Amaya Uzumaki POV
The sun was just starting to rise on the horizon when I set off for the Uchiha clan district. Unlike other days of the week, today I had to meet Shisui early so we could go to Takafumi's house.
After waking my brother up, against his will, and him getting ready, I followed him to our teammate's place. It wasn't too far from where my brother lived, so we got there in a few minutes.
Shisui knocked on the door, since Takafumi was still keeping his avoidant behavior towards me. Probably him opening the door and seeing me first thing in the morning wouldn't be a good thing, I thought to myself.
– Just a moment! – We heard a woman's voice call out.
She sounds familiar, I thought. Where do I know her from? But I didn't have time to answer my own thought since the door opened seconds after the woman's call.
As soon as it opened and I could see the figure standing there, I felt the ground disappear from under my feet for a second. Even without her hospital clothes, I could remember her clearly.
It's Yumi, I realized. It's the nurse I attacked when I arrived at the hospital after being rescued by Minato and Sakumo. Is she Takafumi's mother?
– What a miracle to see you out of bed so early – The Uchiha woman said to Shisui with a warm smile.
– Miracles happen – My brother said, smiling – Is Takafumi ready?
– He should be just finishing up. He's in his room – Shisui nodded.
When he entered the house, it was only then that Yumi turned her gaze towards me. Her expression became slightly surprised and she seemed to be looking me up and down.
A sick feeling rose in my throat as I remembered her fearful expression when I attacked her at the hospital. I lowered my head and my body slightly, giving a small bow.
– Good morning, Yumi-san – I greeted her in a voice lower than normal.
A thousand thoughts were racing through my mind at that moment and I didn't know what to expect.
– Good morning... – Yumi also said in a lower tone and I looked at her – Amaya-chan, right? – I gave a weak nod – You're Takafumi's teammate?
– Yes. I joined the team a few weeks ago.
– I see...
An awkward silence fell over us and I didn't know what to do, much less what to say. What could I possibly say?, I scolded myself. I attacked her, there's nothing I can say.
– I don't blame you – Yumi's voice made me look at her quickly – I know you acted that way at the hospital because of what they did to you in that lab – She lowered her eyes – And when you apologized, I... I was confused and didn't know how to act – She looked at me – I'm sorry.
– No, I'm the one who should be apologizing – I hurried to say – What I tried to do to you... – I clenched my fist – It's unforgivable.
– It would only be unforgivable if you had done it with bad intentions – The young Uchiha said calmly – You were scared, more than I was, more than anyone could have imagined – She looked at me with a weak smile – Shall we start over the right way this time? – Yumi extended her hand towards me.
I hesitantly moved closer to her and raised my arm, gently shaking the hand of the woman in front of me.
– It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Yumi Uchiha – She introduced herself calmly and with a tender smile.
– The pleasure is mine – I returned the gesture – My name is Amaya Uzumaki.
– Better this way, isn't it? – Yumi asked and I gave a weak smile, nodding.
At that same moment, I felt someone pulling me roughly away from the Uchiha. I fell to the ground because of it and when I looked in the direction of who had pushed me, another unpleasant surprise made itself present in my day.
The leader of the boys who had assaulted me when I first arrived in the village was standing between me and Yumi. His expression towards me was furious, more than I remembered ever seeing.
– What are you doing here, you demon?! – He shouted with anger overflowing in his voice.
– Ichiro! – Yumi called him.
– Did she hurt you, okaasan? – He asked Yumi and once again the feeling of sickness hit me.
Okaasan?, I thought. He's Yumi's son? So that means... It was at that moment that all my doubts about his and Takafumi's behavior became clear in my mind.
Takafumi and Ichiro are Uchihas, Yumi's sons, I realized. Their hatred for me is beyond me being a foreigner, it's also because of what I did to their mother. Now it all makes sense...
– Okaasan, nii-san! – I heard Takafumi's voice and hurried footsteps coming towards where we were.
The boy stopped at the front door and Shisui was by his side. They both looked at the scene before them. Takafumi's expression when his eyes landed on me showed all the anger he hid during our daily work together.
– What are you doing here?! – He hissed through his teeth and looked at my brother – Why did you bring her here?! I told you what she did to my mother!
– Takafumi! – Yumi scolded him, but the boy paid no attention.
– And I already told you she knows she was wrong! – Shisui raised his voice against Takafumi – I said she didn't do it on purpose!
– Didn't the last lesson teach you anything, you monster?! – Ichiro turned his question to me and I looked at him, genuinely cornered.
– Ichiro, what are you talking about?! – Yumi asked her son angrily, who promptly looked at her.
My breathing was uneven and the sickness inside me grew with every second. I awkwardly got to my feet, my body reluctant to move. Shisui's eyes came towards me and his expression softened, changing to sadness.
– Amaya... – He said and took a step towards me.
And without thinking twice, I ran as fast as I could away from there. Why...?, I asked myself. Why was this happening? How could my mere presence turn the environment into a total conflict?
I only stopped running when I realized I was near the village gates, where Shikaku-sensei was talking with Minato. It seemed neither of them had seen me yet, so I took a few steps back, out of their line of sight.
I leaned against the wall of one of the buildings nearby and let myself slide down to sit on the ground, trembling. I closed my eyes for a moment, releasing my breath which seemed to have been trapped for minutes.
I tried to empty my mind in those minutes that felt like an eternity. I couldn't think about what had just happened, I had a mission and I couldn't let my problems get in the way.
With my mind a bit clearer and focused on the mission, I got back on my feet. I looked towards sensei and Minato, seeing they were still talking casually.
I walked over to them and soon they both turned their eyes to me. I gave a weak smile, after all, I didn't want to show any trace of the previous problem.
– Good morning, Amaya – Minato greeted me, since we hadn't seen each other since the day before.
– Good morning – I said calmly.
– Didn't feel like kicking your brother out of bed today? – Shikaku asked with a smile and I gave a weak laugh.
– He should be with Takafumi-san now – I explained – They shouldn't be long.
– Great – The sensei said and I looked at the Namikaze beside him.
– Are you coming with us, Minato?
– No, no... – He said quickly and scratched his head casually – Just catching up – I gave a weak nod.
I knew Minato wasn't being entirely truthful. His habit of scratching his head, messing up his hair, had two reasons: it either showed how awkward he felt or it served to hide something.
I had learned this mannerism by observing him at home and in his conversations with Kushina. But the question was: What was he hiding? Most likely it was something involving the missions assigned to the jounin or about the war. It was something I didn't need to know.
– You're quieter than usual today – Shikaku commented suddenly and I looked at him – Did something happen?
– I'm just trying to focus on the mission – I said and gave a weak smile.
– It's your first time leaving the village since you arrived, right? – The sensei asked and I nodded – Just stay aware of your surroundings and everything will be fine.
– Good morning! – We heard Shisui's voice and turned – Sorry for the delay.
My brother and Takafumi were there. My brother had his usual cheerful expression and I felt a bit more relaxed because of it. Takafumi, however, had an impassive expression, not looking in my direction. Same as always..., I thought.
– Waking up early and arriving on time – Shikaku commented – Only happens when your sister is here – Minato laughed at the Nara's comment, joined by Shisui.
The Namikaze said goodbye to us and went on his way. Our team followed Shikaku in silence to where the client was waiting. He was a tall man with dark brown hair and eyes.
He had some backpacks and large suitcases with him. He wore a wide smile while talking with some ninja who were with him at the reception area where missions were assigned.
– Masao-san? – Shikaku called out to the man who promptly looked at him – We're responsible for your escort. My name is Shikaku, it's a pleasure – The sensei extended his hand to greet the man.
– The pleasure is mine – Masao said with a smile plastered on his face – And you, what are your names? – He looked at us over the sensei's shoulder, since we were further back.
– Shisui Uchiha – My brother introduced himself promptly and with a smile almost as cheerful as the man's.
– Oh, a member of the Uchiha clan... – Masao said, visibly surprised.
– Takafumi is too, but he's too grumpy to talk – Shisui indicated the friend beside him, making the client laugh.
– Shisui-kun and Takafumi-kun – Masao repeated their names – And you... – He brought his eyes to me and his expression turned to surprise – Your red hair... Don't tell me you're a member of the Uzumaki clan? – I gave a weak nod.
– Amaya Uzumaki at your service – I also introduced myself.
– How lucky I am! – Masao exclaimed – Besides a renowned jounin, also members of two extraordinary clans! It's truly my lucky day!
The man's excitement while talking was unbelievable. Shisui was someone who exuded enthusiasm when he spoke, but this person was on a whole other level of excitement.
– With all introductions done, let's start the mission – The sensei took the lead and we agreed – As always, I'll make it clear right now who will be the leader on this mission.
Shikaku always chose one of us three to lead the others during our missions. According to him, this was to show which formations were most effective and also who had the easiest time in quick-thinking situations.
Missions where Shisui was the leader always went well. With Takafumi too, but there was a certain carelessness on his part when it came time to assign me some action.
He normally left the most trivial tasks to me, while he and Shisui handled most of the mission themselves. I didn't complain, after all, I knew how complicated it was to deal with the boy.
And the same happened when I was the leader on missions. Shisui had no problems following the orders and strategies I formulated, but Takafumi... Well, let's just say he mostly listened only to himself.
– For this mission, I'll let Amaya lead – The Nara announced without delay.
And what I feared most happened.
I was hoping sensei would choose Shisui or even Takafumi to lead us on that mission, thanks to the impasse we had earlier.
I hope we can just focus on completing the mission, I wished silently. Shikaku looked in my direction and I nodded in acceptance of his decision.
– Let's go – The sensei said and we agreed.