Beginnings
-Beginnings-
Kenji Minamoto was in a dilemma.
Yes, he told his wife he could handle it. And at the time he truly believed he could, but now as those big familiar blue eyes stared up at him, his usual steel-like resolve was quickly diminishing. Oh, how he was a sucker for that look - a fact that his daughter knew quite well and used often.
Like now, for instance.
The five -going on six- year old in question was currently clutching his much larger hand like a lifeline, obviously not planning on letting go anytime soon. And while he was usually okay with this - she was a daddy's girl after all - time was quickly running out.
He sent her a soft smile and took a tentative step forward, intending on leading her through the academy gates, but she still refused to move an inch.
"Amaya..."
"I don't want to go, I wanna stay with you."
At her words, a small smile tugged at his lips. Kneeling next to her, he placed his free hand on her head and began to gently ruffle the unruly curls. "I'll be here to pick you up when the days over. It's only for a few hours and it'll be over before you know it."
"No."
"Amaya, we can't keep doing this..." He sighs, and she looks off to the side with a pout. He stares at her for a moment, questions coming to mind one after another. Why does he have to have stubborn children? How does his wife manage? And so easily? How does one even bribe a five-year-old into going to school?
Shaking his head at the thought, he sighs, squeezing her hand gently to gain her attention once more. "Why won't you go inside? You were so excited about joining the academy before..." Trailing off, he shifts his position slightly and tilts his head to meet her gaze. "Are you nervous?"
"...."
Ah. So that's what it is.
"Why?"
Amaya puffs her cheeks out and looks to the ground, kicking at the dirt with the toe of her sandal. "What if they don't like me?"
Kenji couldn't help the laugh that slipped past his lips. He always prided himself on his children's intelligence and seemingly unique personalities, but sometimes they were too much, and it always took him by surprise when they display a sudden bout of childish naivety. Amaya, for one, in particular. Due to being the youngest of four and the only girl, she plays rougher than most girls her age all the while being just as sensitive.
"You'll be fine." He comforts, placing a kiss on the crown of her head. "I bet by the end of this week, you'll have plenty of friends. Besides, Shikamaru-kun is in your class, you two always got along right?"
"Shika-kun..." She trails off, now looking towards the school doors with a little more interest. She then gazes back at him as he stands to his full height, her grip loosening on his hand slightly. "Do you really think they'll like me?"
"I don't think, I know so." He finds himself replying with a large smile, internally cheering at the small win he's achieved. "You ready to go inside?"
Amaya looks back to the door hesitantly before nodding slowly. "Mhm..."
"Let's go then, squirt."