Kushina Uzumaki POV
The sun had barely peeked over the horizon when Minato was summoned to the Sandaime's office. He apologized a bunch of times before leaving, since we had planned to take the whole day off to organize things at home.
I told him it was fine and not to worry. He just gave me a quick kiss before heading out. I ate my breakfast slowly, and when I walked through the living room, I saw all the boxes that had been delivered the previous afternoon.
Minato was almost as excited as I was to start unpacking this stuff..., I thought, pausing for a moment. I guess I could get a head start until he gets back. I smiled at the idea.
I left my teacup in the kitchen and went to mine and the blond's room to get a hair tie. I pulled it into a ponytail and also tied a bandana around my head to avoid getting paint in my hair.
I went back to the living room and rummaged through the boxes for the paint cans. I grabbed two and carried them to the room that was currently our guest room. I fetched the other two cans and the brushes, then headed back to the room.
I spread out a bunch of newspapers to cover the floor and grabbed a pair of painting gloves. Finally, I brought in a chair so I could reach the top of the walls. I sorted the brushes to start painting and opened the first can, seeing the light color of the paint.
Minato and I had chosen a very light blue paint. Even though pink was the more obvious choice for a girl's room, I knew Amaya would like blue more.
How did I know that?
Well... Let's just say I've been observing her for a few days without her knowing. I went to the Academy during break time and noticed some of the little redhead's behaviors and tastes.
Her clothes usually leaned towards blue tones, mixing dark and light. She was always discreet in her actions and gestures, even with her classmates, though she drew everyone's attention without realizing it.
She was always calm, too. I never thought I'd find someone with as much patience as Minato..., I mused and laughed. They have that in common.
I also talked to some of her teachers to find out what the Uzumaki was like in class, and once again, I confirmed that Amaya was similar to Minato.
Although she didn't show it like the blond, she also had admirable intelligence for her age, as well as above-average performance in practical matters.
And the thing that worried me the most was the fact that she almost always acted like an adult. I knew most of that was due to what she went through in that hellish lab, and it broke my heart.
Watching her with her classmates, I noticed now and then how she still felt out of place. Not because they didn't welcome her—quite the opposite—but because she herself didn't know how to act like them.
But I'll teach her soon, I thought as I painted the wall. Minato and I want to help her learn how to be a child. We want to show her the world has a pure side.
I got down from the chair after finishing the third wall. Just one more..., I thought, stopping to admire the room. It seemed so much more alive with that color, and I smiled, pleased with my choice.
– I'm home – I heard Minato announce and the sound of the front door closing.
– I'm in here! – I called out and went to the room's doorway.
The blond came to where I was a moment later and stopped, staring at me confused for a second. Only then did I remember I was covered in paint. He came over to me with a soft smile and stopped by my side, looking at the room like I had just done.
– You chose a great color – He commented with that smile I love so much.
– There's not much left now – I said, and he looked at me – Should we start bringing the boxes in to unpack them?
– I'll handle that – He said calmly – Finish that last wall without rushing – I gave a weak nod.
Before Minato left the room, I tied a bandana around his head so I wouldn't risk getting paint in his hair. The blond then went to the living room to get the boxes, and I went back to painting the remaining wall.
I painted it happily. So many things were running through my mind at that moment: What would Amaya think? Would she like it? What would her reaction be? And I also thought about all the things I wanted to teach her.
– You seem really excited... – Minato said as he brought in the first boxes.
– I can't wait to finish – I admitted – I'm excited to see how everything will look and for us to bring Amaya-chan home – He gave a soft laugh.
– I'm sure she'll be surprised – The blond said – But I don't know if she'll be more excited than you – We laughed, and I agreed.
– True. And by the way, how was your meeting with the Sandaime? Was it about a new mission? – He shook his head while unpacking some things from the boxes.
– It was an update about Amaya-chan – Minato explained calmly – About the results of the genin graduation exam – I stopped painting and stared at him.
– Did she do well? Did she pass? Oh my Kami-sama, I hope she did well... – Minato laughed – Hey, don't laugh at my anxiety, 'tebane! – I complained.
– I find your concern beautiful. You're always so worried about others – He said tenderly with a soft smile – It's one of the things I love most about you.
I felt my face heat up instantly and turned away, going back to painting the wall. I heard Minato chuckle softly again.
– She did well – He decided to explain, to reassure me – Very well, actually. The Sandaime also wanted to talk to me and her future sensei.
– They already chose her sensei and team? – I asked.
– Actually, she'll be joining an already formed team. And since that was the only one with just two students, the Sandaime decided to add Amaya-chan to them.
I stopped painting again and looked in Minato's direction. There was only one team, with kids around the redhead's age, whose sensei only had two students. It can't be...
– You mean that grouch is going to be Amaya-chan's sensei? – I asked to be sure, and Minato gave a weak laugh.
– He's not grouchy... – I stared at him more seriously.
– Yes, he is! He's been like that since our Academy days! – I reminded him – And besides, everyone knows why he only has a team of two people: He can't teach female students!
– He has some difficulty understanding women – Minato said, trying to soften the situation and defend his friend.
– "Women should be tender and sweet" – I imitated one of the phrases our "dear" ex-classmate often used.
– He really has a limited view in that sense – Minato admitted – But as the Sandaime explained to us, Amaya-chan might prove him wrong.
– I hope he doesn't pick on her – I said, sighing heavily – You know as well as I do how he managed to make all the female students placed on his team quit. It's always like a war between student and sensei.
– I'm confident it will be different with Amaya-chan – Minato said with conviction.
– How can you be so sure? – I stared at him, and he gave a weak smile.
– What are the most defining characteristics of someone who carries the Will of Fire? – I didn't even need to think about that.
– To be someone who loves, believes, values, and fights for the village's good, like past generations did – I recited, and smiled as I understood what the blond meant – And that's what that grouch values most in his students – Minato agreed.
– That's why I know Amaya-chan is perfect for his team. Like you, she came to the village and wants the best for it – I smiled.
Minato Namikaze POV
As soon as Kushina finished painting the last wall, she started helping me bring the boxes into the room that would be Amaya's. Since we still had to wait for the paint to dry, we started assembling the furniture and left the things for the walls for last.
The bed was the first and fastest piece of furniture. Right after, we moved on to assembling the desk we chose for the younger Uzumaki and the small dresser to keep near her bed.
We left the wardrobe for last, since it was the most complicated piece to assemble. By the time we finished it, the paint was dry enough for us to put up the wall shelves and the curtains.
We finished everything right at the end of the afternoon.
The setting sun illuminated the newly finished room, creating a contrast between the orange sunset and the light blue walls. Kushina and I were sitting on the floor, leaning against one of the walls of Amaya's new room.
– It turned out better than I imagined... – The redhead beside me commented, smiling, and I looked at her.
– You've always had good taste in decorations – I told her with a soft smile, and she looked at me.
She shook her head slightly and I gave her a calm kiss. She then rested her head on my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close, and we stayed like that for a good while, both of us silent, just resting.
I calmly played with Kushina's long red hair and closed my eyes for a moment, thinking about everything that had happened.
It had been a while since we'd had a moment like this, I thought. No worries, no missions... Being in the middle of a war, peaceful moments like this were rare.
But because of Amaya, we got to have this moment, I smiled softly. I got to be at home, spend the day with the woman I love, and see her smiling so serenely. I can't wait for this war to end. I can't wait for the time when we can live in peace...
I only realized how much time had passed when I noticed the darkness surrounding us. I opened my eyes and confirmed, correctly, that it was already night. The room was lit by the faint moonlight shining that night.
– Kushina, I think we should... – I started, but stopped speaking immediately.
The moment my eyes found the redhead's face beside me, I saw she was sleeping peacefully. Her expression was calm and she was breathing evenly, clearly in a tranquil sleep.
I offered a faint smile at the sight and, very carefully, picked her up in my arms to carry her to our room. Walking there, I laid her down on the bed.
With a damp cloth, I gently cleaned the paint stains that had splattered on her. I chuckled softly during the process. You always get yourself into these situations..., I thought. After cleaning her up, I carefully changed her clothes so I wouldn't wake her and let her hair down.
I covered her with one of the quilts, since it was a cold night. I placed a kiss on the top of her head, watching her for a moment. I'm so lucky to have her with me..., I admitted, as I had many times before.
I took a quick shower and put on my pajamas, returning to mine and Kushina's room shortly after. I had a towel over my shoulders, drying my still-damp hair.
I opened the glass door to the balcony and looked at the sky for a moment. There's so much I want to do when this war is over, I mused. I have so many plans with Kushina, and now with Amaya too...
I lowered my gaze to the balcony floor, to one of the wooden planks near the edge. I crouched in front of it and lifted the false plank, taking out the small box I had hidden there.
But there's something I want more than anything. A plan I've been waiting a long time to put into action... I opened the small box in my hands and saw the two rings I had bought a few months ago.
I know exactly how I feel about Kushina, and I know how she feels about me. That's why I want to take this next step with her. But because of the war, I haven't taken the risk yet.
I closed the little box with the rings and stored it under the false floor. I stood up and went back into the room, closing the door to the balcony. I tossed the towel I'd used to dry my hair onto one of the chairs in the room and got into bed.
I looked towards the redhead sleeping peacefully beside me. Her long red hair spread out across the bed. I smiled tenderly at the sight.
I wouldn't forgive myself if I proposed to her and something happened to me during a war-related mission, I thought. So it's better to wait. I want to do this the right way, at the right time.
I smiled weakly, feeling my eyes grow heavy and tiredness overcoming me. I can't stand the thought of breaking Kushina's heart... Because I love her more than anything.
Kakashi Hatake POV
The results of Amaya's graduation exam wouldn't be posted for another week. So she would keep attending the Academy until then.
I didn't talk to her about the exam, since when she came back, she seemed pretty worn out. A rare sight, I pondered. I'd never seen her like that, not even after training with Shisui.
The next morning, we walked to the Academy together, something we rarely did. I took the chance to talk to her.
– So... – I started asking – How was it yesterday?
– A bit tiring – She said calmly.
– A bit? I've never seen you come home and just pass out – She gave a weak laugh.
– I used a lot of chakra and didn't regulate it very well, so I ended up wearing myself out more than I should have.
– Was the exam that hard? – She shook her head side to side.
– More or less. The written test was really long. If I only relied on what the Academy teaches, I wouldn't have passed. Plus, I got a different test.
– A different test? What do you mean?
– My test was more extensive than the other students' – Amaya explained – And probably with more complex questions – She looked at me – Remember the conversation I had with the Sandaime about our first exam? – I nodded.
Amaya had told me about the conversation she had with Minato, Kushina, and the Hokage regarding the Academy's first exam. And the point she was making was about some of the village higher-ups not being sure of her capabilities.
– So they were testing you differently from the regular students – I deduced, and she nodded.
– Probably. But what really tired me out was the practical exam.
– They require the use of D or C-rank jutsus in the exam, right? – I asked.
– Yes. And we had to use jutsus according to our chakra nature to defend against the jounins' jutsus – I looked at her, slightly apprehensive.
– But that wouldn't work – I commented quickly – Even if the jutsus are the same for any user, the experience with them varies from person to person – The redhead agreed.
– I thought the same thing after the exam started. But the jounins didn't change and went through with the test anyway.
– Following the idea that you had to defend against jutsus based on chakra nature, did you have to repeat the test five times?
– I thought it would be like that, but the instructors made it a continuous test, and in the end, two attacked at the same time – I stared at her, surprised.
– And how did you manage to defend against them?
– I had to use a Shadow Clone for that – Amaya commented as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
I stared at her for a moment, completely amazed by that. The Uzumaki looked at me, clearly not understanding the reason for my surprise.
– What's wrong? – She asked – Is that strange?
– No – I clarified quickly – But now it makes sense why you were so worn out.
It's not strange, I thought, it's just unbelievable. The fact that she managed to use five different jutsus against jounins would be surprising enough, but also using a Shadow Clone on top of that... It's incredible just to imagine.
I looked at Amaya as we continued walking to the Academy. She doesn't realize how amazing that is. For a normal student, that would be completely unthinkable, but she... I chuckled softly.
– You're so weird – I said, and Amaya looked at me, then smiled.
– Thanks, baka – We laughed.