Sakumo Hatake POV
Time around me passed in a linear, continuous way. Events unfolded within the realm of the imaginable and could be fixed if there were any unforeseen issues. Everything flowed harmoniously.
I often saw Amaya and her brother walking through the village. Always together. Even with their impassive expressions, they gave off a good feeling to anyone who saw them, a strong sense of the closeness they shared.
Kakashi, just like the girl, had taken the graduation exam in the meantime, passing with full honors. I couldn't be more proud of him. Besides, I noticed the happiness that had been infecting him lately.
Since the day I returned from my mission, I had observed his interactions with Amaya. When I suggested they get closer to help each other, I never imagined they would grow so fond of one another.
It went beyond just a request from me; it was almost as clear as water that their friendship was a delight to both of them. And that changed them drastically.
The Uzumaki began to blossom with feelings she had never been able to experience before, creating a new outlook on the world around her. And my son... When would I ever have imagined him laughing and talking so openly with someone his own age? And on top of that, admiring her?
Kakashi never admitted to me how he saw Amaya, but I knew my son well enough to tell when he was intrigued by something or in this case, by someone.
They changed each other.
But the happenings inside me didn't seem to follow this linearity of the world around us.
Deep down, I no longer found motivation, a growing loss of interest like I'd never felt before. It had been weeks since I last unsheathed the White Light Chakra Sabre and trained. Getting out of bed or even just leaving the house required an unbelievable effort.
I spent many nights unable to sleep, staying on the back porch of the house watching the sky, but without admiring it like I used to.
Tiredness and discouragement were part of my daily life, ever since I returned from my mission. At first, I tried to fight those emotions that hit me so suddenly, I tried to endure it for my son and even for Amaya.
But I couldn't do it anymore.
I started to give in when I noticed that even the things around me and involving me were becoming disordered. The looks, the hushed talk wherever I went, the insults... So many things became discordant in my presence.
And the worst part were the words meant for Kakashi:
"Like father, like son."
"I hope he doesn't follow in his father's footsteps."
"No one would care if the members of that clan just disappeared..."
That was slowly killing me.
One of the most horrible things for a father is not being able to protect his son. And being powerless in that situation brought me to my knees.
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I closed my eyes and raised my face towards the sky, feeling the thin, cold rain trace paths on my skin. I couldn't say how many minutes or hours I'd been there, but I knew it had been a long time, given my soaked clothes.
I was in the outskirts of the village, where the Konoha cemetery was located. All citizens and ninja who didn't die in combat had their bodies buried there. I stood still in front of a particular headstone.
Forgive me, Hideaki..., I pleaded sadly. But this might be the last time I can come here... I let out a long, tired sigh. I miss you so much... Our son misses you so much...
I felt something touch my arm, automatically bringing me back to reality. I opened my eyes and soon saw the small figure with predominantly red hair and dark green eyes near me.
Amaya had an umbrella to protect herself from the drizzle and carried a small flower arrangement in her free arm. She extended the same umbrella she was holding towards me.
– You might catch a cold if you stay in the rain – She spoke with her usual serene voice and gave me a weak smile.
– I appreciate the concern – I took the umbrella and moved closer to her to protect her from the rain too – I didn't expect to see you around here.
– I came to change the flowers on Akemi's grave for Shisui – The girl explained calmly – I had to insist a lot for him to let me come until he got over his cold – She looked at me again – Did you also come on someone else's behalf? – I weakly shook my head.
– I'm here on my own... – I briefly turned towards Hideaki's grave and then looked back at the redhead – Let's go, I'll accompany you.
We started to move away from my wife's grave when I saw Amaya quickly turn her body in the opposite direction and go back to the headstone.
I looked at her, not understanding, and when I was about to call her, I noticed she had stopped in front of the grave, taking one of the flowers from the arrangement she carried and carefully placing it on the headstone.
A moment later she came back to me, but kept her gaze down. I smiled weakly at her unexpected gesture. It was a pure, completely spontaneous act.
– Thank you... – I thanked her quietly and lightly ruffled her hair, making her smile.
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After we visited Shisui's mother's grave, Amaya and I headed back. Our paths went in the same direction up to a certain point.
– Has Kakashi taken the graduation exam yet? – Amaya asked suddenly and I looked at her.
– Yes, and he passed with full merits – I noticed a smile appear on the girl's expression.
– Really? I'm happy to hear that...
– He hadn't told you? – She shook her head and turned her eyes to the path ahead.
– It's been a while since we last spoke. I also didn't want to disturb him during his studies.
– You wouldn't disturb him – I said quickly – My son values your presence, even if he hides it and says otherwise – I sighed heavily – I don't know how to make him show his affection for people...
– He does show it – The Uzumaki said calmly and I looked at her – But not like most people do – She gave a weak laugh – He usually expresses it through his sarcasm and teasing. But also through simple actions that can easily go unnoticed.
– You're one of the only people who can read him so easily – I commented and smiled weakly – I don't even have enough words to thank you for being that fantastic person for my son.
– I'm the one who needs to thank you... Thanks to you and Minato, I was able to live. And if there's anything that was decisive for Kakashi and I becoming friends, it was surely your request – She looked at me – Thank you, Sakumo.
I didn't even know how to react to the words of that girl beside me. Even though she was still a child, thinking and acting in such a sweet way, she could still be so mature.
She reminded me of someone... Special.
My smile slowly faded as I remembered something related to that person. I couldn't keep the promise I made to you..., I thought. Your last request... I wasn't able to fulfill it...
– Are you okay, Sakumo? – Amaya asked in a lower tone, visibly worried.
– I... Yes, I'm fine. I'm just tired – I reassured her and forced a weak smile to not worry her.
We stopped at a crossroads. From that point on, my path and the Uzumaki's would separate. I thanked the girl and returned her umbrella. I was starting to walk away when Amaya called me.
– Sakumo! – I stopped for a moment, looking at her again – There's something bothering you, isn't there? – Her question caught me off guard.
I opened my mouth to answer, or rather, to give some excuse, but I gave up. She's even more perceptive than before..., I considered. The moment I fixed my eyes on the small red-haired girl, something came to mind.
– I was thinking about a promise I made a few years ago – I admitted slowly.
– Was it a promise to someone special? – I nodded.
– It was to my wife – I looked at the sky for a moment – I couldn't keep it...
– I might be getting involved in something too personal, but... – Amaya continued to speak after a few moments, her voice a bit more hesitant but no less sincere – Is there anything I can do to help with that promise?
I turned my eyes towards her. Her expression and her words showed she was serious about it. Should I tell her?, I asked myself. Should I place a request like that on her shoulders?
Hideaki, should I entrust your request to this little girl?
I felt a weak smile form on my lips. She has the same compassion you showered on the people close to you..., I thought. I turned my body completely towards Amaya and went back to the girl, stopping in front of her and crouching down to her level.
– This is a very important promise – I said, my gaze fixed on the redhead – And I'm sure you can fulfill this precious promise that I failed to keep. So I need you to listen carefully and fulfill it in my place, alright? – She nodded, visibly confused by those last words, but still completely focused on me, making me smile weakly – Okay, now...
I leaned close to her ear, passing on to her the request my wife had once made of me, and which I was now entrusting to Amaya. It wasn't a simple request, I was aware of that, but I knew she could fulfill it – I had faith that the Uzumaki could.
As soon as I finished speaking, I moved back slightly to look at her. Amaya had a slightly surprised expression. It was to be expected; after all, it was a lot to process at once. She shook her head slightly, affirming.
– I'll do my best to help you – The redhead announced with confidence and looked at me – You have my word – I gave her a weak smile.
The next moment, I hugged her. I wanted her to feel how important that request was to me, what I was trusting her with, and how grateful I felt knowing she was willing to accept it.
Then I stood up, this time definitively following my path home – and this time, for a moment, I considered rethinking what had been on my mind since earlier.
The feeling of lightness that Amaya's company had provided was still present in me. It had been a long time since I last felt so good. But on the way home, the toxic looks and talk reminded me of my true reality:
The guilt, the disgrace, and all the dishonor surrounding me. The good feeling the Uzumaki had brought me was suffocated by everything and by my own condemning mind.
I returned in a few minutes. Since it was early afternoon, it would still be a while before Kakashi arrived. I couldn't help but sigh heavily.
Protect my son..., I thought. Yeah, maybe by doing this I can protect him... I can spare him from those malicious looks and words. You don't deserve this, Kakashi. You don't deserve to hear all that malice because of other people's sins...
Kakashi Hatake POV
The day had started with a light rain, which over the hours increased, turning into a real downpour. Because of this, afternoon classes were canceled and the students were sent home early.
I left the Academy quickly and headed home. Even though I'd already taken the graduation exam, I still had to attend the Academy until all the preparations for my entry into a genin team were made.
And speaking of that, I pondered on the way, I didn't tell Amaya I took the exam. I want to see her face when I tell her we're on the same level now... I smiled weakly. I can't and won't fall behind her.
I stopped just at the porch of my house, my breathing slightly accelerated. I had run there to try to avoid spending too much time in the storm.
– I'm home – I announced as I entered and noticed my father's footwear at the entrance – Otousan? – I called him, but got no answer.
A bad feeling suddenly came over me and I quickly looked around the living room. What is this feeling...?, I wondered. I took off my shoes and left them haphazardly at the entrance, heading inside.
– Otousan? – I called him again, still without any answer.
As I approached our rooms, I smelled a familiar scent. Incense? I slowly opened my father's bedroom door, seeing that it was empty.
My attention went to the dresser beside the bed, where my mother's portrait was with a stick of incense burning slowly beside it. Once again, that bad feeling hit me. Something seemed wrong. In the dojo, maybe...?, I considered nervously.
I headed to the back porch of the house, taking the stone path to the dojo. At that moment the rain was falling heavily. I stopped in front of the dojo's sliding door.
– Otousan? – I called him once more and slowly opened the door.
My eyes followed the wooden floor until they noticed the red liquid slowly spreading across the tatami mats. The bad feeling rose in my throat and my eyes continued to follow, against my mind's pleas to stop.
My father was at the center of where that blood was coming from. His silver hair was lightly tinged with red, just like his stained clothes. A tantō lay in front of him. And a huge bloodstain was present on his abdomen.
I wanted to move, to speak, to scream, to go to my father or do anything, but my body simply wouldn't respond. My hands were trembling and air was lacking in my lungs. That scene before my eyes couldn't be real, it just couldn't...
– Kakashi! Sakumo! – I could hear a distant voice calling us.
Maybe it was distant and quiet to my ears at that moment. The anguish, mixed with desperation and shock, was what kept me there, frozen in place, my eyes on my father's collapsed body.
I could feel a tear trace a path down my face and felt my body grow heavy. My eyes closed without my control and my legs gave way, and I found myself falling towards the floor. But unlike what I expected, I didn't feel the impact with the tatami.
I felt that someone had caught me and was holding me in their arms. They were probably trying to talk to me, but I couldn't open my eyes to see who was there. My body wouldn't obey me.
Why, otousan...?, was the last thought that permeated my mind before my senses completely faded away.