Amaya Uzumaki POV
Now for the last one..., I thought to myself as I started approaching the training field where Kakashi was supposed to be. I can't wait to see his face when he finds out about his promotion. I smiled weakly. He worked really hard for it and truly deserves to be a jounin.
But something made my smile fade slowly under the mask. A worry and a clear unease that wouldn't leave my mind anytime soon.
When I was promoted, Kakashi said it was tradition to give a gift to those who become jounin. What could I choose for him?
I held the pendant on the choker around my neck, the gift the platinum-haired boy had given me one that had gained a very special meaning for me, especially in the Anbu.
However, as if to save me from my own mind pondering gift choices for Hatake, I spotted the silver hair even from a distance and let my thoughts drift away from the track they were on just seconds before.
I stopped on a branch of a nearby tree, keeping myself out of Kakashi's line of sight, with my chakra completely suppressed. Hatake was holding the White Light Chakra Saber, practicing his stance and movement handling.
He's improved a lot..., I thought. His footing and stability are impeccable, just like how he closes off any opening for an enemy to break his guard.
My gaze followed the movement of his arms and hands with the tantō, as well as the trail of white chakra it emitted with each cut through the air. There's no weapon more characteristic of the Hatake clan than this..., I mused, smiling faintly.
I let my body lean back, descending from the tree I was in. My feet touched the ground softly and almost without a sound, but even so Kakashi stopped his movements and turned his attention to me.
– So you really were here... – he said as I approached him.
– Did you notice me earlier? – I asked calmly and took off my mask.
– Yeah, but I thought I was mistaken – Hatake started walking alongside me, keeping pace without hurry – Even though you leave no trace of your chakra or any noticeable sounds, your scent still gives you away – he sheathed his tantō – And walking with your hair down like this makes it easier for me to notice.
– You memorized the smell of my... shampoo? – I asked with a raised eyebrow, crossing my arms afterward.
– Years of living with you, weirdo, forced me to memorize it – Kakashi dramatized his tone a bit.
– And you still say I'm the weird one, baka... – I said, and we ended up laughing.
– Well, what happened that you're not on a mission right now? – Hatake asked a little later.
– I am on a mission – I clarified calmly – And it consists of dragging you to the Hokage building – Kakashi's expression grew a bit more serious, a sign of concern.
– Do you know what the summons is about? – he asked.
– Of course – I said and smiled – But you'll only find out when we're there – And the next instant I started running, noticing Kakashi doing the same right after, laughing.
Third Person POV
Amaya was standing in the hallway leading to the Hokage's office, out of sight of anyone who might pass by. Just waiting near one of the windows.
Kakashi had entered a few minutes ago to speak with the Sandaime, still unaware of the reason. In the meantime, an Anbu had come to meet Uzumaki to give her information about her next mission, the one where the redhead would act as captain for the first time.
That week, she and her team would go to the battlefield in the Grass Village to support the groups already fighting there.
It was at that moment that Uzumaki was also informed that Minato and his team would be sent on a mission based on the documents she had recovered from Iwa: to destroy the Kannabi Bridge, where Kakashi would act as captain.
Although the girl's eyes were lost in the landscape and her mind wandered with a thousand different thoughts after the Anbu left, she noticed when the wooden door of the nearby room opened and the figure with platinum hair walked through.
And for the second time that day, her thoughts faded to give attention to Hatake.
His eyes fell on the redhead who was a little further away, and Uzumaki smiled: first in amusement at the surprise and confusion on Kakashi's face, and second from the sincere happiness she felt for him at that moment.
– Congratulations on the promotion, captain – the redhead said as Hatake approached.
– So you already knew about the promotion and the mission... – Kakashi spoke with a faint smile under his mask.
– I only found out about the second one a few minutes ago – Amaya said casually – But really, congratulations – She looked at him with a smile – You truly deserve this. And about your gift... – Hatake interrupted her.
– Don't worry about it, you probably don't even have free time now that you're in the Anbu – The redhead gave a weak laugh.
– Well, it seems like I'll have a bit more now – He looked at her, not understanding – My next mission isn't until the end of the week, as captain.
– Wait, you were promoted to captain in the Anbu? – Kakashi quickly asked the redhead, and she nodded.
– I wasn't seeking it, but because of my performance, the captains requested it – She spoke completely unfazed.
Kakashi had to blink a few times at what Uzumaki had told him. There was no arrogance in her voice for having achieved that position in the organization, she just... didn't consider it as grand as it really was.
Although he wasn't part of or knew much about the Anbu, Hatake knew about the lack of kunoichis in the organization it was a problem even among the regular village ninja.
And him knowing about the promotion through recommendations from other captains to Amaya was something anyone else in Uzumaki's place would be boasting about. It was something unique.
But this is Amaya we're talking about..., Hatake thought and gave a weak laugh, making the redhead look at him without understanding the reason for his amusement.
– Seems like we both took on captain roles together, huh? – Kakashi asked, and the redhead laughed, agreeing.
– Well... – Uzumaki spoke and turned her eyes to Hatake – We almost always act as complementary opposites, this time couldn't be different.
By "complementary opposites," the redhead was playing with the meaning of Yin and Yang, the symbol on both of their necklaces which clearly represented them best. It was at that moment that Kakashi let his eyes go to the choker Uzumaki wore with her Anbu uniform.
– Why did you choose to wear the necklace? – He asked in a slightly more serious tone, though still curious – I mean, even while on duty in the Anbu?
Amaya parted her lips slightly to answer Hatake's question, but her mind made her stop as she remembered a particular event not too long ago. And a smile took over her expression.
– That's the second time I've been asked that... – She spoke in a lower tone and then looked into the boy's eyes in front of her – After this week's mission, I'll tell you – She said calmly.
– After the mission? Why? – Hatake asked quickly, and Uzumaki gave a weak laugh.
– Now I'm the curious one... – She said smiling – I'll just say it reminded me of a place and also what could be your gift for the jounin promotion.
– I already told you not to worry about this gift thing... – Kakashi tried to argue with the redhead.
– Too late – She said in a playful tone and put her mask back on, raising her hand in a seal to use Hiraishin and disappear from there.
Days later...
Amaya Uzumaki POV
The situation on the battlefield was much worse than I had considered. Even though Konoha had sent many squads to deal with the enemies in the Grass Village, it seemed it still wasn't enough against the number of Iwa ninjas.
I took one last deep breath to keep my calm prevailing over the worry for everyone I knew who was fighting at that moment my father and friends who were probably on their way, as well as those who would follow under my command.
I stepped back from the edge of the plateau that gave an almost total view of the Grass Village territory and turned to the Anbu waiting a bit further back, hidden from the sight of anyone, enemies or Konoha allies.
– We'll split into smaller teams – I started explaining my plan – Our objective will be to ensure support for the other village ninjas in their fights – I spread the map I brought of the Grass geography on the ground – There are at least six main battlefronts right now – I pointed them out on the map – We'll head to them – I looked at them from under my mask – But first, I need each of you to tell me the chakra natures you have an affinity for and have developed.
Counting me, there were 31 people in that squad. Memorizing each one's information to use in the field wasn't something someone could do easily if they didn't know them beforehand. In this kind of situation, I feel glad to have above-average memory..., I thought.
And although I could notice some doubt in the Anbu's eyes about this, they all complied with my request and informed me of the natures they worked with.
– Teams will always be five people. Three will focus on offensive combat against the enemy and will support each other. The other two members will act defensively, aiding our village comrades – I looked at them – Don't put yourselves in a suicidal situation or sacrifice your comrades to hit the enemy – It was possible to notice some unease with this last instruction of mine – The rules say the opposite, yes... – I quickly tried to explain – But we don't need to waste more lives like we've already lost in this war.
I knew some of the Anbu might not be comfortable with their captain telling them to go against one of the fundamental rules of our Code of Conduct, but at the same time I understood that some shared this same view as me—even if they never let it show.
– We'll finish this mission without sacrificing anyone else's life – I stated firmly to the Anbu, to make it very clear – Any questions or suggestions? – I asked as I took the Grass Village map in my hands to put it away, and I noticed some bewildered looks.
It wasn't common... No, this didn't happen: giving space for the input of other Anbu members. Captains were usually the ones with the final word and didn't even consider the opinions of those under their command. And those who tried to have their voices heard were shut down.
– Alright... – I spoke after the Anbu's silence – I want to make something clear to all of you, both for this mission and any other you carry out with me – I swept my gaze over them – Each person's opinion is important to me. I want to know if you have anything to suggest, whether for or against what I propose – I explained calmly – This isn't common, I know. But your lives are in my hands today, and I don't want to lose any. I said it before and I'll repeat it: We don't need to waste any more lives like we've already lost in this war – I paused for a moment – So, does anyone have any questions or suggestions?
The Anbu exchanged quick glances, clearly trying to digest this unusual situation they'd been presented with. A few seconds passed until one of the Anbu hesitantly raised his hand.
– Go ahead, Renji-san – I said, my eyes on the young man who was probably a few years older than my brother.
– What kind of criteria do you plan to use for team composition? – He asked in a lower tone.
– I need six teams of five people each. You can separate in whatever way you feel most comfortable – I glanced at the others quickly – Working with people you already have affinity with brings a higher success rate, as well as security to balance each other's strengths and weaknesses – Renji nodded, indicating that cleared up his doubt.
– Captain, may I suggest we rotate field positions? – Another Anbu spoke up, this time with a more confident tone.
– Of course, Hiroki-san – I affirmed and turned my attention to the man – As long as you maintain offensive and defensive formation simultaneously, feel free to act as you see fit.
– Amaya-senpai, a question – An Anbu who was further from me spoke, and I looked at him – We'll work in teams, but what about you? Where do you plan to act?
– I'll be the support for all six teams – I explained and took a kunai from my leg pouch – One member from each team acting defensively will keep one of these. They're all marked with my teleportation seal, so carrying it will allow me to appear alongside you.
– Teleportation seal? – An Anbu asked – Like in the Yellow Flash's jutsu? – I nodded.
– I'm nowhere near his level with Hiraishin, but I've mastered it enough to give an advantage in combat – I looked at them – Anything else? – They shook their heads – Then let's head to the battlefield.
– Yes, ma'am! – The Anbu replied in unison, this time conveying greater calm and confidence in their voices.