Chapter 11
The next day, Ayumi woke up to the birds chirping outside her window, and stretched. She got out of bed, changing into a black tank top with the Uchiha fan on the back and dark jean shorts before pulling on her shoes and tying her headband around her neck. She went downstairs to see Sakura, Kakashi, Tazuna, his daughter, and Inari at the table with Sasuke. She smiled, saying, "Good morning…" She sat down, and Tazuna's daughter gave her breakfast. "Arigato." Ayumi ate everything before asking, "Where's Naruto-kun?" "Out training. He's going to exhaust all of his chakra." Kakashi said. Ayumi asked for seconds before leaving to find Naruto.
Meanwhile, Naruto had met Haku… "Do you have someone that's precious to you?" Haku questioned. "Well…" Naruto blushed. "I have a friend…a girl…" "You care for her?" "A lot…like I want us to be more than friends…more than best friends…" Haku already knew who he was talking about, and said, "You have to protect those close to you. Remember that." With that, Haku left, and Ayumi came up to Naruto, saying, "Hey, Naruto-kun! You missed breakfast!" "Oh…yeah…" she handed him the food, and he smiled, saying, "Arigato, Ayumi-chan!"
He didn't notice someone watching them from the shadows, thinking of a way to fight them to the death… After he was done eating, Sasuke came, and they started training. Ayumi watched them for a while before leaving, and going down to the water. She sat down on the sand, and looked out at the water, watching the waves break gently on the shore. A breeze blew in from the sea, and it blew her hair away from her face, and she breathed deeply, cherishing the salty smell. She heard someone behind her, and turned her head slightly to see Haku. "Who are you?" She asked, on guard. "Haku. I'm sorry if I disturbed you…"
Ayumi relaxed, saying, "It's okay…really…care to join me?" He sat down beside her, and she said, "So…what brings you to the water so early?" "I should ask you the same question." Ayumi smiled, saying, "Good point." "…I was collecting herbs. What about you?" "I…just needed some time to think…" she smiled brightly, "But…maybe I just need to get it all off my chest…" There was a moment of silence before Haku asked, "Do you have someone that's precious to you?" Ayumi looked at the waves, saying, "Well…I have my nii-san, Kakashi, Sakura…Naruto…" "What is Naruto to you?" "I see you've met him."
Haku nodded. "Well…he's my best friend…but…" She was silent for a moment, and leaned back on her hands before continuing. "Maybe…I want us to be MORE…" There was a moment of silence before Haku stood, saying, "I need to get these herbs back. Goodbye." "I hope to see you again, Haku." Ayumi said with a smile. When Haku was gone, Ayumi looked at her surroundings a moment before getting up. She went to a small clearing, and whistled. A few moments later, Hara ran to her, happy, and Ayumi smiled, saying, "I think it's time we started training." Hara nodded, and Ayumi took out her blades. She threw one, and hit the center of a tree.
"…I guess I don't need to practice my aim…" She looked at Hara, and said, "Maybe you should…" Ayumi put her blades on her belt before doing some hand signs, and said, "Twin Technique: Wolf Fang jutsu!" Hara's tail glowed brightly with chakra, and so did Ayumi's foot. They both ran at different trees, hitting them with all of their strength. The trees had huge dents, and looked like they were about to fall over. "…Guess we've got that down…" She saw a gust of wind that looked like a small tornado, and a thought struck her. For the rest of the day, she worked tirelessly with Hara to make another wind jutsu, and everyone worried at dinner when Sasuke and Naruto came back but Ayumi didn't.
After a while, Kakashi decided to go out looking for her. As he neared the clearing, he felt a strong wind blow against another. He was curious, and saw her standing with her blades, an exhausted Hara lying down on the grass. "Maybe it could be a fire jutsu too…" She tensed, and turned around, seeing Kakashi. "Oh…hi Kakashi." "You should rest. You've been training too hard." She shook her head, saying, "I'm…almost there…just a little more time…" Kakashi sighed, saying, "Okay…" he jumped into a tree, watching her as she continued training. A couple of hours passed before Ayumi stopped, her arms shaking from fatigue, and said, smiling, "I finally did it…I'm finally done…"
With that she fell backwards, and was asleep from lack of chakra before Kakashi caught her. He smiled, and lifted Hara into his arms as well before heading back to Tazuna's house.