Kushina Uzumaki POV
After we settled some things with the Sandaime about Amaya's graduation exam, the girl reminded us she needed to get back to the Hatake clan house.
Minato and the Sandaime stayed in the kitchen while I walked Amaya to the door.
– You're welcome anytime, you know – I told the girl.
– Aren't you going on missions anymore? – she asked, her clear eyes fixed on me.
– No. For now, the Sandaime wants me to stay in the village – She gave a weak nod.
But you have no idea it's because of the bijuu sealed inside me, I finished mentally. Before leaving, Amaya stopped for a brief moment and, without looking at me, asked.
– Kushina-san... Why did you stand up for me against those boys? – Her voice was quieter than before.
– Why? – I didn't even need to think about her question – Why would I let them hit you?
– You didn't even know me. There was no reason to help a stranger like me.
I looked at her for a moment. That expression..., I pointed. It's the same one I saw on my own face for so long. I gave a weak smile and knelt in front of her, placing my hands on her shoulders.
– I couldn't just refuse to help... – I explained sincerely – Someone who's family.
– Family? – she asked, confused, and I nodded.
– Yeah, we're both Uzumakis, right? – I winked at her with a smile.
Her expression softened and she smiled too. I pulled her close and gave her a quick hug. She needs this, I thought, remembering when I was brought to Konoha. She needs this feeling of belonging.
– Thank you... – Amaya said in a low voice.
After the redhead left, I went back to the kitchen where Minato and the Sandaime were still talking.
– And about Amaya-chan's placement... – Minato brought it up as I sat at the table – Has the Council decided where she'll stay permanently?
– The members suggested putting her in the collective shelter – the Sandaime said – They claimed it's the best option since it's farther from the village center, where she'd face constant threats.
– Nonsense – I said sharply, and they looked at me – With all due respect, Sandaime, but you know they just want to keep her away from people – I clenched my fist slightly – The whole protection thing is just an excuse.
– It might very well be an excuse – the Third agreed – But it also stems from the fact that no one would be willing to take her into their home – He looked at me – We can't leave her with her brother because of the rest of the Uchiha clan. And even if Sakumo accepted Amaya-chan living permanently in his house, we couldn't control what might happen to her.
– The fact that Sakumo is always on missions means Kakashi-kun doesn't get to see his father much – Minato reminded, and I looked at him – And Amaya-chan needs, more than other kids, special attention.
I paused for a moment and lowered my eyes. They're right, I reluctantly admitted. Even though I believe Sakumo would accept Amaya without issue, he wouldn't be around. That's when something lit up inside me.
– Sandaime... – I said, making him and Minato look at me – I'm exempt from any missions until further notice, right?
– Correct – he said, and I smiled brightly.
– Kushina – Minato looked at me with hopeful eyes – Don't tell me you're thinking of... – I nodded.
He already gets what I'm planning, I thought.
– So what do you think... – I asked Minato with a smile – About us adopting Amaya-chan?
Kakashi Hatake POV
The sun had just dipped below the horizon when Amaya got back home. We chatted a bit about what she did during the day with Minato, and I quickly filled her in on what she missed at the Academy.
At least the parts I managed to pay attention to..., I noted to myself. I didn't mention the tests, especially hers, since I wanted to postpone my "defeat" until the next day at least – mostly because I didn't know what she'd ask for.
We followed our usual routine: had dinner, did some exercises from the remaining scrolls, and went to sleep.
Amaya had told me earlier that she'd recovered her memories. And even though I thought that would mean she'd sleep through the night, it didn't happen.
Like a few times over the past months, I found myself out on the back porch with the redhead. And to this day, I never know what to say to her..., I thought.
– I won... – she said softly, and I looked at her.
– What?
– Our first challenge – She looked at me and gave a weak laugh.
– So you already know about your test – I looked ahead – And here I was thinking I could put it off until tomorrow – She gave a weak laugh.
– Technically, it already is tomorrow – I looked at her and gave a weak laugh too – Besides, you're the one who said I didn't stand a chance, remember? – she asked with a slight cynical tone.
– Quiet... – I complained, quickly changing the subject – That was luck.
No way you could call that luck, I admitted. No one aces a test like that out of "luck". She gave a weak laugh and looked up at the sky.
– Call it whatever you want, but remember I'm one step closer to finding out what's behind this mask.
True, I thought. I can't lose to her. I sighed and looked at her again.
– So? – I asked, and she looked at me – What do you want?
She raised an eyebrow slightly and looked up again, then gave a weak smile.
– I'd like a copy of the house key – I looked at her, a bit confused by the request.
– What? – She gave a weak laugh.
– I'm going to start studying with Shisui-kun, and I'll probably be getting back late, since Academy classes go until mid-afternoon – she explained calmly – And so you don't have to wait around for me or leave the house unlocked, I figure having a key would solve it.
– Wait... – I said, still processing – You're going to study with Shisui-san? – She nodded.
– The short version is: After talking with the Sandaime, I asked to take the genin graduation exam, which is in three weeks – I looked at her, a bit surprised – And since Shisui-kun has already graduated, he can teach me the stuff I haven't covered at the Academy yet.
– Well... – I said slowly, still taking it all in – That's a surprise – She gave a weak laugh – But I don't get why – The redhead looked at me.
– Why I want to take the graduation exam? – I nodded – According to the Sandaime, some jounins aren't happy with my situation and don't believe my test results are really from my own knowledge – She looked ahead for a moment – So I'm taking the graduation exam to prove them wrong, and also to start paying back everything I've received – She looked at me – Both to Minato-sama and your father.
I kept my eyes on the girl for a few seconds. Now, more than ever, what my father said makes sense, I thought. She's highly altruistic, but not like other people. She wants to go beyond. I gave a weak laugh.
– You're weird... – I said, and she gave a weak laugh too.
– I know – She smiled weakly – So then... – She looked at me – What's our next challenge?
– I hadn't thought of a specific one – I started to say, but stopped the next moment, remembering something – Actually... – I looked at her – We have some practical tests at the Academy tomorrow.
– Academy tests, huh? – She pondered for a moment – Are you sure you want to lose at the Academy again?
– Shut up... – I grumbled, and she laughed – You're starting to get a big head.
– I'm learning from what I observe – she said, indicating me.
– I don't know what you're talking about... – I deflected.
We looked at each other for a moment before we both started laughing again.
Amaya Uzumaki POV
When I arrived at the Academy early, I saw a large group of students gathered near the notice board. As I quickly passed by it, I understood why they were crowded:
The grade list for my class's tests had been updated, adding my score to the list. I didn't expect them to do it so soon..., I thought.
Because of the crowd and not being able to see the papers on the board well from a distance, I stepped away and headed to the classroom.
When I got to the classroom, the atmosphere seemed different too. Some students didn't even try to hide their stares in my direction. This is kind of uncomfortable..., I thought.
Our homeroom teacher arrived shortly after and spoke briefly, quickly directing us out of the Academy building to the training areas.
– The tests will serve to put into practice what you've been studying these past few months... – the teacher reinforced to the class.
We were in the Academy yard, in the area designated for training. Some equipment was already set up around the place. And even though the teacher was talking, my attention wasn't on him.
I glanced around briefly, noticing several looks directed at me. These looks are completely different from the adults', I pondered, turning my gaze back to the teacher. They're looks of curiosity, mixed with a certain wariness.
All because of the test results.
I sighed softly. I need to focus today, I thought, after all, Kakashi and I are competing. I looked in the boy's direction; he was already staring at me too. I gave a weak smile and turned my attention back to the teacher.
– To assist with today's lesson, one of our genin has volunteered to instruct you – the man said.
– I hope you all do your best – I was surprised to hear the voice of that "certain" genin.
Some girls started whispering and smiling at the boy approaching our teacher. I kept my gaze on him, smiling weakly. Seriously..., I thought.
The boy's eyes quickly scanned the students in the class and settled on me for a moment.
– Thank you for coming, Shisui – the teacher said to the brunet.
– I'm always available – he said with a weak smile – Especially for this class.
A few girls let out soft, happy squeals, and I shook my head slightly. My brother really is full of himself, I thought. Plus, he likes playing with double meanings...
– Let's get started then – the teacher said quickly.
The tests would be varied, but all individual. My name was near the end of the list since the teacher wasn't sure I'd come today, given what happened yesterday.
The first test was kunai and shuriken throwing.
It wasn't particularly hard, especially for me. But due to the distance between the throwing point and the target, the board I needed to hit was blurry. This isn't going to help, I thought.
Along with the teacher, Shisui instructed the students on how to improve their throws and their posture.
Kakashi was called before me and didn't wait for instructions. He threw the kunai and shuriken, hitting the bullseye perfectly.
– As always, excellent, Kakashi – the teacher praised promptly.
Shisui didn't say anything to Kakashi, but the two looked at each other for a moment. I could sense a slight tension between them, but the Hatake moved away shortly after.
– And finally, Amaya – the teacher announced, looking in my direction.
I approached them and positioned myself at the throwing mark. I just need to put a little extra effort into calculating the difference between the real distance and my blurry vision, I thought. Just as I was about to throw the first kunai, Shisui spoke.
– Wait! – I looked at him, as did the teacher and the other students.
He took a small rectangular box and came over to me. I looked at him, not understanding, and he gave a weak smile.
– Minato-san asked me to give this to you – he said quietly.
I took the box and opened it, finding a pair of glasses inside. I smiled weakly and took them out. He remembered my comment from months ago..., I thought.
I put the glasses on and looked at Shisui, who wore a weak smile. I handed the box back to him and gripped the kunai and shuriken. Looking towards the target, for the first time, everything was sharp and clear.
I threw the weapons in sequence, with almost no pause between them. All of them hit the center circle, and I smiled weakly.
– Very good – the teacher said.
– Perfect throws – Shisui commented, and I looked at him.
– Thanks – I indicated the glasses as I adjusted them.
I went to where the rest of the class was and soon heard some students talking quietly. But my attention wasn't on them; it was on everything around me, which I could now see perfectly.
I need to thank Minato for this later, I thought. Actually, I have to thank him for a lot of things...
__________________________________________________________________________
We continued with the tests, and only Kakashi and I maintained perfect scores. Anyone watching closely could tell we were doing it almost playfully.
This is what happens when you have two competitive people in the same place, I thought, suppressing the urge to laugh.
The final test was archery. The students took turns shooting, but most didn't have great aim or couldn't apply the right pressure to the bow. Shisui came closer to where I was standing.
– Are you two competing or something? – he asked, glancing towards Kakashi.
– At least someone noticed – I commented, and Shisui laughed.
Kakashi raised the bow in front of him and nocked an arrow. He drew the string and held his breath for a moment. He's waiting for the wind to change, I thought. When the breeze stilled for an instant, he exhaled.
Even though it seemed he was holding the string lightly, when he released it, the arrow flew at an incredible speed to the target, hitting it dead center.
– Kakashi-san is amazing! – one of our classmates said.
– A perfect shot – Shisui said, and I agreed.
Before the teacher called me, I walked over to the platinum-haired boy, and he handed me the bow.
– Think you can do better than that? – he asked in a challenging tone. I took the bow, smiling weakly.
– We'll see – was all I said.