Note: here's chapter 13 and please review ;)
Naruto saw that Ayame's door was locked tightly so he went outside and found a nice open area. He was going to surprise her by showing that he was ready to continue their training. Naruto jumped down on the ground sitting in meditating mode and breathed deeply. He concentrated hard on not thinking. It seemed so easy when she first told him that they couldn't continue until he learned to meditate properly. Well it's been three weeks and he still hasn't finished this simple, well maybe not so simple task. Now that Sasuke is back, he felt more eager to complete this first task. It was as if an old rivalry awoken from its deep slumber. He now wanted to prove to Sasuke that he was worthy to become Hokage and that he was indeed stronger than him. Suddenly all his thoughts just stopped and he could almost see Kyuubi inside of him. There was a huge cell and two eyes staring at him. He went to touch in between the bars when a hand grabbed his shoulder bring him to consciences.
Ayame stood behind Naruto shaking him, awake. She could sense Kyuubi and saw his chakra flowing from Naruto. He turned around and glared at her for disturbing him. It was the same glare that she often gave Naruto when he disturbed her. Ayame couldn't help but laugh and this made Naruto angrier. He finally had accomplished his task and Ayame, out of all people, disturbed him.
"You're face…it's like…mine." Ayame rolled around laughing. Naruto soon joined in, realizing the irony in the situation. Soon they were disturbed by a shadowy appearance towering over their bodies. Sasuke frowned at them, he was serious about his training and didn't want any time taken away from it.
Ayame realized his presence and her mood became serious, while Naruto stopped rolling but continued to throw out a giggle once in a while. "Sasuke, I'm glad you came out. We will start soon but I have to give Naruto some advice first." She acknowledged Sasuke and he shrugged his shoulders walking over to a tree. "It seems that you passed the first stage. Now I need you to practice on calling Kyuubi's chakra little by little. Unfortunately we won't be able to work on his today," Ayame glanced at her watch, "you should be at the town entrance with Sai, Neji, and Sakura, Naruto you're late. Hurry now and don't try the next stage without me!" Ayame yelled as Naruto rushed off.
"Some things never change," Sasuke muttered. Ayame heard his comment but decided to dismiss it. His attitude was the first thing that she must improve. He seriously was pessimistic and that she won't accept.
"You're right, however that can be a good thing. Come on." Ayame smiled at him and ran towards the ocean edge.
Once they were at a cliff she drew a circle around herself and sat down. Sasuke raised an eyebrow at her actions. "The point is for you to be able to push me out of the circle. Notice it is very small, once you can do that then we will move onto stage two." She took out a book and began to read. Sasuke eyes grew fiery at her lack of belief in his talent. He began to attack her head on. When he looked back she was unarmed and intently reading her book.
"Oh yeah, you have to do this without calling upon the power within your cursed seal." She licked her fingers and turned a page. Sasuke now completely riled up lunged at her again.
Ayame placed her book down and saw that the sun was setting. She looked around her and saw Sasuke passed out on the ground with kunais surrounding her. 'Wow he wasn't able to even land a scratch on me!' Ayame surprised since the famous Uchiha was suppose to be great. 'Is this the person that Itachi wants to kill him. This is going to take a long time.' She slipped water across his lips and his throat gulped the water down. Soon he stirred up leaping from her arms with Kunais in his hand. "Calm down, the sun is setting its time to go back and get some food. I'm hungry." She walked off and Sasuke followed her not talking or even looking at her. For some odd reason she knew that he was holding back today, maybe tomorrow she will be a little aware of him. She might get a good ten minutes out of him before exhausting him completely.
The group was waiting for Ayame and Sasuke as they entered into her house. Naruto grabbed a chair with chopsticks in his hand, ready to eat. Ayame laughed and prepared dinner for them. Sasuke started downstairs when Ayame interrupted him, "Why don't you join us Sasuke. I bet you're starved. I'm making fish."
"No," he said and continued downstairs.
"Sasuke," Sakura whispered.
"Don't worry, he's not use to people. It'll take him a while before he gets acquainted with us." Ayame smiled at Sakura and finished cooking.
The next month was pretty similar, except Sasuke finally managed to draw blood from Ayame. She was also getting exhausted, teaching Sasuke in the morning; in the afternoons she would work in the cave, and teach Naruto on his breaks and in the evening. Almost all the time she would fall asleep on the couch or go straight to bed, until Sakura and Sai learned to cook from the local village people. Now dinner was ready when Ayame came inside and then she went to bed.
One day she woke up noticing how tired she was. Ayame toddled downstairs half a sleep. She poured her tea almost missing the cup. Sasuke soon arose from the basement, looking the same as Ayame only worse. "Sasuke let's take a break today, actually just relax this day and tomorrow. It's time for a break."
"No I can't, I have to-"
"Get some sleep, good I agree."
"That's not what I was going to say."
"I know but everyone needs a break once in a while. You don't have to if you don't want to, but I won't be training you today."
"Are you going to work?"
"Nope, I'm going to take all day and tomorrow off." Ayame sipped her tea happily. "I think I'll have a girls night out tonight with Sakura."
"Girls night out?"
"You'll see tonight." Ayame left Sasuke as she entered her room again, falling asleep on the bed.
That night Sakura arrived at her house and Sasuke saw her go straight to Ayame's room. Soon after Naruto, Sai, and Neji arrived at the house. Unwillingly he let them in and avoided any contact with them, especially with Naruto. All of them heard giggling from Ayame's room and Naruto asked Neji to use Byakugan to see what was going on. Of course Neji glared at Naruto for even considering such a thing and correcting him that he could only see chakra points, not through walls.
"Ayame, do you miss him?" Sakura pointed towards a picture of Itachi as Ayame was brushing her hair.
"I try not to think of him, but I guess I do." Ayame started to brush Sakura's hair monotonously as she thought of Itachi. He's been so far from her thoughts these days because of her busy schedule. She hasn't had a proper healing time. She just had to tell herself that it was a doomed relationship from the beginning.
They walked down the stairs to find that all the guys where sitting in the living room. Sakura's hair was half up in a curly bun. She wore dark washed jeans with a red baby doll top. Ayame smiled as she saw's Naruto's expression but even more at Sasuke's expression. She swore that he smirked as Sakura passed him. She grabbed her coat and wallet, "Now I don't want any rough housing," she lowered her eyes to Naruto.
"Why do you look at me?" Naruto complained.
"Because…I'm obligated to pick on you," Ayame ran her fingers through his hair messing it up.
"Fine, don't be late sis," Naruto winked at her as he fixed his hair. "No later than ten o'clock."
"Whatever, I'm just hanging out with Sakura. Besides if I did go on a date you wouldn't be able to tell me how late." She laughed as she walked with Sakura outside. "Sakura he was looking at you." She whispered when they were on they were walking down the street to the movies.
"Really, Sasuke was…" Her face blushed and she looked away from Ayame. Ayame just smiled and hoped that she could save at least one relationship. Sakura was annoying at some times when it came to Sasuke; most people would think her a fan girl. But Ayame could tell it was something genuine, Sakura truly cared about Sasuke.
The moon brightly lit up the sky when Ayame came home. Naruto and Sai where asleep on the couches and Sasuke's door was closed. Neji was the only person that couldn't be found. A noise came from the porch and she cautiously went out side. On the very edge she saw a tall, slim figure looking over the porch view. "How was the movie?" Neji's asked.
"How did you know it was me?" Ayame relieved to find that it was only him.
"Easy the rest are out cold," He replied still staring at the moon. She walked closer to him and rested her arms on the railing.
"The moon's extremely bright. I don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight."
"Yeah."
"I love nights like these. They're so beautiful and perfect. It sometimes makes me feel so insignificant." Ayame stared up at the night sky. She couldn't really see the stars but the moon over the ocean was all she needed to see. It made her feel that everything was going to be all right. She did feel insignificant yet powerful at the same time.
"You're beautiful and perfect." Neji whispered in her ear. Ayame's eyes grew, she turned to face Neji but he was gone. She just stood out their for a while taking in all nature's beauty before heading to bed. Like she predicted she couldn't sleep but it had nothing to do with the brightness of the outside. Instead she tossed and turned over what Neji said and how he said it. Did he have feelings for her?
In the morning Ayame found Sasuke sitting on the ledge of the porch. His feet were on the lower railing and his hands grabbing the edge. The sun was just rising and he stared intently at it. Ayame folded her arms on the rail next to him, leaning against it. "Its beautiful, isn't it?"
"Huh?" Sasuke forgot his thoughts and turned his head towards Ayame.
"The sun rise, it's amazing." Ayame repeated herself.
"Not really." Sasuke nonchalantly returned to his former position.
"Then why are you staring at it?"
"What…I wasn't-" Sasuke stumbled on his words noticing Ayame's smirk.
"Whatever, you're secret." Ayame shrugged walking back inside. Sasuke stunned that she didn't pry into the matter further. However, he didn't dare question her response since that would lead to more questions. She stopped in the doorway, "Are you coming."
"What?"
"Training," Ayame surprised that he would forget such a thing. "Unless you don't want to then-"
"No, I'm ready" Sasuke jumped down following Ayame.
Sweat rolled of Sasuke's face as he lunged towards Ayame; Kunai in his hand ready to attack. Ayame anticipated his moves; however, he disappeared in front of her. She widened her stance focusing on her hearing listening for movements. Nothing. Only the slightest movement from the wind could be heard, which wasn't different from before. Still Ayame kept her guard up then she felt vibrations from below and quickly jumped away. Sasuke revealed himself from the ground, his arm coming within inches from Ayame's face. He reached towards her slicing her cheek slightly. No blood was drawn only a slight scratch appeared on her right cheek.
He smirked as he collapsed onto the ground. He's been improving; he only suspects that she holding back about 50 of her true potential instead of the 75 that she started out. The shadows darkened around him and he opened his eyes to see Ayame leaning over him. Her lips where in a straight line and her eyes focused. "Great job, although can you not try to aim for my face every time. I don't want to end up having life scars on it." Her lips spread open and a chuckle let lose.
"Nope." Sasuke replied.
"Lunch time, I guess." Ayame examined Sasuke, seeing how exhausted he was. She never knew that he would have depended on that curse seal for so much of his power. Without being able to use it, he is near the same potential as when he left over three years ago. Orochimaru didn't do him any favors in giving him that curse seal, it's his crutch and now both of them know it.
"Not ramen." He moaned.
"Nope, even I can get sick of that after a while." Ayame opened up the basket she brought, revealing rice balls and fish.
"Ayame," Sasuke grabbed for a rice ball.
"What?"
"How to you truly feel about Naruto being your brother?"
She gazed at him before answering. His hair hid his face from her. "Truthfully, that was the happiest moment of my life when we finally began to talk."
"Even though he's annoying."
"Yes, it's what makes him Naruto. He wouldn't be the same without that trait. Lots of people like him for that, though they won't admit to that."
"Oh," Sasuke bit into the ball, slowly chewing. Ayame continued to look at him; she had a feeling where this was going.
"Why do you detest him so much?" He tensed up at her question. The rice ball crumbled into the tiny pieces.
"Because, he's not worth my time. Friendship is a waste of time."
"So you admit that he's your friend," Ayame pried.
"No, he was never…" Sasuke trailed off remembering the very first mission that they went on. How he got mad at Naruto for jeopardizing their only plan, just to save him. Naruto was always doing the saving, but if Naruto hadn't been there at all he wouldn't even have the chance to kill Itachi. He was weak and for Naruto of all people to make him feel that way was disgraceful.
"Sasuke, Naruto really isn't that annoying. He's loyal, powerful, and a great friend. It's something that we inherited from our father. Dad was the one to believe that teamwork and friendship is number one. You know by having someone to protect you become stronger, you're willing to go beyond your limits and fears just to protect that person. Naruto is definitely an example of that."
"What about you?"
"What do you mean, Sasuke?"
"You said Naruto is an example of that, are you not an example?"
"Not like Naruto," Ayame lowered her head. It was true, she ran away when Itachi needed her the most, even though he wouldn't admit it, she knew that he needed her. Instead she turned her back, afraid, and left. "But I'm changing that. I will do anything, even die for the good of my friends."
"That's pathetic" Sasuke stood up leaving Ayame. She sat in the grass, staring as Sasuke left with a shock expression painted on her face.