Chapter 2:

"I'm going to improve the lock on your door, one you can't pick." Hideka says. Baki becomes utterly concerned.
"I was starving to death in there! You didn't give me dinner!" I complain.
"Shut it. Or there will be no food for a week." She gushes. I look down.
"Geez, I'm sorry Ayama." Baki says.
"And as for you, if you're going to speak to her, you must address her as Ayama-SAN." Hideka gushes. Baki quivers in fear.
"Stop it! Don't bring him into this!" I shout. She was about to hit me then.
"I said shut up!" She scowls and grabs my wrist. "No food for a week!" I could tell Baki wanted to help me but he was too afraid of her. I wouldn't blame him.

Hideka threw me in my room and slammed the door shut. But I just jump out the window and go find Baki again.
"Ayama! What are you doing!" He questions.
"It's fine she thinks I'm in my room, and she wont be checking on me for like a week." I reply. Baki has a look of discontent.
"Don't you think this is a bold decision?" He asks.
"Uhh.. Yeah." I reply. "But it's better than being cooped up in my room, right?"
"I guess. But what if she finds you?" He asks.
"You're very considerate aren't you?" I say. He smiles and chuckles.
"Yeah, I guess I am." He says.
"So, you were gonna show me the jutsu?" I mention.
"Oh! Yes! Watch!" He says and faces the training posts. "Blade of Wind!" He focuses on dispersing chakra from his fingertips and forming it into an invisible sword. He swings his arm towards the training posts and as I thought, large deep slashes penetrate them. I was impressed.
"That is awesome!" I exclaim. He chuckles.
"I'm still practicing though." He says. "Hey, why don't you show me that stick spinning thing you were doing."
"Oh okay." I reply and look around for a nice long stick.
I found one the length of my entire arm. "That's a pretty big stick." He says.
"Yeah, this is the biggest one yet. I'm not sure how good I will be.. So stand back." I say. He nods and steps back out of range if I were to accidentally drop it. I start spinning it between my fingers very fastly. I had just realized that longer sticks are easier to spin than short ones. I grin at my skill. Baki's jaw was about to drop off. Once he started applauding I freaked out and nearly lost control of the stick. I was not expecting him to do that.
"Geez, that is awesome." He says.
"Heh, thanks." I reply.

The two of us (I kept the stick and carried it around in my hand) walked around. "You know, the academy is quite fun." He says.
"How do you know?" I ask.
"I go there." He says.
"Really!"
"Yeah. But your skill is really awesome." He says.
"Just how old are you?" I ask.
"Uh, 9." He says.
"Oh, heh, you seem a lot younger than that." I chuckle. He pouts.
"Everyone says that." He grumbles.
"Oh, sorry. So when will you graduate?" I ask.
"I only joined this year. Apparently three years there is the average time period that people go there." He says.
"So.. That would make you like.. 12 when you graduate?" I ask.
"Yeah, and besides they don't really like us becoming Genin before the age of 10." He says.
"I see. Well, I'm gonna join." I declare.
"Haha, you have to be 7." He says.
"Gimme two weeks." I say.
"Oh, so your birthday is coming up?" He asks.
"Yosh."
"Nice. I'll have to think of something to get ya." He says. I smile.
"Oh you don't have to. I've never gotten presents beforehand, so it wouldn't make much difference." I say. He gasps.
"N-not even one?" He questions. I look at his worried expression.
"... No." I reply.
"Man that's rough." He says.
"Meh."

"... and so I said I'd beat him."
"And did you?" I ask.
"... I'm getting there." Baki replies.
"Haha, sounds like he's strong." I say.
"Eh. Shut up." He grumbles. I laugh. "I'm gonna graduate next year!"
"Really?"
"Eh, I'm gonna try to anyway." He says. I laugh.

That evening when the sun was beginning to set, I sneak back into my room via the window and sit on my bed for the rest of the day and eventually fall asleep.

*Thud*

My eyes snap open. I am a very light sleeper. I sit up a little frightened. The moon's glow illuminated through my window which was tightly shut, because we all know, leaving your window open during the night is a bad thing. I heard many footsteps just outside my door. "Heh it's locked, that must mean there's very valuable things in there." Says a deep voice and my door knob was tugged. I began quivering. The door was then kicked down and several men came in.
"Huh? It's just a little girl." Says one of them. Another comes over to me and holds a blade to my throat, I gulp.
"And she was locked up in here. Perhaps I should put her out of her misery." He says with a wicked grin.
"Heh, I couldn't care less, just search the room for anything valuable." Says another. Words can't describe my fear right now. Just then my window bursts open and a person jumps in, wearing recognizable clothing. Suna's Jonin uniform.
"Ha, I heard you thieves were in town." She spoke. The man who was threatening me backed off, fully focused on the Jonin.
"How the heck did she know we were here?"
"I dunno boss."
"That is because I am a Jonin of the Sand! Nothing can escape me." Says the Jonin. "Now I will complete my mission and kill you all." I raise my arms over my head and close my eyes while the sound of blades clashing and blood being spilled and the grunts of these men filled the room.
After several thuds the Jonin chuckles to herself. "Too easy... Huh?" She saw me. "Oh, I didn't see you there, are you alright dear?" She asks, gently placing her hand on my shoulder. I could only whimper in response. "Are your parents in the house?" She asks.
"N.. No." I reply.
"Well is there anyone in the house?"
"Y-yeah."
".. Alright, come on." She says and picks me up. I actually felt comfortable with her holding me. She carried me out of my room and to the next room - Hideka's room. She opens the door and bites her lip. I had my eyes closed.
"She's.. Dead. Isn't she?" I ask. The Jonin let out a sigh.
"Yeah.." I didn't know whether to feel sad or relieved. "Come, I'll take you to Kazekage-sama." She says. I nod.

"Is that right?"
"Yes, sir." Replies the Jonin.
"Hm.. Girl, what is your name?" Asks the Kazekage.
"I'm Ayama." I reply. The Jonin gasps.
"A-Ayama? Really?" She asks. I look up at her.
"Y-you're Baki's mom!" I say.
"... So you two are acquainted?"
"Yes, sir. Ayama, would you like to stay with us?" She asks.
"Um.. I don't know." I reply.
"I will grant you permission." Says the Kazekage. A smile comes across my face.
"Thank you.. Sir." I say and give a bow. He gives a light chuckle.