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 21 – Two moves
8-8
Picture after picture, I study the homes on sale. All of them are in the Shinobi District, and quite a few are in my neighbourhood. Three are in my street, in fact. Two million Ryou a piece, which seems to be a set in stone, given they're all up for that price.
"This is the place," I murmur, pushing the door open and entering. There are two people here, both men in business suits whose eyes are on me and already seeing Ryou signs.
"Welcome, welcome," the senior of the pair greets us, his brown eyes smiling warmly. He looks to be in his sixties, balding with short, salt and pepper hair. "What can we do for you today?"
"I'm looking to buy. Shinobi District, Kanda Neighbourhood. I saw a few houses that caught my eye," I offer, leaving the amounts ambiguous.
"Of course, please, have a seat," the man offers. "Might I tempt you with some tea?"
"Not needed, just the portfolios on the houses." He bobs his head, turning to his junior associate. "Tell me, do you represent the buyers, or are the houses and their deeds already in your possession?"
"Hmm? That varies somewhat. Might I ask why you inquire?"
"Speed and efficiency. I can have the money ready by tomorrow, I'm hoping to have the deeds ready by then. Should I decide to purchase, of course."
"Of course," he agrees, his eyes twinkling. He knows he's getting a sale now. And given I said 'deeds', he's hoping for quite some purchases. "Oh, but where are my manners. I am Ito Tokutomi, and I am at your disposal, miss…?"
"Namiki Aya. With me are my clansmen," his eyes twinkle a little brighter with that word mentioned, "Michiko and Zeitou." The other man comes back with a stack of files, carefully plopping them onto the desk, before wandering off once again.
"Do you have a particular street in mind, Namiki-sama? Perhaps the same street as your compound?" He's quick.
"Yes. I noticed three on sale in my street. I would like to see those first." He nods, murmuring something about having expected as much while going through the pile. He takes out two… three… five files, laying them out for my perusal.
I take the first one, opening it to find pictures, blueprints, and an official report on the current state of the home—dated less than a month ago. It's not in pristine condition, but it looks liveable and cosy. I check the other four, finding two of them in desperate need of repairs.
"I assume these two are cheaper?" I ask, raising an eyebrow as I offer him the two rundown homes. I recognize them, a little. I never paid too much attention to the other houses.
"Quite. Half the price, in fact, given they'll need to be torn down," he offers. I nod.
"Good. I'll take all five. When can I expect the paperwork and deeds?"
…
He's frozen. Even his breathing is stilled. I think he's trying to process what I just told him.
…
Is he still just sitting there?
…
He's still just sitting there.
"Ito. The signing, deeds, and payment. When?"
"W-well…" He shakes himself out of his stupor. "I could… have that ready… by the end of the week?"
"No sooner?"
"A-ah… not all of them. The owners would need to be informed."
"Which can you have ready sooner?"
"These two," he murmurs, pulling out the two dilapidated ones. "We can close those now, if you prefer?"
"Very well," I agree. He just sits there for a long moment. If he were a shinobi, he'd have tried the genjutsu-release, if his disbelief is any indication. "If you could draw up the papers? I'll have the payment ready for quarter to two?"
"A-ah." Wow. I'd better read through the papers thoroughly, he doesn't strike me as particularly intelligent.
8-8
Seeing as we're behind schedule, I rush to the market and start buying the things I need. I buy three trolleys, and almost immediately start to fill them with foods of all kinds. Rice, meats, veggies, chocolates—that's a food group on its own—herbs and spices, fruits, the brown sugar Hitomi requested, the works. With everything purchased, I head to a takeout restaurant that should have the list of things Hitomi asked for. They're quick, so it doesn't take more than ten minutes.
To avoid 'oopsies', I head to the outfitter and buy an almost unhealthy amount of rations bars and bottles of water, and some fifteen futons with pillows and linens. I somehow doubt shit will be exactly as planned from here on out, so even though we end up carrying far more than I'm happy with, I'm more at ease with this being handled now.
I find myself cutting my thumb to enter my den at exactly twelve fifty-two, finally back on schedule. We enter, I close the gate, and—
"Namiki-sama?" I turn, finding an Op with a cat mask. "There's a council meeting within the hour."
"Two o'clock?" He shrugs, not disagreeing with me. "Thank you, I'll be there."
We enter the house, already finding companionable chaos surrounding us. Sakiko is running around after Naruto and Haruki. I can't identify the words she's using, but the gleeful cackling at least tells me she isn't planning on killing either of them… I hope.
"Saki! Lunch is here! I need you to call everyone to the family sitting room!" I announce, loud enough to get everyone's attention anyway. I sniff, trying to locate everyone—wondering if they would've heard me. They're mostly in the family sitting room as is. Curious, I head that way, finding Yasu, Satoko, and Kana by the kitchen door ready to take our trolleys from us—only after welcoming us home and asking how our morning was, of course.
I blink, unsure what to make of any of it.
When I enter the sitting room, I have all the answers I need. Hitomi and sensei already have everyone sitting to the table. Their hands smell of antibacterial soap, and their eyes are on the bags of food we brought with us. We're expected.
"I know Cat announced a council meeting," Hitomi begins, in lieu of a proper greeting. "Yoshino-san already picked out a nice outfit for you. It's on your bed. And yes, I was resting all morning. I even took a nap." She is sporting lines on her face, so I'm inclined to believe her.
"It's true, milady," Reika backs her up, an impish smile in her eyes. "I was quite surprised when I heard her snoring."
"I don't snore," Hitomi pouts. I smirk, knowing from experience that she does.
"Anyway." I set the bag of food on the table with another bag for chopsticks. "I brought yakisoba noodles, curry rice, plain rice, beef, chicken, and fish. Along with enough veggies to make a rabbit turn carnivore."
I let them figure out their food. Momma brought it home, but they can damn well serve themselves. No, Hitomi's the only one that needs help eating. So I plop onto the table in front of her, laying my knees to either side of her—like I'm sitting down seiza, but with the table stopping me. This way I won't trouble her arms in any way.
"I'll never understand what you like about squid and pancakes," I complain, already grabbing a pair of chopsticks and fishing out a piece of the okonomiyaki for her. She hooks her finger into the cloth of my mask, already pulling it down. I roll my eyes, not bothering to fight her. "A~aaaah!"
She opens her mouth, accepting my offering without a word of complaint. "Are your injuries acting up at all?"
She shakes her head, no, even as she looks about ready to cry from having her favourites ready and waiting for her. While she's chewing, I take out the box of okonomiyaki, the wrapped up rice ball, the box with breaded chicken, and a little something extra I got her—freshly steeped oolong tea in a wooden cup with a cover screwed onto it to keep the liquid where it belongs, still piping hot.
Sensei is busy helping serve everyone something, but I feel her gaze lingering on me now and again. Truth be told, everyone's gaze lingers on me. Not that I plan to understand it.
"Do you have time to explain what's going on?" sensei asks as she scoops up a helping for Reika.
"Not really. It's long and complicated. And I have to leave in half an hour at latest," I explain, bringing the rice ball to Hitomi so she can take a bite. "Oh, I have your grapefruit and red grapes in the kitchen. If you're still hungry, you can have that for dessert."
Instead of answering, she kissing my naked cheek, leaving a grain of rice as evidence. "You need to eat," she insists, grabbing the grain and eating it anyway.
"I will." She doesn't believe me, so she grabs a piece of chicken and bites it in half, offering me my share. I roll me eyes, but don't fight her. Though I really should point something out—for the thousandth time. "You shouldn't be using your arm, you know."
"And you shouldn't talk with your mouth full," she counters, working her tongue around the food in her mouth. She doesn't even cover her mouth as she speaks, too busy being amused. I roll my eyes, but don't comment. Someone enters the room—I turn, finding Satoko bringing in a plate with unseasoned, raw meats for Lady. She sets it down for my pup, sitting to the table herself and scooping up a modest helping.
By now, everyone is to the table, happily munching on the food I brought home. No one seems to mind me sitting on the table, or that I have my back to most of them, or that I'm wordlessly arguing with Hitomi to eat and stop worrying about whether I eat—she ignores my attempts and simply grabs her own pair of chopsticks to start feeding me.
"Has anyone demanded that Naruto be in the meeting?" I ask, grabbing Hitomi's chopsticks while she's thinking about that. She pouts, but doesn't fight me.
"Not ye—" The doorbell rings. I sniff, identifying the same Op from earlier. "Who could that be?"
I get up, moving carefully to not hurt Hitomi in any way, and walk to the sliding paper screen to open it. "Oi! Cat! Is this summons for Uzumaki Naruto?!" I call out.
"It is!" he calls back. I figured. They can't not pick on him, not if I'm climbing the ranks unimpeded.
"He'll be there!"
Heading back inside, I find Hitomi chewing on something—I know she would have swallowed by now, so she snuck something into her mouth. "You're the most stubborn woman alive," I grouse, knowing she really shouldn't be using her arm at all. She smiles, completely ignoring how right I am, and pats the table in front of her. The second my butt touches the table, she lays her arms in my lap, and points to the box with her squidy cabbage dough—what does she even like about that stuff?
"Congrats on your promotion, by the way," Hitomi murmurs, rubbing her nose on my cheek. Is she bored?
I feel her nose trailing along my jawline, her breath hot on my neck. "Mi-chan, behave."
"Don't wanna," she teases, kissing my neck. "More okonomiyaki?"
"Only if you behave." I can't be distracted with all the crap going on right now!
"But I'm hungry," she whines playfully. "Would you really let me starve just because I'm playful?"
"I swear, you've been hanging around Naruto too much." I roll my eyes, grabbing what she wants.
"We're not going to have enough bedrooms for everyone." Where did that even come from?
"Mi, focus," I chastise her, bringing my chopsticks to her mouth.
"Yoshino-san suggested you and I share a room." My face is suddenly aflame. And Hitomi biting her food off my chopsticks… seafood, entering her…
"N-nn." I really need to stop equating food and sexual innuendo.
"What are you thinking?" she inquires, her eyes half-lidded and a knowing smirk on her lips.
"That you're distracting me." I blush quite a bit deeper.
"Am I a cute distraction?" Gorgeous, but your ego is inflated enough as is.
Sigh. "Are you bored?"
"More hoping I can get you to consider resting tomorrow so you can keep me entertained."
"I can't."
"How come?"
"I'll explain it tonight, oh curious one."
"Aya?"
"Nn?"
"Are you against sharing your bed with me?" I blush again. Again with the bed-talk and bedroom eyes. I know what you're doing, you know. Stop it.
"N-no. I'm trying to stick to a tight schedule. You can bug me after the council meeting." It's getting harder and harder not to gaze at her lips, not to study her cheeks as she chews, not to wonder what she's thinking every time she knits her brow.
"Aya?"
"Yes, Mi?" I can't even tell if I'm annoyed or too turned on to think straight. Her alternating between massaging my thigh and trailing her fingernails up and down my leg isn't helping much.
"You'll tell me everything tonight?" So that's your angle?
"Soon."
She leans in, her nose poking mine, her lips just not touching mine. "Please? You said you'd tell me."
"I will." I don't appreciate the manipulation, missy. Whether I enjoy the method or not.
She leans in further, murmuring into my ear, "Tonight, then?" Her hot breath does things to me. Good things. Bad things. Too many things.
"Soon."
"I'm not giving up on this," she insists, kissing my ear. She nibbles on my earlobe, obviously intent on fighting dirty.
"We'll talk about it later." I refuse to give an inch. This isn't something I can discuss, not yet. If no one knows my moves, no one can counter them. All they can do is guess where I am and where I'm going based on the moves already made. That's an advantage I'm not giving up.
8-8
Looking in the mirror, I find a professional woman looking back. A woman wearing dark grey business suit with a knee-length skirt, long sleeves, a white blouse, and one-inch Mary Janes that make me look both stylish and bookish—I think. I push my glasses higher up onto my nose, enjoying both the amusement in my eyes and the smirk I'll have to make disappear the second I leave this room. Not to mention my forehead protector still tied around my neck like a choker and the gloves revealing only my fingers. I even have my flak jacket sealed in my glove, so I'll have it as proof if someone does something stupid.
This is someone I don't mind being. A business woman, a doctor. And within a matter of hours, the most hunted bitch in this fucking village.
Sensei and Hitomi sit on my bed, neither uttering a word. Pursed lips and widened eyes are all they have to offer. For the best. I don't have time to coddle either of them. I've another five minutes before I'm meant to leave. I unseal my storage scroll, unsealing the bag with the money and start making quick calculations. I'll need two million Ryou, give or take. He'll already suspect I have a shitton of money, so nothing I do will change that. Still, I'd rather not give the impression I walk with all that money on my person at all times.
I count a single stack of two-thousand Ryou notes, finding it has a hundred in it. That's two-hundred-thousand. I take ten such stacks, finding I've barely put a dent into the bandits' money—I've half-emptied one envelope, and there are at least another fifteen envelopes I've not touched.
Nodding to myself, I zip the bag closed and seal it, then seal my scroll into my glove once again. I unseal the two stubs the gate guard gave me, putting them in my dresser drawer for safekeeping, then seal the stacks of cash into the now empty seal.
"I really wish you'd stop saying things like that," Hitomi complains. I just said we have enough food to last a few days. I was thinking aloud! "I don't like this idea… at all." You don't know my ideas, why not just admit that's what has you worried? Or did you see the collection of futons, and come to the conclusion I'm turning my den into a bomb shelter for a few days?
"You're injured. Even if I wasn't planning anything, I'd refuse to let you leave this house," I point out. She'd be no different with me, after all.
"That just makes me worry more." She looks away from me, not liking how I'm so obviously leaving anyway.
"Mom's coming with me," I remind her. Sensei wants to feel happy about me calling her that in private, but the worry all too evident in her eyes, in the tension in her shoulders, tells me 'happy' isn't a good descriptor of her current mental or emotional state. "Hatake's too emotionally involved to sit this out. And there isn't a doubt in my mind daddy suspects my next moves. So I'll be fine."
"That isn't the point!" she gripes. "I won't be there. I won't be able to protect you."
I should point out that if she takes a mission, she won't be here to protect me anyway. Perhaps I should remind her that there were years she wasn't there to protect me, and I survived just fine on my own. I won't—though both are arguably true, neither is fair to her.
"Don't… don't do this," she pleads, shaking her head as her eyes beg me to stay.
I turn to her, meeting her worries and concerns and insecurities with my rock fast determination. My eyes smile as I saunter over to her, the staccato of clicks somehow making me feel… powerful, in control. I like this feeling more than is healthy just now. The corner of my mouth curls up as I cup her cheek.
"It isn't the monsters lurking in the shadows that I fear. It's the monsters sleeping in my head," I soothe as best I can, hoping to kami-sama I'm not making this worse for her. "I'm tired of giving those monsters power over me. And whether you want to admit it or not, I know you're tired, too."
"Then why are you so amused?" she grumbles, muzzling my gloved hand. She isn't happy about this, I can tell. But I'm glad she isn't fighting me.
I furrow my brow as I think about that, my lips curling downwards. "Because that's exactly how I felt, every moment of every day you were out on a mission. I feel better knowing you feel the same," I explain, my face pinched as I shake off the useless emotions. "Trust that I'll come back to you, Mi-chan. Even if I have to trample over a thousand corpses to do it."
She… she looks comforted by that, but not mollified. Her eyes keep peering up at me, before she looks away. Something is bothering her. "Aya?"
"Nn?"
"Are you…" Her eyes still, before they close and a hot blush steals across her cheeks. "Were you serious?"
"About what?"
"Wanting to settle down? Start a family?" She looks up at me again, the crease between her eyebrows telling me she's worried about what my answer might be.
"That's third date talk. We haven't even been on our first," I tease, smirking. We're not even officially a thing, Hitomi! Make it official before you ask about whether I dream about weddings and babies.
"P-please… I need to know," she begs, tears welling up. I narrow my eyes in suspicion. The… soothing touch genjutsu? What did she see that…?
"I need to go, Mi-chan. But I promise we'll talk about this when I get back." She shakes her head, no. Still shaking her head. She wraps her arm around my middle, pulling me closer, holding me tight. This is… deeper than just what's going on. Much deeper.
It seems I'm not the only one tired of waking up alone.
"I'm a wolf, Mi-chan. If you continue to treat me right, you'll never have to worry if I'll be there in the morning." I comb my fingers through her hair, kissing her brow to let her know I'm here. That I'll always be here for her.
8-8
We make it to the realtor's for two fifty. We're cutting it close, but it can't be helped. I enter with Naruto and sensei hot on my heels. The man from earlier waves me over enthusiastically, welcoming me as he sets the papers on the desk for my perusal. I ignore him, flitting through the wording to make sure it's airtight and will ensure I am the sole proprietor of the lots I'm hoping to buy.
There's some fancy wording, some allusion to a homeowners' union, and a single line about 'adhering to the on duty shinobi during an emergency evacuation'. Pretty standard stuff, I guess. There's no mention of a monthly fee, only the land taxes to be paid by the first of January—there's also mention of consolidating multiple lots into a single compound, and a reference to where I can get more information on that.
All in all, not as fucked as I feared.
"Should I sign, what's the total for the two homes?" I ask, just to be sure.
"One-point-eight million Ryou, Namiki-sama. Please, look at the bill calculations," he suggests, grabbing a paper at the bottom of the second stack of papers and handing it to me. I go over it, but I don't have too much time to waste. Property costs, officially putting it on my name, land tax for the remainder of this year, consulting fee, and some bullshit three thousand Ryou fee for paperwork. Asshole.
"Very well," I murmur, signing every page on the dotted line and giving him both stacks. He signs as well, slaps them both with a dated stamp, and offers me my copy. I need a binder to keep official documents safe. Either way, I unseal the cash and offer him nine of the ten stacks. "That should be exactly one-point-eight million Ryou. Unfortunately, I'm due for a council meeting. Should I have miscalculated, please come see me."
"I will do so, Namiki-sama," he assures me, standing and bowing low to me. I bob my head, sealing the last stack of cash and the paperwork into my glove. "Please do not forget the deeds." He offers me two official-looking documents. Hmm. I unseal the cash and paperwork, add the deeds, and seal them away together.
"Thank you. Please do not forget I'm still interested in the other three. I look forward to our continued business."
"As do I."
8-8
We barely make it to the council chambers on time, but on time is still on time. Everyone's eyes fall on me, wondering why I'm here. I bite my lip, refusing to smirk. The room isn't any different than it has been. One long, sickle-like table where the Hokage's seat is the divider between Shinobi and Civilian Councils, and many comfortable chairs designed to cushion lazy asses.
Only this time, I notice the clan crests in front of each seat. I don't recognize most of them—not from either side—but I recognize the Hatake, Uchiha, Senju, and the four clans I'm allied with.
There's a wall of noise, a constant thrum of conversation as people mumble and murmur and discuss this or that. I don't pay them any mind, focusing on the smiling brunet coming our way.
"There you are, sweetie," Nara-sama announces, walking over to us. "Hokage-sama's secretary gave me this for you." He offers me a little cloth with the kanji for 'wolf' embroidered in. The backdrop is ivory and the kanji is crimson, just as all the other markers.
"Thank you, daddy," I coo, taking it and hugging him like there's no tomorrow.
"Don't thank me yet. There's still a lot to learn, you know," he teases, petting my hair gently to not muss it. "I take it you're here as her advisor?" He must be talking to sensei.
"Of course," sensei agrees, amusement in her tone. "Unless you think you need the backup?" He snorts, amused.
"Come on, then. Meeting's about to start," he urges. We walk together, and he shows me to the last seat of the Shinobi side—I'm lowest in the ranks here. That's fine—it's only temporary. I attach the cloth to the sticky part on the inwards facing side of the table, and take my seat where I now belong. Nara-sama kisses my crown, walking considerably further up the pecking order. He and the others take their seats about two-thirds up, with a mere six seats separating them from Hokage-dono—out of fourty-six.
"No, Naruto-kun. Advisors stand to the right. You stand to Aya's left. And don't speak, that's Aya-chan's job as your shadow guard," sensei explains in hushed whispers. I feel a gentle breeze as they move about behind me.
Hokage-dono walks in and the near constant chatter finally dies down. He takes his seat, his eyes taking in sensei and Naruto standing behind me. "Thank you all for coming. This meeting is officially opened. So we'll start with the most troubling situations. Haruno-sama, you called for an emergency meeting. Please explain why." Haruno Mebuki, matriarch of their clan. Interesting. I expected she'd take the subtle route and have her allies start shit—given she sits in the third lowest seat of the civilian side, it's safe to assume either she has no higher connections, or they won't help her in this.
"It's been brought to my attention, that Genin Namiki—"
"Special Jounin Namiki," I correct.
…
All brain functions in the room seem to have halted for a moment.
…
A lo~oooooong moment. Is it sad that only my allies are grinning like predators on the prowl?
"I am also head of the recently established Namiki clan. As such, I would ask that you refer to me as Namiki-sama," I press, doing my damnedest not to smirk at her. She blinks, her sandy brown hair sways as she turns to Hokage-dono—no doubt hoping for him to refute both claims. "You were about to ask for confirmation about my involvement in the Land of Wave. An on-going investigation into both a mission and intervention. Please, continue."
"A-ah. A-apologies, Namiki-sama. Yes, it was brought to my attention that she recruited both criminals and rogue shinobis. Brought a selection of them back to Konoha, if the rumours are true." She's so much like her daughter—easily unnerved, but headstrong and willing to soldier on regardless.
The murmuring starts up immediately.
"I would remind Haruno-sama that she refers to my clansmen. Those under both my protection, and the Naras'," I drone, laying my chin on my folded hands to show how interested I am in this conversation. "Lest you desire I start questioning either your standing in Konoha or that of your clansmen, I suggest you keep out of Namiki affairs."
"Actually," Hokage-dono's female advisor pipes up. Hmm? Is that Uchiha's connection revealing itself? "I am most interested in the tales I hear as well. I've read the reports. They are… lacking. Tell me, child. What exactly happened in Wave?"
"Would you prefer I call you an old ghoul?" I drawl. She bristles instantly. "Then don't call me a child."
"Why you—"
"Need I remind this council that I am the head of my clan? That is a position worthy of respect, correct?" She silently fumes, no doubt complaining about the youth of today, or some shit. She carries herself with an 'old money' air about her. Hairstyle that went out of fashion a hundred years ago. And given her current position, she's used to power. She'll be a pain in the ass. No doubt in my mind.
There's a knock at the door. I sniff, smirking when I identify Hatake. He's here to show off and pissed people off. How like him.
The door slides open. "Ah. It's already started? So sorry. There was this old l—"
"Sit down, Kakashi," Hokage-dono orders, sounding exasperated. Interestingly, Hatake takes his seat a mere three seats up from me. That's not right! The Hatake clan has been at least as affluent as the Inuzukas for generations! And they're in the top twenty! Hmm.
Well, not my problem.
"Where were we? Ah, Koharu-chan's inquiry into Aya-chan's involvement in Wave. Correct?"
"Yes," the old hag snaps. "Special Jounin Namiki. Report!"
"No," I drawl. "And continued disrespect will be mirrored, zombie-sama."
The vein in her forehead looks about ready to burst. She must have high blood pressure.
"Last I checked, Sarutobi Hiruzen was Hokage of our village. He has already received both my written and verbal reports. Both daddy and Hatake-sama can confirm this. My involvement is no one else's business. Accordingly, I may deny any inquiries as I please. Given your repeated disrespect, zombie-sama," I glance at her, meeting her angered gaze with apathy, "I please."
"Jounin Hatake!"
"I'm with her on this one. And please don't shout. Some of us still have working ear drums," Hatake drawls, mirroring my body language perfectly. He doesn't want to be here anymore than I do, but he's so fucking curious about the moves I'm making. It wouldn't surprise me if he followed me into the realtor's.
"Then I demand that Hyuuga Hitomi make her report before this council!" she barks at Hyuuga-sama. He doesn't react, seemingly thinking about that.
"Denied," I drone. All eyes are on me once again. "I will not permit my lover to leave the safety of my den at your whim." Though 'pin dropping silence' isn't a thing, it certainly is quiet enough for me to hear a few people gritting their teeth.
"Namiki-sama should best not presume overmuch with another's clansman," some overly proper shit on the civilian side butts in. He sits in his chair, his spine ramrod straight. I feel slouched in comparison. The asshole.
"When a shinobi is injured, it is at the bidding of said shinobi's doctor whether they are fit to report for active duty. Given I am both her lover and her doctor, I believe you know what I am going to say to that." All eyes fall on Hyuuga-sama, no doubt waiting for him to weigh in on this. "Try your luck with Honda or Ito. They were there."
"I'd have to refuse on my clansman's behalf," someone announces. I assume either an Ito or a Honda.
"I concur. Their reports were given, written and verbal. Namiki-sama's point extends to them as well," another chimes in—either a Honda or an Ito… I'm assuming.
People are starting to get frustrated. I see the impotent anger in their eyes, smell the cortisol in the room—though I don't know what that's about.
"This is ridiculous!" some richly dressed man belts out, slamming his three-ringed hand on the table to accentuate his petulance. "Hokage-sama, are you really going to allow some child get away with this?!"
"And you are…?" I drawl, my gaze boring into him even though my every move is laconic and laidback.
"Seitou Nariakira, representative to the Seitou clan," he brags, puffing out his chest.
"Seitou. When you massacre a compound filled with enemy shinobi, I'll listen to your whining." Most shinobi present chuckle at the man's expense, but the civilians—with few exceptions—all look pasty at the notion. "Now, if we could move onto more productive topics? I'm a busy woman."
"Very well. Genin Uzumaki. I understand you've also brought back—"
"This avenue has already been tried and I've closed it. Pick a subject worth this council's time," I butt in. "And if you question that, you forget they were also signed in under Namiki and Nara protection."
There's an uncomfortable murmuring going back and forth. They hate how they can't get a leg up, and not even the others—
"Then I motion for Uchiha Sasuke to give his report!" Fucking hell! They're determined little cockroaches.
"If all this council desires is a report regarding myself or Genin Uzumaki Naruto, then I promise you I will be the reason you lose sleep at night," I drawl, enjoying the mindfuck that's going to be meted out.
"Are you threatening us?!" I snort, but don't answer the fuckwad. Strangely, Hokage-dono doesn't veto the crudely worded request, so one of the Ops is sent to fetch Uchiha. Curiously, he comes back no more than five minutes later with Haruno as well. Both of them take one look at me and shiver.
"Genin Uchiha. This council needs your report on the events take took place in Wave," the old ghoul soothes. She's completely different with him, and there's a lining of loss in her eyes. She sees not the boy, but the clan he represents—the family he lost. She's his support from the shadows, and the one that spoils him at every turn.
"Kakashi was there. Namiki was there. Naruto was there. Ask them," he bellyaches.
"They've already given in their reports. As such, the council wishes a different perspective."
"I call bullshit," I bark, now officially starting to get pissed. I glare at the woman, daring her to contradict me. "I refused. Hatake-sama refused. I refused for Naruto. And the others refused for their clansmen. If you try something, don't base it on ambiguously worded lies, zombie-sama."
"I figured. If the old man needs my report, he can ask himself. Otherwise, I'll return to my training." He stands, waiting for a long moment. Nothing happens. He strolls right back out, muttering about wasting his time—I know the feeling.
And now, the weakest link. She takes one look at her mother, steals a peak at me, and nervously fingers the blades I gave her. Loyalty conflicts are a bitch, but she'll cave without fail.
"Genin Haruno. Report!" A conditioned reflex ingrained from the day we joined the academy. A reflex they'll continuously try to take advantage of, until you outgrow their petulance.
Not missing a beat, she starts explaining everything from their meeting the bridge builder, to the stupid brothers, to facing Momochi, to me storming in that night. She explains my scrolls and their seals, how I unsealed an army of shinobi and bandits, and how I almost single-handedly trained the lot of them. She explains everything, including that night and the dubious talk. She forgets nothing of it, not a single word.
I'm so busy enjoying the growing discomfort, both in Haruno and the council, that I don't know if I can hold in the evil cackle much longer.
She doesn't know much of the palace's infiltration, only that I'm reported to have done it solo, even with Hitomi and the Iis for backup. Then comes the battle on the bridge. She wasn't there, but Haruno explains how Hitomi came back with two broken arms, and Honda had both his severed. Then…
"I-it's… Momochi Zabuza's condition that worried me most. His arms and legs were visibly broken, both femurs had broken through skin. As were six of his ribs, and another four were bruised. Namiki-san was completely unscathed, but she was furious."
I listen with half an ear—I was there, I remember what happened—but mostly I pay attention to the widening eyes and lowering jaws.
Haruno continues, detailing how I tended to both Hatake and Hitomi, how I was the only one both trusted enough to allow for such a thing. Then: "As well, I'm fairly certain Hyuuga-san and Namiki-san are a couple. Namiki-san refused all contact between Hyuuga-san and anyone not of her group, and en route to Konoha she would feed Hyuuga-san at every meal. Adding half-lidded gazes, dilated pupils when they look at each other, and a growing sexual tension with their mealtime games, it wouldn't surprise me if they've… c-consummated." She blushes furiously, her eyes glued to her feet as she fidgets.
In other words, she remembered everything I wanted this council to know, and I made them work their ass off to get it.
"Thank you, Genin Haruno. That will be all," the old ghoul dismisses her with a lazy wave of the hand. Haruno glances at me once again. I smirk, knowing she's going to sleep horribly for a few nights. The fledgling clan's curse claims another victim—or are they victim to 'pissed off Nara syndrome'.
"Is this council quite done bending to the whims of its most infantile members?" I drone, reining in my amusement just enough to keep my tone neutral. The amusement in my eyes isn't going away, though.
"Oi, Aya-chan," Hatake pipes up, sounding quite amused. "Aren't you going to mention that you convinced Zabuza to join Konoha?" There are more than a few gasps—shock, horror, their brains leaking out of their pie holes, it makes no difference to me.
"That's Yuki clan business. Not any business of mine," I drone, smirking.
"Oh? What about the rise of the Uzumaki clan?" he presses. Oh, he is just a treat.
"The Uzuamki clan is under Namiki protection until such a time they are strong enough to stand on their own," I drone. "Why, Hatake-sama, are you so interested?"
"Naruto-kun is my cute little student. I like keeping abreast to developing… situations, is all," he claims, eye-smiling at me. I snort, seeing through the ruse. He figured out my approach, and he both approves and wishes to aid me. "Speaking of which. I would need a private meeting with you. To discuss his training and the like."
"That's fair. Is there any more posturing this council needs to resort to?"
"H-has… has Namiki-sama considered taking a team?" Seitou probes.
"This meeting has been wholly and solely about me. Is there a reason for this?" I intone, glaring at Seitou—all amusement is dead, leaving only annoyance. The sound of a few dozen dipshits shifting uncomfortably in their seats is simply divine to my ears. "I suggest you do not make this mistake again."
"Agreed," Hokage-dono sounds quite amused himself. His eyes twinkle with an impish delight, no doubt thinking how he might actually enjoy these meetings from now on. "This meeting is adjourned."
8-8
Leaving the council chambers behind, and the conflicts the councilmembers need to work out, I shiver. There were quite a few of them giving me some seriously creepy looks when they thought no one would notice.
Most notably, I've seen some very… troubling signs. The Haruno were higher in the ranks before today's meeting—that's troubling, because a cornered rat will attack even a lion. The Seitou are cocky to the point of megalomania, they're no doubt going to be a problem. Zombie-sama is also turning into a grade-A pain in the ass. I'm willing to bet these were the three clans trying to claim me—their intentions are unimportant, only their actions matter.
And Shimura Danzou. He hadn't uttered a word the entire meeting. Only listening, always listening. Given only his name has ever been tossed around when it came to 'moves being made', I'm guessing he's my biggest problem. I'll need to figure out how to know for certain.
That leaves me with several problems, all of which I need confirmation to know much of anything. So that's going to be dealt with at dinner.
"Aburame," I turn to the man that must be my ex-classmate's father. His nose and shades point at me, but I smell no sign of him possessing eyes—no tears to lubricate and protect, among other things. He likely sees via his allies.
There are a few lingering clans, mostly civilians. The only shinobi are a man that smells heavily of burnt coal and iron, Haruno, Hyuuga and his guard, Hatake, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Inuzuka, Nara-sama, and sensei. I don't mind this group hearing what I have to say.
"Konoha isn't safe tonight," I murmur, knowing only shinobi will hear me. "It probably won't be for a week." He nods, leaving without a word.
Everyone's eyes study me. But I have neither the time nor the will. I turn to Hatake, mouthing: Uchiha. He nods, heading off. Whether he takes orders from me or not—I'd bet the Namiki bank accounts on 'not'—he knows I have a nose for trouble. And this entire village stinks of trouble.
"Mom. Where are the zombie sisters?" I ask her. Sensei frowns. I get the impression I'm not going to like this.
8-8
We make it to the hospital, to a low care unit where the nurses all greet us with a smile. They don't make stupid comments this time, but I see the 'I know you' looks all the same. Sensei leads us down a dead-end hall. I smell the sisters already.
Hmm. No blood, no cortisol, no antiseptics, no antibiotics, no wound care. They aren't that bad off, then.
"Keiko, Misato. Look who I brought with me?" sensei announces, opening the door without knocking. We enter, finding only the sisters in a room with six beds. Hmm. The eight other rooms in this hall are empty.
I scan them visually. Not pale. Their eyes focus on us quickly. They smile, so they recognize us. And they call our names without a hint of hesitation. There are no obvious wounds. They don't smell of poison or illness. And yet they are hooked up to IV drips with saline water? Even though they have cups of drinks on their trays?
They're both sitting down to a table near the window, having dragged their stick on wheels to not snag the IV and whatnot. They have books and novels and magazines to entertain them.
I smell generated income.
"No time," I drone. "Lay down." All eyes in the room are on me. Sensei looks worried. Naruto tenses to show he's ready for a fight, if it comes to that. And the sisters look profoundly uncomfortable in the situation.
Still, they get up and go to their beds. No dizziness with the sudden movement, no wobbling as they move. I go to Keiko first.
I cast the Mystic palm, seeing her eyes widen with shock as I scan her from head to toe. I thought so. Smoke lining her lungs—they haven't purged that yet, nor is she on a respirator. She carries no signs, but I'll bet she was injured enough to lose blood. She also has an iron deficiency, coupled with the already lowered oxygen absorption rate? Hmm. They want her to feel like staying is a good thing. After all, even minor exertion would induce anaemic symptoms.
Not wasting words, I go to Misato. I scan her as well, just as thoroughly. There are a few lingering signs of injury. I can tell her leg was broken, but the most she'd need at this point is rehabilitation—if she hasn't been going through that for weeks. She's healthy enough to have released a while ago, if she agreed to follow-up check-ups and weekly therapy.
"I thought so," I grumble, unsealing my scroll and my med bag. I take out some sterile cotton swabs, pulling out the needle in their arms, dropping them to the floor to dirty them. I then heal the injury with the Healing jutsu, just to be sure. "Let's go."
"A-Aya-chan, what's…?" Keiko trails off, having noticed my hard stare. She gulps almost painfully, but nods and starts gathering her things quickly. There isn't much, luckily. I send Naruto out into the hall so they can change in peace, while I'm busy sealing their things and my med bag into my scroll, then sealing that into my glove.
We leave.
"WHERE—"
I unseal my tetsubo, hefting it up onto my shoulder. "These two have just been discharged. I suggest this hospital look into their cases, because I will be filing malpractice. Good day." The portly nurse just stands there, as if a statue. The fun part, I could probably get away with it. But this is just more efficient to get these two out of here, stat.
Besides. Nothing wrong with them going over their cases and making sure they did nothing wrong. I know for a fact they fucked up, but they'll pin that on easy money. Unethical as fuck, though.
8-8
We barely make it to the main entrance before Keiko starts becoming short on breath, wobbling, with a light sheen of sweat. She looks pale, as well—anaemic symptoms, alright.
"Piggyback," I demand, offering her my back. I can't see her reaction, but she doesn't fight me. I unseal my tetsubo as she wraps her arms around my shoulders and tuck it under her butt for extra support as I heft her up onto my back. "Naruto, stay close to Misato. If anything goes down, make a Shadow Clone and have the clone carry her. Only distraction tactics, we're on a schedule."
"Nn," he noises, stepping closer to the brunette. All three Naras narrow their eyes at me, and suddenly sensei is studying every shadow we pass. Yeah, they understand I expect a war—it's part of the plan, after all.
Our journey isn't very long, twenty minutes, give or take. Yet tension is high, the air thick with anticipation. I feel Keiko's heart beating in her throat, fearing what might happen if we are attacked.
We make it onto my street—well, not mine yet, but soon will be—and there are six unfamiliar scents up ahead. They are exactly where we cannot avoid them. There'll be no getting around them, no tricks.
I sniff deep, wondering why they'd dare being so bold as to plan an ambush in broad daylight. I study their scents, comparing them to knowns. Not allied to my allies. No Op I'm used to, but certainly strong enough to be Ops. Two Water-users, one Earth, one fire, and the last smells heavily of Yang release—medic, more than likely. The trouble is, I don't see them, at all. And yet, I know they're halfway down the street.
Are they here for recon? Are they a forward party to start trouble? They haven't done a damn thing about their scents and, given how keenly I smell their chakra, they aren't suppressing that either. They want me to know they're there, that they're watching me. In fact, two of them happen to be on my land—the two homes I'd bought.
I study those scents most intensely of all. Seitous, the pair of them. So the shakedown begins. "Girls?"
"Y-yeah. I-I kn-know," Keiko mumbles into my ear. "Smells of Seitou clan. The other four are of the Imaizumi, the soldier clan of the Seitou. I nod, having the confirmation I need. Yamanaka will need to hear this—they are, in point of fact, trespassing. That's a punishable offence, and I know have at least one witness to corroborate my findings. I'll be sure to ask the Iis when we get inside as well.
We continue on, the scent of their adrenaline spiking the closer we get to them. I mould the chakra I need, keeping it herded in my voice box—one wrong move and I fucking slaughter all six of them.
There's barely five metres between us now. I can't see them, but I smell them so close together they could almost be hugging. Why would they smell like they'd group four jounins so close together?
Four metres. I feel my heart hammering in my throat. Just the thought of not being able to act before they do.
Three. Sakiko's face flashes through my mind. Reika's. Yasu's. Everyone. I refused to die here. I disperse the Calming Touch genjutsu from my vocal cords, and I focus Icy Heatstroke in my eyes instead. If they fuck with me, they die the cruellest way I can offer.
Two. Hitomi. If anything happens to me, it'd kill her.
One. I don't care what god I have to defy. I'm coming home, Mi-chan.
…
Nothing happens. They let us pass without incident. They let us reach my gate without incident.
"Aya," Michiko grumbles, scaring the shit out of me! I was so focused on those six that I didn't think to check if anyone or anything else. She opens the gate, wordlessly ordering us inside. I agree—for this one time, fuck the rules.
When the clank of iron hitting iron reaches me, I breathe a sigh of relief. That was fucking scary!
I look to Michiko, nodding my thanks to her. I motion everyone inside without a word.
8-8
Sensei's spent the last hour in my bedroom, calling the others to update them—she deemed the office phone 'too public' for these calls. It turns out there's a privacy seal near the door that blocks out all sounds, but not all scents—personally I think that's a waste, seeing as good sex makes more scents than sounds, that those scents are traceable days later is also telling. Maybe I'm just weird about it. Or maybe I've never heard someone having sex—or not good sex. I don't know, and basing it on those ero-novels is pointless.
She also called the Inuzukas to warn them. I think she's now coming to terms with how utterly asinine the rest of the day is going to be. I also heard some rather intense words being shouted at a few Naras she called.
Somehow 'just do it, you lazy ass' doesn't sound as motivational to me as she thinks it should sound to them. Realistically, though, I can't imagine an entire clan being carbon copies of her husband or son. And why am I worried about how she addresses her clansmen? I have enough going on!
I still need to get out there. I need to do three things before I can call it a day. And those assholes are still out there. Yet, here I am, in my private cache, unsealing and emptying bag after bag without sorting through any of it—that's going to be an itch I can't scratch for hours!
Hitomi's glaring at me—she's been glaring at me for a while now—wordlessly ordering me to stop acting as if I'm leaving this house. Each time our eyes meet, I see the rational fears playing out in her mind—she no doubt identified each of the potential assailants, and has been listening to sensei's reports she's been doling out.
Gods, this is too much for one person to deal with.
The doorbell rings. I narrow my eyes as I sniff.
Hatake. Fucking. Kakashi. I grin.
Well. That solves that, now doesn't it.
"I'll be gone no more than twenty minutes. I'm taking Michiko and Zeitou with me. And I won't leave Kakashi's side. I promise," I announce. Neither of them looks impressed. No time. No time. It's five past three, that means I'm still well on schedule. They shouldn't be dumb enough to do much of anything before I get back—and with everyone I need to safeguard already up to date?
I grab two tantos, closing my cache behind me as I seal my scrolls into my gloves again. I'm still wearing my suit, which isn't the best thing to fight in. They should know that, that I'm not out to fight. No ideal, but this will have to do.
"A-Aya, no… please no," Mi-chan begs. She comes to me, wraps her arm around me, and… fuck. I feel tears raining down on me. Stress is horrid for the healing process—she needs to rest her mind and body, or she faces dire repercussions. I can't… I won't do this to her, not if it will so clearly affect her injuries and/or her healing from them.
"You have everything you need… don't you?" she begs me to say yes, begs me to stay here where I'm safe, begs me to not go out into that harsh, cruel world before she's healed enough to protect me.
"Everything? No," I shake my head, "but I have enough to stay here tonight." She tenses, but I don't have time for this. Hatake brought guests, and they no doubt aren't taking well to our uninvited audience out in the street with them.
"S-so…" She pulls back from me, letting me see her fears—even the fear she's understanding this inaccurately.
"I still need to let them in, Mi-chan. It won't take me a minute."
"You're... not leaving?" I roll my eyes, groaning at her sudden inability to be a rational human being.
People waiting in bad company for no good reason, remember that? Can we please focus on that for a second?
"You can even come with me, if we go now."
8-8
Having finally made it outside, I find Hatake, Uchiha, and two Harunos—mother and daughter. I smile, giving Hatake his only chance to word this right before shit hits the fan. Seeing as his eye is on Hitomi, who's right beside me, I know he understands just how… unreasonable I can and will respond if he tries being a dick.
"Tell me the risks," he begins, his eye glued to my chest, "of Naruto's hunting pack being left out in the cold when people will already think you want them dead." Okay, that's below the belt!
Whoever's on the prowl would kill them and blame it on me, using that as a means to blame even more on me, given how I'm at the centre of all this bullshit.
Sigh. "No. I will not invite death into my den. Take those two somewhere else."
"Namiki-sama, please reconsider!" the elder of the pair begs, drops to her knees. I snort. She wasn't this concerned when I lost my mother. Nor was she concerned when I continuously got in trouble for protecting Naruto.
I sniff, smelling a collection of Yamanakas coming down the road—guarded by the clan head himself, and three jounins I recognize. Maybe I can use this as the 'disclaimer' I need to make a point for those Seitous.
"Take a few healthy steps back, Haruno. The both of you. If I suspect anyone of entering my property, I will act accordingly," I warn them, glaring to show how serious I am. The younger doesn't hesitate, moving back to the other side of the street to give me wide berth, but the elder prostrates herself, her hands clapped together over her head. She thinks begging is a thing with wolves, does she?
I open my gate, stepping outside and peering down the street at the incoming blonds. Six women—five of which are visibly pregnant, three of which have a young child with them. The sole non-pregnant woman has three young children with her.
"You're early," I point out, sniffing to confirm each of them is a Yamanaka. Only one isn't, but she carries a toddler that smells both as her child and a Yamanaka. I nod, knowing all I need to.
The jounins form a perimeter around the group, with the head in the lead. His eyes beg for me to take them, though not a word passes his lips.
"Get inside," I order, motioning them in. I'm not too surprised when only the women and children enter, the four jounins bowing so low to me that I wonder if they know anything about Namikis.
"Everything they need is sealed," Inoichi assures me, offering three small scrolls. I accept them from him, bobbing my head in thanks. "Do you need someone to stand guard?"
"No. Are these the only non-combatants?"
"Yes," he assures me. "Please, niece. Guard them well." His eyes are hollow for some reason.
"I was expecting your wife and daughter," I murmur, raising an eyebrow to accentuate the unasked question. He breathes easier. "You're coming to dinner. I'll expect them as well. Does your clan have a medic to monitor them?"
"No," he shakes his head, his eyes shining with unspoken gratitude.
"Well, we'll come up with something. Are there any other genins or chuunins that you need kept safe?"
"M…" one of the jounins speaks up, but Inoichi glares at him.
"Your what?" I encourage the man to speak up again.
"My girlfriend, Namiki-sama. She's a chuunin, but not of our clan," he pleads.
"Name?"
"Sasakawa Tamaki. Non-clan. I begged Inoichi-sama, but…" Both men look troubled.
I shake my head no. If this were a serious relationship with a non-clan member, they should be married by now. "I don't—"
"She's pregnant," he cuts me off, his mute begging intensifying. There's also fear in his gaze. He has something in place for her, but he wants offer her the same protection as the others. "Please."
"Uncle. Bring her with you later." The man's eyes widen briefly, but he composes himself and nods. "And be sure the others understand the implications as well." He nods, awe and wonder lining his eyes.
Without another word, they bow and body flicker to see to whatever duties Hokage-dono gave them.
"Good. Now, Hatake. I reminded you about Uchiha to keep him safe, not to dump him or your other student on me," I round on him. "I have enough going on, so I am not taking on your responsibilities."
He turns to look up the street. I sniff, sensing the Naras coming this way. Six women, each pregnant. Each having a young child with them. Da… Nara-sama is with them, as are three other jounins, though none I recognize.
"Quite the crowd," Hatake indirectly accuses me of denying the three he needs guarded. I snort, shaking my head. The Naras arrive.
"Inside. Mom will sort you out," I order. The women nods as they pass me, a few of the pups with them wave and smile—I find a little smile on my face as well, fighting not to imagine my life with…
No. Aya, focus. There are enemies within reach of your allies.
"You mind if I help get them settled?" da… Nara-sama asks, worry flickering over his visage. He understands that I'm already going so drastically against my principles for his and the other clans, and he damn well knows I'm only doing it because of him and m… and sensei.
"Silly question." My eyes smile, just for him, to set him at ease. His lips curl upwards for a fraction of a second. "I'm going to need at least one Nara jounin inside with me. If mom doesn't have someone to yell at, I'm the next logical target."
All four Nara men chuckle, though they try not to make it too loud to tip sensei off.
"Ensui?" Nara-sama mumbles. One of the men nods, and they enter together. The remaining two bow to me before body flickering away.
I turn most of my attention to back to Hatake. "If there's nothing else?"
"Aya. Please," he begs. Why do people think begging a wolf will get them anything but bitten?
"They're your problem. Not mine," I drone, uncaring.
"Looking good, Aya-chan!" Ino gushes, her eyes smiling as I turn to her and her team. Not surprisingly, Team Eight is with them—when are Sarutobi and Yuuhi going to admit they're a thing?
I sniff. I grab the gate by the doorknob and shut it just as they're making their way towards me. Suddenly, they don't look so sure.
"I'd given specific instructions," I drone, sneering at Sarutobi. "Explain."
Sarutobi rubs the back of his neck, taking a long pull at his cigarette as he thinks of something. "Well, we figured you'd—"
"That's nice. And I'll be sure to figure something next time I visit your compound." He and Yuuhi exchange a look, their eyes flicking to Hatake, who's much in the same straits. "You were to show up for dinner, you fuckwad. And put that damn cancer stick out. My den is crawling with pregnant women and young children."
He takes another long pull, before dropping the half-smoked cigarette and stepping on it to out it. "Now, Namiki, that—"
"I haven't asked for your opinion, Sarutobi. And I certainly am not interested in hearing it. Shikimaru, Ino, and Chouji can stay. The others can—"
The gate opens behind me. I turn, unsealing my tetsubo and glare holes into Hitomi. "Get your ass inside," I order, moving towards her and keeping myself between her and the threat.
"You said you weren't leaving, Aya," she complains, her arm wrapping around my shoulder and trying to pull me back into the safety of the den. I sniff, smelling trouble coming. Six unknowns, each jounin-smelling. Fuck!
"Get your ass inside," I order.
"I'm not going without you." Stubborn as ever.
Hatake moves towards the incoming group, pulling up his forehead protector to reveal his Sharingan. The weight of the tantos I brought with me reminds me what I originally planned on doing.
"Hatake." I toss him one of the tantos. He catches it, his eyes never leaving the slowing group. With that I grab Ino's forearm and tug her to get her moving, quickly followed by Shika and Chouji. I make sure to grab Hyuuga as well—Naruto would be devastated if anything happened to her.
Aburame, however, I grab by the collar, pulling him dangerously close to me. "If I find one of your allies where they don't belong. I will burn your clan to the ground. Is that understood?"
He bobs his head, the scent of cortisol light but present.
CRACK!
I turn, finding Sarutobi holding a now lifeless corpse by the neck with his left hand—their head hanging at an odd angle and their face frozen in fear. I didn't even sense that one coming. They aren't playing. The cornered rats are here, and they mean business.
"Inside. Now!" I bark out. I unseal my corpse scroll and seal the corpse away, unwilling to give them so much as a ghost of a chance for plausible deniability. I grab Uchiha, keeing his dumb ass in my grip as I drag his ass inside. Inuzuka and the two Harunos come in on their own power. "Hatake, I need you three inside. This isn't our fight."
"Agreed," Yuuhi mutters.
"No time," Hatake argues. "Get inside, close the gate."
"What's going on?" daddy asks, pushing Mi and I inside. He pulls the gate closed, his eyes ever on the incoming threat.
"We've heard reports of a security breach," one of the assholes announces. "We weren't aware that—"
"ENOUGH!" daddy bellows. I couldn't tear my gaze away from him if I tried. The way his every muscle tenses, how his gaze is sharp enough to cut through steel. This isn't just a man worthy of being Jounin Commander of Konoha, this is a man guarding all he holds dear. "I will warn you only once, Shimura. If you or your clan becomes a threat to my family," a sliver of killing intent slips through his control, along with a distinct snarl, "there won't be enough left to bury."
"Now, Na—"
"Leave. Now."
8-8
It takes almost an hour for things to calm down. Between Anbu coming to investigate, statements being taken both verbally and written, me flatly refusing to relinquish the corpse into Anbu cuostody, and sensei chewing out Hatake, Sarutobi, and Yuuhi for blatantly going against a clear and simple order… well, it's been a long hour.
Hatake makes a calm-down motion, sweating a little from how intense she is. "Now, Yo—"
"Did I say I was finished?!" sensei cuts him off again. "Shikaku told you to guard Sasuke and Sakura! That you were to keep them safe and out of the way! Not to drag them into us evacuating our most vulnerable clansmen!"
"How was I su—"
"You were supposed to follow orders!"
Yeah, they're still at it. And Hatake still doesn't seem to understand that sensei isn't going to listen to a word he has to say. I'm too busy glaring at the uninvited 'guests' I have lined up against my wall near the gate. Aburame, Uchiha, two Harunos, Inuzuka, and the shy Hyuuga.
"Come on, momma wolf. They'd never do anything to hurt us!" Naruto begs, standing between me and those that were never supposed to enter my den.
"I don't want to hear it, Uzumaki," I drone, glaring at Haruno for twitching.
…
Why is it suddenly so quiet? Why is sensei… is she crying?
"Baby?" she murmurs, slowly coming closer to me. She has her hands up, palm facing me. "Baby, what's wrong?"
What's wrong? What isn't fucking wrong?! My den is crawling with potential leaks, I have to keep these assholes here to keep them alive, and no one seems to listen to me when I say I need things done a certain way or the whole plan risks falling apart.
The crunch of pebbles under foot brings my attention back to Nara-san. I feel a twitch in my lip a fraction of a second before a growl jumps up from my throat. Nara stops dead in her tracks, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Aya, baby. I need you to talk to me. Tell me what's going on," she begs. She takes another step towards me, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up as the growling intensifies. I feel my whole body tense, my hands flex as the urge to unseal my tetsubo becomes almost too much to withstand.
"Ino. Go upstairs. Call Hitomi. Shika, make sure no one comes any closer from your side," Nara continues in the same soothing tone. She doesn't—
A weight, warmth. A familiar scent.
I turn, finding Reika with her hand on my shoulder. Her eyes smile, not a hint of fear in her. "Michiko-nee says the coast is clear. And that Nara-sama has arrived at the Tower unscathed," she murmurs. I nod, the tension easing somewhat. Phase two starts in less than five minutes then. "Hitomi-sama is refusing to take her nap. She keeps complaining about wanting her grapes, but that you keep reminding her not to use her hand at all."
"Nn," I noise, turning back to sensei and the others. "Hatake. Get those three off my property. Yuuhi, please escort Aburame back to his clan."
"Baby?" sensei tries, cautious but hopeful as she takes another step towards me, then another. I glare at her, annoyed that she doesn't understand the situation, but she still cups my cheek with her hand as she squats down and hugs me. Brief though it is, I see into her. The slight tension telling me she fears I'll act out, but trusts me not to. She doesn't understand me at all.
"What about Kiba and Hinata?" she asks, pulling back a little, still squatting down to my seated height.
"Mi-chan mentioned wanting the heiress to stay, at least until her clan can come pick her up. And Inuzuka's sister should be here. They can leave together."
"So… the issue is Mebuki and Sakura?" I lean out of the way, glaring at Hatake to get his ass in gear.
Sensi eyes are on me, studying me, dissecting what little she thinks she knows—even as Hatake and Yuuhi motion for their students to get up. Sensei nods to herself, seemingly coming to a conclusion of some sort. She turns, facing the shit-for-brains still standing there and staring. "Mebuki, Sakura. I trust you two understand that what you saw and heard here is to be kept to yourselves?"
"Sh-she's…" the senior Haruno stutters, her eyes cloudy from whatever emotion assails her. She shakes it off, steel suddenly shining through her eyes as she straightens her spine and nods to herself. "You have my word, Yoshino." She bows low, before ushering her daughter to the gate to leave. Whatever.
I stand, dusting off my skirt just to be sure, and start moving to the kitchen to get Mi her precious grapes—that woman is becoming so fucking demanding. "Reika. Get the other Namikis. I need everyone in my room."
8-8
End Chapter 21
8-8
A/N: Took a bit longer, because I just wasn't sure how to handle a lot of these scenes. I know this makes it all look like the world revolves around Aya, and that it's seeming Mary Sue-ish. But this just is the right way to handle this chapter.