Third Person POV
Almost three days had passed since the two kunoichi discovered the origin of Uzumaki's illness symptoms.
Tsunade had to work on a medicine that would work on the girl's body, given the high resistance the redhead had developed to the more common generic drugs. And when she succeeded, the medication drastically lowered Amaya's cortisol levels, finally allowing her to remain in a stable condition.
But the Sannin emphasized to the girl that her treatment would be lifelong. Her genetic material had been conditioned for so many years to continuous stress that even the slightest stressful situation would certainly cause the problems to return. So she had to balance her system with the medication to manage it.
The blonde also suggested the redhead look into natural alternatives to complement her treatment: leisure time, regular physical activity, and good sleep would help Uzumaki keep her cortisol levels in the right range.
– And as your doctor, I'm forbidding you from accepting missions for the next month – The Sannin laid down the law for the redhead, as well as for Minato and Kushina who were present.
– But... – But the blonde didn't even give the girl time to try and argue.
– No "buts"! – She slightly raised her tone, authoritatively – I've already notified the Sandaime about this, and he's authorized your leave for this time, given your performance over the last few months – The redhead nodded, accepting defeat – And by the way, have you chosen someone to keep an eye on her? – The Senju turned her gaze to the couple.
– We haven't even had a proper chance to think about it since you all got back to the village – Kushina confessed.
– Not yet, but we'll decide before we leave – Minato spoke next, and the blonde nodded.
– What are you talking about? – Amaya asked, confused, as she wasn't aware of the conversations Tsunade had had with the couple outside the room.
– I'll let you all talk this over better – The Sannin said and headed for the door of the room – And don't even think about getting stressed, Uzumaki! – She warned Amaya finally, making the redhead give a weak laugh as she closed the door behind her.
– We have a mission in a few days – Minato took the lead, and the younger girl turned her eyes to him.
– We'll be gone for about two weeks – Kushina explained – And Tsunade thought it would be best to leave someone with you during that time, to keep an eye on things...
– So I don't get stressed – The girl deduced, and the two in front of her agreed.
– Most of the people we know, who could be available to stay with you for a few days, are out of the village on missions – The blonde commented – We thought about asking Shisui to stay with you, but even he was called for a mission with his Anbu squad.
– What about Kakashi? – The redhead asked.
– We did consider asking him, but... – Kushina spoke and looked at Namikaze.
– I had told my team they would have a jounin assisting them with their training during the week, while I was away – The blonde explained calmly – And Kakashi, more than Obito and Rin, needs to participate.
– The only problem is you haven't found a jounin to replace him yet – Kushina reminded the blonde, and he agreed, sighing softly.
– What kind of training do they need to do? – The younger Uzumaki questioned.
– Developing their teamwork – Minato clarified – Rin and Obito can work together in a balanced way, but Kakashi still hesitates to act together with them.
Amaya pondered that for a moment, and something came to mind that she hadn't yet discussed with Minato and Kushina, making her smile weakly. She turned her eyes to Namikaze.
– Well, in that case, as a jounin I think I can take over their training for you – The redhead suggested calmly.
First came the expressions of confusion and silence from the two in front of the girl. Then smiles spread on both their lips. And finally, a Kushina throwing herself onto the bed with the younger Uzumaki, hugging her tightly.
– Ah! My little girl is a jounin, dattebane! – The redhead practically shouted, she was so happy.
– Okaasan, I need to breathe... – Amaya managed with difficulty, trapped in the older Uzumaki's arms.
Kushina let go of the girl immediately, a big smile on her face. Minato was also smiling happily along with the two women.
– When were you promoted? – The blonde asked, and the girl looked at him.
– Before leaving for the laboratory mission – Amaya said with a weak smile on her lips – I wanted to have told you both sooner, but things didn't go as planned...
– Don't worry about that – Namikaze reassured her – Now we know, and we couldn't be prouder of you – He momentarily placed his hand on the younger Uzumaki's head, ruffling her hair – Congratulations, Amaya – The girl smiled more openly.
– Thank you, otousan...
__________________________________________________________________________
The next morning, Amaya was discharged by the Sannin to return home, with more warnings from the blonde for the girl not to even think about getting involved in anything that could stress her out.
Minato informed his team, just before leaving for his mission with Kushina, that Amaya would be the one in charge of their training for the next few days in his absence.
And taking advantage of Obito and Rin being distracted congratulating Uzumaki on her promotion to jounin, the blonde spoke with Kakashi to ask him to keep an eye on Amaya, due to her still unstable health condition.
Just like Shisui, Hatake had been kept informed by Namikaze about how the girl was doing, since Tsunade had almost kicked both boys out of the hospital during one of their visits, as the Uchiha couldn't act in a "less energetic way" which, in the Sannin's view, could contribute to Amaya's stress and complicate her condition again.
And obviously, that reflected on Kakashi too, even though he was quiet.
The training for Minato's Team 7, under Amaya's supervision that day, was more of a general assessment by the redhead of each member's individual skills. Although she knew Kakashi's, it had been years since she last saw Rin and Obito in a fight.
It was a light training session and not very long. We'll start your real training tomorrow, the redhead informed the three before dismissing them for the rest of the day.
Minato had given her some suggestions on what she could work on with his team and left her free to proceed with whatever she deemed most appropriate. She didn't need to think much about what she would do with the three of them for training the next day.
But unlike Obito and Rin, who went their separate ways alone, Hatake stayed with Amaya it would be like that until Kushina and Minato returned. The two young people walked towards the center of the village.
Amaya had suggested to Kakashi that they go to his house to pick up his things, since it would be easier for him if, during this time he'd be "monitoring her" – as she called it, slightly ironic – he stayed overnight at the redhead's family residence.
As they approached the village center, Uzumaki noticed more movement there, with stores decorated colorfully and people walking with their families and friends, heading towards the parks.
Happy expressions filled the faces of the people around, leaving the girl slightly confused. With the ongoing war, Amaya had never seen the villagers like this, so happy and carefree.
Unlike Uzumaki, Hatake knew what all that was about. So it's really happening this year..., he thought indifferently. When Kakashi looked at Amaya, he quickly recognized the expression of confusion on the redhead's face.
– It's the Hanami Festival – Hatake explained, and the girl turned her eyes to him.
– Festival? – She asked, still confused.
– It's a kind of celebration for something, like an important date, deity, or historical event – The platinum blonde explained quickly.
– And what is this Hanami Festival about? – Uzumaki asked, clearly curious – What are the people celebrating?
– An old tradition – Hatake elucidated calmly – If I'm not mistaken, the purpose of the celebrations for this festival involves contemplating the flowers blooming this season.
– How do you know about this? – The girl asked and stared at Kakashi – I mean, I've been in the village for a few years and had never seen this festival, and you seem to already know it.
– I participated once, with my father – The boy said indifferently and put his hands in his pants pockets – But thanks to the intensification of the war, the festival and all the other yearly festivities were set aside.
– That's a shame – Amaya said with a weak smile – Because it seems like something amazing that allows people to be happy...
As they continued walking through the village center, Kakashi couldn't help but observe the redhead out of the corner of his eye. The admiring expression she had for everything around them was impressive; everything was new to her at that moment.
Like when she first arrived in the village..., Hatake reflected for a moment. Her eyes seem to gain a special shine when she's faced with things like this, with new learnings or things of deep meaning...
– You want to see this festival, don't you? – He suddenly questioned the redhead, and the girl looked surprised by the sudden question.
– Well, yes... – She answered quickly – But it can wait, maybe tomorrow... – He interrupted her.
– Today is the last day – Uzumaki stared at him – You were in the hospital, so you didn't see when the Hanami started.
– Ah, really? – The girl smiled sheepishly – I guess it's better to leave it for next time – She looked at him – After all, I don't want to drag you to this festival just so I can see it.
In part, the redhead was right: Hatake didn't want to get involved in the Hanami festivities. Not because he didn't like it, but because it made him remember his father, the only person he had ever spent that festival with.
Hanami no longer held the same meaning it once had for the platinum blonde.
But on the other hand, he was bothered by not participating. Not for himself, but for Uzumaki. Once again, he saw her like that, giving up something she wanted just so others would feel okay.
It really seems like the Amaya I met when she first came to the village..., the platinum blonde thought and couldn't help but chuckle softly at that.
– I guess I have no choice... – He spoke aloud, stopping walking, gaining Amaya's attention.
– About what? – She asked, her eyes on him, having also stopped.
– Let's go to the festival – The platinum blonde stated plainly.
– No, don't bother with that – The redhead said quickly – There's always a next time, and I really don't want to force you to go...
– Stop it – Hatake cut her off quickly, with a more serious expression towards Amaya – You need to stop acting like this, always giving up what you want because of others.
The redhead lowered her eyes for a moment. She knew, even if she didn't pay much attention to it, that she always ended up setting aside things she liked to try and put others first.
Often she did it without even realizing it, until after it was done. It was innate to her.
– Tell me, what do you want to do right now? – Kakashi asked – What do you, Amaya Uzumaki, really want?
But here the situation had changed; it was as if the roles had been reversed. It was the first time someone had questioned her about what she wanted.
– I... want to see the festival... – She said in a low tone, almost inaudible.
– Say what you want with conviction, so everyone who hears you has no doubts about your stance – Hatake encouraged her.
Uzumaki stared at the platinum blonde in front of her, waiting for her and her choice. A subtle internal battle was raging inside the girl because of it.
One part of her wanted her to remain as she always had been, while another wanted to break free, as she had done with the sensations and thoughts involving her laboratory traumas and the way she dealt with the world.
She clenched her hands, closing them. She inhaled a large amount of air and quickly closed her eyes before speaking.
– I want to see the Hanami Festival!
The words that left the redhead's lips were in a loud and clear voice. A statement that left no room for doubt when heard. And Hatake smiled under his mask at that.
– Then what are we waiting for? – He questioned Uzumaki, making her open her eyes and see him with his hand outstretched towards her, inviting her.
And this time, it was the redhead who smiled as she took the boy's hand, setting off to run with him towards the center of the festival that was happening.