Hello, this is my first fic so I hope all of you would help me with the fic. Especially since English isn't my daily language. I do not own Naruto or anything related to it. I only own my original characters and my story. Thanks.

Thank you for Y. Mitsuki for the cookies (I like chocolate chips, do you make one?), Kohaku-san (I'll keep that in mind), Rhythmic (It seems you love Ayame as much as I do), Chibi-NarutoKawaii, YamiMitsu, and Mishibara Kari who reminded me to update. Sorry for the late update, have some problem. Read and review!

Ayame

Moment of Understanding

It had been two days since team 4 first C-class mission, the children were given day off for several days. Ayame pretty enjoyed it since she was given some time alone without her teammates. Even though how much Ayame loved being around her team, she sometimes was tired from all of the commotion that was caused by her teammates. It was a nice break. Today she decided to look for medical herbs in the forest. She prepared everything she needed, which included a small basket to carry the herbs and books to help her choosing the right herbs. She had told Sarutobi her plans for today so he wouldn't need to worry about her. When everything was ready, she left to the forest before locking the doors and windows for safety precaution, not as if anyone dared to break in to Hokage's house. She wore more casual clothes instead of her ordinary kimono-like shirt and beige pants. She wore short sleeved shirt and baggy pants that was concealed as a skirt. Ayame was still an ordinary girl despite her abilities, sometimes she wanted to get out from shinobi routine. So there she was, strolling happily on the streets and walked on a small dirt path further to the forest.

Ayame didn't have difficulties along her search for herbs since she had known the forest pretty well. She took long time to make sure if the herbs she picked were right because there were certain herbs that looked alike with poisonous herbs. She had once mistaken herb with another, making the ointment she made only making the skin itch. Luckily, she hadn't tried it to anybody, though she kept the ointment for April fool. She was getting deeper to the forest when she thought she heard a whizzing sound, like a kunai had been hurled. Probably her mind was just playing tricks to her, so she decided to ignore it. For a while, there was only silence until another noise could be heard. This time it were sounds of cracking woods or branch, she couldn't really tell and the noises weren't about to stop. Curiosity was taking her better, she decided to check the source of the noises. The noises came from her left, she approached carefully without making much noise. She felt she was close to the source, just behind the bushes. She peeked through the bushes to see someone's back. She saw a familiar figure, his long black hair was tied and at the back of his clothes was an image of a fan. Without long assessment Ayame had figured out it was Itachi, her teammate. He was training his taijutsu with the help of the battered training log, thanks to all the strength he put. It seemed Ayame had crossed the Uchiha training compound. Somehow she was reminded of the same situation she had before, back then it was Shinji and now, Itachi. It was as if fate was playing with her, or a certain writer who ran out of ideas. (A/n: that's me! XDD) But she was interested the fact that Itachi was still training even during his day off, it seemed he didn't gain the title Uchiha prodigy and number one rookie just because he was talented like most people thought, she smiled. She was about to leave Itachi and his training when she heard a whizzing sound toward her. Out of reflex, Ayame managed to ducked, the kunai barely missing her few inches. That was close, Ayame thought. She didn't see Itachi turned, it seemed as if he had eyes on his back.

"Who is there?" Ayame could hear the bushes shifted, she had been discovered. Letting out a sigh, she turned herself to face Itachi.

"Hi," she said sheepishly. Itachi merely raised his eyebrow in recognition.

"Ayame?"

"I'm sorry if I disturb your training. I don't know that Uchiha training compound is here, I just happen to be here," Ayame explained before Itachi asked.

"I'm looking for medical herbs," she showed her basket that was filled by various herbs Itachi didn't know. Silence. Ayame felt the need to leave, but it would be rude to just leave after caught watching the Uchiha heir training and trespassing Uchiha compound. While Ayame was thinking for a good excuse, Itachi silently examined his teammate. She wasn't wearing her usual clothes, he noticed, instead she wore more casual clothes. She looked like an ordinary girl especially with the ribbon she wore on her hair, except the fact she was able to evade his kunai.

"Medical herbs? What for?" the question was unexpected.

"Well, to make some ointments in case for injuries, so I don't need to buy it. It's pretty effective"

"Why don't you meet your friends?"

"Huh?" that was unexpected from Itachi, but probably he just wanted to be friendly, so Ayame answered.

"I met them yesterday, today I just want to have some time for myself. How about you? Don't you meet with your friends too?" she asked in return, only to be greeted with silence. Ayame noticed the change in his face, so she quickly changed the topic.

"What is your plan for today?"

"…Training," he answered monotonously.

"All day long?" and Ayame received a slight nod that she accepted with a disbelief look. Even though she knew training was important for shinobi, but doing it even in day offs was too… excessive.

"My father is on a mission, my mother and brother went to visit some relatives. She'll stay for a night," he offered some explanation without expression.

"Then how do you eat?"

"My mother left some food, I'll just warm it up"

Ayame thought over it for a moment, an idea came up,

"Then why don't you come by to my house for a proper lunch, then you can train again or I can bring you some food. It's just an offer though," she added sheepishly,

"I usually have lunch by myself, I truly appreciate some company." Even though Ayame was smiling, Itachi noticed there was some hint of sadness in her eyes. Itachi didn't like it, it seemed Ayame had grown on him, on team 4. Especially she was about his brother, Sasuke's age, just two years older, when he thought of this, his gaze softened. Ayame was a little bit nervous, she didn't know what would Itachi said so she only stood there, her fingers playing with her shirt.

"I don't mind," when she heard his answer, she quickly raised her head to look at him, only to find he wasn't joking –as if Itachi could play jokes, she mentally scolded herself.

"Ah, really?" a smile appeared on her face.

"Unless you mind," he was relieved to see the sadness gone.

"No, not at all. Just promise me one thing. Don't tell anyone where I live." Itachi looked at her questioningly.

"You'll understand once you get to my house."

-o-O-o-

So, Uchiha Itachi ended following his teammate through the forest, sometimes jumping from one tree to another. He was pretty surprised that Ayame knew the forest well. A part of him was curious why she told him not to tell anyone where she lived and why they took path through the forest to reach her house. Itachi got his answer not long afterwards, as they arrived at their destination, his eyes widened in recognition. Sandaime's house.

Ayame didn't waste her time, she opened the door,

"Come on in." Itachi followed her inside to dining room and saw that his memory didn't fail him as he looked at the pictures on the table nearby. Pictures of Sandaime Hokage and his family, and there was a single picture that interested him, it was a picture with a smiling Ayame surrounded by people and Sandaime by her side, blowing a candle on a cake.

"It was taken when my fourth birthday," Ayame noticed Itachi was looking at the picture. "I'm going to prepare lunch," she pointed to the direction not far from dining room, the kitchen, Itachi figured.

"Make yourself comfortable," she smiled kindly to him and disappeared to the kitchen. Itachi chose to sit at the dining table for six people. He examined the surroundings, the house was pretty spacious, and the furnishings were simple and comfortable. He took a look on his hands that was covered in bandages and removed the bandages to see that some of the splinters managed to get under his skin. He had some of the splinters removed but the smaller ones couldn't be. Then a delicious smell came from the kitchen, Ayame appeared with a tray of food. "Sorry, I take long," she was about to put the foods on the table when she noticed Itachi's injuries.

"Oh, you're injured," she looked at him concernedly.

"Ah, it's nothing-" but Ayame had already moved and returned with first aid kit on her hands. She seated herself at the opposite of Itachi,

"May I?" she offered her hand. Itachi hesitantly let her examine his injured hands. Ayame took out a pair of tweezers, a bottle of antiseptic, a small jar of ointment, some bandages and some cotton. She took on of his hands and put it gently on her hand, which smaller than his hand.

Boys' hands are larger and rougher than girls… she thought, it was the first time she touched or even held a boy's hand. Being a naïve girl, she didn't think of anything else. Without wasting time, Ayame took out the splinters with the tweezers carefully and swiftly so Itachi barely felt anything.

Meanwhile, Itachi used the opportunity to examine the youngest member of his team. He noticed that she didn't act like most girls if they were in this situation. He wasn't oblivious that the girls swooned over him and how they blushed or giggled when they met him, which annoyed him though he didn't show it. He was relieved that he wasn't teamed with those noisy girls, instead he was teamed up with a rather silent Ayame. Ayame probably wasn't the best when it came to close combat, but she was certainly a reliable teammate. Her wide knowledge and sharp mind, her calmness in mission making her a good kunoichi. Especially her presence only in team 4, she was the one who brought them together. He couldn't imagine what team 4 would be without Ayame. He didn't hate Shinji, instead he was interested in the Nakayama. He was the only genin who was able to fight him equally. He wanted to befriend him but with all of his harsh words to him, it just made things more difficult. Even he wasn't a sociable person, he wanted to have some close friends. Friends that didn't look at him as the Uchiha Itachi, the heir of Uchiha clan, and the Uchiha prodigy. He glanced to Ayame who had finished taking out the splinters and cleaned the wound. He had found one.

"There," she looked at her handicraft, or Itachi's neatly bandaged hands,

"You'd better not push yourself too hard in training, Itachi-san"

"Itachi," suddenly he spoke making Ayame titled her head in wonder.

"You can call me Itachi, since we're teammates." She was surprised yet pleased, at last she was able to make friends with her teammate.

"Okay then, Itachi," she smiled to him happily,

"I must return this kit and warm the food, I hope you don't mind"

Itachi shook his head to tell her he didn't mind. So Itachi was left again by himself when he heard knockings on the door.

"I'll get it," he spoke loud enough to be heard by Ayame. He opened the door only to find a familiar dark green eyes looking at him.

"You!" it was Shinji.

-o-O-o-

For it seemed like an eternity, the two of them only stared –in Shinji's case, glared- each other. Shinji eyed Itachi suspiciously. Ayame who was in the kitchen wondered why it was very quiet, so she decided to check on the newcomer, only to see both of her teammates were locked in silent glaring.

"Shinji?" Ayame wasn't expecting Shinji.

"What is he doing here?" Shinji was pointing at Itachi whose calm face didn't falter.

"I invite him for lunch, is that a crime?" Ayame replied innocently.

"There are only two of you in the house," he added.

"Yes, and every time you visit, there are only two of us. What's the difference? Both of you are my teammate and you know whose house this is," Ayame remarked simply.

"That's…" Shinji couldn't return her words, for it was right. Every time he visited Ayame, there were only two of them, or sometimes three added with his brother, Shuichi. Itachi was suppressing a chuckle, when he saw Shinji was rendered speechless by Ayame.

Shinji added a mental note to himself,

You can't win against Ayame in debating.

"What brings you here, Shinji?" Ayame changed the topic smoothly.

"Oh, nee-san went on a mission, and I don't feel like eating outside"

"So, you want to have lunch here?" Ayame smiled, one of the reasons why Shinji visited her was food. Shinji's first visit –along with his brother, Shuichi- had made her conclude that Nakayamas had unusually large appetite, especially if the food was good. But since they were taijutsu specialist, the food didn't turn to fat like Akimichi clan who purposefully used it for their special jutsu.

"Yep!" Shinji momentarily forgot Itachi's presence with the thought of food.

"Okay then, I'll make more food enough for the three of us" –and one Nakayama appetite, she added to herself. She disappeared once again to the kitchen, leaving her teammates behind. Shinji ignored Itachi and seated himself at the dining table. Itachi seated himself right at the opposite of Shinji –to his disapproval. Ayame noticed the intensity between her teammates and silently prayed that they wouldn't kill each other.

Shinji rested his chin on his hand, trying not to look at Itachi. He couldn't help but to glare at the Uchiha, but he remembered what happened when he passed the border and he couldn't afford being scolded by a younger girl again. What would happen with his pride?

He glanced at the always calm and composed Uchiha, honestly Itachi wasn't that bad, he knew it. He was worth to be called Uchiha prodigy and number one rookie, even he admitted that, he'd seen it every time they sparred –more exactly, fought- but it made him realize how different they were. The Uchiha heir and the Nakayama youngest son. He couldn't look at him without feeling jealous and… pain. As soon as the thought appeared, he quickly dismissed it.

"…You know Ayame lives here all along?" surprisingly, Itachi initiated a conversation. Shinji merely twitched his eyebrow,

"My brother is an ANBU guard, that's how I know"

"Your brother is an ANBU?"

"So what!" Shinji narrowed his eyes in anger, "Since when you're interested in me, Uchiha?" He said to him sharply, ignoring completely the possibility that Itachi had good intentions. Itachi only stared at him, his face remained impassive.

"…Why do you hate me?" he asked calmly, slightly curious. His question totally caught both Shinji and Ayame –who was listening- off guard. Shinji was speechless, he didn't expect him to ask him directly. His mind unconsciously drifted back to a conversation he had with Ayame.

"Say, Shinji-san, why do you hate Itachi-san?" Ayame asked him carefully, knowing it would be a sensitive topic.

"None of your business," Shinji replied sharply.

"But he's our teammate and you can't treat him like this forever. At least, he deserves to know why you hate him," Ayame advised him.

Shinji didn't answer her question, nor did he think of explaining to Itachi. But now he faced the fact that Itachi himself asked him and he needed to explain, willingly or not.

"Why do you want to know?" Shinji asked, now the atmosphere was getting tenser.

"Can't I? We're teammates, I deserve to know," Itachi looked at Shinji straight in the eye. Shinji narrowed his eyes and avoided his gaze, he was fighting an inner battle whether he should tell him or not. Some part of him refused the idea because it meant sacrificing his dignity, admitting his weakness especially in front of Itachi but the other part of him wanted to share with Itachi, he wanted someone to understand.

"We're teammates" those words repeated over and over in his mind, both Ayame and Itachi had said the same thing. Teammates… his gaze softened, he looked straight at Itachi.

"…What do you know of Nakayama clan?" he asked calmly. Itachi was a bit startled with the change in Shinji, he needed a moment to reply,

"It's one of the strongest clan in Konoha, specialized in taijutsu or close range combat"

"What do you think if you happen to be born as the youngest son of the leader of the clan while your oldest brother, the heir, is an ANBU in a young age and he is believed to be one of the best shinobi of Konoha and your older sister is a well-known medic nin after one of the legendary three, Tsunade-sama?" It took some time what exactly Shinji meant, but surely Itachi and Ayame knew where it was going.

"Me and my brother have 18 years difference, a huge gap. I admire him, like a younger brother admires his older brother but with the gap, it makes things more difficult. I'm proud being a Nakayama and I realize people's expectation towards the clan, I tried very hard to fulfill their expectation, only to be overshadowed by my brother. It seems I could never pass him, he has already achieved everything I've done until I grew tired of fulfilling people's expectation. In the end, I become the rebellious Nakayama," Shinji smiled bitterly.

"Every time I look at you, I can't help to see how different we are. You're worth to be called the Uchiha prodigy," at last Shinji admitted,

"…and I can't help not to compare myself to you. We're just different by a year, yet we're so different. I can't help to feel jealous of you and think that I'm just a loser, a coward. I'm just running away…"

Dead silence ensued after Shinji spoke his innermost thoughts except the sounds from the kitchen. Ayame at last finished cooking and switched off the. (A/n: it's amazing how women are able to divide their concentration, ne?)

"… You're not," suddenly Itachi broke the silence, "You're not a failure, nor a coward. You just do things differently. You're strong. You're the only one who is able to fight me equally." Shinji only looked at him, obviously he didn't believe what he was hearing.

"… We're not much different, I know exactly how it feels to fulfill people's expectation especially when you're the heir of the clan. It seems you have no other choice…" For the first time, Itachi showed his feelings. Shinji only looked at him, a small smile formed on his face.

"So, we're not much different huh?"

"You can say so," Itachi slightly smiled. They looked at each other, a silent understanding was formed between them. Ayame silently watched her teammates, a smile appeared on her face.

Shinji noticed that there was no sound from the kitchen,

"You can come out now, Ayame." Ayame was startled when suddenly she heard Shinji spoke, hesitantly she popped her head from the kitchen,

"Are you sure?" Ayame asked sheepishly, "'Cause I think I wouldn't be much help"

"Yes, you would, you're our teammate," Itachi smiled to her, the first smile Ayame and Shinji had ever seen. Itachi seemed to be less tense and relaxed than before. At last Ayame walked out from the kitchen, carrying along their lunch.

"…I don't know how it feels to be in Konoha's most prestigious clan," she arranged the plates and eating utensils and placed the warm food on the table,

"But there's no need to feel inferior Shinji-san… Everyone has their own strength and weakness, every one of us is different, yet the same. We're all human, and we're not perfect," she smiled comfortingly to both of her teammates.

"We did mistakes, all of us did. So, don't look all depressed, where is the Shinji I know?" she added with a light grin. "And to remind you, that Shuichi and you share one thing in common"

"What's that?" Shinji asked in challenging manner.

"Your monstrous appetite" After Ayame said that, Shinji burst into a hearty laugh.

"Believe me Itachi, you would be amazed how much Nakayamas eat"

"…Let show him then," Shinji managed to say, giving him his trademark grin. Shinji proved Ayame's words were true, he ate a portion for two grown-ups, four glasses of water and a handful of fruits.

"Fuh, that was good," he patted his now full stomach while Ayame and Itachi only looked at him. "Why don't you add more Itachi? You're a bit too skinny"

"Oh, no thanks. I've had enough," he managed not to laugh.

"I'll think I'll clean this up since we're finished," Ayame took some of the dirty dishes.

"I'll help," Itachi stood up -being a gentleman he was, offering help for Ayame.

"Oh no, you're a guest here, I can't let you wash the dishes. But you can help me take the dirty dishes to the sink," Ayame told Itachi, one of the disadvantages having a Nakayama eating in your house that there was another pile of dirty dishes. After the table was cleaned up and the dishes were in sink, the three of them sat comfortably on the couch in the living room.

"So how is it Itachi?" Ayame asked.

"It's good," Itachi answered honestly,

"Do you mind if bring some home? Since my mother won't return until tomorrow…"

"It's alright. I can pack you some"

"Wait a moment," suddenly Shinji interrupted, "How come you call Itachi by name while you call me Shinji-san?" he asked Ayame.

"Well, Itachi told me it was fine for me to call him by name"

"So do I," Shinji added, "I don't mind, besides –san makes me sound too old"

"Alright, alright. I get it, Shinji," she stressed his name without –san.

"That's better," he gave her a satisfied smirk. Ayame smiled to see that Shinji aren't rude to Itachi anymore and most of all, they felt more comfortable around each other. It was a first for them and Ayame truly felt glad.

"Ayame, do you mind if I ask you something?" Itachi asked.

"It depends," Ayame wondered what possibly he wanted to know.

"…Why do you keep secret that you're living together with Sandaime? What… exactly your relationship with him?" Itachi spoke carefully.

"You don't need to answer if you don't want to," Shinji added quickly. He had asked the same question to his brother but Shuichi kept silent and told him it was a pretty sensitive subject for Ayame. Ayame was silent, she was thinking if it was a good idea to tell them. Unconsciously her hand traced to her chest, where a locket laid hidden under her shirt. They were her teammates, they would understand, she reached a decision,

"I don't have any relationship with Sarutobi-jiisan"

Her answer surprised them. First, she just called Sandaime by name. Second, the fact that she had no relationship with him, which only meant one thing…

"Sarutobi-jiisan is a friend to my father. My mother wasn't from Konoha, she came from a small village near the western borders of fire country. My father was a shinobi, they met during a diplomacy mission. After few occasional visits, they got married but my father never had the chance take his family to Konoha…"

"How come?" when Shinji asked, Ayame released her locket and revealed her locket to her teammates.

"He died protecting Konoha…" Shinji and Itachi's eyes widened in surprise when they saw the picture in the locket. There were a couple in the picture, a beautiful young woman and a handsome young man. They seemed a perfect couple and they were smiling blissfully. The first thing they noticed that the striking resemblance between the woman and Ayame. Both of them had the same kind deep dark blue eyes and long straight black mahogany hair. The only difference that the woman was much older and had different hairstyle. The next thing they noticed was the man –who was supposed to be her husband- had familiar bright blue eyes and spiky blond hair.

"Yondaime…?" Itachi whispered softly, surprise could be heard in his voice. While Shinji had his jaw dropped,

"I've never heard Yondaime was married!"

"Didn't she say, he never had the chance to?" Itachi twitched his eyebrow, sometimes Shinji could be so insensitive despite of his sharp instincts.

"Oh," he shrank to his seat, realizing how stupid he must look.

"Sarutobi-jiisan told the news of his death by person, and my mother didn't take it very well. One of my father last wishes was to bring his family to Konoha and Jiisan wanted to fulfill it but he was only able to bring me to Konoha," her gaze wandered to outside the window, where she could see her father's face in the memorial.

"…My mother died few months later." Her words silenced them, they noticed the distant look in her face and they felt sad for their youngest teammate. She was so young yet she had suffered so much pain, now they understood why she was a lot more mature than children in her age.

"But! I am not alone anymore, I have Sarutobi-jiisan, Shuichi-san, other ANBU guards who are nice to me and I have friends Kaede, Chiharu, Suzu, Shinji, Itachi soshite Arashi-sensei," she spoke their names breathlessly and with a happy glint in her eyes. Shinji and Itachi was flattered that they were considered as her friends when they didn't do much as a friend to her. Ayame took her locket once and looked affectionately to the couple in the picture. The locket was her fourth birthday present from Sarutobi, it was the only picture she had of her parents together. It was her most valuable treasure.

"Itachi, what are your plans for today?" suddenly Shinji asked.

"…Training," he simply answered.

"How 'bout you Ayame?" Shinji asked Ayame.

"I'm going to make some ointments"

"You can do it sometime later, can't you?"

"Well, yes-" but before Ayame knew what was happening, she was being dragged by Shinji to the door.

"Think again, we've never really trained together. So why don't we train together in the usual training ground?" Shinji gave his infamous grin, "You're going too, ne Itachi?"

Itachi merely twitched his eyebrow in amusement, a smile tugging his lips. He followed his teammates towards the door, indicating he was going.

"Hey, Ayame you're not good in taijutsu, aren't you?"

"Y-yeah," at last they stepped outside and Ayame wasn't being dragged anymore.

"Then I'll teach you but in exchange you teach me more jutsu, especially that genjutsu you used in the last mission. And I bet Itachi want to help and learn that jutsu too," he pointed his thumb towards Itachi who were behind them. Ayame could see Itachi was interested too.

"Sure," Ayame smiled, a sincere smile that came from the bottom of her heart.

It was team 4's first step in building the bond between them, a bond that would be stronger each passing day, a bond… that wouldn't be broken easily…

Author's Note: With this chapter, team 4 would be more like a real team and considered one another as friends other than teammates. And guys, I need some advice here for fight scenes, there will be a mission that affects the team and it contains lots of fight scenes. The only problem is… I'm not good in making it, so if anybody wants to help me, tell me and I'll contact you through e-mail. Thank you very much!