Kakashi Hatake POV
Some genin had been called to the Ninja Academy to help the senseis with maintenance. It was a weekend mission, so we'd be free to go as soon as it was done.
Just before the teams were organized, I noticed Amaya running in with Shisui beside her. She seemed to be scolding the Uchiha, and for the first time, I saw her with a slightly irritated look.
It had been about two months since I last spoke to the Uzumaki. I'd said a lot of things she didn't deserve to hear, and thanks to my damn pride, I didn't know how to apologize to begin with, I didn't even know if she would forgive me.
– Great, you're all here – a jounin sensei said, and we turned our attention to him – I'll announce the areas each pair will work on.
Some genin started complaining; after all, no one had mentioned earlier that the work would be done in pairs. Everyone expected to do the tasks with their own teams.
– The Academy yard will be handled by Keiko and Sayuri. The first-floor classrooms go to Riki and Shion – the jounin started listing the locations and pairs – Shisui and Akira, the second floor is yours…
As the jounin announced the pairs, another sensei handed out supplies to the students so they could head to their assigned spots.
Well, no matter who I'm paired with, I thought, I just need to focus on finishing as fast as possible. I just hope I don't get paired with…
– The training gym will be handled by Amaya and Kakashi – the sensei's announcement immediately cut off my thought.
Exactly who I didn't want to be paired with. The reason? I didn't know how I could work with her without talking, or how to act after what I'd said.
Amaya walked over to the jounin, and I did the same, keeping a few steps behind her. She took the cleaning supplies the sensei held out, and I took mine right after.
The two of us walked in silence toward the gym area. The sound of our footsteps echoing through the empty halls was the only thing you could hear.
A thousand thoughts tortured me, searching for anything, any opening, to start a conversation with the Uzumaki, but I just couldn't find one.
We reached the gym in no time. The redhead set down the bag she was carrying on one of the bleacher benches.
Then, as if on autopilot, we started cleaning the gym. We filled our buckets with water and began washing the windows.
Through the reflection of the window I was cleaning, I tried to see Amaya's expression. If I could just read her face…, I thought. Maybe I could try talking to her, maybe…
With these thoughts swirling in my head, I looked at the Uzumaki again through the window's reflection. But this time, she was also staring back at me through the reflection of the window she was cleaning.
Her expression was serious. And to be honest, it made me feel a little uneasy. I wasn't used to seeing her without her usual calm or smiling face, so seeing her like that was unsettling.
And worst of all, that expression seemed directed at me.
I quickly stopped looking at her and tried to focus completely on anything else.
Just as I was finishing the last window on my side, I glanced over at Amaya again and noticed she had already finished the windows on her side.
She refilled her bucket without hurry and picked up her mop. And that's when it hit me. That's it! This is how I can try to talk to Amaya!
I quickly finished the window in front of me and went to get the mop the jounin had given me. I refilled my bucket and headed to the training area of the gym where the floor needed to be mopped.
Amaya was cleaning the floor on the opposite side from me. I started trying to match the pace of what she had already cleaned on her side.
I noticed the Uzumaki had her attention, even if subtly, focused on me. From what I knew of her, I was sure the redhead couldn't resist a competition – we were both alike in that way: we hated to lose.
I saw her glance away from me. She started matching the pace I was mopping on my side, speeding up her own work. I celebrated internally. She gets it, I thought excitedly, and it looks like she's going along with it…
I started running on my side as I mopped the floor. That way I took the lead. Amaya didn't waste any time and did the same. We went from one end of the gym to the other, cleaning the floor and trying to stay ahead of each other.
– Can't help competing with everyone? – Amaya suddenly asked, and I looked at her, seeing a smile on her face.
– From what I remember, you're the one who said we'd continue our competition when you got back from your mission… – She laughed, and I gave a weak smile.
We both reached the center of the gym at the same time. It was the final stretch. We stopped side by side, and I stared at the girl for a moment.
– Should we use this as the fifth challenge? – she asked, and I nodded.
– First one to reach the other side wins – I said, and she agreed.
I took a ryo from my pocket and briefly showed it to Amaya. The redhead nodded and got ready. I tossed the coin and got ready too.
I wasn't really interested in winning this competition. The fact that Amaya had agreed to participate was already easing my anxiety about her. It seemed she wasn't holding a grudge – or else she was really good at hiding it…
When the coin hit the gym floor, making a metallic clink, the redhead and I started running with our mops in hand.
As expected, Amaya had the advantage in running. That weirdo was fast, really fast. I tried to catch up, but it was tough. I heard Amaya laugh as she briefly glanced my way.
– Looks like I'll win this one easily… – she announced confidently, though she was breathing a little heavily.
– Normal people don't run that fast – I complained, also starting to feel out of breath.
– Did you just call me abnormal by saying I'm not like normal people, baka? – Amaya asked, one eyebrow slightly raised.
– You only noticed now, strange one? – I shot back rhetorically and laughed at the Uzumaki's indignant face.
And right at that moment, without me understanding why, she suddenly stopped running. I only stopped when I bumped into something, or rather, someone. I looked up and saw one of the senseis who had been with us earlier.
– Sorry… – I quickly apologized and stepped back from him.
– It's fine – he said with a weak laugh – I was just checking if you needed help, but it looks like you're almost done.
– Yes – Amaya confirmed, walking over to us, and we turned to her – Will you need help anywhere else?
– No, no… Once you're done, just leave the supplies outside, and another jounin will collect them – We nodded – Then I'll let you two finish up.
The sensei left the gym, and I looked at Amaya beside me, staring for a moment. We tried to keep straight faces, but the next instant, we both started laughing. Once we caught our breath and managed to stop laughing, I turned my attention back to the redhead.
– What should we do about the competition now? – I asked, looking at her – The sensei messed it up.
– Well, technically, you reached the end of the gym first – Amaya commented, shrugging – So I'll let it slide this time and count it as your win – I stared at her, trying to keep a straighter face for a moment.
– Who are you, and what have you done with the strange Amaya?
As clear punishment, she hit my legs with the mop in her hand – though she didn't use any real force.
– Hey! – I complained, and the girl laughed.
– I'm being nice, and you make fun of me? You deserved that – I gave a weak laugh.
– Okay, okay… – I admitted, giving up on arguing with her.
– So… What do you want for winning? – she asked – As long as it's not a fight or anything that'll make me put in effort, I'm in.
– Actually, I want you to answer something honestly… – I looked at her and sighed heavily – Are you still mad at me? – She looked at me for a moment.
– You mean because of what happened after your father… – The redhead stopped herself and gave a weak nod.
Amaya didn't say anything but kept her eyes on me for a few moments. My anxiety was through the roof. Even though she'd accepted the challenge, that didn't mean she'd forgiven me for what I'd done.
No sensible person would forgive me after what I'd said without thinking, especially since I'd waited so long to apologize.
The Uzumaki let out a heavy sigh and closed her eyes for a moment, seeming somehow frustrated, and I looked at her, confused. What does that mean?, I wondered.
– Is it okay if I answer later? – she asked, opening her eyes again, looking more serious than before.
– Yeah… Sure, that's fine – I agreed, a bit awkwardly.
Amaya stepped away from me and went to her things, picking up her bag and gathering the supplies she'd used for cleaning. I did the same, and we left our materials outside the gym as the sensei had instructed.
We headed outside the Academy. The Uzumaki quickly went on her way toward the village's shopping area. Even though I knew I shouldn't, I followed the redhead from a distance.
Something about her sudden change in behavior left me uneasy, so I decided to trail her for a while.
Amaya's first stop was a stall selling ready-made food. She said something quickly to the young attendant with a weak smile, and the woman nodded promptly.
That stall sold various kinds of food, and the one I was most familiar with was their grilled saury, since it was one of my favorite dishes.
A few minutes later, the vendor handed Amaya a small box wrapped in simple cloth. The Uzumaki handed over some ryo and went on her way again, and I continued following from afar.
Her second stop was one of the flower shops, where she bought just one flower: a white lily. My confusion grew stronger by the minute.
And my confusion peaked when I saw where Amaya was finally heading: The Konoha Cemetery. She walked calmly, her expression serene.
I tried to stay as close as possible without revealing myself. Thanks to the vegetation in that outskirts area of the village, I could keep my presence hidden, as well as suppress my chakra.
And I was intrigued when I realized which gravestone she stopped in front of.
The Uzumaki first placed the lily she'd bought on the marble stone in front of her. Then, she set down her bag and the small package, sitting down in front of the headstone.
– Sorry I'm late, Sakumo – the redhead apologized sincerely and calmly – The mission took longer than expected, and I had to stop to get a few things before coming. At least I managed to buy your favorite flower, right? – She gave a weak smile – Today I finally talked to Kakashi again. We even continued our competition, and he ended up winning… – The Uzumaki let out a weak laugh – It's the first time in these two months I've seen him smile… – She lowered her eyes – I finally managed to truly keep our promise.
"It's the first time in these two months I've seen him smile"?, I thought about her words. We hadn't seen each other, so how had she… I stopped my train of thought. Just like I'm doing now, had she been watching me this whole time too?
And what did she mean by "finally managed to truly keep our promise"?, I wondered, confused. What is she talking about? Did she make a promise to my… Father?
– Can you believe he asked if I was still mad at him? – She laughed without humor – How can he be like that? – She looked at the headstone in front of her – I didn't know how to answer. How… How could I tell Kakashi that I was never mad at him, not even when he acted like an idiot?
Those words from Amaya caught me off guard. She… Wasn't mad at me? She was never mad at me?, I questioned internally, extremely confused. What do you mean…?
The redhead briefly turned to where she'd left her bag and opened it, taking out something I was familiar with seeing her carry: Her mysterious notebook.
She opened it and flipped through a few pages until she stopped at a specific one. Smiling sadly, the Uzumaki rested a hand on the page. From where I was, I couldn't see what was in the notebook.
– I finished… – she said shortly after, giving a weak smile – I tried to make it as close as possible to what you told me, but… I have no way of knowing if it's right – She raised her eyes to the headstone – All that's left is for me to win the competitions with Kakashi and see for myself – She gave a weak laugh, setting the notebook aside – I wish I understood how you knew how Kakashi would act when you… – She abruptly stopped speaking, and I noticed the shift in her tone – Your request was unfair… – Amaya's voice grew more choked – You said it was a request, not a deal – She wiped her eyes – Take care of him, help him find happiness, be patient, and never give up on Kakashi… That was four requests in one – She laughed without any trace of emotion – But even so, you believed I could do it. Why me? I haven't known Kakashi for that long, so why…
Amaya Uzumaki POV
– Why did you entrust him to me? – I finally asked the question that had been tormenting me for months, feeling tears streaming down my face without being able to stop them – I-I… I don't deserve the trust you placed in me… I-I don't… – But I couldn't speak anymore.
I tried to take a deep breath to pull myself together. Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching, and I looked up to see who it was, finding the last person I expected at that moment.
– K-Kakashi…? – I called his name and tried to dry the tears still falling – W-What are you…
But before I could finish speaking or even stand up, Hatake approached me, kneeling in front of me and pulling me close, hugging me tightly against him.
– I'm sorry… – he said in a low voice, almost pleading, and I noticed the tears the platinum-haired boy was trying to hold back – Please, forgive me for everything…
Kakashi and I had never had any kind of contact like that. None. That was the first time he had ever hugged me – and also the first time he showed himself so vulnerable in my presence.
Hatake lowered his head and rested his forehead against my neck, sobbing quietly. Even though I was a little hesitant to do something that might make him pull away, I raised my hands and wrapped them around him, returning his hug.
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I didn't say anything for a long time, and neither did Kakashi. We just stayed there, silent and holding each other. And only after several minutes did I notice a faint smile on my face.
– I guess your question is answered… – I brought it up calmly, eliciting a nasal laugh from Hatake.
– Couldn't you have just answered like a normal person? – he asked quietly.
– I'm strange, remember? If I answered like a normal person, it wouldn't be me – Kakashi gave another weak laugh.
This time, the platinum-haired boy pulled away from me and turned his face away, not letting me see his red eyes from crying earlier, and I couldn't help but laugh softly at that. Kakashi being Kakashi…
– Don't you dare tell anyone about this – he warned, trying to sound serious.
– Don't worry, I won't tell anyone that Kakashi Hatake can cry like other human beings – He looked at me slightly annoyed, making me laugh.
– You're impossible… – Hatake complained, and I smiled.
– I know. Now, care to explain why you followed me?
– So you figured that out… – I nodded – You were acting strange – I looked at him a little more seriously – Okay, you were a little stranger than usual. Besides, I acted like a… – He stopped.
– Like a…? – I prompted him to continue, and the platinum-haired boy sighed.
– Like an idiot toward you – I gave a weak laugh – So I wanted to see how you were doing. You acted weird after I asked if you were still mad at me, so… – I interrupted because I had enough to understand.
– You decided to follow me? – I stared at him – And you call me the strange one… – He gave a weak laugh.
– You can't say anything, you were watching me without me knowing these past few months too – Hatake pointed out what I'd said earlier.
– Touché – I commented, and we both laughed.
– So my father asked you for something? – Kakashi asked a little later, and I looked at him – What promise did you make?
– "I can't ask exactly the same thing my wife asked of me – I began reciting Sakumo's words, since I had memorized them, and each one had deeply affected me – She asked me to protect our son, and I can't ask you to do the same. Knowing you as I do, I have no doubt you would risk your life for someone from our village – I lowered my eyes for a moment – And I firmly believe that when it comes to Kakashi, you wouldn't think twice about doing so. But the thought of you risking your life for my son pains me. So I wanted to change my request to you: Please, take care of Kakashi and help him find happiness in his moments of despair – I looked at Sakumo's headstone – I know you are patient, more than almost anyone I've ever met, so I'm sure you'll have enough tolerance to bear with him on his worst days. When those times come, give him time. My son is strong, skilled, and intelligent, but he has a hard time dealing with his emotions. I know there will be many times when he'll act stubborn and seem indifferent to everything and everyone, but please, never give up on him" – I gave a weak laugh – Your father knew exactly how you would act… – I turned my gaze to Hatake beside me.
His expression was a mix of confusion and surprise. He tried to say something but gave up. He certainly didn't expect something like this, I concluded. No one would…
– Why didn't you tell me before…? – Kakashi managed to ask after a few moments, and I looked at him.
– I tried, but you didn't want to listen – I stated calmly – So I chose to wait until you were ready to understand.
He lowered his eyes, thoughtful. From what I knew of him, a thousand things must have been running through his mind at that moment.
And then I remembered something I had to give to Kakashi.
I picked up the small box wrapped in thin cloth that I'd bought earlier and held it out to Hatake. He looked at me confused but took the box in his hands.
– It's for you – I explained – Grilled saury, right? It's your favorite – He looked back at me.
– How did you… – He stopped his question and seemed to rephrase what he wanted to ask – Why did you buy it?
– From what I've read, giving people gifts on their birthdays is important, isn't it?
Kakashi immediately looked completely surprised. September 15th…, I thought. Yeah, I'm sure it's his birthday.
– You really bought my favorite dish as a birthday present? – Hatake asked, his eyes still on the box in his hands.
– Yes… – I said – Isn't it normal to give people something on their birthdays? – He gave a weak laugh.
– No, it's not that, you chose well. It's just… – The platinum-haired boy looked at me – You're the first person to do something like this for me. The only one, besides my father… – I noticed Kakashi had a faint smile under his mask – Thank you – And I ended up smiling too.
Hatake started unwrapping the box, and the smell of freshly cooked fish filled the air. Unlike usual, this fish had a pleasant, inviting smell. Before Kakashi opened the box, he stopped and looked at me.
– You had your notebook, right? – he asked, and I nodded – I heard you saying you'd finished something… And that you needed to win the competitions against me to confirm something.
– Yes. Sakumo asked me for one thing, but I never had the chance to show him.
– Was my father the only one who could confirm it? – the platinum-haired boy asked.
– Well, technically you could too, but then you'd find out what I do carrying this notebook around all the time – He pondered for a moment.
– I wouldn't mind if you wanted to change your prize in case you win the competition… – Kakashi commented a bit quieter, and I looked at him, laughing softly.
– So you're that curious – He crossed his arms, pretending to be uninterested, and I laughed again – I'll have to think of something else as our competition goes on then…
I noticed Kakashi looking at me at that moment. I picked up my notebook from beside me and opened it again, revealing some sketched drawings.
– You drew all of these? – Hatake asked, his eyes attentive to the pages.
– Yes. Sakumo suggested I do it to help me recover my memories, not long after I started living with you.
– They're good… – I looked at the platinum-haired boy after his honest and unexpected compliment, and only then did he realize he'd said it out loud – You didn't hear that – he said seriously, and I laughed softly.
– Your father told me the same thing and then suggested I do others as a hobby – I commented, flipping through the pages – And he asked me for one in particular… – I stopped on a page before the drawing I'd made at the older Hatake's request – Like I said, I don't know if it matches reality because I drew it based on Sakumo's descriptions. So don't try to kill me if I made something too weird… – Kakashi nodded, a bit confused but with clear curiosity.
I turned the page, revealing the drawing Sakumo had asked me for: A portrait of him with Kakashi, but with the younger Hatake without his mask.
– That's why I needed to win the competition, to be sure I'd drawn it right – I explained to Hatake – So… Did I at least get close?
I looked at Kakashi and found him surprised. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?, I wondered worriedly. The platinum-haired boy looked at me a few seconds later.
And just when I thought he was going to say something, he grabbed the edge of his mask and, without waiting or saying a word, pulled it down, revealing his face.
He had a nose that perfectly suited his face, a finely defined jawline. His mouth was well-shaped, his lips visually soft, with a mole on the left, above his chin.
He has a nice face…, I thought, feeling my cheeks grow slightly warm. Exactly as Sakumo had described.
– If I'd known about this earlier, I'd have been worried about you drawing me, but it seems you have talent – Kakashi teased, smiling – You got it exactly right.
His smile was restrained, like Sakumo's, giving him a much friendlier air than his usual indifferent expression. Seeing it gave me a new image of Hatake, making me laugh softly afterward.
– I'm relieved to know you at least have a normal face – I said, and Kakashi looked at me suspiciously.
– I'm almost afraid to ask what you imagined I was hiding under this mask… – I laughed, and Hatake joined me soon after.