Amaya Uzumaki POV
Falling asleep was easy; exhaustion took me quickly.
But that peace only lasted until I woke up covered in a cold sweat.
I struggled to catch my breath, placing a hand on my chest, feeling my heart racing just as I expected. I let out a heavy sigh and fell back onto the bed, trying to remind myself it had been necessary.
It was a method I'd adopted to learn how to live with the guilt i carried for everything i did at the lab. I knew it wouldn't erase my actions, but it gave me some mental relief. Forgetting was impossible, after all.
I glanced at the clock beside me and saw it was almost morning. I decided to get up since I wouldn't be able to fall back asleep anyway. I grabbed my clothes and headed to the bathroom to leisurely do my morning routine.
Once dressed, I stopped to look at my hair for a moment. It's past my shoulders now..., I thought idly. I left it down as usual and finally put on my glasses.
I grabbed my copy of the house key that Minato had given me the day before and quietly left my room, moving silently through the house. Minato and Kushina must still be sleeping, I figured. I don't want to wake them unnecessarily.
As I passed through the living room towards the front door, I saw a small bundle tied with an ice-colored satin ribbon on the coffee table. Two small bells were tied together, and a little note with my name on it. I picked up the paper and opened it, seeing a delicate, well-formed handwriting.
"Good morning, Amaya!
I was going to get up early to make you breakfast before you met your team, but Minato insisted I shouldn't (you two are stubborn on the same level, so you can imagine I couldn't argue with him). So I prepared this last night after you went to sleep. I hope it holds you over.
I almost forgot!
About the bells... Minato asked me to tell you to bring them with you this morning for when you meet your team.
Good luck with your grumpy sensei.
With love,
Kushina"
I chuckled softly at the older woman's note and thanked her mentally for the meal. I put the bells in my pocket to take with me.
But my mind stuck on the "good luck with your grumpy sensei" comment. Did Kushina and Minato know who my sensei would be? And why did she call him grumpy? I decided to think about it later, picked up the bundle, and left the house quickly to avoid any risk of being late.
I arrived at the location indicated on the approval letter as the meeting point with my sensei and my team. It was one of the remote training grounds in the village, used by Academy graduates and adults alike. Looks like I'm the first one here, I thought, seeing no sign of anyone else.
It was a day with heavy clouds due to the harsh winter setting in, though the sun was peeking out timidly. The cold morning air blew, but I was so used to the cold it didn't even bother me.
I took the opportunity to eat what Kushina had prepared for my breakfast. The field I was in was surrounded by dense vegetation, so I settled near one of the trees.
I ate calmly, savoring the redhead's food. I hadn't had the chance to tell her yet, but her cooking was fantastic. I need to ask her to teach me how to cook more things, I made a mental note.
I had some basic knowledge of cooking, but I was still limited to what I'd learned by myself from a cookbook I'd bought and what Sakumo had time to teach me before his mission.
I played with the satin ribbon that had been tying the bundle. I wrapped it around my fingers and it slid off slowly because of its soft, smooth texture.
My mind wandered to random things, but soon my attention turned to the boy approaching where I was. He walked casually, his eyes scanning the training field before fixing on me.
He must be one of the team members, I determined. I stood up immediately, and the boy stopped about two meters away from me.
His physical features reminded me a lot of Shisui: dark hair, but straight and neatly styled; black eyes, fair skin, and almost the same height. And I quickly understood why they were so similar: the symbol of his clan on the necklace around his neck.
He's an Uchiha, I quickly processed. I hadn't imagined I'd be placed on a team with someone from my clan. I faced the boy in front of me and extended my hand to greet him with a faint smile.
– It's a pleasure to meet you – I said serenely – My name is Amaya.
– I know who you are – he said with a hint of disdain in his voice – And what you are – He put his hands in the pockets of the jacket he was wearing.
I lowered my hand calmly, having perfectly understood the boy's behavior. So he's one of the clansmen who despises me. His gaze was clear as water, overflowing with contempt for me.
– I see... – I said and turned my eyes back to him – May I at least know your name? – I asked, ignoring his obvious disregard – Since we'll be on the same team, I believe that's the least I'll need to know.
He clicked his tongue and stared at me, not even trying to hide his displeasure.
– Don't think we'll be on the same team – he announced, trying to discourage me – My team is the only one with just two members for one simple reason: No girl can keep up with us.
– We won't know if I can keep up or not if I don't try – I argued with conviction.
– Listen well because I'll only say this once: Give up – I gave a weak smile.
– I'm sorry, but I can't consider that idea – I looked him in the eye – I'll handle whatever comes.
– Good to hear – a lazy yet stern male voice commented – Because I don't plan on going easy on anyone, not even a girl – I looked at the man who said that and my expression turned surprised – And Takafumi... – The Uchiha boy looked at him – I told you not to put yourself above others – The jounin stopped near us – The higher you climb, the harder you fall.
– Of course, sensei... – The Uchiha boy said without much enthusiasm.
This man will be my sensei? I wondered. But he's...
Shisui Uchiha POV
Shit!
That was the first thought that crossed my mind when I woke up. I overslept! I thought, Again! I got up in a hurry, just changed clothes, and quickly washed my face and brushed my teeth afterward.
I grabbed my gear, which luckily I had set aside the day before, along with the extra equipment my sensei had asked me to prepare. Looks like we'll have some new training today, I considered.
I rushed down the stairs at home and ran out. I mentally thanked myself for starting to work on using my Sharingan to enhance my speed. This will let me get there even faster.
I took shortcuts through the village, running across the roofs of houses and buildings. I headed to the training ground where I usually met my sensei and my team, already imagining I'd get scolded. Again..., I thought and sighed quietly at the mental image of the coming lecture.
– You're late – My sensei said immediately when I came into his view, his voice heavy – Again.
Shikaku wore his usual serious expression, arms crossed over his chest. His slightly grumpy expression said it all at that moment. I'm dead..., I determined silently.
– I'm sorry! – I said and bowed slightly in front of him – It won't happen again! – My sensei let out a heavy sigh.
– You're almost a lost cause – He muttered quietly and I looked at him – Did you at least bring the extra equipment?
– Of course – I said and promptly handed it to him.
While my sensei took the equipment, the second person who always made fun of me showed up.
– You might be a great shinobi, but you're still terrible with time, huh? – My teammate, and best friend, teased and smiled.
– It's a gift – I boasted, shrugging – What can I do?
– Maybe not being late would be a good start – The sensei admonished, and I lowered my eyes slightly at the reprimand.
– Shisui? – The unexpected female voice made me immediately look in her direction.
That's when I noticed and looked at the last person who was there. Wait..., I thought. What is she doing here?
– Amaya? – I asked, confused – What...
Then I remembered what she had told me: She would be joining her team today. So does that mean she's on my team...? I wondered, confused.
– Great, everyone's here now – Shikaku-sensei said next – Equip yourself with whatever you find necessary – He handed the equipment I had brought to Amaya, who promptly took it.
– Is this girl really joining our team? – Takafumi asked and the Nara looked at him – So that story about training today was a lie?
– Yes and no – He began to explain – She was supposed to join the team, but it's not certain – We looked at him, not understanding – And we will have training... – He paused for a moment – No, actually it's more like a survival test – The sensei looked at us – You two already know I can't stand you bothering me – He pointed to me and Takafumi – And frankly, I don't know if I'll have enough energy to handle a team with three students. So we'll do a test to decide what we do from today – He turned his eyes towards Amaya – Minato said you should bring something with you, right? – She gave a weak nod.
She took something from her pocket and handed it to the sensei as she briefly approached him. The redhead soon returned to near me and Takafumi, finishing getting ready with the equipment.
– You have until noon to complete the survival test – The sensei continued his explanation and we turned our attention to him – Today's task is to take one of these bells from me – He raised the two small bells to the level of his face.
– But why are there only two bells? – I asked and the Nara looked at me.
– Like I said, I don't know if I'll have the energy to train a team of three students – Shikaku explained calmly – So someone will be left without a bell, and that person will fail the mission if they can't complete it, automatically going back to the Academy – I couldn't help but make a face of disbelief, just like Amaya and Takafumi – It could be just one person or all three.
– What can we use to take the bells? – Amaya asked and the sensei immediately masked the faint smile on his lips.
– You can use your kunai, shuriken, other equipment, and even jutsu – He shook the bells slightly – You won't be able to get them if you don't have the will to kill me.
– This has to be a joke! – Takafumi protested angrily – This is happening because they brought her onto the team, isn't it? – He pointed at Amaya, who maintained an impassive expression at my best friend's comments.
– Mendokuse... – Shikaku-sensei complained as usual – It's not because Amaya joined the team that I'm doing this. I should have done this with you two before, especially given your difficult personality, Takafumi – My friend clenched his jaw – And I must point out that those with fewer skills tend to complain more... – The sensei turned his attention to all of us – We'll start after I say 'ready, begin'.
I immediately looked at the Uchiha beside me. I knew he had a bit of a hot-headed personality, and that was a perfect trigger to set him off – which is exactly what happened.
Takafumi charged towards the sensei with one of his kunai in hand. When he was inches from Shikaku, he stopped completely. The shadow of the sensei's jutsu enveloped Takafumi's feet, preventing him from moving.
– Don't be so hasty – The Nara warned him and took the kunai from Takafumi's hands – I didn't say 'begin' yet.
Takafumi had an irritated expression, but he gradually yielded. When I looked at Amaya, I saw her gaze fixed on the sensei's jutsu. She's already started analyzing it, I thought. Always quick...
– At least it seems you have the will to kill me now – Shikaku commented and released Takafumi from his jutsu's control – We'll begin now – We got into position – Ready? – The sensei checked the time on his pocket watch – Begin!
And with that, we dispersed away from Shikaku.