The Butterfly Effect

"My pack? You make it sound like I'm some kind of leader. I am not a leader. I merely know what I value in this world, and to keep it safe I will weather any hurricane, hunt you down, and kill you. Questions?" Continuation of 'Butterflies'. Character death, Anbu operations, gratuitous violence and some adult situations. May change to M rating.

Arc 1: For the sake of the pack – Chapter 23 – Family bonds

8-8

"Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity." – Hippocrates

8-8

"Itachi." Sasuke calls the name neutrally. "None have reason to hate you more than me."

"Sasu-chan." Asami warns him. Sasuke carefully offers Yuzuki to Asami, but none of them seem happy that Sasuke's arms are now empty. Sasuke gives her a look, telling her wordlessly not to worry. I frown, unsure if he means he can take Itachi or if he doesn't plan on finding out.

"Itachi-nii, would you agree that no one has more of a reason to hate you than me?" Sasuke says, walking up to his older brother. Itachi's still a bit taller.

"… Nn."

"Then how do you explain that I do not hate you?" I smirk. I guess those long ass lectures about looking underneath the underneath finally bears fruit. "How do you explain why Yuzuki, mom, Sango, Sumiko… Naomi, Ren and their children. Ruri, Arisa and their little brothers. Myself. How do you explain why we are still alive? How do you explain that without painting yourself as something other than a mindless demon?"

Itachi doesn't answer. Sasuke keeps walking, towards his mother. Their eyes meet, she's in tears. She obviously thinks he's taking too damn long, because she runs to him, takes him into her arms, bathes him in kisses. The whole time telling him how handsome he's become, how strong he looks, asking him if he's been eating well, sleeping enough.

"I can't answer more than one question at a time, mom." Sasuke intones, smirking that little smirk of his.

"Tough. I have too many years to make up for. You're just going to have to find a way." She says, hugging him tightly. "Kami-sama, I never thought this day would come."

"Mom, breathe. I still have to meet the others." Sasuke teases. "Come on, go interrogate your future daughter-in-law."

Mikoto's eyes are on Asami instantly. Tears in her eyes. "Kushina?"

"Close, Asami." Asami teases. "I'm her daughter." I smirk, seeing a lot of questioning looks. I guess they agreed it's okay to stop hiding their heritage? I'm fine with it either way. If someone tries something stupid, they know I'm going to back them up. Violently.

"But she…"

"She had twins, not just my idiot brother."

"Why am I getting dragged into this?" Naruto complains.

"Stop being an idiot then." Asami teases.

"M-minato?"

"Naruto, but again, close." Asami teases. "I'm sure you'll agree that the idiot takes after mom's personality, but I take after dad's."

While the twins keep arguing –quite loudly, might I add– Sasuke goes over to Sango. She's Sakiko's and Hoshie's age and height, but she looks like Sasuke with longer hair. Well, she actually smiles, so maybe that's the difference?

"S-sasuke-nii?" Sango asks in a quiet, almost nervous little voice.

"Hey, Imouto-chan. Please tell me you've been training, because we can't let the Namiki's get one up on us." Sango glomps him, and Sasuke scoops her up into a proper hug. She wraps her arms around his neck, her legs tucked around his sides. He smells her hair – she smells just like Mikoto to me, so I'm guessing he smelled his mother's hair as well. "You have been training, right?"

"Yes, yes. Mom's a slave driver." Sango says, trying to sound annoyed, but crying a little anyway.

"How would you rank her, Itachi-nii?" Sasuke presses. I grin, enjoying the desire to compete in Sasuke.

"Low chuunin."

"Damn. Hoshie and Sakiko are high chuunin." Sasuke admits. Yeah, they are. Itachi's eyes bug out a little.

"What? They're my genins. They need to be badass." I defend.

"Aya, what elements are we dealing with?" Sasuke asks, referring to his little sister no doubt.

"Fire primary and earth secondary." I don't even think about it. Her fire is quite well defined, but her earth is really lacking. Probably her actual primary too, earth release. Uchihas are stupid when it comes to that. Teach them fire first when their primary is earth? "Hnn… interesting, maybe I can show her lava release when she's ready?" All eyes are once again on me. I sigh, annoyed. "What part of 'part of the pack' slipped everyone's notice?"

"You can use lava release?" Mikoto asks.

"No, I play with hot rocks for the fun of it." I intone sarcastically. "Uchihas, eyes on me please." Mikoto, Itachi, Sasuke, Sumiko and Sango train their Sharingans on me. Naomi and Yuzuki already know better, so they don't need me to prove it.

I focus lava release chakra into my hand, letting it heat up to the point the steam appears. All their eyes are fixated on the spectacle. "Proof enough?" I ask.

Mikoto offers a low whistle. "Wow. And you'd teach Sango?"

"I'll try, but she'd need at least jounin level control over fire and earth release. And trust me, it's not easy to learn. Even Chou's having trouble with it."

"Chou…ji? Remi-chan's son? Oh, Kami, you look just like your father at your age… wait… why would you know lava release… and why would you teach Chouji?" Mikoto asks, confused.

"Wow, Itachi, you've really kept them out of the loop." I tease. "But now's not the time for long tales."

"We're stopping for the night, aren't we?" Mikoto presses. "Now's the perfect time."

"Fine, fine. But I want my hugs first. Sango-chan, please call me Aya-nee, okay? All the pups do." I try, before she starts calling me 'sama' or 'dono'.

"Pups?" Sango sounds confused.

"I'm a Namiki. We're wolves in human flesh. We call our young pups, just like the Hatakes and Inuzukas." I explain seriously. "Now come on, Sasuke isn't the only one that needs a hug." I take Sango from her big brother, and Sasuke continues on to Sumiko and Kagami. Kagami's shy and hides her face from him, but Sumiko smiles warmly, telling him he grew up well.

"As did you. The last time I say you we had a fight and you called me the world's greatest moron." Sasuke says, amusement in his tone.

"Oh, not much has changed, Sumiko." I tease. "We just call him an idiot instead, but we love him anyway." Anyone else would have rolled their eyes, but Sasuke shakes his head and smirks.

"Same ol' Aya." He sounds amused.

"Sango, why don't you go introduce yourself to my sisters." I put Sango down, and she runs over to Hoshie and Sakiko. They immediately start talking about the little things – kunais, swords, jutsus, taijutsu, genjutsu… little things. Sakiko brags about the Namiki shuriken, offering to teach Sango how to wield them.

While they start strumming up a health rivalry –one I'm sure I'm going to encourage once we're in Konoha– I walk over to Sumiko and Kagami. "Hi there, Kagami-chan. I'm Aya-nee." I coo. Kagami looks at me warily, before hiding her face in her mother's neck and hair again. "Aww, is somebody a little sleepy?" She shakes her head, no. "I see. Well, if you're willing to give me a little hug, I can sing a song for you? Not to go to sleep mind you, since you're not sleepy. Just for the sake of singing a nice song. Does that sound like a fair deal?" She's thinking about it. I'm intrigued, one year olds shouldn't be able to process what I just said. She's advanced.

"Hnn, Kagami-chan? Which song would you like? I know twinkle, twinkle, I know-"

"Tinkle, tinkle." She all but demands.

"Alright. Deal, but I'm gonna need my hug then." I bargain. She looks at me. Her little coal eyes owlish and wary. "Should I start first?" She nods grumpily. "Twinkle, Twinkle, little star. How I wonder what you are."

I slowly move to take her, making sure I keep singing, doing a little jig to the simply lullaby's rhythm, trying to make it as fun for her as I can. Just before I touch her, I stop moving my hands. I don't want to 'take her', I want her to come to me. "Like a diamond in the sky. Twinkle, twinkle, little star. How I wonder what you are." I keep humming a little, still doing my little jig. Then I start at the top again.

She unwraps herself from her mother, coming to me without a problem. I hold her close, letting her lay her head on my shoulder, only the singing and little jig slow down now that I'm not bargaining. I hear her yawn. I keep singing for her. In less than a minute, her breathing evens out. Her grip on me loosens. Her whole body relaxes. I smile, still singing softly to make sure she doesn't wake up. Then I keep humming once the song is done.

"You may want to try taking her back now." Chouji butts in. "She will fight you if she gets attached."

"Too late. I'm already in love." I sing in the same easy rhythm. Sumiko and Mikoto smile, watching me walking around with Kagami.

8-8

After everyone gets comfy for the night, I start telling Mikoto the tale of my lava release. The popular version though, I'll tell the private version when we're safely in the Namiki District. I explain my sound release as well, and how I've been teaching pretty much everyone in the pack that – seeing as it's far more accessible.

I explain our inter clan relations briefly, how the Uzumakis, Yukis, Namikis, Imamuras and Hatakes look out for each other, and how we've been doing exactly the same thing for the Uchihas. How we train each other's pups freely. How we throw parties for no reason. And the now blooming relations with the Naras, Akimichis, Yamanakas, Sarutobis and… to some extent the Inuzukas as well. Miwako's been pretty adamant about inviting Tsume and Hana to everything.

I explain the blooming relations between Sand, Mist and Leaf, but that isn't news to them. Then come the questions. Mikoto's questions.

"The Uchiha District, what's happened with it?" I explain how, per Sasu-nii's request, I sealed their archives and armoury away and rented out all the houses other than the main house.

"Sasuke showed you were the archives were?" I blink. I explain how I couldn't help him protect what I can't find. She seems to like that answer.

"Where will we live?" In the Namiki District of course.

"Do you think we'll be welcomed?" No one's been turned away yet, and frankly we've dealt with all types so far.

"Does Miwako get treated with respect?" From everyone but me, yes.

"Why are you so upset with your parents?" I say that I'm not upset with mom and daddy – they were there for me from the moment they could be.

"Why are you so upset with Miwako and Satsuma?" I just stare blankly, refusing to answer that one. I glare at Naru-nii and Sasu-nii when they try to answer, so they shut up.

"Are you and Chouji dating?" Yes, our one year anniversary is next month.

"Do you plan on getting married?" I smirk at the blushing Chou, but I explain quite neutrally that he hasn't asked me yet.

Then comes the ever popular – when talking to a Namiki, it seems. "How many kids are you hoping for? I mean, Miwako's on her sixth?" I explain that I have a three child minimum, and Chou seems quite receptive to the idea.

"Do you train your siblings, too?" I just offer her a look; duh?

"Would you consider taking Sango as a genin?" I look to Chou, who shrugs. I shrug too, seeing no problem with it, but demand that she get a headband first. The smug little smile tells me that won't be a problem.

"What about Kagami? Will you consider letting her train with the Namikis?" I tell her simply that all pups train together, no exceptions. Yes, the Namikis start younger, and yes, Kagami can join them if her parents want.

"When do you plan on retiring?" I blink.

"What makes you think I plan on retiring?" I ask, confused.

"Miwako wanted to from the day she got married. She only returned to active duty when Satsuma went missing." I try to quash the guilt welling up within me, but I'm not entirely successful. I explain that when Sakiko, Hoshie and Katsuo are where I need them to be, I'll retire.

"I hear you're Tsunade-sama's secretary. Are you two close?" I agree that we are, and that Tsunade-san is in the District every day.

"Even with Shizune-chan?" I'm not as close with Shizune-san, but we are still quite close.

"And Sakura-chan?" I sigh, telling her that Haruno and I aren't very close at all, which I pointedly explain is because of Haruno's stupidity and jealousy. She, of course, apologizes again, but I ignore it.

"You don't forgive easily, do you?" Raised an orphan in an unforgiving world? No. Life didn't forgive me for anything I did wrong, I offer others the same respect.

"You call everyone you are closed to by a familial name. Brothers and sisters?" I agree, adding that auntie Anko is quite close to me as well, even though I still give her hell from time to time because of her stupidity.

"Would you consider calling me 'auntie'? I mean, I knew you quite well when you were young." I stare blankly. Sasu-nii explains the hell he went through for the honour, and even Naru-nii and Sasa-nee add their two Ryou to that. No one gets in easily, and those that do, often don't get in deep.

"What about Keito? You seem comfortable with him, but you don't call him anything familial?" I blink, thinking about that. Zabuza-nii teases me, saying how she got me there. I blink again. Tsu and Tomi don't get called my sisters either, I point out.

"Aya-nee," Tsu calls me. "I'm not going to call you my little sister. So you're going to have to call me your Imouto-chan." I shrug, not really minding.

"Aya-dono, I know where I stand with you. You need not call me by any other name." Keito assures me, smiling.

8-8

After breakfast and a washdown the next morning, we set up a new system. Kagami and Sumiko are non-combatants –Sumiko's a civilian, and she'd prefer it stay that way– so they get designated to the middle of the group, where we can offer the best protection. Mikoto holds Kagami, Itachi holds Sumiko, and we starts our morning run. Sasuke leads us to the next base. Says this is the some base or other – I don't care.

"I'm going in. Guren's inside waiting on me." Sasuke says. "Wait here." I shrug, already begging to play with Kagami again. She turns to her grandmother, her eyes asking if it's okay. Mikoto rolls her eyes and she puts Kagami down. I chase after her, enjoying how she squeals as I chase after her. Soon Sango, Sakiko, Hoshie and Yuzuki are in on the game. We chase after Kagami, and let her chase after us.

Eventually Kagami gets tired, she needs her nap. So she asks her mother for a snack. I study how she moves, how she interacts. She's… really advanced. Her vocabulary for a one year old simply boggles me.

"So, Aya-chan. You still haven't explains about the whole… 'Miwako' thing?" Mikoto begins.

"Like I said, she made a stupid choice." I wave it off. I don't feel like talking about that.

"Mikoto-san. I was born in the Land of Water. Mom and dad were helping the Mist rebels. It's only after the civil war ended that we went to Konoha… Aya-nee was… not happy when we arrived." I snort. Understatement of the year. "She thought mom and dad were dead… kind of like how Sasuke-nii thought you were dead."

"Not the same thing." I defend.

"It is, Aya-nee. Something major happened, she had to leave Konoha, and she's still alive years later. It's exactly the same thing. She even came back with a daughter, and Itachi-san too. Sasuke-nii had to survive on his own without them, too." Hoshie… please shut up. "To boot, Sasuke-nii isn't upset with her."

"Hnn!" I turn my nose up at her obvious attempt.

"Stop being such a baby." Hoshie gets on my case. "What if Chouji-nii asked you to stay away from Konoha?"

"I'd knock him out and wake him up when we get there." I say in no uncertain terms. "Especially if I had a daughter and a kohei at home waiting for me."

"Even if the reason is big enough that mom came to Konoha to get you?"

"And Naruto? And Tomi? And her other responsibilities?" I defend.

"Do you really think she hadn't thought of that?" Hoshie presses. I don't answer. "Mom's not perfect, Aya-nee. But… maybe she has a reason you just never listened long enough to learn?"

"Hoshie. If there's a kunai in your lung, will my telling you I'm sorry remove it?" I ask. She winces. "And if it does mystically remove it. What about the bleeding?" She makes a face, understanding a little. "Just because there's a reason, doesn't make the wound go away. Healing takes time and effort."

"Maybe you should give her the time then? Make a little effort?" She tries anyway.

"The deeper the wound, the more time to heal, Shie. I've mostly patched things up with auntie Anko, haven't I?" I argue.

"… Not the same, Aya-nee. I know you. You let her off easy because the wound wasn't as deep. And even then it took years."

"Exactly." I agree completely. "What's with the sudden fascination?"

"Because I get it." She claims. "Even though I was raised around them, I didn't know them half as well as you know them. They weren't there for me or Kenshin either. I get it. But they've worked their asses off trying to make that right." I shrug, already tired of the topic. "Aya-nee, don't. Don't do this. You need to face it or the pain will never go away."

"I-"

"How can you try to tell Itachi-san that Konoha can forgive him, if you show this kind of example?" I sigh. Hoshie's really not letting this go.

"I told Itachi the truth. The populace won't care once there's an explanation, which I will provide. But with Arisa and Ruri he's going to have to work his ass off to earn their forgiveness." I counter. "I'm not going to lie to him and pretend it will be easy. Just like I'm not going to lie to you and pretend like I'll forgive your mother and father easily."

"Aya-n-"

"Hoshie, I've hidden the worst details from you, because I don't want to taint your relationship with your parents. I appreciate what you're trying to do, but this isn't as simple as you make it out to be."

"It's only complicated because you're still emotional about it." She counters. I wince, hating how right she is.

"Shie, please drop it."

"I can't, Aya-nee." She says, standing firm even with the tears in her eyes. "You're hurting. And you won't let anyone fix that because you're scared."

"Chou doesn't seem to have that problem." I counter smugly.

"Well, since I've gotten invited anyway." I groan. "Love, she's right. That's why you bury yourself in too many projects." I groan again. You're supposed to be on my side, Chou! "Don't give me that look. I know you better than you think. If something hurts you, you don't face it, you hide, you find something, someone, that needs help, or a project around the District… anything that you can throw yourself into. Heck, that's why you're so scary strong at sixteen."

"Itachi was stronger at a younger age." I counter, wondering why I'm getting double teamed.

"And we'll talk about that another time. We're talking about you and you're unhealthy coping mechanisms." Chou counters, smooth as silk.

"Okay… I'm going to start keeping you as far away from Satsuma as possible." I complain, rubbing my temples to combat the migraine I'm getting.

"Love?" I look at Chou, his arms held invitingly wide. I sigh, but hug him anyway. "You know I'm on your side, Aya. Just… please think about what Hoshie's saying?" I sigh, but don't comment. "Please, love. Is that the kind of family you want us to raise our children around? Don't you want them to have a bunch of grandparents to spoil them?"

"I still have mom and daddy." Stop pushing this already! PLEASE! I'm not breaking down on a fricking mission! "And they'll have Chouza and Remi."

"Love, mission-speak."

"We're on a mission?"

"Love, mission-speak."

"Chou, stop being-"

"Love, I can repeat myself all day."

I sigh. "Chou-chan… you're really being too much."

"I'm trying to be what you need of me, love. Nothing less." I sigh.

"Fine. I need a piggyback." I demand childishly. I picks me up, just like a fussy toddler. "This isn't a piggyback."

"Stop acting like a fussy toddler then." He counters, still holding onto me. I sigh, but figure I kind of need this anyway. I take off my glasses and put them into my flak jacket.

"Is this… really Aya the Butcher?" Mikoto asks. "The kunoichi that overthrows regimes and conquers countries?"

"Yeah, this really is." Chou answers. "Don't worry though. I'm probably the only person alive she wouldn't break in half for trying this." I nod, fully agreeing with him. Chou kisses my neck, his warmth making me shiver a little.

"Chou…"

"Yes, love?"

"…don't change…"

"Time will tell. But, if it helps, I'm only going to try changing for the better. Maybe you should give it a try."

"Yaya-nee seepy?" Kagami asks. I roll my eyes, but nod for her sake. "Mama, gagami seepy."

"See, love. You're setting an example for the pups. Don't you want to set the right one?" Chou just has to go there. I sigh. Stop making so much sense. Just for a little while.

8-8

"… I'm not even going to ask." Sasuke says having made it back to our gathering. "Asa, with me. Guren, try to be nice."

I'm still not wearing my glasses, so I have no idea what's going on here. I smell a strong female though. Elite jounin level, kind of strong. Sadly… that doesn't say much in this group. Naruto's stronger, Jiraiya's way stronger, Sasuke's stronger, Asami's stronger, Itachi's stronger, Mikoto's… about the same actually. Still, what else can I sense about her? Hmm, strange chakra type. Bloodline user no doubt.

"You guys travel with brats?" This 'Guren' sounds like auntie Anko. Another one Orochimaru did a number on, no doubt. "And what's with the big brat? She looks like she needs her mommy to hold her."

"I wouldn't antagonize her if I were you." Naru-nii warns. "Sure, she's a brat… but she's a strong brat." I narrow my eyes. From sweet to idiot in two and a half seconds.

"Hnn. Weeds grow strong, but th-"

"That's Namiki Aya." Sakiko jumps in. "The Namiki Aya."

"Aya the Butcher? Yeah right. This brat fits the description better. If you… take away the scar and glasses…" Guren seems to be piecing this together. "… You're shitting me."

"I shit you not." Hoshie?

"Hoshie!"

"Ow, love." Chouji complains.

"Sorry." Chou puts me down, and I fish out my glasses again. I squint at them, trying to see if they're still clean, but… can't see anything like this. Seeing no reason not to, I don them and turn to this 'Guren'. Light blue hair, red lipstick, dark eyes… a really dark brown I think. Funny poofy coat. Showing a lot of leg given it's the dead of winter. Spiky ponytail too. Hnn. I'm not impressed. "Guren, is it?"

"Aya, is it?"

"You're literally surrounded by people skilled enough to kill you before you can blink. Play nice, or we'll prove it." I warn. She opens her mouth to argue, but I glare at her. "I won't warn you again."

"I've sparred with Sasuke-dono often enough." She tries acting tough. I smell her fear though.

"Hnn. Just him?" I remind her that he's but one man. "I'll tell you what." I raise my hand, my fingers poised to snap. "Give me a reason, and I'll show you that Sasuke's the least of your worries."

"Love." Chou wraps his arms around my middle. "Relax, she's on our side."

"That's nice." I don't back down. Then Chou leans in and starts nibbling on my earlobe. I groan, warning him that I'm busy. He just smiles and noises softly in my ear she make sure I know he's smiling. "Ch-chou, behave." I try, already feeling my body betraying me.

"Love, I really don't think you should be telling me to behave. I smell you." He murmurs, his breath hot on my ear, cheek and neck.

I blush hotly. "Y-your fault." I defend. I should never have taught him that damn sensory jutsu!

"Love, relax. Please?" I sigh, dropping my hand, but keeping my fingers poised to snap. "Love." I sigh again, letting my fingers relax.

"Stalker."

"… Why do I get the feeling he just saved my life?" Guren looks and sounds worried.

"Because he really did. Don't antagonize her in the future. Only people she loves walk away from that." Naru-nii explains seriously. "Isn't that right, chibi-chan?" I glare at him.

"Hina-nee… please keep your kit in check." I intone dryly. Hina-nee just laughs.

"Imouto-chan, everyone knows not to bother get between you two." She points out. I huff and pout. Chouji gently nibbles on my neck though.

"Ch-chou… behave. Mission?" I completely ignore the knowing looks I'm getting from all the noses around us. Other than Naru-nii, who I glare at to warn not to try anything that'll make me hurt him. I complain about it, but Chou knows I enjoy it when he does this to me – I only complain about the time and place.

"Tell me to stop then." He challenges, trailing kisses around to the back of my neck. He moves my hair out of the way.

"If you start trouble, you'd better take responsibility for it." I remind him. He gently nibbles on a sensitive spot at the base of my neck.

"Hnn? That doesn't sound like you want me to stop, you know."

"There are children watching." I try.

"Hoshie and Sakiko can smell what I smell. They're desensitized. And Kagami's too young to understand." He counters. "Now, are you going to play nice?"

"F-fine." He turns me around to face him. His index fingertip slips under my chin and he invites me to look up at him. When I do he leans in and kisses me, soft and gentle. "Kami-sama… were you always this manipulative?"

"No, but I'm a quick study." He winks, before standing up to his full height once again. "Guren, sorry about my fiery Chihuahua. I'm Akimichi Chouji, this is Namiki Aya and her two little sisters Hoshie and Sakiko. We also have our honour guards with us. So please don't give them a reason to kill you. They really will." Four blades click to show that Chou isn't bluffing. Three Hayashis and Keito will quite happily behead her if she seems to be a threat to us.

"I see." She seems strangely comforted by this. "Sasuke-dono does indeed keep good company. We'll need it at the next base."

8-8

And Guren was right too. Why are there so many guards? All smell to be chuunins, more or less. Not a world ending fact, but this place also looks like a fricking fortress.

"We want to save as many lives as we can." Sasuke explains. "Guards and prisoners. But the guards here are jumpy. If the prisoners start to transform, they're under orders to stab first and ask questions later."

"How about a different strategy. Kill 'em all and let Kami-sama sort them out." Zabuza-nii offers. "This is a prison set up, those are people with unstable cursed seals. There's no saving them."

"Actually… I kind of agree with him. I mean, I feel horrible for them, but… if they can't control the seal?" Asami-nee points out.

"What about Anko and Tayuya, then? Should we just kill them and let Kami-sama figure it out?" Naru-nii counters. There's the naïve idiot I know.

"They can be saved. I've been here often enough and we're also here for Bipolar Jugo, who's the 'worst' of the bunch." Sasuke explains.

"We're here for that nutcase?" Guren isn't impressed.

"We're taking out all of Orochimaru's bases, Guren. Not one of his loyals are to survive." Sasuke glares at her, daring her to speak up again. She doesn't. "Here's how this needs to play out. Aya, you need to focus on the prisoners. Your Devouring Shackles will keep them under control. Does Sakiko of Hoshie know that jutsu?"

"No."

"Does anyone here?" I shake my head, no. "Pity. Itachi, you and I will head into the prison to get Jugo. Asami will come with us to seal anyone we subdue en route. Naomi, you're with us as well. Mom, I'm going to need you to stay here to keep Sumiko and Kagami safe. Zabuza… please just stay out of trouble. These men have wives and children they need to support."

"Damn it. I thought taking over another country would be entertaining." Zabuza-nii complains. "Imouto-chan, what ever happened to your missions' luck?" I shrug.

"Relax, Zabuza. The next base is pure loyals." Sasuke soothes. "We're not going to let any of them get out alive, alright?" Zabuza-nii glows, obviously liking that idea.

"Can we hurry this up? I'm starting to want my cuddle time." I make the Rat handsign, and suddenly the sky darkens with shadow crows. Hundreds –maybe even thousands– of crows fly up at guards, each cawing and casting the Devouring Shackles jutsu. Sure, each crow can only cast two Devouring Shackles, but that's more than I need. Way more than I need. I scratch the side of my face. "Okay… I may have overdone that a bit."

"A bit?" Naru-nii asks, his eyebrow suspiciously high.

8-8

"Well, that was easy." Itachi drones as the Uchihas get back from the prison. "Those crows didn't leave any work for us."

"Your welcome." I wave lazily. Since we had nothing better to do, we decided to cloud watch. "Ooh, soup bowl." I point.

"That looks more like a dumpling." Chou points out. That works, too. "I wonder what mom's cooking."

"Probably wonton soup with Peking duck. She always gets into an exotic mood when I wear an exotic dress." I say. "I really don't like duck though… too oily."

"I can't say I'm too fond of it either. But her sautéed beef?"

"Ooh… and her stir-fry shrimp with that garlic sauce?"

"Nn~nnnn. With those dumplings and eggrolls to go with it."

"… Otouto-kun, are they always like this?" Itachi asks.

"He's an Akimichi. And she keeps up with his appetite." Sasuke answers.

"Ah." That means 'I see'. "Where does she put it?"

"In her hair?" Sasuke. I can hear you.

"Ice cream sandwich." I point.

"You're sister's going to have some made when we get back, won't she?"

"I wonder. She has Miou and Yukito to take care of, but she also has a house full of hands to help. She'll be glad she's able to be up and about… but she also won't be able to sleep very well with a new-born."

"Point. Hey, how about we do a cook up then? We haven't kicked everyone out of the kitchen in a while." Chou suggests.

"Hnn? What would we make though?"

"Every dish we love."

"That's a long list." I remind him.

"There are a lot of mouths to feed." He counters.

"True. Sounds good. Maybe in the community centre? More space, and we can bug a couple of people to help out if we want. I mean, shadow clones can do the job too, but… I like the company."

"Shadow clones to cook?" Itachi sounds confused.

"She learned her shadow clone ethics from Naruto. Don't ask." Sasuke explains vaguely.

"What's this about 'a lot of mouths'?" Mikoto-san asks.

"Hnn? Uchihas, Uzumakis, Namikis, Yukis, Tachibanas, Hayashis, Yukimoris… Roughly a hundred? Maybe more." There's a low whistle, but I don't care from who.

"Squid." I point.

"Hnn? Yeah, it kind of does… Drumstick." He points.

8-8

We make it to the next base by nightfall. I don't bother getting involved with the planning. Zabuza-nii's itching to get his blade wet, so I promise to stay behind and round up the stragglers.

From the moment Zabuza-nii enters, chaos starts. Only… not the screaming chaos. This is the chaos you only ever notice after the fact. Like walking into an empty room and tripping over a corpse, kind of chaos. I honestly could have stayed home for this mi… actually, no. I needed to be here for Itachi and his group. Still, whatever.

Soon a few blood covered stragglers run out in our direction. Younger ones. Scared beyond all reasoning. I'm half tempted to kill them and let Kami-sama figure it out, but… they're just kids. I seal them away instead.

"You're turning me into a softie on missions, Chou." I complain.

"You're not on an Anbu mission." He counters. "You can bring people in alive." Another group runs out, this one's all blades and battle cries. I tilt my head to one side. They're silly. I seal them away just as easily.

8-8

We make camp inside the base for the night. Mashai and Shinichi go out for some hunting, bringing back three deer, two goats and a dozen fish. I'm not really sure where they found the goats – I didn't smell them anywhere. Hina-nee and I take charge of dinner, but Mikoto invites herself to help us. We shrug, not minding too much. "I still can't believe you made a table from lava release." Mikoto sounds amazed.

"Why not? It's clean and I can make it as large as I need." I point out, still carving the deer meat. "Hina-nee, I feel like some dumplings?"

"Hnn? Sure, Imouto-chan. Do you have any flour sealed? And oil?" She asks. I indicated which seal on my glove has the scrolls she'd need, but I don't touch it – I have enough trouble getting the blood off my gloves after a fight, and I'm glad I took them off to de-meat these deer. Now that I think about it… I think it's possible people try to attack my storage seals, fearing what all I have in here. I don't blame them. I must have a few dozen scrolls sealed away, each having thirty storage seals on them.

"Oh, can you take out the black pepper and cinnamon, please? And cumin?" I ask.

"They are marked, right?" Hina-nee asks.

"Of course."

"You keep all that sealed away?" Mikoto asks, impressed.

"I keep everything sealed, just in case. You never know when you need something." I say, carving into the deer meat again.

"Define 'everything'?" She sounds curious.

"Nara Yoshino taught me to pack for missions." I intone.

"Ah. Everything everything."

"Kitchen sink not included. I've never found a reason to have a kitchen sink sealed away."

"Yoshi-chan can think of one, I'm sure."

8-8

The next base ends up being another 'prison' setup. Asami and Sasuke deal with it. The base after that ends up being a training facility. More shadow crows, and that problem is solved pretty quickly. It's been pretty boring so far.

Then the next base… a 'loyals' base. Only… these loyals are chuuning and higher. These loyals are familiar faces, not from the Bingo Book –not known to me, either…– but from wanted posters. Apparently 'wanted posters' are the Bingo Book of civilians. I don't get it, very inefficient. I only know they're wanted because Mikoto recognizes their faces.

The others head in for their usual wonton slaughter routine, but there are quite a few that slip away.

"Team Aya. Tactic Gamma-Four." I announce. Hoshie and Sakiko cast the Earth Dragon Bullet, and Yuzuki lights them up with her Phoenix Flower jutsu. Sango decides she likes this tactic, so she joins them, also using the Phoenix Flower jutsu.

Only one of the escapees manages to consistently dodge the attacks. The others dodge once, maybe twice, before screeching in pain and burning to death. The one, though… she's good. Team Aya's starting to get tired, and Sango isn't much better off.

"Alright team, I'll take this one." I step forward, the woman recognizes me instantly. "Mikoto-san, is this one 'wanted'?"

"No… I don't know her at all."

"You guys are pretty nuts. I can't believe four kids just took out the whole fu-"

"Watch your tongue." I cut her off. I don't mind a little cursing now and again, but I won't tolerate it in front of my sisters. "What's your purpose here?"

"My purpose? I'm trying to get the… heck up outta here! You mind not killing me, please? It'd be embarrassing to explain Kami-sama that I survived six months of torture only to get killed while escaping."

"Uh huh… torture when you bear no scars." She's wearing a sleeveless jacket, with completely unmarked skin. "At least give me a believable lie."

"Fine. I worked for the freak, but I don't plan on dying for him."

"We're not killing you for him." I challenge.

"Let's try this then, I don't feel like dying today."

"Is tonight better?"

"You're a smartass aren't you."

"Guilty as charged. Who are you?"

"Someone that likes not being known."

"Dead people aren't known."

"… Touché. How about someone smart enough not to pick a fight with Momochi Zabuza?"

"And being an idiot with Namiki Aya is better?" I challenge.

"… I thought you looked familiar. Jeez, I can't get a break can I?" She rubs her temples trying to think. "Is there an agreement we can come to that doesn't include me dying?"

"Tell me your name and I might consider."

"…Sugimura Megumi." She claims, but I don't care, I just need something to call her.

"Your loyalty to Orochimaru?"

"I wasn't loyal to begin with. The freak pays half decent, and it's either work for him or become an experiment. The choice was easy." She explains. I can work with.

"Well, then the only option I have for you is that we seal you away with the rest of those we didn't kill. It doesn't hurt, and it won't kill you. Think of it like a nap."

"Tempting, but I'll pass." I unsheathe my wakizashi. "On second thought. Sleeping sounds like more fun than death." I thought so. I unseal a scroll and seal her away.

8-8

After cooking that night –sealed leftover meat we didn't cook last night or today– I gather Team Aya around, with Sango.

"Girls, is everyone alright with the action from today?" I ask seriously. Sango looks… troubled, as does Yuzuki. Sakiko and Hoshie narrow their eyes, trying to understand what I'm even asking. "I thought so. Come here." Yuzuki and Sango both come for their hugs. Their first kills; not instant kills, either. Watching someone burn to death isn't fun. Unless you're auntie Anko, she'd definitely enjoy that.

"You aren't bad for what happened today. You stopped bad people who would have continued hurting people until someone else stopped them." I soothe. The two girls cry in my arms. I look to Sakiko and Hoshie, who look uncomfortable. They can't figure this out at all. I mouth that I'll explain later, and they nod uncertainly.

Once the Uchihas calm down a bit, I ask them if they want to get some fresh air with Sasuke-nii. They bob their heads, following him out without a word.

"Come." I motion for my sisters to follow me to the carnage. There's blood and charred remains everywhere. "What do you girls see here?"

They look around. "Death." Sakiko answers, Hoshie shrugs, wondering where I'm going with this.

"Does it bother you?" They both shake their heads, no. "That's the difference." They narrow their eyes, trying to make sense of it. "You're Namikis, we're just… immune to this. Blood, gore, killing, slaughter. It doesn't affect us like it does others. That doesn't make you bad, or weird or anything like that. It just means you're Namikis."

"Huh? But I'm…" Sakiko feels even more uncomfortable now.

"Adopted, yes. But a Namiki through and through. Tell me… what went through your head as those men rushed towards us?"

"Well… that if I don't stop them, they'll try to kill our pack."

"Exactly. You see the things simply. Us versus them. You don't want us to die, so better them. Right?" She nods, uncertainly. "That's exactly why it doesn't bother you. You can see it clearly. This is a good thing. And it's exactly how Namikis should think." I assure her.

Hoshie shifts her weight nervously. "So, you're… not mad?"

"I ordered you to do what you did. What do you think?" I ask her.

"I mean… about… Zuzu and Sango?"

"They are Uchihas. I cannot expect them to be Namikis." I explain gently. "I'm actually quite surprised they didn't throw up right after… most do."

"Most?" They ask as one.

"Yeah. Naru-nii did. Sasu-nii too. I wasn't there with Shika-nii or Chou-chan, but I can imagine they were the same."

"What about Tsu-nee?" Hoshie asks.

"I wasn't there with her first kill, but you can ask her. Keito's either… hnn… Hina-nee was messed up for weeks after. I remember that. Kiba… he shrugged and pet Akamaru… maybe it's a canine thing? But no, Aburame-san reasoned his away. Anyway, the point is that I've seen Tsuren and the others eating people. It just doesn't bother me."

"Hnn, maybe it's because Sakiko's also been doing the meditations with us?" Hoshie guesses.

"It might be. It's pointless to worry about. All you need to remember is that so long as you defend your pack, I will never be disappointed in you. Alright?"

They come for their hugs, and we call it a night soon after.

8-8

"Imouto-chan." Sasuke wakes me up, sometime around midnight, I think. I look at him, wondering what's going on. "I need to talk to you."

"I'm not moving." I tell him flatly.

"Yuzuki and Sango both threw up once they got outside." He says.

"I know, I smelled it." I motion for him to get on with it. It's a pretty common reaction.

"How did your two take it?"

"Like Namikis. They were more confused why they didn't have the same reaction." I say, smiling a little. "Yuzuki and Sango were strong to hold it in for so long. They probably didn't want to lose face with how calm Hoshie and Sakiko were."

"Probably." Sasuke-nii agrees. "I still haven't gotten used to it."

"Something wrong with that?" I ask, wondering what is up with him.

"… No, but… I keep wondering if I ever will." He sounds pensive.

"You don't, Sasu-nii. I'm a Namiki, don't try to compare notes with me." I soothe. "I know it's not what you want to hear, but it's the truth." He sighs.

"I'm glad. That our siblings get along so well."

"You woke me up because you have watch." He nods. I shrug, seeing nothing wrong with that. But I'm still enjoying cuddling with Chou. "Yeah. I'm really glad about that. I plan on starting Team Aya on their secondary elements when we get home, by the way."

"Oh? What secondaries?"

"Yuzuki's wind. Hoshie and Sakiko are both fire, luckily. When I get them up to speed, I can start their lava training, too."

"Wow. So the Akimichi's head family, and the whole Namiki clan will be lava users, huh?" He sounds impressed.

"I dunno about all the Namikis. I mean, Kenshin is earth and fire too, but Setsuko's and Itsuki's pathways are still too underdeveloped to know for sure. Satsuma's fire and wind – so there's a chance… but it could go both ways. And Miwako? She's…" I think back. "Earth and fire too? Hnn… might be work trying with her."

"Maybe it is." He's brooding again. He hasn't brooded in a long time – that I've been aware of. "Do you think you'll ever truly get over Miwako?" You're kind of in my shoes now, huh.

"For the sake of the Namiki clan, I have to try. Chou's right, people look to me for an example. I can't willingly give them the wrong one." I say, thinking about that some more. "It doesn't hurt less though."

He nods, obviously agreeing with me. "It's… confusing."

"Nn." I don't disagree. "To love someone so much, but hating that they left you alone for so long. Miwako and Satsuma were my world and everything in it. No matter the explanation, the pain of losing them will never lessen." He nods again, his eyes suspiciously shiny. "But… they're here now. They can make it better. Just don't take my route, Sasu-nii. I'm a brat about it, I know that. You're not a brat. Sit them down and explain in your own words how this hurts. If you can't, I'll do it for you. And trust me, I won't be nearly as kind."

"Asa-chan said the same thing." Asami-nee? Yeah, I'm sure she did. "But she also offered the other side of the coin. The pain of watching from a distance, never being allowed to come close."

"Knowing they're out there, but never knowing how they're doing without you…" I add, thinking about that. Miwako tried to come get me. But the Third denied her. To know you can't have your child because of something… what could have been important enough for that?

I hate it when I stop being emotional… I just feel crumby for being such a brat…

"Your parents knew what they were getting into." Sasu-nii says, obviously knowing why I'm suddenly crying. "They knew you'd take it horribly. And they stuck it out for you. They love you, Imouto-chan."

"Mikoto loves you to pieces. Does it hurt less?" I counter. He sighs, shaking his head minutely, no. "Mikoto, I smell you crying. You might as well come and cry with him." Needing no further invitation, Mikoto comes out of her futon, and takes her baby into her arms.

Even though she's the one crying her heart out, she tries her best to comfort her child. She apologizes over and over and over, telling him how much she loves him, how she thought of him every day, how she had hawks monitoring him for her. She tells him how much better she felt once mom and Naru-nii and I truly came into his life, when we became siblings that constantly bickered but would break anyone that tried picking on the other.

Through the tears, she probably doesn't even notice how Sasuke clutches her shirt. How he craves for her comfort as badly as she craves to give it. For one dreadfully lucid moment, I see the eight year old Sasuke, the day before the massacre. Always with his heart on his sleeve, doing everything in his power to make his father and big brother proud, doing anything to make his mother smile.

That the sweet little eight year old Sasuke suffered through all that… is horrible. That he had to craft an armour over that vulnerable little boy is worse.

The dreadfully lucid part… is that I remember Miwako trying to comfort me just like that time and again, and me constantly turning her away.

Sasu-nii… you and I aren't as different as you think. We just crafted different armours, is all. And mine seems to be much thicker than yours.

8-8

End Chapter 23

8-8

A/N: Not very action packed, I know. But very much needed. Aya's tired of the sappy crap though. So don't worry. That's why the next chapter is going to also be longer, she's going to kick things into high gear for the remaining bases. Oh... and there's still the capital city and the daimyo's elite guards. Can't forget those ^_^ Ta ta for now