/Author's Notes and suchlike: Okay, so.. Having artist's block and writer's block at the same time blows goats. Seriously. But I've added a new chapter, and I PROMISE we're getting closer to actually having NEJI in the fic! YAY NEJI!
Neji appears from apparent obscurity
Neji: Monotone Yay me.
Anyways, sorry it's taking so long, but I gotta explain HOW they come to meet, right? RIGHT? Even if it takes like 5 chapters and you people get ABSOLUTELY BORED STIFF WAITING? Yeah, things will move along somewhat in the next couple chapters. You got my word on that. No more delay! Onwards to the story! And uh, if you review, you'll have my undying love. It's THAT easy.
Neji: That was tactful.

Ignore him and stuff.\

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It was seven years later when it finally dawned on her that, on that hellish day of the death of her friends, she'd completely forgotten to ask about the music note forehead protector.

And she hadn't stayed in the Hidden Leaf Village long enough to ask. She'd fled the same day she got there. Luck had smiled on her though. Two days later she'd found another Nomad caravan wandering through the area and they, seeing one of their own in need of help, had taken her in without question. And that was where she had been, training under the blademasters with an almost feverish dedication until she'd surpassed all but the very greatest of the Nomad weapon-bearers.

Her Ninjutsu and Genjutsu were still atrocious, of course, but she'd long ago resigned herself to that fact. So she concentrated all her considerable focus into what the her people were revered for, and a bad attitude had grown considerably along with her skill. Aya was well known for being not only a grade-a fighter, but also a grade-a bitch.

She never meant to be arrogant, or rude, or condescending but somehow it had just become a natural reflex. Maybe it was because it was the best way of keeping people at arm's length. The deaths of her friends, even seven years on, were still a raw wound that she knew would never heal. She'd never get over the pain, and she knew that opening up to anyone else and losing them would destroy her. Her selfishness was the thing that kept her alive, sane and so singularly driven.

She avoided as much contact with other people as humanly possible. The cheery, sociable child had long since died, and had been replaced by a snarling, biting animal.

The last thing that animal wanted to do was return to Konoha.

But it had to be done. Aya mused as she packed up her things. And quickly. The caravan had come full circle and was now making its unhurried way through the Country of Fire. In all these years she had never forgotten her quest to find her family, not the she held any hope for them being alive now. She had prepared herself for that, it had taken her a long time to resign herself to retribution. And retribution she would have. Only when the still-beating hearts of her two most hated enemies were in her bloodied hands would she be satisfied. She smiled inwardly as she thought about that. It made the notion of going back to Konoha again almost bearable.

Almost.

Her return to the Hidden Leaf Village was heralded by a downpour so fierce that she'd had to reluctantly postpone her search until the weather cleared up. Casting about for somewhere to hole up until the awful deluge let up just a little, Aya spotted an unassuming looking noodle bar and dashed towards it.
It was blessedly empty save one or two graveyard-shifters grabbing a bite to eat before heading for home and bed. She ordered a bowl of chicken Ramen and set about making a plan.

Naruto's love of ramen was second only to his love of being alive. It had been like that since as long as he could remember, and he knew it could never change. That was why having come back from a particularly exhausting recon mission to the Sound Country, instead of heading for home like a good little shinobi, he braved the horrendous weather and headed straight for the Ichiraku. His favourite noodle bar was now open twenty four hours, and he felt sure he was hungry enough to down at least four sizeable bowls before he went to bed. Man that sounded good right about now. He felt a little pang of guilt for whoever the poor sap was that had taken his place in the permanent surveillence of the sound village. He definitely didn't envy them their job tonight.

It was only after he'd wolfed down his second bowl of steaming hot noodles that he noticed the girl a few stools over and almost fell backwards.

He looked like he was staring, of course, but it was the only way he could confirm her identity, though hers wasn't a face easily forgotten. His suspicions were confirmed almost immediately.

Black and red dreadlocks, check
So pale she's almost reflective, check
Rediculously chunky, non-regulation steel trim boots, check
Black leather gauntlets on her forearms, check.

When the girl looked up and momentarily locked eyes with him, he was absolutely certain.

The eyes have it He thought, grinning at his little pun. Like a cat's. One grey and one green

Check MATE.

Naruto wasn't one that could ever be called shy, especially when renewing old acquaintances. He plonked himself unceremoniously on the stool next to hers. She didn't look up this time.

'Whenever you're done staring.' Aya muttered into her food. Clearly she didn't remember him. He scowled, unused to people not remembering his face. He'd have to dredge up a recollection somehow.
'So why'd you run away?' He asked bluntly. She flinched, barely. That had done it.
'None of your damn business.' She replied in a tone that was harsher than she meant it to be. 'Leave me the hell alone.'

Naruto was a little taken aback. He remembered her as friendly and approachable, even in the midst of her grief she had still stuck up conversation with him on the way back home that awful day so many years ago. Now her whole countenance seemed to scream at him to go away.

He wondered what had warped her so.

'You could have stayed in Konoha, you know.' Naruto continued, a little hesitantly, by way of appeasement. 'I don't think you could have been an official Leaf nin, since your not from here but it would have been cool anyway. You could still have fought alongside us'
Even if she wasn't looking at him, Naruto could /feel/ the look of absolute disgust on her face. Well, appeasement had failed.
'I hate Konoha.' She replied, her voice a barely checked growl. 'The only reason I came back was because I had to. I have something important I'm looking for.' Naruto noticed her wrap her hand around something metallic she had pulled from a well-concealed pocket. He knew better than to ask what it was. Best to leave now then to meddle with a foul-tempered kunoichi's personal affairs.

There was a small, awkward silence before Naruto, feeling completely and thoroughly brushed off, got up and returned to his seat and his rapidly cooling ramen.

Aya watched him go and inwardly cursed herself. Her social skills had taken more of a plunge than she thought. She honestly hadn't meant to be so rude to the fuzzy, friendly blonde kid she barely remembered, she simply couldn't help it. And on top of that she hadn't even got to ask him about the forehead protector. He'd moved off, apparently offended, just as she'd pulled it out.

Of course this meant she'd have to approach him, and just after she'd insulted him back to his seat that wouldn't be an easy feat. But it had to be done if she wanted her retribution. She shifted her weight nervously and refused to admit to herself that she was scared.You'll slaughter a man three times your size with a smile on your face and not a speck of apprehension in your mind. She told herself angrily. Yet when it comes to talking to someone who spoke to you first, you sieze up! Well, if you aren't the stupidest, most unreasonable creature on the planet, I don't know who is!

But she had to ask. Her retribution depended on it, and her mother had always told her if you don't ask, you don't get. Steeled by this thought, she took a deep breath and began to muster the courage desperately needed to approach him.

Unfortunately Naruto had disappeared into the rainy night before the much-needed bravery had been summoned.

The last thing he was expecting to see upon opening his apartment door was a five-foot tall, dreadlocked, booted, bedraggled, sopping wet and thoroughly annoyed looking Aya. He was so surprised, in fact, at the notion that this girl had tracked him to his home that he almost slammed the door in her face just to see if she'd disappear when he opened it again.

He didn't do that, though. Naruto merely looked at her and waited patiently for an explanation. He was tired, but he'd wait all night for the reason behind this novelty to reveal itself.

It was a while in coming but finally Aya looked up from a spot on the floor and at his face, defiance and -Naruto could have sworn he saw a trace of fear- apparent in her features.

'I'm..Sorry...' She spat the word out as if it were a bad taste in her mouth. 'About my behavior in the noodle place. You were only trying to be friendly and, well..I was quite awful'
Naruto couldn't help but nod in agreement, but he softened when she saw the look in her eyes. He imagined it must have taken a lot for her to apologize. He didn't know Aya very well but her overdeveloped sense of pride was obvious. Instead of the previous notion of laughing at her, he smiled warmly. She looked suddenly relieved.
'I won't say it's okay,' He answered, 'But I /do/ appreciate the fact that you came here to apologize. And in this rain, too. So I guess you're forgiven, especially as I'm not one to hold grudges.' Nonetheless his blue eyes narrowed just a hint.
'But I guess that's not the only reason you followed me all this way. Am I right'
'Well, no.' The soaked kunoichi mumbled hesitantly, returning her gaze to the floor before slowly producing the metallic object from her pocket. 'I was wondering if you knew anything about this...'

Needless to say Aya was surprised at the mean left hook that sent her sprawling. The forehead protector shot through the air and Naruto caught it. His whole being had changed in mere seconds. Pure unadulterated rage seemed to flow from him like chakra.

'This.. Is yours?' He rasped, his breath whistling violently from his chest. Aya was so stunned by this sudden transformation that she could only nod as she rubbed her aching jaw.

Before she knew it he had launched himself at her, his only thoughts of utterly obliterating the traitor that had dared show her face on his doorstep.
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