Amaya Uzumaki POV
When the Foundation shinobi left with his unconscious comrades, I should have felt more at ease after all, the worst was over. But something in my mind wouldn't let me be carefree.
That information and assimilation were pounding in my head…
Still, I tucked it all away and focused my attention on the Anbu in front of me. The man was still breathing slow and heavy, clearly unwell. The poison wasn't just a tranquilizer…, I realized.
– You need more thorough treatment – I warned the Anbu – There's probably some harmful substance mixed with the paralyzing drug, and I won't be able to treat it very quickly… – He gave a weak nod.
– It's fine – he said with some difficulty – Forget this, all of you.
I glanced back, seeing Shisui and Itachi stopping near us.
– You want us to forget this incident ever happened… – my brother commented, and I lowered my eyes.
I understood well why the Anbu took that stance, but even so, it didn't feel right.
– Your life was threatened! – Itachi spoke, sounding troubled – Why?
– If this incident gets out, it'll only create more discord – the Anbu patiently explained to the younger Uchiha – It's not what the Sandaime wants.
Itachi lowered his eyes, clearly even more bothered by all of it. And I understood him, especially because I felt the same, even though I perfectly understood the Anbu's point.
– This incident never happened – I said, and all three turned their eyes to me – You have our word.
– I thank you, for that and for the help you gave me – He started to stand but had to lean against the rock behind him.
Even though I'd neutralized the sedative's effects, the drug had already affected part of the Anbu's system, and he'd remain somewhat drowsy for a while longer. If someone attacks him like this, he won't stand a chance of defending himself…, I considered.
At the same time, I sensed several chakras rapidly approaching our location. The supervising jounins…, I deduced.
Without overthinking or waiting for someone else to act, I formed a single hand seal, creating a Shadow Clone and sending it over to the Anbu. The clone slung the man's arm over its shoulder and helped him stay upright.
– I'll accompany him to the Hokage's building – I informed them – At least this way we can ensure his mission ends well and he isn't intercepted.
– Thank you, once again – The man gave a slight bow of his head, and the next moment he and my clone went on their way.
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– So there was a clash, but you thought it was part of the exercise? – One of the jounins asked my brother.
Shisui had just finished explaining the situation, saying we'd gotten into a fight with three other people and only realized during the battle that they were fighting too seriously for it to be part of the training but he left out any information about the Anbu who'd been attacked by the Ne members.
– I'm sorry – my brother said next – They were very strong and we were doing our best to protect the genin – He indicated himself and me, and finally Itachi – So we didn't see their faces.
– No, the fault is ours for not noticing the infiltration – the jounin emphasized – I'm glad you're not hurt – He quickly scanned us with his eyes and focused on Shisui again – I want to talk to you about this tomorrow, but this training exercise is over.
– Well, let's go home – my brother announced right after and turned to me and Itachi.
The younger Uchiha was sitting on one of the rocks there, while I remained standing. We agreed with Shisui and I started moving toward him, but stopped when I heard Itachi groan softly in pain.
– What is it? – I asked and turned back to the younger Uchiha, who was already leaning against the rock he'd been sitting on.
The boy kept his hands near his ankle, and with a silent request I asked for permission to check. He just gave a weak nod.
Unwrapping the bandage he kept around his ankle, under his ninja sandal, I noticed his leg was a bit swollen and his skin had started turning a purplish color.
– He twisted his ankle, didn't he? – my brother asked, now beside me, and I nodded.
– You're making a scene over nothing – the younger one said and tried to stand again, but judging by his pained expression, he was really feeling his injury.
– Just like you pretending you're feeling nothing… – I said and moved my hands toward Itachi to give him some immediate treatment.
– When you awaken and use the Sharingan for the first time, sometimes there's a slight difference between the image your brain predicts and your body's reaction – Shisui calmly explained to the younger Uchiha, who kept his attention on my brother – And when you push too hard to compensate for that small difference, this happens.
– I already said you're exaggerating over nothing – the boy insisted, and I stood up after finishing his treatment.
But when Itachi went to stand, he still complained quietly of pain. Even though I'd treated his sprain, healing this internal issue and the external injuries were two very different things.
– No matter how good you are, Itachi – I said calmly but still seriously – Don't overdo it.
Shisui Uchiha POV
I was walking slowly through the village streets with Amaya and Itachi. It was a calm night despite the recent events during our training and there were hardly any people outside their homes.
After a little… Okay, after a lot of insistence on my part, Itachi let me carry him so he wouldn't strain his leg further. But my insistence wasn't just because of his injury, it was also because of the exhaustion he must have been feeling.
And once again I couldn't help but laugh at our situation: Three geniuses walking together and one of them being carried piggyback by another. I'd said this to him and Amaya before, and right now, I laughed quite a bit.
– It's not funny! – Itachi protested.
And even without seeing his face clearly at that moment, I could imagine him with his cheeks slightly puffed out—a trait of his I'd discovered appeared whenever he allowed himself to act more openly with me, and now in Amaya's presence too.
– Sorry – I said quickly – It's just I'm happy. You really are like a little brother to me – I could feel Itachi's posture shift on my back with those words – So being able to take you under my wing like this makes me happy.
– In that case, you're like our brother – Amaya commented, and we turned our eyes to her – So I want you to think of us as your older siblings, think you can depend on us for everything.
Itachi's surprise lasted about five seconds before he nodded with a faint smile on his face. He's much calmer than when he left home earlier…, I thought.
– Shisui… – Itachi's voice pulled me from my thoughts.
– Yeah?
– About the Anbu… – He let his sentence die halfway.
– Ah… – I looked ahead – Did I make the right call? I won't say yes, because I don't know if there's justice in the ninja world.
– But… – the boy said quietly, clearly unsettled.
– We fight believing in our own justice – I explained – But if the enemy is doing the same, who's right? You realized that during today's exercise, didn't you? There's more than one side to a problem. You always need to consider things from multiple points of view.
– Multiple points of view…? – He asked more slowly, his voice a bit thick.
– You must be tired from using your Sharingan – Amaya said, and I gave a weak laugh in agreement.
– You can sleep – I suggested to Itachi – We'll take you home – He gave a weak nod, though he seemed to be fighting his own body to not fall asleep.
– But there is something that's certain in this world, Itachi… – The redhead beside me spoke in a softer, lower tone – We will never betray you – I smiled faintly and agreed.
– That we can say for sure – I said finally, feeling Itachi's body grow heavier on my back.
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Amaya and I stayed silent for a few minutes to let Itachi fall into a deeper sleep.
My sister's last comforting words to Itachi made me happy after all, they were both very important people to me, and knowing they could feel the same way about each other was great.
However, Amaya's choice of words to Itachi left me worried: "We will never betray you." It didn't sound like a promise about future problems, but rather about something that already existed.
– Did something happen with him? – I asked a little later, and the redhead turned her eyes to me.
– What?
– I know my adorable little sister always uses the strangest words to talk to someone – She gave a weak laugh – But you said we wouldn't betray him – I glanced momentarily at the sleeping Itachi – So it seemed to me that, for some reason, you wanted to reassure him.
– I… – Amaya took a few moments to speak – I heard the conversation Itachi had with his father before we left this morning – She spoke in a lower tone – When Fugaku talked about the fact his son had awakened his Sharingan, he… – The redhead looked at me for a moment, raising her tone – Shisui, he only cared about the doujutsu and all the status and prestige it could bring to Itachi and the clan! – She clenched her hands, clearly irritated, and returned to her previous lower tone – He didn't care about what his own son was feeling, all the pain, the anger, the hurt…
– You felt like him. And by saying we wouldn't betray him, you meant we wouldn't belittle his pain – I spoke as softly as Amaya, and she gave a weak nod.
– Fugaku just said: "our clan is happy when one of us succeeds" – She brought one of her clenched hands to her own chest – How could he? That didn't happen with me or with you when we… – She stopped her own words when she looked at me.
And even though I hadn't done or said anything, I was sure my expression gave me away at that moment, because Amaya's lips parted slightly, clearly surprised, even shocked.
– That happened to you too? – She asked, her tone a bit more serious, and I just looked at her, watching her avert her eyes from me next, visibly uncomfortable.
That was possibly one of the few things I hadn't been open about with my sister and told her, like we always did. It was our way of supporting each other, keeping our promise: to always be there for one another.
– I'm sorry for not telling you before – I said a few moments later – I didn't want you to have to know another one of the negative things about our clan.
The price to obtain the Sharingan, the Curse of Hatred that can come with these red eyes, and the celebration and prestige gained with the evolution of our doujutsu…
Since Amaya didn't grow up surrounded by all the incorrectly positive teachings of the clan about this, it's easier for her to notice everything. But it's not like she cares about these things in themselves, but rather about the Uchihas' actions:
The acceptance and adoration toward things that are clearly harmful to those who awaken the Sharingan.
I myself didn't understand these things so realistically. My mother was the one who opened my eyes when she decided to tell me about our father, his abilities, and himself as a person before and after obtaining his Sharingan.
Just like me and Amaya, he didn't completely succumb to the Curse of Hatred as was common for clan members upon gaining the Sharingan.
However, we all know that when you go through some change, something alters, even if subtly.
And in Kagami's case, it was this gain of "vision." It was as if his eyes now made him see the world, or rather, our clan and its customs, truthfully.
And that made him question his own principles.
Our father shared and experienced these changes with my mother, and that reached me without me even realizing it consciously.
And even though Amaya didn't have this teaching like I did, her calmness and always broad observation of the world around her made her change too.
The dark side of our clan couldn't touch us as long as we could see things with our own eyes, without letting ourselves act blindly.
– It's okay – she said calmly – I know you didn't mean any harm.
Amaya looked at me again, so fixedly, deeply, and intensely that I could swear she saw my soul completely.
That was part of my sister that sort of ability to read everything and everyone, regardless of the situation or how close she was to them.
Her tone and expression were gentle, but anyone looking closely at her eyes would see how much it really bothered her. Not the fact that I'd hidden it from her, but the existence of the situation itself.
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Just like in the morning, it was Mikoto who welcomed us at Itachi's house that night. And when she saw her son sleeping on my back, she stifled a laugh.
With the younger one delivered home, Amaya and I went our separate way. Normally we'd each head to our own homes, but my sister surprised me by inviting me to spend the night at hers.
Any other time I wouldn't have been suspicious of her request, but I agreed anyway. Knowing Amaya as I was familiar with, I knew she had something on her mind beyond spending a lovely night in my company.
Kushina welcomed us as always: Checking my sister from head to toe and asking her lots of questions about her condition. The older Uzumaki was extremely attentive and protective of Amaya, and anyone could see that.
As for me, she welcomed me with a smile that, in my humble opinion, was dreadful. Even though she was acting casually with me, it was like she was reminding me at the same time that she was watching me for anything I might have done to her daughter.
Minato wasn't home that night he'd had to join the Sandaime for an emergency meeting, according to the older Uzumaki, but if Namikaze had been there, he probably would have been amused by it all.
Our dinner was quiet, and since it was already late, we went straight to Amaya's room after eating. And acting as comfortable as usual in the Uzumaki-Namikaze household, I rummaged through Amaya's closet to pick something to wear.
Once we were ready to sleep, I threw myself on the sofa under Amaya's window, making myself as comfortable as possible there.
Absolute silence reigned in that room, and in a way it was making me restless, since my sister's quietness was very different from mine a clear sign something was bothering her.
– For Kami's sake, just tell me what's going on! – I spoke up and the redhead turned her eyes to me – I can't spend another second freaking out trying to figure out what's going through your head!
Amaya looked surprised at first, but then laughed.
– It's not funny at all – I complained a bit quieter – If it's because of what we talked about earlier, about the clan… – She quickly interrupted me.
– It's not that – Her eyes turned to me – I'm not bothered that you hid it, I'd even say I'm glad – She smiled weakly – It just shows how you wanted to protect me from these bad things – But her smile soon faded.
– Then what happened? – I asked, keeping my tone more serious, showing Amaya I really wanted to hear what was troubling her.
She looked up at the ceiling of the room for a few moments and stayed silent. That was one of the few things that made me restless in a bad way:
Amaya's thinking time about a problem.
Because normally, that meant some more serious situation was coming, one that would definitely bring a properly grounded adversity, precisely because she thought a lot before speaking about it.
– What do you know about this organization called the "Foundation"? – She asked, this time with her eyes fixed on me.
I raised an eyebrow. I hadn't expected that question initially, since it was expected that someone who didn't know about them would ask. But in Amaya's case, it seemed linked to what had been hammering in her mind.
– There was a time when the leader of the Anbu Ne, Danzou Shimura, competed for the title of Hokage against the Sandaime, and after losing, he created a subdivision with some members of the Anbu itself.
– The Ne… – Amaya pointed out, and I agreed.
– Very few people have even heard of or know about the existence of this faction – I explained – I myself don't know much about them, only that they act from the shadows and even against the wishes and commands of the Hokage himself.
– But that would be treason, wouldn't it? – She asked – I mean, for acting against what the Sandaime orders.
– In theory, yes – I sighed weakly – But apparently, it's all done for the good of the village and doesn't negatively affect Konoha's development.
– So that's accepted? – Amaya questioned, a slight irritation in her tone.
– More or less. When this group was discovered acting without orders from the Sandaime, we in the Anbu were instructed to monitor their movements and be ready to act against them.
– You don't have proof to dissolve this organization – I nodded – Wait – She propped herself up on her elbows and looked at me again – If everything you know about the Foundation is because you have orders within the Anbu to monitor them, isn't it wrong for you to tell me about them?
– Maybe – I scratched my head and gave a weak laugh.
– Shisui…
– But it's not a problem to have told you, since I doubt you'll tell anyone about it – I commented – Besides, you needed to know about them, since part of what's bothering you is related to the Foundation, right? – She gave a weak nod.
– When we fought those Ne members – the redhead said after a few moments – What did you feel? – I started to speak, but she interrupted me – Besides being worried about me and Itachi because you knew what the organization's members could do due to their mission.
I stopped to think a bit about that. Just as Amaya said, the first thing that came to mind was the worry I felt for her and Itachi, for their well-being facing people who would probably kill them without a second thought.
I mentally revisited our fight, and the first thing I remembered feeling uneasy about at the time was the apparent enjoyment of the dog-masked shinobi when fighting Amaya.
– He seemed to be enjoying the confrontation… – I said quietly – It wasn't a normal stance for a ninja when we were clearly in a serious fight – She agreed.
And the second point that caught my attention, though only at the end of the battle, was the patterns used by the Ne shinobi.
Besides the Sharingan giving me some predictability about their movements, it was as if my body already knew how to react to certain attacks from them, as well as how to avoid their combined strategies.
It was almost as if I'd already fought other Foundation members.
I didn't doubt it could have happened after all, not even the Anbu had uncovered all their real identities yet.
But when had that fight happened?
– In the laboratory… – Amaya's voice made me leave my thoughts and look at her quickly – After we left there, we were ambushed by enemies and had to fight them.
And it was like a light bulb turned on.
– They acted and fought exactly like the Ne members… – I commented, a bit disconcerted – But that means… – I turned my eyes to my sister and she nodded.
– The Foundation is connected to the laboratory where I was created.