Breakfast Monday morning was the same old, same old. My dad and I ate cereal. Frosted banana-nut.
I reenacted the movie for my dad. I jumped mostly to the exciting parts. I flailed my arms and did whatever noise I could copy. Then I asked how his meeting went. He said words. I nodded, pretending to understand.
Afterward, I set out for another day of school. I gave Itachi his clothes back and thanked him again for it.
Shisui saw. "WHOA. What did I miss?" He circled us, looking up and down. He patted both our backs and then said some things that made Itachi annoyed.
"Don't jump to conclusions, cousin."
"Defensive," Shisui said.
"Shisui, Ayae stained her clothes—"
"With what?"
"—and I offered her a spare."
"So you planned it."
"Shisui…" Itachi gave a look that could kill. I stepped back.
"So, you guys have a good time?" Shisui asked.
I smiled and nodded.
Shisui held back snickers. Before I knew it, Shisui was sent fifty feet up in the air. Itachi walked away.
Once Shisui crashed back down, I added, "Yeah, the movie was amazing! You should have come with us too!"
Shisui sighed. "Told ya, had stupid police work. What I miss?"
I summarized the movie to Shisui. I might have added a few exaggerations here and there. I left out the ending. I would never spoil a movie.
At school, a whole crowd gathered around me to listen too. They asked so many questions that I did not even have time to finish my lunch.
But I loved the attention. It was impossible to not brag that you watched a famous movie no one else did. My friends watched too. But none of them could tell the story the way I could. Dai only complained. Setsu and Ayame only said it was good. Tamaki smirked and said they had to wait and watch it for themselves. I was the only one who fed the hungry audience.
I got Ginjiro to reenact a few scenes with me.
"So, yeah, blah blah blah, he and the gang then storm into the hideout and she meets him there. They talk blah, blah, blah, and then WOOSH, a knife comes between them and misses their face by like that much." I pinched my fingers together.
"It was more like that much." Ginjiro made his gap wider.
"Same thing," I said.
We argued over how much that much was until lunch break was over. Everyone asked me to finish the rest tomorrow. I happily nodded.
Back at the classroom, the teacher droned on again. I was about to tune him out until he said something I forgot about. Report cards.
One by one, we were called to his desk. After he called my name, I went to his desk and got a big envelope.
I unwrapped the string around my envelope. A few classmates curiously looked at me. Some peered over my shoulder. "Whatcha get?"
I had no clue.
Inside the envelope were papers. The first was a note written by the old geezer. Even if I could read his handwriting, I could not understand. Only adults could understand. I set that aside. The second slip got my attention because on the top, in big bold words, were the words Ninja Application. I was excited. I was 100 percent sure I would choose the ninja track.
The third slip was not a card, but a paper folded three times. I unfolded it. The people around me gasped. Murmurs spread from table to table.
I ignored them and squinted to see what I got. It was not too bad! I ranked 7th in the class, 38th in the grade.
Tamaki leaned over the table. "So what did you get?" she asked. I handed her my report card.
"How about you?" I asked. She slipped her own sheet over. I was surprised. Tamaki did amazingly! She was first in class, 9th in grade.
Dai snatched Tamaki's card from me. Dai raised an eyebrow. "First as always? Who said she was failing all trimester?"
Tamaki folded her arms. "I thought I was!"
"Uh-huh. Yeah. Totally."
Setsu and Ayame giggled. I asked to see theirs. Everyone exchanged cards. Dai got 53. Setsu got 32. Ayame got 45.
After seeing everyone's, I relaxed. I did okay.
Oddly, the only person who was not happy with her grade was Tamaki. She started writing small notes on a pad. She murmured to herself about how to be better.
The rest of the girls laughed. Dai snatched the notepad from her. "Someone needs to chill."
A red cap appeared by my side. I almost fell off my seat.
"Word at the boy's table is that the Uchiha girl didn't get perfect scores."
"I wish!" I moved aside, so Ginjiro could share my seat.
He waved his report card in his hand. "So, what did you get?"
I eyed his report card. I held out my own. "What did you get?"
"I asked first."
"I asked second."
"Three?"
"One… two… THREE!" We swapped them at the same time and rushed to unfold them. My eyes fell down to his ranking and…
"I WIN!" I shot my arms up in the air. I was 38, he was 39!
"Damn!"
I cheered, so happy that Setsu had to put her hand over my mouth. "Jeez, Ayae," she said. "Detention again, and you'll miss out on our end of the school year shopping."
I nodded furiously. Dai bounced in her seat. The girls went on to talk about what they were going to get at the market. Tamaki flipped over her notepad and joined in. She took charge and began picking out times for the meetings.
"So, Ayae," Ginjiro said. "You got the Ninja App right?"
"Yeah."
"You sure about ninja? What about your dad?"
"He'll be fine with it."
"Okay, good."
"Wait, what about you guys?" I turned to my friends. "Is everyone picking ninja?"
They all were.
"Of course," Tamaki said. "We stick together." She grinned and tucked her report card back in the envelope. "Right, Ayae?"
I beamed. "Right!"
Hopefully, next year, everything will be as great as this one.
.
"Extend. Do not be afraid to use your entire arm. Do not lock your elbow. Reach."
Ms. Hyuuga paced back and forth.
"Feel fluency in your movement. Feel as if a ribbon is being stringed, from your center to your shoulder to your fingertips."
She looked at us carefully.
"Posture. Be aware of your footing. You are twisting it." Ms. Hyuuga slid a girl's foot back.
"There. Remember, each movement should not have any strain. It's all about center and balance. Okay," Ms. Hyuuga said, clapping her hands, "that's enough for today."
I stood up straight.
"I understand today is your last day," Ms. Hyuuga told Ms. Yuuhi.
Ms. Yuuhi smiled sadly. "I'm afraid so."
"We will all miss you terribly."
In the changing room, I dressed quickly. I ran to Ms. Yuuhi before she could leave.
"Wait, Ms. Yuuhi!"
Ms. Yuuhi turned around. "How may I help you, Ayae?"
I pointed to the headband on her forehead. "Are you a ninja?"
"Oh, I see you noticed," she said, smiling. "Yes, I am." She asked me if there was anything she could do for me.
I told her I wanted to know what being a ninja was like. I told her that I would be going to third grade and that I wanted to become a female ninja. I also told her that I really looked up to her. I thought her dancing was amazing. She had to stop me from blabbing on.
"I'd be happy to answer all your questions, Ayae. Whenever you are free, come to this place," she said, writing on a note. "I am usually training there."
I could not believe that she was willing to help me! I thanked her like a million times. "I'll see you then, Ms. Yuuhi?"
"Call me Kurenai."
"Okay, Kurenai!"
"See you." She waved.
I watched her leave, her wild hair swaying at her side. I put her note inside one of my notebooks so I would not lose it.
Ginjiro knew everything about being a ninja from his brother, but I knew nothing! Shisui and Itachi were no help at all. The most Shisui did was hint about missions. Itachi did not even do that.
It was frustrating because I wanted to be a part of the ninja life too. I wanted to be able to be with them, training and going on missions too!
When I stepped out of the changing room, I was surprised to see my dad was not there. Even more, Shisui and Itachi had not left yet.
"How'd I do?" I asked them, like every day.
"Okay. Oh, but guess what I found out."
"What?"
"You know that Yuuhi looks even hotter when she's doing that dip-spin whatever?" he whistled.
My eye twitched. When people ask about how they did, they expect it to be about them! I sighed.
"Hey, why haven't you guys left yet? And what happened to my dad?" I asked, tiptoeing. My dad was nowhere outside.
Ms. Hyuuga left her office. She saw the three of us were still in the studio. She was ready to lock up for the night, so she got worried that my dad was not here yet. She asked if she should take us home.
"Her dad's busy. We can walk her from here, thanks," Shisui said, grinning.
I looked at Shisui. He was hiding something. Itachi was quiet, stealing a glance at the clock on the wall.
We walked home.
"Why's my dad not coming?" I asked.
"Oh, we got notice that his hands are tied today. We were sent to take you home," Shisui said.
That made sense.
The sun dropped below the horizon. I could see a trace of the moon.
Soon, the night lamps glowed. We had the road all to ourselves.
We passed the guards and the small shops. At an intersection, I waved my goodbye. My house was at the back of the district. Theirs were at the center.
I got confused when they kept following me. "Huh? I can make it on my own from here."
"Our presence is requested as well," Itachi said.
"At my house?"
"You have visitors."
I did not understand until after I opened the front door.
"Daddy, are you here? I—" I stopped.
In my living room was a crowd of our relatives. They were surrounding my dad.
My dad beamed when he saw me. "Hey! Glad you made it back. Oh thanks, boys, for picking her up."
The man who was talking to my dad frowned. He did not like being interrupted. "I told you they were notified to pick your daughter up. She's almost at the age of eight. I see no reason as to why she cannot find her own way home."
My dad was not happy. "She's far too young, and so is Itachi here. I don't like them wandering around unsupervised. What if something happens to them?"
I nervously glanced at Shisui and Itachi. I wondered what was with the visit. I doubted my relatives were here for tea. Still, I knew better than to open my mouth this time. I should just go to my room.
"Um, should we go while you talk, daddy?" I asked.
"Yeah, that's a good idea. You kids have fun!"
I took off my shoes and ran to my room. Shisui and Itachi looked at the adults. One elder nodded. They followed me.
Once inside my room, I slapped my face. There were clothes on the floor and on my bed. Lost homework and toys were scattered everywhere. It was a mess!
"Ah! Don't look!" I scrambled to pick things up from the rug. I threw them into the closet.
"Hey, not as messy as mine," Shisui said, shrugging. "And wow, this room is pink." He pointed to the wallpaper. My bedding was yellow, white, and pink too. The rug was red.
"What's wrong with pink?" I tossed an unworn sweater under my bed. "My dad and I worked for days to get it to look pretty, and without mom's help too!" Beneath the sweater was a future ball. I threw it over to Shisui. "Ooh! Check that out. My dad made it!"
"What is it?"
"Okay, just ask a question about the future. Any yes or no question. Then shake and it'll answer!" I said.
Shisui raised an eyebrow.
"Try it. It's fun!" I said.
"Okay, will I ever get a date from the lovely Ms. Yuuhi?"
He shook it.
Never in a million years.
"What!" Shisui yelled. "Are you sure?" He shook it again.
Not going to happen.
"No date?"
Don't count on it.
"Will she go out with me?"
The answer is no.
"What do you mean no?"
Try asking again.
Shake.
Ask again.
Shake.
My sources still say no.
"This thing is always going to be no! Okay, how about this. Will I not get a date from Ms. Yuuhi?"
It is certain!
I laughed. "The future ball never lies, Shisui."
Shisui did not stop shaking the thing.
"Okay! No more future ball for you." I grabbed the toy away from him.
Itachi chuckled.
I offered him the ball. "Hey, you want to try?"
Instead of taking it, Itachi pushed it back toward me. "No, thank you, Ayae."
"Don't you have a question you want to ask?"
He tilted his head. "I prefer my future to remain undecided."
Pouting, I put the ball on my desk and grabbed another shirt. I aimed for the laundry basket. It went Itachi's way. He caught it.
"Oops! Put that in there, will you?" I asked.
Itachi folded the shirt and set it on top of the pile of dirty clothes.
He put a hand on my wrist and said, "Let me take care of this."
I furrowed my eyebrows. But before I could say anything, there were suddenly two more people in my room that looked exactly like him. I thought I was going crazy.
Itachi's clones lifted the blankets off my bed. Shisui collapsed down on the mattress.
"Squirt," he said, "just watch and learn how the ninjas do it."
I crossed my arms and huffed. Itachi and his clones did take care of it. Second by second, my room got uncluttered. The pile of clothes in the closet became stacks, sorted by type and size and color. The bedding was made, after Itachi forced Shisui's butt off the bed. I lifted the stack of papers he put on my desk and saw he even ordered it by date. I would never lose another homework again! And it all took him less than a minute at most.
When his clones disappeared, my room was so clean, it was sparkling.
"Is this satisfactory?" Itachi asked.
I nodded, eyes wide. "Wow, you have to teach me how to do that!" I said.
"I can do that too," Shisui bragged, jumping back on my bed. "And that's nothing compared to some of the other things I can do."
"Shisui, you shouldn't be so reliant on your ninja abilities. That genjutsu will eventually dissipate."
"Not like your room isn't messy too."
"No. Ayae can confirm that."
Tilting his head, Itachi saw something off. He reached in the crack between my bed and the wall. He found a book. He blinked. "The Little Ninja? Where did you get this, Ayae?" he asked.
I watched him flip through the pages. "You can borrow it if you like," I said. "Auntie already read it to me, so—"
He slammed the book shut. I was taken aback.
He shook his head and put the book on my desk. "I did not enjoy it," he said. "I doubt my opinion will change with a second read."
"Really? But it's such a good book," I said.
"Sorry squirt, I hate it too." Shisui grimaced.
I frowned. I thought the book was wonderful. "Come on, guys. Maybe you just forgot the good parts. When did you read it?"
"That book was my birthday present when I was six," Shisui groaned. "Who gives their son a book for their birthday? Not to mention it was boring and the ending was horrible."
I was about to argue. But just then, we heard a smash. My eyes grew wide. My dad never, ever raised his voice. What was going on?
It was hard to tell what everyone downstairs was saying, so I cracked open my door and tiptoed downstairs.
Shisui whispered behind me, "Yo, don't think we should be eavesdropping."
"I do not think it matters," Itachi said.
I peeked in. Every adult in the living room was standing up. A teacup was shattered on the ground. It was one of the expensive ones that my relatives gave us on our first day.
.
"Uchiha Shisui. Uchiha Itachi. Come here," one of the elders commanded. I froze. How did he know we were there?
Shisui and Itachi left my side. I did not know whether to follow them or run back upstairs. No one called me, so I decided to keep hiding.
I crawled closer to the living room, my back against a wall so no one would see me. I peeked in.
Shisui and Itachi were kneeling in front of my dad. My dad did not look happy.
"This is unnecessary, and if I decide this is the best for my daughter, then that shall be it!"
I gulped. They were talking about me.
"And we do not approve of the current road you have set for her. There is much more potential than you are letting—"
"It's dangerous! As a parent, I am sure you understand the circumstances I'm under."
"This is why there exist procedures, discipline, training, and supervision. It's a life lesson, not to mention an honor that is not privileged to many. If you do not trust us, let them tell you."
I heard Shisui's voice.
"Please Mr. Kenta, we have spent enough time with your daughter to know she is strong-willed and capable." Shisui paused, then went on. "I am aware the title is notorious, but you shouldn't—I mean, our teachers teach us techniques and rarely are any of our missions a threat to our well-being."
I had never heard Shisui talk so weirdly before. I stole another glance into the room. I leaned back into the wall again. Should I walk in?
"And he is how old? What does he know about dangers? What will happen when he grows up and—"
"Mr. Kenta, I am afraid you are mistaken." I jumped. I knew that voice. "Age is irrelevant, and each will progress at their own rate. Take my own son for example."
My dad shook his head. "Your son. I won't let my daughter do the same."
"Females, I understand, are not as physically bodied, but they are required all the same. She may not have to be within the front lines, but there are other paths worth pursuing. I heard medicine is one practice—"
"It doesn't matter. What matters is that you plan to train my daughter to be a soldier, one who will constantly face violence and death. Police, maybe, but no, not this." My dad was angry, but he tried to keep his voice down.
He had no clue I could hear. I was confused, though. I did not understand what they were saying.
"Look me in the eyes and say that this path will not cross hers if I allow this," my dad said.
Itachi's dad was calm. "Tell me, Mr. Kenta. What else were you expecting when you arrived at a military state?"
No one said anything. I thought this was my chance to go in. But then, I heard Itachi speak up.
"Pardon me. I realize this is not my place to interrupt, but may I give an opinion?"
No one interrupted.
"After my observations, I believe Uchiha Ayae is not at all capable of becoming a ninja," Itachi said.
"Tch. The child has no idea what he's talking about—" someone said.
Itachi's dad shut him up. "Go on. I do believe my son would know her best."
Itachi went on. "Her skills to succeed in this field are below average, with no potential for improving dramatically in the future. The influence of her past life at the capital has made an irrefutably negative impact on her, for she has neither experience nor familiarity with ninja life. Her bloodline is weak, if traceable at all. She has no self-control and extreme difficulties containing any emotion. Should the outside discover another Uchiha child, she would become targeted and be the weakness within our clan."
A pause. My heart was pounding.
"I believe, if Uchiha Ayae does indeed pursue the path of a ninja, she will either be slaughtered or become an absolute disgrace."
The room fell quiet.
I broke the silence with a punch against the wall.
Everyone in the room turned to me. I stood by the entryway, glaring. "How can you say that, Itachi!" I yelled, holding back tears.
Itachi stared at the floor, his hair hiding his face. His hands were clenched tightly into fists on his lap.
"Itachi!" I said. I hoped he would apologize, or tell me I got it wrong, or take his words back.
He did not.
I thought Itachi was my friend, but he just made fun of me in front of everyone. He just told everyone I was a loser. I was so hurt.
"Ayae honey?" my dad stammered. "How long have you been listening?"
Itachi's dad looked unimpressed. "She has been there, Mr. Kenta." Then, to his son, "Now that you are done with your speech, son, tell me. Exactly who were you addressing? The clan? Mr. Kenta? Or the girl?"
Itachi said nothing, only looked more at the floor and the smashed teacup.
"Your answer is in your silence," Itachi's dad said, displeased. "Still, my son has brought up some good points. Don't you agree, Mr. Kenta?"
My dad was getting a headache. "I do not see the good you see."
"You wish for the protection of your daughter. What better way than defending herself? Make her a ninja."
"There is no need! She does not have enemies!"
"Stop being so foolish! The minute you stepped into this estate, every enemy of the Uchiha became yours, whether you know them or not. Even at the capital, you are not safe. Nowhere is safe. And no one can be there to protect your precious daughter every single waking moment."
Itachi's dad knew how to push buttons. My dad looked angry and worried. I got worried too. If anything, I had to make sure my dad was okay.
"Hey, if you're going to talk about me, aren't you going to ask what I think?" I said.
My dad looked up. "Ayae?"
"I—I want to be a ninja. I've wanted to tell you for a while now."
He sighed. "You weren't supposed to hear any of this. Honey, sweetie, you are too young to understand. Even I didn't understand at first."
"Daddy, I want to be a ninja. Whatever I don't understand, help me understand."
"No, honey."
"DAD!" I stomped my foot. The porcelain on the floor jumped back to life, clicking against the floor.
"You are too young, Ayae! You're not ready to understand!"
"How do you know that? I know more than you think I do!"
"You—"
"I—"
"ENOUGH!"
There was a bellow. It was a new voice.
Standing up was a man with a wrinkled face and hoarse voice. He was bent over, leaning against a cane. Still, he towered above us all.
Everyone respected and feared him, even Itachi's father. "I have had enough of this pitiful bickering. No, children do not decide. Girl, learn your place. Fugaku, control your son. I have never heard such impudence from him before. He is slipping. Kenta, I will allow your decision on what is best for your daughter, no matter how blinded it may be. However, if that is the case, our agreement is nullified and your loyalty is questioned. I can only hope you reconsider."
Without waiting for an answer, he tapped his cane and left. His word became law. The rest of the Uchiha followed him out. There was no goodbye. The only person who looked back was Shisui. He sent me a 'sorry' look. Itachi followed his dad, head down.
The living room was empty again except for me and my dad.
I sat on the couch next to my dad. "Daddy, we need to talk."
He massaged the bridge of his nose. "Yeah, sweetie… we do," he said. He stared at the glasses in his hands.
There was a pause. Neither of us knew how to begin.
"I—"
"I think—"
"Oh, you first."
"No, you go, daddy."
A long sigh.
"How about we eat first?"
"Good idea."
.
It took a while, but my dad and I got on the same page.
I showed my dad the ninja application and my report card. I told him I worked really hard. Ninja was something I really did want to be when I grow up.
My dad said that it was too early to decide. He said kids always want to be things when they grow up, but they always change their minds later on.
"What did you want to be when you were little?" I asked.
"Me? Oh, a doctor."
"Why?"
"Well, it was a job that saved lives. I could do something that helped people."
"Then why did you change your mind?"
Laughing, he said, "As it turns out, I faint at the sight of blood. Now that would make me a bad doctor, won't it, ahaha!"
In the end, we decided to think it over during break. My dad did not want me to be a ninja, but I did. And mom had always told him to let me make my own choices in life, and mom's words were law.
That night, I stared at my ceiling and prayed to my mom. I talked to her until I fell asleep.
Morning was unpleasant. I did not even brush my teeth because I woke up late.
The walk to school was miserable. Itachi did not meet my eyes at all. He refused to apologize, so I refused to forgive him. Shisui, on the other hand, pestered me nonstop for the future ball.
It was the last day of school and a half day. There was no work that day. My friends hugged and chatted giddily. Tamaki bought the table hairclips. I pinned mine to my hair, which was messy as usual.
Ginjiro tagged along after the bell rang.
"See you next year?" I said.
"Yeah. Come to my place anytime, okay?" Grinning, Ginjiro waved bye.
That left me alone at school. All my friends had gone home. It was a half day, so Shisui and Itachi were still gone.
I did not have the key to my house, so walking home was pointless. I thought about going to Aunt Mikoto's. I liked Aunt Mikoto, but I was scared of seeing Itachi's dad. My dad did not like him, and he did not like my dad.
I ended up wandering the streets. The orphanage was nearby. The kids ate outside. A few were running around in the yard. The door was open, so I slid in.
The place was crowded. Most adults were busy feeding babies or serving food. I climbed up the stairs. I nearly bumped into the little kids chasing each other down the steps.
At the top floor were bedrooms. Some had bunk beds. A few others had cribs. The kids there gave me curious looks. One girl pointed at me, as if to say I did not belong.
In the back was the closed door. Inside was the toddler from my last visit to the orphanage. I tried to remember his name. Nabaki, Noramo...
"Naruto?" I asked.
His head jerked toward me. His eyes were wide.
He pointed at me. "YOU!"
"Hi, Naruto."
"YOU! YOU!" He remembered me. I was surprised. It took three visits before Sasuke remembered me. Naruto was really smart.
"YOU!"
"…"
"YOU!"
I take that back. Not that smart.
"Yeah… me."
"YOU!" He pounded his head. Grinning widely, he said, "You Aya!"
I blinked. I take that back again. Naruto was smart.
When no one was looking, I sneaked the kid out. I was bored. So was he. Why not be bored together?
I brought him to the park. He really liked it there. I watched as he clumsily ran around, in awe at the wild flowers. I plucked a dandelion by the stem.
He gasped. "No!"
Giggling, I blew. The dandelion scattered in a white cloud. "It's okay. They grow back." Springtime was coming.
Another puff. Naruto blew on a dandelion himself. His grin was contagious.
"My mom told me those are all seeds." I pointed to the white seed cloud. "They grow into more dandelions."
I lied down. My fingers wrapped around a blade of grass. I gave a twirl and plucked it out. I pulled out more grass. I weaved the grass together. When I was done, I had a crown. I placed it on Naruto's head. It fell lopsided on his head.
He was so cute. I wanted a little sister or brother. Since Naruto liked me back, we set off and wandered the village together.
The streets were crowded. I was not too hungry, but I caught Naruto looking up whenever someone passed by with food. So I took him to Ayame's. I had gotten my first allowance. It was enough to buy lunch or snacks.
The noodle shop had high stools. I jumped up. I scooped Naruto into my lap. I had to make sure we didn't fall whenever he squirmed. There were two other customers, slurping their noodles. They did not mind us kids.
"Hey, it's you! Ayame's not here right now," Ayame's dad said, drying a dish. He peered down. "Eh, and who's this?"
I nudged Naruto. Naruto looked up and pointed to himself. "Naruto!"
Laughing, Ayame's dad said, "Welcome to Ichiraku, Naruto! What can I make for you?" Hands at his side, he nodded toward the menu behind him.
"One miso ramen," I said. "Err, small please."
"No problem!"
I peeked over the wooden counter. I watched him make the miso soup. His assistants stretched the noodles. Naruto reached to grab something. I handed him a pair of chopsticks to play with.
Our bowl was served. I clapped my hands together, then dug in. Naruto copied me.
He liked the noodles. A lot.
Naruto gobbled down, splashing soup everywhere.
I did not get more than a single slurp. Naruto hogged the bowl and ate it all.
He finished the last drop of soup. Done, he looked at me. I sighed and ordered another bowl. He finished that too.
I wondered if Naruto should be eating ramen in the first place. Aunt Mikoto was always careful of what Sasuke ate because of his age.
After the third bowl, I was out of allowance. My eye twitched. Not a single coin left in my wallet.
Huffing, I set Naruto down. "Naruto, you owe me big!"
Naruto grinned, soup on his cheeks.
We explored Konoha more. I did not want to get lost, so I stuck to streets I already knew. We spent the day window-shopping. We played a naming game. Naruto would point to things. I would tell him what the thing was called.
I learned that Naruto could not talk well. Sasuke was the same age, but he knew many words. Sasuke could walk better too. Naruto tripped over a lot even holding my hand. I was worried Naruto would cry after the first fall. He just made a whiny noise. Then, as if he forgot, he picked himself up and walked with more energy.
In one shop, I pulled down the arm of the fortune cat. The arm swung up and down. The trinket meowed. It was so cute. I wished I had the money to buy it.
"This is a cat," I told Naruto. "Cat."
"Caa," Naruto said.
"CaT."
"Caaaz."
"Close en—"
I was cut off by a shriek. A very, very nasty shriek.
"There you are!"
I got shivers up my spine. Behind me were two grownups. One of them grabbed the struggling Naruto. The other was the shopkeeper, who crossed his arms. "So you found him, ma'am?"
"Yes. You can't believe the amount of trouble I had. I spent the afternoon looking for him! Countless hours! How dare he run away after all that I've done for him!"
She was a lady, with her graying hair bound in a tight knot on the top of her head. I felt like I had seen her before.
It took a while for me to remember. She was from the orphanage.
"Um…"
"What?" She faced me sharply. She squinted. "Have I seen you before, girl?"
I shrunk. "Uh, I, um, went to the orphanage before. With my dad, we gave some toys and stuff…"
She narrowed her eyes some more. They widened. "My! I remember you! What's your name, again, honey?" she said sweetly.
I did not want to tell her. "Ayae," I mumbled.
"Oh! Right, right. Of course," she said, smiling. "Little miss Uchiha Ayae, am I not correct?"
"Yes," I said.
"That's nice," the shopkeeper muttered. He rushed the lady out the door. That broke the lady out of her trance on me. She huffed and turned to Naruto.
"Don't you dare run away again, you little monster," she said. "I wasted my day asking people in the village to find you. The humiliation!"
Naruto looked scared. I felt guilty.
"Wait!" I jumped in before the lady could leave. "I took Naruto out to play. I-I should have asked. I didn't think we would be out this long. I'm really sorry!"
The lady once again narrowed her eyes down to a squint. "Well, don't take this boy out again, little missy," she said. Then, she added sweetly, "But really, feel free to visit anytime with your father. It would be a pleasure to greet your clansmen again."
Naruto whined and squirmed, arms reaching for me. She knocked him in the head.
I winced.
"Bye, Naruto?"
Naruto looked at me.
They were gone.
That left the shopkeeper. "If you are not going to buy anything, I suggest you leave as well, little girl."
He went back to his counter. I put the fortune cat back on the shelf.
I noticed the clock. It was ten minutes to four. I planned on going back to school before three.
I was so dead.
"You could have told us."
So dead, so dead, so dead.
I turned around. Oh yeah, did I mention I was dead?
"Hey," I drawled. "Itachi. How's your, um… Did I mention today was a half day?"
"No," Itachi said.
I winced.
"You found her?" Shisui appeared in the shop with us. He collapsed against the shelves of trinkets. "Thank gods!"
"Hi," I squeaked. Can I run away now?
Shisui looked like he was about to explode. He did.
"Hi… HI?! YOU LITTLE PIPSQUEAK BRAT. COME HERE, COME HERE NOW SO I CAN STRANGLE YOU," he screamed. "We searched the ENTIRE village for you! Do. You. Know. How. BIG. This. Village. Is?"
"Yes," I said, my voice small.
"WELL? WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY FOR YOURSELF, YOUNG LADY?"
"I… forgot. Today was a half day."
"Yeah, uh-huh, we figured that out, say, oh, an hour ago."
"Sorry?"
"You are dead, squirt. I suggest you run," he said, cracking his knuckles.
"Eep!" I grabbed Itachi and used him as a shield.
"Itachi is angrier than I am."
Time to run!
They chased me for six blocks. I ran six blocks with two angry ninjas on my tail.
