• I felt a sliver of cold air climb up my back and I shivered. It was unusually cold and windy as I walked towards my new home. Normally in October it was warm and bright, but today of all days was cold, dull and extremely windy. It felt like November and actually I wouldn’t be surprised if it started raining. I pulled out my map, that my mother drew, from my pants pocket and tried to read it in shaking hands. According to this, the Leaf Village should be just up ahead. I thought to myself and slid the map back into my pocket as I quickened my pace. I had been waiting almost four months (and even counted down the days) until I could leave home and start a life in the Hidden Leaf Village. Although Nezumi, my foster mother, begged and pleaded for me to stay, I wanted to leave. I didn’t want to leave her but I wanted to leave the mansion walls, restrictions and, of course, the special treatment. Since my ‘mother’ is the Tsuchikage of the Village Hidden in the Stones and I her ‘daughter’ I get treated like royalty. Everyone called me “Lady Amethyst” and I absolutely despised it. I didn’t want to be treated differently. And even if I wasn’t the daughter of the Tsuchikage I would still be treated differently because I was a witch.
    Another blast of cold air broke my concentration and I toppled over on the ground. I winced as my leg grated across the dirt. Wonderful, Amethyst, just bloody wonderful. I thought but was soon distracted by a huge stone wall and wooden gates that were labeled. “The Hidden Leaf Village” I was there. I was finally at the hidden Leaf Village! Even from here I could tell the village was beautiful. I caught glimpses of cherry trees, houses, shops and a huge building that looked like an academy.
    I was so distracted staring at the village that it was a few minutes till I realized something was running towards me. It took me a moment to focus and realize that it wasn’t something it was someone, a boy to be exact. He had short, spiky blonde hair, an orange and black long sleeved jacket, and orange pants with a kunai holster on his right leg, black sandals, and a Leaf Village ninja band on his forehead. Damn, he’s kind of hot. I thought as he came up to me looking concerned.
    “Hey, I saw you fall. Are you okay?” he asked. He had the most mesmerizing bright blue eyes and it took me a minute to realize he was waiting for my response.
    “Um, yeah I think so.” I said not sure if it was a lie or not. He smiled. Oh, yeah he’s extremely hot. my inner self noted once again. He extended his hand.
    “Need help up?” he asked. I could feel my cheeks turning a slight pink.
    “Um, sure.” I said taking his hand and pulling myself up on my feet. I smiled.
    “I’m Naruto Uzumaki by the way.” He noted.
    “I’m Amethyst Tenshi. Thanks for helping me up.” I smiled.
    “No problem. Hey, just out of curiosity, were you heading any specific way?”
    “Uh, yeah. I’m trying to find the Hokage. Do you think you can help me? I know I would get completely and utterly lost if I try to find her on my own.” I chuckled. Naruto must have thought it was funny to because he laughed as well. He had a nice laugh.
    “Sure, I was actually heading that way before I saw you fall.” He said smiling. I could feel my face getting even redder. He started walking into the village and I followed after him.
    The village was even more beautiful up close. They had everything from 24-hour markets to ramen shops. From rows of house and apartments to a huge ninja academy. From forests that looked like they stretched on forever to a huge building in the distance with the kanji symbol for ‘fire’ on it. That could be the Hokage’s office I thought. The village also had pillars everywhere and the most beautiful cherry trees ever. I gasped in wonder. Naruto looked over at me.
    “It’s so beautiful here.” I said is amazement. He smiled
    “Yeah, it is. Take it from me, I’ve lived here my whole life.” He said putting his hands behind his head.
    “You’re so lucky. I wish I was born here.”
    “Where are you from?”
    “Uh, I was raised in the Hidden Stones Village. I’m the daughter of the Tsuchikage. It’s not even half as beautiful as it is here over there.” I said. The winds started to kick up again, sending my long black hair flying in all directions.
    “Wait, if you are the daughter of the Tsuchikage, what are you doing in the Hidden Leaf Village?” He asked
    “I came to live here.” I said simply. Before he could reply, it started raining. Well, lashing was a more appropriate word because within a few seconds the both of us were completely drenched from head to toe.
    “Come on; let’s get to the Hokage’s office before we get sick.” He said. He grabbed my hand and ran. Within a minute or two we entered a huge building with the kanji symbol for ‘fire’ on it. So I was right, this is the Hokage’s office. I thought.
    “Come on then.” Naruto said. I followed him as he led me up two flights of stairs till we came to a door labeled ‘Hokage’s Office’. He knocked on the door and waited.
    “Come in.” said a woman’s voice. Naruto opened the door, led me inside ad closed the door behind us. The woman had long blonde hair tied in two ponytails, a green jacket, a grey tank top and blue pants. She sat at a desk piled with paperwork and scrolls. She looked up at Naruto with a look of pure annoyance.
    “What did you do this time Naruto? Break a window?” she asked, seeming irritated. Naruto held his hands up in an ‘I surrender’ motion.
    “Hey! I didn’t do anything this time, Granny-Tsunade.” He said turning a bit pink. I couldn’t help but giggle.
    “I was just bringing someone to see you.” He said and stepped back. The woman’s eyes turned toward me in confusion.
    “Who are you?” she asked.
    “Um, I’m Amethyst Tenshi, Lady Tsunade.” I said as I bowed.
    “’Lady Tsunade’ she gives me more respect than you do Naruto, and she doesn’t even know me!” she laughed and Naruto turned pink in the face.
    “Amethyst, huh? Nezumi has told me so much about you. Especially about how she thinks your abilities surpass hers.” She said. I blushed and Naruto’s eyes widened in shock as he looked at me.
    “Hey, is that true Amethyst?” he asked me. I sighed.
    “Yeah, it’s true.” I said, feeling my face turn every shade of red known to man. Tsunade cleared her throat.
    “So, Nezumi tells me you want to live here?” she asked.
    “That’s right, ma’am.” I said politely.
    “Well, first off since your abilities surpass Nezumi’s there’s no need for you to go through the academy so I’ll just give you a ninja band.” She said. She started rummaging through her desk till she found it. She handed me a lavender clothed ninja band like the one Naruto wore. I tied it around my head like a headband.
    “And involving housing, Nezumi paid to have a small house built for you, but due to the constant storms I’m afraid it won’t be ready for another three weeks.” She said with an apologetic tone.
    “Oh, ok then I guess I’ll just-” I started but Naruto interrupted me.
    “Uh, actually if it’s any consolation, I have an extra bedroom. Amethyst can use it for the next three weeks if she wants.” He said turning a slight pink again. I gaped at him. I’ve known him for about twenty minutes and he says I could stay at his house…with him?!?! I thought.
    “B-but you barely know me.” I said in disbelief.
    “I know, but I thought it would be better than nothing.” He noted. He had a point. Tsunade look at me.
    “Would that be alright with you, Amethyst?” she asked.
    “Um, yeah. Ok. Thank you, Naruto.” I said. He smiled warmly.
    “No problem.”
    “So, that settles it. Amethyst, I’ll have someone get you your bag of clothes.” She said.
    “Um, could you also have them grab my cell phone and iPod?” I asked. She smiled.
    “Sure.” She said
    “Thank you.” I told her.
    “Come one, let’s go Amethyst.” Naruto said as he led me out the door.
    “Oh, wait Amethyst! One more thing!” I heard Tsunade yell. I turned back around.
    “Yes, Lady Hokage?” I asked.
    “I forgot to tell you that you will now be a part of Team 7 along with Naruto and Sasuke Uchiha with your mentor Kakashi Hatake.” She told me.
    “Oh, ok. Thank you once again, Lady Tsunade.” I said as I closed the door and walked down the stairs to find Naruto waiting for me with my bag of clothes in his hand.
    “What did she want?” he wondered.
    “Oh she said I’m now a part of a squad.” I told him.
    “Sweet! Did she tell you which one?”
    “Um, yeah. She said I was joining Team 7, your squad.”
    “Really? That’s awesome!” he said, clearly excited. I giggled. He looked at me and smiled.
    “You know, you have a really nice laugh.” He noted. You know, you have a really sexy smile. I thought as I blushed.
    “Thank you?” I asked. He laughed, and then smiled.
    “That was a compliment.” He said
    “Oh.” I muttered as I stared outside.
    “Is it still raining?” I asked. I heard Naruto sigh.
    “Sadly, yes it is. And pretty hard, I might add.” He groaned.
    “Oh well, at least we will be clean when we get to your house.” I laughed. He smiled.
    “Yeah, at least we will. Well, let’s get going.” He said as he put my bag on his back.
    Aw, he’s carrying your stuff for you. How sweet. My inner self said.
    Shut up! You know he’s just being polite. I said
    Whatever. He’s still smoking hot.
    I said shut up!
    Shutting.
    “Hey, Amethyst? You coming or not?” Naruto asked me.
    “Oh, yeah I am. Sorry.” I said walking over to him. He held out his hand. I stared at it.
    “You might want to hold onto it. I run faster than most ninja’s.” he warned. Hesitantly, I took his hand. He smiled and ran. Holy s**t, he is fast! Still, it was exhilarating. Everything was such a blur. Minutes felt like seconds and before I knew it, were we outside a building of houses. When we stopped, he had a triumphant grin on his face like he was proud of himself.
    “Isn’t that just so amusing?” he asked me. But I couldn’t answer because I felt like I was going to pass out. The world around me started to spin. I saw Naruto’s face turn worried.
    “Hey, are you ok?” he asked.
    “Uh, no. I think I’m going to pass out.” I noted. My knees gave in and just before I hit the concrete Naruto caught me.
    “Let’s get you inside and out of the rain.” He said and I nodded. He put my arm around his neck and slid his arm around my waist. He shoved his door open and helped me inside.
    When you first walked in to Naruto’s house, you walked in to a neutral light chocolate brown living room. You had a white couch facing a small TV, a medium sized coffee table in front of it and pictures everywhere of various thing from landscapes to…ramen? If you looked to the left you saw a medium sized kitchen painted a honey yellow colour. You had a row of oak wood counters with marble on the top, a microwave, rice cooker, fridge, toaster, oven, a sink, a dishwasher and an island/bar made of oak wood and with marble on the top. Next to the kitchen you had a small round table with two chairs on each side. If you looked to the right you saw a hallway with four doors leading somewhere.
    Naruto set me on his couch and ran to the kitchen. He came back with a glass of cold water. He handed it to me.
    “Drink this, it should help.” He told me. I did as he said. He rubbed the back of his head.
    “Sorry about that. I should’ve known better. The first time I ran that fast, I passed out and woke up two hours later in a forest.” He confessed. I smiled. I finished the last of the water, and put the glass on the coffee table.
    “Feeling better?” he asked me. I looked up at him.
    “Much. Thank you…again. Just so you know in advance, I’m a danger magnet and I’m prone to life threating idiocy.” I said as I smiled. He chuckled.
    “Yeah, I think I’ve figure that much out for myself.” I blushed. He poked my cheek, which made me blush even harder.
    “And I figured out, you blush a lot and very easily, too.” He noted.
    “Where will I be sleeping exactly?” I asked, changing the subject. He got up and bowed.
    “Right this way, madam.” She said formally. I giggled and followed him towards the hallway.
    “This is the bathroom.” He said and pointed to a door on the left. It was a simple bathroom; it had a toilet, bath/shower and a sink.
    “This is the laundry room.” He pointed to the other door on the left. Again, just a simple washing machine and dryer.
    “This is my room.” He said pointing to a door on the right. He had a double bed in between two end tables, a cherry wood dresser with a mirror above it, a closet, a desk and a bookshelf. He had posters of…ramen and had clothes all over his floor. I giggled and he blushed.
    “Nice.” I noted.
    “And this is your room.” He said pointing to the last door. Inside was a full sized bed in between two end tables with table lamps, an oak dresser with a mirror above it, a bookshelf, a desk, a closet and pictures of landscaped all over the room. I smiled and turned to him.
    “It’s perfect.” I said and I threw my arms around his neck and gave him a friendly hug. He stood the awkwardly for a moment before returning the hug.
    “You’re welcome.” He said. I unlocked my arms from his neck and smiled. He gave me my bag.
    “Here’s your stuff. Uh, I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.” He said as he walked off.
    Aw, that was so cute! Inner said
    Don’t start, Inner! I groaned
    Too late.
    Just go away. Please? I begged
    Fine. She said as I walked over to my dresser to take a look at myself.
    My knee length ink black hair was totally soaked and dripping water. It was the same situation with my plum coloured jacket, my magenta tank top, black skirt and even my new ninja band was wet. I took off the ninja band and set it on the dresser. I started looking through my bag to find something decent to wear. I realized I didn’t have much to wear so I just pulled out a lavender tank top, pink shorts and a lavender skirt to go over the shorts. I replaced my wet clothes with my dry ones and walked over to the laundry room to place the wet ones in the dryer. When I walked back inside my room, I put the rest of my clothes on hangers and put them in my closet before pulling out my phone and checking the time. It read 12:26 pm. The back of my tank top was starting to get wet and I realized that my hair was still soaked. I walked out to the kitchen to find Naruto.
    “Hey Naruto, do you have a towel I could use?” I asked him. When I looked up from my phone, I gasped. He had a pair of sweatpants on, but he didn’t have top on and I could barely breathe as I took in the sight of his well-muscled chest. His blonde hair was damp and tousled. He looked utterly sexy.
    Oh. My. God! I mentally screamed.
    “Yeah, there’s some in the bathroom.” He said. Before I started drooling, I practically ran to the bathroom. I found a towel under the sink and I used it to dry my hair. I put it over the shower rod and walked back to the kitchen.
    “Okay, Amethyst calm down. It’s not a big deal; he just doesn’t have a shirt on.” I said to myself. I walked back into the kitchen only to see Naruto preparing what looked like two bowls full of ramen. He still had no shirt on, and it took all my power not to drool. He looked at me and smiled.
    “You hungry?” he asked me.
    “Starving. What’s on the menu?” I asked smiling.
    “Ramen.”
    “Are you, like, obsessed with ramen or something? I mean you have posters all over your house of ramen.” I giggled. He put the bowls of ramen on the table with two pairs of chopsticks. I walked over to the table and sat down. The smell of the ramen was intoxicating. He scratched the back of his head.
    “No, I just really like ramen.” He said as he sat down. About twenty minutes later Naruto was at the sink, cleaning the dishes from dinner.
    “Hey, Amethyst?” he asked turning off the water. I looked over at him.
    “Yeah?” I replied. His face was turning pink.
    “Since it’s only like one o’clock, I was wondering i-if you wanted t-to d-do something?” he stuttered.
    “Uh, like what exactly?” I asked not knowing what he was getting at.
    “Well, a few months ago I found this sort of forest type thing while I was training. And since you haven’t seen it yet, I wanted to show it to you.” He told me, his face getting even redder.
    Sounds like a good idea to me. Inner said.
    “Sure, I would like that. Let me just get my shoes on.” I said, walking back to my room. I slipped on my boots, put my cell phone and iPod in my pocket, and walked back out to the living room. Naruto had put on a black t-shirt and blue sandals and was putting on his black and orange jacket when I walked in. he looked at me and smiled.
    “Ready?” he asked. I nodded and followed him outside. The sun shined through the clouds and made all the water glisten. The rain had stopped and everything had a layer of moisture on it which made everything even more beautiful. He started at me.
    “What?” I asked.
    “Unless you want to repeat what happened last time, you’re gonna have to let me carry you.” He stated.
    “It that really necessary?” I asked skeptically. He nodded.
    “Fine.” I sighed. He held his arms out and I walked over to him. He slid his arms around my knees and my waist, picked me up and ran. I closed my eyes so I didn’t pass out again. I could still feel the cold wind across my face and body and it made me shiver even though it wasn’t raining anymore. Within a matter of seconds I could feel goose bumps appearing on my skin. Oh, why didn’t I bring a jacket? I asked myself. It felt like only a minute had passed when Naruto slowed down to a stop and set my down.
    “You can open your eyes now.” He told me. I hesitantly opened them and then I gasped.
    I had ended up in a forest. But not just any forest, a forest of cherry trees. I had never seen so many before. When the wind came, some of the cherry blossoms would come off the tree and fly around with the wind and it looked like they were dancing together. On the ground were some fallen blossoms and daisies as far as the eye could see. It was more of field than a forest but either way, it was still breathtaking. It reminded me of the times that Nezumi would take me to the waterfalls in the Land of Stones and read me fairytales while I dipped my feet in the water. Fields and waterfalls have no relation, I know but when I was at the waterfalls I felt completely at peace. It felt like no one or nothing could ever ruin a moment there. And here, at the field, I felt like I was invincible.
    Tears collected in my eyes at the memory and they just started overflowing. Naruto looked over at me, with a concerned expression on his face.
    “Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked, putting a hand on my shoulder. I smiled up at him through the tears.
    “Nothing is wrong.” I said, wiping the tears from my eyes with the back of my hand. “I just think I’m home.”