arigatou for the alerts and putting my story on your list…you know who you are

there will be a flash back…I'll mark it so you guys wouldn't be confused with the thoughts…and um..pls R and R

disclaimer: I don't own naruto…only my OCs

The horizon was almost clear the next morning, 'perfect' weather for a mission. Although it was 5 in the morning and the sun was barely there, a tired kunoichi arranged her bed and started packing for the mission. She opened the window and stopped momentarily to watch the tranquil sight. Four sculpted faces were on the mountain, hokages after the another. Their faces almost touched by the light coming from the rising sun. At that moment, Amaya remembered a certain person from the past.

flashback:

It was early morning and the five year old Amaya went up to the Hokage mountain to look at the view. She stood and breathed deeply. Unknown to her, the spot was already taken. A man was also watching Konoha from above. The man chuckled and the little girl caught his attention. He gave her that smile of amusement. "Yondaime-sama." She bowed. The 4th Hokage patted her head. "Ohayou, Amaya-chan." He smiled and then sat on the bench. "Come." As he patted the empty seat nex to him. Amaya scooted over the bench. She heard a lot of things about the hokage, a lot of good things. "Gomene, Hokage-sama." She looked down and played with her hands. The Hokage laughed at her statement. "How old are you, 'Maya-chan?" The little girl was confused. "Five, hokage-sama." "Hontou?" He was surprised. "You're too formal, Amaya-chan. Is old man Hakuryu too strict?" He looked at the smiling girl. Amaya couldn't help but laugh. "Hai, ojisan is very strict. He said," Amaya stood up in a proud-like manner and started to mimic her grandfather's voice, "shinobi rules must be implemented, Amaya. As part of the Hakuryu clan, you must, at all times, observe the ways of the ninja." It was Yondaime's turn to laugh. "What is your way of the ninja?" He looked at the little Hakuryu who slowly turned away. He seemed to have read the girl's mind and said, "Someday, Amaya-chan, you'll find out." The hokage gave her a hug and a piece of candy. "What is your way of the ninja, Hokage-sama?" Amaya stared at the view in front of her and felt the warm breeze envelope her. "Do you see that, Amaya?" Yondaime pointed at Konoha. She nodded. "Konoha is the reason why I wanted to be Hokage. The ones that are there are very important to me." He observed the little girl who caught on to every word he just said. "Being a shinobi, to me, means having somebody to protect." Amaya looked up to him. "Saa," Yondaime cleaned himself and stood up, "I have more work to do." He frowned at the thought of work and then changed back to his usual smile. "Ganbatte, Yondaime-sama." Amaya gave him the thumbs-up sign. "Remember Amaya-chan, the will of fire." With that he 'yellow flickered' away. Amaya was left alone in the scene. "Will of fire..." she whispered..and then ate the candy.

>> >end flashback

Sunrise. Amaya thought over what Yondaime said. Over the years, she didn't fully comprehend her way of the ninja. The truth is, she was just taking orders from her grandfather, the Anbu and mostly, everyone else. Looking around her room, she took notice of her bag. My bag! Slapping her forehead and cursed herself for getting sidetracked, she ran and got her backpack. Kakashi-sempai was suppose to be late. Amaya frowned. I hope his not late though with that thought she blushed.

With Itachi and...Kakashi

Amaya, where are you? And here I thought I was gonna be late. Kakashi looked up and folded his arms. Not far from Kakashi was Itachi and his badass attitude. Unknown to him, Itachi was thinking of the same raven-haired kunoichi. The two were silent for a while until Kakashi suddenly slipped away. Itachi noticed his disappearance and climbed up the tree and closed his eyes.

It was already late and Kakashi made it to the Hakuryu gate in 'record time'. As he was about to enter the gate, it opened and Amaya came out. She was furiously blushing and didn't seem to notice Kakashi in front of her. 'BUMP!' Kakashi just caught her just in time, his arms around her waist. "Kakashi-sempai! Gomene, I was busy with my own thoughts of...something." She broke away from Kakashi and bowed. Kakashi bowed. (a/n: not that you can see his face, but the crease on the mask tells everything) "Yare, yare, Amaya-chan." Kakashi sighed. Deep inside, he wanted to be the center of Amaya's thoughts. What am I thinking? She's too young for me. He mentally slapped himself for that. She might be young, but- Kakashi's thoughts were interrupted by a tap in the shoulder. He turned around and it was just Amaya. "Kakashi-sempai, I think we should get going." Kakashi offered his arm.

"Shall we, then?"

Since Kakashi took of, Itachi took interest in the skies. Acquiring those powers would mean, even the skies can be reached. He held out his hand as if reaching for the sky. Amaya he thought. The feeling tingled inside him was still there. It was always there when his thoughts wander. Itachi shooked his head. There was something in the kunoichi that made him overprotective, and most of the time, possesive. Something must be done, he thought.

"Itachi-san!"

The sound caught Itachi's attention. It was Amaya...with Kakashi. He noticed that Amaya's hand was locked to Kakashi's arm (a/n: you have to forgive me when it comes to describing stuff). This is when the green monster takes over Itachi, but stoic as he is, Itachi managed to look callous as ever. "Ohayou, Itachi-san." Amaya waved her other hand, since it was still linked to Kakashi's arm. Itachi eyed the scene and Amaya, noticing what Itachi was looking at, let go. Kakashi, of course smirked at the Uchiha, as if he was saying 'one point for me'. "Gomene," the onyx color of her eyes darkened, "next time, I'll be on time." She said, flushed. "If there will be a next time." Itachi said. In fact, he wanted, or rather longed for another mission with her, and only her. "Now," he continued, "let's go." The group now moved its pace and set out for their mission.

On their way to the mission...

Itachi was holding the map. "We're nearing the town in twenty minutes." Amaya looked from behind Itachi. "That town rarely has shinobi. So I suggest we disguise ourselves or just take off our forehead protector." The two nodded. After all, both didn't want to jeopardize the mission. Failure wasn't in their vocabulary. "After that, let's eat and get ready to commence action." Kakashi said as he closed his bag. "Hn," Itachi said, "I have a plan."

In twenty minutes time, they entered the hotel and checked in. The three were assigned to two rooms. "Well, I have to get changed, guys. We meet at the front desk in fifteen minutes." Amaya said and went up to her room.

The room was traditional Japanese with its rice papered doors. On the other side of the room was a pond with koi fish swimming around. All in all, it was pleasant and reminded Amaya much of the compound. She sighed and went through the things in her bag. Itachi was going to explain the specs of the vicinity, yet, in her mind, she already knew the place. Amaya dismissed the thought and put on her Anbu outfit under a jacket. Meeting at the front desk, the three proceeded to a private dining room. Kakashi placed the blueprint on the table. Itachi pointed to a spot in the blueprint. "Here is where we start..."