Chapter 2 – Memories and Old friends

Suki walked behind the lady she met at the front door down a long hall way. They finally came to a door and the woman stopped and knocked on it. "Lord Hokage, there's someone here to see you," the woman said through the door. "Very well, send them in," the Hokage's voice came. Suki smiled at the lady. "Thank you," she said putting her hand on the door knob. "Your welcome sweetie," the lady said with a smile as Suki opened the door.

When she walked through the door she looked around for moment then saw who she was sure was the Hokage behind a desk. "Come, sit down. Tell me your name," the Hokage told her. Se sat down in a chair in front of the desk. "Um, I'm Suki Hinote. I'm 14 and I need somewhere to stay. I'd also like to become a ninja," Suki said shyly looking down and nervously playing with pen that she pulled from her pocket.

"Nice to meet you Suki. I can set you up with an apartment that you can stay in, once you get a job you'll have to pay a monthly fee. If you want to become a ninja you'll need to go through the academy first," the Hokage told her. Suki shyly hesitated for a second. "Um, about that, I met a boy named Naruto earlier tonight and he said that the squads had just been picked out. I've trained with much discipline and went through almost a whole year of academy training in the mist village. So I thought you might be able to squeeze me in a cell," Suki said timidly. "In order to do that I'd need to see what you know," the Hokage told her. "Tomorrow meet me back here at 4:00 AM, that's before any of the squads begin training. We'll see how you do," the Hokage told her while pulling a piece of paper from his drawer.

"That's the address you'll be staying at," he told her handing the paper to her. "Ok, thank you," she said with a smile and exited the office. She walked down the hall and waved goodbye to the lady that showed her the office on her way out of the door. Once she wasn't in the building she leaned up against the wall with an anime sweat drop. "4:00 in the fricken morning?!?!?!" she complained to no one unparticular. She sighed and stared walking.

"I have no idea where I'm going…" she mumbled out loud to herself after a few minutes of walking. She noticed it was getting dark and knew it would be harder to find things once it was. She looked around but didn't really see anyone that she could ask for directions. "Wonderful…" she sighed and kept walking.

Eventually she found her way to the apartment complex that she would be staying at. "Finally!" she exclaimed opening to door to her room. She looked around to see that the place was completely empty then looked up at the ceiling. "Well…at least there's a roof…" Suki said to herself. With no alarm clock there was no way in hell she was going to wake up at 4 in the morning so she sat on the floor, pulled a notebook from her backpack and began to write.

After a few hours of doing absolutely nothing she glanced at the watch on her wrist to see that it was only 10:00. "I'll just take a nap…" she thought to herself while laying her head down on the cold floor.

5 hours later…

Suki lazily woke up and looked at her watch. "Just in time…" she mumbled seeing that it was an hour before her…exam thingy. She sat up and brushed her hair with her fingers then walked to the bathroom and brushed her teeth. She walked back to the living room and picked up her backpack then headed out the door.

In daylight Suki could see the Hokage's office standing tall in the middle of the village so she decided to just roof tops til she got there.

Once she reached the doors of the office she took a deep breath walked through them. The same lady as last time greeted her and led her to Hokage's office just as last time…except Suki didn't say her thanks with a smile as it was FOUR IN THE MORNING.

"God, how could anyone be so bright and shining so freakin early…?" Suki mumbled to herself disregarding that the Hokage could hear her. "Good morning Miss Hinote," he greeted her with a smile. "Oh these people are just torturing me…" she thought while trying to force somewhat of a smile on her face.

"Here's your written test, take as much time as you need. There's a desk right there for you," the Hokage told Suki while handing her a test. She didn't say anything but took a seat at the desk. She looked through the test and counted 15 pages all with 10 questions. Her face was like X-X. She sighed and started filling out the questionnaire. She was done within 45 minutes and gave the test to the Hokage. He looked over it and then looked at Suki with a satisfied look.

"Very good Miss Hinote," the Hokage told Suki. She somewhat smiled and looked down. "There's no time for a physical exam and most of your written test was passed with flying colors except for Genjutsu. That could use some work but it was good over all. You'll be in cell 7 with Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha," he told her. Suki nodded. "They're meeting in 15 at the training grounds; you have until then to get there," Suki just nodded again while standing up and putting her backpack on. "Thank you, Sir," she said and headed for the door. "Wait, you'll need this," he stopped her and handed her a Hitai-ate with the leaf village symbol on it. She glanced at the headband with a smile and nodded to the Hokage in gratitude. She walked from the room and stopped to ask the woman who greeted her at the door where she would find the training grounds. After getting her directions and headed where the lady told her to.

She found it pretty fast and saw 3 other people waiting. A boy, a girl and the boy she had met yesterday, Naruto Uzumaki. When Naruto saw her his face lit up and he ran towards her waving. "Hey, Suki! What are you doing here?" he asked in a curious voice. "Hi, Naruto. I'm in this cell now," Suki told him in a tired, lazy voice. "Wait a second, who are you?" the girl who was waiting with Naruto and the other boy asked. "Suki Hinote. Who are you??" Suki answered and added the last part sarcastically. "I'm Sakura Haruno, and what do you mean you're in this cell??? I've never even heard of you before and we all worked so hard to get here, going through exams and lectures and you just show up from the middle of nowhere??? And how old are you anyway?" "Sakura" said almost furiously. Suki didn't answer but seemed to be staring out into space. "Hello??!" Sakura called waving her hand in front of Suki's face. Suki was snapped from her daze and she caught Sakura's hand before she had time to pull it away.

"NEVER get that close to me again," Suki said with a death glare as she let Sakura's hand go. "I don't feel like explaining myself to any of you so early," Suki said in reply to all of Sakura's questions. "Sakura does have a point, you did just show up from the blue," the other boy added. "And just when you thought the quiet boy in the back was the only cool one he sides with the pink bitch…" Suki thought to herself. "And you are…?" Suki asked the boy. "Sasuke Uchiha," he answered very ego-like with a smug smirk. "That's nice. And since everyone keeps pushing it, I'm originally from the mist village and I finished a year of academy school there but had to leave just days before my graduation exam and I've been trained since then. The Hokage gave me this test this morning to see my skills and I guess I passed which leads us here. Everyone happy now???" Suki said getting frustrated while leaning against a tree and closing her eyes.

"You said your name was Hinote?" Sasuke asked. "Yeah, so?" Suki replied. "Well, our clans were allies once. No wonder you looked familiar," he said. Suki opened one of her eyes to glance at Sasuke. "Hey, yeah…I do remember you. Me and my brother stayed with you and your family once…" Suki said almost sadly. "Yeah…" Sasuke said back in the same tone.

"Hey wait, what are you guys talking about? How come I never saw Suki around more often if she stayed with Sasuke and his family? I thought you said you and your brother were separated?" Naruto asked in confusion. "My family stayed with the Uchiha's to remain hidden from assassins. And me and my brother are separated, but when we stayed with Sasuke I was only 4 or 5," Suki said walking over to Sasuke. From the corner of her eye she could see Sakura in somewhat of a rage that Sasuke didn't scowl at Suki when she stood next to him. Suki looked at Sasuke with a sympathetic look, like she knew something. Sasuke seemed somewhat confused. "So if your clan was so big then where are they?" Sakura asked, but not very nicely. Suki didn't reply. "Well?" Sakura pushed. After a few more seconds Suki spoke. "My clan was run down, me and my brother are the only 2 members left and we were separated when I was younger," Suki said looking down sadly. Sakura didn't say anything more but suddenly Sasuke had the same sympathetic look on his face that Suki did earlier.

"Forget this…when is this sensei suppose to be here?" Suki said lightening the mood. "He was SUPOSE to be here 20 minutes ago," Sakura replied. "Oh well," Suki said sitting down and closing her eyes. "Perfect time to catch up on sleep…" she added leaning her back against a tree.

"Wait what are you doing? You can't just fall asleep! We have training to do!" Naruto exclaimed pointing a finger at Suki. "Yeah! Naruto is right!" Sakura added. Suki opened one eye to glance at them. "Hn…" was her only reply, then she closed her eyes again. It was silent for a moment… "Well!? Are you gonna stand up?" Naruto asked impatiently. Suki just gritted her teeth and didn't answer. "Hello?? Earth to lazy girl?" Sakura said waving a hand in Suki's face. Suki, without opening her eyes, grabbed Sakura's wrist as she had earlier. "I told you to NEVER get that close to me again…" Suki said in a threatening voice. She opened her eyes and stood up, Sakura's wrist still in her clutch. "You have no idea what sleeping conditions I've went through in the last few years, I haven't even had a bed to sleep in, and when I did find a nice patch of dirt to sleep on, ninjas were at my throat the minute I closed my eyes. And at once I'm in a place that I can feel safe sleeping in and you want me to stay awake? I don't think so, Pinky," Suki said in the same venomous voice letting go of Sakura's wrist once finished. After a minute of hesitation Sakura replied, "Well you could have said that in the first place, grump!" Suki glared daggers at her. "And I should have to give you a reason for ANYTHING I do because…?" Suki said still holding her glare. "Good morning," a new voice said from behind them. Sakura and Naruto quickly turned around and yelled ay the same time "YOU'R LATE!!!" Sasuke didn't really do anything and Suki glanced back in alertness.

"Ahhh…you must be my new student that the Hokage told me about. That would also be why I was late, I was talking to him about that," the person said. Suki raised an eyebrow. "And you are…?" Suki said in somewhat of a smartass voice. "Kakashi Hatake. And you're Suki Hinote. The Hokage had good things to tell me about you. Of course, I knew your strength before then," Kakashi said, and somehow Suki knew he was smiling under his mask. "Wait, what?" Sakura said, an eyebrow raised. "Yeah, whaddya mean "knew you're strength before?" Naruto added agreeing with Sakura. "Hmm…I knew Suki when she stayed with the Uchiha family. She always had much determination to become stronger," Kakashi said. "Determination…she seems so lazy and un caring…" Sakura thought with a confused look. "Now then, so we can get moving on, why don't you tell your teammates something about yourself Suki," Kakashi suggested. "Ummm…ok…" Suki said and looked down. "My name is Suki Hinote. My interests are music, weapons, fighting, food and sleeping. My dislikes….way too many to name. My dreams, to be an excellent konouchi, better then any boys who think girls aren't strong. And also to be re-united with my brother," Suki said somewhat timidly. "Alright then. Let's move on with our mission," Kakashi said not making any comments on Suki's words.

"Uuggghhh, it's so early and what are we doing? Pulling weeds! How is this ninja work! If I wake up so early for something I want it to be exciting! I wanna fight!" Suki yelled in frustration that she had to pull weeds. "She's so enthusiastic…" Sakura thought rolling her eyes. Soon they were done and Kakashi told them they could go home.

"See you later Sakura-chan!" Naruto yelled as Sakura walked away. Sakura just waved and smiled at him. "Hey, Sasuke, wanna walk home together?" she asked running up to Sasuke who was already leaving. "Not really," he replied bluntly. Sakura got an anime sweat drop and crimpled at his answer. Suki watched Sasuke's back walk further away, then decided she needed something from him. She ran up to him and then stopped. "Look, I know we haven't seen each other in a long time, but I'm new to the whole "house" thing and I dunno what to buy for mine and where to buy it. So, I was kinda wondering if I could just borrow like some blankets and a pillow, please," Suki asked trying to be as nice as she could. Sasuke glanced at her with an emotionless face. "Yeah, I guess so. But tomorrow I'll show you where to get your own things," Sasuke said and kept walking. "Follow me," he said. She started to walk behind him. "Thank you," she said, but didn't get any reply.

Sakura watched as Suki and Sasuke walked together. Her face felt hot and her blood boiled with hatred and jealousy. How dare she walk with Sasuke, the thought ran through Sakura's head. This wasn't the end of this…

"Ok, just wait here and I'll get you what you need," Sasuke told Suki once they had gotten to his house. Suki just nodded. After a few minutes Sasuke returned and handed Suki a pillow and 3 blankets. Suki smiled at him. "Thank you…Sasuke Onii-chan," Suki said adding the last part timidly. Sasuke didn't really know what to say, he hadn't been called that since the last time he had seen Suki. Suki realized how much Sasuke had died inside since the massacre of his clan and sadly frowned. She looked down and started to walk away from him. "No Problem, Nee-san" Sasuke said after a few seconds. Suki glanced back at him through a piece of her hair. She smiled softly and continued walking.

Her apartment was just a few blocks down from Sasuke's house so lucky she didn't have to walk that far. Once she entered her house she went in the bedroom and put the blankets and pillow down on the open floor, representing a bed. She looked around her and saw the lonely atmosphere. She sighed sadly and decided to go out to eat something.

She walked around town trying to find a restaurant that she could eat at without spending the little money she had. She finally found a place and ordered just rice.

After she was finished she decided to go for a walk rather then going back to her lonely "home."

She started walking through town but then decided to go some place quieter; the outskirts of town. She walked through the forest with many thoughts in her head. She found a clearing, but there was already someone here – Sasuke. "O-oh…" Suki mumbled out when Sasuke looked back at her. "I…was just looking for someplace to sit for a while. I'll leave if you want me too," Suki said hesitantly. "No, you can stay," Sasuke said looking away from her. Suki just sat down leaning her back against a tree. For a few minutes they sat in the most awkward silence. Suki decided to break the silence and ask a question she had been thinking about all day. "A-are we…still…f-friends?" she asked shyly twiddling her thumbs. Sasuke didn't reply at first. Suki looked down sadly regretting the question.

Suki Flashback mode: laughter was heard through the playground as a young Sasuke and Suki played together. "Hey, Sasuke Onii-chan watch this!" Suki called out to Sasuke as she crossed the monkey bars. Sasuke giggled a little at how proud Suki was of herself. "Here!" he said holding a flower out to her. She jumped down off the jungle gym to where Sasuke was standing and took the flower with the biggest smile and eyes. "Thank you so much Sasuke Onii-chan!" Suki said hugging him. "No Problem, Nee-san, "he said hugging her back." We'll always be friends right, Sasuke?" Suki asked pulling away. "Right." Sasuke said with a smile. "Come on, let's go back to your house and bug Itachi Nii-san," Suki suggested with a giggle. Sasuke agreed and they raced each other back to the Uchiha household.

Suki was pulled out of her thoughts by Sasuke's voice. "Didn't I say we'd always be friends?" Sasuke said in a smart tone. Suki looked to Sasuke as her face lit up. She smiled ear to ear and flung herself at Sasuke. Sasuke was thrown off by this but hugged her back. "I've missed you, Sasuke…" Suki said. "I missed you too, Suki," Sasuke replied back not letting go of Suki.