Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. I use ideas from Deja vu no Jutsu and Inoue Shiori with the author's permission.
Beta'ed by Kyrie Twilight
A/N: Hello! Here's the long awaited meeting between Aioka and the Hokage! Plus a peek into Aioka's awkward side =D
Oversights: Part 2
Mouse wasn't sure what to feel or what to think about this situation.
She had been shadowing Shigako Duzo for the better part of four hours, and her already crumbling view of the Genin Corp was thoroughly shattered.
Nothing about the common views of the Genin Corp was true. These kunoichi and shinobi were talented, efficient, and dedicated. Nothing like what the regular ranks portrayed them as.
In the few hours she had spent in the Enforcers office, Mouse had discovered why the civilians hadn't been bothering the Missions Desk with petty issues in several years: Teams of Scout/Runner or Scout/Clerks wandered the civilian sectors all day. Their mere presence was enough to discourage the worst crimes and provided the civilians easy access to Konoha's shinobi and kunoichi if they needed a mediator. If a crime did occur, civilians did not have to look far for help.
When an Enforcer team's shift ended, they reported to one of the Clerks stationed in the Enforcer office. Mouse wondered if Ibiki had any idea of the proverbial gold mine the Genin Corp was for budding Intelligence Officers. These Scouts picked up on the subtlest changes in the civilians.
One reported a widow's change in perfume and how that meant that the woman was finally ready to start looking for a new husband. The honest relief on the reporting Genin's face spoke of how much they cared about this widow. Actually, all the Genin seemed to genuinely care for the civilians they reported on.
Not all the reports were pleasant, though. Several reported worsening conditions of families who had an abusive member, be it father to family, mother to children, or a child to an elder parent. The Clerks who took those reports would issue orders to help defuse the situation or direct the team to report directly to Duzo for instructions if the situation was life threatening.
Domestic abuse wasn't rampant, but Mouse was startled by how close the Genin Corp kept an eye on it. The level of scrutiny seemed very invasive, and she wondered why the Corp thought it necessary.
Satisfied that she had enough information to give a basic report, Mouse wandered the HQ. She sat in on lessons, read whatever files were left in empty offices, and slipped in and out behind Genin in the Records Hall to pass the time. There was a lot to see and not enough time to get details.
Out in the village, Ferret was witnessing the relations between civilians and the Career Genin first hand. Subtle things told the ANBU how much the civilians trusted the Career Genin. For one, the civilians children wandered freely, and none of the women seemed concerned. Not a single person flinched when the Genin came near to them. Ferret could recall times when he had walked through the civilian district and people would move away with wary awe.
Genin greeted anyone and everyone as they went about their missions, cheerfully talking as they worked or politely ending a conversation so they could continue their mission. They never dismissed anyone, even if they were clearly in a hurry.
The Genin did not take to the roof tops unless a mission required it; preferring to move among the masses, and freely demonstrating chakra use when children asked them to. Both things were not the norm. The more Ferret watched, the more the man wondered at the familiarity everyone seemed to have with each other.
The current team he was following never failed to greet a vendor, child, merchant, or cripple by their name. Just as every civilian knew each Genin by name. Ferret wasn't sure why he was so surprised by this, but it struck him as odd. Shinobi and civilians had alway been somewhat segregated. Both because civilians feared shinobi and because shinobi were easily irritated by civilians. They were too different to truly get along; or had been at one time. Was the segregation there because shinobi didn't put out enough effort to educate their civilian families?
These civilians didn't seem to have any issues with the Genin. It was something to look into later.
Falling back to the Genin HQ, Ferret and Mouse made their way back to ANBU headquarters to compare notes and compile a report for their Hokage.
A:CG
Hiruzen idly passed his thumb over the wood of his pipe as he thought over the Infiltrator's reports. Particularly, the ANBU's reactions in delivering the reports. It had not escaped his notice that the two were impressed by their finds. Their tones had been flat, but the words they chose gave away their feelings. They were curious, and curious ANBU led to nosy ANBU. Hiruzen would not be surprised if those same two ANBU decided to visit the Genin Corp during their off hours.
"How do you want to handle this, Hokage-sama?"
Hiruzen exhaled and brought his focus to the man he had summoned after he had read the ANBU's written reports. "Cautiously. Shojikina-san has served Konoha well by taking initiative and filling the void left by the Uchiha, but she is also an unknown." Hiruzen handed the Genin Corp's Exam petition and Shojikina's personal file over his desk. "I will allow two of the Genin Corp Teams to participate and allow her to represent them among the other Jonin-senseis."
Morino Ibiki set aside the ANBU report Hiruzen had been thinking about and scanned the document once before reading the personal file carefully. "What of her title?"
"Ferret mentioned seeing an official Certificate of Rank in her office. It appears legitimate but lacks my signature. After the first Exam, I will make time to speak with her. She will pay a visit to T&I, one way or another. The manner of visit will depend on the results of our conversation."
Ibiki acknowledged his Hokage's warning with a slight nod, mentally adding the woman's visit to an already large list of things that needed to be done during the Exams.
"I will have the teams monitored during the Exams; I assume you will allow her to choose which two will participate."
Hiruzen quirked a small smile. Ibiki knew him well. "Yes. Do you have an hour to spare, Ibiki-san? I would appreciate a second pair of eyes while I speak with Shojikina-san about the Exam."
Ibiki gave his Hokage a dry look for the needless inquiry. He was just as curious as Hiruzen was about the woman. "I'll manage."
Hiruzen smirked at the quip. There was only a handful of Shinobi he allowed to speak to him with such familiarity, and Ibiki had earned it a long time ago. The scars on his body were a testament to the trials he had endured to earn that privilege.
After sending orders to his secretary to summon Shojikina, Hiruzen and Ibiki relaxed and spoke of idle things while waiting. Ibiki shared several humorous mishaps that occurred in his division, and Hiruzen told about his grandson's latest attempts at claiming the title of Hokage. Both were relaxed when the Secretary announced the Career Genin's arrival.
The woman that walked in was startlingly understated. Her appearance was the kind that could easily get lost in a crowd, neither too handsome, nor too plain. Ibiki appreciated the image she presented. At first glance, the woman was nothing special, but that same 'nothing special' was what impressed the professional interrogator the most because it was that posture that hid the sharp intelligence the woman possessed.
"Hokage-sama, Morino-sama, good-afternoon."
Both men noted their guests' lack of nerves and the manner she addressed them. This was a woman who respected people of authority, but was not intimidated by them.
"Welcome, Shojikina-san, please sit."
She spends a lot of time with Nara's, Ibiki noted as the woman complied with the Hokage's invitation. Her posture falling similarly to that of the shadow using clan.
None of her movements was wasted, and all were silent, the mark of a shinobi who knew what it meant to be vigilant. A very curious thing for a supposed Career Genin when they weren't supposed to receive missions that would teach that kind of awareness.
If the woman's file hadn't had documentation of her years in Konoha's Academy, Ibiki would immediately say she was anything but a Career Genin.
"Is your morning going well?"
If the woman was surprised by the following small talk, she gave no indication of it. There was a fearlessness in the way she gazed on both of them that was steadfast. The fearlessness wasn't arrogance, rather a quiet strength that intrigued the scarred man.
As the conversation moved smoothly through pleasantries, the woman's composure never became forced. She was honestly comfortable in their presence. It was a puzzle Ibiki wanted to unravel. It was unusual for people to be so unaffected by another's station in life. Especially, when the social gap was as large as it was between her and the Hokage. By all rights, Shojikina should be a bundle of nerves, merely because she was essentially a bug conversing with a god.
Ibiki was privately amused when the Hokage asked the kunoichi what she had been doing when his summons had come. The old man enjoyed discovering how he interrupted his shinobi's days.
"You seem to love your fellow Career Genin," the Hokage commented after Shojikina explained she had been giving some Genin pointers on chakra control.
A small smile crossed the woman's face, softening her focused features and alighting her eyes with pride. "I do. They have given me their all, just as I have. I am very proud of my Corp."
"Is that why you asked to allow them to participate in the Exams?"
The way the Hokage ignored the woman's blatant claim of the Genin Corp being 'hers' told Ibiki that he, too, had heard what the woman meant by that. She was not claiming that the Corp was no longer the Hokage's, but rather claiming it, as a sensei would claim a student.
"Partially, Hokage-sama." She seemed to steel herself when the old shinobi told her to explain. "I also did it to test the waters between myself and whoever would take notice."
Ibiki gazed at the suddenly uneasy woman. Brave: she was very brave to give them an opening like that. She was acknowledging her actions concerning the Genin Corp and giving them an invitation to interrogate her. Ibiki was simultaneously impressed and nonplussed by her potentially reckless bravery. The kind of character she was displaying was rare among a people who rewarded deception.
Taking the pipe from his mouth, Hiruzen slowly let the smoke escape his lungs. The young woman was certainly full of surprises. "Let's focus on the Exams, Shojikina-san. I have liked what I have seen and heard about you; we will speak more of your accomplishments at another time."
A flash in the woman's copper eyes made Hiruzen smile. The Career Genin was surprised by his temporary dismissal of her unspoken offer to speak about what her Corp had become.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." That simple sentence carried a myriad of meanings. It expressed more than just acceptance of the petition. It also covered thanks for allowing her to live. It seemed that the woman was fully aware of the potential consequences for her actions.
"I will allow two teams to participate. If they do well, I will consider allowing them in future Exams."
A smile lit the woman's face: restrained joy and thankfulness expressed in the gesture. "Thank you, Hokage-sama. Would you like to view their files and choose teams?" The way her eyes passed over his paperwork spoke of familiarity with such headaches and reluctance to add more to his already large pile.
"You know your peers better than I. Choose who you will. Their performance will be the deciding factor on the Corp's entrance to future Exams."
The woman nodded, masking the most obvious marks of excitement behind a neutral mask as she accepted six forms from the Hokage's hand.
"Have your Genin fill those out and bring them to the Exams. I will be announcing the dates in a few weeks."
The woman stood and bowed. "Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen smiled faintly. "I expect you to be there as well, Shojikina-san. It is traditional for the participating teams to have a sensei represent them throughout the Exams."
Copper eyes widened minutely in surprise. "I'd be honored, Hokage-sama. Am I to represent both teams, or would you like another to join me?"
"Just you, Shojikina-san. Since you are the Commander of the Genin Corp, I can justify your presence." He would acknowledge her illegitimate rank for now; she had served the title far better than her known predecessors.
With a few more words, he dismissed the woman and turned to Ibiki, who had been silent during the entirety of the exchange.
"She is complex, Hokage-sama. I will need more time to get a read on her," Ibiki stated in reply to his Hokage's silent demand for his opinion.
Hiruzen thought as much. Glancing at his desk, he mentally began preparing himself.
"Keep an eye on her. And look into her file," he tacked on, eyeing the thin file with annoyance. "It has several blanks."
Ibiki acknowledged his orders and left his Hokage to the bane of any person of rank: paperwork.
A:CG
That went surprisingly well. That was Aioka's thought as she knocked back some sake. Her hands trembled faintly as the reality of what she had just done, was finally acknowledged. She was not going to be handed over to T&I.
She had been suppressing her thoughts about this meeting since the first draft of the petition had been written. Now that it was over, she was overwhelmed with visions of all the different ways it could have gone wrong for her. Scenario after scenario passed through her mind's eye, bombarding her with emotions the images conjured.
What if the Hokage had ordered ANBU to toss her to T&I? What if they had tortured her for being a spy? What if the Hokage had taken offense to her overhaul of on of his divisions? What would happen if Naruto came back to her dead? What if? WHAT IF?
"Aioka-san?"
The Copper eyed Genin Commander released her head, having screwed her eyes shut and clenched her face in a useless attempt to fight off the visions, and wearily looked into the worried face of a brown eyed Chunin.
"Iruka-san," she rasped and cleared her throat. "Yes?"
Concern swam in the man's eyes as he took in her stressed state. "Are you okay?"
Aioka chuckled, feeling exhausted from the abrupt onslaught of emotion, vaguely aware that others in the most empty bar were watching her too: waiting to react if she got violent. She supposed it wasn't an uncommon thing for shinobi to have breakdowns in these places.
"I will be. Thank you for asking," she assured, straightening from her defensive huddle.
When she had left the Hokage Tower, she had entered the first shinobi only bar she found. She did not want her Corp to see her succumb to the stress she had silently endured, and she did not want to burden Ichika when Shikoru wasn't around.
I really need a friend, Aioka thought wearily, motioning the bartender to refill her empty shot glass.
"Would you like to talk about it?"
Aioka offered another small smile, "No," and hesitated. Umino Iruka was a kind man and very empathetic compared to most people. They hadn't spoken at any length since Naruto introduced them after his graduation. It wouldn't hurt to get to know him more.
Aioka reiterated her previous statement. "No, but I would not mind some company."
The Academy instructor smiled in understanding and tilted his head toward a table two other Chunin sat at. "We have room for a fourth."
When the woman had entered a few minutes ago, the entire bar went silent. The blank, yet panicked, expression in the unknown kunoichi's face was familiar to all of them. Many shinobi had come in here on the brink of losing it before and had been eased out of it by friends. The patrons had shared worried looks when no one immediately went to her. Usually the shinobi community was close knit, but no one seemed to know who she was. Iruka had finally stood when he realized he was the only one who even knew her to be a Career Genin.
"I," Aioka hesitated over the initial refusal on her lips. She really did not want to be alone right now, and these people did not require a leader, a daughter, or a sister. She could crumple for a moment. "I'd like that."
With somewhat jerky movements Aioka followed Iruka to his table.
"Kotetsu-san, Izumo-san, this is Shojikina Aioka of the Genin Corp. Aioka-san, these are Chunin Hagane Kotetsu and Kamizuki Izumo," Iruka introduced as he sat down, attempting to make this meeting casual. Formalities were the last thing the woman needed when she had been on the edge of a panic attack a moment ago. Luckily, Izumo and Kotetsu were laidback enough to not be offended.
"Hello Shojikina-san; call me Izumo. You look like hell."
Iruka winced and glared at his tactless friend but the quiet laugh beside him gave the sensei reason not to smack the other man.
"Not quite that bad, Izumo-san. I apologize for intruding."
The shaggy haired Chunin waved it off. "No worries. You're a Career Genin: how long have you been in service?"
For the next hour, the three Chunin talked to, or around the woman: allowing her to pull herself together but making sure she didn't retreat too deep into her own head. Gradually, Aioka felt calm enough to banish her chaotic thoughts.
"Thank you."
Iruka and his companions paused their debate on the order of the handsigns for some water-based jutsu, to smile at her. There was a distinct lack of fragility in the woman's eyes now.
"Do you want to talk yet?" Iruka offered kindly, aware of Izumo and Kotetsu's (as well as his own) curiosity over what had triggered her earlier reaction.
Aioka hesitated, studying the three men before her. What were they offering? Were they wanting gossip? Friendship? What? Ruthlessly Aioka shoved her thoughts down before they could spiral out of control again.
"I over think 'what if' scenarios and send myself into panics. That's what that was. I haven't had that happen in a few years and... yeah," Aioka trailed off, and flushed at how silly that sounded but that was the gist of it. Her imagination was a vivid thing. She could not put into words how easily her own mind could turn against her: with a barrage of images and emotions so potent they might as well be real. It made genjutsu very easy for her, but she developed an aversion for it after an incident in the Academy.
The three men seemed to struggle with amusement and disbelief. Aioka's blush deepened. "It's true," she defended.
Iruka took a breath, shunting his unhelpful amusement to the back of his mind. "How do you usually deal with it?"
Aioka lifted a shoulder, her blush intensifying a little. "Last time, I had my Tou-san around to talk me through it. I was thirteen," she explained quickly when she thought about how her statement could seem like she relied on her father a lot...or maybe she was overthinking her words again.
Iruka couldn't help the bemused chuckle that escaped him when Aioka covered her reddening face. This behaviour was completely different than what he had experienced at Naruto's place. Where did that well spoken, confident woman go?
A muffled voice came from behind the woman's hands, causing Iruka to chuckle again. "Say again, Aioka-san?"
The woman lowered her hands but kept her head down. "I'm sorry. I'm really, really not used to talking to people outside of a work situation."
"Don't have any girl friends to hang out with?" Izumo asked, vastly amused by the range of moods the woman was going through. However, he was not prepared for the negative shake of the Genin's head. "What? Why not?"
The woman gave him a glower, which was mostly ineffective because of her blush. "Because this," she motioned to herself, "happens."
Iruka was confused. "You seemed fine when we had dinner with Naruto."
Izumo and Kotetsu exchanged glances. Iruka took Aioka out to dinner with Naruto?
Aioka sighed. "We weren't focusing on me. That was about you and Naruto and I was just there as moral support."
Kotetsu leaned forward with a cheshire grin, deciding a change of topic was needed before the woman retreated from them. "So, what's this about Iruka taking you out to dinner?"
Iruka gave an indignant yelp at the change of subject but was pleased that Aioka seemed to relax from the gradual defensiveness his statement had caused.
"Do you need to tell me something, Iruka-san? I was under the impression Naruto invited us."
The woman's eyes twinkled with amusement, yet tension returned once her words were out. Was that too familiar? Would they take that wrong?
"Ohh, I like you Aioka-san." Izumo grinned, surprised by the woman's forwardness but pleased all the same.
"But seriously," Kotetsu cut in before his friend, and Chunin partner, could make further digs at Iruka. "You guys had dinner together?"
"Naruto wanted to have a family dinner. Since he considers me his nee-chan, and Iruka-san his nii-san, it was just us three," Aioka clarified.
"So no dating in the future?" Kotetsus grinned. Just because he would stop Izumo, didn't mean he wouldn't throw out his own digs.
Iruka grimaced. His friends were horrible. But they were doing well with distracting Aioka. The woman was horribly awkward interacting with them, constantly second guessing her words, but gradually started to relax when she wasn't rejected. Teased-oh yes, Izumo and Kotetsu teased both of them at every turn-but never rejected for her insecurities. It was incredibly interesting to see which topics induced confidence or uncertainty into her posture. Anything work related, or about other people, she was relaxed and easy; turn it back on her, and her opinions, she got uncertain. At first he thought she was trying to hide something about herself, but soon realized she genuinely did not know how to talk about herself. Almost as if she never had.
"Aioka-san, may I ask you something?" Iruka cut off Izumo from saying something potentially crude-the man had begun to poke at what topics were absolutely off limits to the woman and it was starting to get inappropriate.
For her part, Aioka took everything with good humour. After several hours of exposure to the three of them, she had a better grasp of what was acceptable. This was very nice.
"Of course." She got the feeling the Academy Sensei was about to ask something a little more personal to her than everything else that had been thrown at her, and braced herself accordingly.
"Have you ever simply talked like this before?"
Kotetsu and Izumo looked at their friend in surprise. Iruka was not usually that blunt or forward. Sure, they had been poking at the woman with some fairly out-there questions, but they had kept the inquires mostly impersonal.
Aioka pressed her lips together, inhaled, and sighed heavily. "No, Iruka-san."
The lack of friendships hadn't bothered her until recently. She was too busy with her Corp and teaching Naruto to be lonely. When she had been stressed out she would go visit her family in the Nara Compound, but that wasn't enough any more. She was lonely.
Glancing at the three men, Aioka felt a longing for more times like this; where she could simply sit and laugh, and tease. Times where she could just be Aioka and not anything, or anyone, else.
"Well, that isn't going to fly."Aioka started and leaned back when Izumo leaned across the table to put a finger in her face. "You are going to hang out with us and we will drag you if we must."
The other two nodded firmly, smiles on their faces when she stared at them in bewilderment.
"Okay?"
Iruka laughed out right at her astonished expression. "It's getting late, let me walk you home, Aioka-san."
Mildly confused over what had just happened Aioka paid her tab and followed obediently. Outside Izumo and Kotetsu said farewell, reminding Aioka that they would hunt her out if she didn't come find them soon.
"What just happened?"
Iruka smiled at the very confused tone his new friend used. "You just made some friends, Aioka-san."
Aioka reviewed her day as they walked. Wondering how she had went from surviving a meeting the Hokage to making friends. In the end she shrugged and enjoyed the silence between her and Iruka. Today had been a good day.