Amaya Uzumaki POV
So much had happened in the month since the second phase of the Chunnin Exams ended.
Since my team finished the test first, we had to wait for the other teams. On the third and final day of the test, only two other teams had completed it, just like us.
The two teams that qualified for the third phase were the ones I'd observed before the exam started in the Forest of Death, the ones with only boys: Ichiro's team and Akira's team.
The other nine teams were eliminated for various reasons. Some opened the scrolls before reaching the central tower, others were attacked by the forest's wildlife, some had team members seriously injured, and some just couldn't make it to the tower in time.
After the updates on the disqualified teams, they moved on to explaining the third and final phase to us, the participants.
Thanks to the low number of genins who made it to the final stage, they skipped a preliminary elimination round and went straight to drawing the fight matchups. I got number 04, Kakashi got 06, and Shisui got 08. That meant we wouldn't have to face each other right in the first round.
The first fight would be between Ichiro and Yuki, one of the members of Akira's team. Right after that would be my fight against Akira himself, the same boy who tried to attack me when we entered the Academy building [54].
Kakashi would fight Seiji, a member of the Uchiha clan and a teammate of Ichiro's. And the last fight would be split into two parts, since there were three participants for that slot.
But a week before the exam, we were informed that the member of Akira's team who was supposed to fight Shisui had been seriously injured during training and couldn't participate.
So, the fourth and final fight of the first round was officially set between Shisui and Hiroshi, another member of the Uchiha clan and Ichiro's teammate.
After the entire lineup was announced, they told us the third phase would happen a month later. And finally, we were free to go home.
When I got there, just as I expected, Kushina barraged me with dozens of questions at once and checked me over multiple times to make sure I wasn't hurt. Her spontaneous concern was one of the things I loved most about her personality.
And she cheered excitedly when I told her I'd qualified for the third phase. She was even more excited than I was at that moment... I thought, and couldn't help but laugh to myself.
I asked her to just let me take a shower and put on some pajamas, so I could tell her everything that had happened, from the first test all the way to the end of the second.
That night, we stayed up almost until dawn talking, or rather, me telling the Uzumaki everything that happened on the days of the tests and everything I'd been through with Kakashi and Shisui.
The redhead congratulated me on everything I'd done, making me feel completely awkward – I still wasn't used to it, being recognized for my abilities... At least not in a positive way.
Back at the lab, I was often recognized for what I did, but always for how many people I hurt or for being "resistant" to the tests we were subjected to. But hearing Kushina's words, feeling her sincerity... It made me happy. Really, really happy.
And as preparation for the third phase of the exam, I asked the redhead to start instructing me again in my training involving our clan's jutsus.
My chakra control had improved a lot in the months leading up to the start of the Chunnin Exams, and because of that, I managed to master the basics Minato had taught me about the Hiraishin, as well as the techniques Kushina had taught me.
And part of that was thanks to the talk Shikaku-sensei had with me and his "ear-pulling" about my recklessness towards myself.
During the training sessions I had with the Nara, Kakashi, and Shisui, the atmosphere between us kept getting more relaxed. The boys weren't acting so hostile towards each other anymore and even joked around with each other.
The sensei even asked me if they'd hit their heads while we were in the Forest of Death, because of the unexpected change they were going through with each other. They're just learning to deal with each other's presence, I explained to him. Although in the least mature way possible... And Shikaku laughed, agreeing.
I also noticed during the first week I was home after the second phase of the Chunnin Exam that something seemed to be bothering Kushina. Sometimes she seemed distant, lost in thought, although she hid it well.
I found out shortly after that the redhead's worry was because of Minato. The news that a group of Konoha ninjas had been wiped out in a clash with another village left the Uzumaki distressed.
And I felt the same way.
It had already been four months since the blond had left the village and gone to the front lines in the war. Even though I was absolutely sure he was fine and would be back soon, I couldn't help but worry, just like Kushina did in her condition.
To try and distract the redhead from her darker thoughts at that moment, I decided to show her what I'd managed to master of the basic Flying Thunder God Technique. And her surprised expression was priceless.
Kushina mentioned she wished Minato would be back by the time the third phase of the exam happened, since it would fall right on the blond's birthday. Imagine how stunned he'll be when he sees you using his technique, dattebane! she said.
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– Amaya, are you ready? – I heard Kushina ask, probably from the living room.
– Yes, I'm coming right now! – I called back immediately.
I grabbed my wakizashi and slipped it into its sheath. I fastened it to the holder on my belt and checked one more time to make sure it was secure.
I closed the leg pouch where my kunai and shuriken were stored. And in my belt pouch, instead of first-aid supplies, I placed a few small scrolls. Okay, all set, I finally decided, and headed for the living room.
The Uzumaki had said the day before that she wanted to go with me to the arena where the third phase of the Chunnin Exam would take place. She was excited for the test, and so was I.
We made our way to the arena, which was in a more remote area away from the village center. The place was huge on the outside, and the inside must have been incredible. I noticed Kushina giving a soft laugh, probably at my likely admiring expression of the place.
We stopped before entering, since each of us would head to different areas once we passed through the gates. The redhead bent down in front of me and looked me in the eye.
– How are you feeling? – She asked.
– Fine – I said quickly.
– Nervous? – I gave a weak nod and Kushina cupped my face in her hands – Take a deep breath and try not to think about the people, just keep your focus on the opponent in front of you – I nodded – And don't forget, for anyone who provokes you... – I gave a faint smile.
– I have to show them what an Uzumaki is capable of – I finished the sentence the redhead had told me many times over the last few months during our training, and she smiled brightly.
– Exactly, dattebane!
Kushina pulled me close to her, hugging me tightly. I hugged her back, smiling. Just knowing that I had the redhead supporting me at that moment, as my family, already made me feel more at ease.
We then passed through the arena gates, and I was instructed to gather with the other genins taking part in the test. Shisui and Kakashi were the only ones already there. We chatted briefly about trivial things.
And it was only there, in that area meant for the participants to wait, that I could see the arena stands and the large number of people already present. So many people..., I thought, letting my eyes sweep over them.
– You're gonna end up pulling your hair out if you keep twisting it like that – Kakashi's voice brought me back to reality.
Only then did I notice I was fiddling with a dark strand of my hair, twisting it around my finger. I'd realized a while ago that I did that when I was really anxious or, on rare occasions, when I was nervous. And right then, I was very nervous.
– You're worried, aren't you? – Shisui asked, and I gave a weak nod.
– About your fight? – Kakashi asked.
– No – I turned my gaze to them – It's because of the number of people who will be watching us – I lowered my eyes – It'll be the first time, since I came to the village, that I'll be in front of so many people at once, with their attention on me when it's my turn to fight.
– Because of the looks and the comments, right? – Kakashi hit the nail on the head, and I nodded.
– Don't worry, I'll take care of anyone who tries to bother you – my brother said in a convinced tone.
– How? – Kakashi questioned him sarcastically, and I saw his cynical smile under the mask – You gonna entertain them with that weasel face of yours?
– At least I won't scare them off, scarecrow face – Shisui shot back, crossing his arms, and I couldn't help but laugh.
At that moment, I felt much calmer. Because of their spontaneous bickering, it felt like the three of us were just having any ordinary day during our team training with Shikaku-sensei. Only these two could make me laugh right now..., I thought.
– Hey, Amaya, you shouldn't be laughing, you should be disagreeing with this spiky-haired idiot – my brother complained, trying to sound pitiful.
– Why would she disagree with your lovely nickname? – Kakashi asked in an even more mocking tone – It suits you so well, weasel face...
– Oh, yeah? I should say the same about you. After all, Amaya didn't disagree about your nickname either. So, scarecrow face, that's your official nickname now – The Uchiha smiled triumphantly, and Kakashi took on a slightly sulky expression.
I tried not to laugh right then, but it was hard with those two arguing and acting like little kids next to me.
– This isn't fair – Shisui complained, and I looked at him, as did Kakashi – Only we get cute nicknames – He looked at me and smiled diabolically – Yours is missing, Amaya...
– I-I'm... fine with... j-just my name – I managed to say, still having trouble speaking properly from laughing too much.
– Surprisingly, I agree with you, weasel face – Kakashi said and looked at me – You just enjoy all this.
– Any ideas, scarecrow face? – The mischievous smile on his face grew.
Are these two serious? I wondered, taking a deep breath to calm my laughter. Shisui moved closer to the Hatake and the two quickly whispered something to each other, leaving them both with devilish smiles on their faces.
– That's it! – my brother said excitedly.
– Seems like this will be the only time we agree on something – Kakashi commented, also in a cheerful tone.
– I'm almost afraid to ask what you two thought of – I said, and they both turned their gazes to me.
– Don't worry, Amaya – Shisui said, smiling.
– We even went easy on your nickname – Kakashi added right after, and I raised one of my eyebrows.
– Really? – I asked, skeptical, and stared at them – So, what did you come up with? – They both smiled.
– Venus – They announced in unison.
– What...? – I asked, confused, and tilted my head slightly – Why that nickname?
The Hatake and the Uchiha looked at each other for a moment, then started laughing, probably because of my confused expression at that instant or something else.
– Sorry, but your expression was priceless... – My brother commented, still laughing, and I crossed my arms.
– I'd love to know... – It was Kakashi who spoke after a few moments, having stopped laughing, with a hint of satisfaction in his voice – How does it feel for the first time not knowing the answer to something?
I opened my mouth to argue, but my brain couldn't process any response. Actually, I really had no way to contradict him, no matter how much I wanted to at that moment. These two idiots..., I thought and averted my eyes from them, making them laugh again.
Venus..., I repeated mentally. I don't know much about it, but I don't see what made them choose it as my nickname. I'll have to look it up later... I gave a weak laugh. Yeah, not knowing the answer to something is frustrating, I admitted, then allowed a small smile. But also challenging.
Shisui Uchiha POV
Amaya had a really funny expression when we told her about her nickname. She probably didn't understand at first what it means, I figured, and the connection between Venus and her.
A little later, Akira and his teammate arrived in the waiting area. I ignored them and kept my attention on the stands, trying to recognize who was there.
The feudal lords seem to have already arrived, I thought, seeing the well-dressed men in the reserved space closer to where the Hokage would be. Even the Sandaime is here...
– So, who are they betting on? – I heard Akira ask Yuki.
Even though they were further away from me, Amaya, and Kakashi, we could still hear them because they weren't even trying to keep their voices down.
– The bets are on the members of the Uchiha clan – Yuki informed his teammate – Especially the one from team 7, Shisui.
– He seems like the most troublesome one here – Akira said openly – Just like that one from the Hatake clan.
– Kakashi, yes. They're betting on him too – the other one announced, and his companion gave a weak laugh.
– I feel sorry for them being on a team with that girl – Akira scorned without hesitation – I'm surprised she even managed to get this far – I clenched my fist, feeling my anger rising.
– But she's under the tutelage of Shikaku Nara – Yuki commented more quietly – They say she was the only girl who could handle his training sessions.
– Probably got carried by her teammates – Akira insisted on his unpleasant opinion – I heard they had another Uchiha on the team before, and the boy died on a mission outside the village.
– What?
– Yeah. I wouldn't be surprised if it was her fault...
That was the last straw.
I started to turn to go towards the two – certainly to at least punch him – but felt someone grab my arm. Amaya had stopped me. Her expression was as usual, neutral. Her eyes were fixed on the stands.
She heard everything... Of course she heard them, her hearing is better than ours, and those jerks weren't even trying to be quiet. She shook her head faintly, a clear no.
– Oh, sorry... – We heard a voice near us and looked to see who it was.
And as if it were some kind of bad joke from fate, Ichiro was there, with his teammates a little further away. His attention was on Amaya, and that only made my mood worse at that moment.
– What do you need? – I asked in a not-at-all friendly manner, since my patience was hanging by a thread.
– I wanted to talk to your... – I shot him a warning look to stop.
No one outside the clan, besides the village higher-ups, knew about my relationship with Amaya, about our kinship. The clan head, Fugaku, had also instructed the few Uchiha who knew about it not to talk.
– You want to talk to me, right? – Amaya intervened, and the boy looked at her and nodded.
Ichiro took a step in our direction, and I moved slightly in front of my sister, as if to protect her.
I knew she didn't need protection from him; after all, Amaya was strong, both physically and mentally. But I just couldn't forget all the times he and his friends had hurt her – things I only found out about after the last incident.
I noticed that Ichiro's friends, as well as Akira, Yuki, and Kakashi, had their attention focused on us at that moment. It's understandable; after all, it's not common to see members of the same clan acting like this towards each other, especially us Uchiha.
– Shisui... – The redhead called me quietly, and I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye – It's fine.
We held each other's gaze for a moment, and her expression showed genuine calm. Even in moments like this, she's like this, I thought. She passed by me and went near Ichiro, indicating they should move away from the others to talk. He promptly followed her.
I returned to where I had been standing earlier with Amaya and Kakashi, still keeping my attention on the conversation between the redhead and the Uchiha, even though I couldn't hear them because the redhead had led them far enough away.
– What's your problem with him? – The Hatake asked after a few moments, and I looked at him – You never lose your composure, weasel face – I let out a heavy sigh.
– I don't have any personal problem with Ichiro – I explained and turned my attention back to the Uchiha – It's because of what he did to Amaya.
– What? – Kakashi asked, and I noticed a slight change in his tone of voice – What are you talking about?
– I know Amaya lived with you and your father, Sakumo, for a while – I told him, trying to stay calm – During that time, did you ever see her come home injured? – I looked at him.
His expression changed immediately, and I noticed a bit of anger in his features.
– He's responsible for that? – The Hatake asked in a lower voice, but serious.
– Him and his teammates – I clarified in the same annoyed tone as his.
– And she... forgave them? – Scarecrow face asked slowly and looked at me.
– It seems so – I saw him grip the metal railing of the safety barrier in our observation area tightly.
– That strange girl... – He muttered under his breath – Always giving her forgiveness to those who don't deserve it... – I looked at him for a moment.
That phrase of his, although it seemed directed only at the issue with Ichiro, was also a reminder to himself about how he had acted towards Amaya.
I knew about what happened after Kakashi's father died, how he had behaved towards Amaya – and here I could see how he still regretted it.
– Your first fight is against Hiroshi, one of those involved in the attacks on Amaya, right? – The Hatake asked in a calmer tone a few moments later, but still serious.
– Yes. You're fighting Seiji, also one of Ichiro's friends – I commented – Are you thinking something?
– Maybe we should remind them that Amaya isn't alone anymore – Kakashi looked at me then, and I didn't need any more words to understand his suggestion.
– I'm not in favor of revenge... – I said after a moment – But I also can't let what they did to Amaya slide.
– And besides, I'm looking forward to beating you up in the second round of fights, weasel face – The Hatake said in a confident tone, and I gave a weak laugh.
– You took the words right out of my mouth, scarecrow face – I said with a slight smile.
It seems the 'scarecrow' couldn't really keep everyone away from himself, I thought. He values Amaya's company, even though he hides it very well. I smiled inwardly. He's a good friend to my sister...