Third Person POV
First impressions when arriving somewhere new tend to stick with a person for their entire stay in that place, or until something radically changes the perception others have formed of them.
Amaya's first day as an Anbu member was meant to be a neutral one, both so the redhead could learn by observing her new surroundings, and to somewhat fly under the radar of the other Anbu.
(And the Uzumaki might have been able to make that mental plan happen at any other moment. However, there's something in nature known as the "butterfly effect," where a decision or action taken, even the smallest kind, can impact your life and others' later on. With Amaya, it wouldn't be any different...)
When she received her uniform and equipment, the redhead was instructed to join some other Anbu at one of the training fields, where two captains of the organization were instructing the others in their exercises.
It was a relatively small group compared to the total number of members that made up the Anbu, with an average of fifteen men of various ages. Fights based solely on taijutsu unfolded in pairs, one at a time.
Shisui was one of those present, acting as an instructor since he was a captain. Ichiro Uchiha was also there, but as one of the Anbu being instructed the young man had joined the organization two years after Shisui.
Even the Anbu who had been aided by the siblings alongside Itachi two days earlier was present, like Shisui, the man was a captain. And one more person "known" to the Uzumaki was there, though she didn't recognize him since everyone was wearing their masks.
When the redhead approached the group, attention turned to her. The assessment came from both sides, from Amaya and from the other Anbu. And the Uzumaki, though bothered by the attention focused on her at that moment, felt good seeing familiar figures.
– I'm Amaya Uzumaki, it's a pleasure to meet you all – The redhead introduced herself in a calm tone – I'll be working with you starting today.
Although there were no murmurs or whispers from those present, surprise and curiosity were general, and for a simple reason: being a young woman joining the organization.
And these feelings were justified; after all, although the Anbu was an organization created to have members of all ages, genders, and ranks, the number of female presences there could be counted on one hand.
– Welcome, Amaya Uzumaki – The Anbu with the mask resembling a curved-beak bird, the one who had received the redhead's aid against Ne, spoke – I'm Kei Sora, one of the organization's captains and your supervisor – The girl nodded and the man turned his gaze to the others – Let's proceed with the sparring.
The redhead stood still closer to the others, making her mental notes about what she observed of them and their characteristics.
– Tatsuo remains undefeated – Shisui spoke and scanned those present – Who will fight now?
– Let the rookie come – Tatsuo himself spoke up, his gaze directed at Amaya – It's the best way to introduce her to what awaits her now as Anbu.
None of those present could understand the man's double provocation toward the Uzumaki, but the girl understood it when she recognized his voice: It was the same man who had bothered Kakashi during the Hanami Festival.
Although she couldn't see the expression on the man's face, Amaya was sure his face was brimming with great anger toward her – and it was clear he would unleash it on the redhead during the fight, if she accepted to combat him.
– Alright – The girl said simply, walking to the more open space in the circle for the combat.
And if when the redhead had arrived none of the Anbu spoke, at that moment whispers emerged and they weren't positive toward the Uzumaki.
Amaya didn't know it yet, but Tatsuo Yagami was one of the Anbu members with the best prowess in taijutsu. Few people present for the training, and among the other Anbu, could match the man.
And those present for that combat already expected the girl's imminent defeat.
The Uzumaki took her wakizashi from her vest holder and left it on the ground, walking closer to Tatsuo.
– Today Yagami's winning streak ends – Ichiro commented quietly to Shisui, who looked at him.
Although the two Uchihas had spent some time without speaking properly due to the incidents with Amaya, the years allowed them to reconnect and tensions to be soothed.
– That's certain – Shisui spoke unconcerned – But maybe it'll take a while for Amaya to take the fight as seriously as he does – The other Uchiha agreed.
– She'll let him attack her first, then counter and finish him – The younger one nodded.
– That's the method she always uses with someone she doesn't know – Shisui explained – Besides acting more peacefully with her opponent.
Although Shisui knew more about how his sister acted in combat, both from training with her and knowing about the unfolding of missions she was sent on, he knew that Amaya always gave space for the adversary to start the fight.
It wasn't out of confidence that she could turn the battle in her favor whenever she wanted; she simply didn't act impulsively and analyzed who she was fighting against first to defeat them quickly.
But Shisui also knew that wasn't the only way his sister acted. When she felt anger – and showed it on the field, which was extremely rare – she abandoned the defensive posture and went on the offensive, analyzing everything while fighting.
– The fight ends when one of you is on the ground or gives up – Kei informed Amaya of the rules and the redhead nodded.
The other Anbu, along with the captains, stepped back a few paces to give more space for the Uzumaki and Yagami to fight freely.
– Today you'll face the consequences of defending a traitor's son, little woman... – Tatsuo told the redhead, this time exposing his disdain in his tone, directed at her as well as at Sakumo and Kakashi.
(There were few things that could take the redhead out of her usual calm, and provocations like that didn't affect her. At least not when they were directed at her, but at those important to her...)
However, Amaya didn't let herself be carried away by the provocation and remained silent, her calm overriding the anger – though that didn't mean a part of it wasn't present in the Uzumaki's body.
– Begin! – Shisui announced, his voice a bit louder.
The Uzumaki's feet were the first to move, making her advance toward Tatsuo. And not only the Anbu were surprised by the redhead's speed, but her own brother too – though his surprise was because he didn't understand the reason she had taken that offensive posture.
Tatsuo was already ready to fight offensively from the start, and like Amaya, he advanced quickly toward the girl.
Their fists met in a strong thud, followed by alternating blows between Amaya and Tatsuo.
Both had physical strength at a similar level and their reaction times were alike. And although Tatsuo was taller 1.76m, the Uzumaki had greater agility than him.
And if before Yagami was irritated with Amaya, both for the embarrassment she had caused him and for treating Kakashi well, defending him and Sakumo, at that moment he just wanted to knock her out to end that combat.
That was his space, his domain.
And it wouldn't be just any "little woman" who would make him embarrassed again in front of everyone.
Unlike Tatsuo, who let his anger guide his movements, Amaya remained as calm as she could, attentively observing every movement of her adversary. He's strong..., she admitted to herself.
Although taijutsu was one of the basic skills for a ninja, few perfected it. However, although the redhead admitted her current adversary was strong, she had fought and still fought periodically with someone better than Tatsuo in taijutsu.
The clash had been going on for a few minutes, and unlike the moment the fight was announced, some Anbu no longer knew who could win.
Amaya was proving to be a true rival to Tatsuo in taijutsu.
And Yagami wasn't happy about it.
In one of the punches Tatsuo tried to land on Amaya, the Uzumaki leaned her body back to dodge instead of blocking it. And already expecting this, Yagami continued his attack, but this time with a kick aimed at the redhead's head.
If that hit her, it was very likely she would be dazed or even faint.
But thanks to the redhead's retreat from the last blow without defending herself, she managed to raise her arms in guard to cushion the kick. However, Amaya soon noticed something wrong:
The blow had been too strong and also heavy, which caused her to be pushed from where she was. The redhead felt a slight twinge of pain in her arms where the man's leg had hit, but for the moment she set that aside.
Someone without the Sharingan wouldn't have noticed at first, since they couldn't see the Anbu's chakra flow, but Shisui did, he had been following it from the start with his doujutsu active and saw a greater concentration in the leg of the man hitting Amaya.
That was the reason for the change the redhead had noticed in her adversary's blow. And although she wasn't using her Sharingan, Amaya could feel Tatsuo's chakra in greater quantity against her during his kick.
Seeing that it was the perfect moment, with the Uzumaki confused by what he had done, Tatsuo launched another kick at the redhead.
His chakra concentrated in his right leg for one last blow.
And it really would be his last move.
But the same didn't apply to Amaya.
When everyone thought Tatsuo would hit her with another kick, this time directly, the redhead crouched, letting the man's leg pass centimeters from her head, she wouldn't force her arms to try and block another blow like the previous one.
At the same moment Amaya stood up again, but this time lifting Tatsuo's leg with her and keeping her chakra concentrated in her feet to stay in place.
A slight direction by the Uzumaki and Yagami's body followed without him being able to prevent it having concentrated his chakra only in the leg he was using to strike the redhead left him vulnerable in his balance, thus making it easier for Amaya to lift him off the ground.
Tatsuo used his arms to cushion his fall a wasted effort to avoid touching the ground.
To ensure the Anbu wouldn't get up or move against the Uzumaki, she lunged over him, placing with a bit more force than necessary her knee on Tatsuo's back, and he ended up with his face on the ground, it only didn't touch directly because of the mask he wore.
A low grunt escaped the man's lips, both from the pressure on his spine and from his anger toward the Uzumaki.
– Combat over! – Kei announced and some applause came from the other Anbu.
Before Amaya got up, taking advantage of the sound of the applause, she leaned down a bit over Tatsuo, close to his ear so only he could hear her clearly at that moment.
– Never belittle members of the Hatake clan again, whether in my presence or not – The redhead warned quietly and in an extremely serious tone – And don't even think of underestimating a woman.
And then she stood up, brushing off the little dust that had gotten on her uniform from the combat and picked up her wakizashi, finally walking back to the others.
__________________________________________________________________________
Many other combats unfolded in that joint training, and of all the ones Amaya participated in, she didn't lose a single one.
She didn't fight as seriously as when she faced Tatsuo after all, she was slightly irritated with him but that didn't mean the redhead didn't perform them with determination.
So any chance of going unnoticed that day went down the drain.
And for a moment the Uzumaki came to think that not going unnoticed there had its positive points: She could interact more easily with the other Anbu, both during combats and while waiting for her turn.
She could also assess the type of people who were there, what their main physical attributes were be they in neutral times or in combat. That told her a bit more about each of the Anbu without her really needing to observe them for a long time.
With the end of the morning, the collective training was concluded and each Anbu went on to their next tasks and missions. As she was newly arrived, Kei informed the redhead that he would show her everything she needed to know about the organization.
A very young mind would likely have been overwhelmed by the amount of information the Anbu gave the Uzumaki that day, but the girl followed his speech without interrupting. In fact, the redhead's brain was more accustomed to working with many things being processed at once than just one or two at a time.
Having seen all the operational posts of Anbu members throughout the village, as well as the general internal regulations, important figures and superiors above the redhead's rank captains and specialists, Kei finally took Amaya to the locker room.
The room consisted of several locked lockers, divided into two aisles with benches in the middle of the aisles themselves. The box where the Uzumaki had stored her belongings before joining the other Anbu for training was on one of the benches.
– Each member of the organization has their own locker, and their belongings can be left here – The Anbu explained and handed her a key – This one is yours – The Uzumaki took the object in her hands, seeing the number 13 engraved on it – Feel free to organize and leave your belongings for non-Anbu service here as well, like your outside clothes – The redhead nodded – Well, any doubts left?
– No, sir – She replied promptly.
– We'll end your day for today so you can get organized with everything and be ready for tomorrow.
Kei began to move away from Amaya to leave her alone in the locker room to organize her things, but he stopped for a moment before exiting through the door.
– If there's anything I can do, don't hesitate to ask me – He said and turned his gaze toward the Uzumaki – Whatever it is, even regarding someone bothering you.
Although Kei hadn't heard what Amaya said to Tatsuo at the end of their fight, the Anbu noticed that Yagami had said something to the redhead before they fought, and also noticed the man's more violent manner in combat.
The Uzumaki had saved his life and even aided the village on the same night alongside her brother and Itachi Uchiha. Kei thought he couldn't repay that debt he had incurred with the redhead so soon.
– Don't worry about it – The girl spoke calmly – The well-being of the village and its inhabitants comes first to us, Konoha ninja, right? – She looked at him – Nothing beyond our duties is done.
At the same time as she said that Kei owed her nothing for the help the Uzumaki gave him, she never directly mentioned the incident with the Foundation members at any point.
Discretion, logical and extremely focused thinking..., Kei thought. Rare attributes for someone so young like her. The Anbu, and the village itself, are lucky to have someone like that in their service...
The Anbu just nodded to the redhead, whether for understanding what she wanted to tell him subliminally or in thanks once more. And then he left the room.
Soon after, the Uzumaki went to the box with her belongings to organize them in her locker. And before putting anything away, she smiled faintly under her mask.
– I know you're there, no need to wait any longer – She warned calmly.
– Still not letting anything slip by, huh? – The young man with messy black hair walked from the other aisle of lockers to where Amaya was.
– Hard not to notice your chakra, even keeping it slightly hidden, nii-san – The redhead looked at him momentarily – Or should I say, captain – The Uchiha laughed and removed his mask, with Amaya doing the same right after.
– How did you feel on your first day in the middle of all this madness that is the Anbu? – Shisui asked his sister and leaned against one of the lockers while watching her put her things away.
– Overall, calm – She said in a relaxed manner – I didn't have any problems and already learned quite a bit about the organization itself and its members.
– What about your arms? – The Uchiha asked more seriously and Amaya paused for a moment what she was doing – And don't try to tell me they're fine.
The redhead sighed faintly and dropped what she had in her hands, then proceeded to remove the arm protectors and gloves from her uniform.
Some purplish marks stained the girl's skin under the fabric, and she saw her brother clench his hands, visibly bothered.
Although she was wearing the arm protectors during her fight, the Uzumaki wasn't really accustomed to defending with them.
And Tatsuo's blow when applying his chakra to his leg had gone beyond just giving him more attack power and strength. Those marks were the result of that.
– My body is already taking care of it, even without me doing anything – The Uzumaki said calmly – Within a few hours there shouldn't be anything left.
– What the hell happened between you and Tatsuo? – Shisui asked, still serious – An aversive behavior from him I would expect, but an irritated you is different.
– Was it that easy to notice? – The redhead asked and her brother shook his head.
– Not at all. It's just that I know you and your fighting style – The Uchiha explained.
Shisui knew his sister only acted with anger, even minimally, against those who did something to someone she knew or considered important, never when it was about herself.
– He acted like a jerk and I couldn't let it slide – She said – Again.
– Again? So it's not the first time you retaliated against some provocation from him?
– Not fighting like today, but yes – The redhead said.
– Wait – Shisui looked at her – I heard not long ago that a girl knocked Tatsuo down in a restaurant here in the village. Was that you?
– Yes – Amaya looked at her brother – But only because he tried the same.
– He tried with who was with you? – The Uchiha asked – Let me guess, it was the scarecrow guy? – The redhead nodded faintly and Shisui smiled – Ah, I'll need to tease him for letting you defend him.
– He didn't let me – Amaya corrected him quickly and a bit more seriously than before – Kakashi didn't defend himself because he thought he deserved what Tatsuo did and said to him – The amused smile disappeared from Shisui's face and he took on a more serious expression.
– Why?
– Tatsuo is part of the vast majority who blame Sakumo for the actions he took on his mission and throw part of that at Kakashi too – The redhead lowered her eyes – And I saw myself in Kakashi's place, never trying to retaliate when something bothered me.
Shisui knew how important Sakumo Hatake had been in Amaya's life, as well as Minato. Both were the ones who found, rescued, and welcomed her.
And just as he knew of this devotion the redhead had for them, Shisui knew from a quick comment from his sister that she had made some promise to Sakumo shortly before his death.
The Uchiha hadn't insisted for the Uzumaki to tell him, but he could imagine it involved the White Fang's son, given the friendship the two younger ones had created – and not even the scarecrow's bad mood had managed to end it.
Shisui knew his sister always defended others, but imagining her "humiliating" someone in a restaurant, knocking him out of his chair as a form of payback for what he tried against Kakashi was unprecedented.
– I'd give anything to have seen that... – The Uchiha commented extremely quietly and with an amused smile reappearing on his lips.
– What? – Amaya asked and Shisui laughed.
– Nothing, I was just thinking about how surprised your fiancé must have been by your reaction that day – The Uzumaki rolled her eyes and opened her locker, which made her unable to see her brother.
Shisui had taken to calling the Hatake Amaya's fiancé from time to time because of the incident the two had with the rings – and being so used to the childishness her brother invented to annoy her, the redhead no longer paid him much attention.
– Speaking of which, when is he going to give you your ring? – The Uchiha asked, still with his amused tone – After all, the others were from your parents.
– Shisui... – The redhead said simply.
– Alright, alright – He said quickly – But he should at least have given you some gift to mark your relationship, like one of those trinkets couples share...
And because she had her locker door open, Shisui couldn't see when the Uzumaki stopped what she was doing there and began to feel her face blush.
With that comment, the redhead could only think about what her brother had said and relate it to the necklace she was wearing, which coincidentally she and Kakashi shared as their symbol.
– Amaya? – Shisui called his sister, given that he hadn't received any reprimand from her.
For a moment the Uzumaki's mind got tangled up, assimilating what Shisui had said in a teasing tone with the real situation in which the necklace had been given to her as a gift.
And knowing the Uchiha would ask her dozens of questions if he knew the true origin of that necklace, the redhead just looked at him over her locker door.
– Shouldn't you be finishing some of your Anbu duties now, nii-san? – She asked quickly and clearly to get rid of Shisui.
– No, no, I... – The Uchiha was going to say no, but at the same moment his eyes widened – The report! – He quickly pushed off the locker he was leaning against – Sorry, but I really need to go!
– It's fine – The redhead said with a faint laugh and the Uchiha ran out of the room.
And so the Uzumaki sighed heavily, relieved to have gotten out of that situation.
(Although Shisui had already teased Amaya about treating her and Kakashi as a couple, the redhead never gave it real importance; after all, until recently she didn't really understand the meaning of it. But now, with everything she had learned from her parents and her readings, that messed with the Uzumaki's head. If she thought about it that way, many of the times she was with Hatake they really did seem to deal with each other like a couple. But Amaya didn't see that situation that way...)
If Shisui knew Kakashi gave me the necklace, the redhead thought, he'd probably never stop bothering us about it... And she laughed faintly.
(Her thinking was still innocent, even with her brother's comment about an object shared by couples serving as a mark of their relationship. Her embarrassment came from her imagination about what Shisui could invent to bother her, as he had done with the ring situation. The Uzumaki hadn't considered that she and Kakashi actually had a symbol of them, like a real couple would. At least not yet...)