Hanako earns my recommendation for promotion to Chunin, but I think Illumi should have taken a bit more time to prepare before launching the assault. Hanako's reluctance to sacrifice her Kikaichu in an attempt to drain the enemy beforehand was understandable, and something she really just needs a little more experience to learn to accept. But a Chunin on track for Jounin should have been aware of his squad's strengths and weakness; an Aburame might be reluctant to lose their partners but they would never disobey a direct order. If I hadn't been there the mission might have gone less than smoothly, but having Hanako send her bugs out to drain the enemy while they were still unaware of our presence would have been a sound plan.
I hum thoughtfully as I lean against the wall outside Hokage-sama's office, eyes drifting over the city visible outside the window over the secretary's desk, mid-morning sun washing everything in pale gold.
Then again, he might have been overestimating the skill of the enemy; it wasn't impossible they would notice the Kikaichu's presence and then we would have lost the element of surprise. It could merely indicate a subtle preference for more direct combat, rather than stealth applications. I'll include that in the final report; if Illumi is already heading for a frontline position it might not be a real handicap, though he should still work on it a little.
The doors open and the squad files out, Illumi's expression mildly pleased and Chubei and Yumi talking quietly with their heads together. Hanako trails behind and pauses for a moment before turning to face me.
My eyebrow quirks up slightly in mild surprise; I wasn't trying to make myself completely undetectable or anything, but I was behind a minor attention-diversion Genjutsu. Definitely Chunin material.
"Hiroki-jounin. Thank you for the aid on the mission. I was wondering if you would like to go out for drinks tonight. Why? Because I find you interesting."
I blink at the slightly older teen, bemused by her request. Aburame aren't known for being very social but then again, I haven't personally interacted with them much before. Who knows, it could be fun.
"Sure. Though I should warn you, I am a little bit of a light weight."
. . .
I was pleasantly buzzed, but not quite tipsy, and certainly not drunk. I didn't do that anymore. Couldn't actually, since I had put that little seal on my stomach to soak up excess alcohol. You never know when a little extra fuel might be useful for a fire jutsu, after all.
Hanako was quite stoic as well, but I was getting a better feel for her and the way she was moving was growing increasingly careful and precise. It might be about time for us to call it a night.
"Hey, Hiroki! I heard you were back; how're you doin?"
I swiveled around on the barstool and came face to face with Anko's exquisite chest.
"Anko-chan, I'm, you know. Good. Had an easy run with Hanako-chan here. She's, um. Good. At being a Ninja."
Anko raised an eyebrow as she assessed the Aburame, who had allowed her hood to drop as the evening progressed to reveal a bit more of her face. She wasn't half-bad looking; though her bulky and voluminous jacket did a lot to hide her figure, enough peeked through to show she wasn't unfit by any means. She had pretty hair too, a very nice auburn color which swept up a little where it hung just above her shoulders. She still had her shades on, but I had caught a glimpse of her eyes and they were a pretty green color. Why were all ninja so good looking? It was weird. But nice.
Anko whistled appreciatively before pulling back and giving me a thumbs up and a wink.
"Not bad Hiroki! Well, I've gotta go, I got a mission to Fang country. Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"
With a parting swat on my butt she was gone, leaving only the lingering smell of scales and sugar to remember her by. My eyes rolled at the joke, but I noticed that Hanako still hadn't quite relaxed.
"I did not realize you and Mitarashi-san were together."
I paused as I raised my drink, mouth slightly open before I took a slow sip and set the glass back down, head cocked in thought.
"I don't know if I would say we were 'together'. Anko is… a friend. A good friend. She's helped me through more than one rough patch, but… well. It's not like we're going to get married or something. I know she managed to get Inuzuka Hana to spend the night a few months ago, lucky dog."
I snickered at the rather obvious pun, but slowed as I noticed the subtle way Hanako's shoulders dropped with released tension. She was just full of surprises wasn't she? I hummed around a teasing smile and took another sip of my drink.
"Why? Are you interested in her?"
She took a drink from her saucer of sake, before settling it down with a tiny clink of porcelain.
"Not in her, no."
Now I was really surprised.
"Oh?"
My hand slid through my hair, pushing back my hood before letting my chin rest on my fist in a smooth, exaggeratedly sensual motion.
"Really?"
The Aburame's mouth turned up very slightly at the corners and I couldn't restrain the stunned blast of laughter as she defused my attempted joke.
What? Anko, I knew, liked me because I was a good friend and an outlet for some of her weirder interests, but I hadn't ever had anyone actually interested in me before. I wasn't bad looking, I don't think, none of the Uchiha were, but I wasn't anything special either, and more than one potential interest had been put off by my admittedly erratic personality. 'Best in small doses', I think one prospect had said.
"...Really?"
There is surprised uncertainty in my tone as I lean in a bit to gauge her reaction and my mouth fell open as I detected a light dusting of pink on her cheeks as she gave a tiny nod.
"Really."
My mouth shut with a click and I sat up a little straighter in my chair. That was… huh. Neat? NowI was feeling a little hot under the collar, and I turned back to my drink and took a large gulp to cover the moment of fluster, swirling the liquid around in the glass while I thought.
"That's… very kind of you. Most people…"
I trailed off. Most people stayed away when they saw someone acting alternately flirty, apathetic, and sociopathic. It… wasn't totally unintentional though. I didn't really want anyone to get too close. They might see… well. That there wasn't that much behind the mask, really, cliche as it might sound.
"I know. Most people are put off by my bugs. You are not. You treated me the same. It is unusual. And intriguing."
"I'm flattered."
And I was.
"I think I like you."
"I do too."
And I did.
"Would you like to come back to my place for coffee?"
"I like coffee."
So we went.
. . .
August 29, 12 AK
Hanako's hands were soft on my back as she traced over the seals there. So many seals, added on one after the other, functions incorporated as needed and then successive seals making calls on their predecessors in massive iterative loops so tightly meshed together that it would probably take a long dead Uzoshian to unwind them all. The early morning light is warm and blue as it shines around the thick curtains of her room, casting the pale greens of her dresser into a darker shade which stands out against the off white of the rice paper walls in the mild twilight. My little ladybug is even more sensitive to the bright light than I; it's quite a soothing atmosphere.
This was my favorite part of spending time with her. I don't know what it was, I just liked platonic yet intimate touch. Maybe a call back to primate grooming behaviour. I don't know. I didn't like to think too hard at times like this, just let my mind drift. Sleep is too much like oblivion for me to find it truly restful anymore, but disengaged consciousness like this is…
"I'm pregnant."
My muscles tensed for a fraction of a second before I made myself relax again. I cycled through several thoughts in rapid succession, predicting the obvious implied responses, before arriving at the conclusion. Acceptance. How novel. Hanako never ceases to surprise.
"...You're sure?"
"Yes. My Kikaichu are sensitive enough to detect the fetus even after only two weeks."
Two weeks, we had a rather nice couple of days then, before I left on an assassination job.
"...Is that a good thing?"
Her hum is tangible in my bones, the gentle curve of her hips resting on my spine serving as an excellent conductor of the sound as well as being deliciously soft, and I could feel her slow nod in the shift of her flesh on mine.
"Yes. I need a little time to practice my clan techniques and increase the size of my colony now I'm Chunin. The time off active duty will not be a detriment."
I sigh gently into the futon, face content.
"Good."
She hums again, a little higher pitched, inquisitive, her kikaichu giving it lovely under and overtones as she presses the pads of her thumbs gently into the small of my back.
"No concerns?"
I huff a soft breath out, almost a laugh, as close as I can get with how loose my diaphragm is.
"Oh, so many."
Chakra makes my skin nearly frictionless so I can twist around, reverse our positions and flip her over, Hanako lying on her back atop the ruffled sheets as my head rests just below her ribcage, my own fingers setout to explore a few of her more sensitive Kikaichu holes with tender touches.
"Complicated is a fancy way of saying hard. This isn't complicated though."
My face nuzzles into the softness of her skin and I breathe deeply as the drowsiness starts to trickle away, slowly, comfortably.
"I never asked. Is it a bloodline?"
"My Kikaichu? No. Not really."
I hug her tightly, luxuriating in the warmth.
"Good. I don't think… well. It's better that way."
"Because of the Sharingan."
My breath sighs across her flesh in resigned affection.
"When did you notice?"
The smile is audible in her tone, even if it would be almost invisible on her face.
"Your Genjutsu isn't as effective against Aburame. But I wasn't sure until I got a good look at your face."
Hanako exhales slightly sadly, fingers playing with my hair absently.
"I assume it is a secret though?"
My own voice is slightly melancholy as well.
"Yes. I probably shouldn't be seen around you as much anymore."
"Oh? Going to leave me now that you've stolen my virtue?"
Her tone is teasing, but there is still an undercurrent of hurt.
"You know it's not like that. If people found out she was mine… she'd be a target."
Her hands slide through my hair in acknowledgment, nails digging slightly into my scalp.
"She? Hoping for a girl?"
I give Hanako a small kiss and a teasing nip at the tender flesh of her stomach before propping myself up on my elbows to look up at her face with a happy smile.
"Well, if she's anything like her mother…"
She pulls me up for a proper kiss, her face still slightly sad but the expression overshadowed by simple fondness as her taste and smell fill my mouth.
"Well. It's not like we were going to get married."
. . .
Jan 2, 13 AK
I glance around the Hokage's office and notice not much has changed since Tsunade took up the hat, still the same boring beige, though there are some nice purple and white accent pieces scattered around, reminiscent of her summons. She held out more than a year before Hiruzen had a particularly bad heart attack; he survived, but he was in no condition to run the village. Tsunade was reluctant, but since the Sandaime had been working consistently on weeding out every trace of ROOT there was less for her to object to in the position than she had originally feared.
I stood patiently, hands clasped behind my back, absently layering new Genjutsu over the ANBU hiding in the corners (they were really slipping these days), waiting for the Godaime to finish her paperwork. I wasn't sure why she had called me in, and only two days into her reign as well, very odd.
I hope it wasn't for another extended assignment, I just completed a nearly two month long infiltration job and I was hoping to get to use a bit of leave time I had saved up over the next few months to see Hanako and maybe Anko, if she wasn't still chasing after Inuzuka. My little Ladybug had mentioned she had met an open minded Hyuuga gentleman I might like to make an acquaintance of, so it promised to be an interesting week. Such a clever thing she was.
Time kept on slipping past me somehow, the Rookie Nine would be graduating this year; maybe I should buy Naruto and Sasuke presents? Better clothes at least; Sunshine had somehow managed to acquire his traditional raiment, and that jumpsuit was a lot less funny IRL…
"Hiroki-Jounin."
I fell to one knee before my Hokage.
"Yes Hokage-sama."
"Oh stop that, I'm still Tsunade. And I have a… favor to ask you."
I took a deep breath, pained expression carefully suppressed. I don't do favors, there are just orders that people don't really want to give me.
"How can I be of service Tsunade-hime?"
She grumbled a little and straightened some of the loose paper on her desk.
"How would you feel about taking on a Genin team."
My face blanched and my shoulders tightened imperceptibly at the prospect.
"I would very much prefer not to do so, for numerous reasons, first and foremost my junior status amongst the general quorum of Jounin. I have only held this rank for two years, I do not have the requisite experience, or the necessary level of strength."
Tsunade flipped over one of the pieces of paper for me to see.
"I don't think you can use that last excuse anymore, actually. Latest Bingo Book out of Kumo lists you as S-Rank."
She continued to speak as I glanced over the short entry with poorly hidden dismay.
"Besides, by the time the students who might be on your team have graduated, you'll have had the post for three years. A little young, sure, but not at all unheard of. You've been a ninja most of your life by now."
Skills: Genjutsu, High Speed Movement, Fuinjutsu, Taijutsu, Bukijutsu, Poisons, Iryo Ninjutsu…
"This team is special. Well, they will be if they all graduate, at least."
Distinguishing characteristics: Shadowed hood, dark red face mask, forearm bracers laced with defensive and offensive seals, obsessive behaviour, preference for small and numerous illusions, atonal pseudo-musical disorientation techniques...
I hummed noncommittally and continued to trace my finger down the page.
"We don't have a lot of S-rank ninja, Hiroki. And, well. Sasuke is graduating this year; it doesn't seem likely to be necessary to keep your identity a secret for much longer. Jiraiya's network has reported hearing rumors that Konoha has ninja equipped with the Sharingan, besides Kakashi."
Known Aliases: Hiroki, Hiroki the Pariah, Hiroki the Muse
I let out a slightly resigned breath at the last line. Well, at least the new nickname was a little better.
Standing back, I looked at Tsunade with a tight lipped grimace pulling at my mask.
"It still seems precipitous."
She gave me a long look in return, gaze penetrating as she tried to determine how seriously she would need to push.
"They are going to be a very special team, Hiroki."
I scowled off to one side, unable to hold eye contact under the weight of her inspection.
"...Kakashi-sensei should take them."
The Hokage shook her head slowly, face solemn and a little unhappy.
"Kakashi has other responsibilities. I might not look it, but I am too old for this job, I really am. Kakashi has expressed some interest in taking the position, in a few years, much to my surprise. He said you gave him the idea. It will take him about that long to finish polishing his skills and get a little administrative experience, but as of now, I'm a placeholder; I never wanted this job but someone's got to do it. I'll probably be retiring back to the Hospital in only three more years. Kakashi isn't an option. You know who's going to be on this team, don't you?"
The question wasn't really a question and I schooled my expression to one of total neutrality. It might as well have been an open admission.
I held myself still for a long moment, staring out the window. The world was different. Perhaps not in the showy ways it might have been, no, but it was. The Hyuuga were repaired, the rift between the Houses nearly healed, entirely by accident. Tsunade was Hokage, years ahead of time, and Kakashi was actively preparing himself for assuming the role in time, and neither of them would have to worry about Danzo lurking in the shadows. Sasuke and Naruto were... not quite as alone as they might have been, at least. I had a life, a cat, and a girlfriend, and a daughter on the way who I might even be able to acknowledge as mine. ...And the trees outside were still the same trees I had stared up at in my frantically misspent youth. And now, here we were.
I sighed heavily as I glanced back at the folder labeled Team 7 where it sat on the polished wood of Tsunade's desk. There was never any other way this could go, not really.
"I want to adopt Naruto."
She raised an eyebrow in polite surprise, but nodded eventually.
"A tad unorthodox, but acceptable. Anything else?"
I rubbed tiredly at my eyes with fingers made cold by the chill air and lack of motion, giving the dimming orbs some transient relief; they would need replacing soon anyway, I suppose.
"I'll need Sensei's bells. It's traditional, after all."
I moved towards the door as I heard Tsunade humm gently behind me in contemplation, her gaze directed out the window as if to spot what had made me acquise, or perhaps merely surveying the burden she had accepted.
"You really think they'll pass?"
I gave her an off handed wave and slipped through the door, turning to face her one more time as it drifted shut behind me.
"They'll pass."
. . .
END CONTRAST
. . .
A/N: Okay, so, remember how I had that little warning at the end of Arc 1? Yeah; if you thought this fic was good, maybe stop here. Arc 3 is fun, but definitely has less of the aesthetic that might have made you love the first 2 arcs of the story. Read on if you must, but... temper your expectations. :/
Tsunade has read Hiroki's notes on the future, however she doesn't put much stock in them since from her perspective so much is different.
Hanako is that special kind of sweet and mellow that can perfectly complement Hiroki's manic intensity; she's also smart and likes to work towards more than one aim at a time. Hiroki is strong, and a holder of a valuable bloodline, and she needs a bit of time off to refine some of the clan techniques she only recently got access to. Why not make a baby? Little Saiko (sharp child) is going to be such a lovely thing!
Yes, Hiroki is going to become Team 7's sensei (it will be funderful!) though I definitely have an omake in mind where he actually shows up to pick up the team and it turns out he got assigned Team 8 instead. Epic prank.
