The Promise
-The Promise-
"So, tell me, how is Amaya-chan fitting in at the academy?" Hiruzen Sarutobi, also known as the Third Hokage, asked the younger white-haired male walking next to him.
Kenji sighs deeply, his brows furrowing in slight worry. "She seems to be adjusting well. But she's a lot quieter when around the other students, and I'm afraid that's mostly my fault." At his troubled look, Hiruzen hums, prompting him to continue. "I was so preoccupied with Mitsuko being hospitalized, she was registered late and isn't sure where she fits in quite yet, seeing as everyone has already chosen their friends and whatnot."
The elder smiles reassuringly before taking a large drag from his pipe. "I'm sure she'll be fine, she's only five years old. Plus, I've heard that Amaya can be quite the little spitfire." As he said this, the blue-eyed man laughed aloud to himself.
"I suppose that's bound to happen when growing up with three older brothers." Kenji replies, shaking his head with a sigh. "Ah... I'm sure you're right. She still has time."
A week.
A week has passed since she began her studies at the academy, and for the youngest Minamoto, things were quite disappointing -what from the flower arrangement classes with the other girls to her own lack of friends.
Sure, she has Shikamaru, knowing him since they were in diapers, but he's not an option since he always naps until it's time to go home. And even though there are a few other kids who've caught her eye, she was far too shy to initiate any conversation.
Currently, she sat alone on a wooden bench next to the school doors, watching the playground intently as she waited for her father to come pick her up.
From the corner of her eye, there's a flash of yellow. Turning her head, her gaze latches onto a familiar boy with a head of unruly blond hair. 'It's him, that boy. Everybody always has somebody to play with, except him...' She thought solemnly, her brows furrowing as she watched the remaining children ignore the boy.
"Amaya-chan?" A deep, warm voice calls from her left, snapping her from her thoughts. Turning her head once more, Amaya finds her teacher looking at her with a kind smile, the scar on his nose wrinkling slightly from the action.
"Yes, Iruka-sensei?" She asks curiously as the brunet male sits down beside her. "Is something wrong?"
Her teachers smile grew wider at the question. "No, everything's fine." He replies, shaking his head. He stares at her for a moment after that, his once calm expression turning into a mix of curiosity and concern. "I've noticed that you don't play with anyone once class is dismissed. You just wait for your father... Why is that?" Iruka asks the five-year-old slowly.
"I just..." Amaya starts, before looking back out to the playground seeing most of the kids getting picked up by their parents. "Don't know what to say to them?" She adds questioningly.
Iruka hums understandingly, his own eyes trailing over the small playground. "Well... it shouldn't be that hard." He replies, shooting her another comforting smile. "Just find someone you would like to get to know and introduce yourself. Once you've done that, the hard part is over."
Amaya looks down to her lap, mulling over his words carefully. She takes a deep breath and she looks up, her eyes instantly locking onto the blond from earlier as he sat on the swing. Feeling her resolve grow, she nods determinedly, and quickly stands from the bench. "Okay. I'll give it a try!"
Caught off guard, Iruka flinches back in surprise from the brunette's sudden change in attitude. "Eh?" He stammers out, following her gaze to a certain blond. Realization then came to him, and the girl's intentions warmed his heart immensely. "Go for it!" He finally replies, giving a small fist-pump as she walked away. 'Well... I can tell Minamoto-sama that he doesn't have to worry anymore.' He then muses to himself, standing up to go check on the remaining children.
"Hi, what's your name?" A soft voice asks, making the blond stiffen slightly. Looking up, he's surprised to find a girl staring back at him. Her bright, expectant blue eyes peering at him from underneath her unruly, brown curls.
A small fluttery feeling forms in his chest, but he forces the hopeful feeling down, opting to send her a glare instead of a smile. "Why do you care anyway? You're just here to start trouble, huh? You wanna fight, is that it?!" He asks angrily, getting up from the swing.
Amaya flinches back slightly, shocked at his attitude. 'So mean...' She thought to herself, her surprise quickly fading as she felt her temper begin to flare up. Crossing her arms, she glares back just as furiously. "You looked lonely, so I thought I'd come over and introduce myself and see if we can be friends. I don't see why you're being so mean though!" She snaps, her voice filled with anger.
The blonds glare drops from his face at her proclamation. 'Friends? She wants to be friends?' He wonders, a small blush coloring his cheeks and the tips of his ears. Quickly becoming embarrassed at his actions, he looks off to the side and rubs the back of his neck nervously.
"..."
"Naruto." The boy blurts suddenly after a moment of silence.
The brunettes head snaps up in rapt attention. "Eh? What?" She asks curiously, tilting her head.
"My name. It's Naruto Uzumaki! And I'm gonna be Hokage someday! Ah... Sorry about earlier by the way." He replies, looking down at the ground, his blush growing deeper.
Amaya stares at the boy with her mouth open slightly, before smiling and reaching out a hand to shake. "Well, it's nice to meet ya, Naruto-kun, future Hokage of Konoha! I'm Amaya Minamoto! Konoha's future Ambassador, and Hokage's right hand man-er... woman." She replies cheerfully, causing Naruto to look up at her and then at her hand confused.
Realizing that he doesn't understand what she wants him to do, the young Minamoto gives a light laugh. "Saa~... You're supposed to shake it, silly!"
Naruto stares at her smiling face for a moment before his own lights up. He gently takes her hand, sending her a grin of his own as he gives it a small shake.
"Amaya!" The duo hear a sudden voice call out, making them look towards the academy gates. There they see a smiling man waving over to them from his spot next to Shikamaru and his father Shikaku. Realization strikes the young Minamoto.
"Ah, Papa!" Amaya calls out as she returns the wave before turning back to Naruto. "Well it looks like I have to go now..." She begins, her voice trailing off as she notices the smile dropping from his face. "Hey, Naruto..." She calls.
At his name, Naruto's gaze slowly moves away from her father and back to her. "Yeah?" He asks solemnly, flinching as her pinky finger appears in his line of sight.
"Promise that we'll help each other achieve our goals, and that we'll be friends forever!" Her statement causes his eyes to widen, before the smile slowly grows on his face again.
"Yeah! I promise, believe it!" He exclaims as he locks his pinky with hers.
"Yes! It's a promise! I'll see ya tomorrow okay?" The brunette babbles excitedly, only giving him enough time to nod furiously in response.
Smiling widely, she nods once in affirmation before she turns around and runs towards her father, excited to tell him about her new friend. Naruto watches her go, the smile on his face growing wider by the second.
'Maybe...'