Amaya POV
We had just left the room we were in. I was sitting on one of the benches in the hallway of the Intelligence Division headquarters, waiting for Minato. He and Inoichi were in a nearby room, and I could hear them talking quietly.
– Do you think those memories are real? – Minato asked Inoichi – Could a kid like her really have done all that?
– We don't know what the purpose was when they created them, it could've just been one of the results. Do you think she could be dangerous to those around her?
– We only saw a glimpse of what she can do – Minato said – For someone her age, that's a real risk if it's not properly controlled – He paused for a moment – But she doesn't seem like someone with bad intentions.
– The look on her face when she regained consciousness... – Inoichi said with a heavy tone – You could tell how much it hurt her. But what bothers me is that she doesn't even remember any of it, and still managed to relive it when I was searching through her mind.
– Could it have been something that boy did? – Minato asked – You noticed it too, didn't you?
– He looked like someone from the Yamanaka clan, but his eyes...
– Looked like the Uchiha – Minato cut in quickly – Just like Amaya-chan.
My case?, I thought. What are they trying to say with that?
– Did you check her test results? – Minato asked.
– Yeah, and honestly, I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen her myself. Is the Third Hokage up to date on this?
– Yes. He'll meet us at the Naka Shrine later today so we can discuss with Fugaku about Amaya-chan's allocation.
Allocation?, I thought. Naka Shrine? Fugaku? I can't keep up with this anymore. But Inoichi's question to Minato kept echoing in my head: "Do you think she could be dangerous to those around her?"
They see me as a potential threat, I realized. And I don't blame them—after remembering everything that happened in that lab, I see myself as a danger to the people who saved me too.
After a few minutes, Minato and Inoichi left the room and walked over to me.
– Amaya-chan... – Minato called out, and I looked up at him – We need to go somewhere else now – I nodded faintly.
__________________________________________________________________________
I lifted my head from my knees and shook it lightly, pushing away all those images in my mind. I shouldn't dwell on this, I told myself. No matter where I'll end up now, as long as it's not that lab, I don't care.
I'm alive.
That's right, I thought. I shouldn't complain about the chance I was given. For all the kids who died by my hands, I'll keep living until the day I can pay for what I've done.
– Hey, Amaya-chan! – I heard someone call me.
That voice sounds familiar..., I thought. Then I saw Shisui coming toward me, holding a woman's hand. With them was an older man, and what caught my attention was the white and red robe he was wearing.
Because of the setting sun behind them, I couldn't make them out clearly until they got closer. When they reached the steps where I was sitting, I stood up and finally got a better look.
Shisui's hair was just as messy as the first time I saw him. He was wearing black this time. Beside him, a beautiful woman held his hand.
Her straight black hair fell just past her shoulders, and her dark eyes had the same sharp outline as Shisui's. She's really pretty..., I admitted.
The man with them looked older than the woman. He wore a white cloak with a red trim, and a red-and-white hat that said Fire.
Fire?, I thought. Then this must be the Third Hokage, the one Minato and Inoichi mentioned.
– Told you – Shisui said excitedly – I could recognize her from far away just because of her hair – He looked at me with a grin.
– Indeed, Shisui-san – The man said, turning to me – You must be Amaya-san, right? I'm Hiruzen.
– You're the Third Hokage – I said – It's an honor to meet you – I bowed my head slightly in respect.
– Interesting... – The Hokage said, watching me – Someone taught you that too?
– Shisui-sama did – The man glanced at the boy, as did the woman beside them.
– You taught her that? – The woman asked Shisui – When?
– At the hospital, haha. About four or five days ago.
Haha? I thought. So she's Shisui's mother? Makes sense, he does take after her a lot.
– You're Shisui-sama's mother, right? – I asked, and she looked at me – It's a pleasure to meet you – I reached out my hand.
But she didn't shake it, didn't even move. Her eyes just locked on mine. Why is she looking at me like that?, I wondered. It's not disdain, not even fear. She looks... sad?
– Your eyes... – She said softly – They're a different color, but they're just like his...
His? I thought. My eyes look like whose? She shook her head lightly, finally looking away.
– Sorry... – she said with a faint smile, turning back to me – Yes, I'm Shisui's mother. My name is Akemi – She offered her hand this time – It's nice to finally meet you – I shook it, still not sure what to make of her reaction before.
– Minato's already at the Shrine, right? – Hiruzen asked me, and I nodded – Good. Then we should join them, Akemi-san – He said to Shisui's mother.
– Of course – she agreed, then turned to her son – Shall we?
– Is it okay if I stay with Amaya-chan? – Shisui asked. She looked surprised for a second, then gave him a soft smile, ruffling his already messy hair.
– If you want to, that's fine – Shisui grinned.
– Thanks, haha!
Akemi and the Hokage walked ahead toward the Naka Shrine, leaving just me and Shisui. When I looked back, he was already heading down the stairs in the opposite direction of the temple.
– You coming? – he asked.
– Shouldn't we wait here? – I asked, a little confused.
– They'll take forever, trust me. Come on, don't you wanna see the village a little?
I glanced at the Shrine one more time, then followed him down the steps. He smiled when I caught up, and we started walking with no real hurry.
– Where are we going? – I asked.
– No idea – he grinned at me.
I chuckled softly. He's so carefree, I thought. Just like Akemi. And speaking of her...
– Your mom seemed sad – I brought it up – Even though she smiled later, something felt off.
– Yeah, it's because of you – He said. I blinked at him.
– Because of me? – He nodded.
– Like she said, you've got the eyes of my... – He paused, correcting himself – Our father – I stopped walking, and so did he.
– Eyes of our... father? – I asked, even more confused.
– Wait... – Shisui looked at me, just as confused – Minato-san didn't tell you?
– Tell me what?
– About the two of us – He pointed at himself and then me.
– No.
– Why do you think the Hokage, Minato-san, and some of my clan members are meeting at the Shrine today?
– Because they were going to lock me away at the Shrine since I'm dangerous... – Shisui stared at me – I heard them earlier. "Do you think she could be dangerous to those around her?" Inoichi asked Minato. I don't mind being confined if it keeps others safe – I lowered my eyes – I'm afraid of what I can do, especially after... – But I couldn't finish, not while looking at Shisui.
He stared at me seriously for a moment, then... started laughing? I just stared, completely lost, not even knowing what to ask. It took him a while to calm down and catch his breath.
– You really are different... – Shisui said with a small laugh.
– What's so funny? – I asked. He took a deep breath, clearly holding back more laughter.
– You pick things up fast – Shisui explained – But you got it all wrong.
– What?
– The "allocation" they were talking about was about where you'd live – I blinked at him.
– Live?
– Yeah. You're gonna live in the village, like me, my mom, the Hokage, and Minato-san.
– At the Naka Shrine? – He chuckled.
– No one lives there. It's just for Uchiha clan meetings or other important gatherings.
– I... I don't get it... – I said, and he laughed softly.
– To make it short: They're deciding if you'll live with the Uchiha clan, because you're my sister – I stared at him.
– What?
– Well, technically half-sister. But you've still got Uchiha blood.
– I'm... your sister? – I asked.
– Judging by your shock, no one told you – I shook my head – That's why my mom looked so sad when she saw you – He looked at me – Your eyes are like our father's.
– He's... dead? – He nodded faintly.
– A little after I was born. Everyone says he was a great shinobi.
– What was his name?
– Kagami.
– Kagami... – I whispered, trying to remember it.
– But right now... – Shisui said, making me look at him – We need to find something to eat, because I'm starving.
– Don't we need money for that? – I asked.
– You think I'd leave without money? Especially for food?
– But I don't have anything.
– I'll pay for you – I shook my head.
– No, I can't accept more after the hospital and the clothes Minato-kun gave me.
– Do you think that was a suggestion? – Shisui asked.
– But... – He cut me off.
– I'm your older brother. It's my job to take care of you – I stared at him, feeling something stir in my chest.
– Shisui-sama...
– And no need to be so formal with me – He smiled – If you want, you can call me onii-san.
– Onii-san... – I repeated softly, and Shisui smiled.
– Say it one more time, please? – He teased, and I chuckled.
– Sure, onii-san.
– I always wondered what it'd feel like to be called brother – He grinned wider – Thanks! – I couldn't help but smile too.
Shisui started walking again, and I followed in silence for a while. Shisui is my brother, I thought. My... brother. We share the same blood. I smiled faintly. And to think I believed they were taking me to the Naka Shrine to lock me away... I chuckled softly.
– What's so funny? – he asked as we walked past some open shops.
– Just thinking how wrong I was about the Shrine – Shisui laughed.
– Tell me about it – He smiled faintly – By the way, do you like sweets?
– I've never had any – I said. He stared at me.
– Then you have to try them! – He grabbed my hand – I know the perfect place!
Shisui pulled me along, and we started running through the village streets. Some people gave us weird looks, but I forgot about them as his messy black hair bounced in front of me.
After a while, we reached a small shop with a simple wooden front. Shisui went in first, and I followed, looking around curiously. An elderly woman came to us with a gentle smile.
– Oh, Shisui-chan... – She said warmly – How's Akemi doing?
– She's a little better, Yasu-san.
– Came for more sweets?
– I came to introduce Amaya-chan to the world of sweets – The woman looked at me.
– You've never had sweets, dear? – I shook my head.
– Do you still have dango, Yasu-san? – Shisui asked.
– For you, always – She smiled, then turned to me – Don't let him turn you into a sugar addict like him – She pointed at Shisui.
– I don't know what you're talking about, Yasu-san...
When we looked at him, his hands were already full of sweets. I couldn't hold back a laugh, and Yasu chuckled too.
– I'll get your favorites, Shisui-chan – She said, heading to the back.
– So many good ones... – Shisui muttered – I don't know which to pick...
– Want me to help? – I asked, and he smiled at me.
– Of course! – I stepped closer.
My eyes ran over the colorful sweets laid out in front of us. Shisui kept talking about the ones he had already tried, and especially the ones he liked best.
In the end, we chose a little of everything we thought would be good. Yasu came back with a small package and handed it to Shisui. He paid, then stopped me before we left the shop.
– This one's a good start – Shisui said – Try it.
He held the sweet up to my mouth. I bit into it, a little hesitant. It was lightly sweet, super soft.
– This... – I said – This is good – Shisui grinned.
– That's a marshmallow – He said – And that's only the beginning – I chuckled.
– You two would make a cute couple when you're older – Yasu said from behind the counter.
– That wouldn't work – Shisui said quickly – It'd be weird with my sister.
– Sister? – Yasu blinked, then straightened – You're the girl they brought from that lab? – She asked, staring at me.
That look again..., I thought. That same look... Up close, it was even more unsettling.
– Thanks, Yasu-san – Shisui said quickly – Let's go – He grabbed my hand and pulled me out.
The sun was almost gone, just a few rays lighting up the village.
– Guess we should head back – Shisui said, looking at the horizon like I was.
– Can you see the stars from the Shrine? – I asked.
– A little, why?
– I've always wanted to know what they look like – Shisui stopped walking, staring at me.
– You've never seen the stars? – I shook my head – Not even the moon? – I shook my head again.
– Never.
– Then we're making one stop before going back to the Shrine! – He said excitedly.