Kakashi Hatake POV
Maybe I'd never felt so glad to be wearing my mask as in that moment, since my jaw had been hanging open for so long anyone seeing me without it would think I was crazy.
So many things had me stunned right then, I didn't even know what to process first. Whether it was being in the presence of my parents' ninken, us being inside the Eternal Labyrinth Cavern, or even how familiar the dogs were with Amaya.
Even though I'd never seen the two ninken before, I'd heard my father talk many times about Kori, the Husky he'd signed a summoning contract with, and about Asami, the Akita Inu who was my mother's partner.
Just like the Inuzuka clan, the Hatakes had dogs as companions. The difference between us and them was that our clan worked with dogs independent from humans.
The Eternal Labyrinth Cavern was their secret sanctuary, where no one not permitted entry could visit or even reach its depths. There were many paths underground, though the animals lived on the surface.
The Hatake clan and those ninken were a unique combination, since we all specialized in Earth Style.
The place was so well hidden that not even Konoha or the residents of Taki could access it. Until that moment, the Hatake clan had been the only ones who knew of its existence in Waterfall territory and now Amaya did too.
Even though I was amazed, admiring the path we were taking and the ninja dogs moving around, I couldn't help but bring my attention to the redhead ahead of me. She had a faint smile on her lips, characteristic of when she was somewhere she knew and felt at ease.
She and the Anbu didn't cross Waterfall territory through the cavern, I concluded, it was through here. But how? How did she find out about this place? And how did she manage to get here and gain passage with the ninken?
We entered a building that looked like a house along with Kori and Asami, and the two ninken settled on some raised cushions. Two other dogs brought cushions to where Amaya and I were and placed them in front of us.
The Uzumaki and I took off our backpacks and left them beside us, settling on the newly brought cushions like the dogs in front of us.
– Thank you for having us, Asami-san and Kori-san – Amaya was the first to speak, and like the ninken, I turned my gaze to her.
– I suppose you've come to fulfill your part of our agreement – Kori said calmly to the redhead, and she nodded promptly.
The two ninken turned their attention to me, and I kept my eyes on them too. Their eyes scanned me up and down, somewhat carefully. What agreement are they talking about? I wondered. And what does it have to do with Amaya? She didn't tell me any of this...
– You must have many questions, Kakashi – the Husky spoke, and I snapped out of my thoughts to pay attention – Feel free to ask.
– How do you know each other? – I quickly shifted my gaze between the dogs and Amaya beside me.
– Your friend came to us during a mission – Kori told me directly – She and her group, Anbu, right? – He asked the redhead, who nodded – They needed to cross Waterfall territory to the Land of Earth and wanted to use our routes.
– And she had the courage to stand before Puchi and even calmly request to speak with us, the leaders – Asami commented with some amusement in her tone, her gaze on Amaya, who gave a faint smile.
She came without knowing the ninken, ran into that Kangal, and still managed to act calmly? I wondered. That's definitely an Amaya thing, she's the only one who'd do something like that…
– But how did you find out about this place? – I asked the Uzumaki and turned my attention to her – Not even I knew the way here, though I knew about the ninken. And besides, I never told you about them.
– Sakumo told me about the Eternal Labyrinth Cavern – she said calmly – Not exactly what was here, but a few things like it being home to all the summoning contracts of your clan, its general location, and about the leaders, Kori-san and Asami-san, the ninken of your father and mother.
– Although we allowed Amaya-chan and her companions entry into our sanctuary, she was the only one who spoke directly to us – Kori continued – And I soon recognized her from the descriptions your father had given us about her – I looked at him surprised – We never had the chance to meet you two, but Sakumo always talked about both of you.
– But we didn't just roll over easily – Asami pointed out quickly – The Uzumaki had to prove she really was who we thought.
– I went through quite the interrogation that day – Amaya said with a faint smile, almost laughing.
– She knew Sakumo too well to be a fraud, but what made us give her our trust were her words about Hideaki and you, Kakashi – the Husky revealed, and from his expression it seemed the dog was smiling – Amaya spoke about you two just like Sakumo did: "Kakashi seems to have taken after his mother Hideaki's grumpiness, acting like that most of the time, even though he's an amazing person once he lets you get close to him" – I quickly looked at Amaya.
– You didn't say that! – I complained, incredulous, to the redhead, and she laughed.
– Sorry, but it's the truth, and they were the same words your father used – the Uzumaki said, trying to control herself from laughing more.
– I'm not grumpy... – I said more quietly, and Asami's laugh drew our attention.
– Oh, really… You're just like Hideaki! – the Akita Inu said, her expression conveying something like an amused smile.
– Amaya spoke about all of you with such affection that it was impossible for her words to be false or hide any ulterior motives – Kori spoke just as happily, looking at the redhead beside me – Even though she never got to meet your mother.
– She spoke with a kindness in her tone like Sakumo – Asami said – But with a firm posture just like Hideaki's. It was hard not to remember your parents in that moment.
– So Amaya made us a proposal: We'd give her and her companions the passage they needed through our territory, and she'd owe us a favor – the Husky explained.
– And what promise was that? – I asked, curious.
– "When he's ready and can see the world again, allow us to meet the same Hatake you cherish so much" – Amaya quoted those words, and I looked at her, confused.
– We knew about Sakumo's death and what it caused you, Kakashi – Kori expressed gently, yet still sounding somewhat serious – We imagined it might have affected you negatively, and from what we could gather from your friend's reactions, we confirmed it was true.
– We wanted to meet you, but we didn't know if we could handle you hating Sakumo for the choice he made and the ideologies he followed – Asami said more seriously, and I nodded.
– I'm glad I didn't come here before, because I really couldn't see things as I should – I said and turned my gaze to Amaya – I had help to change, and now I can see clearly – the redhead smiled faintly – But you didn't have to drag me here without saying anything, right? – She and the ninken laughed.
– I would've had to explain a lot beforehand, and I thought it'd be simpler to just show you – I gave a weak laugh, agreeing.
Another ninken entered the room and went over to Kori and Asami, saying something to them that Amaya and I couldn't hear. I took the chance to talk to the redhead.
– Thank you... – I thanked her, and she turned her eyes to me.
– For what exactly?
– For all of this, bringing me to this place – I said and smiled faintly – It's more than I could've imagined as a gift – She gave a weak laugh, and I stared at her, not understanding – What's so funny?
– Bringing you here isn't your gift, baka... – She said with a faint smile, and I looked at her confused.
– But then what is it…
However, my question ended up hanging in the air since the ninken who was talking to my parents' summons left the room as he had come.
– Well, Kakashi and Amaya-chan, feel free to stay here as long as you like, and let us know if there's anything we can do to help – Kori said invitingly.
– There really is something I'd like to ask of you two – Amaya was the one to speak immediately to the Husky and Akita Inu in front of us.
– That look... – Asami said excitedly – I already know I'm going to like what's coming.
– Go ahead, Amaya-chan – the Husky encouraged her.
– I wanted to ask you to allow Kakashi the right to sign a contract, like Sakumo and Hideaki, with the ninken – Just like the dogs, I turned my gaze to the redhead.
– What?! – My surprise came out as a question.
I quickly shifted my gaze between the Uzumaki and the ninken, unsure what to expect from them. Why now? I wondered. But my brain worked to clarify why:
"Bringing you here isn't your gift, baka..."
Amaya's recent words came to mind, and it clicked. She had planned from the start to come here and ask Kori and Asami to let me sign a contract with the ninken! I deduced.
The Uzumaki had a faint smile on her lips as she waited anxiously for the ninken leaders, who exchanged a brief glance. And just like the dogs, she looked at me momentarily, holding back a laugh at my probably still very clear expression of surprise which I was sure was still plain on my face.
And even though I was still stunned, I allowed myself a weak laugh. She really outdid herself with this… I admitted to myself. Only Amaya could drag me out of the village suddenly and surprise me like this…
– This is your second time coming here and your second request directly to us – Kori commented, and the redhead and I turned our eyes to him – And on both occasions, with your confidence and pure intention, we'll grant your request.
A truly happy smile appeared on Amaya's expression, and she bowed her head to the ninken in thanks.
– Thank you very much, Kori-san and Asami-san – the redhead thanked serenely, and I allowed myself to smile too.
– Be ready for your trials, Hatake – Asami said to me, and I turned my gaze to the ninken, nodding promptly.
– I'll give my best with this opportunity – I said sincerely.
– We know you will – the ninken agreed and looked at Amaya for a moment – We all know…
Amaya Uzumaki POV
After Kori and Asami arranged with Kakashi how his test would be done, everything was set to start in a few days. The ninken suggested we take the rest of the day to get to know the sanctuary.
And as leaders, the Husky and Akita Inu left another ninken as our guide: Puchi. The Kangal was one of those responsible for guarding the labyrinth paths and, consequently, was the first ninken I met when I arrived.
The whole time we walked through the Eternal Labyrinth Cavern, I had to make some effort not to laugh at Kakashi and Puchi. Neither was acting naturally in the other's presence, probably to keep up the impression of being serious.
– I think the main points are these – Puchi finally informed us and stopped, turning to us – Do you want to go somewhere specific? – I looked at Kakashi, giving him space to choose first, but Hatake shook his head slightly.
– Can we go to the waterfall? – I asked and noticed both of them turning their eyes to me.
– We didn't see any on the way... – Kakashi said, confused, since it was true.
– So you managed to notice it? – Puchi asked, and I nodded.
– I noticed it the first time I came here, from the sound of the falling water – The Kangal looked at me surprised by that, and I noticed Hatake holding back a faint laugh.
From the ninken's slight genuine expression in front of me, I could sense his own will and a certain eagerness about the suggestion of going to the waterfall. He likes this place… I deduced. Maybe this way I can get him and Kakashi to relax from their defensive postures.
– Can we go there, Puchi? – I asked the dog in a gentler tone, hoping to convince him.
The Kangal hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. I smiled happily, celebrating internally.