Chapter One: Picturing the Past

Have you ever heard a term "Never ask a woman how old she is." Or "Never question a woman about the number of handbags in her wardrobe."? Well here's another one for you, "Never tell a woman that she is dead common/ugly/boring/tasteless." Even if you feel strong detest towards a particular female; hold your horses. It will all come right back at you eventually to the point that you'll wish you were never born. Perhaps you are thinking that I am exaggerating? Not at all. Women are mystical creatures, if you think you can read one – think twice. There's always something hidden behind that smile; there's always a deeper meaning behind every blush. Just like Ambrose Bierce quoted "Any ugly and repulsive old woman, in a wicked league with the devil. A beautiful and attractive young woman, in wickedness a league beyond the devil." – And so she is.

Amalia looked up from her book at boy next to her. His striking white skin was shocking. Amalia reached out and gently poked his cheek. The boy raised his head and looked at her. There was no expression on his face. She couldn't tell if he was curious or angry. "Oniichan, your skin is cold." She mumbled smiling at him with her childish smile.

"Then don't touch it." The boy replied turning his face away from her.

Amalia pouted. Why did he always have to do that? All she wanted was to play a game or go for a walk. "I am Amalia." She continued, not giving up. He was the only one closest to her age in the whole school and she really wanted some company. "I am seven years old." She giggled. "How old are you Oniichan?"

Amalia moved closer to the boy and tilted her head to a side. "Oniichan..." she called again.

"I am ten." The boy finally replied not looking at her. Amalia clapped her hands happily. "What are you doing?"

"I'm drawing." He replied still ignoring his little watcher. It didn't seem to bother the little girl. She hopped off the bench and walked in front of the boy. She leaned over his hand and peeped at his drawing. Her eyes widened as she happily exclaimed. "It's me!"

A tiny blush crept over the boy's cheeks as he quickly shoved his drawing into his notebook. "Oniichan drew me!" Amalia spun around singing happily when she noticed that the boy started making his way in the direction of the school. "Wait...Oniichan!" she yelled running after, her short legs moving as fast as they could. The boy stopped but didn't turn around. "What's your name?" she yelled panting heavily. Her red hair was messy and all over the place, including her mouth. Amalia tried to get it out but it didn't work so she gave up.

"Name." The boy repeated. "I don't have a name." He whispered and he started slowly making his way back.

"Sai." Amalia yelled.

The boy stopped.

"I'll call you Sai, like the cat." She smiled waving at him. The boy shrugged, but didn't say anything. *Sai is good.* he thought as he quickly made his way away from the strange girl whom he couldn't stop drawing, but whom he wanted to erase from his memory.

"SAI!" a loud voice yelled. A girl rushed down the hall pushing people aside if needed. She ran into one of the classrooms and hopped on the table in front of her friend. "Sai," se nagged, "where have you been? You've been missing for a week. I was worried." She gave him a long hard look trying her best to show him how angry she was, but a couple of seconds later she was laughing hard and wrapping her arms around him. "Stupid Sai." She mumbled petting his head.

"Amalia, what are you doing here?" Sai finally asked looking into her eyes.

"I study and live here." She replied after giving it some thought.

"I meant, what are you doing here, in the middle of my training?" he repeated his question. His voice was as monotone as always. Amalia finally bothered to look around. A tall man, with beard and moustache, a very typical macho, was giving her the mot evil look she'd ever received. Amalia turned away from him and made a face.

"Sorry, sensei." She jumped off the table and quickly made her way to the door. "See you later." The door was finally shut allowing Sai to return to his practice.

"Didn't know you have a girlfriend." Sensei said walking closet to his table.

"I don't." Sai's voice was indifferent and cold.

Sensei raised his eyebrows. "Then who is she? You two seemed to be quite friendly." He winked at the pale boy whose expression didn't change a single bit.

"She is an associate." Sai finally replied. Sensei sighed heavily and shook his head. "Fine, the topic for today's lesson is: Emotions..."

At the age of twelve Amalia Eda was still looked like a nine year old. Her body didn't mature and she still had a baby face. Wearing glasses probably didn't help the situation as much as she thought it would, because every time someone saw her wearing them, they always said "So young and already wearing glasses." She hated when people said that, especially those old gossiping women, who had nothing better to do than to talk about people behind their backs. Amalia's hair grew much longer during the past year and she didn't rush cutting it off. Sai often told her that drawing her hair was like drawing swamp grass. Coming out of Sai's mouth it was probably a compliment.

Amalia looked at herself in the mirror and sighed. "You are so, so far away from perfection." She said to herself and pulled her clothes back on. Her small body looked too fragile, too breakable.

"Sai always said that drawing me is drawing a tree." She stated to no one in particular. A small smile crept on her face. "Sai..."she whispered wrapping her arms around herself as if she felt cold. Sai was a mystery to her.

The first time Amalia met him she just turned seven. It was a beautiful summer day with a slight breeze. She sat on a wooden bench near the Academy and read her favourite book at that time. "Daddy long legs, was it?" she murmured trying to remember. A pale boy with jet black hair appeared in front of her out of nowhere. He sat near her and opened his drawing book. Amalia watched him with curiosity of a child. He was young but his hand moved as skilful as a professional's. Amalia couldn't see what he was drawing but she could tell that he was very captivated with his work; that moment she knew that she really liked that boy. She was too young to realise that it was love, but as she grew older, she understood not only that she was in love with Sai, but also that he would never love her back. He was a first class ANBU ninja, all the emotions were swept away with training.

*It's horrible.* Amalia thought sitting down on her bed. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "They make them human puppets..." she whispered a tear escaping her eyes.

"Who?" a very familiar voice asked. Amalie jumped up and looked in the direction of the door.

"Sai."