* Present Day *
Kakashi Hatake POV
When I stopped talking, I watched Naruto for a moment. Unlike when we'd first arrived at Ichiraku, he was now completely silent. That alone was strange, but seeing him serious was even more unusual.
– You guys suffered a lot with all that... – the blond commented in his low tone – How much you lost in that war...
– The Fourth Great Ninja War made your generation suffer too – I said – Sadness, pain, and loss hurts everyone equally.
– But for us, things ended completely differently than in the Third – Uzumaki looked at me – One of the biggest differences is that we spent two days in it, while you...
– Lived it for years – I finished, and he agreed.
Naruto stayed quiet for a few moments, and I let him think, since just like him, I was also wandering through memories of that time. So many things changed because of that war..., I thought.
A few days after the destruction of the Kannabi Bridge, a provisional peace treaty between the Stone and Konoha was suggested by the latter. And although the official end of that conflict was settled months later, a period of peace had already begun there a peace my generation hadn't had the chance to know until then.
And with these beginning times of peace, the number of missions was reduced while the village and its residents recovered after so much wear and loss. We had free time like never before.
Thinking about it, I ended up smiling as I remembered a particular event from that period. That's right, I recalled, it was during that time that Amaya invented that thing...
– Nee-chan – I heard Uzumaki speak suddenly and pulled myself from my thoughts to look at him.
– What? – I asked, confused, thinking I had missed something the blond said earlier.
– You're thinking about her – he said, excited, and I let out a weak laugh.
– I was remembering a crazy thing your sister came up with during our post-war time – The blond smiled even more excitedly and rested his chin on his hands, as if waiting for me to continue the story – It all started when we met in the Uchiha Clan District...
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It had been weeks since a ceasefire between Konoha and Iwa was declared. The war had, as far as anyone understood, come to an end. From that point on, the remaining disagreements between the villages and countries would be handled at a meeting table or through messages.
However, the marks left by the Third Great War were still very visible. Many ninjas lost their lives, families tried to rebuild as best they could, and especially this last one many people changed.
And I ended up being one of them.
The conversation I had with Amaya before our mission to the Kannabi Bridge made me reflect on my choices and stance up to that point, along with what I had questioned myself when I went to find Obito to rescue Rin.
Speaking of the Uchiha, when we returned to the village and reported his death in combat, I met Obito's grandmother, Uniko Uchiha. She was his only relative, since his parents had died a long time before, also because of the war.
For some reason, I felt obligated to at least talk to her and apologize for being partly responsible for her grandson's death. I was prepared to hear anything she might say or choose as punishment.
But my surprise came when she said she didn't blame me for anything. She told me about Obito and how he talked about me. He saw you as a rival, the lady had commented, but also as a friend. He admired you, even though he always acted the opposite.
From that day on, I started visiting Obito's grandmother and helping her with her chores. At first, I did it out of the guilt I carried for Obito's death, but little by little it became something I didn't mind doing.
– I'm heading out, Uniko-san! – I called out as soon as I finished putting away her last groceries and headed for the door.
– Thank you for your help today, Kakashi-kun – She spoke, stopping at the border between the living room and the entrance.
– You don't have to thank me for that – I told her as I finished putting on my shoes.
– Take some time to rest, young man – Uniko said when I opened the door – Go out with your friends. Enjoy your free time with people your own age, not with an old lady like me – I gave a weak laugh.
– You're still young, Uniko-san – I said casually – Besides, there's not much to do since we can't leave the village except for missions.
Uniko ended up agreeing with that last point. Any village resident not on a mission was not allowed to leave the village. It was a safety measure for everyone because of the newly acquired truce, but also to prevent enemy infiltration.
As soon as I crossed the threshold of Uniko's house and my gaze fell on the street, I noticed two particularly familiar figures there one pleasant to see, the other maybe not so much.
Amaya and Shisui were walking side by side, apparently talking calmly. The Uchiha had said something that made the Uzumaki lower her head, clearly embarrassed.
And as if she noticed she was being watched, Amaya shifted her attention from the weasel-faced guy and brought it in my direction, smiling at me and waving. Without realizing or thinking, I ended up doing the same to the redhead.
– Are they your friends? – Uniko asked, stepping outside next to me.
– Yes – I said.
Though that weasel-faced guy is more like the most annoying being in the universe..., I mentally added.
The Uzumaki and the Uchiha came over to where I was with Obito's grandmother.
– Good morning, Uniko! – The Uchiha greeted her first, clearly familiar with the woman.
– Shisui, I didn't recognize you! – She approached him and the weasel-faced guy hugged her – Look how you've grown! – The Uchiha ended up laughing and scratching his head, messing up his already unruly hair even more – How old are you now?
– A good 14 years – He answered casually, and the lady smiled.
– Akemi and Kagami would be happy to see the fine man you've become – Uniko then turned her gaze to Amaya, who had stayed a bit behind the Uchiha – Aren't you going to introduce me to your companion?
– This is Amaya – Shisui said, and the redhead took a step closer to the Uchiha – You've probably heard about her from other clan members.
– Good morning, Uniko-san – the redhead greeted her with a faint smile.
– Ah, of course! – Uniko spoke and also smiled – Amaya Uzumaki... Your name is familiar, both because of the clan and because of what my grandson told me about you.
– What's this scarecrow doing around here? Is he bothering you, Uniko? – The Uchiha asked, a bit more serious, but I could hear the teasing tone he usually used with me.
– Oh, no... – The lady looked at me – Kakashi-kun has been helping me, and I'm very grateful for that – I gave her a weak smile – By the way, Shisui... – She looked at him again – I'd like to discuss something with you, do you have a few minutes?
– Anytime, Uniko.
– Well, I'll be going then – I said and looked at the Uchiha woman – I'll be back tomorrow.
– Don't even think about it, Kakashi-kun, I want you to take some time for yourself – She gave a weak laugh – Now give me a hug, boy!
I smiled and approached Uniko, hugging her. She was an amazing person, and even though I hadn't known her long, it was easy to grow fond of her.
– Ask the girl out... – Uniko said quietly so only I could hear – She's the one you like, right? – I pulled away from the Uchiha woman and found her with an amused smile.
– W-What?! – I asked nervously, caught off guard by her sudden question-statement.
– Obito mentioned once that "Bakashi had a crush on a girl from the Uzumaki clan" – Uniko emphasized her grandson's words, still in a low tone so neither Amaya nor Shisui could hear us, and smiled – You have good taste, young man! – I quickly denied it.
– N-No... It's nothing like that! – I tried to explain, but I already felt myself blushing, which would clearly indicate the exact opposite of what I was saying.
– I apologize for stealing your companion, Amaya-chan – Uniko said to the redhead, returning to her normal tone of voice – But I'll leave you in the company of this fine young man – She placed a hand on my back, urging me to go to the Uzumaki.
I could see Shisui holding back a laugh, and if we weren't near Obito's grandmother, I probably would have hit him. Damn Uchiha..., I thought.
– It was a pleasure to meet you, Uniko-san – Amaya said and smiled faintly, turning her gaze to me – Shall we?
I gave a faint nod, almost laughing at Amaya's relevance or lack of perception regarding the double meaning Uniko was playing with. We said goodbye to the Uchihas, and I almost breathed a sigh of relief, though Uniko's words still left me unsettled.
Did Obito really tell his grandmother I like Amaya? I wondered. And since Uniko brought it up now, does that mean she agrees... Or that I somehow gave her that idea?
– Uniko is a sweetheart – Amaya commented suddenly.
– Y-Yeah... – I answered quickly and a bit nervously, but tried to compose myself – I mean, she's very different from the other clan members.
Though she's inconvenient with certain comments like a certain other Uchiha..., I mentally added.
– And how is she holding up, after everything? – The Uzumaki asked in a more melancholic tone.
– Dealing as best she can – I answered honestly, though sadly and quieter – It's hard to tell, since Uchihas have a gift for hiding what they're really feeling... – Amaya faintly agreed.
With that last thought, I ended up thinking about Amaya herself, after all, the redhead carried part of her DNA from the Uchiha clan. It really is a gift, the way Uchihas can disguise what they feel..., I mused.
And as my mind liked to 'help' me, Uniko's words came back.
"Ask the girl out... She's the one you like, right?"
This isn't the first time someone's said that to me..., I thought. Although most of the time it was in a joking, mistaken, or teasing tone especially from Shisui I never really asked myself about it... 'Liking someone'...
I had a vague idea of what that was and how people tended to act when under the influence of that feeling:
From what my father told me about him and my mother, from Minato and Kushina given how I'd been around them since I was young because of Amaya, even from Obito seeing the Uchiha in love and never gathering the courage to confess to Rin , and from Nohara herself regarding what she said she felt for me.
But I never thought about myself. If I had ever felt something like that for someone... I glanced sideways at the Uzumaki beside me. I wonder if Amaya has ever thought about this? I asked myself. And if she has, did she ever consider the same thing I am, about u–
– Kakashi, do you have anything planned for today? – Amaya's question pulled me out of the middle of my thoughts, and I looked at her confused.
– What? – I asked, letting my confusion show.
– Want to go out with me? – The Uzumaki proposed with a faint smile.
My first reaction was to freeze and stop walking, and the redhead did the same a second later.
– What...? – I asked so quietly I doubted she could hear it.
D-Did she just ask if I want to... G-Go out with her?! I asked myself, feeling nervousness growing inside. Just like Uniko told me to?!
– W-Why...? – I asked aloud what I was also wondering – Why this, all of a sudden?
The Uzumaki kept her gaze on me for a moment before lowering it and allowing a contained smile to appear on her lips.
Along with the feeling of nervousness, something seemed to churn in my stomach. It wasn't bad, but strange and unsettling. And my heart suddenly sped up, as if I had started running or training.
– Knowing how to hide what you feel sometimes doesn't help... – The redhead spoke in a lower tone and brought her eyes back to me – I'm worried about you, about your well-being. I wanted to know how you're dealing with Obito's death and give you some support, if you need it – She explained quickly – And also to see how your adjustment to the Sharingan is going.
Although that partly calmed me down from my traitorous thoughts, it was as if a pang of disappointment had hit me. But why would I feel that way? It's not like I really wanted...
– Is that why you asked me out? – I ended up asking before finishing my own thought.
– Not exactly... – Amaya spoke quickly – That was to give you your present, you know, for your promotion to jounin – I looked at her, surprised – I know I'm a few good weeks late, but I only just got everything ready for us to go.
– Wait... What do you mean "got everything ready for us to go"? – I asked quickly.
– That's why I asked you out. To receive your present, we need to go to the Land of Waterfalls – The redhead explained calmly.
– That's... That's crazy! – I said, and she laughed, agreeing.
– That's why it took me so long to arrange everything – She said – So, what do you say?
I just looked at her for a moment, not giving an answer. Of course, a thousand and one thoughts came to my mind at that moment, starting with what could be in the Land of Waterfalls that would be my present, and that we'd have to go there...
But another question took over my thoughts, and the doubt surfaced before I could think too much.
– Even if I agreed, which is crazy in itself since we're talking about a weeks-long trip there – I said quickly – We can't leave the village unless we're on a mission.
– That's why I told you I had to prepare everything before we go – Amaya explained with an almost inhuman calm – We're not going to travel there the normal way, and we have a mission that will allow us to leave the village. I just need to know when you'll be ready so we can depart.
I opened my mouth to speak, but the words didn't come immediately. The confusion my head had become wouldn't let me organize my thoughts as I wanted.
My earlier questions, regarding Uniko's words, merged with the moment Amaya had invited me out, and also with this whole new situation presented by the Uzumaki.
– I-I don't know... – I said, looking down, being honest.
However, my gaze only stayed down until I felt two hands gently holding mine. I looked at the green-eyed figure in front of me, surprised by her sudden closeness.
– You're overthinking it, like I usually do – She commented with a faint smile – Don't. Just weigh two words: Yes or no. Say whichever comes first.
And if before my mind was troubled with so many thoughts at once, when I rested my gaze on the redhead's, everything seemed to disappear. It was just... Her.
(Maybe at any other time, with my mind not so clouded and fixed on Amaya, I would have chosen the second word if I rationally considered what she had proposed. But in the following years, I was never so happy that I hadn't acted rationally in the face of the Uzumaki's request. Although my questions about what Amaya and I were had started long before, that trip would help me clarify certain doubts I had about what I felt for the redhead...)
– Yes... – I answered, my gaze still locked on Amaya's, maybe not even blinking.
The Uzumaki smiled excitedly and squeezed my hands lightly.
– Pack your things to be away for a few days – She said quickly – I'll meet you at 10 o'clock sharp!
And before I could process that or even return to my normal senses, the Uzumaki started running down the path to her own house, leaving me speechless for a few seconds there.
What just happened? was all I could ask myself.