Amaya Uzumaki POV
October was here, right in the middle of autumn. It was a season I really liked, just like winter. The weather was usually mild this time of year, with slightly cooler temperatures.
But right now, the temperature felt anything but mild. Quite the opposite. I was in the middle of training with Shikaku-sensei, and he was pushing me to my absolute limit.
Over two months without proper training had left me a bit out of shape compared to before. Moving with my usual ease was a little difficult, but aside from my agility, I still had all my skills under full control.
– I think we can stop here – Sensei said, putting some distance between us – Rest for a bit. Even though I know you could keep going, it's better not to push your newly recovered body – I gave a weak nod.
We moved away from the training area and headed towards one of the nearby trees where the rest of our team was resting.
I sat on the ground, letting out a heavy breath. Well, I couldn't say that training non-stop with sensei for nearly an hour was easy, but I definitely wasn't used to getting tired this quickly before.
– You did well in training – Shikaku commented, and we turned our attention to him – Amaya and Shisui, as you've probably noticed, will need to train more to get back to your previous level – We nodded weakly, and sensei turned his attention to the new team member – As for you... – The boy was looking at Nara – Let's see what your skills are like.
He didn't even agree, just stood up and followed Shikaku-sensei. Once they were a good distance away to where my brother and I had trained earlier, Shisui got my attention.
– Hey... – I turned my eyes toward him, and he spoke quietly – Did you know this was going to happen?
– Are you talking about the training or about our new teammate? – I asked calmly.
– Of course it's about the scarecrow guy! – Shisui said, and I couldn't help but laugh at the nickname.
The "scarecrow guy," as Shisui had affectionately nicknamed him, was Kakashi, the new member of our team.
– No, I didn't know – I said and turned my attention to the training area – I was almost as surprised as you when I found out he was joining the team.
– Do you think it was sensei's request for him to join? – I shrugged slightly, really not knowing.
– I can't say – I looked back at Shisui – But maybe they assigned him to us because we're the only incomplete team, and besides, Kakashi was the only genin without a team and a sensei.
My brother just nodded and turned his attention to the training area. I got more comfortable and also turned my eyes to the training starting between Shikaku and Kakashi – I couldn't deny, I was excited to see it.
Just like Shisui, I had no idea why Kakashi had joined our team, and the only alternative that crossed my mind was that it was because we were the only incomplete genin team. But even so, I had some doubts about that theory.
Why?
Well, let's just say Kakashi seemed different. Not in a bad way, but still different from what I was used to.
Ever since the day after we celebrated our birthday, it seemed like something had changed. The Hatake seemed more determined in what he did and also more comfortable with my presence.
And why was that strange?
Because it only happened with me. We met our former Academy classmates, and Hatake still acted indifferently towards them, although he was much less sulky now.
Well... Maybe I was just overthinking it too.
__________________________________________________________________________
Kakashi's training with sensei lasted about an hour, just like mine and Shisui's had. The Hatake had improved a lot since the last time I saw him fight, and I couldn't help but feel happy about that.
I noticed Shisui also seemed excited watching the platinum-haired boy and Shikaku train. He's probably already analyzing Kakashi's strengths and weaknesses in case they fight, I deduced and gave a weak laugh.
Sensei and Kakashi came back to where Shisui and I were. The Hatake looked much less tired than my brother and I had been after our training.
– I've seen everything I needed from each of you – Shikaku didn't waste time starting to talk, and we looked at him – In terms of individual skills, you have a very good level. The three of you are almost at the same level in taijutsu. Regarding genjutsu, Shisui has the best control, both for casting and escaping. Amaya and Kakashi, you have good control for escaping genjutsus, but you still need to work on applying them – We agreed – And as for ninjutsu... – Sensei looked at the boys – Shisui and Kakashi, you both have extremely precise mastery over the Fire Style and Lightning Style, your respective chakra natures – The Nara turned his eyes to me – As for you, Amaya... – He paused for a moment – Just focus on improving the amount of chakra you use in your jutsus. You're above normal level in ninjutsu, as well as having a vast arsenal – Shikaku explained in his usual calm and lazy manner – Since your chakra is very high, you sometimes don't measure its intensity properly in the jutsus you use. Just take care of that – I nodded.
– Sensei, what was the point of all this? – Shisui asked, and the Nara turned to the Uchiha.
– To see if you'd have a chance – He said simply, and we looked at him without understanding – Today's training was for me to decide whether or not to recommend you for the Chunnin Exams.
Probably all three of us had the most surprised expressions right then. Is sensei really thinking about recommending us for the Chunnin Exams?, I thought excitedly.
– I would still need to see how you work as a team, but I believe that won't be a problem – Shikaku looked at us – We'll work on that in the coming months.
I looked at Kakashi and Shisui, finding both with an excited expression, just like me. The Chunnin Exams... That will be our goal from now on.
Kakashi Hatake POV
Shikaku Nara as a sensei was strict in his training, but extremely efficient. He managed to find every one of our weak and underdeveloped points and exploit them so we could improve.
I had some idea that this was what awaited me when I talked to the jounin in question to join his team. However, my real problem wasn't all that training, quite the opposite. My problem was the Uchiha... Shisui Uchiha.
We didn't get along well before, and it seemed like being on the same team wasn't helping. Maybe the fact that we both wanted to lead was why we had problems at that moment.
Aiming for the Chunnin Exams, our training started to focus on teamwork. And in those moments, it was Amaya who intervened.
The redhead had the quickest and calmest mind for formulating strategies and always positioned herself to coordinate us in the best way to go against sensei. Her strategies were impeccable.
As Shikaku himself had said, she knew how to take advantage of each team member's abilities to put into practice during fights. And when there were unforeseen events, the Uzumaki was the one who best managed to find an alternative way out in a short time.
Besides, she was the only one who made me and Shisui able to work together as close to the so-called 'harmonious' as possible. She was the peacemaker and central pillar of the team.
__________________________________________________________________________
I was sitting on one of the benches in the quieter part of the village, reviewing one of the books Amaya had recommended to me and Shisui, so we could work on using them as a team.
My attention was completely focused on the text, but the moment the sunlight suddenly disappeared from in front of me, I was forced to look up from the page.
A familiar, weird boy in green clothes was there. Gai..., I remembered him without much interest. I think that was his name. He had an excited smile on his face.
– Move, you're blocking the light – I told him impatiently.
– People call me Maito Gai, the Green Beast of Konoha! – The boy announced, completely ignoring what I had just said – You're one of the super elite, the son of Konoha's White Fang, Sakumo-san, right? – I looked at him more seriously.
– And? – He smiled even more, if that was possible.
– I have a bad habit. Whenever I see someone with natural talent, I get the urge to challenge them! So, what do you say we put our youth to the test, through a battle of hot blood?
– I don't like doing things I don't have to do – I warned without much enthusiasm.
– You were born as a member of the elite, while I became elite through effort – I looked at him disbelievingly as he kept talking with even more excitement than when he started – I think we could be good rivals! – I let out a low sigh and closed my book, standing up.
– Your mood leaves me speechless – I commented, not hiding my disinterest and starting to walk away from him.
– Hey! – The boy called me – What about my challenge?
– I refuse – I replied simply.
__________________________________________________________________________
Although I thought he would leave me alone after I refused his challenge, it seemed that only made him more determined than before.
Gai started following me to various places just to challenge me. My patience with this was reaching its limit. And the first person to notice my impatience was Amaya – she always noticed when something was wrong.
I explained to her about Gai bothering me with those meaningless challenges, and to my surprise, she just laughed. Amaya said something like "you didn't understand what he really wants," leaving me even more confused.
She set that comment aside and explained that the boy had also challenged her a while back and kept insisting. When I asked her how she got rid of all that pestering, she simply replied: "Accept the challenge."
But that wasn't something I wanted. I told her the only challenges I was interested in were against her. And thanks to that, our next challenge happened: Rock-Paper-Scissors. If she won, I would have to accept Gai's challenges, and if I won, I would keep ignoring him.
And to my misfortune, the Uzumaki won.
When Gai came to invite me to his challenges again, Amaya was with me, and I had to agree to do them. We did various things from Academy training to have a standard we both knew.
– Bow and arrow, kusarigama, kunai, shuriken... – I pointed out – I beat you in all of them – I started to walk away from the boy and leave – Satisfied?
– Not yet! – I stopped without looking at him – I challenge you to a fight!
Since the redhead had been watching us, I couldn't refuse. I sighed heavily and nodded.
We went to an area where we could fight without interference or risk of someone getting hurt if we went overboard. Amaya watched from further away, her expression clearly excited. Why is she like this even though she already knows the outcome?
Gai and I didn't take long to start fighting, but the imbalance in that combat was evident from the start, as I could easily dodge the boy's blows.
– If it's taijutsu, I won't lose to you! – Gai announced amidst his blows.
He was agile, I could admit that, so keeping my distance from him was necessary to have enough time to dodge safely.
– Seems like you have a lot to brag about – I commented, and Gai smiled.
He tried to throw faster punches at me, but I took more distance – evasive maneuvers were one of my strong points.
– A prodigy indeed, with skills inherited from Konoha's White Fang! – The boy praised excitedly – He's so fast at escaping!
He charged at me again, and unlike the fist blows I was expecting, he tried to land a kick at head height.
I raised my arms on the left side of my body to defend myself. Heavy!, I noted upon feeling the impact of his blow against me. Gai jumped and spun his body in the air to attack again.
– Strong Drill of Konoha! – I didn't even think about trying to block that blow.
I jumped away from him, letting the boy hit one of the rocks there, breaking it. That's a dangerous blow if it lands clean..., I thought. Before I hit the ground, I noticed Gai had charged at me. Fast!
– You're mine! – He announced, and his foot came right towards my chin.
I used the substitution jutsu seconds before he hit me. The piece of wood I swapped places with fell to the ground with my appearance while I appeared behind Gai.
– I think I overdid it a little – Gai said, convinced, and at that moment the piece of wood took on its true appearance – Substitution...?!
Without giving him time to find me, I wrapped my arms around his neck, preventing him from escaping. When I realized he understood he couldn't break free, I released him, and Gai fell to the ground.
– Have you had enough now? – I asked – From now on, learn your place.
I started to walk away from him when I felt something on my ankle. I looked down and saw Gai holding it. I tried to break free from his grip.
– Let me go, you loser! – I said, slightly irritated.
– No...! – He protested with some difficulty – I haven't finished challenging you yet! – His eyes turned to me – Don't run away! I'm not a loser!
– I defeated you in every one of your challenges... – I reminded him, and the boy lowered his gaze.
It was at that moment that something inside me clicked.
Gai's comments about having a habit of challenging people with talent and the phrase Amaya told me before about me not truly understanding what the boy wanted by proposing those challenges; everything meant the same thing:
Recognition..., I deduced. He wants to be recognized by people he considers better than him. I glanced briefly in the Uzumaki's direction, whose expression was still one of full contemplation for what I would do. How long had she already realized this?
I had to hold back a low laugh. Well... Looks like I'm learning from her, again. I sighed heavily as I turned my eyes back to the figure holding me.
– What do you still plan to do? – I asked Gai, and the boy looked at me surprised, then smiled again.
__________________________________________________________________________
Gai and I moved on to the last competition: Rock-Paper-Scissors. It seemed like a stupid thing to consider a challenge, but I had even done it with Amaya, and that was what made me accept the combat challenges with the boy in front of me now.
– Here I go! – He announced.
– Bring it! – I said.
– Rock-paper-scissors! – We said in unison and played at the same time, both throwing rock – Again! – We played again and both threw scissors – Again!
And we kept at it until Gai beat me. The boy celebrated his victory euphorically.
– Congratulations – I told him, and he turned his attention to me, extending his hand in my direction.
– Thank you for accepting my challenges, Kakashi! – I returned his gesture, shaking his hand – Now our contract is sealed, we are eternal rivals! – I looked at him confused.
– Wait, what...?
But he didn't wait to answer me and ran off still celebrating that he beat me in one of the rock-paper-scissors matches – that confirmed he really had been seeking my approval.
– Seems like you've gained another rival now – Amaya commented a little later, and I turned my attention to her.
– Don't forget he considers you a rival too – She laughed.
– If it's a rivalry like that, I don't mind – The redhead smiled weakly – I'm always learning from people like that – I gave a weak laugh.
– Always picking the weirdest people to learn from, huh? – I teased her, and the Uzumaki looked at me with a smile.
– Forgot that you're one of those people too? – I couldn't help but laugh at her comment.