Hi everyone! I've really loved hearing all your thoughts on the last few chapters. This has all been a long time coming. I do a lot of planning well in advance, both in developing each arc and then for the story overall. Its really rewarding hearing your reactions to new characters or getting your takes on situations. It's invaluable to me and I use it as a gauge to know how well I'm getting my meanings across. That being said, I look forward to hearing from you all in the chapters to come. Just one last side note: my job is extra super mega crazy right now. The next few chapters are going to be a lot of work and I have some research to do for the next arc. With so much going on it may be a bit before I can get another chapter out. Or, you know, I could just go into overdrive and crank out three in a week while avoiding my adult responsibilities (like I did today). Just know that if I'm quiet for a while, there's always something in the works. Feel free to PM me if any questions pop up along the way. Ponchoninjax3 out.

The room was more crowded than usual, which wouldn't have bothered Tsunade if it weren't for the strange composition of its occupants. The head of the Hyuga clan, the junior ambassador of Getsugakure, and the long presumed dead widow of the previous ambassador were all in attendance. The purpose of their meeting was to discuss the future of Tsukimori Haruka.

"Ishida, this is the head of the Hyuga clan, Hiashi. He has been watching over Beki while she has been in Konoha." Tsunade began the introductions.

Ishida bowed respectfully before Hiashi. "I would like to thank you for taking such good care of Miss Tsukimori for us. I apologize for any inconvenience harboring her has caused for your family."

"It has been no trouble at all." Hiashi shook his head.

"I would like to reassure you that we will change her accommodations as soon as possible." Ishida remained in his bow as he spoke. "Now that Tsukimori is the ambassador, it would be unreasonable to ask you to continue to house her."

"That's unacceptable." Hiashi folded his arms and Ishida rose from his bow with a confused look on his face.

"What do you mean?" Ishida asked.

"Her father left her in our care," Hiashi explained. "Beki has been orphaned, thrust into a new position of responsibility, and was almost slain by her own kinsman. Seiichiro entrusted her safety and her wellbeing to my family. It would be disrespectful to his memory if we cast her out now in her time of utmost need, especially since no harm has ever come to her while under our roof. It has only been when she has been in the care of others that harm has befallen her."

Ishida took a moment to process Hiashi's statements. Years of working in court had taught Ishida that there was no such thing as a good deed without strings attached. Acts of selflessness were often a façade for someone looking to elevate themselves. "Is there any compensation I can offer you for your trouble?"

"No," Hiashi shook his head. "Tsukimori Beki is a guest in our home and a good friend to my daughter. It is no trouble at all for us to continue to house her."

So, he's keeping his hands on her as a bargaining chip. Ishida fixed his glasses and considered how to delicately pry the Tsukimori heir out of the Hyuga's hands.

"Let it go, Ishida," Yukihana chimed in, breaking his train of thought. "If Seiichiro trusted the man with his daughter you have to trust his judgement."

She's right, Ishida sighed, resentful to agree with the Yuki-onna. He had never liked Yukihana, with her sly smiles and condescending attitude. Most irritatingly of all, Seiichiro held her opinion over all others. If Ishida had come to him with a situation and piles of evidence, Seiichiro would still side with his wife based on her intuition alone. He bowed once again to Hiashi. "Thank you, then. I will be sure to talk to her about maintaining a low profile while in your care."

Hiashi's attention had fallen on Yukihana. "This is the shinobi responsible for uncovering Yasahiro's plot and Beki's rescue."

Hiashi gave her a polite nod. "It would have caused a great deal of grief if Miss Tsukimori had been harmed. You have our thanks."

"I don't need your thanks," Yukihana cocked her head. "I did it for my own reasons."

Hiashi narrowed his eyes, sizing up the kunoichi. "Are you a Getsu shinobi."

"I was at one point," Yukihana held out her hand. "Asou Yukihana."

Hiashi cast her an incredulous look and turned his gaze upon Tsunade. "Is this some kind of joke?"

"She is who she claims to be," Tsunade rested her chin on her hand. "As incredible as it sounds, this is Tsukimori Beki's mother."

Hiashi sized Yukihana up. "You've been dead for twelve years."

Yukihana sighed, lowering hand he had ignored. "Presumed dead. Incorrectly, I might add. I've been…indisposed for some time."

"Her justu backfired and locked her in an ice floe for twelve years," Ishida's voice was impatient. "We're getting off track."

"So, what is to become of our Tsukimori Beki?" Tsunade watched Ishida cautiously. "What does Getsugakure have in store for her?"

Ishida sighed. "Traditionally, I would assume the role of senior ambassador and Beki would be sent back to Getsu to serve as junior ambassador in court. After much consideration, I've deemed that course of action inappropriate."

"Good," Hiashi nodded. "The last thing the girl needs is more change."

"Not to mention it would be perilous to her safety," Yukihana said as she settled into the couch. "I wasn't able to track down the courtiers who were in league with Yasahiro. If we sent her back to Getsu she would be walking around with a target on her back."

"Do you believe there is a still a threat to her in Konoha?" Tsunade was beginning to consider trusting Yukihana's judgement. Seiichiro had always spoken of how wise his wife had been and Yukihana had proven him right thus far. The least Tsunade could do would be to consider her opinion.

Yukihana had wrapped her arms around the back of the couch and crossed her legs. As she thought, she bounced her crossed leg. "I can't say for certain. I weeded out everyone involved in the current operation. If any subsequent plans have been laid, I'm not privy to them. It is obvious that she would be safer here than back home, however."

"So, we all agree it is in Beki's best interest to remain in Konoha?" Tsunade asked and the group nodded in assent. "How will you proceed with her training as an ambassador, then?"

Ishida shrugged. "I haven't worked out that much yet. Beki followed her father from assignment to assignment for the better part of her life. From what I've seen, she absorbed a fair amount. I'm sorry to say a lot of what she will need to learn will come with experience. She will continue her father's negotiations with the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind."

"We'll send her with an escort whenever she needs to leave the village," Tsunade scribbled a few notes on a pad on her desk. "Her safety is a priority."

"No offense," Yukihana raised her hand. "You can send whatever escort you want but I'm going to be her permanent security detail."

Ishida turned and stared her down. "Isn't that a little presumptuous, Miss Asou?"

"I don't think so," Yuki shook her head. "I'm afraid that I don't have much faith in the Leaf shinobi's ability to protect my daughter as well as I can. In fact, if there are any further plots against Beki, what better way to smoke them out than to let them believe she's waltzing around unattended?"

"I would prefer if we assigned her squad here to protect her," Ishida folded his hands and looked at Tsunade to cement his authority. "It would be two chunin- "

"Ishida." The levity had dropped from Yukihana's voice. "If you have two escorts assigned to her on the books versus a shadow escort, what will happen?"

Ishida remained stoic. "They are highly trained and have been working with Tsukimori since she was ten- "

"They are not going to send a cadre of cheap mercenaries next time." The temperature of air in the room was dropping, sending goosebumps down Ishida's arms. Yukihana's voice was cold and ethereal as she continued. "They're going to start sending assassins. Do you think two chunin are equipped to deal with them sending someone like me to kill Beki? If they're as good as you say, they might send more than one assassin."

"It's better than what you're suggesting," Ishida spat. "If there is a plot against Beki, then you ghosting will only work once. They'll send an assassin and you'll kill him in whatever bloody mess you usually do and they'll come gunning for her even more."

Yukihana rose from the couch. "I think you need to have a little faith in me, Ishida." She turned and faced Tsunade, dropping into a respectful bow. "Do I have your permission to continue residing in your village to watch over my daughter?"

Tsunade considered the kunoichi. "Can you promise not to cause any more trouble?"

Yuki stared at the floor but the Hokage could feel the smile curling on her face. "I can promise if I cause any more trouble, I'll be sure to tell you about it first."

Tsunade waved dismissively. "I'll leave it up to Ishida if you can be her body guard but you have my permission to remain in the village, as her mother."

"What does Beki think of all this?" Hiashi gestured at Yukihana. "How did she react to the news you were alive?"

"She doesn't know yet," Yukihana folded her hands. "I haven't had the time to pull her aside and talk."

"I would recommend you do so soon," Hiashi folded his arms. "The girl believes she is an orphan. Learning that her long-lost mother has returned may soften the blow of Seiichiro's death."

"That's the hope," Yukihana sighed. "I just hope she takes it as well as you think."

…

Beki sat in the shade on the porch. It was early morning, so there was a slight nip in the air. Beki had thrown on her ugly sweater because its familiarity and bulk made her feel almost as safe as the armor. She had a stack of papers beside her that she desperately needed to attend to. Instead of getting her head back into working, Beki kept catching herself reminiscing about days gone by. She kept remembering small things about her father and trying to burn them into her memory. There was a gripping fear that accompanied her grief that somehow, she would forget her father: the way lines formed in his forehead when he frowned, the crushing weight of his hugs, and the way he smelled like cedarwood. Beki remembered how his 5 o'clock shadow would scratch her face when he kissed her forehead. His love for her was the sturdy foundation she had built her life on, as certain the sun would rise and as ferocious as the pits of hell. Beki had also been terrified of her father for that reason, angering or disappointing him had hovered over her head like a guillotine all her life.

Staring out at the bright blue summer sky, Beki was left thinking about everything she should have asked him. All the things Beki had fought him about, none of it seemed important now. The hardest thing for her to bear was that she could never talk to him again. She would never hear that deep, sonorous voice telling her about his travels, stories from his youth, or give her advice again. She would never get another letter with that haphazard but elegant penmanship. It was indescribably lonely and made Beki feel like a ship that had come unmoored and drifted off into open water overnight. Her father, her compass, was gone. Beki had to navigate life on her own now, brokenhearted and terrified.

"Hey," Naruto's voice was almost drowned in her thoughts.

"Oh, hey," Beki looked up at him and gave a hollow nod in greeting.

He took a seat beside her, careful to avoid the stack of papers Beki was ignoring. "How are you feeling?"

Beki shrugged. "Lost. Lonely. Sad."

Naruto nodded. "I know how much it sucks to feel like you're all alone in the world." He held out a cup of hot tea for her. It had irritated Beki at first when people tried to do small things like this for her. Over the last week, she had just learned to shut up and accept the kindness for what it was. She took the cup from him and muttered quiet thanks. "You know that you have all of us, right?"

Beki nodded without looking at him. "Yeah."

Naruto looked out at the sky. "So, what happened with you and Hinata last night? That didn't sound so good."

Beki shrugged. "I…I lashed out at her. I am really confused about everything right now and I felt like she was smothering me."

"I got that part," Naruto put his hands behind his head. "Did you guys work it out?"

"Yeah," Beki sighed. "I know Hinata has just been trying to help me but I already feel so damned useless. After I explained that, she came up with a deal: If she asks me what I need, I have to give her an answer and just let her do it. She promised to only ask to help me if I clearly need some help. If she asks to help me, that will be my cue that I'm coming a little undone and I should take a step back from things."

Naruto smiled. "That's Hinata for you. She's going to make a great mom someday."

Beki gave him the side eye. "Is there something I should know?"

Naruto stared at her blankly. "No, why?" Realization crossed his face and he squawked. "NO! I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT!"

Beki laughed. It had been more than a month since she had a reason. It sounded odd and scratched at her throat but afterwards she felt better. Naruto was eager to change the subject and pointed at her letter.

"That one's from Gaara, right?" Naruto asked. "It's one of the ones that came for you while you were locked up."

Beki nodded and looked at the familiar handwriting.

"What's it say?" Naruto leaned in to peek at the paper and Beki held it out for him.

"Here, have at it."

"There aren't any private couple things in here, are there?" Naruto made a grossed-out face.

Beki shook her head and swatted at him. "This is Gaara we're talking about. He doesn't put that stuff in writing."

Naruto looked it over briefly and gave it back to Beki. "So, what are you going to write back?"

Beki shrugged. "Look, I get that he's worried about me because he heard what happened to my dad. I'm at my maximum capacity here dealing with the people around me. I've known Hinata longer than any of you and she is the least offensive person I have ever known. If I'm fighting with her, what do you think is going to happen if I start talking to Gaara about all this?"

Naruto furrowed his brow in confusion. "So, you're just going to ignore him?"

Beki heaved a sigh. "Only for a little while. I need time to collect my thoughts on it first."

"He's your boyfriend. Shouldn't you just be straightforward with him?" Naruto scratched his head. "You shouldn't have to think about what you're going to say."

"You don't understand with him," Beki rested her chin on her hand. "He was overprotective as it was; with my dad getting killed, me getting kidnapped and then almost murdered myself…he's probably having a cow."

"So, you should send him a letter and tell him you're okay!" Naruto gave her a soft nudge. "We've got it completely under control."

Beki furrowed her brows and pouted. "Naruto. If you were kidnapped an almost murdered, do you think Hinata would be soothed by a letter that told her to trust you, you were okay?"

Naruto's face paled and his mouth hung open. "No. She would go on the warpath."

Beki snapped her fingers. "Exactly. So that's why I have to think about this first."

"Hey," Neji called out as he approached the house.

"Morning," Naruto smiled.

Beki managed a half smile and a nod. Neji came up on the porch and stood over the two. "I was about to head into town to run some errands. I was hoping you would come with me, Beki."

As a million excuses ran through her head, Beki screwed up her face as she narrowed down on the most convincing. "I'm…not feeling well. I think I'll sit this out."

"Beki, you've been cooped up in the house for over a week," Neji folded his arms.

Beki extended her arms and looked around the patio. "I'm outside."

"Hiding within the confines of the Hyuga compound won't work forever," Neji sighed. "You don't have to do much. I'm not going to make you train, I'm not going to make you talk to anyone. In fact, I won't even make you change out of that monstrosity you call your 'favorite sweater'."

"Mmmm," Beki looked around for another out until her eyes fell on the papers by her side. "I have a lot of work to do, see? I need to catch up on my ambassador…ing."

"I'll get you coffee," Neji offered.

Beki raised her half empty mug. "Already had some tea, thanks."

"I'll take you to the bakery," Neji used his most persuasive voice.

"I'm not hungry, but thanks." Beki smiled. "Have fun!"

"What could I offer you to get you to come into town?" Neji held out his hands in a gesture of submission, although his irritation was beginning to seep through his tone.

"I'm okay. There isn't anything I want now." Beki took a drink of her tea. "Maybe I'll go with you next time."

Neji sighed. "Can't say I didn't try." He took a step forward and scooped Beki up, tossing her over his shoulder. "Come on."

"Hey!" Beki slapped his back. "Put me down!"

"I'll put you down outside the gates." Neji said without turning his head. "If you try to run I will use the gentle fist and carry you like a baby the whole time."

"You wouldn't get away with carrying a limp woman through town," Beki scoffed.

Neji laughed. "You would be amazed what passes for normal around here, especially if I ask Lee to tag along."

Beki folded her arms and propped up her chin with her hand. "Fair point. I concede. This time."

Neji chuckled as the two approached the gate. The odd arrangement didn't draw so much as a glance from the Hyuga attending the gate. Neji set her down gently. Beki jokingly made a move to run but Neji's hand was on her waistband faster than she could react.

"Ugh, okay. Fine." Beki crossed her arms, her face the picture of annoyance. "But what are we doing today?"

Neji began to count off the tasks on his fingers. "I need to go to the hardware store, pick up some odds and ends at the market, pick up some packages, and depending on how long that takes maybe one or two other quick stops."

Beki leered at him. "This sounds like an all-day thing."

"If you're good we'll stop for a treat." Neji began to walk without looking back, expecting her to follow.

Beki trudged along after him. "You make it sound like I'm some kid."

"It's not that you're a kid," Neji explained. "I just know you're a much more willing participant when there's a reward at the end."

"Curse you and your observational skills." Beki jokingly shook her fist at him. Neji swatted the hand away and took ahold of her wrist. He tugged Beki long until she willingly matched his gait.

Neji could no longer recall a time before he was constantly worrying about Beki. When her father disappeared, he had caught himself checking in on her repeatedly to make sure she was managing. After her father died and she was imprisoned Neji had stayed up late every night wondering if she was okay. This period had been the hardest of all. Beki was physically well and safe at home but she was no longer herself. She avoided leaving the house, stared blankly off into nothing, and she had no appetite. Neji had lost his father young, so all he remembered were bits and pieces from that painful part in his life. He was sure that losing a parent at this age, especially having seen it with her own eyes, was difficult to deal with. The only way he could think to help was to keep Beki from withdrawing completely into herself. Today, that meant dragging her along for errands that weren't all that necessary. He had already gotten her to joke a few times. Maybe by the end of the day, Neji could hear her laugh again.

The summer heat was beginning to break and she breathed in the crisp taste of the coming fall. This isn't so bad, Beki sighed. For so long she had been trapped in a state of near paranoia, believing that if she left the house some ominous evil would claim her. Her father had always taught her that fear was a reaction. If you could put a face to it, to name the thing, it wouldn't be so terrifying anymore. It had always worked up until now. Beki couldn't place the source of her unease. Perhaps it was a combination of things: Yasahiro was still out there, she had a near death experience, and the Burned Maiden had just manifested inside her. In fact, it could have just been the Burned Maiden. Maybe this is how I'll feel all the time now.

As they approached town, however, Beki felt her chest tighten. She felt eyes all over her and could almost hear them whisper: she was a monster, she killed her father, she was worthless. Beki's legs grew heavier and she stopped, unable to continue. Neji gave her a concerned look. "What's up?"

Beki shook her head. "I can't."

"What are you talking about?" Neji took ahold of her wrist again. "Come on."

"No, Neji, I…. Everyone is looking at me." Beki shielded her face with her hands. "I need to go home. I can't do this."

"Yes, you can," Neji dropped his hand into hers and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

Beki shook her head. "I don't feel safe. Maybe if we go back and I put on the armor- "

Neji knew if he took Beki back to the house, she would hole herself up in her room and refuse to come out. This was his one shot to pull her back into the world. "We can't go back, Beki. We're already here." He could feel her heartrate pick up beneath his fingers. Beki's eyes were widening and her breathing was rapidly increasing. "Hey, why don't you change your hair? No one will recognize you with black hair, Beki."

"I can't," Beki squeezed her eyes shut and tried to steady herself. "I can't make my hair change anymore."

Neji blinked in confusion. "What do you mean? You can't get it to work right now?"

"No, I mean it's gone," Beki's skin was brightening and Neji could feel her hand grow feverishly hot between his fingers. "The Drowned Maiden is gone. I can't transform, I don't feel it anymore, I can't see her in my dreams."

Neji pulled Beki off the path and under a friendly tree. He took her face in his hands, brushing her hair behind her ears. "Beki, look at me."

Beki shook her head. It was taking all her control to keep the Burned Maiden at bay. Whenever Beki could feel her emotions rising, whether she was sad, scared, or angry, the Burned Maiden came roaring up the furnace, ready to explode. She didn't want to turn out in the open, especially with Neji so close. Beki didn't want to kill him, too. "Neji, let me go. I don't want to hurt you."

"You aren't going to hurt me," Neji shook his head. "You're stronger than that. You're stronger than this. Come on." Neji wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. "Take a deep breath."

Beki had tensed up at his embrace, the fear inside her growing a hundred-fold. She was certain that the Burned Maiden would come out and he'd be incinerated to ash and bone. Beki tried to warn him but Neji wouldn't listen. He kept hushing her and stroking her hair, soothing her like she was the one who needed to be protected. It began to work, to her surprise. Her heartrate began to steady and she could slow her breath. The boiling over feeling began to subside and her skin dulled to normal. Beki buried her face in his neck.

"What's wrong?" Neji pat her back. "Still not feeling well?"

"I feel like a crazy person, Neji," Beki's voice was soft, muffled by his shirt. "I'm so scared all the time now."

"It's okay," Neji gave her a final squeeze. "Nothing is going to happen. We are about to have a completely normal, utterly boring day running errands."

Beki took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. After a moment, collected herself enough to disengage from his arms. "Okay. Let's go."

…

Kakashi had finished his morning routine and was on his way to market to get his week's groceries. There was a blessed break in the heat so the streets were more crowded than usual. No amount of people could have concealed a familiar figure lurking around the corner of a shop in front of him, a halo of smoke around her head.

"Yukihana?" He called out and she jumped, the cigarette dropping from her lips in her surprise. She turned to face him. The startled expression faded off her face.

"Oh, it's you," She stamped out her cigarette and tossed it in the trash. She cleared her throat as she turned to face him. "Out for your morning constitutional?"

Kakashi eyed her suspiciously, taking note of how her eyes darted down the road every few moments. He followed the path of her gaze and caught sight of a sweater so hideous it was beyond words. "You're stalking your daughter?"

"I'm not stalking anything," Yukihana shuffled. "I'm out in the open, see? Just waiting for someone to come along."

"She's headed right this way." Kakashi watched for Yuki's reaction. The woman grew deathly still and her skin paled. "You still haven't talked to her yet?"

Yuki clutched her hands. "This is intimidating for me, okay?"

"I saw you dismember people. How is this intimidating?" Kakashi raised his hands in a gesture of confusion.

Yukihana cast a nervous glance over her shoulder. "I have only cared about the opinions of two people in my life. One of them is dead and the other one I haven't seen since she thought that tutus were perfectly normal daily attire."

"So, you're following her around," Kakashi shook his head. "You can't turn it off, can you?"

"This is another mission," Yuki watched her daughter munch happily on a crepe ice cream. "I do some recon, figure her out, then I have my method of approach."

"What if I just yell out her name right now?" Kakashi smiled under his mask at the way she tensed. It reminded him of his students when they were younger. For such a seasoned shinobi, her emotions were plain.

"Wait," Yuki narrowed her eyes. "Do you know anything about Beki? What does she like? Who are her friends? What's her personality like?"

Kakashi threw up his hands. "I only know your daughter by extension. One of my students is her roommate."

Yuki considered this for a moment. "But you're around teens all the time. Even if you don't know my daughter, you've got valuable information on what they're into. What's a good bet, then? The cool, mysterious type? Should I be ultra-nurturing, is there a celebrity I should imitate?"

"Lord, no," Kakashi shook his head. "Why don't you just act like yourself?"

Yuki got a strange look on her face and stared at the ground. She shrugged and turned her attention back on her daughter. "People don't tend to like me."

"From what Naruto says, she acts like a smaller version of her father," Kakashi gave a dismissive wave. "If that helps. You knew him better than I did."

"I knew him when we were young," Yuki shrugged. "It sounds like he grew up and got all…reserved."

"What makes you say that?" Kakashi cocked his head. "I always found him a rather intimidating fellow."

Yuki scoffed. "I know he mellowed out because my Seiichiro would have 'accidentally' set the village on fire at least twice over all these years."

"Well, whatever you're planning on doing I would decide now." Kakashi pointed. "She's rounding the corner now."

Yukihana blinked away into the alley, leaving no trace of her previous occupancy. Even the smoke had dissipated, leaving Kakashi standing alone around the corner of the shop. Neji and Beki walked by and gave him a polite nod. After they had passed, he turned his attention back on the alley. He could sense the vacancy in that dark alley. Yukihana had moved on to another vantage point. He chuckled and headed on his way towards market. "We all have our quirks, I suppose," Kakashi said to himself as he walked along.

…

"I feel like we're being followed," Beki shuddered.

Neji put an arm around her shoulder reassuringly. "You're fine, I told you, no one is staring."

Beki shook her head. "I know. I just can't shake that feeling."

"It's hard being out in the open after so long. You'll get used to it." Neji smiled, but he had noticed the same feeling. It had only been once or twice he had sensed something watching them, like the moon peeking out between clouds from time to time on a windy night. He could never quite pinpoint it. When it did manifest, he could sense no malintent in their gaze, either. Neji assumed Beki's paranoia was beginning to bleed over and he was reacting protectively against a nonexistent threat. "We've gotten enough done today. Let's go home."

"Sounds good," Beki heaved a sigh. "I'm exhausted. I don't know if I'm still healing or if I'm that out of shape."

"You're healing," Neji smiled. "You still look like you could bench press me."

Beki shot him a scathing look. "If this ice cream wasn't so good I'd smash it in your face."

He leaned over and took a bite as she squealed in protest. "You're right, it is good."

Beki licked the whole cone in retaliation and he laughed. There she is. There's my Beki.