Amaya Uzumaki POV
When Kakashi's back hit the ground, I froze for a second. It worked..., I told myself. We won. I heard our classmates shouting, some celebrating my team's victory.
My breathing was still ragged, my heart pounding a mile a minute. I looked over at the Hatake in front of me. He sat up on the ground, and when his eyes met mine, I reached out a hand to help him up. He gave a weak laugh.
– Looks like I really underestimated you – He commented, still slightly breathless.
– Same here – I agreed as he took my hand and got up – And it seems you're smart enough to have figured out my strategy.
– Hate to admit it, but it was a good plan – I stared at him for a moment, suspicious.
– Kakashi Hatake is praising my plan? – I raised an eyebrow – Is the world ending or something?
– No, you weirdo... – He said quickly – Just trying to make my situation a little better – I stared, not getting it.
– What do you mean?
– You won today's competition, and I don't know what to expect...
He thinks I'm going to torment him because of our last competition, where he embarrassed me by making me say every single thing I thought, I deduced. I couldn't help but laugh at his expression.
– Don't worry, I won't make you do anything absurd – He sighed, visibly relieved, and I couldn't resist adding – This time... – He looked at me with a bit of worry, and I laughed again.
– You're becoming impossible to put up with – Hatake said with a slight frown, but then gave a weak laugh.
We regrouped with our classmates, and the sensei gave his feedback on the training. He praised our teamwork, especially the strategies each group used during the match.
While he was talking, my attention drifted as I sensed a chakra further away from where we were. It felt somehow familiar, but I brushed it off and focused back on the lesson.
We still had some theoretical lessons in the classroom. In the late afternoon, the sensei dismissed us. I was just finishing packing my things when I heard someone call my name.
– Amaya! – I was already familiar with her voice.
I looked towards Kurenai and saw her and Rin rushing over, quickly hugging me and jumping around. For a moment, I was stunned by their reaction. They stopped and stared at me. It was only then I noticed Anko was there too.
– We won! – Rin cheered excitedly.
– Thanks to you! – Kurenai added.
– Gotta say, I didn't have much faith in your plan – Anko commented – But I'm glad I was wrong.
– I'm relieved it worked – I admitted – But that's thanks to you guys too – I looked at them – You were great and fought really well.
– Stop, you're making me blush... – Kurenai said, putting her hands on her cheeks as if embarrassed, and we laughed at her behavior.
– It was good fighting with you guys – Anko said, already starting to move away – See you later! – She left the room as we waved.
We chatted a bit, and soon the boys joined us, except for Gai who went to train with his dad. We all left the classroom and headed outside the Academy, talking along the way.
Everyone was discussing where they thought they needed to improve or what held them back in the fight. I was amused by their comments. They're so easygoing like this, I thought. I feel so good being around them.
– You were amazing too, Amaya – Rin brought up the topic, pulling my attention to her – Besides your plan, the way you fought...
– It's to be expected from someone who passed the genin exam – Asuma commented calmly.
– Good thing we were on your team – Kurenai said to Rin – I wouldn't want to have to fight against you – We laughed.
– But tell me something, Amaya... – Obito took over, and I looked at him – Who trained you to be that good?
I didn't have an immediate answer, or even one ready for that moment. The Uchiha's question reminded me that I hadn't told them about what I was, and I felt that same unease I get when I wake up at night from memories turning into nightmares.
– Isn't it obvious? – An unexpected answer came from Kakashi as he crossed his arms – She was born with talent, but not as much as me, of course...
– She beat you up – Obito reminded him, also crossing his arms – I could beat you up too, with my eyes closed!
– Want to bet? – Hatake asked with some arrogance, and the two stared each down like true rivals.
– Obito, you don't stand a chance... – Sarutobi warned, breaking the rivalry mood. The Uchiha looked at him, dismayed.
– Hey! At least you should support me, Asuma!
Everyone started laughing, and Kakashi kept his expression of superiority. I gave a weak laugh and looked at Hatake, then smiled weakly because of what he had just done.
Kakashi Hatake POV
After saying goodbye to everyone, Amaya and I headed home. I glanced at the girl beside me. Her expression was calmer now compared to before.
– Thank you – Amaya suddenly said – For earlier – She looked at me.
– It was nothing – I said, putting my hands in my pockets.
– But you could have been less arrogant, right? – The redhead commented after a few seconds, and I looked at her.
– What?
– "She was born with talent, but not as much as me, of course..." – She mocked, imitating me, and stared.
– Just stating the truth – I brushed it off to annoy her, and she narrowed her eyes slightly.
– Do I need to remind you who won our competition? – I let out a soft snort and looked at the path ahead.
– Guess I can't argue with facts – I simply said, and Amaya laughed.
We continued walking in silence until she broke it once more.
– A question... What is the Anbu? – Amaya asked, her attention on the path we were taking.
– It's a group known as the Special Assassination and Tactical Squad here in Konoha – I explained to her – Anbu members take orders directly from the Hokage, carrying out special high-level missions. They're responsible for assassinations, tracking, surveillance, and missions that require specially trained ninja.
– So they're like a rank above jounin? – The redhead asked, and I shook my head.
– Anbu aren't chosen by rank, age, gender, or even graduation level. Only their skills for maximum mission efficiency are considered.
– And for their ability to suppress all their emotions on a mission – She commented, and I nodded.
– That too – I looked at her then – Why?
– As payment for losing our last competition, I want you to answer me sincerely – Her tone was quieter than before – What do you think about Anbu members?
Is she being serious?, I wondered, looking at her silently for a moment. Amaya's expression was serious, and I could swear there was a hint of sadness in her features. I can't guess her intention, but what can I do? I lost...
– Let's see... – I put one hand under my chin – The first thing that comes to mind is that they're assassins, chosen and trained to be cold, calculating in their actions and demeanor on missions.
– Is that so...? – Amaya asked, but she seemed a bit distant after what I said.
– But they're not just that – I continued and gave a weak smile – Many people in the village might not like the Anbu members' behavior, but I personally admire them a lot – The Uzumaki turned her eyes to me – It's often thanks to them that we live in peace here in the village. Their actions might be comparable to an assassin's, but sometimes that's what's necessary to achieve a greater good – I looked at the redhead beside me.
As my eyes settled on her, I saw her smile. But it wasn't like she usually does. It was a smile as if she was... Relieved. Why is she like this?, I wondered, genuinely curious. What happened?
– Why the sudden curiosity about that? – I couldn't help but ask.
– It's nothing... – She clearly dodged – Just know that it helped lift a weight off my conscience – The redhead then looked at me, smiling weakly – So thank you again.
– You really are so strange... – I said quietly, making the redhead laugh.
__________________________________________________________________________
Amaya and I were discussing some things about our fight from earlier while preparing dinner when we heard footsteps on the front porch.
– I'm home – We heard that familiar voice as the door opened.
– Don't tell me... – The Uzumaki started to say but stopped when we exchanged a brief look.
We quickly went to the divider leading to the living room and saw – indeed – my father there. He was sitting, taking off his shoes and leaving them at the entrance. He's finally home. And he's okay. What a relief...
– Go on – Amaya said, and I looked at her – I'll pretend I'm not seeing anything – She gestured with her eyes towards my father.
At that moment, he looked at us. His expression was tired, but he smiled anyway. My father briefly alternated his gaze between me and Amaya. I took a step, a bit uncertain, but then my body moved on its own towards him.
I hugged him tightly. At first, my father seemed surprised by my action, but soon returned the gesture. I smiled weakly and felt my eyes getting slightly watery, but I quickly composed myself.
– Welcome home, otousan – I said and pulled away from my father.
– It's good to be back, Kakashi – He rested his hand on my hair and ruffled it.
I gave a weak laugh at that. It's been so long since we last saw each other, I mused. And he's finally back. My father looked towards Amaya, and I did the same. The girl had a happy expression for us.
– Welcome back, Sakumo-sama – The redhead said with a weak smile – Kakashi and I were just making dinner. You must be hungry, right? – My father gave a weak laugh.
– I'm starving – The three of us ended up laughing.
– I'll set a place for you at the table – She commented and looked at me – And you come help me later – I gave a weak laugh.
– Sure, I don't trust leaving you to make dinner alone – She laughed sarcastically and went back to the kitchen, leaving just me and my father in the living room.
– I see you took my advice – He pointed out, and I looked at him.
– Yes – I agreed – Amaya has a lot she can teach me – My father gave a weak laugh.
– And you're already talking about her without honorifics? Looks like you decided to take my advice to secure your future wife.
– Otousan! – I immediately scolded him, and my father laughed again, ruffling my hair afterward.
– But seriously... – He looked at me serenely – I'm happy to see you two getting along so well.
– That weirdo is tolerable – I commented a bit louder so she could hear.
– You're asking for it, baka! – She shouted from the kitchen, making my father and I laugh.
* Present Day *
– You and nee-chan seemed to get along so well even when you were young – Naruto commented excitedly from the other table.
– At that time, we got along very well – I corrected him, and Naruto looked at me, confused – But soon we would have our first fight, all because I was blind to what was happening around me.
– What do you mean? – The blonde asked, even more confused, and I gave a weak laugh.
– I'll get there, but first I need to explain what led to our fight – I said – That night when my father returned, we had dinner and ended up telling him everything that happened in the months he was away, we barely ate. My father seemed to enjoy hearing all about what we did and how his sister and I were getting along – I smiled weakly under my mask – He was especially amused by our competition and how we were handling the situation – But my smile gradually faded – However, I had no idea that would be the last night I'd see my father smiling like that... In fact, it was the last time he ever truly smiled.