Kakashi Hatake POV
I should've been asleep three hours ago, but I just lay there staring at the ceiling of my room. My head turned again toward the red-haired figure sleeping on the makeshift bed. Looking at her like this, I thought, she almost seems normal.
Even though my father said he was letting her stay in my room so she'd feel more "comfortable" being with someone her own age, I knew the truth. He wanted her somewhere he could keep an eye on her.
My father had explained a little about her since the day he returned from his mission with Minato. Every time he heard something new about this Amaya, he told me. What kind of weapon is she supposed to be? I wondered vaguely. Infiltration? Combat?
But I never expected to meet her so suddenly, and especially not in my house, on this particular day, in the exact way I found out she was going to stay here. Just remembering our little "incident" makes me want to disappear… I sighed heavily.
A few hours earlier…
I was sitting in the living room, rereading some scrolls my father had given me to study. After all, the Academy's entrance period was close. I need to do my best, I thought.
Dad was cooking something for dinner, even though I'd offered to do it. Then I heard a knock at the door. I looked through the living room window and noticed it was already dark. Who could it be at this hour? I wondered.
I tugged the edge of my mask and pulled it over my face. When it was just me and my father at home, he always insisted I didn't need to wear it.
Dropping the scrolls on the floor, I stood up and went to the door. When I opened it, I saw the tall, blond man who was already familiar to me.
– Hey, Kakashi-san! – Minato greeted me quickly – Is your father home? – I nodded.
– Oh, Minato… – My father's voice came from behind me, standing at the kitchen entrance – Kakashi, let him in. – I gave a small nod.
I stepped aside, and Minato removed his shoes, leaving them by the door. Then I saw the Third Hokage approaching. I gave him a slight bow, and he chuckled softly.
– No need for such formality, Kakashi-san – he said – This is your home after all.
He also removed his shoes and headed for the living room.
Just as I was about to close the door, I noticed a third figure outside: a girl with vivid red hair, wearing a simple dark green dress. She stared at me briefly, her expression unreadable.
– You must be Kakashi-san, right? – she asked – Sakumo-sama's son? – Then she held out her hand toward me – Nice to meet you.
I looked at her outstretched hand but didn't take it. Her presence felt almost nonexistent, yet at the same time… natural and uncomfortable. My eyes flicked to Minato and the Hokage, who were already talking with my father inside.
– Is this weird girl with you? – I asked quickly, and all three of them turned toward us.
– This is Amaya-san, Kakashi-san – the Hokage explained. I stared at her.
Amaya? I repeated in my head. So this is the girl my father and Minato rescued from that laboratory a few weeks ago? She looks way less threatening than I imagined.
– Kakashi! – My father's voice snapped me back, and I looked at him – Is that any way to talk about someone you don't know?
– Otousan… – I muttered, but he ignored me, smiling gently at the girl by the door.
– Come in, Amaya-chan, welcome – he said warmly – Wait here in the living room while I talk with Minato and the Hokage, alright? – She gave a small nod.
– Excuse me – the girl said quietly.
I watched her expressionless face. Minato and the Hokage followed my father into the kitchen, leaving just the two of us in the living room. She slipped off her shoes, leaving them neatly by the others'.
She walked past me calmly, and I closed the door behind her. I caught her glancing around quickly at everything in the room. Definitely strange, I muttered to myself.
I went back to the scrolls, sat down, and picked one up again. Each one described a situation simulating a real battle, and I had to come up with a unique strategy for each. I've been sitting here so long my head hurts, I thought.
I looked up to see where the red-haired girl was. She wasn't there. Where did she—?
– Combat strategies, right? – A voice whispered right by my ear, making me jolt slightly.
I turned and saw Amaya standing close beside me. When did she—? How did she get this close without making a sound? And why didn't I feel her approach? She just stared at me, holding my gaze.
– Don't sneak up on people like that – I warned – It's creepy.
– Sorry – she stepped back a little.
She sat down across from me, and I returned my eyes to the scroll. Even though I pretended to focus, I could feel her eyes on me. Doesn't she realize that's annoying? I thought. Why do I even care if she notices or not? Probably because any normal person would know they're bothering someone doing this.
– What do you want? – I finally asked, staring at her.
– Why do you wear that mask? – she asked calmly.
– None of your business – I snapped back.
– And why are you studying those scrolls? – I let out a long sigh.
How long until she leaves?
– Is it for the Academy? – she asked again, locking eyes with me – Can I take a look?
– No – I said firmly, just to end the conversation.
Her presence brought this weird sense of calm, and that irritated me. How could someone like her, raised to be a weapon, give off that kind of vibe?
– Kakashi… – My father's voice came from the kitchen door. I turned – Could you go into town and buy a few things? – I nodded faintly.
I stood up, took the money, and left. Convenient, I admitted. Not only would this get me away from Amaya's presence for a while, it'd also clear my mind for the exercises in those scrolls.
__________________________________________________________________________
I was back in less than half an hour, carrying everything my father asked for. I hadn't managed to figure out much about the strategies, but at least I felt calmer. By now Minato, the Hokage, and that strange Amaya should all be gone.
– I'm back – I called, closing the door with my foot since my hands were full of bags.
I brought everything into the kitchen and set it down on the counter. I was about to leave when my father spoke.
– Kakashi – I looked at him – We need to talk later, alright?
– Sure, otousan.
Walking through the living room, I glanced at the scrolls where I'd left them. I can get back to those later, I thought. Then I headed for the bathroom and took a quick shower.
I didn't grab a change of clothes, so I wrapped a towel around my waist and used a smaller one to dry my still-wet hair as I walked to my room. What a day, I thought.
When I stopped in front of my room, I noticed the door was ajar and a faint candlelight flickered inside. I don't remember leaving it like this before I went out. I crept closer silently and peeked through the crack.
There was someone inside. Their back was to me, a towel draped over their head, wearing one of my pants and no shirt. Why is someone wearing my clothes?! I thought in disbelief.
Just as I was about to burst in, the person pulled the towel off their head. I froze when I saw the red strands fall over her shoulders. Amaya?! What the… what is she doing here?! Her hair was damp, clinging to her skin.
My eyes lingered on her back, and I couldn't move. She had faint scars across her skin, on her back and arms. But the strangest thing was the mark near her neck: like a half-moon and a circle together at the center, surrounded by smaller circles.
Sakumo Hatake POV
It had only been a few minutes since Minato and the Hokage left. My son had also returned not long ago, and I still hadn't told him about the situation with Amaya. Kakashi hates surprises, I sighed. This might be tricky for him to accept.
Half an hour earlier…
Minato and the Hokage followed me into the kitchen while Kakashi and Amaya stayed in the living room.
– Thanks for receiving us at this hour, Sakumo – the Hokage said.
– It's fine, you're always welcome – I replied – How is Amaya-chan? I wanted to visit her at the hospital, but with everything going on… – I sighed.
– Don't worry – Minato said – Her recovery went well. She's in perfect health now.
– I'm relieved to hear that – I murmured – And about the blood test results… – I looked at them – Does she know?
– She found out part of it from her brother – Minato explained, surprising me.
– She's already met Shisui-san? – I asked. They both nodded.
– Even before we introduced them – the Hokage said with a chuckle.
– Kids these days… – I laughed softly, and so did they – So what brings you here?
– We had a meeting with Fugaku earlier – Minato explained. I raised an eyebrow – We considered placing Amaya-chan with the Uchiha clan, but we concluded the pressure and possible rejection she'd face there would be too much.
– And do you have another place in mind? – I asked.
– We haven't chosen a permanent place yet – the Hokage said – That's why we came here to ask if Amaya-san could stay with you for now.
– Just temporarily, of course – Minato added quickly – Until we find a permanent solution.
– Here, huh? – I crossed my arms – Does she still behave as calmly as when we first found her? – I looked at Minato, who smiled faintly.
– Even calmer than before – he said.
– Then I don't see a problem – I replied.
– It's decided then – the Hokage said firmly.
– Won't this be a problem for Kakashi-san? – Minato asked carefully, remembering what I'd told him about my son.
– I thought about that… – I sighed – My son struggles with normal interactions, but I think living with Amaya-chan could actually help him, and help her too. Oh, speaking of which…
I peeked into the living room. Kakashi was sitting among his battle scrolls, and Amaya was right in front of him. At least he hasn't scared her off yet, I thought, amused.
– Kakashi… – I called. He looked up quickly – Could you go into town and pick up a few things? – He nodded faintly and stood up.
I gave him the money and a list, and soon he was gone. Only then did I turn back to Minato and the Hokage.
– One more thing, Sakumo… – the Hokage said – Minato and I discussed enrolling Amaya in the Academy. We wanted your opinion.
– I think it'd be good for her, a way to integrate her into the village – I said honestly.
– We'd like you to test her tomorrow, if possible – Minato added – Like I told you, she seems skilled in taijutsu and knows some earth-style jutsu.
– Did she remember anything after the Analysis Team's search? – I asked Minato. He shook his head.
– It seems the boy used some kind of jutsu to seal her memories. Inoichi said it's similar to the Yamanaka clan's techniques, and only the user who cast it or the victim herself can break it.
– Then we'll need to help her recover her memories – I said.
– But we can't force it – the Hokage reminded, and Minato nodded.
– Even the little she remembered already blocked Inoichi and the Analysis Team's search – Minato explained. I frowned.
– That complicates things… – I muttered, sighing.
We discussed a few more details, then Minato and the Hokage said they had to leave. Amaya and I saw them to the door and waved goodbye. Once they were out of sight, I looked at the girl beside me.
– Well, Amaya-chan… – I said, and she turned her eyes to me – Make yourself at home. – I closed the door.
– What do you do to feel at home? – she asked, and I blinked.
Idiot, I scolded myself. She never had a real home, how would she know? I gave a sheepish laugh.
– Sorry – I scratched my head – Well, you can walk around the house, see the rooms. Dinner will be ready soon. You must've walked all day, right? You can take a bath and change clothes if… – I stopped – You don't have any clothes of your own, do you? – She shook her head. – Then we only have one option…
I took her to Kakashi's room. She hardly spoke, but her eyes observed everything carefully.
– This is my son's room – I said – I'll leave some of his clothes here for you to use, at least until we get some of your own.
– Won't Kakashi-san mind? – she asked. I chuckled.
– He'll have to understand.
He's definitely going to mind, I admitted to myself, but his clothes are the only ones that'll fit her.
– The bathroom's at the end of this hall – I pointed – After your bath, come back here and put on the clothes I'll set out. – She nodded.
– Thank you – she whispered with a faint smile.
When she left for the bathroom, I searched for some of Kakashi's clothes that might fit her: a long-sleeved shirt and some sweatpants he usually wore at home. I placed them on his bed and lit a candle so she wouldn't need the overhead light.
Back in the kitchen, I was finishing up dinner when Kakashi returned. He didn't take long, I thought.
He dropped off the groceries and left again. Thinking he was in the living room with his scrolls, I called him not long after to explain about Amaya staying with us.
– Kakashi… – I called, but there was no reply – Kakashi?
I walked to the living room, but he wasn't there. Where did he—?
– AHH! – I suddenly heard Kakashi's voice shouting from his room.
Don't tell me… I thought.
Damn!