Chapter 3 – Pineapple Head
"Ame!" i turned around before leaving the gates of Konoha. I smiled as i saw Chouji running with all his might to me. As he approached, he breathed heavily and stood up straight.
"I guess this is good-bye." he stated as his face was all red from the running. I giggled lightly and nodded slightly. He then brought his hand in front of me holding a sunflower. I was shocked at first.
"Take this sunflower to remember me." he explained looking at me seriously. I smiled and took it. He smiled as he embraced me. I wrapped my small little arms around his back and turned my head to his ear.
"I'll miss you." i whispered as i let go and saw Chouji smile. I turned around and Hizuren smiled at me.
"Train well. I'll be expecting a lot from you." he stated giving me a look. I nodded and hugged him. He carried me and hugged me back.
"Take care. I'll miss you." i whispered with a smile. He hugged me tighter and placed me down on the ground. I then turned back to Chouji.
"One day, im sure you'll find a perfect friend. But when i meet that person, i'll show no mercy. Let the competition began!" i giggled out. He giggled with me. "You'll always be the perfect friend to me."
"You'll always be the perfect friend to me. I'll wait for you." he mumbled as he began crying. I smiled at me sadly and hugged him again. This time i started crying.
"You better wait for me, Chouji. Good-bye." i whispered as i let go and turned around. The Anbu who was to stay with me for those 6 years and report everything that i've done nodded his head signaling that he was ready. I whipped away the dry tears from the side of my face and walked out the Konoha gates. Just before jumping through the trees to reach the villages, i turned around and waved to everyone. Once everyone waved back, i jumped through the trees with the Anbu.
"Everything will be alright." he reassured calmly. I looked at him and smiled as I thought about everyone that cared for me.
... ~ 6 years later~ 12 years old~
Six years has passed since i saw Chouji and Hizuren. I was so excited to be back at Konoha again. The Anbu that stayed with me reported everything to him and right now we were walking to the gates. As the gates came to view, i started running happily. Once i came closer, the two guards looked down at me. They had wide eyes.
"Remember me?" i asked playfully with a silly grin on my face. They had soft eyes once they saw and remembered me.
"How was training, Ame?" one of the guards asked as he moved to the side a bit.
"It was great, i learned a lot, and i mean a lot!" i shouted as the other guard moved a bit and opened the gate. "I can't wait to see Hizuren and Chouji." I noticed the guards look at each other worriedly. I was about to saw something about it but the Anbu finally caught up.
"Just go inside and see your friend." he stated calmly while facing the guards. I nodded and started walking. Once i was a little past the gates, i turned around and saw the Anbu talking to the guards.
"I wonder what happened." i thought aloud as i went searching for Chouji.
...
"Can i speak to Chouji please?" i asked politely. Chouzo smiled a bit and patted my head.
"Chouji went out. He should be with his team training." Chouzo answered with that same smile six years ago. I smiled and nodded.
"Thank you." i said as i turned around and started to walk, but i back turned around.
"By the way.." i started looking up at him. "Do you remember me?"
"Oh course i do." Chouzo stated as he came close to me with a smile. "Youre Fukai Ame. Chouji's first best friend." I smiled and then i hugged him. He hugged me with one arm and i waved good bye to him.
'Yay, most of the people that cared about me, remembered me!' I thought as i started skipping down to the training grounds.
...
Once i reached the training ground, i heard noises. I peeked behind a tree and saw Chouji, Ino, some guy and Asuma. They weren't training really but just talking. I was really happy to see that Chouji seemed stronger. I wasn't happy that he was happy with that other guy. Ino and Asuma were doing something else. I started walking towards them and when i went closer, I 'ahem'ed. Chouji looked at me first and then the other boy who was laying down opened one eye.
"Chouji!" i shouted happily. It was silent for a while, until Chouji flinched back.
"F-Fukai Ame?" he asked slowly. I smiled and nodded rapidly. He grew a huge smile and hugged me. I hugged him back. Then the boy who was lying down stood up and stood next to Chouji. I looked at him, almost glaring.
"Chouji, who's this?" i asked as i hugged Chouji's arm. He didn't seem to mind.
"Ame, this is Nara Shikamaru. My best friend." Chouji explained with a smile. "He became my friend after a few days when you left." I let go of Chouji's arm and pointed at Shikamaru. He looked at my finger and then at me confused.
"Rival!" I simply shouted. Shikamaru, Chouji and Asuma sweat dropped. "Chouji's my friend. My best friend. I won't let someone like you be his friend."
"Fukai Ame?" i heard as familiar voice. I turned around and saw Ino. I looked down with an angry expression. Ino and Sakura were one of those girls who teased me and beat me. Matter of fact, Ino was the girl who kicked my bread when i left that store. She started laughing.
"Youre back? I thought you left because no one liked you.!" Ino stated as she continued laughing. "It would have been better if you never came back."
"Ino." Asuma stated intensely. Ino looked down after glaring at me and walked away. "Excuse Ino's behavior." I continued to look down as Chouji hugged me.
"Ino is just like that. Don't mind her." I heard Shikamaru say trying to comfort me. I looked at him as he stared back at me. I let go of Chouji and walked up to Shikamaru's face.
"I don't need you or your pitty, Pineapple head." i stated calmly and quietly towards Shikamaru. Shikamaru grew an annoyed look and i could see Chouji trying to calm me down.
"Troublesome girl." Shikamaru mumbled to himself. I ignored his comment and turned to Chouji with a smile.
"Anyways, i'll go see other people." i stated and turned around, but before I walked away, he grabbed me hand.
"Just stay here for awhile." he insisted. "I don't want you to get beat up again." I didn't want Chouji to get sad so i just smiled.
"Its okay, I got stronger. There's no need to worry about me. I can protect myself now. Remember i was gone for six years; to train." i reassured him. He smiled a little and i smiled sadly, but he didn't notice it was a fake, sad smile. He hugged me and i hugged me back. As we hugged, I saw Shikamaru looking at me. I sense that he knew i was hiding something, so i just looked away, by looking down. Once he let go, i started going to the office to see Hizuren.
...
It was past 6 and i wasn't home yet. Nope, i wasn't. I really did want to see Hizuren but then an emergency came up. The thing is, i didn't use my abilities during the emergency. I didn't want to. I didn't want other people to know that i grew stronger, a lot stronger during those 6 years. If i fight back, they might get hurt more. My level would be higher than a Chuunin but i didn't want to be a Chunnin. I wanted to be with Chouji more so i stayed quiet about my abilities. Since i didn't use my ability i got hurt.
"Dang Genin's." i whispered as i slowly limped down the streets. No one seemed to be out, and that was a good thing, because i didn't want other people to see me out like this. I was bleed on my head, my arms and legs. I had bruises on my cheeks and body. I continued to walk to the office. Hoping to walk into the office and get a big warm hug from Hizuren. All of a sudden, i lost my balance and i was about to hit the floor, but i was caught. I was hoping it was Chouji but it wasn't. I turned my head and saw Shikamaru. He got me to stand up.
"Well?" he asked as he brought one hand up, making it seem as he was going to receive a sincere compliment from me. I looked at him annoyed.
"I told you this morning that i didn't need your pitty! So just leave me alone already, Pineapple Head!" i demanded loudly. Shikamaru looked at me with a nasty look.
"Jeez. Youre so troublesome. I save you and thats all you say?" he said as he placed his hands in his pocket. "Troublesome Girl."
"I don't need to say anything, because i didn't want your help in the first place." i said as i started walking away. "And im not troublesome!"
"Well, im not a Pineapple Head either." he shouted calmly. I looked at him with an anime vein and turned around to walk away. Once he was out of site, an Anbu came out of nowhere and carried me.
"The Hokage needs to speak with you." he said. I noticed he didn't have his mask on. It was Yamato.
"Finally. I'll be able to see Hizuren quicker!" i yelled in happiness. I noticed Yamato look away in sadness. He didn't look at me, but I looked at that emotion.
'First the guards and now him? What happened?' I thought as he carried me to the office.
Okay. Thats it for this chapter. Wonder what happened. XD Anyways. Review ? Byes! :]
