As her eyes cracked open with a flash of a life she lived not so long ago- the feeling of a soft comforter beneath her was foreign and unnerving in a way. But whether or not she slept in a soft bed or the hard ground she could never escape the nightmares that plagued her.
Amaya sat up with a start, her tanktop sticking to her skin- met with the distinct feeling of being watched. Yet, the only eyes she was met with were that of her dog... who laid at the edge of her bed staring at her quizzically. Kenshin had been with her for about three years, a loyal companion and a good friend. He was no ninken, just a dumb street dog. But the way she saw it, everyone could use a dumb friend. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as the morning like shone through the window just next to her bed, her eyes drifted out meeting some trees as well as the street below.
speaking of feeling like I'm being watched... She thought rubbing the back of her next- her clammy palms not easing her discomfort. Of course they would have people watching her, she knew that. But her instincts had a mind of there own- and she knew she would next be able to relax with the constant threat of eyes on her.
whatever the case, she had... school? the thought of going to sit in a classroom full of her peers was still foreign but she shook it off. Knowing it was her only option.
Can't be helped I suppose, she reasoned mentally as she swung her legs over the side of her new bed. She winced as her eyes drifted to the clock.
What better way then to start your first day ten minutes late...
----
Amaya stood in the small hallway of the Academy building uncertain of how exactly to go about this. She would need a plan- a way of operation to make this go smoothly.
Just treat it like a mission, she told herself raising her hand an knocking her knuckles to the door. From beyond it she could make out a small fracas, but it was soon slid open to reveal a young man. He couldn't be older then his mid- twenties, his hair was slicked back into a high ponytail and he had a long scar across his nose. He wore a shockingly polite smile as he stared down at the girl.
"You must be Amaya,"
She blinked up at him floundering ever so slightly.
"I apologize for being late." Her tone was frank and her brows were furrowed in slight concern.
"Nonsense- come on in!" He hummed ushering her into the classroom. Upon stepping in the hair on the back of her neck rose as she became acutely aware of the eyes on her. Turning her head she was a bit horrified to find about twenty Academy students watching her expectantly.
You are an S rank ninja- feared and wanted by the five great nations, you can handle a few snot nose brats she coached herself.
"Sensei! who is this!?"
oh god- I have to get out of here
----
From the Hokages office the soon to be Jonin Sensei's watched through the Hokages orb as the village newcomer was faced with her first challenge.
"She's gonna book it" Genma snorted.
-----
"Class, this is our new student. Please treat her with kindness and respect." Iruka lectured standing up tall and placing a hand on Amaya's shoulder. He felt all her muscles tense as he did so but chose to ignore it.
They all stared and she stared back.
"Go on... Introduce yourself," He urged under his breath.
She swallowed harshly shifting from one foot to another.
"Hello... I'm Amaya Ishikawa."
The room remained silent as the students blinked down at her, all before erupting in chatter. They whispered among themselves, called out questions to their teacher and even laughed at her less then satisfactory introduction. But one stuck out over the others.
"Where the hell did you come from?" An overzealous voice chirped. Amaya's ear twitched as it didn't sound like it came from the rows in front of her, but rather- the floor next to her. Turning and looking down she was promptly met with a young man. His distressingly orange clothing was the first thing she noticed- but then it was the rope bounding his hand and feet together. His sun kissed skin contrasted with his light blond hair- but what struck her most of all were his ocean blue eyes. Which held a fire that was hard to ignore- fire had set her path since her life began, so it was fitting she'd find it in him.
"Why are you tied up?" The question was glaringly obvious but she still couldn't help but ask. He scoffed and rolled his eyes.
"I painted on the Hokage faces,"
She pursed her lips and quirked a brow.
"Now why would you do a thing like that?" She hummed placing a hand on her hip feigning interest in this strangers problems.
"You wouldn't understand," He huffed.
"Ahh- a complicated rule breaker I see." She chuckled pulling a kunai from the pouch on her hip. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Iruka's hands twitch and his body tense, then a small ruffle outside the window.
Not as happy and innocent as we thought, huh sensei? She thought in amusement as she crouched in front of the boy.
"Tell you what Whiskers," She began lowering the blade to him. He gulped and Iruka watched closely- as did the AMBU just outside the window...
"Give me a try sometime- I might understand more then you'd think," With that she cut the binds holding his hands and then swiped at the ones at his ankles. His once apprehensive eyes now lit up with a newfound admiration.
"Wow! Thanks!" He snickered as he sprung up and scratched the back of his head. Iruka had now relaxed- taking a step back but still keeping a close eye on the girl.
"Alright..." He began slowly, his voice held an air of anxiety but was masked by that faux chipper tone she knew so well.
"Why don't you take your seat Naruto... and uh-," His eyes scanned the rows quickly.
"Amaya how about you take a seat next to Shikamaru, raise your hand Shikamaru," Iruka smiled.
-----
You've gotta be kidding.... The boy thought as all eyes fell on him. Leaning back into his seat he wished he could disappear, Why did I get stuck with the weird girl.
With a grimace Shikamaru raise a hand above his head, he watched as the newcomers unfamiliar golden eyes poured over the classroom before being met with his. The color resembled honey glistening in the sun and he couldn't help but hold them for a moment, but as she made her way to her new seat they drifted to the floor with uncertainty.
-----
Amaya didn't like the seat- too many weak points, blind spots in her defense. two rows behind her and four on either side of her. She was right in the middle- despite knowing her capabilities to defend herself in case of attack her leg bounced beneath desk.
Their all about to graduate- it'll only be for a few days.... She reasoned, her heart pounding in her chest.
———-
The day went on like normal, Iruka taught and the class listen diligently. Or at least most of them.
The boy she could soon come to know as Naruto did small things to amuse himself like doodle and flip his pencil and Shikamaru dozed off and slept, his eyes occasionally drifting to the girl sitting next to him.
To his surprise she, didn't listen at all. She sat and looked out the window watching the clouds drift by. Again, he caught himself staring and looked away sheepishly.
Don't be a creep Shikamaru he thought to himself.
Who shows up a day before the final exam? Is she even trained? how is she gonna pass? The questions circled his mind, he didn't like a puzzle without an answer. That's just the way his brain was wired.
"Ok guys it's time for lunch- go ahead!" Iruka hummed as the bell rang.
Amaya sat in the now empty classroom not exactly sure what to do- she had a lunch, but her nerves were so fried she wasn't sure she'd be able to eat it. How am I supposed to make a connection with any of these kids?... She thought. They've all known one another since practically infancy and here she comes on nearly their last day. How was she expected to become a part of their story this late in the game. Regardless, she tabled that thought because in that moment there was one thing she did know. She needed to get the hell out of that classroom.
Standing promptly Amaya wondered around the building but eventually she found herself on the roof. Staring up at the sky, she observed how different things were. It was warm in Konoha, a lot warmer then most places and she hadn't quite decided if she liked that or not. The Land of Iron was cold and dreary in comparison to The Land of Fire. Her train of though was derailed when she sensed people approaching her
"Uh- what a drag," being ripped from her thought she dipped her head back only to find Shikamaru and a boy she didn't recognize.
"Oh... my bad, I didn't mean to take your spot," she spoke sheepishly as she stood and turned towards them.
Choji blushed and Shikamaru let out a sigh.
"It's fine Uh-," he thought about what to do next.
Ahh this is such a drag!
"You can just sit it's cool," Choji blurted eating him a glare from the Nara.
She mustered a small smile and took a seat, they followed.
There was a pregnant pause before Choji broke the silence.
"I'm Choji Akamichi," he said giving her a smile.
"Amaya," she hummed in return giving him a short nod, awkwardly fidgeting with her hands.
He smiled chuckling before digging into his lunch.
"You aren't gonna eat?" Shikamaru eventually asked as he watched her stare at the sky.
Her eyes shifted to her bento box.
"Oh, uh... No I don't think so..." She mumbled looking down at it, but soon her eyes shifted to Choji.
"If you want, you can have it. I'd rather someone eat it then it go to waste," she smiled polite holding it out to him.
His eyes widened as he stared her.
A pretty girl giving me food... he thought as he blushed and grinned at her.
"Of course I'll take it!! Thanks Amaya!" He yelled happily grabbing it from her.
She let out a small laugh at his enthusiasm. As her eyes shifted from the Akamichi's to Shikamaru she found him already looking at her.
He gained an awkward look before turning his head elsewhere.
"So," he began breaking the silence.
"Why did your family come to the leaf," he mumbled.
She blinked at him for a moment contemplating what to say.
I don't even know if I'm gonna stick around very long... I may as well lie...
"We just decided to move," was all she said, almost dismissing the question before it could get too deep.
"Hm," he hummed side eyeing her.
"Have you gotten to see the village yet?" Choji asked.
"Uh no not really, I've been a bit busy lately," she mumbled scratching her cheek.
Don't do it Choji, please-
"Well maybe we could show you around!" He said with excitement.
She looked with uncertainty as she gave them both a sheepish smile.
"I um- I don't know-,"
"C'mon it'll be fun!" He laughed.
Finally relaxing her shoulders a bit she sighed.
"Sure why not," She gave in.
Internally Shikamaru let out a groan.
Choji... why do you always have to get me into situations like this...
So that was that, tomorrow night they'd give her a tour of the village. Giving them her address they made the plans and enjoyed the rest of lunch as the atmosphere became a bit less awkward then it was in the beginning.
———
The sun was almost down as most of the students left with their parents. The remaining few walked home alone or went off to hang out with there friends.
This in the end left only two figures on the ground of the academy.
"Oh hey Amaya," Naruto said as he noticed her standing alone.
Shifting her eyes from the sky to the boy sitting on the ground she smiled.
"Hey Naruto," she said walking up to him.
They looked at one another for a few moments before he spoke.
"So... when are you parents coming?" he said at almost a whisper.
She stood, looking down at him as he sat in the grass tugging it from the earth piece by piece and letting it blow away in the warm summer breeze.
"When are yours?" She inquired right back- tilting her head in slight pity at his dour figure.
He didn't say anything.
Why am I even still talking to this kid... She thought coldly. It was always safer to blow people off then create a connection. But then again- this was her new start. So despite every cell in her body urging her to leave, go home and sit alone for the rest of the night, she blew out a sigh. Raising her hands above her head she stretched her tired muscles before crouching in front of him.
He looked to her with biting curiosity, not exactly sure what to make of the gesture.
"I don't have parents." she finally admitted bluntly, not understanding why she even said it.
His eyes widened.
"I don't either," he blurted. He had a look of almost disbelief.
I've never met anyone... like me...
"Hey Naruto,"
"Yeah,"
"Do you... wanna get something to eat?"
He gasped as his eyes widened. But seeing his face she immediately looked down feeling like an idiot.
"Well, I mean, I don't even know any places. In fact I don't even think I know the way back to my apartment- but I mean that's not the point. What I'm saying is-,"
As she rambled, her usually robotic brain overloading with the irregular amount of social interaction. His face turned from a look of shock to a small but happy smile.
Her babble was soon cut short when he laughed.
She paused pressing her lips together.
"I know just the place," he grinned.
———
As the boy pulled out his wallet she stopped him.
"I've got it," she said with a smile putting down some cash.
"Wha- I cant-,"
"C'mon it's the least I could do, how else would I repay you for showing me the best ramen place in the Land of Fire," she said with a goofy smile.
He giggled scratching his cheek.
"Well I guess," he mumbled scratching his cheek.
As they exited and began to walk to there respective homes Naruto stopped on the dark street and looked at the girl.
"Hey Amaya..." he began.
"Hm?" she said looking towards him innocently.
"Thanks," he grinned.
Her eyes widened before she too smiled equally.
As they walked home they realized one thing. They had not only met people who understood there pain but, helped them forget it for a night....
———