Amaya POV
I followed Shisui to a part of the village with fewer houses, lots of trees, and a tall hill. When we reached the top, he spread his arms with a smile
– Welcome to the best view of the Hidden Leaf!
I stopped next to him, looking out at the village, and smiled faintly. The view is stunning... Shisui sat down on the grass, still smiling softly at the sight of the buildings below. I sat next to him, also taking it in
– Sorry... – Shisui said after a moment. I turned to him, his face now serious – If I hadn't spoken up back there, Yasu-san wouldn't have looked at you like that
– It's fine – I said – She wasn't the first and probably won't be the last – He looked at me
– But you can't just walk around letting people look at you like that. I could tell how much it bothered you – I gave him a weak smile
– I don't feel that bad... As long as I have people like you, who don't look at me the way they do, I won't worry too much
Shisui stared at me, surprised for a moment, then smiled. He moved closer and wrapped his arms around me, holding me close
– This is called a hug – he explained, like he'd guessed my confusion at the sudden move – Usually both people do it – I let out a small laugh
I did the same, wrapping my arms around him with a faint smile
– You're even stronger than I thought... – he whispered – Now... – he pulled away – You still have more sweets to try – I laughed softly and lay back on the grass
– Of course, onii-san – He smiled faintly
__________________________________________________________________________
Shisui had also lain back on the grass a while ago. I kept looking at him as he told me stories about the village, about his life especially about himself and his mother
We talked until the sunlight faded. But even after the sun was gone, there was still a soft glow where we were
– Look up – Shisui said, watching me
When my eyes lifted to the sky, I froze. Above us, countless tiny lights spread across the darkness. So these are stars... I thought
And among them, one brighter than the rest, the source of the glow around us. The moon... I realized. I smiled, staring at the stars one by one. They're beautiful... This... I've never seen anything like this. It's so... beautiful...
Something slid down my cheek. I quickly brushed it with my hand and felt it damp
– Am I... crying? – I whispered to myself, though the words slipped out loud
– Sometimes people cry when they're happy – Shisui said. I turned to him
– Crying because you're happy? – I looked back up
Cry because you're happy... I thought, smiling. Yeah... I am happy. Happy I left that lab, happy I met Minato and Sakumo, happy I came to Konoha, happy I met Shisui... and found out we're siblings...
– This is the first time I've seen you smile like that – Shisui said beside me
– Like what? – I asked
– So naturally
– I'm happy – I told him with a soft smile – For everything that's happened these last weeks
– Me too – He looked up – Meeting you at the hospital that day was the best thing that's happened to me in a long time – His words were sincere, though his expression carried some kind of sadness
– You were at the hospital because you were sick?
– No – his gaze stayed fixed on the sky – I was waiting for my mother to finish her exams
– Akemi-san doesn't seem sick – He smiled faintly
– She's always been good at hiding it – His smile slowly faded – Her illness has no cure... and every day it takes a little more of her strength – His voice grew quieter
– And you're afraid... – I said softly – Of being alone – He looked at me
– How did you... – he began, then stopped – Guess it's easy to notice in others when you've always felt the same way, huh? – I nodded faintly
– I don't think I'll ever forget that feeling – I gave a small smile – But I'm not alone anymore. And if I can, I won't let you be alone either – He stared at me
He raised his right hand, fist closed, leaving only his pinky finger out
– Promise? – he asked, and I smiled faintly
– Promise – I copied his gesture, linking my finger with his
– Thanks – Shisui said, his smile finally relieved and genuine
– Shisui!
– Amaya-chan!
We heard voices calling and quickly sat up. At the bottom of the hill stood Minato, Akemi, and the Third Hokage. I glanced at Shisui, and we both laughed softly. Guess we stayed here a bit too long...
We hurried down the hill and joined them. Minato looked a little relieved when his eyes landed on me, while Hiruzen gave a faint smile. Akemi, though, looked somewhat upset
– You should've stayed with Amaya-san at the Sanctuary – Akemi scolded Shisui right away
– But, haha... – She cut him off before he could explain
– You're older than her, you should be more responsible for her safety! – He lowered his gaze – You've seen how the clan reacts...!
– I asked him to show me the village – I spoke up quickly, making the four of them turn to me – Since I'd been stuck in the hospital since arriving, I asked Shisui-kun to show me around a little – I looked at him – Even when people looked at me with disgust, he pulled me away right away. And I also asked him to take me somewhere I could see the moon and stars – I smiled softly – Since I'd never seen them before... – My voice dropped near the end
Looking at Akemi, I saw her expression soften again, her calm demeanor returning. The Third and Minato also smiled faintly. Shisui glanced between me and his mother
– Well... – The Hokage said – That makes their outing understandable – He looked at Akemi, who nodded briefly
– Yes – She finally agreed
While the two spoke, Shisui leaned toward me and whispered
– You didn't have to do that... – I gave him a faint smile
– I promised, remember? If I can help it, I'll never let you be alone – He chuckled softly
– Only you...
– Shisui, we need to go home – Akemi called. We both looked at her
– What about Amaya-kun? – Shisui asked
– Your mother will explain at home – Minato answered, then turned to me – Amaya-chan, we also need to tell you what we discussed in the meeting – I nodded faintly
– See you later – Shisui said, heading toward his mother
– See you – I said with a faint smile
As the two walked off, the Hokage looked at Minato, who gave a small nod. I started walking beside them
– Amaya-chan... – Minato spoke up, and I looked at him – I should've explained before we went to the Naka Shrine, why we were really going
– I already know – I said, and he looked at me – You went to talk with the Uchiha clan leader about possibly placing me with them
– You... – He chuckled softly – You overheard me and Inoichi talking, didn't you? – I nodded
– But it was Shisui-kun who explained the reason – I looked ahead – About me having Uchiha blood, and being his sister
– He told you that too? – Minato asked, surprised. Hiruzen chuckled faintly
– Then you already know part of what we wanted to tell you – He looked at me – The second part is about your placement
– I won't be staying with the Uchiha, right?
– Just like you said, Minato – the Hokage told him – Her mind is beyond her years
– Definitely – Minato looked at me – You won't be able to stay with the Uchiha. We think the rejection you'd face would be too much, so we've decided to place you somewhere else
– Where? – I asked
– For now, we're planning to place you at the Hatake residence – Hiruzen said
– Hatake clan? – I asked – That means... – Minato nodded
– With Sakumo and his son
– That way we can keep you safe – the Hokage explained – And also, something I've only discussed with Minato so far – He looked at me
– What is it? – I asked
– I told the Hokage about what the Analysis Team saw – Minato said – About you using earth-style jutsu. We want Sakumo to check it for us
– The Hatake clan specializes in earth-style jutsu – the Hokage added quickly
– So Sakumo-sama can tell if I really can use earth-style jutsu, or if it was just... luck?
– Not just that – Minato added – But also to decide if you can enroll in the Ninja Academy
– Ninja Academy? – I asked
– It's the training center for the new generation, before they start taking missions for the village – he explained briefly
– But we'll discuss that tomorrow – the Hokage said – For now, just rest – I nodded faintly
The walk to Sakumo's house didn't take long, though it was a little farther out. It was a large house, but with a simple rustic design. Minato stopped at the door, while I stayed back a bit with the Hokage
* Present *
Kakashi Hatake POV
– So that's when you met nee-chan, right? – Naruto asked excitedly, cutting into my story
– Yeah, that night
– And? What did you think of her when you first saw her? – I chuckled softly – What? Why'd you laugh?
– Because your sister never let me forget it in the years that followed...
– Tell me, please, Kakashi-sensei! – I laughed faintly
– Relax, I'll tell you – I looked at him – By the way, are you sorting those scrolls right? – He nodded quickly
– Of course, dattebayo!
– Keep the ones with red tags separate from the rest – Naruto looked at me
– Why?
– You'll get to check them out later – He stared at me, surprised
– Really?! What's in them?
– Your sister's academic record – I said – Other villages requested copies after what happened during the war – His eyes widened
– Seriously? – I nodded – She got good grades? – I nodded again, remembering those Academy days
– Even though she didn't like anyone knowing about it
– Why didn't she like it?
– Amaya never liked drawing attention to herself on purpose – I explained calmly – She was kind of like Hinata-san
– Like Hinata? – Naruto asked, confused, and I nodded
– I didn't study with your sister for long, but from what I saw at the Academy, she never mixed much or tried to stand out, unlike you
– R-Really...? – Naruto laughed awkwardly, probably remembering his own antics back then – Wait... – He looked at me a few seconds later – You and nee-chan didn't study together the whole time? – I shook my head
– Even though we were the same age and entered the Academy together, she graduated as a genin and then chuunin before me
– Why?
– Like I said, the Hokage and Minato wanted my father to evaluate Amaya's abilities, to see if she could join the Academy. But the test ended up going way beyond what anyone expected
– What happened in the test? – I smiled faintly
– Remember your training with the Rasengan, when you had to add chakra nature? – He nodded eagerly
– How could I forget? – Naruto said, excited
– Well, in your sister's case, we found out her chakra nature that day
– And what was it? Wind, like me? Or fire, like the Uchihas?
– I thought it might be one of those too – He stared at me, eyes wide with expectation – But it turned out to be something that even surprised the Hokage himself
– No way?! – I nodded
– Your sister's chakra nature was...