Amaya Uzumaki POV
I got up early on Saturday, even though I could have stayed in bed longer. It wasn't that I wasn't sleepy, but I was finishing a drawing. I had a mission soon and needed to get a few things done first.
I quickly washed up, got dressed, and headed to the kitchen, where I found Kushina with a still-sleepy expression and her long hair all messy. She must have just woken up...
– Morning, Kushina – I greeted her in a soft voice. The redhead looked at me and gave a weak smile.
– Morning, Amaya... – She yawned for a moment and then stared at me again. – Your mission is soon, right? – I gave a weak nod. – Come on, I'll make you some coffee.
– I'll help – I said promptly.
I left my gear in the living room and followed her to the kitchen. I was already used to the house's routine, as well as some of Minato and Kushina's habits.
The blonde usually left before sunrise, whether for missions related to the war or even for meetings with the village leaders. The Uzumaki, on the other hand, got up a little after sunrise, but her cognition seemed to only kick in after breakfast.
It was funny to see her moving slowly and a bit strange to see her without her usual vibrant energy. Because of that, I always got up with her and helped her until we had coffee and she was fully awake.
After that, I usually headed out for the day's missions, like today. After them, I returned home and eventually trained with Shisui – due to his insistence.
But today I wouldn't be doing either of those things.
After all, I promised to help Kakashi with his studies, I thought. And also so I can talk to Sakumo... I need a few details to finish what he asked me to do.
I ate with Kushina, set aside some food to take with me, and after helping with the dishes, I grabbed my gear and headed to the Uchiha clan district.
The reason?
To make sure Shisui was already out of bed.
This had become part of my routine too. Since Shikaku was always complaining about my brother's tardiness, I decided to always pick him up in the morning when we had missions.
Because of this, my brother was never late again, and it made Shikaku-sensei even seriously suggest to Shisui that he go to the hospital to make sure he wasn't sick.
And because of my constant morning visits, Shisui gave me a copy of his house key so I wouldn't have to enter through the second-floor window anymore.
Knowing the way to his house by heart, it didn't take me long to get there. I stopped in front of the door and soon confirmed it was locked. He's still sleeping, I deduced and gave a weak laugh.
I entered the house and quietly went up to the second floor. I knew Shisui's house almost as well as my own with Minato and Kushina. I found the Uchiha's bedroom door slightly ajar and opened it slowly, without making much noise.
I stopped beside the bed where Shisui was sleeping in a weird position, almost falling off. I laughed softly at the scene.
– Shisui – I called his name softly, but he didn't even move. – Shisui... – I poked his arm gently, and he mumbled something I couldn't understand. – Nii-san, you have to get up – I insisted calmly.
– How... – That was the first word I could hear Shisui say clearly.
– What?
– How do you do it? – I stared at him, not understanding, and he opened his eyes, keeping them slightly narrowed. – How are you so calm, even when waking someone up? – I gave a weak laugh.
– It's in my nature – I simply said and stood up. – Now get up, we need to meet with sensei and Takafumi-san.
– I want to sleep... – Shisui complained and pulled the pillow over his face.
– Well... – I said and walked towards the bedroom door. – In that case, I'll have to keep the food Kushina made for myself.
At that moment, my brother sat up in bed and looked in my direction, seeing the little bundle I had brought with me.
– The food of the gods! – He said eagerly, and I smiled.
– You have ten minutes – I closed the door after speaking and went back downstairs.
Besides Shisui's sweet tooth, he was motivated by food, especially Kushina's food. "The food of the gods," as Shisui affectionately nicknamed the redhead's cooking. And I couldn't deny it, the older woman's food was unique and incredibly wonderful.
As agreed, Shisui came downstairs exactly ten minutes later. After that, we headed to the meeting point with sensei and Takafumi.
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Our mission ended quickly. Although we were only doing simple missions within the village, I felt good about helping the residents who needed it, even if just a little.
Takafumi and Shisui kept insisting that sensei find a more challenging mission for us, that we were ready for it. As always, Shikaku-sensei sighed, said "mendokuse," and told us he'd think about it.
Once we were dismissed, I headed to the Hatake clan house with a faint smile.
Kakashi Hatake POV
The sun was almost in the middle of the sky, indicating that noon was approaching. I put down the notes I had made and was rereading, stretching lazily.
My gaze turned towards the dojo, where my father was training at that moment. Since the doors were half-open, I could watch him even from a distance.
He held the White Light Chakra Saber in his hand. Quick, precise cutting movements in the air, and a band of white chakra was emitted along the paths my father traced with the blade.
But even with perfect movements, he seemed far away from his training. I had seen him train many times, and even when he was instructing me, he wasn't this distracted. I sighed softly and thought that maybe Amaya was right to worry about his condition. Once again..., I thought.
Just as the Uzumaki had said before leaving my house to live with Minato and Kushina, I started paying attention to my father's behavior. I noticed his behavior becoming subtly stranger day by day.
Since I had developed the habit of waking up in the early morning because of Amaya, I often woke up in the middle of the night and saw my father awake outside, silently looking at the sky.
His gaze reminded me of the redhead when I saw her for the first time after learning about her nightmares: with an empty look, filled with sadness. And I even sensed guilt in my father's eyes.
I imagined it was because of the failure of his last mission. He didn't tell me much about what happened on that mission, but it wasn't hard to find out with people talking about it all over the village.
He had broken one of the ninja rules and was now facing the consequences of his choices.
But what had made my father abandon his mission?
That was the only question that ran through my mind in this whole situation, and I still hadn't found a definitive answer.
– Boo! – A female voice whispered softly beside me.
I jumped and returned to reality, letting all my thoughts fade away. I looked to my side and found Amaya laughing at my probably startled and confused expression.
– How do you manage to be so stealthy? – I asked, sighing.
– It's not my fault you're always off in your own world – She said and sat down beside me on the porch.
– Very funny... – I complained under my breath. – Didn't you learn to knock on people's doors and wait for an answer?
– But I did knock – She said. – It's just that no one answered. Besides, the door was open.
I scratched my head lightly. I forgot to close it after I got back, I pondered.
– So, where do you want to start with the studies? – Amaya didn't tease me further about the previous subject and asked seriously, picking up one of my notes, before covering her smile with her hand. – What cute handwriting... – She commented, and I could tell the redhead was smiling slightly mockingly. – So feminine.
– Be quiet – I complained and took the paper from her hands, making her laugh openly. – Jeez, what was I thinking asking for your help?
After a few more teases, we started reviewing some topics I had studied. As I thought, I already had a good grasp of most of it, and Amaya made sure to explain anything I was missing.
Even though I knew she knew a lot of things, I couldn't help but be surprised every time the redhead explained some detail about a battle situation, chakra nature theory, and so many other things.
Every now and then, I found myself falling silent during her explanations, just watching her and admiring her way of speaking. She could convey what she knew in such a serene and calm way that even a layman could understand her.
And the "study sessions," as the Uzumaki nicknamed our studying, continued for weeks. Whenever she had some free time from her missions or on weekends, she came to help me with my studies.
The theoretical part I needed for the genin promotion exam had already been fully covered, and it only took a few weeks.
However, even so, Amaya continued to explain and teach me other things. Subjects that went beyond what was taught at the Academy, refinements of techniques for high-rank ninjas, among many other topics.
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It was late afternoon. The setting sun had almost disappeared on the horizon, making way for the night. Amaya and I were returning from the dojo, where we had reviewed some basic training.
– I think we've officially covered everything you need for the promotion exam now – The redhead commented, and I looked at her.
– So I'm finally free of you? – I asked in a mocking tone, earning a punch on the arm. – Hey! What kind of teacher hits her student?
– The kind who needs to teach her student to be grateful – She said with a faint smile.
– Weird... – I said quietly. – You have an early mission tomorrow, right? – Amaya nodded.
– Shikaku-sensei said it would be a rank C mission.
– Rank C... – I said and looked at her. – Hunting some wild animal or bodyguard duty?
– Bodyguard – The Uzumaki clarified, animated. – We're accompanying the client to a neighboring country.
– I hope everything goes well – I commented, letting my concern show.
– You're saying that because of the war, right? – The redhead asked, and I gave a weak nod, looking at her. – Don't worry, I'll be back before you know it – She assured me with a tender smile.
– I'm not worried... – I quickly deflected and looked away from her, trying to stop her from seeing me embarrassed.
Amaya laughed, and I looked at her out of the corner of my eye, seeing a faint smile on her lips. She's changed so much, I thought. And to think that just a few months ago she didn't even know how to act on her own, now she even teases me... I couldn't help but laugh softly.
– When I get back, we'll continue our competition – She informed me, and I looked at her.
– I almost thought you'd given up – I teased her with a faint smile.
– Give up on beating you? – She raised the rhetorical question. – Not a chance, baka.
– We'll see if you still say that after I win, weirdo.
Present Day *
– Hey, sensei... – Naruto called, interrupting my narration once again. – Was nee-chan's first rank C mission an escort mission too, like mine?
– Yes – I said calmly, putting down the newly signed documents I had in my hands.
– She must have aced that mission! – The boy said excitedly.
– If it had been just an escort, yes, she would have – The blonde looked at me, not understanding.
– What do you mean? What happened?
– Your first rank C mission wasn't just an escort either, remember?
– No way to forget our conflict with Zabuza and Haku – The boy commented.
– Just like that mission involving Zabuza, Amaya's mission took an unimaginable turn – I clarified.
– What happened on the mission? Did someone do something to nee-chan?
– I'll explain everything, but I need to point out that I didn't find out about it immediately at the time – I explained calmly, and Naruto looked at me, more worried. – I only found out what your sister went through after the fight we had. And only then did I discover how much of an idiot I had been to her...