*2013 update*

"Ahh! I love the spring tiiime! It's so pretty!"

I danced around the woods as I held the ever growing bouquet of flowers in my hands. I was teaching myself of the plants of the woods, my father would bring me books to study, and I had to go experience them on my own. I saw a bird in a tree just off in the distance. He was bright red, it had a black beak. It reminded me of my clan.

"Hey lil' birdy! You're so pretty too!"

I was still young, maybe around the age of 4.

"You remind me of my Shishi's eyes! Dey're red and black and pretty too!"

The bird sang his sound and flapped his wings. I giggled at the sound and sat on the ground. I picked up a bug, killing it, letting the body lay in my hand. I held it out to the bird.

"Birdies eat bugs right? Are you hungry pretty Shagan birdie?"

My pronunciation wasn't the best for big words like that. The bird turned his head from one side to the other. Weary of whether or not to take the bug.

"Come on birdie. I won't hurt you." I turned my head and smiled to the bird. It flapped his wings and landed off the branch, still a ways away from me. I shifted on my knees and pushed my hand out further. The bird jumped back but then hopped a little closer than before. Soon enough the bird pecked the small bug out of my hand and turned his head up to swallow it.

"Animals, they are very smart, they can sense the innocence of a being. They know when to run away."

With that the bird flew off in a hurry, singing as he did so. I curled my knees to my chest and tried to hide behind myself from the mysterious voice.

"Who-Who are y-you?" I could see the figure in the shadows, I could see the ANBU outfit outline. I saw pictures of them in some of the books Shishi bought me. I couldn't read them, but I looked at the pictures. He stepped out into the sunlight. His black hair tied back into a pony tail. His eyes looked old, but he looked so young. I could see the weapon on his back, it caused me to shuffle back a bit.

"What do, do you want?"

"I was just curious to why such a young girl was wondering out in the woods by herself." I continued to hide behind my knees and hiding my eyes with my bangs.

"Shishi said our woods are safe, and dat he will protect me! He told me so! I'm trying to be a great ninja! I'm training my brain!" I pointed to my head in determination, my eyes narrowing at the stranger. He tilted his head to the side and smiled at me. A loving smile, like one would give to their loved one. It was like Shishi after he laughed at my jokes. I couldn't help but smile back at the man. I stood up, my hands behind my back, my knees together.

"Wanna help me find a flower? I don't know where dey grow." I frowned looking at the ground. "I couldn't read de book, I jus saw de picture. It's a light blue flower with dis many petals!" I held up my hand showing the number 5. "It's really cute and has a small yellow bulb! Shishi told me dat's where the seed is! I want to grow my own. Can you pretty please help me!?"

He looked down at me as I had inched my way closer to the man. He had a funny look in his eyes. A small smile twitched on the side of his mouth.

"Sit here, alright?"

I nodded my head with so much force I could give myself whiplash. I dropped my butt on the ground and smiled at him. My eyes closed in their own smiley ways. I opened them and found that the man was gone. I gasped and turned around, nowhere. I frowned but I kept my ground and stayed exactly where I was told. After a couple minutes I got bored and began picking at the grass around me. I soon enough had a large pile of grass in front of me. I decided I would make a little hut, which was not very sturdy. It fell very quickly after I put it up. I sighed and fell on my back to look up at the sky. It was very blue, no clouds in the sky. I began to hum a song I used to hear Shishi hum all the time. He said it was my mothers favourite song. I can't remember the name of it though, which saddened me. I began to frown at myself. A bouquet of blue flowers soon blocked my view. I blinked a few times before the man's face leaned over looking down at me. I jumped up and cheered.

"You found dem! You found dem! You're so cool mystery man!"

He chuckled a light laugh and handed me the flowers. My smile was from ear to ear.

"There called Forget-Me-Not. It's a very nice flower."

"Ahhh... It's so much prettier dan in the picture!"

"You can find them in sunny fields in the spring time." I grabbed the flowers from the man and danced around in circles holding them in the air.

"So mystery man, what's your name?"

"Itachi."

"Well Ii-tah-chi. I'm Amaya. It's nice to meet you!"

His name stumbled on my tongue, I held out my hand, he took it and shook it. I giggled at the man. I looked at the bundle of flowers in my hand and looked back at the dark eyed man in front of me. I picked one out and set the others on the ground beside me. I stepped on my tippy toes and pulled on the man's vest. He leaned over a bit and I put the flower in his vest pocket.

"Now you won't forget me! Deh flower is a Forget-Me-Not right?!"

He smiled at me and nodded. My green eyes sparkled in the sunlight as I looked up to the man. Itachi, what a pretty name.

"You should get home now. It can be dangerous in the woods."

"I guess so! I have my flowers now! Thank you so much Ii-tah-cheee-nii-san!" I pronounced his name with emphasis. It sounded happier that way. I took off running, waving back at the coal eyed man. The dorky smile on my face still. I looked at the large handful of flowers in my hand. Shishi will be so proud of me!

I blinked my eyes open. It was dream, or a memory. Can memories be dreams? I rolled over, pulling the pillow from my head and gripping it around my arms. Ever since that day Forget-Me-Nots were my favourite flowers. I could feel myself crumbling a little. Why does the world turn out this way? There are so many things I want to say to you. The good the bad, the downright ridiculous. I never thought I could hate something in the world. Now, I find it hard not to hate things in the world. Can I really make a difference when I myself can get tainted so easily?

"Shishi... What should I do?"

I've seemed to be asking that a lot lately. I suppose it's nice knowing if he's listening and watching over me though.

"So you're awake?"

"WAHH!"

I jumped up, using the pillow as some sort of shield. I saw a silver haired man with a smile on his eyes. I threw the pillow hitting the man in the head.

"Baka-sensei!"

He just laughed.

"What are you doing here?"

"I thought I'd come see you before I went to check on Sasuke. You missed all the fun Amaya-chan."

"Damn! How did Naruto do!? I promised him I'd come see his match! Maaannn!"

"Heh, he went up against Kiba. It was very close, but of course Naruto pulled through. He is after all the number one ninja in surprising people."

"Ahhah! That's my Naruto!"

Silence took over us.

"Kakashi-sensei, I don't know what to do..."

"Hm?"

"Eh, it's nothing."

"I'm sorry Amaya-chan, but I have to go. I'm sure Naruto will be in soon. The matches are over. The Third Exam isn't until a month from now."

I nodded and left. I laid myself back down, putting my pillow back behind my head. I closed my eyes and slipped back to sleep.

I heard mumbling and I began to toss and turn. The rumbling continued. I peeked open and eye to see Naruto, sitting there with his arms crossed and sulking.

"What's your problem now Uzumaki?"

He sprang up and a smile instantly covered his cheeky face.

"Amaya-chan! How are you feeling?!"

"I'm doing a lot better thanks. I heard about your victory against Kiba."

"Yeah! He was nothing! I kicked his ass!"

He was up cheering around now. I smiled and shook my head.

"Urgh! Stupid Kakashi-sensei is training Sasuke for the Chuunin Exam and not me! He left me with the stupid closet pervert!"

"The guy with the funny glasses and was Konohamaru's sensei?"

"Yeah! I'm supposed to be running away so he'll talk with Kakashi-sensei to train me! I figured he's weak so I could stop by to visit my favourite teammate!"

He began to pout once again.

"He just did that because Sasuke needs more training than you. He can't just pick favourites of the strongest team member. Than you and Sasuke would never get any attention. But thanks for that, you're a sweet heart."

I winked at the blond. He laughed and smiled once again.

"You're right! I am the strongest! I'll be Hokage in no time!"

My face dropped.

"I meant more as in I was the strongest!"

"Haha! Yeah, you are amazing Amaya-chan!"

"So do you know who you're up against in the Third Exam?"

"Yeah..." His tone dropped in anger. "Hyuuga Neji."

"What's with the dark tone?"

"His stupid idea that a dropout is nothing and that destiny is set and you cannot change it! I wanna knock some sense into that guy! Plus he hurt Hinata!"

"The Hyuuga's fought each other? These guys planned this..."

"What?"

A poof of smoke appeared and Ebisu-sensei stood there his arm crossed the other pushing up his glasses.

"Naruto-kun, you don't have time to sit and chat. The blonde shouted and jumped on my bed to dive out the window. I sat there wide eyed at the scene that just played out.

"I apologize. Please forgive our evasion and rude behaviour. You're a part of Kakashi-sensei's team right?"

"Mmhm, Ameki Amaya."

"It's a pleasure to meet you. If you want you can join Naruto in our training."

"What if Naruto wins this bet?"

"I'm an elite teacher. There is no way he will beat me."

I chuckled and nodded, I waved at the man as he poofed out of the room. I stretched, I guess I should be getting out of here soon enough. As if on cue a nurse walked in with a check board.

"One last check and you're free to go Amaya-san."

I smiled at the nurse. "Good."

I was walking around town, trying to think of what I should eat first. Maybe Ramen? Nah, not the same without Naruto, I sighed and just picked up a few dangos at my favorite stand. They were always so delicious, but today, they were a little dry, but nothing I couldn't handle. I should get some training in soon. If I let them do all the training I'll fall behind for sure! But for now, I'ma relax, ponder over my own thoughts. Which seemed to linger over coal eyes and a blue flower. I shook my head to erase the images; I heard yelling and hollering around town. I looked up to see Naruto and Ebisu running around. They really are just playing tag over this? I laughed as I put my hands behind my head and began walking home. I should get some food then early bed time. I'm gonna get up early and start training. I believe jutsu training is needed. I should come up with my own technique.

I stood in the training room focusing my chakra. I needed to get the feel for Kakashi-sensei's Decapitating Jutsu. I need to find a way to accomplish it in and out of the ground. I glared at the dummy that stood in the middle of the field. I put my first idea to the test.