Daddy's Little Girl
By Inuyoshie
Chapter 14: Heels so High
"There's no protein in this at all," Kabuto announced, glaring at his toasted bagel.
"The cereal has milk in it," Orochimaru pointed out calmly from across the table. Kabuto glared at Orochimaru's bowl of Froot Loops and frowned.
"That's simply sugar coated cardboard in milk," he muttered.
"They are delicious," Orochimaru replied. Aya joined the table with a blueberry muffin on her dinky paper plate.
"And your breakfast is horrendous," Kabuto added to Aya.
"Whatever you freaking food Nazi," Aya muttered. "The lady said they ran out of eggs,"
"Che," Kabuto muttered, chewing on his bagel (and channeling Kanda).
"So." Orochimaru remarked after some eating. "This speech you said I need…"
"You shouldn't have one fully written out to read off of, but some notes and points would be a good idea. What kind of impression do you want to make?" Aya asked, keeping her tone careful and respectful.
"Strong." Orochimaru replied.
"Non-threatening," Kabuto added.
"Yes, I want them to know that I have control over America," Orochimaru stated.
"But that it's genuine, and that the people like you," Kabuto added. Orochimaru blinked.
"They do?" He asked. "Why do I need that?"
"Countries don't like to deal with dictators," Kabuto replied.
"Especially since dictators don't happen in America," Aya replied. "We Americans tend to discourage that kind of thing,"
Kabuto let out a snide snort, which Aya ignored. "My best advice," she said, "is to paint you as a hero, a hero that swept on in and rescued a struggling America,"
"A hero? Hm…" Orochimaru looked thoughtful.
"Heroes often become kings," Aya added.
"I shall do that," Orochimaru announced, drinking his orange juice in a determined manner. Aya smiled softly and regarded her muffin.
"That was a good idea," Kabuto agreed.
"Propaganda 101," Aya said. Orochimaru gave a nod.
"This should be easy," he remarked with satisfaction.
-/
Aya made it outside, enjoying the sunlight on the roof of their hotel with silent satisfaction. Her cell phone buzzed.
-Aya, you alive? (D)-
Aya blinked at her cell phone and typed back.
-Yes. D?-
-That's me. Got a report? (D)-
-Met the Boss-
-Opinions? (D)-
Creepy as hell. Gave him propaganda tips-
(Aya 3 her QUERTY keyboard)
-Hardcore. Broadcast it? (D)-
-Should I?-
-Yes. (D)-
-Okay. Will do-
-Love ya hon (D)-
-… O-o Gotta go. People coming- Aya snapped her phone shut and glanced up at Rachel who was approaching.
"There you are. Like your swimsuit?" she asked. Aya flushed.
"No, it showed off too much, " she complained. Rachel chuckled.
"I'll bet Mr. Yakushi didn't mind," she remarked with a smirk. Aya sighed. Rachel raised an eyebrow. "You don't like him, do you?"
"Nu uh," Aya shook her head.
"Not even a little?" Rachel prodded.
"You know how I am with boys," Aya replied.
"…actually, no I don't," Rachel remarked.
"Too much work," Aya informed Rachel.
"But they're worth it!" Rachel replied. Aya sighed. Rachel then grabbed Aya by the wrist.
"There's a gala tonight. We need to prepare," she stated seriously.
"W-what? We just went shopping yesterday! And we have until 5!" Aya stammered.
"Procrastination is for the weak," Rachel replied mercilessly. Aya sighed and was pulled along through the hotel. She caught a glimpse of Orochimaru talking to some creepy looking men in suits as Aya passed. Aya shrugged and stumbled after Rachel to her (Rachel's) car. A few minutes later, they were cruising off.
Rachel got a perm. Aya read some magazines. Rachel got her nails painted a bright red. Aya got per nails painted silver. Rachel found some smoky eye shadow shades for her and Aya. Lip stain, perfume, foundation, highlighting cream, cream to white n teeth, darken skin, push up breasts and remove leg hair were bought almost recklessly. Aya couldn't' feel her feet by the time she was dragged back to her hotel room to be primped for the part. She actually collapsed on the couch and passed out for an hour, only to be roused by a slightly concerned Kabuto.
"My my, what did Miss Mines do to you?" he asked.
"Shopping." Aya groaned, sitting up. "How much time do I have?"
"About an hour. I'll guess you need the bathroom?" Kabuto asked.
"Yeah," Aya nodded, getting to her feet and walking over to the bathroom with several bags. Kabuto sighed after her.
"Women are strange," he remarked.
"Yes, they are," Orochimaru remarked from behind Kabuto, having walked into the room silently. "Do you trust her?"
"Do I trust anyone?" Kabuto replied. Orochimaru smirked slightly. "I know how she thinks well enough that she won't betray me,"
"Excellent. She's not a shinobi though…"
"She could be if she wasn't so emotional. Her powers of observation are very sharp," Kabuto remarked. "And because she's so emotional, people are inclined to trust her.
"Hm.' Orochimaru nodded. "Female subordinates are tricky," he said, in an almost warning tone.
"Really?" Kabuto raised a brow. Orochimaru never before seemed to have problems with female subordinates.
"Yes." Orochimaru kept his advice at that. Kabuto sighed and glanced at the bathroom door again.
-/
The ballroom was absolutely huge. Elegantly dressed people swelled about the room, almost like a swarm of sparkling gnats. News reporters flitted around from spot to spot both inside and outside, interviewing people and snapping pictures. Kabuto and Orochimaru waited patiently in their limo, along with Kimmimaro and Tayuya.
"Where did you woman go?" Kimmimaro sneered at Kabuto.
"You have a woman? I thought you were fucking gay!" Tayuya remarked.
"Aya is my assistant, and she's riding in the vehicle with Miss Mines," Kabuto replied calmly.
"Huh. How boring," Tayuya complained. Kimmimaro rolled his eyes.
"They're in the car behind us, "Orochimaru remarked lazily.
"She seems damn nervous," Tayuya commented.
"No, that's Miss Mines," Kabuto corrected.
"Why are we talking about this?" Kimmimaro demanded irately.
"Jealous?" Tayuya smirked. Kimmimaro glared.
"It's time." Orochimaru said, straightening his tie slightly, the only sign of unease Kabuto could detect on the Sannin. Orochimaru opened the door smoothly and stepped out into a blinding sea of lights. Kabuto, Kimmimaro and Tayuya followed, sweeping into the ballroom silently, elegantly. Kabuto stayed close to Orochimaru, giving quick introductions as he glanced about the ballroom, keeping an eye out for Aya.
Politicians said pleasantries. Finely dressed women danced with Orochimaru (as well as Kabuto and Kimmimaro). The room was a dizzy rush and blur of people. Kabuto had a difficult time keeping track of everyone, since such parties didn't occur very often in shinobi villages. The feeling of thousands of different chakras brushing and squishing and suffocating Kabuto's was rather discombobulating.
And then, a familiar chakra. Kabuto turned and saw Aya walking over by him. She looked very nice, glittering in a slinky silver dress that dripped dancing fringes on softly tanned legs. Oh, and there was a feathered hat. Kabuto paid it little attention.
"You look nice," he commented, taking Aya's gloved hand.
"Thank you sir-"
"'Nice'? That's the best you can do?" a deep voice remarked as a hand pulled Aya away from Kabuto. "May I dance?"
"Um, sure…" was Aya's (very American) response. She glanced the man over quickly- he was a tall fellow with dark curly hair, dark skin and a monocle (but he didn't have a British accent, which confused Aya). "May I ask your name?"
"Sheryl Kamelot, Prime Minister of Portugal," the man replied. "Oh, and you can tell your boyfriend over there to stop sulking, I'm a married man,"
"Aya chuckled at that, reddening slightly.
"Oh he's not my boyfriend, he's my boss," she assured Sheryl. The man smiled widely as they danced.
"So, what is it like, in America?" Sheryl asked politely.
"It's great. Our economy is back on its feet and the people are all happy," Aya replied enthusiastically. To her, she felt there was a fake tone to her voice.
"Does money still grow on trees?" Sheryl commented with a dash of sarcasm.
"Why of course!" Aya replied with a smile. They both laughed easily.
The song ended and Sheryl deposited Aya near Kabuto, tipping an imaginary hat to the shinobi and wandering off.
"That was odd," Aya shrugged.
"Did you notice something strange about that man's chakra?" Kabuto asked.
"Strange? "Aya frowned, thinking. It did feel a little different, but not too different. Maybe vaguely familiar? It was probably just a minor variant that Kabuto was freaking out about. "Dunno, didn't really feel his chakra too much,"
"Hm." Kabuto murmured.
"I danced!" Aya added happily. "And I didn't step on his feet!"
"Amazing." Kabuto said deadpan, looking around. "Would you like to-"
"Aya! You have to introduce me to that hunk of a man you were dancing with!" Rachel ran over, cutting Kabuto off.
"You mean Kabuto?" Aya indicated to her boss.
"No no no, that European number!" Rachel shook her head. Kabuto raised a brow. "You're not my type,"
"Ouch" Aya winced. "That man was Prime Minister Kamelot.
"Ooh," Rachel lifted her brows. "Is he single?"
"Nope," Aya shook her head.
"Damn. Hope he has a brother or something," Rachel remarked wistfully. "I mean, damn…"
"Ahem." Kabuto interrupted the ogle fest. "Aya, would you like to dance with me?"
"So Kimmi-chan can accuse me of-"
"We're just dancing." Kabuto remarked with a huff.
"Okay. Sure," Aya smiled, handing her hand to Kabuto. He took her hand and they joined the sea of dancers.
Rachel sat down and downed a glass of champagne in about two gulps, then grabbed another.
-/
"Why is everybody so serious?
Acting so damn mysterious
You got your shades on your eyes and your heels so high
That you can't even have a good time"
-Jessie J, Price Tag
Inuyoshie's after the chapter ogle fest.
Hells yes Tyki reference! *shot*
I'm horrible. I really hope I wrote Sheryl in character. (Cyril?) I sorta wrote him like his brother but less dirty and laid back. Sheryl is definitely wound up tighter than Tyki I mean really. But his monocle is cool. Aya assumes only British people have monocles.
So in the D. Gray Man manga Sheryl is a politician, but I don't recall what country, or if it said. I've read that it is Portugal, 'cuz that's where Sheryl and Tyki are supposed to hail from (though their names ain' really Portuguese, just sayin') so I made Sheryl the Prime Minister of Portugal. I suppose this story is AU anyways, so I can do that. I think.
Rachel is an alcoholic. Aya probably will get there too, soon.
D likes texting.
Orochimaru's comment about female subordinates is interesting. Hint hint.
Don't have much more to say here… but please review! Thank you to all who have favourited and subscribed to this story!