Okay... I made some very stupid mathematical errors...So I fixed it. Thanks so much Akuma-Heika for pointing that out. Honestly, the fact that I haven't failed my math class amazes me. If there's still a mistake, I'd appreciate it if you let me know :) I'll get to fixing the whole story grammar sooner or later...Enjoy!

Emiko and I were at the beach…

"Hey Hinata! Come over here. I found something really cool!" Emiko called. Hinata walked across the sandy beach to Emiko.

"What did you find Emiko?" Hinata asked curiously.

"This is what I wanted to show you." Emiko said as she held out the little clam.

Hinata stared at it puzzled.

"Emiko, that's just a clam. What is so cool about it?" Hinata questioned.

Emiko sighed at the response.

"This is no ordinary clam. In fact, there is no such thing as an ordinary clam. Hinata, everything is unique in its own way. This clam may look to be simple on the outside, but in truth, it contains a beauty on the inside." Emiko said as she opened the clam.

A beautiful pearl sat inside the clam.

Hinata looked at it with awe.

"Not to offend you or anything but not many people like the Hyuga Clan. Not that I dislike you or your family. It's just that not only are you a Hyuga but to top that off you have a shy personality. It took me a while, but in the end, I got you to open up and become friends." Emiko said matter-of-factly.

"I am not offended. You're a great friend of mine and many other people. Not only are you nice but you are smart and a great ninja! I am jealous Emiko. You aren't as shy as I am. But either way, I am glad that we became friends" Hinata said gratefully.

"Well, here you go." Emiko said while closing the clam and putting it in to Hinata's hand.

"Emiko! Why…why are you giving this to me? You should keep it. After all, you found it."

Emiko shook her head.

"This clam is yours now. Take it as a present to remember me by." Emiko said with an apologetic smile on her face.

"Emiko… what are you talking about?"

"My father and I are moving to the country where my grandfather is. Right now he is very sick and since father is a doctor, we're moving back." Emiko explained with a sigh.

"B-but, what about your mother?"Hinata protested.

Emiko's expression darkened.

"She went on a S-rank mission and never came back."Emiko said quietly.

Hinata's eyes widened. Emiko's mother was pro ninja. How could she have disappeared like that?

"Well, anyways, please keep the clam. I am moving in a week" Emiko said with a distant look.

"Emiko…Please don't go. You're one of my only friends."Hinata said as tears started to fill her eyes.

"Sorry, Hinata." Emiko said.

Sorry, sorry, sorry…

Hinata woke up with a jolt. Small beads of sweat streamed down her face.

Why did she suddenly have a dream about Emiko?

Hinata shook her head.

It wasn't a mere dream. It was a memory.

Hinata looked around the inn room. Hanabi was still sleeping soundly. The room was filled with brilliant light. Hinata stretched her arms and got up from bed.

They had reached the inn the night before. Luckily, there were no attackers this time.

Hinata grabbed the map from her backpack.

Good, they would be arriving at the town with the festival today. Hinata brushed her teeth and combed her hair. When she had finished she turned over to see Hanabi still sleeping. Speaking of sleeping, that dream had actually happened in the past.

Hinata reached into her backpack for the silk bag. She opened it up and found the little clam still sitting inside. Hinata stared at the clam for a long time until she heard Hanabi turn in bed. Hinata swiftly put the clam back into the bag into her backpack.

Then she rushed over to her sister's side. Looking at her sister filled Hinata with extreme happiness. She would always remember what happened the day before. Hanabi had actually given her a hug and actually called her nee-san.

"Nee-san…" Hanabi said drowsily as she sat up slowly.

"Sorry if I woke you up." Hinata apologized.

"No, you didn't." Hanabi said as she tried to get up.

Hinata watched in amazement as her sister was able to stand up on her own, but still had some trouble.

"Hanabi, can you walk?" Hinata asked concernedly.

Hanabi moved one leg then another.

Good, she can walk now but only very slowly.

After half an hour of traveling, a small town came into view.

"Hanabi, we're here." Hinata said gently as she turned around and poked Hanabi.

"Oh, we are?" Hanabi said looking around enthusiastically.

"Mhmm, and right on schedule too." Hinata smiled.

As they entered the town, people were rushing about.

"I hear that this year's festival will be better than any other year." A woman said.

"It has to be. My husband is going to have a takoyaki stand this year." Another woman said.

Hinata rode their horse up to what seemed to be an animal stall for travelers.

Two stable boys were standing in front of the stalls. They looked identical but dressed differently. One wore a t-shirt, a pair of jeans and sneakers. The other wore a vest, cargo pants, and a pair of black loafers.

"Ma'am that is a nice mare you have there." The one dressed more casually said.

"Yes, she's quite a beauty." The other stable boy said as Hinata hopped off the horse.

Hinata never really thought of how her horse looked like. Now that she noticed, her horse was a palomino. However what truly caught her attention was the horse's mane. It was a golden color that was very rare to see.

Hinata made a mental note to just think of the casually dressed stable boy as kid#1 and the other one would be kid#2.

Hinata helped Hanabi off the horse and removed their backpacks from the horse.

"How much will it cost to leave our horse here for 3 days?" Hinata asked.

"Well, since there is a festival, we're giving a discount since there will be more travelers arriving. 50 yen will do."Kid#1 said.

"That's not that bad of a price." Hinata said as she handed the boy money.

"Yeah, our old man doesn't charge people much because he loves horses." Kid#1 said.

"Your 'old man'?" Hanabi asked.

"Well, he means our father. We use that a lot out here." Kid#2 said quickly.

Hinata laughed and handed the boy the horses reins.

"Please take care of her." Hinata said.

"Don't worry, we're the best stall in this whole town." Kid#1 gloated.

The other one pinched him.

"That's 'cause we're this the only stall in town." Kid#2 pointed out.

The two sisters left as the two stable boys bickered. Hinata noticed that Hanabi was now able to walk at a normal pace though her wounds probably haven't healed to the point where she could run.

"Hinata, tonight, we're staying at Minori's cousin's house. Minori already contacted them." Hanabi said as they walked around the streets.

"We shouldn't do that. It would be rude." Hinata answered.

"Even if it's rude Minori would never let me hear the end of her talking if we don't go. If we don't stay over, we can at least give them a greeting." Hanabi suggested.

"Alright then. Please lead the way." Hinata said.

Hinata watched as Hanabi reached in her backpack and pulled out a map. Hinata could tell it was hand-drawn. Even though it was hand-drawn, the coordinates were very accurate.

"Hanabi, did Minori-chan draw this herself?"

"Yep, she has the potential for things like this." Hanabi said as they followed the maps directions.

When they reached their destination, according to the map, a small cottage surrounded with grass lay in front of them.

"We're here." Hanabi said.

Hinata looked around. The cottage was a bit isolated from the houses in the town. It seemed as though the cottage had its own little corner. Not that it was bad.

"Excuse me…may I help you?"

Hinata turned to the voice. Her eyes widened.

The girl who spoke seemed to do the same. Hanabi watched confusedly.

"Um, Hinata, who is she?" Hanabi whispered.

"…E-Emiko…"Hanabi choked out as she stared at the girl.