really- but you know.

'Meh, I wonder if Layla's done training with Tsunade-sama...' Walking outside to the Hyuuga gardens, Umeko passed the roses, passed the tulips, heathers, daisies, daffodils, snap dragons, and the other various flowers. She reached the very back of the garden, the corner- her corner. She kneeled down leaning over her calla lilies, Chinese bell flowers, honey suckles, morning glories, lilacs, and baby's breath. Grinning, she did tsuyu kakou no jutsu (dew drop technique). And small beads of water formed on the grass, and on the petals and leaves of the flowers. "Well, my gardening's done for the day!"

Springing up on her feet, she molded the chakra to her thighs and feet, making her have an extra boost of speed. 'I wonder if Layla remembers our old tree house...' Running up to the Hokage mountain, she ran up the side of the mountain, up to the top, and kept going north, only at a semi-slower pace. Into the forest, Umeko ran until she saw an old weeping willow tree. Stopping to catch her breath, she put her hands to her knees for support. "That get's your blood pumping..."

Walking up to the ancient willow, Umeko parted the branches and walked under the shelter of the tree. Craning her neck, Umeko grinned at the old, wooden box up in the sturdy branches in the tree. A thick vine was woven from the willow's branches and reached all the way up to the house. But now that Umeko could use chakra, she simply walked up the tree, and climbed into one of the windows.

Inside was what looked like a bench and a very small table. Two windows were on opposite walls and a trap door was on the bottom. It was big enough for Umeko to stand up in, and wide enough to fit 4 adults comfortably. She pulled the trap door open with a squeak and swept the dust and leaves out with her feet.

After that was done, Umeko sat on the bench with her feet up and waited. After what seemed like hours, a soft thump, thump, thump was heard outside the tree house. A silver haired blue- eyed girl jumped through the window.

"So, you still up for a match?"

Grinning, Umeko stood up and stretched her tense muscles. "Oh, yeah."

-

-

-

Both girls were stationed about 3 yards away from each other, in fighting positions.

"Ready."

"Steady."

"GO!"

I.K.- well, well, first chapter is done! Now, you can vote for whomever you want to be paired up with Umeko... Remember REVIEWS COOKIES! XD