Of Hypocrisy, Consequences, and Guilt
-Of Hypocrisy, Consequences, and Guilt-
The next morning, Amaya was gone before the sun came up. The only proof that she was alright coming in the form of the note she had left on the kitchen table, informing her family that she had went to get some early training in before meeting up with her team.
It wasn’t something she was looking forward to, if she had to be honest. What with everything turning out the way it did, she didn’t know how she could face them— talk to them— when just being in their general vicinity during the funeral was excruciating enough.
She wasn’t angry with them— she was far from it, in fact. However, deep down she knew nothing would be the same. She wouldn’t be the same. She was now tainted. With the loss of her father, she had also lost her innocence and her bloodstained hands were proof of that. Even if it was all in self defense.
Her teammates, with the exception of Kakashi, were lucky— blessed even, in that regard. They had yet to take the life of another individual with their own hands, and hopefully they wouldn’t have to until they were much older. Sasuke would be the only one out of the trio to truly understand, having seen more bloodshed at the actions of his older brother than any six-year-old should. Nonetheless, it still wasn’t the same. It was Itachi who killed. It was Itachi who was drenched in the blood of their own clansmen, not Sasuke who was only a mere witness.
At the thought, Amaya’s hits against the training post became harder, splintering the wood slightly with a loud thwack. Her mind then goes onto the subject of her own Clan, her movements becoming more rigid and vicious.
It was a funny thing, really. If not hypocritical.
‘Peace, Family and Tranquility above all else.’ Is the mantra instilled into everyone from a young age. The Clan wanted nothing to do with wars or battles, only to be the beacon of pacifism to others, yet most lead a Shinobi-esk lifestyle. They all trained - at least a little bit - in the arts of battle, expanding their Jutsu, becoming stronger— All for the sake of knowledge.
Knowledge that could be passed on to the next generation. Knowledge that could be used to protect the Clan against enemies inside or outside the walls of the Main Residence.
It was a load of crock, in Amaya’s opinion. No Clan is perfect. No Clan can survive the world they live in without times of turmoil. However, she kept these thoughts to herself, not wanting to reignite the smothered embers of conflicts long passed— Conflicts that were suppressed into submission under the rule of her great-great- grandfather, Isamu Minamoto.
Slowing to a stop, Amaya wipes a bead of sweat from her chin, panting. Deciding it best to take a break until the others arrived, she plops down onto the ground with a soft huff and lays back, folding her arms behind her head.
The sun was slowly peeking over the tops of the trees now, no doubt it was after eight and the others would arrive soon. It was almost like clockwork... Naruto and Sakura would complain about Kakashi’s tardiness while Sasuke and herself would watch on in boredom. Then when he actually showed up, there’d be more yelling followed by training or their daily mission. Kakashi will find a way to get out of the hard work or kick their asses around the training ground for a bit before eventually abandoning them when he grew tired of their presence. It was all in a days work.
Taking a deep breath, Amaya closes her eyes, shivering slightly when a breeze blows through the clearing and cools the heated skin of her bare arms and face. The feeling helps her relax until eventually, she’s falling into a light doze.
...
“We need to discuss the topic of her training! Should she even be allowed to continue—?”
“Of course she should! She’s thirteen now and understands the consequences of her actions— which was in self defense might I add. There’s no logical reason as to why she shouldn’t!”
“I’m not even the slightest surprised that you’d defend her, Kana. You always favored the reckless ones—“
“Favored?!” Kana parrots, exasperated as she returns the other woman’s steely glare with one of her own. “If anyone shows any slight ounce of bias, it’s you! You’ve held disdain for this girl since she put you in your place all those months ago! A place that you, quite frankly, often forget where you belong!”
“Enough, you two... Masato-sama...?” Shin interjects, turning the attention of the room to the Clan Head.
For the first time during the whole meeting, Amaya allows her gaze to move from the table and onto her grandfather, also curious about what he had to say on the matter.
Masato doesn’t meet her eyes as he looks around at the Elders, stroking his beard thoughtfully before clasping his hands together in front of him. “It’s not about recklessness or inappropriate use of our Jutsu.” He begins, sending Reiko a stern look before continuing. “I’ve spoken to both Ibiki and Inoichi. Amaya told no lie when giving her account of the incident. She also never used our Kekkei Genkai and apparently has passed her evaluations thus far with flying colors... However, due to possible biased opinions on the matter, I have decided to seek counsel from the High Elder.”
Sounds of disbelief echo around the room, though no one speaks as Masato holds up his hand. “After hearing and taking in all of the information provided, he sees no reason in keeping Amaya from her training or studies. She will continue to work towards her goal of becoming an Ambassador for our Clan.”
…
Feeling a nudge to her side, Amaya’s eyes flutter open to see Kakashi staring down at her blankly. “Enjoying yourself?” He asks with a raised brow.
Amaya deadpans. “Not anymore.” She grunts before pushing herself up into a sitting position. “Let me guess, Pakkun told you I was here.”
“Bisuke, actually.” Kakashi drawls.
Amaya hums and stands, rolling her left shoulder to ease some of the tension building up. “Saa~… I’m surprised you showed up this early... You even beat the others, they’ll have a heart attack.”
Kakashi doesn’t reply, opting to instead look over towards the tree line as Naruto comes charging though the underbrush with Sakura and Sasuke casually strolling behind him at a leisure pace.
At the sight of the brunette standing next to Kakashi, the three freeze, their expressions allowing the duo to read them like open books.
Shock.
Concern.
Amaya fidgets in her place, toeing at the dirt with the tip of her sandal as she struggled to find words. She felt guilty and it was practically eating her up inside. Guilty for not saying goodbye when she left the Village temporarily. Guilty for avoiding her friends even when they did nothing but worry.
She opens her mouth to speak but stops as her breath hitches in her throat. Her feelings of self loathing rising as she lets out a frustrated sigh and looks to the side, avoiding their intense stares.
Understanding.
Joy.
The Minamoto didn’t have long to mule over her thoughts, however, as Naruto quickly closed the distance between them and pulled her into a large bear hug.
The blond burrows his face into the junction between her neck and shoulder, his grip tightening as if he were afraid she would disappear again for another week. “You didn’t say goodbye... We were worried, believe it.”
At his words, fresh tears spring to Amaya’s eyes but she doesn’t allow them to fall. Leaning into the embrace, she presses her face into his shoulder and grips the sides of his jacket firmly. “M’sorry...” She apologizes, her voice muffled by the fabric.
At that, Naruto pulls back slightly to give her his most cheesiest grin. “What for?”
It’s then Sakura intervenes as she suddenly appears next to the duo, shoving Naruto roughly to the side so she could pull Amaya into an embrace of her own. The pinkette then goes on to playfully scold the brunette for submitting her to Kakashi’s laziness as well as Naruto and Sasuke’s bickering for an entire week.
***
Hearing Amaya laugh softly at something Sakura said, which was no doubt about Naruto— seeing as the blond gave an indignant squawk afterwards, Kakashi smiles. ‘It’ll take a while, but she’ll be alright.’ He muses to himself before allowing his gaze to fall onto the Uchiha beside him.
Although he usually seemed emotionless and apathetic, Sasuke’s current disposition made him quite easy to read. His scowl was gone, replaced with a more subtle and much softer expression as he watched the three interact. And although he’d never admit it aloud, at least any time soon, it was obvious that he was just as happy about the brunette’s return as the rest of the team.
Kakashi’s grin widens, his next thought reaffirming what he already knew. ‘Yeah, she’ll be just fine.’
-Meanwhile-
A group of Sand Ninja converge upon a rocky slope, just above a large cavern.
The one waiting for their arrival turns and motions them forward, his face pale and grim. “Look at this.”
Following his direction, they all step forward and peer down into the cavern, gasping at the sight before them.
Baki clenches his teeth, a lump forming in his throat at the revelation. ‘No...! Lord Kazekage...’
The nin who had found the bodies of the fallen Kage and his escorts speaks up, “They’ve been dead for awhile now. My guess? Since before the Chunin Exams.”
Baki swallows thickly. “I see now. So that’s what his game was... Curse you, Orochimaru!” He sneers, not once taking his eyes off of the three decaying corpses below. “After the Kazekage was killed, Orochimaru - or Kabuto, maybe, assumed his identity. We were careless!”
“What do we do now...?” Another Jounin asks from behind, his worry for what was to come evident in his voice as it wavered.
Frustrated, Baki runs a hand down his face. “We need to inform the council of our findings... The predicament we now find ourselves in with Konoha needs to be rectified immediately.” He replies, his own heart thudding painfully in his chest at the prospect of another meaningless open war.
“If it’s not too late, that is.”