No one's POV

Umiko walked across the the forest, enjoying the nature and the feeling of earth. The dirt slapping against her feet as she walked on them. Sweet pine scent filled her nose as birds tweets all around her.

Then she felt footsteps behind her. She ducked under as a sword that skidded across her head. Kicking the person in the chest, she slid backwards.

She got back up and smirked "It's your day to die, kid." The masked person said in a hoarse voice.

"Chuunin practice? Iruka sensei." She smiled.

The masked person stood there dumbfounded "W-What do y-you mean-? I don't know t-this Iruka s-sensei...." He said nervously.

"Mhmm." Umiko said and walked off.

Umiko walked along the busy streets of Konoha as people walked beside her.

Then she felt Gaara's presence.

'Ugh' She mentally groaned 'Not in the mood to talk to anybody'

She turned hack around, crossing her fingers and hoping he won't see her.

But unfortunately, the world hates her.

Sand wrapped around her foot and dangled her in the air "AHH-Urgh!" She covered her mouth as she felt something wrong with her stomach.

Gaara rose a non-existent eyebrow at her.

"P-Please...let...me...down..." She struggled to say as her face turned purple.

Then he dropped her. She face planted but then got up and dusted herself off. Turning around, she face Gaara with a smile "What do you want, Gaara?" She cheerfully said.

He squinted his eyes at her "Why aren't you scared of me?" He asked suspiciously.

"Am I supposed to?" She asked curiously.

"Hmm..." He thought for a second "You are the first person I have met that hasn't been scared of me."

"You just need to know what it feels like for someone to like you." She smiled.

"What do you mean?"

"Like this," She took a step closer and Gaara took a step carefully. But Umiko had already put her arms around him. Gaara was shocked as his eyes widen. Memories of Yashamaru came into his mind as he struggled to push her away,

"L-Let go!" He struggled to push her away but she didn't budge.

"You are not alone."

Gaara froze. His hands on Umiko's shoulder paused "W-What...?"

She tightened her grip on him "I was never loved when my clan was still alive. I only had one friend but she died trying to protect me. I was never loved again and I told myself that. But Naruto broke it. He loves me as a friend. And I will promise you. He will love you too. I may not not what you have been through, but remember this. People will love you if you only love them back."

Gaara softened 'This warmth...it's familiar'

Umiko slowly unwrapped her arms and walked away.

"Wait!" Gaara called out to her "What's your name?"

She turned her head around "Umiko!"

--

"Forgive me." Umiko slapped her hands together and put her forehead to the floor "Please forgive me."

She was currently on her knees, the lights closed and candles lighting the room.

In front of her, was a box with her alarm clock in it and roses surrounding it. Well she was basically having a funeral for her alarm clock.

She accidently broke it this the morning. Well, it was it's own fault. It just beeping, and it wouldn't shut up.

"I'm sorry! FORGIVE ME! FORGIVE M-"

"Umi-chan!" A knock came from her front foor.

"Uhh-uh-coming!" She quickly dumped the roses and funeral box in the trash and blew out the candles throwing in the trash.

She easily recognized Naruto's scent and opened her front door. "U-U-Uh, h-hey Naruto. What you doing here?" She asked nervously.

"Umiko? What was that?" He tried peeking in her house but she blocked him.

"Uh, it's nothing! Anyway what are you doing here?"

"Oh! Kakashi-sensei said to meet at the gate at 9." He informed her.

She nodded "Arigato." She closed the door.

--

Umiko walked to where the others were crossing her arms behind her head. She got bored of walking and started jump from roof to roof to the bridge.

Landing in front of the three genin, she pulled her hand up in the air triumphantly, "Hello my fellow genin!"

Naruto and Sakura gasped and Sasuke twitched slightly "Umiko! Don't scare me light that!" Sakura yelled with a tick mark.

"Sorry, bubble-chan!" She smiled.

"Bubble-chan?" Sakura tilted her head to the side a bit confused why she called her that.

"Yeah! Since your hair's bubblegum!"

"How do you know?!"

"Naruto told me."

Before she can protest, Kakashi sensei appeared on the top of the bridge "Hello guys."

"You're late!" Naruto and Sakura yelled.

"Well today I got lost on the path of life." He gave them a closed eye smile.

"Path of life my ass!" Umiko yelled irritated.

He rolled his eye "Anyways, I want you four to participate in the chuunin exams."

He hand all of the them slips of the chuunin exams. Naruto smiled proudly at it and latched him onto Kakashi sensei.

"Thank you, Kakashi sensei!" He shrieked.

"O-Oi! Get off me!" Kakashi started to spin around until Naruto got off.

"But." He started "Only a group of three can participate. One of you guys will have to participate alone." Kakashi informed.

Sasuke glared at the floor 'I'm not strong enough to do it on my own. Neither is Naruto or Sakura...but Umiko is. So it'll be me, Umiko, and-'

"I'll participate on my own." Umiko volunteered.

Sasuke stared at her. "Are you sure Umi-chan?" Naruto stared at her.

"Yeah!" She nodded smiling.

"Alright." Kakashi confirmed "Meet at the academy in room 301 floor 3 in five days. Good luck." He said and poofed off.

"Chuunin Exams! Chunnin Exams!" Naruto chanted "There must be a lot of tough guys, dattebayo."

Sasuke was in deep thought.

Sakura then suddenly stopped walking. Noticing, Umiko turned around with a questioning look, her arms folded behind her head.

"You okay, Bubble-chan?"

"Y-Yeah. Go on ahead. I'll catch up." She smiled weakly.

Umiko stilled looked suspicious but nodded and continued walking.