It's dinner when she comes, I still haven't made my decision, but I'm close. Now I am just savouring the time I have left. It's been just over a week since I lost my friends, and now I am living with Ami in the Akimichi compound.

"So… you're going on a trip?" Ami asks hesitantly. Each day, she grows a little more comfortable in the compound, even if only barely, considering it was a few mere months ago she thought the Akimichi clan shinobi were going to eat her instead of feeding her. The first few days, I think she may have actually had a bit of a Hanzel and Gretel situation in her mind. Now… well, she doesn't think they're cannibals, so that's a start.

"Yes, it's really cool. We visit all the farms and stuff and get to try the food and make sure everything is running smoothly, right Touchan?" Choji says proudly, clan pride clear in his voice. It's clear this is something that Choji is looking forward to, even if his semi-guilty looks towards me, and that tells me he wishes he had told me sooner.

"You're very right, Choji-chan." Choza replies, laughing and puts a hand on Choji's head. Dinner is curry tonight, which is probably why Ami is so talkative because judging by the fact she is almost keeping up with Choji when eating tonight… well, she must REALLY like curry. There's a small pause of conversation though the silence is permeated by the sound of utensils scraping plates.

"Can they come too?" Chojii asks timidly, and Ami's eyes widen in awe, surprise, fear, and hope. I might as well be staring because, since the orphanage was technically in Konoha, I haven't left it since I was a baby. I want to travel, don't I? A side dream to my main goal of protecting my loved ones or, as Naruto would say, my 'precious people. To be able to see so many parts of the land of fire…. I really do know, based on just the diversity in the Akimichi clan markets and compound when it comes to food, that they really do have their hands in a lot of diverse share holdings… I feel myself rambling mentally and calm down. Choza winces a little, turning to face us, his two guests. Yataka seems to be waiting expectantly for an answer, and Natsumi seems a little too preoccupied with her food at the moment. I seem to see exactly what the answer will be….

"Well, you see…." Choza begins to say after clearing his throat, but a loud knock at the door interrupts him, and he physically slumps over in relief, looking eager to go and answer it Yataka beats him to it, giving him a smile that tells with no amount of uncertainty the clear message. 'You're not getting out of this.'

Given the atrium-like design of the Akimichi architecture, we are in the same room as where the front door is, and with some large windows, I can easily see outside onto the street. I can't see who's behind the door, but I can sense them. They are only now releasing their chakra signature, making me straighten. She really couldn't let my wrist heal first?

The door opens with a creaking sound that seems ear bleeding to me but is drowned out by my own nerves and quick racing pulse. The deep calm deals with that swiftly, thankfully, though. I need to stay sharp to be able to counter whatever is going on.

"Akimichi-san, nice to see you." The aged voice of Koharu reaches my ears, I see Ami's head full swivels over the massive seat she is in to look at Koharu. Ami, I don't think she fully trusts Koharu (Thank Kami!); however, she also, from what I can grasp anyway, has a bit of a feeling of being indebted to the woman. It makes the combination of the purple-haired girl I care for so much and the woman who is making my life a nails-on-chalk-level nightmare an unpredictable outcome at best.

"Koharu-san, it's been a while," Yataka says in a dry and completely flat voice. A voice that though lacking in emotion, gives off the air of irritation, all the same, making it clear she is NOT welcome here.

"Yes, it has." Koharu says pleasantly, ignoring the tone completely. "I am here to check up on my two charges, Ami and Sayori. I do hope they haven't been troubling you." She says, and Ami waves hesitantly while I watch Koharu from the corner of my eye.

"Their no trouble and I do believe that these are the Hokage's wards." Yataka says, shifting to block her entrance, a frown inching onto his face as Koharu gives a dismissive look to the older man, who doesn't budge.

"I simply wanted to make sure they were all right." She says in defence, but her tone has no insult or passion. It is empty and threatening, and her chakra fluctuates a little. Her eyes gaze on me, and I bite my lip but do nothing else, unwilling to give her the satisfaction of squirming.

"Well, thank you for stopping by… tell me their apartment amenities are back online yet?" Yataka retorts, and Koharu keeps her composure. They are from the same generation. They may have even served together when they were younger…

"I was unaware there was an issue." Koharu answers, and there is a long, drawn-out silence. "I'll leave you all to your meal, my apologies for interrupting." She says, nodding her head and turning to leave. I turn my eyes to a confused Natsumi who mouths to Choza silently, 'What was that?'.

New Skill!

Lip Reading Proficiency Level 1

The ability to read lips with varying accuracy without detection. Range 0.2m per level with accuracy increasing per level. Current ability dependable range 0.2 m

I feel the need to smile at the skill but frown at the situation. Yataka takes a silent seat back at the table, and after a moment or two, Choza continues his explanation. Still, the adults are clearly making conversation with their eyes, I can guess as to the subject. I must really be annoying Koharu with my stubbornness for her to risk me no longer being a viable spy like that…

"You see, Chojii, Sayori-chan, and Ami-chan have those in Konoha responsible for them…." Choza says with a forced smile, a twinge of pity in his gaze. "We won't be able to bring them with us, but Yataka-jisan here will keep an eye on them even when they are back home." He adds, but I wonder at the truth of that… I wonder about a lot of things. I just try to enjoy the rest of the dinner.

POV Koharu

Stubborn, ungrateful little brat! I seeth through my teeth with a begrudging amount of respect, of only a little. The girl is a handful. However, I have a feeling she will be worth the trouble. A rare flower hidden among the many budding leaves. Yes, the leaves will one day shield the village, but the flower? The flower's potential is yet to be determined, and its value seems to grow day by day.

A flower that I do not plan to let wither at the base of the tree or be scorched by the blazing sun. It's been a long time since I have been able to find a mind such as her. And so perfectly positioned already. Many do not value the art of politics. However, it is the structure of the village that Tobirama-sensei so tediously crafted that had kept the village standing through three wars when others collapsed or lost their position.

Hamura and I may work in the shade, but our work is important. However, not even the Hokage has unlimited say. No, the council has a great deal of power, the many major clans holding a great deal of sway. Still, the council is not large, and any player on the council would love to know anyone's clan's decisions and actions. Of course, spying on any of the clans is easier said than done.

The Akimichi clan, though? The Akimichi clan is very special. Not only is it a noble clan holding even more power than most other clans, but where the Akimichi vote, the Yamanaka and Nara clans will as well. All of them move as one, having their own little council because NEVER do they vote against each other. Unfortunately, the Nara are far too clever for any spy to survive very long, if they even make it in. The Yamanaka are mind walkers and masters of body language and psychology. Needless to say, a spy in THAT clan is a destined failure as well. The Akimichi, however, are neither. More so, they are very loyal, which allowed the relationship to form, to begin with. They are the one link that would allow someone to know which way all three clans would vote or any other investments the clan has. More so, the girl has actually earned that loyalty and a DIRECT link to the main household. So there is no surprise when Hiruzen calls me to the tower.

"Koharu-chan… must you really antagonize the clans?" Hiruzen says as he moves through yet another paperwork file, as it keeps him busy more often than not.

"I am simply handling my assets as I always have." I tell him simply he may have his children in the light, but I have my children to cultivate as well.

"Yataka-san wants me to investigate more thoroughly, my advisors." Hiruzen states, and I tense before I nearly snort. Yes, Danzo needs a tighter leash, even I can admit that, in fact, I have encouraged it many times. However, Hiruzen is not the man he used to be. War wears away at the soul. None of us are the same people we were all those years ago… but the village NEEDS us. It NEEDS us to put any feelings aside and do what must be done for the better of the whole village rather than an individual, as Tobirama-sensei taught us.

"And?" I ask, and he gives me a look, and I know I am pushing things now. I can concede that I should be a little more… patient. "I will endeavour to void aggravating the Akimichi further." I concede, and he nods.

"I will be keeping an eye on her as well, Koharu." He states dropping the honorific. I turn and leave. I do believe Sayori is close to cracking.