And what do you know, here's Chapter Seven!
And to let you know…School SUCKS! ARRGGHH! I've got three essays due in Physics, English, and History all due by Tuesday and that means NO computer time for me! This late update is because of my responsibilities to the living hell known as…education! DAMN YOU!
I hope some of you are happy, because there are less descriptive paragraphs and more action and dialogue. This chapter is VERY important because…
Kakashi is in this one! Finally!
Now remember that this is WAY before the series even starts, and I think that I've got all the early facts straight. Like the ages of the Uchiha brothers when the massacre begins. Also, our beloved scarecrow is ANBU still, and Obito has died. Poor Obito! Don't you just love the guy?
Right…moving on…
As you can probably tell, many items in this story are like the Original Naruto series and there is a reason for that! The skills and lessons that Amaya learns are passed on to the next generation so that they show up later.
Example: Naruto's "Believe it!" as well as his dream to become Hokage.
Now, this one is kind of important (not really), but I wanted to add it to make sure that you might have caught it, and if you did, Congratulations! You got a COOKIE!
Here it is…did you notice that I put Amaya's hair style into twin tresses? Pigtails? YES! If you haven't caught on, then let me explain…SEXY NO JUTSU! Yup! That is where he came up with the idea to some parts of the female umm…anatomy. Oh, and for future reference, Naruto had accidentally walked in on her while Amaya was in the shower…I just had to add this because it just came to me as to why I did that!
Okay, now I know that I usually put in a couple of paragraphs that get you thinking, but this chapter would be WAY too lengthy if I did that, so I'll just skip it for now. Get ready for a LONG chapter as an apology for not updating.
Disclaimer- …nope…still not mine…
Quote- "Behind this smile is everything you'll never understand." (Doesn't this remind you of Naruto?)
OKAY, ENOUGH WITH ALL THE SAD, DREARY STUFF! LET THE HUMOR COME INTO PLAY!
Chapter Seven
"I'm a Woman Dammit!"
This man just had to be the most infuriating being on the entire planet! As soon as Amaya had walked through the doors with a smile on her face, this-this asshole decided to ruin her day! Her visit to the Hokage was very important, and no matter how many times she played the nice, shy girl with her polite questions, the guy completely ignored her! The directions that she had to follow to get here came from a four year old and required a lot of translation and turnabouts to find this place. It was hard enough without him giving her a hard time about this!
After her little ball of sunshine had pointed out a restaurant that he liked, a place called Ichiraku that had to have the best Ramen anywhere in this country, she had to leave. Amaya had paid for their meal with the last of her money that she had collected from her odd jobs, but not for a second did she regret spending it on Naruto. If she could have, Ice-cream would have been their special treat for the day, but the girl simply couldn't afford it. After today, however, it wouldn't matter. The boy and she would part ways, and that brilliant smile which she automatically responded with one of her own, would be missed desperately.
He was a blessing in disguise, and Amaya was shamed that other people couldn't see it. Yes, she had noticed the glares and the hateful stares that could only be directed at her munchkin. Her existence here was practically unknown and when she had passed by alone, all she got were polite nods, and maybe a wave of greeting from the working civilians. When her eyes settled on the small child, all she saw was pure innocence and a will to survive that surpassed all others. Always he was there to brighten up anyone's day with just a grin. Amaya's favorite part about him was his sparkling, sapphire orbs that twinkled with delight at every little thing. There was no danger surrounding this boy. Nothing about him could draw such animosity from the villagers.
The two of them had parted with bone-crushing hugs and a delicate kiss had been given to Naruto right on top of his mass of golden spikes that tickled her nose. Almost immediately after that, a beautiful blush had flooded his cheeks, and adding to his growing embarrassment, she laughed. Not since Hoshi's death had mindless giggles escaped her with ease. Knowing the little boy for only a few hours, he had already claimed a piece of her heart that Amaya was sure that Naruto could keep. Nothing could replace the moment when two arms wrapped around her thighs in a goodbye. The tears that the girl had promised to get rid of, returned, but they didn't fall from his eyes, but from her own. How could she abandon him when Hoshi had found in his heart to look after her?
"I'm sorry, Miss…"
She sighed for what seemed to be the hundredth time in the past couple of minutes, "Amaya. Nashitaka, Amaya for the third time." She held up three fingers, flinging them around furiously in his face.
The secretary waved his hand absently, "Right, right, but again I apologize. The Hokage is very busy at the moment and cannot be bothered. I suggest that you come back later to set up an appointment, or leave your mission scroll with me. "
She couldn't take it anymore and any patience that she might have had, vanished as if it had never existed. With a snarl, Amaya reached across the desk separating her from her victim and snatched up the collar of his shirt with clenching fists. She brought him inches from her face and spoke in a deadly, calm tone. "Look here. I am NOT going to come back later to see the Hokage. I don't give a damn if he's busy right now. I've come a long way and the news that I have to give him cannot wait any longer." Amaya paused to let this settle in the secretary's thick skull before narrowing her eyes in a death glare that could have frozen the man's nose off.
"So, here's what you're going to do for me. You are going to get off your lazy ass and actually do something!" At this time, she had to shake the man senseless to get her point across.
With one last shake, Amaya let him go which sent him flying into his chair and toppling onto the floor below. Papers flew everywhere from the sudden wind created by the force which she used. Random people around her gave the girl curious looks, but as she turned around to yell at them as well, everyone returned to their work as if this was a regular occurrence. She desperately hoped that it wasn't because a shred of pity for the secretary was beginning to form. If any person was like her, then this guy would not last long.
Calmly he stood up, wiping off imaginary dust that must have gathered on his clothes, before fixing his slicked black hair and righting his wire frame glasses that dangled dangerously off his nose. Amaya just stood there with her arms crossed over her chest as to keep herself from throttling the guy within an inch of his life. It didn't make a good impression to be strangling the Hokage's secretary, but no matter how tempting it was, she had to control herself.
"Control yourself Miss…"
"Amaya," she growled out with her teeth clenched. How the hell could he have forgotten after giving it to him four times now?
"Now, I don't know who you think you are, but…"
"I'm A Pissed Off Woman Dammit! That's who I am! Now let me in to see the Hokage or I'll…"
A shiver passed through Amaya's body as a presence came in from behind her. The threat that she was going to make, died on her lips as her senses took in the aura that blinded her "third eye". There was something different about him. Something intriguing. However, her evaluation only took less than a second and the guy scared the living crap out of her. So her reflexes took over. There was no telling where this instinct to inflict bodily harm, but it sure as hell developed more when Hoshi decided to set up surprise ambushes for his "favorite student." Before Amaya could stop herself, her mind ordered her fist to lift up and hit the attacker right in the face.
He expected that.
Her left fist was caught gently in a gloved hand and long, elongated fingers wrapped lovingly around her wrist in an iron grip. To say that didn't startle her was an understatement, but that didn't mean that she had to show it. Instantly, her eyes scanned everything about this stranger and she absentmindedly noticed that his mask resembled an animal. A dog to be exact. The red lines accented the whisker marks, but the eyeholes were too narrow to discern eye color. His silver hair made Amaya raise an onyx eyebrow and a tattoo of the symbol of the leaf was imprinted on his right arm that lay bare except for an armor like covering. At his side, her stormy orbs caught the distinct feature of a sword handle. The black sheath curved a bit to the side and appeared narrow. If she could take a guess, it would have to be a Katana. And just by sensing him, she could tell that he did indeed have the skill to wield the deadly weapon.
She didn't trust him. His mask covered all of his face and her eyes couldn't meet his own to see inside of him. He seemed to be hiding. Until this man proved to be trustworthy and dependable, Amaya didn't like him. But his body language was not threatening; it appeared to be relaxed so she wasn't in immediate danger. Just who was this masked man?
Just as she was examining him, the stranger did as well, but only a quick scan to check if the girl was here to cause harm. The ANBU noticed the flustered secretary and silently chuckled as he gave credit to this mystery Kunoichi. He would have remembered her if he had seen her before. Just something about her, intrigued him. By the state of her clothes, she indeed had seen a recent battle and the injuries to prove it.
Behind the safety of his mask, the ninja allowed his emotions to show. Narrowed eyes glared at the yellow fingers that marred the girl's neck like a brand. It encompassed her throat. To cause bruising as severe as that required a huge amount of force and pressure combined. A feeling of anger rose up inside of him at the dishonorable action that her enemy took to subdue her. He hoped that her unlucky opponent did indeed pay.
"Umm, I apologize for trying to smash your face in, but the feeling in my hand needs to be returned in order for it to function properly."
Shaking his head slightly erasing the protective thoughts that ran through his mind, the ANBU released the Kunoichi's hand and gave her an apologetic smile even though he knew that she couldn't see it. He had let his emotions get the better of him. She shouldn't have had to tell him to let go. He was a shinobi; emotions didn't exist in his line of work. It could get him killed. That kind of mistake was fatal and too many good ninjas had died because of that one slip up.
When her hand had been returned to her, Amaya absently rubbed it with her right fingers to return the blood flow that had been cut off from this guy's strong grip. The mask hid any sort of expression on his face, but when his head gave her a gentle nod, he was forgiven.
"I should be the one apologizing, my fair lady."
What the hell! What did he just call me?
"I am at fault for scaring you, angel. I did not realize that you were the jumpy sort."
Just who the hell was he? Was he asking her to pop him one in the jaw? How dare he insult her and jump to the conclusion that he had frightened her! She was just startled, that was all!
"Look here," she growled. "I don't know what you're trying to pull, but I'll tell you that it's annoying the hell out of me."
"I don't know what you mean, princess."
"Stop giving me names!"
The ANBU's head cocked to the side and Amaya could just imagine the smirk that had to be growing on his face. It only added to her growing frustration. What is with men giving women migraines?
"Ah, but your beauty cannot be described with mere mortal words. It seems that I have not found the right one quite yet."
Her eyes swept over her body, scanning every detail. The Jounin vest, Hoshi's, had numerous kunai scratches and the fading marks of blood that Amaya had tried her best to wash out in a river where she last bathed. That had been a day and a half ago. Her appearance couldn't be all that much to look at. Hair matted with grease and tangled had only been calmed with the twin ties. She was sure that smudges of dirt as well as yellowing bruises that had been given to her days before littered her face. There was nothing special about her. All she had in this life was what she carried on her back. She had nothing. She had nobody.
"What the hell," she whispered to herself and gave this guy an incredulous stare. "You don't even know my name!"
"Well, isn't it common courtesy to present it on the first meeting?"
She crossed her arms and smirked at the infuriating ninja, absently keeping an eye on the grumbling secretary who was picking up his blown paperwork. There was a long hallway to the right of her with kanji lettering on a door further down. At times, bustling men and women would be coming in and out with piles of scrolls, some blank and some filled. That was her destination and her final stop before leaving this village. That had to be it!
"Well, I was never taught manners. It wasn't really near the top of the to-do list. Besides," fingers positioned themselves in a single sign, "I don't like you."
A smoke cloud filled the entryway and concealed her escape. It easily blind- sighted the secretary, but the ANBU knew exactly where she was going and chuckled before walking calmly out. Maybe his relief of his duties for a couple of days wouldn't be so bad if he found that Kunoichi to annoy. She made it too easy. His steps halted in the road and mentally hit himself. He hadn't gotten her name.
(Back to Amaya)
There she silently stood, her hand poised above the sliding screen, inches away from the handle to open it. Muffled voices slipped through the door, but they reached unhearing ears. Her still shadow cast itself upon the white paper screen. Going inside meant reliving that horrid day. All she wanted was to forget. It has happened once before, why couldn't it do it again? She would have to tell the Hokage of her own failure and inability to save the most important person in her life. She had gotten him killed. Speed…she wasn't fast enough. Strength…she wasn't strong enough.
But if Amaya went past her fears and stepped inside the room, Hoshi would be able to have a proper burial. He would be remembered and his deeds acknowledged among his peers. If he had any family left, they would know what a hero he had been. But that meant giving up all his possessions. Her grip tightened on the faded, brown strap that cut into her shoulder. She would have nothing to remember him by.
Except for his loving smile that lived on in her memory.
There was no other choice. This was the right thing to do. It may not be the easiest path to take and certainly not the painless, but if there was a choice from right and wrong, you could only go down the road less traveled.
A cold blast of air filled her lungs and her scarred, pale fingers gently touched the varnished wood as she exhaled. Silently, Amaya pushed it aside and took her first glimpse into the room. There were no lavish decorations that depicted the power of the strongest ninja in the village. Nothing gave anything away that the most influential man stayed in this room. It almost appeared normal. For a moment the girl thought that her notions were wrong and prepared to leave, but when her storm blue eyes caught an old man gazing into a crystal ball, she knew that she couldn't leave.
Her feet became frozen on the wooden floor, her fingers still curled on the catch of the door, as her senses took in everything about him. At first glance, there was nothing special about this old man, but Hoshi had taught her to never underestimate her opponent. Age wasn't a factor in power, her sensai had proven that. Hoshi could still kick her ass even though he might have been in his forties. The symbol of his rank stood out on the Hokage's white and red robes. A thin smoke trail, slithered out from a pipe that moved from side to side in his mouth as his teeth clenched at something that he was gazing at.
There was nothing to be frightened of, yet her body refused to move. Her brain ceased to send signals to her locked legs and she was sure that her heart pounded loud enough for anyone to hear.
Stop it; she told herself, this is ridiculous! There is nothing to be scared of! You cannot let that jerk be right about you! If I can't even stand up to an old man, then what will happen when I face Orochimaru once more? Move Dammit!
"Yes, child? How can I help you?"
The sudden words in the silent room startled Amaya and nearly caused her to trip over her feet. Her grip on the screen loosened and it closed with a snap as she hastily bowed to the Hokage.
"Don't worry about that," he said with a chuckle.
A blush filled her pale cheeks, but straightened up at his command. Her eyes locked with his for a mere second before she concentrated on a random object on his cluttered desk.
"I-I come bearing bad news, Hokage-sama."
"…I see." The old man heaved a sigh. "Come, come, sit down," he said while gesturing at a chair that was placed at the side.
Amaya simply shook her head and took a few more steps farther into the room before planting her sandal clad feet firmly on the floor. Her story would be told.
"Alright then, what is your name and rank?"
There would be no lies.
"I have no name, Hokage-sama. I had woken up with no recollection of who I was or anything else. Though, only recently was I named by a man who came from your village. He was Hoshi Nashitaka, Jounin of Konoha, a man whom I was proud to call father. And I am Amaya."
"…You said was."
She had hoped that he would catch that. To say that he had died was to say goodbye. She wasn't ready. It wasn't time.
"What has happened on your journey to make you end up here in Konoha, alone?"
Silently, Amaya brought her arms up and untied the hitai-ate of the leaf and clenched it in her hand as she unzipped the borrowed vest. With loving care, she folded it simply and placed the metal headband on top and put it on the Hokage's desk. The pack that had rubbed her shoulder raw slipped off and plopped down with the rest of the items.
"I will tell you my story, but maybe this will explain the parts that I cannot."
Within the folds of the Jounin vest, Amaya withdrew a crinkled letter with Hokage scrawled hastily on the front. It bulged with its contents and small droplets of blood dotted the upper right corner. The seal remained unbroken and when the envelope was passed over, Amaya began her story.
(The Letter Is Important! I know that you may be confused on some parts, but if you have any questions, I will be sure to answer them. I'm reeeeaaaalllllyyy sorry for the late update, but as I said before, school is a living hell!)
Next update coming very soon…I hope…
