Yuki's P.o.V.
I didn't think it was weird that Sasuke shut me out. It was expected, of course, but I didn't think he'd be so obtuse about it. Ayame seemed like she was warming up to me well enough, though. I couldn't help but feel an immediate pang of guilt, however, when she called me "chan". I really did feel like I was using her. I didn't like it, either. She seemed nice and overly trusting and I could just feel that she longed for acceptance, much like I did. I couldn't dwell much on that, though. If it was for the survival of my team...
So, I was still shopping around as the early morning shops opened up. I got vegetables and fruits and some assorted meats for my team and I to eat during our stay. It wasn't all fun and games, so I kept my overall window shopping to a minimum. I was glancing at a parasol when I got the uncanny feeling that someone was watching me. I turned around and squinted. I saw no one but the men and women opening up their stores for business. I looked up at the rooftops, looking for a spy with bird's eye view. I thought I spotted some sort of figure on top of a building, but I couldn't be sure. I turned to one store keeper and got her attention.
"Excuse me, but do you see that up-" I looked back up to the building, but the- whatever it was- was gone.
"See what, dear?" The older-looking lady asked with a smile. I shook my head.
"Never mind. It was just a bird and it must have flown away." I quickly lied. "Thank you, anyway." The woman chuckled a carefree laugh.
"Alright, honey. Have a lovely day." She said and I bowed respectfully to her before hustling away.
I thought that was very odd. I wondered what that thing I saw was. Probably just some sort of vermin. But it was too big. Maybe a dog? But then...how would it be able to get up there? Questions and more questions, but so little answers. This was just a strange town.
Anyway, I soon finished up shopping and began to head home, when a figure appeared out of no where and grabbed the collar of my shirt before I was even able to comprehend what was happening. I had dropped my groceries and was being pinned against the tall, wooden fence I was walking next to. I recognized the figure's face as one of the Suna thugs that was trying to hurt one of the Konoha children the previous day. I really should stop letting my guard down like that.
"Well, if it isn't the punk who interrupted my lesson." Kankuro growled at me. I kept my expression emotionless, but equally hard as I replied.
"Don't worry, I don't need any extra credit." I said and Kankuro tightened his grip.
"Is that so?" He beckoned. "Maybe you need some detention instead, then?" I quickly grabbed his wrist and shoved him off me.
"Not on your life." I replied and dusted myself off. "I don't have time for this. You aren't worth my patience." I had expected some sort of physical action, but instead, I received an amused chuckle. I looked at his face and saw mischief written all over it.
"Tell you what, Yuki...I'll leave you be for now, but I will show no mercy whatsoever in the Exams. Get it, kid?" He asked and I shrugged.
"Fine by me. I just hope you have enough warpaint to cover the scars I'm bound to leave you with." I retorted and Kankuro gave me a hard stare.
"You're just lucky I don't go back on my word." He snapped before running off.
"How anti-climatic." I sighed to myself.
I bent down and began to pick up my dropped, and thankfully undamaged, groceries. I hadn't been hoping for a fight with the Suna-nin, but I wasn't going to turn one away, either. He really deserves a beat-down and I'll be damned if I don't deliver one. I merely rolled my shoulders at the thought and continued my walk through the city. It didn't take long before I found myself entering my flat.
"Anyone home?" I called into space. "I got food."
I shuffled into the kitchen and saw a note on the counter. After setting down the bags, I picked up the note and read the sloppy-but-legible script pf my sensei.
Yuki
Ryo, Himeko and I went for on outing to do a team work exercise because they started fighting again. Feel free to do whatever in our absence. BUT STAY OUT OF MY SPECIAL CABINET.
-Momo
I sighed at the note before I placed it in the same spot where I found it. Home alone.
How fun.
I put the perishable foods in the refrigerator and everything else in the cabinets. I wondered how long it would be until the others returned. I wondered if I had time to go sight-seeing, myself. I wondered the likelihood of running into Ayame and apologizing. I stopped wondering. I didn't need to overrun my brain with useless ideas and questions and thoughts.
I groaned quietly as I went into my room. I grabbed a pack of kunai from the nightstand and climbed out the window. With skill and concentrated chakra, I was on the roof in no time. It seemed to be only noon or so, but the streets were very much alive. I watched the citizens as they walked about obliviously. They had no idea if they were being watched or not.
Then again, neither did I.
Ayame's P.o.V.
"And this is how you break an arm." Kakashi had finished up a presentation on proper limb damage, using Naruto as a test dummy. We had taken a break from physical labor for a bit to learn some new techniques. My face doesn't hurt anymore, by the way.
"I think we get it, Kakashi-sensei."
"I don't."
"Shut up, Sakura." I growled. My patience for her had grown exceedingly thin and I was about to lose my temper. "You can let him go now, Kakashi-sensei."
Kakashi had Naruto's left arm twisted behind his back almost impossibly tight. I was mentally cringing just looking at it. The copy ninja just nodded and released the whimpering boy from his grasp. Naruto stumbled away and crawled behind me. He rubbed his shoulder as he sniffled.
"Thanks, Onee-san." He whispered and I ruffled his blonde spikes.
"Anytime, Onii-san." I muttered. "So, physical abuse aside, is there anything else we need to know?" Kakashi laughed darkly.
"There's everything you need to know." He shook his head. "I don't know what it's going to be like- it changes every year, like I said, depending on the proctor. However, I think with the amount of team work you four show, you'll be just fine. Or, I hope so at least for your sakes."
"That...was not helpful at all..." I sighed and rubbed my forehead. Sasuke tapped my hand with the back of his before he cleared his throat.
"I think now would be a good time to take a break." He announced. Kakashi looked between the four of us and nodded.
"Regroup here in an hour." And he was gone in a cloud of smoke. I rolled my eyes and turned around to walk away.
"That damn Jonin." I spat out to myself before I even noticed a quiet Sasuke following me. I didn't immediately address him. I wasn't angry that he had struck me, but I was just not in the mood for conversation. "I'm starving. I need something to eat."
"Ramen? The usual?" Sasuke asked, reaching for my hand. I allowed him to intertwine his fingers with mine. I shrugged.
"Sounds good to me." And before I knew it, a grey dog came by my side. "Hello, Kage-kun. Enjoying your afternoon?" I gained an eager yip in return. Yes, I speak to my dog while expecting a reply. Big deal. "Care to join us for lunch?" Another yip.
The three of us strolled over to the IchiRaku Ramen stand to find a perky, whistling Ayame wiping the counter with a white rag. Her brown hair was shining as it cascaded over her shoulders. I couldn't believe how different we were from each other, even though we shared the same name. I don't mean to be, well, mean, but Ayame isn't exactly the sharpest kunai in the pouch.
"Good afternoon, Ayame-chan. Sasuke-kun." Ayame chirped from behind the counter, a smile slapped across her nicely toned face. "Care for some dipping noodles?" I gagged exaggeratedly.
"No, thanks. The usual would be lovely." I said with a smile and earned one in return.
"Of course." Ayame turned around."Akio-kun? Two bowls of miso please. And a bowl of water?" Akio stood up from his, I assume, squatting position in then kitchen.
"I'll get right on that, Ayame-chan." My ears are very strong, so I could hear Ayame's heart skip a beat. However, that wasn't the only thing I heard.
"Did you see that guy?" It was a girl's voice, but I didn't know who it was. I listened in on the conversation. "The kid with red hair? Blue-green eyes?"
"No, no, his eyes were gorgeous teal!" I knew immideately who they were talking about.
"Sabuka no Gaara." I muttered under my breath. I was sitting next to Sasuke at this point, Kage sitting on my lap and his nub of a tail wagging vigorously.
"What?" Sasuke asked and I blinked, shaking my head.
"Nothing. It's nothing." I dismissed him and as I attempted to continue hearing the conversation, I was presented with a beautiful bowl of ramen. I stared at the brown broth and felt the heat of the steam kiss my cheeks. I inhaled the scent and suddenly, I was whisked away.
I was standing in an unfamiliar place. Though, I know I'd been there before. I was standing in the middle of a vision- a memory. It was hot and dusty here. I looked around and it was bright. I was outside and the sun was beating down on me. I shuffled my feet and felt the grittiness of the earth. Dirt? Or sand?
I bent down and pinched the earth between my fingers. Sand. I was in the desert.
I stood up and started to walk investigation, I realized that I was in a town or city. I was in a sand city? Sunagakure? Why was I here?
"Ayame, pay attention." I heard her voice. My mother. Kitai. I was having too much emotional whiplash to start bawling my eyes out, so I just kept quiet as I approached Kitai and the four-year-old version of myself.
"I'm listening." The obviously distracted child retorted. Kitai chuckled a sigh.
"Ayame, please look at me." The young, obedient girl snapped her head forward, listening intently to her mother's words. "Do you know why we are here, sweetie?" The child shook her head. "I have to run errands for work. My boss gave me a list of supplies that can only be found here, understand?" The girl nodded. "Can I trust you to stay over by the swings until I get back?"
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!?" I wailed, knowing full well that she couldn't have heard me. "You don't just leave a kid out like that! What the hell!?"
"Okay, mama." The young me said with a brilliant smile. She ran up to Kitai and wrapped her arms around the woman's legs. "I love you, mama." Kitai chuckled and patted her child's head.
"I love you, too, sweetie. Go play." The two separated and went on their merry ways.
Part of me wanted to follow Kitai, but another part said that the purpose of being there was to see little me do something. It's not like I would even be able to protect her if anything happened, but that wasn't the point. I watched as small Ayame tottered right on over to the swings and collide with another small mass.
"Oi!" I didn't know I said that when I was small. "Are you okay?" Young Ayame asked the child she bumped into.
It was a little boy with bloody red hair. He was wearing little Suna robes and his teddy bear was strewn off to the side. The boy cautiously grabbed his bear and proceeded to snuggle into it as if it were a security blanket. He sniffled and drew his knees to his chest. Ayame tilted her head to the side, walked up to the boy and squatted down so she was at eye-level with him.
"Hey." Ayame said, poking the boy's head. "I asked if you were okay-"
"Please don't hurt me." The boy requested timidly. Young me and present me had the same reaction. Shock and confusion.
"Why would I hurt you?" Ayame asked, plopping down in front of the boy. The boy, whose face I have yet to see, tightened his fetal position.
"Because they all hate me." He said. Aw, what a poor, little, scared kid.
"I don't hate you." Ayame said. "I like you."
"You...You do?" The boy sniffled. Ayame rolled her eyes.
"Hai. Now, can you look at me? What's your name?" She asked patiently. The boy hesitated before lifting his head to reveal teal, black-ringed eyes.
"I'm Gaara."
I woke up on the ground of IchiRaku's ramen stand, gasping for air. Kage was standing on my chest. looking down at me. I must have passed out.
Gaara was so familiar because he was my friend. I knew there was more to the vision, I just didn't get to see it. I wonder why he wasn't the one to recognize me. I wonder who Kitai could have worked for to have to go to Suna for. There were too many questions buzzing around my skull to handle. I felt like I would pass out again.
"Ayame-chan, you're okay." Sasuke sighed in relief. He helped me up and I held Kage in my arms. "What was that?" I shook my head.
"I wish I knew."