From the protection of behind my Mother, I narrowed my eyes and examined the girl closer. Startlingly red hair, really tall in comparison to me...and her eyes. What colour were they exactly? Blue? White? Both? She looked back at me with just as much curiosity, and I didn't like it a bit.
"Yukia!" Mother smiled, bowing her head to the woman, who was almost a doppleganger of her daughter, except, obviously, she was an adult, "It's great you are here. It's been a while now, hasn't it? What with the isolation and all, it's been impossible for me to even step outside the estate without getting a funny look."
I wasn't sure what this 'isolation' thing was. For some reason my clan, and the rest of Konoha liked to keep their distance from each other. Something to do with a demon attack. Mother never told me the full story, probably because she did not want me to get any ideas.
"It's good to see you again Azami-chan!" Yukia beamed back, but when Mother rolled her eyes, she stuck her tongue out, "Never gets old!"
Mother gave a light laugh, "You haven't forgotten how much I hate being called '-chan'"
"No matter how old you become, you will always be a '-chan' to me!"
"Whatever you say." Mother then looked down at the girl, "Hey Kaze. My my, you have grown! I still remember when you were just a little baby. When I had to look after you, Sasuke and Itachi that night, as if it were yesterday."
Kaze grinned at her, "Well I don't remember that."
Mother chuckled, "Of course you wouldn't." she straightened her back again, "Well, what kind of a host leaves their guests outside? Come in, Mikoto and Sasuke are in the kitchen." she looked down at me, "Introduce yourself, Hitomi."
I was that deep in thought about this 'Kaze' that I completely forgot the reason I was here!
"Oh, er, hello Hatake-san." I bowed down deeply, trying not to stumble over my own feet, "Kaze-san."
Yukia lowered her head, "Hello, Hitomi-chan." she looked up to Mother, "She's so sweet and polite."
"She tries her best. But she's not a big talker I'm afraid..." Mother and Yukia continued their conversation as they headed to the kitchen.
That left me with Kaze. I realized we have not said a word to each other, and I am certain if nothing sparks soon, Mother will not be impressed. But I didn't know what to think of Kaze. She doesn't look like a typical academy goer. She looks more than that. She actually looks...tough... Compared to me, she looks older and stronger, and I wasn't sure whether I would ever get along with her.
She held out her hand to me and put on a determined face, "Nice to meet you, Hitomi-chan."
I hesitated for a second, before raising my arm and shaking her hand.
She grinned, "So I hear you go to the academy? That's cool...I guess. Are you determined to become a Shinobi?"
I looked at the floor, sliding my foot across the laminated plank.
Kaze frowned and cocked her head to the side, "Do you have a tongue in your mouth?"
I looked at her, raising an eyebrow, "Yeah." I replied.
"You spoke again! I was waiting for that!" Kaze jumped back, "You seem so cutey! I think we might actually get along. I was thinking that if you are an Uchiha you will be all kick ass and arrogant, but you seem the polar opposite."
I didn't know whether to take that as a compliment or mockery.
"I like those who are different to the majority. They have more personality." Kaze continued.
Again, was that an insult or not?
"You two coming?" Mother poked her head out through the kitchen door, "Lunch is being served up now."
"Coming!" Kaze immediately headed for the kitchen, me trailing along behind.
Hopefully Kaze and Sasuke will get along, because then there might be a chance of me making a new friend. But something else was in my mind. I didn't just want to be her friend. I wanted to be...something else. I wanted to take her on in a fight. Defeat her. Show that I am capable of so much more. Maybe this was what I needed. Maybe now is my time to shine. I wiped the nervous look off my face and straightened my back as I followed Kaze.
