Hi everyone! I've been grateful for all the feedback I've been receiving on these last few chapters. I've heard your requests/concerns and I feel like what I have in store is right on target. I hope you all enjoy this next installment and I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts!

Silence hung over the table, almost sentient in its ability to drown out their meager attempts to strike up conversation. Beki was aware of the awkwardness between herself, Neji, and Ren, but Yukihana's sudden aloofness seemed out of place. The only person that seemed unaware of the taboo was Ren, who was looking around at everyone with a sly smile on her face.

"So, I guess official congratulations are in order," Ren raised her teacup. "Hail Tsukimori Haruka, ambassador extraordinaire!"

Her toast received lukewarm mumbles of agreement but their lackluster involvement didn't faze her. "So, Beki. Where are you going from here?"

Beki tapped her fingers on the side of her cup. "From here I finish the projects my father was working on and continue my training." The expectant look on Ren's face cued Beki that her response had not been sufficient. "I would say more but based on what Ishida has been hinting at, there's a lot of catching up I need to do. This dinner is probably going to be the last time I get to go out and be social for a while."

"Then we need to party it up, right Daidai?" Ren elbowed Daiske. He hadn't been paying attention and was almost knocked from his chair.

"Uh, yeah. Sure." Daiske glanced up at Beki. "If that's what you want to do, I mean. We shouldn't push her around, Ren."

Ren rolled her eyes. "Look, when a person is down that is exactly the time you should push them! If you let them wallow in their misery, they'll never get over it!"

Beki sighed. "What do you have in mind, Ren?"

Ren casually draped an arm around Neji. "Well if we were back home, I'd say let's go explore the caves or the graveyard. What's fun here, Nejibear?"

Neji visibly winced. "It sounds like you have a different idea of fun than we do."

Beki's eyes dropped down to the contents of her cup, her brow furrowed and her expression dark. Neji hated that he was on the opposite end of the table from her. If only he were closer, he could lean in and explain everything. He was hurting Beki and she was stewing on it. Although the logic had been sound, Neji was beginning to believe Ren's plan was not having the desired effect.

Yukihana noticed the tension and spoke for the first time during the meal. "How about karaoke?" She looked around at the rest of the group. "I know of a couple places downtown. They're kind of seedy but that what makes it fun!"

Beki shot her mother a knowing look. "How seedy are we talking?"

Yuki shrugged. "Maybe only one or two bloodstains on the floor."

Daiske paled and his eyes darted between Beki and her mother. "You're kidding, right?"

"Yeah, of course," Yuki grinned. "I wouldn't steer you kids into danger. What kind of parent would that make me?"

…

The building Yukihana led the group to looked like it could have been a front for a drug running operation. The neon sign flickered and blinked, a few sections of its name completely dark. The paint was peeling away from the walls revealing graffitied cinderblock beneath. A few men hovered outside, smoking cheap cigarettes and talking in low voices. They sized the group up as they approached, wicked grins pulling at their lips. As soon as their eyes laid upon Yukihana, however, their faces fell and they dropped their cigarettes on the pavement. They didn't even bother stamping them out as they beat a path down the road in the opposite direction. Beki cast her mother a questioning glace. Yuki's face pulled into a vulpine grin.

"My reputation precedes me."

"Uh, guys," Daiske looked around. "It's still daylight out now but by the time we leave it'll be dark. Is this the kind of neighborhood we should be in after night falls?"

Yuki pointed down a nearby alley. "I killed a man down that ally only a few months ago."

Daiske's jaw dropped in a mixture of horror and awe. Ren elbowed him. "We don't have to fear wolves when we're traveling with a bear."

Neji agreed with Daiske. Under normal circumstances he would voice his agreement and lead Beki to more savory parts of town. Seeing her in full armor with eyes like steel, however, Neji felt he had no leg to stand on trying to protect her. She was a jounin now and was carrying herself as such. Beki brushed past him gruffly as she followed her mother inside, her braid bouncing along behind her. For a moment, Neji was reminded of how Beki used to bounce like that, happily following her friends wherever they led. There was nothing carefree in her manner now and that sent a pang of sadness through him. He realized he had been standing still for some time when he realized Ren was right beside him. Neji glanced at her and was prepared to apologize. Ren's face was pulled in an unfamiliar expression. Her brows were furrowed and there was a slight frown at the corners of her mouth. She looked up at Neji and then her eyes trailed back to Beki's back. She's worried, too.

The room Yukihana had set up for them was dingy but it at least seemed clean. Everyone took up a seat on the u-shaped couch and grabbed at the song listing menu.

"So, who wants to go first?" Yuki waved the microphone accusingly at the group.

"ME!" Ren threw her hands in the air. "I wanna go first!"

"No surprise there," Yuki handed her the mic. "Try not to pierce anyone's ears, okay?"

Daiske scoffed and Ren threw him a dirty look. "What's that for?"

"You confuse volume with range." Daiske spat and she swatted at him.

"Just for that you're next," Ren said as she punched in her choice. "Alright! Here we go!"

Beki's eyes were glued to the screen. The voices all bled into the background until it was just noise behind the music. Her muscles were tense, the way they got right before she started a fight. She clenched her fists and released them repeatedly to alleviate the pressure. The trick didn't work and only made Beki feel more agitated. Her jaw was clamped so tightly shut that her teeth were beginning to hurt. Sweat trickled down her back and bile rose in her throat. Beki swallowed hard. She began to focus on her breathing and adjusted how she was sitting.

Beki scanned the room to pull herself back into her surroundings. Ren had finished sitting and had passed the microphone to Daiske. As she settled back into the couch, Ren threw her legs over Neji's lap and poked his nose affectionately. Neji glanced at Ren and whispered something. She giggled a reply and swatted at his sleeve. Beki ignored their interactions at first but as time passed, it was all Beki could see and hear.

It was Yuki's turn to sing. She opened the song with her beautiful deep voice and the rest of the group became enrapt. Beki watched them all, their eyes wide and their lips gently parted in surprise. Ren looped an arm through Neji's as they listened, her head dropping against his shoulder. Neji paid her no mind, his eyes still transfixed on Yukihana. No one noticed as Beki slipped out of the room until after Yuki's turn was over.

Neji was the first to notice. "Where did Beki go?"

Yuki surveyed the spot her daughter had occupied and looked towards the door. "Probably had to use the restroom."

"I'll go check on her," Ren stood and Yuki stopped her.

"Take him with you," Yuki pointed at Neji. "You shouldn't walk through here alone. They could stuff you in a cart and we'd never see you again."

"How come you aren't worried about Beki getting abducted?" Ren's face puffed as she headed for the door.

"Because she's got a hundred pounds on you and a tendency to burn things that scare her," Yuki chuckled as the door closed behind them.

Neji and Ren looked around. The doors to the other rooms were closed and music blared from within them each, the muffled sounds of off-key singing drifting through the cracks. Beki wasn't in the lobby either. Ren elbowed Neji. "Do that freaky eye thing and find her."

Neji leered down at her. "It isn't a freaky eye thing." He activated the Byakugan and looked again. Beki's form was pressed against the front wall of the karaoke bar, her arms folded and her head bowed. "She's outside."

Ren followed him out the door. Beki was transfixed on some far-off point, her expression stony. Ren sighed and put on a coy smile. She took a breath and opened her mouth to speak at the same moment Beki's eyes snapped to Ren. The coldness of her glare knocked the words from Ren's lips.

"Inseparable as usual, it seems." Beki's tone held thinly veiled contempt.

Ren's eyes widened and she suppressed the smirk forming at her lips. Predictable as usual, Beki. "What, are you upset about something?"

At times like this, Beki's temper always flared. Truth be told, she was really hurt but hated seeming vulnerable, so she blended her tears with harsh words. Ren mentally prepared herself for the loud ugly onslaught, her own cool, logical comebacks at the ready.

"I thought you were my friend," Beki's voice was barely above a whisper but carried as much weight as a smack across the face.

Ren was not prepared for that. Her composure slipped for a moment. "What do you mean by that?"

Beki shook her head and averted her gaze back off to the distance. "I haven't seen you in months, and with everything that's happened to me, this is how you've chosen to prioritize your time?" She shook her head. "No, you know what? If I've learned anything, it's that life is short. So, if you two make each other happy, I'm happy for you. Just give me my space so I'm not reminded how alone I am in the world."

Ren smirked. Beki had shown her the weak spots she needed to exploit. "It sounds to me like you have a problem with me and Neji. Weren't you just telling me earlier that you think he's the most attractive boy in the village?"

Beki threw her a disgusted look. "So, you two start chatting it up where you left off at the chunin exams and go, 'hey I really like you, we should go out,' and you don't think you should say anything to me about it first? I'm your friend! Both of you!" Beki turned some of her sour face at Neji.

His first instinct was to apologize and explain this was all a misunderstanding but Ren looked up and shook her head at him. He closed his mouth and watched Ren work her magic.

"Sorry, I didn't think it was normal for people to ask their friends for permission to date. This almost sounds territorial, like you thought Neji was yours to order around."

"I just expected some forewarning, I guess." Beki stared at her feet. "I would tell you if Daiske and I started going out."

"I wouldn't give a rat's ass," Ren laughed. "I love you guys but I really don't care. Now, if I secretly wanted to be with you myself, maybe I would have a problem with you seeing Daiske."

Neji's eyes widened in surprise. As loud and brash as she was, Ren had a gift for finding the root of an issue as surely as her arrows found their targets. Beki was left standing there, shaking her head in confusion.

"No," Beki protested but much less confidently than before. "You're misunderstanding me."

"I shared the crib with you, Beki," Ren pointed at her. "I know your brain better than you do, but I don't buy into the nonsense you convince yourself of to cover up reality." Ren put her hands on her hips and leaned in. "So why don't you cut the crap and tell me how you really feel."

Beki threw up her hands and stepped away from the wall. "I'm done."

Ren rolled her eyes. "Oh, here we go. Watch her avoid the issue like an incoming kunai. Why don't you be a grown up and talk this out instead of running away?"

Beki shook her head and started to walk off down the street. "I can't deal with this right now."

Neji stepped forward to follow her but Ren grabbed ahold of his arm and shook her head. "Let her think this out on her own. We've planted the seeds."

"It isn't safe for her to be by herself," Neji pulled his arm away. "I'll walk her home."

Ren kicked him in the shin. "You're as thick headed as she is! I get that you like her but she spontaneously catches fire and melts people who try to hurt her. She'll be fine walking through these backwater streets on her own."

Neji and Ren were interrupted by the door opening and Yukihana walking out. "Where is she?"

Ren pointed off down the street. "She's going home."

Yuki looked off after her daughter and then turned her piercing blue eyes on the pair before her. "I've been meaning to ask why the two of you have been so cozy?" The full force of her stare fell upon Neji. "I was under the impression you liked Beki."

"That's exactly why we've been doing this," Ren folded her arms. "Beki hasn't had to come to terms with the fact that she likes Neji. Bringing in some competition made her realize that she wants him all to herself. She'll probably throw herself at him first thing tomorrow morning."

Ren had a self-satisfied grin on her face that lit her up like a halo.

"Are you two careless or are you really this foolish?" Yuki's tone cut through Ren's pride like a hacksaw.

"This plan was flawless!" Ren stomped her feet. "I already called Beki out for being so territorial. She has to admit her feelings for Neji now."

Yuki took a deep breath. "Let me pull you out of your 'I know everything' teenage brain for a second here. Who are Beki's best friends?"

"That's easy," Ren counted them off on her fingers. "Me, Hinata, and Neji."

"And now all of you are in serious relationships. Some of you with each other," Yuki cocked her head. "So where does that leave Beki?"

Neji's heart sank. "It makes her a fifth wheel."

"So where is she going to go for comfort now that you're all wrapped up in each other?" Yuki raised her hands and watched them both for a reaction.

Ren stewed for some time but the answer came almost immediately to Neji. "To Gaara."

Yuki clapped. "Bingo! You two just sent her on an impromptu trip to the Sand. Good job."

Ren shook her head. "She can't just up and leave-"

"Ambassadors have clearance to come and go as they please." Yuki interrupted her.

As the two bickered, Neji stared off down the street after Beki. This had been his last shot, a final desperate attempt at winning Beki over, and he had failed gloriously. Not only had he hurt her, Neji had probably set forth a chain of events that would only solidify her bonds with Gaara. The more he thought about it the greater his feeling of loss became. A lump formed in his throat and he swallowed hard. Beki would certainly avoid him now. Neji's mind wandered to how different his life would be without her in it, how vast the silences would be, how depressing the night would become without her shining in the darkness.

Yuki's loud sigh pulled him out of his thoughts. "Lucky for you, I might still be able to do something about this."

"What do you mean," Neji was numb and the words that came from his mouth sounded like they were from someone else.

"You aren't exactly the best catch in the world but you're preferable to a damned jinchuriiki," Yuki stared Neji down.

"What are you-" Neji shook his head, his confusion only growing. "He isn't even a jinchuriiki anymore-"

Ren kicked him. "You're really bad at accepting help."

Neji held his tongue, afraid of further violence against him.

"I understand this isn't the popular opinion nowadays, but jinchuriiki are bad news. The last person Beki should be with is someone with that kind of unstable power and emotional issues." Yuki explained. "I'll follow her to Suna and do the best I can: poignantly point out his every mistake, insinuate he has a substandard set of equipment, sleep with his brother. Mom stuff."

Neji couldn't keep his dismay at bay. "That certainly isn't what I would call traditional motherly behavior."

Yuki shrugged. "I do the best I can with what I have available."

Ren's eyes sparkled. "It's genius!" She fell on her knees. "Teach me, sensei!"

Yuki gave her a dismissive wave, a pseudo sigh of exasperation slipping through her lips. "I suppose since you're training to be the next head priestess, it would only be appropriate I pass on my knowledge."

Neji watched the two trading information detachedly. He was no longer invested in the conversation. As far as he was concerned, it was all over. He would spend the next few days licking his wounds and convincing himself that he had a future.

…

The night was black and oppressive, like a wet blanket draped over the world. There was no moon, either. As Beki walked back to the Hyuga compound, past the comforting glow of the streetlights of the city proper, her uneasiness increased. She tugged feverishly at her braid, unraveling it, and reworking it over and over as she walked. Ren and Neji had been behaving so strangely and their behavior had set Beki off. It was like a switch had been flipped and it was now impossible for Beki to calm down.

"What is wrong with me?" Beki asked the night. The pinpricks of starlight gave no response save their spiteful winking.

Beki took deep breaths and hopped a few times, hoping that would work out the jitters. She tried hugging herself and massaging her shoulders but nothing worked. What Beki really wanted was to be comforted in this strange time in her life, someone to reassure her as she figured out what was wrong with her. The compound was quiet as she approached. The night gatekeeper yawned as he let her in. Ceremony didn't stand this late at night. Beki ambled past the well-kept gardens and listened to the crackling of the dried-out leaves as they swayed in the gentle breeze. When she reached Hinata's house, Beki carefully mounted the stairs carefully, walking on the sides to keep them from creaking. She unlocked the door and opened it slowly, pausing a moment to listen. The house was silent, its other occupants long since asleep. Beki repeated her silent ascent on the inside stairs and stepped into her room. She fished out her duffel bag and packed a few days' worth of clothes and toiletries. She descended back into the kitchen and began to pack provisions for the trip to Suna. About halfway through, she heard the door upstairs creek.

Beki cringed. She had tried so hard to conceal her movement but Hinata's ears were like a dog's. Or a parent waiting for their child to come home after they missed curfew. Beki said a silent prayer for herself as Hinata softly descended the stairs.

"Hey," Hinata rubbed at her eyes. Her hair was disheveled and her nightgown wrinkled. She had clearly been sleeping for some time.

"Hey," Beki stared down at her pack, the guilt plain on her face.

"Where are you headed?" Hinata pulled herself up on a barstool and sized Beki up. Based on appearances alone, her friend seemed out of sorts. There was a disquiet aura about her that seemed to seep out into the room around her. Her face was troubled, the thick brows furrowed and mouth pulled into a frown at one side. Something had happened and Hinata needed to ease it out of Beki.

"I'm going to Suna," Beki stuffed her canteen in the bag. "Now that I'm officially ambassador, I need to get to work."

Hinata shook her head. "That isn't all. What happened when you went out tonight?"

Beki sighed. "I guess if I had to put it in words, I'm having a hard time dealing with all the changes in my life."

Hinata rested her chin on her hand, her eyes ever vigilant for subtle changes in Beki's expression. "Does this have something to do with your mother?"

Beki shook her head. "I mean, that's a change that's happened recently but that wasn't the trigger tonight." Beki stopped packing her bag and tapped her hands on the table. "Ren and Neji are dating. That's weird for me."

Hinata dropped her hand to the table, her jaw following suit. "What?"

"I know," Beki's face contorted into mild disgust. "I would have never thought that they would be a thing."

Hinata said nothing in response. She was still trying to wrap her head around Neji and Ren. Beki interpreted her friend's silence as an invitation to continue. "I'm happy for them if they make each other happy. That's the problem, though. Everyone's so happy. They make it look so easy: you and Naruto, Ren and Neji." Beki ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. "Whereas Gaara and I seem to be constantly struggling. Before Naruto got home, I thought that our troubles were normal. Then I thought that maybe you and Naruto just had a unique bond, a one true love situation. Now Ren and Neji…" Beki sputtered. "I have to go fight for my relationship. I want that happiness that you and Naruto have and I'm not going to get it sitting around being pissy."

"Good for you," Hinata patted her arm. She was doing her best to sound supportive but her mind was reeling. Something about all this wasn't adding up about Neji's behavior. If Beki was out of the picture in the Sand, there was a chance Hinata could get the truth out of Neji. "Do you want to wait till morning to head out?"

"No," Beki zipped up her bag. "I'm so damned antsy I couldn't sleep if I wanted to. I might as well make use of this energy while I have it."

"Stay safe, sweetie," Hinata yawned. "When should I expect you home?"

Beki tapped her fingers on the counter. "Well, its three days out and back. I'll need to be there at least a few days to get business taken care of. We'll say a week and a half to two weeks?"

"Alright," Hinata lethargically rose from the stool. "Send word if your plans change." She raised her arms sleepily and Beki stepped into Hinata's embrace. She breathed the milky sleep smell of Hinata's skin and it calmed her slightly. Beki let Hinata go quickly so as not to become tired herself. She grabbed her duffle bag and quietly set out for the Sand.

…

About two hours into her trip, Beki heard heavy footfalls racing up the path towards her. She turned around and braced herself, ready for a fight. Instead of bandits she saw her mother.

"Yuki?" Beki rested her kanabo on her shoulder. "What are you doing out here?"

"You think I'm going to let you run off to the Sand by yourself?" Yuki shook her head. "Uh uh. Where you go, I go."

"Don't you think that's a little clingy?" Beki wrinkled her nose. "I'm a jounin now."

"Just because they gave you the title doesn't mean you have the experience. It just means you have the potential." Yuki stretched. "So, until the day comes that you can kick my ass, I'm tailing yours."

Beki turned and continued down the path. "Suit yourself."

"On your way to visit Red?" Yuki asked.

"His name is Gaara," Beki scanned the woods. "You'll call him Kazekage sama."

"He's dating my daughter. I can call him whatever I want." Yuki folded her arms. "Is this just a booty call?"

"No," Beki rolled her eyes. "I've got business to conduct. He was mid negotiation with Dad before…you know."

Yuki nodded. "How are the inns in Suna?"

Beki winced. It was a loaded question. "They're about as good as anywhere else. Not terrible, not luxurious."

Yuki observed Beki carefully as she spoke. When her daughter finished, Yuki's eyes sparkled wickedly. "You're lying through your teeth. You've never been to an inn in Suna."

"I haven't stayed there long when I've visited," Beki adjusted the kanabo's weight on her shoulders. "Day trip sort of things."

Yuki clapped. "More bull! This is a glorified sleepover!"

Beki stomped her foot. "So, what if it is? I never get to see him!"

"Haha, my daughter the vixen." Yuki shook her head. "What do his parents say?"

"His parents died a long time ago. He lives with his older brother and sister." Beki explained.

"So it's a party house?" Yuki raised her eyebrows. "No wonder you sleep over!"

Beki sighed with exasperation. "It isn't like that."

"If Reika and I had the shrine to ourselves as teens, it would have been a kegger all the time," Yuki smiled nostalgically. "Chugged the ceremonial wine and eaten ourselves sick on wild blackberries."

"Did you and dad party all the time?" Beki gave her a questioning look. "He never really mentioned you guys being wild like that."

"We were plenty disorderly," Yuki explained. "It was different with us, though. We had a good time if we were together. Don't get me wrong, we did partake in the occasional inebriating beverage. Seii and I had more fun sober, making fun of people and engaging in battles of our wits. But, there was one particular drunken chess match that may or may not have led to your conception-"

"EW!" Beki threw up her free hand. "Too much. Do not want."

As odd as it was having Yukihana around, Beki had to admit it was nice having someone to talk to as she made her way to Suna. Usually this trip was stressful and time pressed. This time around, it was casual and relaxing. Her mother told her stories from her youth and peppered Beki with questions about pointless details of her life growing up. Before long, the sun was rising and Beki's knees were buckling.

"We should call it here, kiddo." Yuki looked around. She led Beki off the path and nestled against the trunk of a tree. Yuki held out her hands and opened and closed her fingers. "Come here."

Beki gave her a strange look. "What's this?"

"Come cuddle!" Yuki said in a baby voice.

Beki looked around. "Someone has to keep watch."

Yuki laughed. "If anyone can get close enough to kill us without me detecting them, they deserve the hit."

"You're not building my confidence here," Beki said as she cautiously lowered her kanabo to the ground.

"Besides, I forgot a blanket." Yuki explained but Beki laughed in her face.

"You always run cold! Aren't you impervious to it?"

Yuki thought about it. "Not completely impervious. I have a higher tolerance, maybe?"

"Whatever." Beki sat down between her mother's knees and rested against her. Yuki wrapped Beki in her arms and gently rocked her, humming a tune that was familiar and comforting. Within moments Beki had drifted off into a deep restful sleep. Yuki closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of her daughter's hair. As sleep claimed her, Yuki could almost fool herself into believing that the girl in her arms was still a five years old.