*2013 update*
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, the characters, or the plot similarities.
Claimer: I do own Amaya and her mother. And rabbit-san.. :P
I stretched as I walked into the kitchen after walking up from a restless sleep. Memories haunted my dreams, memories twisted and turned. Forming unpleasant images through my head. Everyone was already at the table, except the blond one. I figured he just slept longer than I did.
"Yo."
"Here you go."
Tsunami placed a plate of rice and fish in front of me. I've never had fish for breakfast. I poked at it a bit with my chopsticks.
"Naruto never came back last night."
I shrugged my shoulders, "Tsh, baka is probably just stuck in a tree, or maybe he knocked himself out." I began to actually eat the food.
"Is Naruto-kun okay?"
"Don't worry. He's a decent ninja, even if he doesn't look it," Kakashi tried to sooth the worried woman.
"I don't know about that. Maybe the baka really did get himself killed." I retorted blandly.
Sasuke stood up and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" I questioned.
"For a walk."
"Hm."
He just walked out. I continued with eating once more. Kakashi-sensei looked a lot better in my opinion. I only looked at him through a side glance from under my hood. I chewed my food viciously, just staring at the man.
"Amaya?"
"Mm?"
"Is something bothering you?" I took a nasty bite of the final piece of food on my plate.
"Hmm."
"We are your teammates now Amaya, you can talk to us."
"Talking is for wimps."
The way his one eye looked at me, even with the lazy expression it held. The black orbs staring at me. Trying to get into my head, trying to plead with its gaze. My face softened and I found my head turning on its own to stare more into the calming black. I caught myself and put the glare back into my own eyes, crystal green shifted to the young boy across the table. He looked so depressing.
I hated this mission. I hated this ninja crap. I'm quitting when I get home. I'm losing my mind around these people. I'm a soon to be 13 year old going through a mid-life crisis. Tsh. Figure that one out. As my father used to say though. This ninja life ages you so fast... Most ninjas don't care about age or gender, Amaya. They care about getting the mission completed as fast as they can! Ninja's they just see obstacles and power. Tools for people with money. I finally got up and took my plate to the sink where Tsunami stood, washing un-finished plates from the night before.
"Do you want help? I can finish those."
She smiled ever so sweetly and giggled.
"No, no I don't mind. You should go wash up for the day."
I just stared at her for a few seconds before nodding and leaving to go wash up.
Kakashi-sensei and I walked out to the area we trained in. Sasuke never came back from his walk, which was expected. But they weren't anywhere to be seen.
"Baakaa! Saasukee!"
A kunai flew down and landed in front of us. We looked up to see Naruto on a very high branch, lounging like a sloth.
"How do you like that? I can climb this high now."
"Congra-"
I cut myself off as Naruto tried to stand up, but ended up slipping. Baka! I crouched down just about to spring to save him when he stopped on the branch. He was standing upside down like a bat.
"Not. Hahah! You feel for it!"
My eye twitched and I picked up the kunai he had thrown down. I threw it back up landing centimetres away from his foot. He moved hit foot and yelled in shock. That did it; he began to fall down from the branch.
"That'll teach ya!" I shouted as he fell.
Much to my demise, Sasuke popped out of a tree to the rescue hanging upside down he caught Naruto by the ankle.
"Damn..."
I cursed under my breath. But a small smile twitched on the corner of my mouth, they really progressed, they even worked together. Well Sasuke grew up and helped the dunce out. I wonder what that says about me? Meh, he had it coming. After finding the two, Kakashi-sensei decided to head back to rest a little more, he was almost recovered. I stayed back to watch the boys a bit. They got to the first branch though it was very high up, how long till they reach the very top?
I flickered to a nearby tree branch to lounge in. The two didn't even notice. Sasuke threw Naruto onto the branch as he spun himself up as well. The two jumped down and began again. Higher and higher, harsh fall after some quick recoveries. It was entertaining watching them train.
I dug through my pouch until I pulled out a white shuriken. I always kept one with me. I left the other five in a display at home. I examined it like I always did when I zoned out. Flipping it around and spinning it on my finger. It kept my mind at ease. I smiled gently as I stared into the reflection of the weapon. With my eyes I traced the lines of the Konoha symbol in the reflection from the headband around my neck.
"What are your dreams Shishi?"
"Why do you ask Amaya?"
I continued to pull the flowers from the ground around me. I love spring time, the animals that ran around, the warm breeze that blew, and the flowers that grew.
"It's fun to know people's dreams. Cause sometimes you can help them make them true! I want your dream to come true Shishi!"
He looked up into the sky, his hair blew in the wind, the sunlight dancing on his fair skin and sparkled his dark coal eyes. I smiled brightly at the man before me.
"Well Amaya. My dream is for peace. Like so many other ninjas, and with that peace, I want to see you at the top. My daughter. Uchiha Amaya, Hokage. I want to see you live your dream, and to see you bring the peace the world needs. Only you could do such a magnificent thing."
He stroked my cheek with the back of his finger. My large smile still on my face.
"Your mother would be so proud of you."
"I'll bring peace to the world, so everyone gets their happy ending! Uchiha Amaya! Hokage! Ruler of the world! The bringer of peace!"
I jumped up and began to dance around. I threw the flowers around me and in the air. My father laughed at my ridiculous outburst. It was nice to hear him laugh.
"Don't worry mommy. I'll make everyone's dream come true!"
I broke apart from the memory in my head. Is it even worth it anymore? My dream was to make my father's come true, but he's gone, what dreams do I have left to make true? I have no guide, to keep me on track when I zoned out. I watched as Naruto fell to the ground once again, he hissed and groaned in pain. Seeing how easily people just fall apart, seeing how easily people can fail in the world. Is humanity worth saving? With all this evil in the world. Even my idol Uchiha Madara fell down the deep end. Helping slaughter his clan that pitted against him. There are always people that will stop at nothing to destroy anything...
"Shishi, what do I do now?"
How can I just move on? I wonder if there is a place to go when you die. I wonder if he found mother, and they finally get their happy ending? So many questions... I jumped down from the tree and began to walk around. I don't know where, but I needed to walk. I let everything in my mind vanish and I just hummed a melody in my head. I walked in a daze, a lifeless roaming of the area around me. I sighed. I just need to get back home and back to my old routine. Sleep and train. I was doing good for the past 3 years.
I sat at the kitchen table once again; it was getting to be such a routine. Naruto and Sasuke were still gone, still training. I finished that thought and the door opened, showing the two boys dirty and beat up as ever.
"What's with you two? You look dirty and tired." Naruto lifted his head to look at the old man.
"We both climbed to the top."
"Okay. Naruto, Sasuke..., you two guard Tazuna next time as well."
Naruto shouted and cheered, causing the two to fall over. I chuckled at the clowns.
"You baka." We all then began to laugh and dinner was served.
"The bridge is almost complete. It's all thanks to you, but don't push yourselves so much. I wanted to ask you this before, but why are you still here even when I lied about the request details?"
"Not doing right when you know it is right is the coward's way. There are no weak soldiers under a valiant commander. They're the teachings of the previous Hokage."
I looked over to see tears on the table. Inari was crying.
"Why?"
Naruto looked up at the questioning boy.
"Why are you trying so hard that you end up like that?! You can't beat Gato's men even if you train! No matter how hard you train, and say those good looking words. Weak people are going to lose against strong people!"
"Shut up. I'm different from you."
"Shut up! It pisses me off when I watch you! You don't know anything about this country, and you're so nosey! I'm different from you, someone who doesn't know any real pain, who just sits and laugh all the time!"
I looked at Naruto. There was a look in his eyes.
"Is that why you're pretending to play the main character of a tragedy and just cry? A baka like you can just keep crying. You crybaby!" We all stared stunned at what just happened. I knew what Naruto was saying. I'd never know what he truly felt, but I know the feeling. The loneliness. The pain and hate, the anger and grief. ...just sits there and laughs all the time! It's true, I don't think I've ever seen Naruto really cry or let things get him down. Just the once, after the exams. I never did find out how he got his headband. Maybe Naruto was right. I pushed myself away after Naruto left. I walked to my room and just laid in my blankets. Tomorrow I have to start fresh. Maybe I'll make progress with something. But, when I get home, I'm still quitting this ninja junk.
We woke up, washed, dressed, had a quick breakfast and were walking out the door. Everyone was feeling better except Naruto who was left sleeping. I stood in the doorway watching Naruto sleep while the others finished readying. Creepy yes, but what did I care? He was sprawled out, the blanket wrapped around one leg and somehow now underneath him. He wore a cute little dog like sleeping cap. He kept padding with fishnet on under his light blue pyjamas. I smiled at the blond, he was adorable when he slept. He was surprisingly quiet, only having a light snore. Sasuke came up behind me.
"We're leaving."
"I'll catch up."
He nodded and hesitated leaving for a moment. Uzumaki Naruto, the boy who has nothing, yet he has something no one could ever understand. You fascinate me to no end. If only people knew the real you.
"Please take care of Naruto." I heard Kakashi-sensei talk to Tsunami as they left with Tazuna-san.
"He used his body to the max, so I think he won't be able to move for today."
"Kakashi-san, is your body feeling better now?"
"Heh, yes, somehow."
"Bye!" I sighed and pushed myself off the door frame heading out the door. I passed Tsunami on my way out.
"Amaya-san, are you feeling well?"
"Yes, I'm fine, thank you."
She smiled sweetly at me.
"Don't hesitate to ask for help. You're still just a kid."
I smiled as I put up my hood. I nodded and put up a seal, quickly vanishing in a mist. I reappeared at the bridge; everyone that was working on it was sprawled out on the ground. I checked their pulses. A couple just barely had one.
"What the hell happened here?" I whispered to myself.
"What is this?!" I turned my head to see Tazuna-san, Kakashi-sensei, and Sasuke standing behind me. Tazuna-san looked horrified.
"What's wrong? What happened?!"
"I have a bad feeling Kakashi-sensei..."
A thick fog soon covered the bridge area. My blood began to run cold. I was scared.
"This mist... Sasuke, Amaya, he's coming!" We jumped in a triangular formation around Tazuna-san. We pulled out our weapons and prepared for the worst, at least I was preparing for the worst. The mist was so thick I couldn't believe it.
"Mist Concealment technique right?"
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Kakashi. And you're still carrying those kids. He's shaking again, how pitiful."
I took a peek back to see Sasuke's hand trembling. Zabuza clones now surrounded us all.
"Heh, shaking with excitement."
"Go for it Sasuke."
Zabuza charged and in an instant all the clones were then slaughtered. He did so amazing. I was impressed.
"He can defeat the water clones. That kid got stronger. A rival has appeared for you, Haku."
"It seems like it"
We faced the two enemies across from us. Zabuza has changed his outfit. A black sleeveless shirt, black pants. His arm and leg warmers were now light purple with pin stripes along it. The small boy had the same outfit as before. His hair up with two long strands tied in the front. He has the white and red hunter-nin mask. He wore some kind of green clothing underneath that had a high collar, a blue kimono with white trim over top. It was some old fashioned outfit, but very nice looking.
"Oh my..., my prediction was right."
"Your prediction?"
"The masked guy..."
"Just as I thought too..."
Sasuke and I filled in our sensei's predictions.
"So it was a lie that he was a pursuing ninja from Kirigakure?" The old man seemed left behind.
"Who does he think he is dressing up like that?"
"I hate conceited kids like that..."
"He's better then you in that field Kakashi-sensei."
"Really?"
"I'll fight him." Sasuke claimed.
"No. I should, you'd be better to protect Tazuna-san." I glared at Sauake
"I will. He pulled that stupid act on us. I hate conceited guys like that."
"Hn. Hypocrite."
The smaller boy seemed to flicker out of sight. He was spinning, and soon enough he had a tornado forming around him. Blocking the boy kunai versus senbon needle. I held two shuriken in my hands, hidden beneath my sleeves. Sasuke's speed is increasing. His coordination was perfect. I knew exactly what was happening to him.
"Sasuke..."
"Amaya, stick with Tazuna-san, don't stray too far from me. We'll let Sasuke deal with him."
More attacks and blocks from the two boys. They were talking about something. I couldn't really hear them. But the thing that frightened me most was what the boy was able to do. He was preforming seals with only one hand. He finished chanted and splashed the water up with his foot. The water hovered around him and Sasuke. I had such an urge to jump in and help him. I had to. My eyes felt like they were spinning in anger. I inched forward. Kakashi-sensei, held his free hand out in front of me.
"Don't, he can handle this on his own."
Hundreds of needles of ice formed around Sasuke. All my muscles tingled. I can't sit and watch, I could never just sit and watch. The last time I did nothing... they died! I growled to myself as my Sharingan activated. I felt a hand on my shoulder, I peeked from the rim of my hood, and making sure my eyes were hidden at all times. Tazuna-san's hand was on my shoulder. I took a few deep breaths and nodded to the old man. Even he could sense the tension in my being.
I didn't like this situation at all. But, yet I was calm knowing Naruto was safe. For the time being. The needles shot down, the boy pushed himself away from Sasuke and a cloud of smoke formed from the impact. The smoke fell fast and Sasuke was gone. I looked all around just to spot him a few good feet in the air. He sent shuriken flying at the masked boy's feet. He flickered behind the boy as he jumped back. I began to smile. Sasuke was learning to be a Uchiha. A charge, a hidden weapon thrown, the boy ducked just to get kicked in the face by Sasuke.
"Heh." I chuckled.
"Haku lost in speed."
"Looks like my speeds better."
"You can't make fun of our team because we have children. Sasuke is the village of Konoha's top rookie. Amaya is the villages top smart ass. And the other one likes to show off and is number one in surprising people. He's the noisy ninja Naruto."
Once again, we stood on our own sides, I was feeling more confident now. A small smirk was on my face. Which was short lived when Haku stood up, a blue glow snaked off and around his body.
"It's a shame..."
He did a strange seal and a large block of ice formed behind Sasuke. For the slightest moment, I saw a man with armour and short black hair. I saw red and black eyes with dark lash like rims. I went to jump toward him, but was once again caught by Kakashi-sensei. I was pulled backward almost slipping on my butt. I quickly caught myself. I turned to snarl at Kakashi-sensei. I lost my own thoughts and mind, my eyes glowed in rage and the black dots in my eyes spun in chaos. I stared into Kakashi-sensei's eyes, he flinched back, frozen. After a few seconds I snapped out of my faze and my eyes went into the usual bright green colour. I just turned to see the man gone and Sasuke enclosed with a dozen or more ice blocks around him. I didn't know what to do; I've never seen anything like this. I began to hesitate. The boy walked into one of the large blocks of ice. His reflection was now in them all. Kakashi-sensei snapped out of his daze. I wasn't even aware that I was the one to daze him.
"Dammit..."
Kakashi-sensei noticed what was going on and he ran toward them. Zabuza flickered in front of him, blocking the path.
"I'm your opponent remember? He's a goner now that Haku has used that technique."
I heard screams from inside the dome. My mind was losing focus.
"Sasuke!"
"If you move without thinking, I'll kill the two behind you."
I shifted my eyes to the older man standing before Kakashi-sensei.
"Tsh... Try it! I'll tear you to shreds Zabuza!"
I heard more cries from behind the ice. I looked in and my throat chocked up. Sasuke was laying on the ground, blood pooling from everywhere. His clothes were shredded.
"Tazuna-san... I'll be right back." I pulled a kunai from my back pouch and jumped into the air, I tossed the weapon to Sasuke.
"Sasuke! Catch!"
He sat up, his arm ready to catch it. In a blink, Haku was leaning out and caught the weapon in mid-air.
"Damn!"
He faced Sasuke and I growled. I saw a flash of light and a shuriken flew hitting Haku right in the face. He fell out of his mirror and a poof of smoke appeared. Naruto stood there in all glory.
"The noisy ninja that's number one in surprising people... Uzumaki Naruto is here!" I sighed. With that much surprise he could have taken out Haku totally and maybe even distract Zabuza long enough for Kakashi-sensei to get advantage. But NOOOO... He had to have a big, showy entrance. I small smile pushed itself on my lips, I couldn't help but be glad we had another one on our side. Even if he was a dunce.