Third Person POV
After the incident with the rings, things went back to normal: Amaya was training Team Minato, and Kakashi was accompanying the redhead as the Namikaze had requested.
Only two things changed in the routines of Hatake and Uzumaki: they resumed their training sessions together to keep the redhead from getting out of shape during her recovery time away from missions and Amaya started hunting for books.
What kind?
Romance novels.
The girl wanted to better understand this thing called "love," and trying to find answers with just technical explanations wasn't cutting it for her.
The redhead remembered some of the titles her friend Kurenai spent her free time reading and set out to find them for her research. But the more Uzumaki read, the more confused she got.
This so-called "love" had so many representations, so many types...
And another thing that caught Amaya's attention during her reading was how immersed she felt in those books. She was used to more theoretical texts, not fictional tales and stories like those.
With every book, it was like a new world was presented to her, new experiences were created, and she felt a growing closeness and fondness for the characters. And that's how Uzumaki discovered though she wasn't fully aware of it yet her passion for stories.
__________________________________________________________________________
Minato and Kushina returned to the village a few days after all the recent events. The older Uzumaki was the one who asked the most questions and checked her daughter from head to toe to make sure she was okay.
Namikaze thanked Kakashi for staying with Amaya all that time and taking care of her. Hatake took the opportunity to announce he was returning to his own home.
Since it was the weekend, there was no training scheduled with Minato's team for that day, so neither the blonde nor Amaya needed to go out.
Needless to say, the younger Uzumaki really wanted to talk to her parents, hear about their mission, see how they were doing, and also clarify, in private, the situation with the rings she had found.
But Kushina and Minato were truly exhausted from their mission, and the younger Uzumaki quickly noticed, calmly suggesting they both get some rest and leave the conversation for later.
Minato Namikaze POV
A faint light filled the room when I woke up. The orange hue glowed behind the blinds leading to the balcony.
But there was only one thing that seemed to burn brighter than the setting sun's rays.
A silly smile inevitably found its way to my lips. I trailed my fingers through the sea of fiery red hair spread across the sheets until I reached the face of the owner of that hair and also the owner of my heart.
Kushina's expression was serene, indicating the deep sleep she was in. I laughed inwardly at the observation. Actually, she always sleeps deeply, I pondered. Except on missions. If she lies down somewhere, she's out like a light.
The Uzumaki's skin was flawless, without a trace of any injuries though I remembered every single one I couldn't prevent from marking her during the battles on our mission...
The Uzumaki clan's healing factor was a plus at the moment, but I also knew it wasn't just because of that: The Kyuubi's chakra, whether Kushina wanted it or not, ended up healing her wounds too.
I got out of bed calmly, leaving the room so the redhead could enjoy a little more of her rest.
As I walked down the main hallway, I finally paid proper attention to the absolute silence reigning in the house. The copper tones seemed to be the only thing whispering with the weak late afternoon breeze.
Near the end of the hallway, the only place where the orange tones seemed stronger was coming from Amaya's room. Since the door was slightly ajar, I approached and entered the room.
The redhead was sitting right in front of me, on the base of the large window in her room. Her back was leaning against the side frame, her legs slightly bent, resting on the lower frame.
Her face showed a tranquil expression as she read her book one I didn't remember seeing before. Probably new..., I deduced. Amaya seemed completely immersed in her reading, as she hadn't even noticed my presence.
Because of the weak breeze blowing, her hair, almost as red as Kushina's, looked like dancing flames in the wind. It was rare to see her like this, with her hair down.
And only by observing her like this did I truly realize how much she had grown. It still felt like just last week when Sakumo and I rescued her from the lab and she started living in the village.
I smiled tenderly at the memories. She's growing up so fast..., I mused.
The Uzumaki, after a flutter of her hair, freed one hand from the book to brush away a few strands covering her eyes. And it was in that moment of minimal distraction from her reading that she stopped, bringing her gaze to where I stood.
– Minato... – She quickly closed the book in her hands – Sorry, I didn't see you – She gave a soft laugh.
– Don't worry – I finally entered the room.
– How are you? – she asked as I settled onto the sofa near the window where she was – Did the mission go well?
– Yes, yes... – I reassured her.
It was common for the younger redhead to always ask how I was after a mission, as well as inquire about how it went.
Besides involving the Uzumaki's natural concern for me, I privately bet she blamed herself for not having done the same for Sakumo and not realizing what was happening to him sooner.
Even though none of us, his colleagues and friends, had realized it like you did that day..., I thought.
– And how are you? – I asked.
– Good – She gave a small smile – Really good, actually – And I couldn't help but smile too.
– That's good to hear – I said and let my eyes fall to the book she held – Can I ask what you're reading?
– Sure – she said promptly – It's a... – She lowered her eyes for a moment – Romance.
I couldn't help but show my surprise at that information, freezing for a second. It wasn't common for Amaya to read that kind of book. In fact, she never read anything beyond theoretical texts.
She's already in her teens..., I thought. This is when most girls start getting interested in boys. I swallowed dryly. Maybe my little girl likes someone?
But I didn't let these worries show to the redhead beside me.
– Your interest in this type of reading is new – I commented, and Amaya gave a weak nod.
Kami-sama, help me now!, I thought. Kushina should be the one having this kind of conversation with our daughter, since they'd probably understand each other better being women... But as her father, that would also be my duty, right?
However, before my mind could create even more questions, Amaya climbed down from the window, leaving her book there.
I followed the redhead with my eyes as she approached the dresser beside her bed, pulling something from the bottom of the second drawer.
Then the girl returned to where I was, sitting beside me. The Uzumaki had something in her hands, but I couldn't see it besides noticing it was small enough to be hidden between her palms.
– Sorry... – Amaya suddenly spoke, and I looked at her, seeing her with her eyes lowered towards her hands.
Before I could ask the redhead why she was suddenly apologizing, she handed me the object in her hands. And I didn't take long to recognize it.
I took the small red velvet box, opening it without thinking and seeing the two golden rings inside.
– When I was cleaning, I ended up finding where this was hidden – the redhead explained in an apprehensive tone – I let my curiosity get the better of me and wanted to know what it was...
The Uzumaki's gaze was lowered, a clear sign of regret, and I'd even say... fear. The latter, possibly, due to some reprimand for her having taken it.
I placed one of my hands on her head, calmly stroking her hair, making the redhead lift her eyes to me. I gave her a reassuring smile at that instant.
– Don't worry – I said – Curiosity is normal, especially for you – She gave a weak laugh.
Amaya was naturally curious, and I bet much of that stemmed from her relentless pursuit of knowledge, whether theoretical or about everyday life.
And although the redhead had already learned a lot in the years she'd been in the village, I knew she still had more to learn. If I can help her, I will..., I determined.
However, in that situation, my mind questioned me about something, and at that moment I looked at the redhead beside me.
– Why didn't you talk about this before? – I asked.
– You were too tired – She replied simply – So it could wait a little for me to return it.
And once again my conscience alerted me to Amaya's words.
– You're talking as if you were sure this was mine – I commented.
– And I am sure – I arched an eyebrow at the conviction in the Uzumaki's voice, which made the redhead give a weak laugh – This could only be yours, otousan, because if it were Kushina's, she wouldn't have been able to keep it hidden.
First came the surprise at Amaya's line of thinking and her precision in that deduction. Then came the amusement with it – where I couldn't help but laugh.
– And I also kept it safe because it seemed very important – the redhead spoke again and brought her eyes to me – Even without fully understanding what it is – And again I ended up laughing.
– I appreciate you taking good care of this... – I thanked her in a gentle tone and looked again at the box, now closed, in my hands – And also for not showing it to Kushina.
– Is it a gift for her? – Amaya asked, and I quickly looked at her – Is that why you were hiding it? – I gave a weak laugh.
– More or less – The redhead tilted her head slightly to the side, visibly confused – Do you already know what this is? – She nodded.
– They're rings – The Uzumaki said quickly – They represent the commitment between two people – I agreed.
– Exactly – I said and gave a weak smile – I want to ask Kushina to marry me...
And only then did I realize I was talking about it to someone for the first time, out loud and without holding back.
– Because you love her, right? – And Amaya's words only added to my internal panic.
Looking at the girl, her eyes seemed to be trying to read me, and since only Kushina and she could do that, I felt completely incapable of hiding what I felt.
I felt my cheeks burning and could even picture myself with a stunned expression, mixed with embarrassment. A smile appeared on Amaya's face, one that seemed slightly surprised, yet happy.
– Tell me more about it! – the redhead asked excitedly.
– W-What?! – I asked in a clear mix of surprise and shame.
– "Love" – She said quickly – You seem to know what it is, and I want to understand it!
Then everything seemed to make sense for the first time.
The reason why Amaya was reading that romance, her curiosity about the rings, as well as her comment about me loving Kushina...
It was all so she could learn.
So she could understand what was involved in the different situations she had encountered. So she would know how to understand what "love" was.
And I couldn't contain a laugh afterwards. Not because of what Amaya had said, but because of me, or rather, my earlier "deduction" about why the redhead was reading a romance.
I can't tell which mind is harder to understand: Amaya's with her methods for seeking knowledge about something new to her, or my hypotheses that leaned entirely towards the behavior of an overprotective father...
– Sorry – I said to Amaya, looking at her and seeing her confused expression – Well, I guess I can try to explain what "love" is – And at that moment the redhead's expression turned to excitement – And I think there's no better way to explain this complex and completely difficult thing than to tell my story and Kushina's.
*Present*
Naruto Uzumaki POV
– Ah! I know about that, 'ttebayo! – I said excitedly, and Kakashi-sensei looked at me – When I was with Uncle Eight-Tails to control Kurama's chakra the first time, I met okaasan and she told me how she fell in love with otousan – I smiled even more excitedly remembering.
"And just like Kushina and Amaya, you're clueless in that department..."
A familiar voice sounded in my head, and the next moment I found myself in the vast emptiness of my mind, where the matte golden tones contrasted with the dominant orange of the bijuu on the water's surface.
– Hey, Kurama! – I said, slightly annoyed with the bijuu – Since when are you listening to my conversation with Kakashi-sensei?
– Since the second that stupid idea came to your mind, making you run out of the house and come here to bother Kakashi – He replied with his usual grumpiness, keeping his head resting on his front paws.
– It's not stupid! – I complained – Kakashi-sensei is the only one who can tell me about nee-chan!
– You brainless idiot! Did you forget Kushina was my jinchuuriki? I've known Amaya since she arrived in the village, when your mother found her by chance, and I spent 20 years living with her, whether with her parents or even with you!
I was about to complain again to Kurama, but I stopped with my mouth half-open. I narrowed my eyes in the direction of the bijuu in front of me.
– Are you jealous because I chose Kakashi-sensei to ask about nee-chan, instead of you? – I asked, crossing my arms.
– Don't be an idiot, brat! – He vociferated, but without looking at me.
– Ah, you are jealous! – I said louder, starting to laugh – Kurama is jealous of Kakashi-sensei!
And then all I could perceive was a low growl from the fox and one of his tails lifting, before a kind of wave hit me. The water threw me far from the bijuu, and I coughed a few times as I sat up.
– Hey! That was a cheap shot! – I complained, and Kurama just twitched his lips into a faint, smug smile.
– You deserved it, brat – He said simply before closing his eyes – Pay attention to what Kakashi is about to tell you about 'love,' maybe you'll learn something...
– This again! – I said, pointing at the bijuu – You said that before, about me being clueless like okaasan and nee-chan. What are you talking about? – He didn't even move or open his eyes – Hey, Kurama, are you ignoring me? – But I still got no answer.
I sighed and turned to leave that place. Years of living with Kurama taught me one thing: He could be as stubborn as I was when he wanted – and if he didn't want to talk, he wouldn't anytime soon.
The matte yellow tones gave way to the brightness of the Hokage's office when I opened my eyes.
– Hey, Naruto, are you okay? – I looked towards Kakashi-sensei.
– Yeah – I replied, scratching my head and giving a weak smile – I was just having a conversation with Kurama about him being jealous.
– Jealous...? – The sensei asked, and a low growl was clearly audible in my ears, making me laugh.
– Keep telling me about the conversation between nee-chan and otousan! – I said quickly.
– But you just said you already...
– Even so, I want to hear it again! – I said excitedly, shaking my head from side to side – Especially since nee-chan heard how otousan fell in love – Kakashi-sensei let out a soft sigh.
– Curiosity is clearly a trait of the Uzumaki clan members... – He muttered under his breath, but I could still hear him – Alright, then let's see...