Butterflies

"Me? I'm nobody. I'm not skilled like Uchiha-san. I am not passionate like Haruno-san. I am not smart like Nara-san. I'm not as strong as Chouji-san. I'm not as collected as Aburame-san. Or as pretty as Yamanaka-san. I'm not as confident as Inuzuka-san. If anything, I'm like Hyuuga-san, socially awkward. Oh wait, no, she's just shy. The socially awkward one is me." OC! Team 7 remix!

Chapter 3 – Bothersome blondes

8-8

Monday's arrived. That means school. That means... Yamanaka-san. I'm not in the mood for her, but knowing Umino-sensei, if I try to sit anywhere else he'll draw attention to it and just make everything worse. I enter the classroom, really not looking forward to this. At all.

No one else is here, as usual. I walk to my seat, set my book down and sit down. I'm not in the mood for anything right now, not even to doodle. Still, I'd rather do something to pass the time. I can only imagine how bothersome today's going to be if the hours drag out. Seeing no real reason not to, I open my book and look over my old doodles.

Nope. Not a good idea. Not a good idea at all. The first five doodles in this book... I shake off that trail of thought. Not going there. Not here.

I'm too far from the window to gaze outside. That doesn't leave a whole lot of options. I sigh. I hate days like this so bad...

8-8

Wow. Really? This is your plan? "Morning, neighbour!" Uzumaki-san can't read social cues to save his life. So even as I glare at him, warning him to just back off and go away, he takes another step towards me. "I was wondering about something..."

"U. Zu. Ma. Ki~iii..." I grind out his name, glaring even harder at him.

"It'll only take a second, I swear!" He says, ignoring that I don't want to give him that second to begin with. "Ino's been bugging me all weekend, because she wants to talk to you. Why?"

"Holy crap! The dead last is talking to Namiki-san!" I groan, hearing the rumour mill starting up for the morning. "This ought to be good!"

"Think she'll whoop him?" That'd be Inuzuka. Ever since I smacked him around for trying to flirt with me, he takes a twisted sort of pleasure from watching other guys make the same mistake.

"Considering what she did to Sakura, I'd say it's a possibility." Everyone's getting excited about what this could possibly become. Sure, the fangirl club clobbering Uzumaki-san is entertaining, but most of those girls are hopeless. Well, other than Yamanaka-san. She's probably the only girl in this class other than Hyuuga-san that is worth their salt... why do I feel like I worded that wrong? To be worth your salt. That's a thing right? Oh, whatever.

"Oi! Aya-chan, I asked you a question!?" Uzumaki-san's never had much patience. I groan again. "Ah, there you are. Why am I getting dragged into your thing with Ino? Usually I'm the one dragging people into things!" Sadly, he's right. As for why he's 'dragged into it'... not something I have an answer for. After all, I'm not even sure why I got dragged into it. I shrug, making a noncommittal grunt.

"Don't give me that! Something happened! If you don't want to talk about it, fine, but tell her to stop banging on your door or something!" He announces, clearly annoyed. I point at the blonde sitting beside me, raising an eyebrow. Why is he telling me this, when she's right there?

"Dude! She's not hitting him! D'ya think she likes him? I mean like, like-likes him?" I growl at that last one. This is why I hate the attention. People see a pretty face and all they think is: hey, go out with me? And if someone else is talking to me, they automatically think: are they dating? I feel my left eye twitch from annoyance.

"Hirota... I'd shut up if I was you. She's getting annoyed."

"Dude, so what!? Just 'cause she gave Kiba a concussion doesn't-" Kiba and Akamaru growl this time. Good, then I don't have to get invo- "Down, boy! If Namiki gets involved again, you know she's gonna..."

I get up, picking up my book to make sure no one gets any funny ideas. "Told you, man. Now you're gonna get it!" I walk towards the front of the class, take a left and stop right in front of Inuzuka-san. I can tell he's nervous, but he's not the issue. I slam my book on his desk and reach forward, grabbing Kanesaka-san by his collar, pulling him to me. I stop just as his knees reach the edge of his desk.

"Aya-cha~aaaan." Umino-sensei arrives a minute too late to stop this from happening.

"Aw, come on, sensei! She was just about to give me a kiss." He lies easily. Too easily. And he's puckering his lips, almost as if he's actually expecting that kiss. Really? I let go of him, pleased that he's caught off guard and lands face first in Inuzuka-san's desk next to my book. I make sure to grab my book though, just in case he gets any funny ideas.

"Heh. I guess that plan fell flat on its face." Inuzuka-san jokes. I hear some grumbling, but I just walk towards Umino-sensei, awaiting whatever punishment he has in mind. Although I didn't exactly go against his orders, I would welcome anything that sends me out of the class.

"Seriously, Hirota. Just quit while you can. Kiba's better than you are, and even he-"

"Shut it, Datou!"

"That's enough!" Umino-sensei tries to butt in, before this gets out of hand.

"Ah, no it ain't! No little slut is-"

"Uzumaki-san... hold this." I thrust my book into his chest. I ignore the slight 'oof', turning towards Kanesaka-san once again. I don't care what this will cost me, but-

"Aya-chan. If you issue an official challenge, there's nothing I can do to punish you. And seeing as I have the field booked today, you won't even have to wait." Umino-sensei offers. I feel my whole body glow from how happy that statement makes me.

"You. Me. Now."

8-8

It takes less than five minutes to get everyone outside. Luckily, they're looking forward to this as much as I am, so everyone quickly lines up. But I just walk straight for the sparring ring. I make sure to spy Uzumaki-san, seeing as he's still holding my book, but otherwise it just isn't worth the trouble.

Not a minute later, the dirty blonde mug of Kanesaka Hirota is seen walking to me. He already has an angry red mark on his forehead, from where his face kissed Inuzuka-san's desk. I tilt my head to one side, motioning him to come join me in the ring. I ignore the 'oooooooh' from our classmates. This isn't about them. This isn't about entertaining them, this isn't even about him calling me names. This is about respect. Calling a girl a slut just for the sake of making yourself look big? I feel my eye twitch again.

I hear a few comments here and there about Kanesaka being a dead man... mostly from guys I've had an altercation with. Not that I care. The idiot steps into the ring, does a few stretches and starts shadowboxing to make himself look even tougher. I feel my eye twitch again, and a little smirk works its way onto my lips.

"Namiki Aya has issued a martial challenge to Kanesaka Hirota! This will be hand-to-hand only! Are the combatants ready!?" Umino-sensei does his usual thing. He goes over the rules; no weapons, no killing, no unnecessary force. I listen with half an ear. I'm too busy trying to contain my anger just long enough to let this be legal.

"Begin!" He immediately rushes me, trying to overwhelm me with speed. Hmm. I wait for the last moment, when it's too late for him to react. Still waiting. Still standing completely still, my head tilted to him, eyes trained on his chest area to allow me full vision of everything he does. I start focusing my chakra on my glasses, to make sure they don't slip from where they're needed.

He comes at me with a simple punch, thinking I'm just one of the fangirls, or something. I twirl around three times, building up the momentum and moving just out of his effective range and to his left. Then, using the momentum, I do a half somersault and do an upside-down sweep mid air, above his punch. I can't say how pleased I am to feel my heel make contact with his nose. Or seeing him flip backwards and land face first in the dirt. From the crunching sound, I broke another nose; it's not a sound you easily forget after all.

I hear Uzumaki-san laughing, joking about 'the nose-breaker strikes again'. But I mostly ignore him. Instead, I turn to sensei, wondering if the match will be called. If the boy's smart, he'll stay down. If not, I have more than enough anger and annoyance to spare.

"Winner! Namiki Aya!" Yup it gets called. I start moving off... but of course, getting attention and then showing skill means:

"Namiki. Fight me." My eye twitches again. Boy, you picked the wrong day, the wrong time, and the wrong kunoichi. I snarl at him, warning him this isn't the sanest time to fight me. "Sensei?"

"Aya-chan, do you accept the challenge?" My eye twitches again, glaring at Yamanaka-san. If she'd just left me alone, if she'd just accepted that I'm better off without her 'help', none of this would be happening.

"Nn." I walk back to the ring.

8-8

It takes a minute for that last idiot to leave, heading for the school medic, being my guess. Now I'm stuck with this idiot. A skilled idiot, but an idiot nonetheless. I feel my eye twitching again. This isn't something I want to deal with, but I'm sure he won't care. The last time I showed skill like that, he challenged me too. And he didn't shut up until we fought, three days later. I let him win, just for the sake of shutting him up – can you imagine how much worse it'd be if I'd won?

This time... this time I want to see just what I can do. I want to see how this will play out.

"The rules are the same as last time. Begin!" Uchiha is smarter than Kanesaka, so he stays put. So do I. I may still have fight left in me, but that doesn't mean I'm going to be a complete idiot and take the fight to him. Not the way he wants me to.

I remember his style; he's a reactionary fighter. He likes to use my attacks against me. Lucky me, I'm sort of the same, but that complicates things somewhat. Two reactionary fighters means someone needs to step out of their comfort zone and throw the first blow.

Luckily, I also remember that he isn't the most patient person around. So I just tilt my head, watching him intently. "Something on my face?" I ask, after realising he really is staring at me and not just my stance.

"Hnn." He noises, almost like he's scoffing at something. I feel my eye twitch again. You go and challenge me, then don't even take the fight to me? I take a deep breath, not taking my eyes off him. He's not getting under my skin. Not now, not ever.

I sigh. He seems to be waiting on me to do something. I'm not going to be that stupid. So in other words, this will go nowhere. I turn and walk to the line-up. I can feel his irritation wash over me as I turn my back on him – he doesn't like that I'm walking away.

"Sensei, I f-" He's on me in the blink of an eye, throwing punches and lightning fast kicks at me. But I've already lost interest. I just grab his pants leg and hold him tight, forcing him to stop long enough to think about the situation – unless he wants me to pull or push him off balance and really start this fight. "Uchiha..." I warn, feeling my eye twitch again. There aren't a lot of people that can say I lost interest in hurting them. Please accept the luck fate tosses your way and let this dissolve peacefully.

He tries to pull his leg from my grip, but I hold steady. He tries to jump and kick over his leg to hit me in the face. He's even tucking in the leg I'm holding to pull me in closer. Why don't people use common sense? This just isn't what it should have been.

Seeing as he's twisting so his back will be on my right in a moment, I duck under his attack, plant my hand on the ground and flip both my legs into the air and at him. Mind you, I'm still holding his leg. So I tug him off balance, his head now higher than his legs and very much still airborne. I know I won't hurt him much, that isn't the point. I want to mess with his head, keep him off balance.

We both land on the ground. Or well, he lands on the ground, I land on him knees first – one on the back of his left thigh, the other on the small of his back, right over his spine. In the small of his back? And why would they say 'small of his back'? Sure, it's narrower than the shoulders but...

I'm still holding him by his ankle too. No real reason for it, I just like knowing I can mess with him this way. "This seems embarrassing, Uchiha-san. Please don't do such things with your fanclub watching." I drone, glaring at said fanclub and daring them to start a problem with me. Honestly, I'd only have to worry about Yamanaka-san, but still. I really don't need any more attention from this. "Sensei." I say, but don't release the boy. If I do, he'll never accept his loss and just keep attacking me. However, once Umino-sensei calls the match, he'd get in trouble for it, not me.

"Winner, Namiki Aya!" Sensei calls it. Everyone has their own reaction. Either they cheer –the guys that I've already beaten at some point– or they shriek –i.e. Uchiha's fanclub– and demand a rematch. I don't care. I really don't. This is all, to quote Nara-san, far too troublesome.

I get up, leaving him there in the dirt. His pride wouldn't let me help him up anyway; not that I'm tempted to. Just as I'm leaving the ring, I hear two kunai whizzing towards me. I turn, in time to see Umino-sensei grab the items midflight. Good, then this really is no longer my problem.

"Book." I demand of Uzumaki-san. He offers me his trademark grin, happily returning my book.

8-8

I snarl. I growl. Do they heed my warning? No! I've already fought his whole fanclub! Every single airheaded bimbo in our class has challenged me. You see what I get? You see why I should never show skill?

"You seem to be quite popular today, Aya-chan." I groan, hating how right Umino-sensei is. I should have turned Uchiha down. So who's the latest dieting and therefore undernourished bimbo that thinks the others were all beneath them?

"Haruno Sakura versus Namiki Aya! Begin!" She, just like all the others, charges blindly. She, just like all the others, deserves a warm greeting. Hmm, I kicked the last one in the ankle as she was running. Sprained her ankle and she landed on her face in the dirt. Nope, not in the mood this time. I dash to her, kneeing her in the gut.

She flies back, but lands on her feet, clutching her gut in pain. I tilt my head to one side. I'm actually impressed with her; she's the first to not pass out immediately or otherwise be declared the loser. Still, she's in no state to fight properly. Not that that's likely to stop her. She eyes her precious 'Sasuke-kun', and forcefully wills herself to stand ready. Did she already forget about Friday? Or is this in reaction to smacking her around? I don't know.

"Haruno-san. Think. You're in no state to fight." I warn her; actually, verbally warn her. I admire her passion, I really do, but that stupid diet she and the other airheads are on is not doing them any favours. She charges me anyway.

"DON'T YOU DARE UNDERESTIMATE ME, SHANNERO!" She comes at me, trying to punch me again. I twist around her, grabbing her punch by the wrist and wrapping her arm around her neck... then I pull, hard. She flips sideways, landing on her side and tumbling in the dirt. When will they learn? I'm not even taking any of these fights seriously. I mean, come on! Uchiha I took seriously at least, if for no reason other than to embarrass him. But the fact remains: I've done nothing but train with mama's scrolls ever since her death.

"Winner, Namiki Aya!" Sensei calls it. Again. I sigh, frustrated with these idiots.

"Aya-chan! I want a match!" Yamanaka calls out.

"Forget it, Yamanaka-san." I glare at her, trying not to snarl. I have ACTUAL reason to hurt her. I don't want to do that to Chouji-san. If she'd just left me the hell alone, I wouldn't have had to fight... pretty much everyone! I'm actually surprised I didn't get challenged by more idiots, but there's still time, I suppose.

"What's the matter, scared?" She gloats. She thinks I'm too tired to fight her. She literally waited for the whole fanclub to challenge me first. I snort. I motion for her to bring it. She'll regret this, I promise that.

The match is started a moment later, but I don't wait on her this time. I dash for her, both fists held in the air above and slightly in front of me. I jump at her, knee first aiming for her chin. She ducks, but I lean back, grabbing her by her collar and pulling her along anyway. As I land, I pull her harder, jab my hip into her middle and throw her over my shoulder, offering her all of my momentum. She's skilled enough to somewhat control her flight and lands on her feet.

The second she catches herself she dashes for me. I dive towards her, curl myself up into a ball and do a mini somersault, then continue my flight foot first. She tries to jump over me, but she already knows that isn't the end. I grab her by her ankle and pull her along again. I twist slightly, giving myself the room for a three-point landing, using her as an anchor to slow me down quicker – thanks to a little downwards whip-like tug. She tries kicking me, but I pull her ankle, jump over her kick, do a sideways mini-somersault and land bum first on her back – with my feet firmly planted on her biceps, digging into her flesh with my nails. And once again still firmly holding onto her ankle.

Unlike the others though, I immediately climb off of her. I don't want Umino-sensei to call this match. I back up quickly, giving her the room to catch her breath. Oh no, precious. You're the reason I'm in this stupid situation. You aren't getting out of it so easily.

She takes a moment, but eventually comes at me with a kick, left-legged. I counter with a kick of my own, only, my leg is kept bent. My knee meets hers, only... my knee is trained for these kinds of attacks. And before the momentum is lost, I launch my foot at her side. I connect, hearing a slight grunt from her. I then grab her ankle once again and tug her to me. I'm tempted to headbutt her, but that will surely give her a concussion. She'd deserve it, but... at the same time, she doesn't. Other than that scene before, that she's clearly sorry about, and annoying Uzumaki enough to get him to speak up... she really hasn't done anything. Not really. I sigh. This is what I get for thinking. Or maybe I'm just running out of steam?

"Forfeit." I demand, once she's close enough to hear my whisper. Before she can react, I shove her back and hook my foot behind hers. She flies back slightly, landing on her backside. She still manages to roll back to nullify the extra momentum. She still wants more? Fine. I look at Chouji-san, but he doesn't seem upset. Worried, but not upset. That's a relief.

She comes at me again, this time sliding in for a low attack. I do a sideway somersault, out of her effective range, then side flip back with the backs of both of my heels flying down at her. If I connect, there's no way I won't knock her out.

At the last moment, I tuck my legs up, shift my weight and land butt first on the dirt, barely tapping her with my heels. She slides past, too shocked to react. I'm quickly on my feet again, so is she. "Is that your way of saying I'm forgiven?"

I huff, not looking away from her. "Thank you. Sensei, I forfeit." She still bows to me though. I sigh, looking away and blushing. After sensei calls the match, she walks up to me, links her arm with mine and drags me along and back to the line-up. "Seriously though, what's it going to take to get you to call me 'Ino-chan'?"

I roll my eyes. "Don't push it."

"Come on, guys! That's nine back-to-back wins! Who thinks they can beat Aya-chan's record?" After I take back my book from Uzumaki-san, he runs up asking who would dare challenge him. I roll my eyes, glad I can just not care for a while.

I wonder if he knows just how much trust I showed him though... nah. That idiot doesn't have a clue.

8-8

Have you ever felt your own heartbeat? What an odd question. I read it over and over again, wondering if I'm just seeing wrong. Have you ever felt your own heartbeat? The words don't change. I look over to my left, wondering what Yamanaka-san has been drinking, eating, smoking or snorting.

I carefully scribble back: every time. I hate that her handwriting is so much neater and nicer than mine, but it isn't something I can do anything about. I fold the note and hand it back to her. I get back the same note not a minute later.

Because of Chouji? I fight the blush. Subtle, Yamanaka-san, really subtle.

No.

She seems surprised when she reads that. I don't know why. How do you know you like him then?

I wonder about that. I could go into a whole longwinded explanation about how he and his father were the only ones to truly comfort me after mama died. I could tell her how Chouji-san was the one to offer me my first taste of chocolate, telling me how his mother liked the stuff whenever she started crying. I could explain how his namesake is why I started liking butterflies – 'Chou' means butterfly after all. None of that would explain it very well – after all, friends do that for each other all the time.

The butterflies whenever I hear his voice. I scribble back. Still truthful, but not quite as complete.

Butterflies? She just really can't ever accept something I tell her as the whole story, can she? I sigh, mutely, thank Kami-sama. I know I worded that right. I ran it through my head a dozen times before writing it!

You know what I mean! I scribble with a silent huff. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. It's that... bubbly feeling when I'm around him. He just makes me feel so big and so small at the same time. Like I could leap over mountains, but I just feel so... I think about that. ...soft.

And it's true. Just being around that boy makes my skin feel soft. I sometimes wonder if every inch of me wants to be touched. And the butterflies... and that superweird feeling of being suddenly able to do everything, but just wanting to stay near him... I sigh. I usually don't make a lot of sense, even in my own head, but the boy just turns my thoughts into a jumbled mess!

What's even weirder though... the other day... when I was just laying in the grass near him. I felt so... calm. At peace. I haven't felt like that in years! He soothes me. He soothes me. I write it the second time neater, hoping she can make out my scrawl; I don't really know why I underlined that word though. I'd never spent much time writing. I usually just remember what I need to. Otherwise, I'm usually just doodling.

I give her back the note. Umino-sensei is mostly reviewing geography and briefly highlighting what countries are allied to the Land of Fire, and what shinobi villages are allied to Konoha. Bo-ring.

Wow. Okay, Yamanaka-san, that really doesn't say anything.

What? I scribble back, wondering what's gotten into her all of a sudden.

I didn't think you had it that bad... When I read her words, I sigh. Better than blushing and giving myself away.

"Something you'd like to share with the class, Aya-chan?" Umino-sensei asks.

"Rain country allied with us in eighty-two, not eighty-three." I offer, glaring at him. Trying to embarrass me to shut me up and get me to pay attention? I've had nothing to do for years other than read and train!

"A common misconception. Yes, the treaty was made in eighty-two, but wasn't officially signed until a year later." He doesn't seem bothered. I should probably just drop it. He won't listen.

"Umino-sensei, a treaty is worth less than the paper it's written on. So long as there is a standing agreement between two villages to ensure the bloodshed doesn't continue, it counts." I hear my voice say the words. I feel my tongue forming them. I notice my jaw and lips dancing to allow it. I still can't figure out what possessed me to do so. I blame Yamanaka-san. She's a horrible influence on me.

I feel everyone's eyes on me instantly. I shrink in on myself... I blink... 'shrink in on myself'? How would that even work? I sigh. Why do I have to be such a visual thinker?

Umino-sensei clears his throat. "As true as that may be. Eighty-three will be counted as correct on the test."

I blame you. Just so you know. I give back the note, very carefully ignoring the giggling that greets my ears.

8-8

Having made it home, I sigh explosively. Today was a total nightmare. As bad, or worse, as I imagined it'd be. Getting into nonstop fights. Gossiping with Yamanaka-san. Uzumaki-san making that stupid scene, then asking me if I want to walk home with him before I left. And Chouji-san... the worry, the jealousy in his eyes when he heard Uzumaki-san asking me that...

Stupid butterflies! Even now, my breath's a bit hitched from seeing Chouji-san's reaction. And... seeing that knowing smile on Yamanaka-san's face didn't help much!

I lock my door, wondering why I end up in stupid situations like this. I could have solved the problem by pointing out to Chouji-san that I don't like Uzumaki – at all, really, let alone likethat. But that would just beg the obvious: who do you like, then? And to add to that... I like knowing he's a bit jealous.

I blush so deep that it feels like my cheeks on fire. Stupid situation. Stupid, stupid situation.

I make my way over to my fridge, wondering what I'm going to snack on. Opening my fridge however... I sigh. Empty. I'd simply refused to leave the house this weekend thanks to acertain stalker. So that means I need to go to the market now. And I'd need to hurry too! If I don't make it to the market before they close, I'll have to go to the convenience store, which is twice as expensive!

I close my fridge, annoyed, and head right back out. I make sure to double lock my door, and turn around just in time... "Afternoon, neighbour!" Uzumaki-san greets me. I think he's just thrilled I don't ignore him, or something. No time. Need food. Need chocolate. Need take out.

"Nn." I noise, nodding to him.

"You need to go shopping too, huh?" He asks. How would he even know that? I turn to him, questions in my eyes. "You're carrying a shopping bag." He points out. I look down and blink. I guess I am.

"Coming?" I ask. I don't have the patience to explain why I'm in a rush. This is just more effective. I still blame Yamanaka-san though! If not for her, I'd not be put into so many social situations so often! He sputters, for some reason. I don't bother trying to understand, I just start walking. If he is, he'll catch up. If he isn't, he won't.

8-8

I make it to the market in record time. My first stop is the fruit vendor. A nice little old lady and her niece. They greet me, but I see their eyes harden for some reason. I turn, following their gaze. Ah, Uzumaki-san did tag along. I turn back to the two; usually such an agreeable pair. I glare at them, warning them not to make a scene. The niece gets nervous, but the old lady decides she needs to do something over there. I make an annoyed noise, showing just what I think about that.

I pick up my usual; cherries, peaches and lychees. I make sure to pick up some extra of each though, which the woman clearly notices but doesn't say anything about. I pay her, putting my purchases into my bag and walking along. Uzumaki-san follows quietly. That isn't like him at all.

"Something wrong?" I don't know why I ask. I'm quite enjoying the silence... well, relative silence. We're in the market for crying out loud! He sputters some stupid excuse, but nothing that makes sense. I roll my eyes and sigh. This is just not something I'm going to figure out. I'll leave that to Yamanaka-san, seeing as this is entirely her fault!

Making it to my second stop, I look at the man carefully. He seems nervous, but he doesn't make a scene. I nod, going about my business as usual. I pick up my chocolate bars, muffins and the largest pack of mousses his cooler has. I offer them to him and pay, then stash the items in my back with the others.

I quickly make my way to the last stall I'll need here. "Ah, Aya-chan! It's good to see you again!" The middle-aged woman greets me warmly. "And I see you have Naruto-kun with you too! Welcome, welcome!" I smile this time.

I peruse her wares, as I tend to. Nothing too spectacular, as usual, but I just love stopping here. She runs a bookstand. "You know, Aya-chan. You've been coming here for years and you never seem to find what you're looking for."

"Nn." I agree with her. I've never found a single book or scroll I find interesting enough to buy. Still, I keep coming back to check.

"Are you by chance looking for shinobi books and scrolls?" She asks. I nod, but shrug anyway. "My, my, aren't we being vague. What are you looking for, child?"

"Something I haven't read." I say, going through the books. Novels, mostly fantasy or historically correct. I've read them all.

"Ah, still the little bookworm that used to devour her parents' library I see." She sounds amused. I just sigh. I don't like thinking about those days without good reason; like making myself cry. "Why don't you pass by my son's bookstore then? He should still be open. And there's a section for shinobi literature as well."

"Nn." I nod, deciding to do just that. "Coming?" I turn to my rather silent shadow. He shrugs, clearly not caring. Oh well.

8-8

On entering the store, the first thing I do is walk up to the counter. I want to know if there'll be an issue with the company I keep before offering so much as a single Ryou of my pouch! "Look who we have here! Little Aya-chan! My you've grown. The last time I saw you, you were still crawling around in diapers!" The man seems agreeable enough, towards me at least.

"And you brought Naruto-kun as well! I take it you stopped by Ka-san's stall at the market then?" I smile this time. There won't be an issue at all. "You know, I don't think I'll ever forget how much the two of you used to play together. Your mother was pretty adamant about you getting to know him, you know."

Uzumaki-san and I share a look. That's news to both of us. I really don't remember that at all. "Why do you seem so shocked? Miwako-chan wouldn't ever shut up about how well you two got along!" I sigh, wondering about the man's words.

"How are your parents these days? I swear, running this shop makes it impossible to keep in contact with people." I don't even know how to respond to that. Should I cry? Should I get upset? Should I scream at him for his heartlessly never having a clue?

"Dead." I intone. Having had quite enough of this little chat, I turn away from him and walk towards a random bookshelf. Novels. No thanks. No longer in the mood. I walk to another bookshelf, this one with non-fiction works. Cookbooks, history, geography, autobiographies. Interesting, but not something I have any need for. Well, I do need to learn to cook eventually, but I'd rather wait until I figure out how not to get myself killed with that stupid gas burner in my apartment.

Next bookshelf. Ah, shinobi stuff. Let's see. Introduction to chakra? Yeah, no. I've already reread it twenty times. Just no. Genjutsu made easy, by Yuuhi Kurei? Hmm, could be interesting. I make a mental note where it's located and move on. The magic of the elements, by Sarutobi Sakurai. Hmm, an introduction to all things element about the jutsus you wish you could do? And it's on sale! Only five-hundred Ryou! Interesting, interesting. I put it back, making a mental note once again.

Unfortunately, the books are all sealed with some funny plastic, so I won't be able to read them without ripping through that, and therefore forcing me to buy it. Sad, but not unexpected.

Hmm, a booklet? Unusual jutsu styles, by Uchiha Sadana. Three-hundred Ryou, a steal really. I pick it up, grateful I can read a few pages. Hmm. Each page has an explanation of an unusual style of jutsu the author encountered. No reference on how to replicate it, no reference on what can help me study it. Still, it'll be handy to know what I can encounter. I keep the booklet.

The sound of silence, by... author unknown? That's interesting. I pick up the rather large book, wondering about it. It's also plastic covered, so I can't read its contents. I turn to the back, wondering what it's about. Though an unusual style, Sound-release is rather handy. Like it, or don't. I like it. What kind of blurb is that!? There's only one of it too! And... there's nothing else to go on! No pictures, no explanations, nothing! And it's eight-hundred Ryou... printing this thing probably cost more! Why would...

For some reason, I find this book interesting. Something about it... I don't know. I'm just too curious not to buy it now. And I have a week after graduation before team placement anyway. Something to keep me busy won't be a bad thing.

I take it. And the genjutsu book too. And the elemental book. They're cheap! I don't know why they're so cheap, but they are! I mean, I spent fifteen-hundred Ryou on the fruits I just picked up! Hmm, I wonder if there's a book on daggers as well? If these books are so cheap, I see no reason not to splurge a little and spoil a very deserving Aya.

8-8

End Chapter 3

8-8

A/N: Poor Aya! She seems to get dragged into the strangest situations! And imagine, this is BEFORE team placement! I wonder how she'd going to take it, the news of who her teammates are fated to be. Find out next time ^_^

And by the way, I was tempted to really make you guys wait! But... what can I say, Aya's just more fun to write than Danzo... heh heh. (I swear I'm trying to work on that other chapter!)