Amaya Uzumaki POV
The day after Sakumo returned, Shisui came to find me to talk about my genin graduation exam.
He apologized several times for not doing it sooner, since he'd gotten back from his mission that same day. He explained he was really tired and had just crashed, and didn't want to bother me at night.
I laughed at his concern and told him it was no problem. I thanked him for asking my friends to show up to support me. I explained everything that happened during the exam, especially the final part where Shikaku intervened for me.
To my surprise, Shisui told me that the jounin in question was his sensei. I never would have imagined that, I admitted to myself. But soon our conversation shifted to how I was doing.
I told him about the Academy and then my brother wanted to know about my competitions with Kakashi. Yeah, he knew about them. Shisui often wanted me to use his ideas to "get back" at Hatake, but I always set them aside. For now..., I just enjoyed the thought.
The following week was pretty quiet too. We had several practical tests at the Academy, but none I could use for a competition with Kakashi.
Speaking of him, his mood improved a lot since his father came back. I was really happy to see him like that. Sakumo also took plenty of time throughout the days to train his son and spend more time with him.
There were many times the older Hatake invited me to join their training sessions, but I politely refused, wanting to leave those moments just for Kakashi and Sakumo. They don't get many moments like that, I figured, I don't want to intrude.
But something else was bothering me a little.
A few days after Sakumo had returned, I went out with the platinum-haired man and his son, and I could notice the strange looks from the villagers. And this time it wasn't just because of me: their scornful looks were directed at Sakumo.
Even though he didn't show it bothered him, I knew it was just a mask. After all, I've been through that too..., I thought.
I didn't ask Sakumo what had happened, but I could guess from the rumors spreading like a plague through the village: Apparently, the mission the Hatake patriarch's team was sent on had ended in total failure because of the platinum-haired man, and many people died because of it.
I couldn't imagine a reason for Sakumo to do something that led to the death of his fellow villagers, but it seemed he had broken one of the shinobi rules, resulting in the mission's failure.
However, Sakumo himself didn't seem to let everything they said get to him – or at least that's what I thought.
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On the weekend, a letter was delivered to the Hatake residence announcing my passing the genin graduation exam. There was also a note informing me where to meet my new sensei and my team on Monday.
I couldn't contain my happiness at the news, and Sakumo made sure to congratulate me for it.
As for Kakashi, he just kept bothering me, and I didn't hold back teasing him about me graduating before him. Sakumo was amused by our banter.
I was so happy in that moment, I didn't even imagine that was just the beginning of the good news.
My second surprise started early Sunday morning, when Kushina came to visit us. She was almost as excited as I was when I told her about passing the graduation exam. She hugged me, or more accurately, suffocated me several times in the process.
Her energy was contagious, and even Kakashi, who was always sulky around other people, improved his expression in the redhead's company.
After calming down, Kushina explained the reason for her sudden visit: "A surprise for Amaya-chan," as she put it. I have to admit I was curious, and from Sakumo's expression when he agreed, he seemed to know what she was talking about.
We left the Hatake clan residence and I chatted with the older girl all the way to wherever we were going. She asked me lots of things about the Academy, how I was adapting to the village, and if anyone else had been bothering me.
I laughed at her spontaneous way. She was captivating and made me feel very at ease with her. Before I knew it, I found myself in front of her and Minato's house.
Namikaze welcomed us with a smile almost as cheerful as Kushina's. After congratulating me on passing the graduation exam, they both asked me to follow them with my eyes closed for a moment.
So I did.
When I opened my eyes again, along with the news that was about to change my life, I discovered that this would be where I would live with Minato and Kushina.
I had no words to express what I was feeling at that moment, I just hugged the two older teens as tightly as I could and let myself be swept up in the emotional moment we were sharing.
I started to cry, not from sadness, but from a feeling of extreme happiness, love, and warmth like I had never experienced with such intensity before. Kushina also got emotional and started crying with me.
Minato laughed at the way the redhead and I were handling the situation. I found it funny too, and it wasn't long before I started laughing.
After we caught our breath from all those sudden emotions, Minato and Kushina talked with me and explained everything they had planned and done over the past few months without me knowing.
I really hadn't suspected a thing.
And once again I felt indebted to Minato, and now to Kushina too. After all, it was the blond who realized I was alive in that lab, he was the one who gave me my name and took me in when no one else would.
And I felt grateful to be eternally in his debt.
Now, as a genin, I could start repaying everything I had received. Protecting the village and its people was my only goal. Even if some of them still rejected me, I felt the need to do whatever I could for those who were important to me.
That was my ambition.
In the late afternoon, I returned to the Hatake clan house with Minato to pick up the few things I had and move in definitively with the Namikaze couple in their... our house.
The two older teens kept talking while I went to the room I had shared with Kakashi until then. The boy was finishing the book he'd been reading for the past few days.
– You still haven't finished that? – I asked, getting Hatake's attention – You really are slow with books.
– Full of yourself as always – He complained, closing his book, sitting on his bed and staring at me – My father told me... So I'm finally free of you? – He gave a weak laugh.
– Just don't cry over not having my constant presence anymore – I said and started gathering my things.
– As if... – Kakashi brushed it off.
I'd known him long enough to tell when he was serious or dodging the subject with some stupid reply.
– Don't worry, Hatake, I still have a competition to win, remember? – I reminded him and held up the notebook that Kakashi so badly wanted to know the contents of.
– A competition that I'm going to win, you mean – I laughed at his smug expression.
– I hope you don't go back to being that grump because you lost your daily interaction with me – I commented to tease him.
– And have to put up with you again to go back to that? I think I can make an effort to avoid having to endure you – And not even two seconds later we were both laughing.
I stopped at the platinum-haired boy's bedroom door after getting my stuff. I guess that's all..., I finally thought.
– One more thing... – I said and looked at Hatake – Keep an eye on your father, okay? Even if he doesn't seem bothered by the villagers' comments, he needs to know there are people supporting him.
Kakashi was silent for a few moments before answering me.
– Are you talking about my father or about yourself, really? – He asked presumptuously, understanding it reflected my own situation before.
– I'm being serious – I warned him in a more serious tone and he sighed.
– Alright, alright... – Hatake stared at me – All I needed was to hear some stranger like you bothering me – He gave a weak laugh.
– You like it when I bother you, don't deny it, baka – He gave a weak laugh.
I said goodbye to Sakumo when I returned to the room where he and Minato were talking. I thanked him for everything, from the moment he and Minato took me out of that lab to him willingly taking me into his home.
The older Hatake gave a soft laugh at my words and said it was nothing. Since Kakashi was in the room with us, Sakumo spoke quietly so only I could hear: "Thank you for what you did for my son."
It was a simple thank you, but I felt the weight of his words and the value they held for Sakumo. They meant a lot to me too, I thought, because it was Sakumo's request that led me to gain Kakashi's friendship, an important friendship.
Minato and I said goodbye to the two Hatakes and headed home. As soon as we arrived, Kushina announced that dinner was ready and that I should just leave my things in my room.
I did just that and soon returned to the kitchen, sitting at the table with Kushina and Minato. We gave thanks for the food and had a quiet dinner.
Kushina was the one who spent most of the time talking or telling things. She was always lively, which ended up infecting me and Minato with her good mood. I felt really good in their presence.
I offered to help the redhead with the dinner dishes, but she immediately protested. She only gave in when Minato told her it was no use contradicting me. The older girl conceded defeat and I gladly helped her.
Since it was already late and I needed to be at the meeting spot with my team and sensei before sunrise, I wished Minato and Kushina good night, but not before thanking them one more time.
Since there was a bathroom connected to my room, I took a quick shower and soon returned to the previous room, taking the opportunity to organize my things in it.
I put the books Minato had given me and the ones I'd bought on the wall shelves, and smiled looking at the color chosen for the room.
Then I moved to the wardrobe and put away the clothes I had. My stuff didn't even take up 1% of the closet and I gave a weak laugh at that. It was only when I closed the wardrobe doors and saw myself in its mirror that I noticed a sincere smile stamped on my face. Even though I'd turned off the room lights, the moonlight illuminated everything there.
I fell onto my bed, a little tired, and closed my eyes for a moment. I felt light in that moment, with an incredible sense of well-being wrapping around me.
I opened my eyes again and looked around, just to make sure I wasn't dreaming about everything that had happened. I smiled weakly upon seeing it wasn't a trick played by my mind.
And tomorrow will be great too..., I thought and closed my eyes again. I'll meet my sensei, my team... I can't wait. I had no trouble falling asleep, as exhaustion easily overcame me.