Aspirant

Amaya stood stubbornly toe to toe with Inosha.

“You don’t have to cook, Inosha-sama, I can take care of this.” Inosha waggled her brows.

“Take care of your husband, Amaya-hime, you never know . . .” Growling, because Inosha was right, and Kakashi would be insufferable all day, and she had several new students, Amaya stomped off to dawn practice, huffing when Sakura handed her the beautiful Katana she’d been given by Kakashi when she graduated Hogwarts. Settling into several gruelling kata, the sword master ignored the activity around her, Sakura working with her heavy bokken, Naruto and Sasuke practising tree walking not far off. Kakashi was still at the Memorial, would bring the others to breakfast.

Neji, having risen earlier, was returning from his morning run- a habit inherited from Gai he hadn’t objected to- when he saw his aunt practice with a gleaming gray sword. Sasuke, his Uchiha clanmate, leaped down lightly from a tree limb, murmuring

“Inuzashi, a gift from Kakashi.” Neji nodded, understanding what the other boy was telling him. Slightly envious of the gorgeous weapon, the Hyuuga loped back into Konoha, intent on questioning his uncle.

Kakashi was holding his usual vigil when Neji skidded to a stop and demanded

“Where did you get Inuzashi?” Raising an eyebrow, the Hatake man replied

“Maa, Neji, that story is better told by Amaya.” Nodding, aware the man was correct, the Hyuuga boy waited for the others.

First to arrive were the rest of Team Gai, also finished morning runs. Tenten was surprised when Neji floated over to her, but kept her peace. Kakashis’ nod of approval had both young ones relaxing. Next to arrive were Team Asuma, Ino in the lead. Last to arrive were Team Kurenai, Kiba and Akamaru panting as they tried to catch up.

Moving quickly, the shinobi and kunoichi reached the Hatake compound in time for the opulent breakfast Inosha made. Then Amaya announced

“Ino, Tenten, Hinata, I’m going to work with you, just as hard as I’ve worked Sakura, but first, the History, I think. Sakura, get my swords.” The command was followed hastily, the pink haired girl eager to hear the stories again.

Kakashi held Amayas’ gaze, the intimate connection locking out everyone else like the two lovers were on a deserted island, the only ones around. Amaya smiled gently, eyes tilting even as the brown warmed to gold, hands reaching to each other on the table. The contrast of their hands alone was . . . surprising. Both were strong and lightly scarred, Amayas’ a light honey colour, Kakashis’ was a paler shade, her fingers slimmer, while his hand was gloved. The image jarred the jonin-senseis, who were only used to a seemingly asexual pervert, while the genin just didn’t know, and Inosha watched with a sort of solemnity. Linking fingers, Amaya lowered her eyes deliberately, while Kakashi devoured her intently. Clearing her throat, Inosha prodded “Tell the stories, Amaya-chan, before we get old.”

As he had so many times before, the Hatake man came to his wife and lifted her into his lap, holding her to his chest, eye smiling when she cuddled into him. Clearing her throat again, Inosha glared witheringly. Sheepishly, Amaya began

“Long before even Inosha-sama was born, Akira Uchiha, the mother of Madara, Izuna, and Ayano, as well as three other sons, was commanded by her own mother to learn the art of Kendo. Her daughter, Ayano, was in turn commanded by her mother to learn the art of Kendo.” Toying with her husbands’ hand, Amaya continued

“Akira was the first Iron Mother. She defended three of her six children with only her katana in hand. That katana was handed down to her Iron Daughter, Ayano, who eventually passed the sword, and the traditions, to her daughter Akusa, who passed them to her own daughter Aishiteru, my mother, who eventually passed the sword and traditions to my sister Akita, and myself. Sooner, rather than later, I will pass the sword onto my daughters, Aisha and Akashina.” Sakura looked confused, while Amaya looked uncomfortable. Closing her eyes, the Uchiha woman forged on

“Akira died birthing her final child, Ayano in battle for her husband, Akusa of illness, Aishiteru in battle for her mother, Akita birthing Neji due to complications from the seals on her Sharingan. My wards, Faith and Honor Desjardins, married Shisui and Itachi Uchiha, respectively. Faith tried to commit suicide the day Shisui did, but did not succeed, and returned to the land of her birth in mourning, Honor left Konoha within hours of the Uchiha Massacre. Biologically, our eldest child is Aishiteru Hatake Yamato, who married Tenzou Yamato, but, who has been on missions almost nonstop. She was created from stolen DNA samples by a rogue med nin when I was five. Akashina and Katsuro, our two younger ones were sent to Suna for different reasons. Akashina was sent at age six because she desired to train with a distant Hatake aunt, Katsuro left recently because he didn’t want to interfere with the training of Team Seven.”

Curling miserably into Kakashis’ chest, Amaya waited for them to stomp out of their house, wanting her babies to come home, but it never came. Peeking at everyone at the table, she shrank back when she was greeted with admiring awe. And stares, but mostly awe from Inosha.

Forcing herself to her feet, Amaya said shakily,

“Come, Aspirants, we have work to do.” Scurrying after the fiercely strong warrior, the girls kept quiet, musing over the stories they’d heard.

Although it wasn’t everything, it would do for now, Kakashi was sure.

Amaya stood still, surveying the girls working with bokken. Kurenai came over to ask

“How- what-” Amaya raised a brow and said softly

“I was born for him. Other than that, you’ll have to listen to more of the stories, tonight perhaps.” Striding away, Amaya made a mental note to haul the girls away for a brief training journey, preferably with Kurenai and Inoshas’ help.