Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Pieces of Our Past ❯ Chapter 1: Amaya ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

(A/N) You know, I can swear that I'm going crazy. But that's not the point right now… I don't know what is.

ANYWAYS just a reminder that this is a story that Crystalazer and I are writing together. I wrote this chapter…

Disclaimer: We don't own Naruto, but we do own any OC characters in this fic.

Chapter 1: Amaya

“Amaya,” a voice next to her spoke.

A dark haired woman turned to look at the person standing next to her. A slight smile played on the corners of her lips.

“Oh, it's just you,” she said, crossing her arms and leaning back onto the wall behind her. “I was half expecting it to be someone else. Someone of… greater importance.”

“Don't kid around,” the man said gently. “The Council has requested your presence.”

“Tell them it will have to be another time,” she spoke, her voice taking on a rather harsh edge. “I'm busy today.”

“Thinking?” he whispered softly. “Missions, I bet.”

Biting her lip, the woman nodded briefly.

A sigh escaped her lips, as she lowered her head.

“You do know that they won't be kept waiting much longer,” the man said, gently taking her hand. “I know it's something important… all the Jounin are gathered there.”

The woman nodded briefly again. “I'll be there soon.”

Seven years, had it been? Seven years since the last near-war. Seven years since that mission… Seven years since there was an emergency where all the Jounin had been called.

A small smile played on her lips again, as she remembered back to when she was twelve.

"Maemi Amaya," a voice said sharply, followed by a loud clatter of books falling to the ground. “Get up!”

A tousle-haired girl raised her head up sharply from the desk in front of her. She rubbed her eyes sleepily. “I'm sorry, did you say something?”

She looked up to see her Academy teacher, Matsu glaring at her.

“You're no good example to the rest of the class,” Matsu said simply, continuing to glare at her. “Your graduation exam is next week, you have to train and listen to what I say so you'll know what's on the test.”

Amaya tilted her head to the side, and gave a pouting look. “But I'm ready for the exam, Matsu-sensei, I swear I am!”

As Matsu opened his mouth to retort, the bell rang, and Ayama darted out the doors.

She breathed deeply outside the doors, closing her eyes. Now… it wasn't the time to be worrying… not about that. She would have plenty of time after she graduated, but she had to pass her final exam first.

Shinobi… what did that word mean?

It meant that you were a ninja, that you'd braved countless encounters with death, and survived. It meant that you were brave, fearless, willing to do anything to complete a mission.

Was it really like that?

Amaya shook her head delicately, brushing her black hair out of her emerald eyes.

The true meaning of Shinobi…

It still lied beyond what she could handle at the moment.

“Konnichiwa, Keiji-san,” she spoke, leaning against the wall outside of the school later that day. “I need to talk to you.”

The Jounin turned toward her, his face expressionless. “Yes?”

Amaya tilted her head to the side. “My graduation exam's tomorrow. Will you train with me?”

Sighing, the older man reached over and tousled the young girl's hair. “I'm sorry… I have preparations to make. I have a mission tomorrow.”

The girl looked up at Keiji with sad eyes. “You never have any time to do anything with me anymore. Not since you became Jounin.”

The man remained silent.

Sighing, Amaya picked her bag up from the ground. She cast her eyes downward at the ground, silently mouthing words at the Jounin standing next to her.

“Amaya-“ he began, seeing her act like she was.

“Just forget about it,” Amaya cut him off. She started to walk away, casting a dark look at the Jounin. “You were much better when Nii-san was alive.”

Ignoring the pained look on Keiji's face, she walked away from the schoolyard.

“Katon! Grand Fireball no Jutsu!” Amaya shouted, forming the hand seals Horse and Tiger. A stream of fire flowed from her mouth, burning down your target.

“Congratulations, Maemi,” Matsu said, smiling slightly. “You've passed. You are now a ninja of Rain.”

She gave a brief smile as she collected her forehead protector and walked outside to the hoard of students that had already graduated.

“Amaya,” a voice spoke, as the twelve year old adjusted her new forehead protector. “Looks like you passed. Never thought you would, at the rate that you were going.”

A playful shove pushed the boy aside. “Quiet, Ghiki,” Amaya warned. “I bet I did better than you anyway.”

“Riight…” the boy named Ghiki replied, rolling his eyes. “Anyway, the explanatory meeting is a week from today. Just be there, or else you won't be qualified to continue on as a Kunoichi.”

Amaya smiled sweetly. “I'll be there.”

She gently closed her eyes, but her mind instantly filled with a familiar face… one bearing hurt and guilt.

A wave of pain washed over her heart as Keiji's image came before her eyes.

Sitting in her dark room later was no comfort to her. Every time she closed her eyes, Keiji's pained expression from the night before came back to her.

“Nii-san left me in his care,” Ayama whispered angrily. “He wanted me to live happily… he thought that Keiji was the best choice.”

A bird chirped outside, the call of a blue jay. Ayama looked up slowly, her eyes heavy - lidded and tired looking.

“But apparently he was wrong.”

(End Chapter One)

(A/N) I learned a new word today! ^-^ What it is, I don't know. I'll get back to you when I learn one.

Read and review, please! Flames will be doused and flamers will be torched.