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 20 – Three moves
8-8
"We care about you, Aya. We want to be everything you need," Hitomi assures me. I take in a shuddering breath, trying to calm my emotions. This isn't the time to get emotional. This is the time to plan, to perfect my moves before we get back to Konoha. There's literally nothing keeping us from going back, and at worst it should take four days to get there. "Get some sleep. We've a long day ahead of us."
"I'm awake because I'm planning something," I admit, unwilling to hide this from her. "But I can't tell you… not yet."
"Aya?" I know what you're about to say, Hitomi. I know you want to remind me that I can tell you anything. But I don't work like that. "Shikaku-san and Yoshino-san will already have a plan in place for when we get back. I'm certain of it."
"And that won't include the Namiki clan," I remind her, blushing at my lack of faith in her. She tenses. "It won't include freeing you from the Hyuugas. And it can't include the… little surprises I have in store."
"You…?"
"Even if we decide what we have isn't 'it'… You're still pack," I tell her plainly. "The Hyuugas don't treat you right. So I am doing something about that." Tension leaves her completely, she snuggles into my embrace with her head resting on my shoulder as if nothing in the world is wrong.
"You need your rest. I'll explain everything when we're in a more secure environment." She nods, her breathing evening out. She's already asleep. Lucky her.
Now, let's see. Step one is getting my non-combatants into the den, and making sure they understand they're to open to no one. Once I do that, I'll need sensei brought up to speed in a hurry—she and Nara-sama will need to work with my plan, not against it. Now, what to do with…?
8-8
"Shut it, Hatake," I grind out. I'd called for a Namiki family meeting, so of course, the prince of the universe decides that includes him. "What I have to say has nothing to do with you, your clan, or your position as jounin."
He stands there, trying to go without his crutch for the first time, so he's still a little wobbly on his feet. He looks defiant anyway.
"What you have planned includes Naruto-kun. That includes me. If not for my position as his sensei, then for my other position," he insists, giving me a meaningful look. I snort, knowing he means the Fourth's sole surviving student.
"This is what I get for hoping," I grouse, rubbing my forehead and going over the roll call in my head. Currently, I only have the Namiki family members in here, because I wanted to fly under Hatake's radar—he's been nothing if not frustrating when it comes to private meetings. "Michiko. Get Eimi, her brothers, the Uzumakis, and Yuki. Tell them I need them in here." She nods, leaving without a word.
With Hatake here, I can't explain even the most basic thing about my plan—which I wasn't planning to, but now I need to be extra careful. That means I have to keep it to: this is what you need to know, this is what you need to do.
It takes them less than a minute to arrive, with Sarutobi in tow. Interesting, but predictable. "Everyone sit down. Lots to discuss, not a lot of time," I demand. They don't even nod, they just find a spot and plop down onto it.
Michiko closes the door, standing guard near me. I turn to her and smile, her eyes twinkle in return, but her lips don't twinge. Casting the privacy jutsu, I get down to it.
"We leave for Konoha tomorrow. On arriving in Konoha, things are going to change. The first thing we're doing is getting our civilians somewhere secure," I nod to Yasu, Satoko, Kana, Reika, and Sakiko. They smile, grateful my first priority is keeping them safe. "Uzumakis, Yuki, this includes you. Combatants or not, you will attract all the wrong attention at this point in the game."
There's some murmuring, but overall everyone seem okay with it so far.
"Naruto knows the rules in my den, so any questions you have you can ask him. However, the one rule no one breaks, is that no one opens the gate but me. No one," I stare all of them down to impress just how completely I mean that, "is to touch that gate but me. No one is to be let in without my permission. If someone rings on and I am not there, you are to ignore it completely. No exceptions."
Nods abound, everyone's eyes zeroed in on me as I lay down the law. They're taking this seriously, good.
"Naruto. While I'm out, I need you to handle three things for me," I turn to him, but don't meet his gaze. "First is the tour of the den. Don't try assigning rooms to anyone, I'll handle that myself." He nods.
"Second, is taking everyone into the back yard and starting them on some basic drills. Teach them like I taught you, but go easier on Yasu, Kana, and Satoko. They aren't meant to use taijutsu unless every other option's been tried." He nods again, smiling to show he understands how much I trust him.
"Third, I need you to aid Yasu in any way you can. She'll be in charge of running the den for us, and she'll no doubt have questions you will need to answer." He nods again, grinning and rubbing the back of his head as he beams at me.
"Yasu, you know your duties already. Satoko, Kana, Reika, and Sakiko are your responsibility. Everything civilian related is to be your responsibility. I know this is a lot to ask of you, so if there is something you need to aid you in any way, discuss it with me privately and we'll come to a compromise that's fair to all parties involved. Is that agreeable?"
"It is, Aya-sama," she assures me, bowing her head.
"Good. Anything civilian related is therefore to be discussed with Yasu before coming to me. But let me make a few things perfectly clear what doesn't need to be discussed." All eyes are riveted on me once again. "The first is the right to leave the den unaccompanied. No one here has that. Not even me. The Uzumakis and Yuki are expected to stick together without fail. The Namikis are expected to stick together without fail. Keep in mind that I fully expect people to try to harm you. I don't want to give them the chance. As such, no Namiki is permitted to leave without my accompanying you."
There's some grumbling here and there, but they seem to understand I'm trying to keep them safe.
"To balance this, you can expect a few group trips into the village every week. You will all need a wardrobe. Our shinobi will need tools, weapons, uniforms, and such. And there will be at least one restaurant trip per week while I am in Konoha. We will decide which one by popular vote, which will not include my opinion." They look confused. "My vote will only count when there is a tie of some sort, or no clear victor." They smile, liking the sound of that.
"Next is the need to work. That is not an issue. As alpha, it's my job to provide. My goal is to refuse all non-wartime missions, so I will be refusing the same for our shinobis. I need you all at home, training." They all grin, but the Uzumakis look concerned. "Yes, carrot tops and blondie, that includes you. I'll be discussing with Sarutobi to start your training into the sealing arts. And I'll be taking Haruki as a student in the medical arts." They look relieved, almost giddy at that.
Okay, nothing too revealing for my plans. And this will all be revealed within the first day of arriving in Konoha. So no foul involved Hatake.
"Yuki. I don't know what your plan is. Think about what you want, discuss it with Naruto. If he thinks my help is needed, he'll let me know." Yuki nods, tears welling up in the corners of his eyes.
"Now. The last major thing is relationships. It isn't my place to tell you who to date, but understand that whoever it is will need to accept how a wolf pack operates." Yasu, Satoko, and Kana fidget—they aren't looking forward to relationships, if my guess is right. "I will be teaching all of you the sensory jutsus of the Namiki family. That means you will all know if someone is having sex." The Uzumakis and Yuki look a little pasty at that thought. Eimi and her brothers look at each other a little nervous, but they seem okay with it for the most part. It's the others…
Mikchiko and Zeitou just shrug, likely used to that already with their bloodline limit. Yasu, Satoko, Kana, and Sakiko shrug—they must be used to seeing it already. Ooh, am I going to enjoy presenting that bandit chief to the Fire daimyo and explaining to him who's responsible for Yasu's poor treatment. And Reika? She just barely doesn't shrug as she smiles at me.
"In other words, if anyone—and I mean anyone—tries to force you into a relationship, you are to report the incident to me immediately. Even if it's flirting that you're uncomfortable with. Is that clear?"
They take turns assuring me that they understand. The Namiki ladies—Michiko and Eimi not included—beam, grateful I have their backs in this.
"I will do what I can to introduce you to people in a safe environment. Even if you are uninterested in a relationship, having a friend or two is never a bad thing. But keep one thing in mind. Though I will not force you into a relationship, if I feel the person you are interested in isn't trustworthy? I will forbid them from entering my den. No exceptions."
"What… happens if you don't approve?" Minori asks. I don't know why… oh crap, the Uzumakis don't know I'm getting them their own den.
"If you're serious about the relationship, I'll arrange an apartment for you outside the den," I assure her. Everyone relaxes, for some reason. It's almost as if I didn't just explain this. "As I said, it isn't my place to dictate your relationships. Just as it isn't yours to dictate who I can or cannot let into my den."
"Aya-sama?" Yasu looks nervous about something. I nod to her. "What trainings will we…?"
"That will be discussed behind closed doors," I mutter, glaring at Hatake. The asshole just eye-smiles, as if he isn't being an invasive piece of shit. "Just so you all know, we'll be holding meetings like this regularly to keep everyone on the same page. Everyone will be expected to attend all meetings. And even unofficial relationships like, Hitomi and myself, should be admitted openly. If you do not, everyone will assume it's a fling and should keep their opinions to themselves. Is that understood?"
"So bedding every chick in Konoha is acceptable?" Michiko asks, grinning at her little brother. He gets a goofy grin as well.
"I don't know why you'd want to, but that isn't my concern," I opine, shrugging. "Namikis are typically monogamous, and fiercely loyal to our mates. In time, I'm sure you'll see for yourself why we are this way. But should no mate be viable? I see nothing wrong with a fling. And just so you know, if you decide to have a child outside of wedlock, I won't care. Every pup born into this pack is the pack's pup. Caring for said pup is all of our responsibilities."
Kana and Satoko share a look, seemingly relieved. I raise an eyebrow at them. "Something to say?"
"N-not really," Satoko stutters. I narrow my eyes at them, taking a deep sniff. Nothing out of the ordinary.
"It's just," Kana begins, a faraway look in her eyes. "We've been thinking about it. It's possible one of us is… Well… you know."
"If any female of our pack is pregnant," the pair of them blush, "it's the concern of the pack. Not for the sake of telling you to keep the baby or not, but for the sake of keeping you safe."
"So…?" Kana looks about ready to cry, so relieved.
"If you are pregnant and choose to abort? That's your choice. We'll respect it. Though I'd prefer teaching you to avoid getting pregnant in the first place," I offer, thinking about that. Sex slaves. Of course they'd be worried about possibly being pregnant. "But if you get pregnant and choose to keep it? We'll respect that, as well. We'll help you every step of the way. Through your pregnancy, through labour, through raising your pups. Your children are our children. We will support you to our last breath. No questions, no exceptions."
All ladies start crying a little—for some reason. I don't understand why, and I don't plan on asking.
"It's a little different for the guys. We will support and defend your pregnant mate, not so much you. So if she decides to keep or abort, we'll support that. If she keeps the baby, we'll be there for her every step of the way, and we will haunt your dumb asses to make sure you will as well. If you don't like it? Don't get her pregnant. And Yuki, I'll be looking into options for you, for when you're ready to start a family. I see no reason you should have to sleep with someone you're not attracted to just to have a child."
Yuki, Michiko, and Eimi get all emotional about that. Again, don't get it and don't plan to try.
"More importantly, when I have clan head status, marriages within my clan are no one's concern but my own. Should you wish to wed, come to me. Same sex or not, I'll legally be allowed to officiate your marriage." Everyone gets emotional about that, though, three this will affect, more so. "The only rule I have, is that all pregnant women be in my den for the duration of their pregnancy. It'll be easiest for the pack to defend them there. And it'll be easier to support them during the first months of the pup's life, when care is most intensive."
"What about our partner?" Zeitou asks. I narrow my eyes, trying to make sense of his question. "If you approve of them, would they be treated as a member of the pack?"
"Of course," I assure him—and the others, given how everyone sports a soft smile. "That's the exact reason why the pack should have a chance to approve of your mate. If we, the pack, approve of your mate? Your mate becomes part of the pack, and is therefore offered the same rights and respects as any member of the pack. However, that means that even if you break up, they will still be a member of the pack. So be very careful who you bring home to momma. If I like them, I like them."
"That's fair," Zeitou agrees, smiling a little smile. That smile turns into a smirk. Then a full-blown grin as his eyes study Yuki. "So what are doing to the dick that gave Ao-chan lip?"
"So long as you don't act violently?" I muse, going over plausible outcomes. I'd hear a fight breaking out, so I can back them up if it gets out of hand. "Then you may do as you please. Keep in mind, I'll be in here tending to Hitomi. So don't bite off more than you can chew."
"That's fair," he agrees a little too easily. "You mind if we borrow the bag with kimonos?" I blink.
Homophobic asshole. Guy asking about girls' kimonos. I'm willing to bet he's planning a cross dressing stint. If that doesn't get under his skin, I don't know what will.
"Alright," I agree, unsealing two bags for them to have options to choose from. "Only wear an obi belt if it has the family crest. And Michiko, I want you and Eimi acting as their escorts. If this is what I think it is, having you two acting as their gentlemen will be like fuel on an open flame."
Both girls grin like the Cheshire cat. They share a look that tells me they'll be enjoying this more than anyone.
"Hold up!" Naruto jumps in. "Ain't nobody planning a prank without me!"
"I'm up for it," Minori pipes up.
"I can do your make-up," Kana offers, beaming. Oh, the stories I'm going to hear about this.
8-8
Standing on the bridge, the whole town's here to see us off. They're cheering and waving and some are in tears as they see their 'heroes' off. All of the assholes I pawned off on Tazuna are here, too, but they all look uncomfortable as fuck. I'm too busy being amused to care about them.
After all, Minori is wearing Naruto's orange jumpsuit. Naruto, Haruki, and Yuki are wearing bright red women's kimonos with orange obis belts displaying the Uzumaki swirl.
Eimi and Mikchiko are wearing my spare outfits—they pestered me until I relented. Atsu, Tsuji, and Zeitou are also wearing women's kimonos—bright pink, might I add—with the wolf kanji on their obi belts.
Yasu, Satoko, and Kana somehow conjured up a few men's kimonos—don't ask me how—displaying the kanji for wolf between their shoulder blades. While Reika, Sakiko, and I are wearing the same style clothing we have been.
What's more! Naruto taught all of them a simplified version of his 'sexy jutsu', so all of them are sporting elegant long hair and rather effeminate faces, while the girls are looking quite dapper with their five o'clock shadows.
It's the most amusing scene I've ever witnessed. And the guys blowing kisses at the crowd only serves to further heighten my enjoyment. Hitomi's so busy beaming at our group that she doesn't seem to notice that one guy dry retching over by a shrub—poor actor, I smell his arousal.
The people of Wave either don't know, or don't care. They're calling out Naruto's name, calling out my name, begging us to come back and visit. Tsunami and her teary-eyed son wave Tazuna off, since he's coming with us.
All in all, it's a send-off worthy of a daimyo. A shame the rest of Team Seven is here. And the only member of Sarutobi's team I'm sort of okay with is Sarutobi herself—not sure how to feel about her wearing a jounin outfit. Is she in drag? She was wearing a battle dress with chuunin vest before…
Whatever.
We start moseying along, Reika and Sakiko still waving to the crowd as they fade into the distance. There isn't much interesting going on, but Yuki's quietly beaming long after we reach the shore of the Land of Fire.
"Thank you, guys," Yuki gushes, his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.
"Are you kiddin'! Seeing that guy's face when all of us started hittin' on him?" Naruto belts out, his facing being split by a grin, obviously enjoying his title of prank king—though I still haven't heard anyone refer to him as such. "Priceless!"
"Oh, yeah! And it's kinda cool being treated like a guy for a change," Minori adds her two Ryou. "Besides, Ao-chan. You know we've got your back."
"I ain't even gonna pretend to get what you kids are into these days," Tazuna grumbles, taking a swig of his booze. Still, he smiles and pats Ao… fuck it, Ao on his back. "But I'll tell you this. You've got yourself some good friends, boy. Treat 'em right, ya hear?"
"Yes, sir!" Ao enthuses, beaming.
Other than that, nothing interesting happens en route. Everyone changes back to his or her usual wear after we make camp for the night. I teach Sakiko and Reika how to fish, the way Hitomi taught me. I help Hitomi with her meal, per the norm these days. Tsuji and Ao end up making out for nearly an hour—they try to be sneaky about it, but I smell their scents intertwined and the not so subtle arousal on both of them.
Like I said, nothing interesting. Unless I count Hitomi's growing fascination with pulling down my mask while I'm feeding her. Or maybe making Hatake drag Momochi's blade when he's still not a hundred per cent.
8-8
In the distance, I see the gates of Konoha. Everyone of our group relaxes, having finally made it—after two and a half days walking. While they relax more and more, I'm getting more and more annoyed. Nothing would have changed in this backwater hick village. Everyone's still out to fuck me over—or fuck me into wedding vows.
Still, I snuggle up to Hitomi, making sure I'm close enough to calm her nerves as we'll soon be surrounded by two-bit shitstains. "Breathe, Aya. Kakashi-san sent word to the Naras," she soothes.
Curiously, that does help. Breathing come easier, knowing that Nara-sama and sensei will have something arranged to help us in any and every way they can.
Coming closer to the gate, I smell them. Nara-sama, sensei, Yamanaka from T&I, Akimichi from the council, and Inuzuka from Anbu and the council with her two pups and their collection of ninja hounds.
More than that? "AooooooooooOOOOOO!" Lady howls, obviously having smelled me. I howl right back, glad to see her taking off through the gate to come trotting towards me. She's missing a leg—the injured one was clearly amputated while I was away. She doesn't seem to care.
She runs right up to me, stopping just shy of my personal bubble as she starts running circles around me just to show she can. She starts grumbling and grunting out little messages—it's kind of hard to make it all out with how excitable she is.
"Alright, Lady. Calm down, I can't understand a word you're saying," I tease, unable to fight the smile hard enough. She stops running, sitting down in front of me and whining about Hana's stupid decision to amputate while she was out cold. She goes on to explain about how she doesn't mind, because the pain finally stopped, and she's been wrestling with Akamaru ever since—and winning most of the time. I laugh, enjoying her enthusiasm.
Her eyes wander, wordlessly asking about all the people that carry my scent.
"Right, sorry. Introductions. Lady, meet the rest of our pack. The Uzumakis. Naruto you already know. These are Minori, Aomaru, and Haruki. Hitomi you remember no doubt. And the rest of the Namiki pack. Yasu, Sakiko, Reika, Michiko, Zeitou, Eimi, Atsu, and Tsuji. Everyone, this is Lady, my pup."
Lady sniffs Hitomi. Only Hitomi. "Yes, Lady. She finally made her move," I confirm. Lady no doubt noticed that our scent is so intertwined that it's getting hard to tell us apart by scent alone. Everyone from our pack grins, blushing at how open I am about Hitomi and me being a thing. Even if it's just a wolf pup, they know I'd be just as flagrant to anyone I trust enough.
"Now, come on. Aren't you going to escort your pack into the village?" I tease, grinning when Lady puffs out her chest and saunters ahead of us to lead the way. In fact, she leads us to the customs office, turning to us and sitting down to mark where we're supposed to be. The Uzumakis gush over how smart she is, and Minori tries to pet her—Lady growls to show she isn't in the mood for that. No one else tries it, luckily.
"Rule of wolves. We pick our own pack. No one gets in on a free ride," I explain, petting Lady and scratching behind her ear.
"Ah, Namiki-san. We were told to expect you. Nara Shikaku sent the forms needed to register a number of shinobi and civilians under both Namiki and Nara protection," the gate guard announces. I smile, grateful for Nara-sama like never before. "Curiously, there are two forms? So there are two distinct groups?"
"Yes," I agree, taking the forms but not explaining more than that to him. "Naruto?" I give him the extra form. He nods, already calling his three to help him fill it in.
Meanwhile, I'm discussing with my group what kanji they write their name with. Reika and Sakiko don't know, so Yasu suggests 'beautiful flower' for Reika, and 'saki child' for Sakiko. Saki pouts and grumbles when Kana explains that 'saki' is a type of jungle monkey she'd read about, but Yasu carefully explains it's either that or 'gauze self child', which is the only other spelling she knows of 'Sakiko'.
Everyone but the two Iis with us get registered as Namikis—even Eimi and her brothers have earned the right, given how fiercely loyal Ao says they've been… and Tsuji and Ao making out certainly isn't hurting their case. All in all, in under five minutes we fill in the important bits and hand two filled in forms back to the gate guard.
"Alright. I'll make sure this gets processed for you. Here's your stub, don't lose it," he says, offering me two stubs with the same numbers as the papers we'd just handed him. I take them both, sealing them into my glove for safekeeping. "By the way, are you stowing away anyone of note? I've heard rumours that you've become quite the… noteworthy kunoichi." Do I detect cortisol? Are you starting to fear what I might become if Konoha continues fucking with me and mine?
"I have a few dozen sealed away, yes," I agree easily. "All of which will either be delivered directly to T&I for processing, or delivered to Hokage-dono for reasons I'm not permitted to discuss."
"Names?"
"Classified," I inform him snidely.
"That's the blade of Momochi Zabuza, correct?"
"Found it by the side of the road. Imagine that," I drone, glaring daggers at him. He swallows hard, not wanting to press any further.
"And you!" I round on the other guard, who's been staring at Yasu for the last minute. "Continue staring at my sister and I'll neuter you, and send your boss the bill."
"S-sorry," he mutters, flushing and looking away.
"Yasu-nee, that's why you have a tanto. If they don't get the subtle hints, you unsheathe it and point that at him instead," I bark out, still glaring at the rude little shit.
"Sorry, little sister," she teases, petting my head to calm me down. "I'll be sure to warn you next time I notice something like that?"
"You do that," I agree. My eyes fall on Satoko and Kana—neither has a tanto. "Michiko, Zeitou. Stay close to these two. I don't like that they're unarmed in public."
"Of course, Aya-sama," the pair agrees easily, stepping up to the pair I mentioned. We move on without another word, but I do hear an interesting exchange behind us.
"Staring at a Namiki?! Are you off your meds, Izumo?!" He's whispering, mostly, but I hear the incredulity all the same.
"I swear! I didn't know she was a Namiki! Oh, kami-sama, she's gonna maul me in my sleep!" He sounds and smells distressed—that brings a special little smile to my face. Scene one created. Coupled with the thing with Hokage-dono coming up? We should be the talk of the village before sunset.
Leaving those two to figure out their own stupidity—and curious about why I haven't met more resistance thus far—I lead my group up to another group waiting for us.
I don't say a word, walking up to sensei as she unzips her flak jacket for me. I ease into her arms, laying my head against her tummy as I listen to the orchestra of her body playing the sweetest symphony for me.
"Welcome home, baby," sensei murmurs, pulling back the cloth covering my head and combing through my hair to set me at ease.
"Nn," I noise. Hitomi! I pull back, already turning to see… oh. She's fine. Eimi and her brothers have taken up formation around her. Okay. Breathe. I turn back into sensei's embrace, relaxing just a little. "Need a favour."
"Hnn?" sensei noises to show she's listening.
"I need you three to stay in my den for a bit. Hitomi's injured, and we have civilians that need to be socialised. You're the only one I'd…" She tenses slightly, and I get the impression she's looking to Nara-sama for some reason.
"We'll discuss it later," she meets me halfway. "For now, I'll stay with them in your home. Then we can discuss this over dinner?"
"That's fair. You mind inviting Team Ten and their parents?" Sensei relaxes into our hug.
"Oi, what about me?" Hatake butts in, sounding butt-hurt about it. I'm busy enjoying a hug here! Fuck off!
"Marry a Namiki, Uzumaki, Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, or Sarutobi. Then we'll talk."
"You'd turn a patient away? Doc, I'm hurt!" he's so dramatic about it.
"It's called a hospital. Big building, filled with doctors. Heard of it?" I'm not in the mood for you, Hatake. Besides, I have more than enough little projects going on. Projects that need my immediate attention, so even hugs have to wait. I pull back from sensei, turning to my next target.
"Sarutobi. I'll need you, as well. I have a job for you." I point my nose in her direction, looking at my gloves to show what I mean.
"I'll be there," she assures me, heading off with her team—probably to report in. Didn't they have to return something? Whatever.
"Inuzuka," I turn to the trio, finding Lady already in a tussle with Akamaru. I bite my lip, trying not to draw attention to how she's already pinned him to the ground and is licking his snout to show she doesn't look down on him for it. "The Namiki family is in your debt." I bow to them, knowing without looking that my pack bows with me. They may not know why, but they know I'm not one to toss words like that around carelessly.
"So the lone wolf finally has a pack," the youngest Inuzuka states the obvious. His eyes take in the group with me. "I need your help with her. Do that, and I'll call it even." The shy Hyuuga, no doubt.
"Alright," I agree with a nod, not bothering to point out I already have plans for her. "We'll be in touch." He nods, his eyes wandering over my pack and sniffing to memorize them.
"Aya?" I body flicker to Hitomi, already unsealing my tetsubo to slaughter whatever got too close for her comfort. I glare at everything that exists near her, daring anything—animate or no—to become a threat to her. "Calm down. I just have a question." She sounds a little too amused.
"S-sorry," I murmur, sealing my weapon and pulling down my mask—to hopefully remind myself we're no longer (technically) in enemy territory. I feel the sun on my skin for the first time in weeks… months. I can barely remember. How long have I been gone?
She takes her right hand out of her sling, combing her fingers through my hair. "Would you mind if Hana comes to dinner?" she asks. So that's why she's trying to calm me down first.
She'd have to report in, as well. Both elder Inuzukas are Anbu Ops, so one of them would no doubt be able to report in for her.
"Hmm?" It's ten thirty AM. I have a thing to handle with Hokage-dono, which shouldn't take more than twenty minutes. Approximation for fuck ups puts me at eleven fifteen. Dropping off Momochi and Yuki at T&I, hmm… I could make an appointment with Yamanaka right now for that, so it should shorten this trip… I'd say fifteen minutes if I'm already in the Tower. Shopping for food and some basics for my pack—better keep in mind sensei will want to do an expansive trip with each later, so the absolute basics should be fine—I'd say an hour at most. That's one at the latest—travel time and fuck ups, once again added, just in time for lunch. Forty-five minutes to eat. Getting called into the council chambers for two, which should take about an hour…
Everything else is to be set in motion tomorrow, which is why I need my allies up to date tonight. Hmm. Not too tight, then.
"I'll be home for three. She's welcome any time after three thirty and before six, but I'm afraid she can't come to dinner," I meet her halfway. "I'm on a tight schedule. So I'm afraid we have to go. Daddy, uncle," I look to Yamanaka so he knows I mean him, "I'm going to need both of you for at least an hour. Walk with me and I'll explain. And Hatake, I swear if I catch you minding my business again I'll bitch slap you worse than I did him."
"Now, now," he motions for me to calm down, "Shikaku-san's orders."
"He's here. He'll hear it for himself. Fuck off, Hatake."
8-8
We walk at a fairly quick clip, but even now I'm going over the details I need to be absolutely perfect for all this to work. The second we get to my gate, I bite my thumb and smear some blood on the seal. I open the gate, motioning everyone inside—I need to unseal the house, or they'll be stuck in the yard all day in the blazing sun.
As I close the gate, I address sensei. "Naruto and Hitomi can do proper introductions. I'm going to need you to consider what they'll need clothing-wise and I'll need you and Hitomi discussing weapon options with them. Only discussing, I plan on tackling that with them the day after tomorrow. Naruto and Yasu know the pecking order, and they have instructions what needs to be done first. I'm going to get food and some basics while I'm out. And do not answer the doorbell or open the gate for anyone. I don't care who you think it is. I'll explain later, I promise."
Having made it to the front door, I slap my palm against the seal and fish out my keys. "Michiko, Zeitou. You're with me. Reika, you need to keep an eye on Hitomi for me. And Naruto." I turn to blondie, giving him a look to show I'm trusting him with both the vulnerable of my pack and my injured mate.
"Ain't a hair on her head gonna be outta place. Believe it!" he assures me, giving me a thumbs up and a nice guy pose.
"Lady. I'm sorry, but I need you here as well. I'll explain when I get home, okay?" She whines, but sidles over to Naruto all the same. With everyone dealt with, I go to Hitomi. "I won't be gone long."
"I know," she brags, smirking. "Leave your scrolls with me, I'll sort through everything."
"We're dealing with that tonight. That's why I want you to take the time to rest." Her eyes twinkle, her face smoothens to show how at ease she is with it all. "I have to go." She nods, leaning in. We kiss—short and sweet—and her eyes glow just a little brighter for me.
"Bring me back some breaded chicken and a rice ball?"
"Alright. Promise me you'll rest?"
She nods, not fighting me at all. "I'll be in your bed waiting." I bite my lip to mask a face-splitting grin. I like the sound of that.
"You want more food, don't you."
She nods again. "Red grapes and a grapefruit with brown sugar. It's been so long since I've had."
"I'll throw in an order of squid okonomiyaki with the green tea sauce if you stop trying to show off. I'm on a schedule, you know." Kami-sama, I really don't want to leave her. That I know she'll be cared for doesn't lessen that.
"Trying implies a risk of failing." She sounds so cocky, so sure of herself. "You remembering my favourites shows I couldn't fail if I tried." She gives me another quick peck, just because she can. I sigh, gazing up at her.
"Fine. You win. But I don't want to hear you complaining later if you don't have enough space for dinner."
"I won't if you bring that for lunch."
Sigh. Fine! "Slave driver."
"Make sure you bring something for you and the others."
"Yeah, yeah. Get your butt inside already," I shoo her. She decides to kiss my brow one last time.
"Help me with my sandals?"
"You're impossible. You know that?" And why does everyone look so fucking amused?!
8-8
"What I'm saying is that the daimyo will need a private audience with me and Hokage-dono. He'll need to hear the facts from the bridge builder, Hatake, Gatou, and the corrupt nephew. And knowing him, he'll ask for a pre-meeting discussion with Yasu and myself. I don't care how you plan any of that, that's on you. All I need to know is where and when."
I can't believe this is even a discussion. Nara-sama and Yamanaka are both pretty accepting of it all, given they've had the most interactions with me lately. But Hokage-dono is being a downright PMSing bitch!
"Give me your written report," he demands, trying for the umpteenth time to order me around.
"Give me the reason I wasn't allowed to know shit before leaving Konoha," I retort. He frowns, his eyes flicking towards Nara-sama to rein me in. "Don't look for backup! Your daimyo demanded this happen as stipulated. I have the people he needs an audience with, and I am well aware that you aren't in a position to refuse his demands. So if you continue fucking with me, Sarutobi, I'll report it to your boss."
He sighs, reaching into his drawer and taking out a bottle that curiously has my name written on it. It smells of painkillers. I'm touched.
"The second I heard you were in Wave, I knew you'd become my next migraine," he grumbles, popping the bottle open, taking two pills, and swallowing them. He washes them down with some tea, no doubt cold by now. "So what's your angle, Aya?" He places the bottle back in the drawer, not bothering to look up at me.
"You've already read Ito and Honda's reports," I don't bother asking. "So you should have all the information you need."
"I have four reports from a team that shouldn't have been in Wave that each so completely contradicts the other that I know you've been working on their nerves. You know there's going to be another incident regarding this. And I'm once again going to have to out the flames. Isn't it fair that I know what I'm protecting you from?" So he can be taught to heel. Interesting.
"You'll find out tomorrow. Is my verbal report sufficient for today?"
"I know you have that report written. You always do. I know your bid for clan status. And knowing that you have Momochi Zabuza and his apprentice sealed and ready for processing in T&I tells me you are making a power play that will have even the most ambitious nervous about crossing you again. So why continue this cat and mouse game, when cooperating with me is more efficient for us both?" You play the game well, but you assume I'm playing the same game as you.
"Because I have OCD and need things done in a certain manner to cause myself the least amount of distress," I lie through my teeth.
"What if I offer you the paperwork here and now with preapproval of the rise of both the Namiki and Uzumaki clans?" he bargains. Hmm? Are we ahead of schedule? That's odd. It's only been ten minutes.
"Throw in the Yuki clan, and you have a deal." He sighs, shaking his head. He's only now coming to terms that he's being played—poor thing.
"Fine."
I grin, liking how this is going—for once. I unseal my prisoners' scroll, unsealing both Momochi and Yuki in quick succession. Momochi looks like he was chewed on by a back of rabid wolves, but Yuki is completely unscathed. She sees her lover, father figure—whatever the hell he is to her—slumping on two completely fucked legs. Though the bones have been healed, he hasn't gone through rehabilitation as yet, so he's still wobbly on his feet. So, of course, he runs to him, slinging his arm over her shoulder to support him any way she can.
"Momochi. Listen well, 'cause I'm not going to repeat a word of it. If you cooperate with our interrogators I can make you the following offer. That offer is a home for yourself, Yuki here, and Aomaru. This offer includes clan status for the Yukis, with you as clan head. And this offer includes allies in the Namiki clan, the Uzumaki clan, and if you play your cards right, the Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, and Sarutobi clans as well. You have two minutes to think it over. Your time starts now." He takes one look at Yuki, finding her without a scratch.
"That includes jounin status for me and chuunin for Haku?" He's adaptable, I'll give him that. I look to Hokage-dono.
"Pending a probationary period? That shouldn't be a problem," comes the most obvious answer ever.
"I want paperwork done to adopt Haku. Single parent or no, I don't give a damn."
"Once you are clan head, your clan genealogy and hierarchy is your concern. Her being your daughter needs only your own signature," Hokage-dono points out." It's only those outside your clan that would involve procedure and paperwork."
"Hmm…" he thinks about it some more. Thirty seconds. "What about my sword?"
"Hatake? I know your ass is here." Cue the most predictable blurring of an empty corner as Hatake comes into focus with the blade still in his grip. He isn't under orders. He's too damn amused with how I get things done. "Further demands?"
"A bed. And me sleeping for a month." Time's up. And look, Aya's solved a problem no one thought we had.
"Cooperate with us, and I'll have that and the house you need ready by the time you get out of processing." The only miscalculation I made is his adopting her. "Of course, that's if you're smart enough to not so much as look at my mate or pack the wrong way again."
"The first time was bad enough," he grumbles, looking away from me. "Genin my ass."
8-8
Momochi is hobbling along with Yuki supporting him. Yamanaka is leading the way, the most amused I've ever seen him. That leaves me with Hokage-dono, Nara-sama, Hatake, and one last thing to deal with.
I flit through the form, filling in all the names exactly as they were written on the form earlier today, offering it to Hokage-dono with a flourish. He doesn't even look at it, stamping it to make it official. "It's official. You're my new migraine. Congratulations, Namiki-sama," he drones, giving me a defeated look.
"Just that other thing now. Unless you want to explain the council why a genin is clan head?" He narrows his eyes at me, before rolling them up into his head and groaning. "If it helps, Hatake can make an official report on how I performed. And it'll be more than sufficient to give you the leeway you need. Not to mention my written report will include an already airtight plan to get the vultures off your back for that meeting you know is coming at two o'clock sharp."
"I'm afraid what tomorrow will bring," he grumbles, picking up the phone. "Hiromi-san. I need you to get me one flak jacket. Size extra small. Along with a promotion form with the data for Namiki Aya."
He hangs up, grabbing his pipe and a little bag. He methodically stuffs tobacco into the pipe, lighting it with an underpowered fire jutsu. "Very well, Jounin Hatake Kakashi. Your report on Genin Namiki Aya's performance during your mission in Wave. And include Genin Uzumaki Naruto."
8-8
His eyes have been zoned in on Hatake for the last ten minutes. This is taking longer than I planned. What the fuck! I know I planned in enough room for fuck ups like that, but that didn't including Hitomi acting like my pregnant girlfriend with baby cravings.
"I see." There's a knock on the door, before the secretary strolls in with a flak jacket and a piece of paper already half filled in. She offers both to Hokage-dono, her eyes flicking to me as she strolls out. Oh, wait until you get the update from your clan, Honda-chan. You'll shit bricks.
"Let me see your report. If it contains half of what I think it does…" he trails off, seeing my patient smile. "You've shown chuunin level qualifications. You'll need to show me special jounin if you want that seat on the council."
I smirk, taking out my report and tossing it to him. He goes over everything. The facts, speculations, plans, preparations made. The usual shit, really. It's when he gets to the part under the heading 'keep this to yourself' that his eyes start to widen.
"I can't decide if I should promote you or clone you," he murmurs, setting my report aflame. While it burns, he's filling in the form for me. "I hereby promote you to the rank of Special Jounin. As clan head, you will be granted a seat on the general and shinobi councils. Also, I understand you wish to refuse all non-wartime missions. Granted, under the condition you take a team of genins and train them. They, too, will not have to adhere to the missions quota of Konoha shinobi." He tosses my my flak jacket.
"Then my team will consist of Iis Michiko and Zeito. And Namiki Eimi," I drone, per the script, as I unzip my new accessory and slip into it. "They will report to the Shinobi Academy tomorrow at oh-eight-hundred hours for official testing for the rank of Genin of Konoha. And I am already well aware of the probationary period of six months."
"I've already stated the missions quota will not have to be adhered to. Given you aren't taking missions, the probationary period is pro forma. Should we go to war in the next six months, I won't care if they're on probation or not." I smirk, liking how he's finally using that brain of his. "However, there is something I would like you to consider. Current position notwithstanding."
"Nn?" I noise, keeping my annoyance in check. This is the reason I don't like politicians. Always aiming to gain just a little more than offered.
"Continue your medical training. It would seem that Kakashi and Hitomi are already depending on you. I can imagine that list will only grow."
I smirk. Say that after your meeting with Hitomi in the morning. "Noted. If that is all?"
"Yes, dismissed."
8-8
End Chapter 20
8-8
A/N: Gee, I wonder what Aya is planning.