Butterflies: Solidarity
"Namiki Aya has nothing and no one. No one to come home to. No one to hold her when she cries. No reason to get out of bed, other than the nightmares. Not until her someone barges back into her life and says three words that change everything: I need you." Spin-off of Butterflies; AU. Yuri main character. Dark themes, suicidal ideation, depression, gore, and frisky nudity later on.
Warnings! This is a very real look into the depths of depression, into sexuality, and into working as an ANBU Operative. The main pairing is two OCs: Namiki Aya and Hyuuga Hitomi, both from Butterflies and The Butterfly Effect. Don't like? Don't read.
Chapter 2 – Safety Net
8-8
Walking around the village, I find myself lost. What does this woman hope to achieve? How is talking about this going to change anything? Is she stupid?! Clinical depression is the state of mind you descend into when your brain no longer produces those happy, sappy, feel-good drugs. Talking does exactly shit to change that.
Yet, she demands that I start seeing Kitou-sensei again. He didn't help things any then. He won't make a damn difference now.
Still, I promised her I would let her help me. Kitou-sensei isn't Hyuuga-san—so fuck him.
You know what I need? To get some shopping done. It makes perfect sense. After all, I'm out of takeout, my cherries should get tossed out, and I gave Uzumaki my last chocolate bars. It makes sense.
I take a le—
"Your appointment won't wait," Hyuuga-san reminds me. Sigh. It won't even take that long. Fine, whatever.
We make our way to Konoha General Hospital. Me trudging along like a prisoner on death row, her like she's the guard meant to escort me there—which isn't far from the truth.
We enter the double doors. Instantly all eyes light up with recognition—of the staff at least. One of the reasons I hate coming here—papa worked here. So anyone that's been here for some years have worked with him, and many of the doctors and nurses here have.
"Oh, aren't you Satsuma's little girl?" Sigh. "Sorry. It must still be a sore point."
I get past the general reception, up into the Psych Ward. The same secretary that worked here two years ago, still works here. So much has changed.
"Namiki-san. Right on time, as always," she greets me with a smile. I don't wait for her to wave me in. I know where Kitou is, I can smell him from here. I walk right up to his door, opening it without knocking. I make sure to slam the door in Hyuuga-san's face though.
I sit down, gazing at the familiar face of the orphan-turned-medic. The neatly combed, black hair, the beady eyes, the effeminate eyebrows. He's the type of man you question if it isn't a woman in disguise.
"So. You're here." His opening salvo sucks.
"Nn," I noise, rolling my eyes. I don't get it either, don't worry. I'm not here because I want to be.
"How do you think you're doing these days?" Cue the most predictable question ever.
"About the same as two years ago," I offer, shrugging.
"The nightmares have started again." I flinch. That's why she was there while I was sleeping. "And from what Hyuuga Hitomi tells me, you show the same signs as your mother before her last mission. So, if your situation is about the same as two years ago. That leads me to believe you are a better actress than I gave you credit for."
"Or that there isn't anything you can do about the situation, and I refused to keep coming back here to repeat earlier progress," I snipe.
"There is that possibility, yes. I am willing to entertain the notion. However, that brings me to a very important junction. One which only you can choose the path of." A little more drama in my life. Lovely. "What do you think will help? What will make the situation better, in your opinion?"
"I need you. Even if you're broken. Even if you feel like you have nothing left. I need you. Please, Aya. Please, let me help you. I'll do anything. Please."
"Nothing you can give me," I drone.
"What were you just thinking about?" he presses. I start shaking my head, ready to tell him 'nothing'. "I know it wasn't about your parents. You still haven't connected with a single classmate, so I know it isn't about them. You guard Naruto-kun well, but not even he's ever called on a twitch in your lips. So what made you smile?"
"Noth—"
"Hyuuga Hitomi, huh?" My eyes widen slightly, too shocked to curb it completely. "That aside. Who in your life is worth living for, Aya-chan?"
8-8
Well, if that wasn't the most unorthodox session I've ever suffered through. I mean, fuck. He purposely avoided every tactic I've learned a fucking counter for. Son of a bitch was too prepared for me for this to be a coincidence.
"Namiki-san?" Yes, o herald of death and destruction? "I have a new appointment scheduled in for you. In two weeks, same time."
You can't ever give me good news, can you. Still, I take the card with the new appointment, stuff it into my hip pouch, and walk towards the—
"How'd it go?" Hyuuga-san barges in on my strolling out. I don't even slow my pace to acknowledge her. I walk down the stairs, ignore the 'hey, I know you' looks, and out of this infestation of I-know-what's-good-for-you assholes.
Still, she follows without fail. Doesn't she have some duty, some shift, something she gets paid to do? Or maybe a family? She's from a clan, after all. Surely someone needs her to do something.
"Are you hungry?" she asks the second sunlight kisses my skin. I look up at the sky, seeing another beautiful day. The sun is shining, clouds are loafing around, and the wind is cool and gentle. The usual weather in Konoha.
Food. Right. I need to get some food or I'll starve… or go crazy from chocolate withdrawal—why does no one understand that's really a thing?
"Aya-chan?" It's called the silent treatment. Heard of it?
I walk through the busy streets, making my way to the market. This isn't my usual time for shopping, but I can't bring myself to care. I don't even have my shopping bag—that means I'm either going to have to buy another one, or make my way home, get my bag, make my way all the way back, and still have this rash of a woman stuck to me… new bag it is.
My first stop is an odds and ends stand. I peruse the bags selection—don't want a purse, don't want a handbag… shopping trolley?
That could work. And it's thirty-six hundred Ryou! Not a bad price. I get one of the workers' attention and I try to haggle the price down even more—I have no emotional attachment to them, so what do I care? And I get them to drop it to three-thousand even! Worth it.
So, with my new trolley being tugged along behind me, I stroll deeper into the market, over into the perishable goods section—mostly by following my nose. I get to my favourite chocolate wares dealer—he has other merchandise, but nothing I care about. I get my chocolate bars, my mousses, some muffins—all the chocolaty goodness my black little heart can indulge on.
With that handled, I pass by a food stall. I take six orders of takeout—two rice, two noodles, two curry rice, all with some meats and veggies. After that it's the greengrocer. I get my cherries, some apricots… hmm, they have peaches, and they're on sale. Couldn't hurt. I get two more cartons of peaches as well.
"You need more vegetables in your diet." Someone is feeling helpful—and gets ignored for it. With my haul paid for and stowed in my brand new trolley, I move on. Hmm. I'm running a bit low on teas. "And why don't you have seasonings in your apartment? Don't you cook?"
Tea. Let's see. They have chamomile, oolong, rooibos, some funny fruity variants, lemon grass—all properly prepared and dried for ease of storage and use. I hate oolong—too bitter and frothy. I can relax well enough on my own, so chamomile is out. Rooibos is nice and sweet—if lightly sweet. I think I'll take the lemon grass and rooibos. Perfect. I take a tin of each and pay the worker for it.
With the basics dealt with, I—
"What about rice? And why do you get takeout?"
ANNOYING! And noisy!
I go to the book stand, going through the selection. Romance novels… none I haven't read. Historically accurate fiction—cute from time to time, but still none I haven't read. Non-fiction? No thank you, life sucks enough as it is. Cookbook? Me and stoves don't get a—
"You should get that one. Learning to cook is important." Are you still here?
Tourist guides to—
"You know you love reading. And you love eating. So why not combine the two and get a book on food?"
Tourist guides to—
"You know I'm not going away. So ignoring me is just making this harder on yourself than it has to be."
TOURIST GUIDES TO—
"And while we're on the subject. Why don't you have any pots, pans, plates, or basically anything you need in your cupboards?"
"My, my, Aya-chan. It almost sounds as if you're living out of your suitcase," the stall worker butts in. I've been coming to this stand for years, and she's barely ever gotten a word out of me. She still tries every time I come. "She's right, you know. You need to make a house a home if you're ever going find yourself a nice young man."
That's ni—
"And what about getting a bookshelf. You have your books in a pile on the floor."
I groan, glaring up at the heavens as I wordlessly ask why I'm stuck with that one.
"Hmm?" The stand worker can't seem to make sense of that. I glare at her, warning her to mind her own business. "You've been coming here for some time now, Aya-chan. Tell me, what are you looking for?"
I agree, getting down to business is more effective. "Knowing her, she's looking for books she hasn't read." Okay, little miss helpful. Kindly shut the hell up!
"I see. Yes, that sounds about right. Still the little bookworm that devoured her parents' library," the stall worker gushes. As a book stand owner, I'm sure she shares my love for literature. "Why don't you pass by my son's store then? He has a much wider selection. And he has shinobi books as well?" She's looking at my headband as she says that last part. Hmm. Couldn't hurt.
8-8
"I'm getting you this." And I'm ignoring you, Hyuuga. "And you should get this as well." Shutting up is still an option. "And why not get this?"
Walking away from her, I stroll deeper into the bookstore. She's going absolutely batshit crazy in the cookbook section. And she can do that well enough on her own—I'm not needed for that. I go over into the romance section, finding… hmm? Ronin, by Kouzuki Urabe? Hmm, he's a really good author. Definitely going with this one.
There's also another book that intrigues me. In her arms, by Maeda Hisa. I take it out, looking at the cover art. A woman wrapping her arms around another woman from behind? Could be interesting—reading about how stupid guys can be in a relationship does get old, fast.
Taking my two choices, I go to another row. The erotica section? Thanks, but I'll pass. Those books are all the same—guys with fifty inch junk, and women with IQs in the lower fifties falling for jackasses that treat them badly, but know how to play their body.
Going over another row, I find myself in the… why are the shinobi section and the erotica section so close together? Whatever.
I peruse the titles. Introduction to chakra—read it at least twenty times. Unusual jutsu styles, by Uchiha Sadana—could be interesting. Genjutsu made easy, by Yuuhi Kurei—I am more of an illusions type, so I take that. The magic of the elements, by Sarutobi Sakurai—couldn't hurt.
The sound of silence, by… author unknown. That's weird. It's in plastic, so I can't check inside to see what it's about. And the blurb isn't helping any.
Though an unusual style, Sound-release is rather handy. Like it, or don't. I like it.
Well. I'll be bored this week with nothing going on. So, why not? I take that as well. This should be interest…ing…?
"You should get this one as well," Hyuuga grabs three books, but I don't check which. I roll my eyes walking to the counter with my purchases, dragging my trolley behind me as I balance the books as best I can.
"Oi! I'm dragging you to the blacksmith after this!" I ignore her once again, unconcerned with whatever she hopes to achieve.
"Well, well. Little Namiki Aya, what a surprise!" The man behind the counter seems to know me. He probably recognizes me because I look so much like mama—I hear that all the time. I ignore him for the most part, making sure he gets my books checked. I run the numbers in my head, finding that he screwed up and give me twice the discount he should—I'm not correcting that.
"So how's your parents doing these days? I swear, running a store is little different than being a hermit sometimes." Ignoring that, I fish out the exact change and pay him. "Oh, hey. Have you seen Naruto-kun around lately? It's kinda strange seeing you without him chasing after you."
Yeah, I'm not commenting on that either. "You know—"
Monologues. Why does no one understand I don't like to talk?
I bow to the man, thanking him wordlessly, and tu—
"Hold your horses, missy. I just need to get these paid for," Hyuuga all but demands. I didn't ask for you to follow me, you know. I start carefully arranging my books in the trolley, trying not to crush anything under their weight—that it's also giving her a moment is purely coincidental.
"Oh, you haven't heard? Miwako-sensei died almost seven years ago."
"A-ah… and here I was going on and on about her and Satsuma. Aya-chan, I'm so…"
I push the door open, leaving without another word. Unfortunately, the door is on one of those slow-close mechanisms. "She's taking it as hard as I expected. Miwako was her whole world. Please, Hitomi-san. Let me know if there's anything my family can do for her?"
8-8
I walk home. I don't know what Hyuuga wants to do. I don't care what she wants to do. I'm done dealing with people today. Once I'm inside, I lock the door and set about putting everything away. The fridge is looking happy and full, so I won't complain too much.
With the food stuff put away, I fish out the books I bought, setting them on the growing tower of books against the wall. The door starts unlocking itself. Hyuuga no doubt wants to prove a point. Still, best to prove my own.
I go into the cupboard, taking one of my tantos. I unsheathe it slowly, waiting for that one to make her move. The door swings open. I—
"Aya! A hand!" There's an urgency in Hyuuga's voice that I sets me on edge. I look around the door, from where I was planning on ambushing her. A mop of blonde hair, matted with blood.
There's a thud, likely Hyuuga dropping the bag she's been carrying. My eyes only care about Uzumaki. What the hell happened? He never leaves his house the day after something major happens. His headband is covered in blood as well, as is most of his face.
I drop the tanto, uncaring where it falls. Rushing into my bathroom, I grab a few shirts and throw them into the sink. I turn on the water and drench them, before taking one and rushing back out to check on him. I wipe his face, grateful the blood comes off quickly and doesn't reveal any weeping wounds.
Over and over, I wipe away the worst of it. When the shirt is all but useless, I go into the bathroom and toss it into the washing machine. I grab another shirt and turn off the faucet, rushing back out to my patient.
It takes almost fifteen minutes, and another three shirts, but I get him clean. I see not so much as one cut still open, but there are a lot of pink slits decorating his face and chest—new skin. Hmm? I don't understand it, but I don't need to.
"Let's get him in my futon. He needs his rest," I demand. She doesn't fight me, luckily. I go ahead, pulling back the sheets and moving out of the way so she can lay him down. I cover him, tuck him in, and check him over one last time—just to be safe.
I open his eyes one at a time, glad to see his pupils dilate almost instantly. No obvious signs of a concussion or cerebral contusion.
"I'm sorry. I didn't trust taking him to Konoha General," Hyuuga murmurs, regret obvious in her tone. "I don't trust them. Not with him."
"It's fine," I assure her. "But I'm no medic. Someone needs to check him."
"I'll report in. There's one person alive I can swear blindly would take care of him." Then why didn't you take him straight there? Whatever.
8-8
I spend the next hour reading. Genjutsu made easy is quite an interesting book—and I'm already loving the theory it explains. I keep my vigil near Uzumaki, but far enough away to allow for him to get up without feeling threatened, if it comes to that.
His breathing is regular, peaceful. I'm grateful for that. And it's so quiet here that I can hear his heartbeat, if I really focus.
The door swings open, no doubt Hyuuga is back with whoever this person is that she trusts. I sniff, smelling dogs and two women. "Aya?"
"In here," I call back, turning the page. Ooh, Demonic Illusion – Hell Viewing jutsu! It explains what to focus on, how to mould the chakra, and what you can prep the genjutsu with. This is interesting. I mark the page, closing the book—I'm trying that one later.
"Inuzuka Hana, Namiki Aya. The brat you already know." I study the gentle features, the long brown hair captured in a ponytail. The typical red fang like tattoos on her cheeks. And that she smells like Inuzuka from my old class doesn't help—he was insufferable.
Inuzuka doesn't bother with me, she goes right to her patient. Her hands glow green, her three dogs lining up behind her to keep her safe—as wise tactic. I sniff, deciding these three dogs are brothers—they smell too much alike to be anything else. They seem to be purebreds as well, given they look so much alike—half-breeds have far more variation from dog to dog. Their backs and heads are covered in dark grey fur, but their undersides have almost a silvery white fur.
I can't identify the specific breed, but they're about the size of a Labrador Retriever.
"Hmm. Are you sure he was injured? I'm not finding anything," Inuzuka announces. I sigh, relieved. I don't know what's going on, but if she says nothing's wrong, I'm willing to accept this as a stroke of luck. A pair of black eyes takes me in. "Did you do anything?"
"No." I open my book, figuring there's nothing that needs my immediate attention.
"You're… Namiki Satsuma's girl." Yeah. Medic knowing papa. I'm so shocked. Back to Hell Viewing. Let's see what secrets this low ranked jutsu kept from me this long.
"She's been studying her dad's medical textbooks," Hyuuga once again sticks her nose where it doesn't belong. "I'm half convinced she'll take up the healing arts."
"Interesting. Well, if she needs a tutor. I might be able to spare some time." That's nice. Silence is nicer, though.
"And a Namiki. You… yeah. I'd definitely take you as a student, when you're ready." Noted. "So anyway. Naruto-kun shouldn't have any long-term problems from his injuries. He may need some Fucidin, but given those cuts you brought me here to deal with are already closed, any zink oxide cream would do. He might opt to skip it, knowing him. It's mostly precautionary, anyway."
"Any idea how he got this messed up?" I was here, so no. Sorry.
"No clue, Doc. I found him crawling through a side alley and dragged him here."
"Well, you may want to bring him to T&I. Yamashiro Aoba owes me a favour, so if he mindwalks Naruto, we should know…" I look up, wondering why she trailed off like that. Hyuuga is giving her an incredulous look. Something to do with the Nine-tails, no doubt. "Good point. Well, just ask him. Something's got to give."
"Alright. Thanks. I'll report the incident at the Tower. We'll see what Hokage-sama has to say about this." I fight the snort, knowing nothing will come of it—per the norm.
The pair of them leave together—Hyuuga locking the door behind her. Silence returns. Sweet, sweet solitude.
8-8
Another three hours pass. Nothing to be heard but the gentle scraping of pages being turned, and the easy breathing of a still unconscious blond. I find it to my liking.
Already I have the steps memorised for sixteen gentjutsus I want to try, but I'm not in any position to try them. Not yet. I need to work on my chakra control first. Don't get me wrong, I'm decent. But 'decent' isn't a word mama and papa would ever tolerate from their only child.
"Nnnnnn," blondie complains, stirring in my futon. I turn the page, wondering when he's going to notice his surroundings. I start reading up on the theory of Demonic Illusion – Tree Bind Death, a B-Rank genjutsu.
"Where… am I?" he murmurs.
"You're safe," I drone, not looking up from the gorgeous theory I can't wait to put into practice. It seems I need to saturate the ground with the moulded chakra, using the earth itself as a weapon against my victims. "You're in my apartment."
Turning the page again, I find three related genjutsus explained—each a type of paralysis technique.
"Well, at least it's you," he murmurs, his voice weighed down with something. I can't tell what.
"Come, you need to eat," I say, dog-earing the page and closing my book. I set it aside, already moving into my living room, into the kitchenette. While I'm busy rummaging through my fridge, taking out some takeout and the last pack of lychees—I should have known I was almost out—I hear hesitant shuffling in the other room growing louder.
Blondie makes his way over, plopping down to my low table without a word just as I turn the water cooker on.
I bring the lychees to the table, setting them down. "You got into a fight. And you lost," I drone. He nods, not bothering to deny it. "Your taijutsu sucks. Worst in the class."
He looks away, hating how well I know his record. "Why did you leave your apartment?"
"The old man called me in," he mutters.
"Ah." The water is boiling, so I go and make a pot of tea. I set the pot and two cups onto the table, pouring for Uzumaki, then myself. It'll be too hot, but it should cool in time. So I go into another cupboard, grabbing two bowls—one larger than the other. I set them both on the counter, pouring hot water into the bigger one, before setting the smaller one into it.
With that handled, I grab two boxes of takeout, emptying one of them into the bowl to warm up. It'll take longer this way, but it's fine.
I go back to the table, sitting down and sipping my tea as I grab a few lychees. "Your apartment is across the hall. If you want to leave, I won't stop you."
Stuffing two of the succulent fruits into my mouth at once, I ignore the wide-eyed doe he's impersonating. With nothing better to do, I grab another lychee, sipping my tea.
"Aren't you gonna ask what happened?"
"I just did," I set my teacup down, sucking in another lychee, "but if you have more to say, I'm willing to listen."
"It doesn't matter."
"Then don't bring it up." Another two lychees enter my mouth, the sweetness swimming into every nook and cranny, flirting with my taste buds. "Your tea will get cold."
Ten minutes pass without an utterance from either of us. I go get the bowl with the now warm takeout, grabbing a pair of chopsticks to go with it. I set them down in front of Uzumaki.
"Eat."
Sitting back down, I study him as he shovels it all in. His eyes droop slightly—world-weary eyes that strike a familiar chord with me. His motions are mechanical, needful only because I tell him so. He's depressed again. He's been slipping deeper and deeper into this latest depression. It isn't hard to tell, and it's not like I don't know every plausible sign pointing to this silent killer.
When the bowl's empty, I give him a moment to drink his tea before I get on his case. "Good. Get up."
I move over to an empty section of the room, where I usually train. He doesn't move. "Your taijutsu needs work. Get over here."
"Wha… buh…"
"Sometime today, Uzumaki."
8-8
"Honey, I'm home!" Sigh. Hyuuga, you don't live here. "Oh. Looks like someone's up. And training, too!" Yes, thank you for noticing. Now stop distracting him!
Uzumaki throws a sloppy right punch. I knock his punch off course with my right elbow, bringing him closer to me, then I knee him in the gut. "Oof!"
Don't get sloppy, Uzumaki. I'll notice.
"Again." He throws a proper punch this time, breathing hard as he strikes my elbow. Better. I throw a punch at him, and he elbows it. "Again."
We go back and forth, trading punches for elbows to toughen up his fists and elbows. I'd done this training since I could walk, so it's not doing anything for me.
"I got you some pots and pans. And dishes. And more chopsticks. And teacups. And bowls." Sigh. Just shut up, Hyuuga. You're distracting him.
"Break," I order when he flinches. It's not like Hyuuga is going to shut the hell up anyway. "Better."
"Heh. Thanks, Aya-chan." He rubs the back of his head, grinning bright as the sun. I wave it off. "Say, you're pretty good. How come you aren't top kunoichi?"
"Because I have nothing to prove." I go back into my room grabbing The sound of silence. I've done enough reading on genjutsu for one day. Time to spice it up a bit.
"Oh, Aya-chan? Hana gave me some scrolls for you to study. Medical theory, and the first chakra control exercise. She did say you should learn tree-walking and water-walking before trying it, though. So I'm taking you down later to work on that with you." Hmm. Maybe having Hyuuga-san around won't be that bad.
"Sounds good." I sit down to the low table, setting the new book in front of me and opening it up to the introduction.
"I want to see how good you are with those blades of yours. And I want to see how far you've come with taijutsu, seeing as you feel confident enough to teach Naruto-kun that style." Whatever.
"Huh? What style is she teaching me?" Uzumaki pesters Hyuuga-san as she's washing the dishes she bought.
"It's called Muay Thai. It's a Namiki style that her mother taught her since she could walk. She didn't happen to teach you to incorporate blades, did she?" Is that last part for me or for him?
"Y… your mom's style?"
I ignore them, going over what this 'author unknown' has to say about an obscure style. Hmm. Sound-release is best known for combining with genjutsus? That sounds like something I will enjoy learning.
"Yeah. Miwako-sensei was really a hardass. She wouldn't accept anything but perfection. Aya-chan's no doubt the same." That's nice. But it's also distracting when I'm trying to read.
Turning to the index, I find that the first section of the book is dedicated to combining sound-release with genjutsus. Interesting. I turn to chapter one, already going through the details of how to infuse any sound I make with chakra, and using said chakra to induce a genjutsu.
"By the way, little miss stubborn. I took the liberty of going to the blacksmith for you. Seeing as you're already studying that sound-release book, I figure you're gonna need a weapon you can combine with it." That's nice, but it doesn't help me to understand what they mean by 'saturating the effective area with the sequential chakra'. So please be quiet.
"So what'd you get her?!" Noisy!
I glare at the pair of them, warning them that I'm losing my patience.
"A few things. Twin battle fans, a flute, gloves to protect her delicate little hands, and poisons to coat her blades with. You won't be allowed to work with those poisons until you've either built up an immunity, or have the antidote on hand." Yeah, yeah. Shut up already.
"Oh, and I got you some scrolls with taijutsu styles for the fans and flute. So you'll have more than enough to entertain yourself with."
Hmm, so if I flood my vocal chords with the moulded chakra for a genjutsu, I essentially cast a genjutsu through soundwaves? That's cool. There's even a simplified E-rank genjutsu here—Soothing Touch jutsu? It's so simple!
All I have to do is mould the chakra, focusing the command 'show something that soothes' into it! Alright. I'm trying this later. After that, I'm working on that Hell Viewing jutsu.
"I don't get it," Uzumaki mutters.
"I've got a mission. I leave in the morning." I ball my fist. Those words. Always those words. Before she leaves, she'll promise she'll be back. And it's a hit or miss—will she, or won't she.
"When are you getting back?"
"A few weeks. Maybe longer, if things drag out." Yeah. Then, if she gets back, she'll be a mess for a few days. Nightmares will wake her up at all hours of the night. If she's lucky she won't have any major injuries—that only takes longer to get over. "Aya. You know where to find the Inuzuka main house?"
"No." Just because she offered, doesn't mean I'm taking her up on it.
"Alright." Ah, sweet sil— "Let's go. I'm going to show you. And I'm bringing you by another person I can trust to keep an eye on you."
A growl leaps up from my throat, my lips creasing into a snarl as I glaring daggers into her, my head tilting forward. I feel my whole body tensing, readying itself to pounce at the slightest provocation.
"Don't give me that. I told you I'm not taking any chances. I won't be here. So I'm making sure you have someone while I'm gone."
8-8
KNOCK-KNOCK!
"Yoshino-san! I hope I'm not interrupting anything!"
Why am I here? I should be training, or studying, or maybe just reading. I don't know. I should be doing something. But being dragged into the Clans' District, onto what can only be Nara lands, given I smell deer. What does any of this have to do with me?
The door swings open. "Ah, Hitomi-chan! And you brought Aya-chan and Naruto-kun with you. How lovely to see you again after all these years."
A tall woman with long, black hair stands there. Her ebony eyes take us in, smiling brightly, even though her lips barely crease upwards. She's wearing a deep burgundy housedress with an apron—and she smells of a warm meal being cooked. There's also… something else. Something familiar. Not only that she smells like Nara-san from our class, but… something from back then. Hyuuga is no doubt trying to coin me off on another of mama's old friends—the friends that didn't bother to piss on me since mama died.
"Oh, where are my manners. I'm Nara Yoshino." She steps back, swinging the door open further and beckoning to us. "Won't you please come in?"
Hyuuga gently places her hand on my shoulder, nudging me into the house. In her touch I can almost feel her begging me to be on my best behaviour—or is that my imagination? I sigh, walking in ahead of her, into the…
Sniffing, this whole place smells like… a home. The wooden floor was recently oiled. The walls and sparse furnishings are tidy and dust free. Yet there's an air… a soul of a family living here. I smell that three people live here. Nara Shikamaru from our class doubtlessly is one of them.
Nara leads us to a long low table, inviting us to sit. "Tea will only be a moment," she assures us.
I plop onto the ground, staring at an uninteresting spot on the table. I can't believe I agreed to this. Being carted off into some perfect stranger's house just because Hyuuga can't accept that I'm just fucking dandy on my own.
"A… Aya-chan?" I groan, my eyes rolling up into my head. Yamanaka Ino. Of all the people to run into. "And Naruto-kun? What are you guys going here?"
I glare at Hyuuga, letting that be my only answer. "I… I don't understand. Aya-chan, I spent the last two weeks begging for you to hang out with us!"
My hand shoots up, massaging my temples to ease the migraine I know is coming. Now that Hyuuga knows that, she'll no doubt pester me until she gets EVEN MORE out of me.
"Hey, Ino-chan! What's up?!" Good boy, Uzumaki. Sic 'er!
"Oh, hey, Naruto-kun. Seriously, though. Why are you guys here? And with a branch member of the Hyuuga clan, too?"
"Sorry about this, Yamanaka-san. I'm Hyuuga Hitomi. Aya's mom was my sensei, so I'm kinda barging in on her life when she wants it least." She's honest, if nothing else. "But I'm going to be out on a mission for a few weeks, and I don't want this little firecracker to be on her own. You wouldn't mind keeping—"
"Hyuuga."
"Keeping an eye on her for me, would you?" she finishes, stubborn as an ox.
"Of course not! Like I said, I've been pestering her for two whole weeks! You being here is a kami-send!"
I stand, already making for the door.
"Aya-chan. Tea's ready." That's nice, Nara. "Please sit down. I also have some snacks in the oven, though they won't be ready for a while yet. I hadn't expected you three so soon."
I turn to Hyuuga, glaring at her. I see her wordlessly begging me to stay, to play nice for a little longer. "I don't play house, Hyuuga," I drone.
"I'm not asking you to. I'm asking you to sit down with me, so I can introduce you to your mother's classmate," she pleads. "Please, Aya-chan. For me." She pats the empty spot beside her.
Nara sets her things on the table, her gaze instantly shifting to me. "It's alright, Aya-chan. I know this is a bit much for you right now."
A bit much? I get someone barging into my life and making every decision for me. Someone who warned Kitou about every trick I have up my sleeve. Someone that keeps breaking into my apartment, and doesn't seem to care about the legality of that. And someone that is now dragging me into someone else's house that didn't give two shits about me.
This is Twilight Zone level too much, okay!
Nara strolls over to me, stopping just shy of my personal bubble. "It's alright." She offers her hand, like I'm some lost puppy needing a sniff of her.
"Cute," I drone. I smelled her half way across the room.
"Sorry… old habit. You hated me touching you before you got a smell of me," she soothes. "May I have a hug?"
"No."
She opens her arms wide, her eyes warm and welcoming. "Please? I know you miss hugs the most, Aya-chan."
I walk over to Hyuuga, plopping down beside her and leaving Nara and her undesirable touching fetish to sort itself out.
"Ino-chan? Please do me a favour," Nara seems unaffected. Hyuuga's arm wraps around my shoulder, pulling me deeper into her warmth. I sigh, shaking my head in dismay. "Don't try to touch her without her permission. Namikis are practically wolves. They don't like being touched by anyone not of their pack."
She isn't saying that for Yamanaka-san. She's saying that so I'll know she understands. I know this game well.
The look in Yamanaka-san's eyes tells me she's filing that away. She's curious what else she doesn't know about me, what else she feels she needs to know about me. Being of the Yamanaka clan, she no doubt has an incessant urge to understand the people around her—all things regarding the mind are their bread and butter, after all.
"Alright, auntie. May I join you?"
"Please do, sweetie."
Lovely.
8-8
Hyuuga's teacup is set on the table, the last of the snacks having already been devoured and now washed down. Knowing exactly what's coming, I lay my head in Hyuuga's lap, hoping to block the worst of it out.
"Yoshino-san. As I explained on the phone, I will be leaving tomorrow for a few weeks. However, Aya-chan has been purposely dist—"
I pinch her thigh, refusing to let her air my dirty laundry.
"She's battling depression," Nara finishes. "I remember the signs, Hitomi-san. I know what it means." Lovely.
"I won't be able to keep an eye on her. That's why—"
I pinch her thigh even harder. Shut up already!
"Aya-chan? Would you like to come here while Hitomi-chan is away?"
"No." Hyuuga combs through my hair with her fingers, trying to sooth me in any way she can. She's probably hoping for some kind of different response.
"Aya-chan, please," comes the predictable begging. "Do you really want me worrying about you while…?"
Stupid tears.
Stupid emotions.
Neither ever did me any good, not unless it was to manipulate people. So why…? Why is this idiot that can't understand I don't need her… why does the thought of her getting hurt… of her getting ki… why is it affecting me so strongly?
"I'm sorry, Aya-chan. I didn't mean to say it like that." She scratches my scalp, trying to calm me down. That I'm gripping her pant leg so tight my fingers are turning white might have tipped her off. "Please. I'm not asking for much. Just come here during the day, spend some time with Yoshino-san and her family. Please."
I shake my head, no. I don't want to be around people, Hyuuga! I hate being around people. People only ever hurt you, or die on you.
Her hand caresses my cheek, wiping away my tears. I look up at her, seeing those seemingly soulless white eyes gazing down on me. I feel her heart aching for me. I… I don't understand. I just don't understand.
"Please?" she begs, her touch trembling with the fears sweltering within her. I… I don't want this weighing on her. If she isn't focused… if she gets distracted even for a moment… she'll… she might…
I sigh, more tears cascading down. I sigh, tired and worn out. I nod.
"Thank you." I sigh yet again, hating that I'm giving into her so often. "Yoshino-san. She's starting her medical training. She has the scrolls she needs, but needs someone to help her with tree- and water-walking. She's also been reading up on genjutsus and I gave her some scrolls on two unique fighting styles. She also needs a scroll to teach her how to play the flute, the blacksmith I went to didn't have one. I know it's a lot to ask, but if you could assist her in any way?"
"Of course, Hitomi-san. I'll do what I can. For her and Naruto-kun." Whatever.
8-8
End Chapter 2
8-8
A/N: The thing with stories that haunt me? They compel me to write.
