'Thoughts/Signing/Written Words'

"Speaking"

"Seal Symbols/Words"

Flashbacks

Disclaimer: I own nothing from Masashi Kishimoto. Enjoy!

Chapter 7

As soon as they left the waiting area and started descending the stairs, Sora felt the souls of Hound and Fox shift as they disappeared into the shadows

'They must've gotten into position,' she thought. Hound's soul settled on the rooftops, and Fox's soul settled on the ceiling. 'Best not look in their direction.'

Once outside the building, Sora took in a breath before letting it go. Walking towards the right, she heard whispers of her name and her shop being mentioned amongst the civilian merchants. 'Word got out fast that my products arrived,' she thought.

Sora stopped in front of a gigantic tree. At the very tops of the tree was a circular building. Spiraling down from the building and around the trunk was a corridor with windows.

Sora smiled as she remembered the first time she saw the tree.

An eight-year-old ruby haired girl was hiding behind an older woman with white hair. She poked her head out as she heard a deep voice whispered, 'Hello Little Listener.'

Sora's eyes widened in amazement as she looked at the tree. She whispered back, "H-hello," before quickly hiding behind the older woman again.

Sora looked up at the treetops to see the building at the top. She gasped in shock, 'It's like a giant tree house,' Sora thought.

The older woman looked down at her, "Come Sora."

The older woman placed her hand on Sora's small shoulder and began walking away.

Sora was brought back to the present when the familiar deep voice from the giant tree whispered, 'Little Listener, you are not safe here. Be careful, there are many eyes watching.'

Sora felt a cold soul following behind them. They were keeping their distance. 'How do they know how far to stay away?' Sora thought.

Being careful not to show a reaction, she went into the spiraling corridors. Once at the top, she stopped in front of a single door. Just as she was about to knock, the door was opened by a young teenage boy with short brown hair. He had used his forehead protector like a bandanna over his hair. Around the bottom of his eyes were lines that were turned up at the ends. Bandages were poking out from underneath the ends of his long black sleeve. Sora noted how his uniform was the exact same as some of the Genin sensei.

They all had on a long black sleeve with the swirl of the Uzumaki clan on both of their shoulders, long black pants, white socks, and a sandal to complete the look. However, one thing that struck Sora as odd was that there was no discerning factor to tell which rank they were. Some of the sensei had on a vest like the one that aniki's pup was wearing, while others did not. The vests were all the same. A dull brown padded vest with no pockets.

'Now that I think about it, the Genin seem to not wear any type of uniform at all. I wonder if there are different uniforms to distinguish between the different ranks. If not then, how do they tell the difference between ranks? With a village this large, I doubt every shinobi knows everybody.'

Deciding to ask the Yondaime about it later, Sora paid attention to the teenage boy in front of her who looked a bit scared.

Seeing two Anbu and a civilian woman at the door, the young teen hesitantly asked, "Can I help you?"

Sensing how his eyes lingered on Crow and Neko, Sora sent him a warm smile. "Nice to meet you, uh?"

Still unsure, the teen answered, "Natori Keiko. Nice to meet you, uh?"

Sora answered, "Sora Fujiwara, the-."

His eyes widened. "The Sora Fujiwara? Owner of Tree Leaves?"

Sora nodded her head. He grinned and opened the door wider to walk closer to Sora. "I'm a big fan of your business, Fujiwara-san."

Hearing Neko clearing his throat, Natori looked down to see that in his excitement he had accidentally grabbed onto Sora's hands. Realizing what he had just done, the teen gulped and quickly let go of his hand. "Sorry, Fujiwara-san."

Sora gave Natori a smile, "It's quite alright Keiko-san. Thank you for supporting my business. I was hoping I could gain access to Chujitsuna-san."

"Chujitsuna-san?" Natori's eyes furrowed in confusion. "As in Chujitsuna the Crow?"

Sora nodded her head. "The very same one."

Natori gave her an apologetic look, "I'm sorry, Fujiwara-san, but I cannot let the public access our messenger birds. They are strictly only for shinobi and the Fire Daimyo's use."

Sora's eyes twinkled in amusement. "Keiko-san, thank you for letting me know. That is precisely the reason why I'm here. I wish to send out a message to my delegates letting them know that I've arrived safely to Konoha."

Natori's eyes widened in shock as he realized that Sora was the Daimyo. Face reddening in embarrassment, Natori quickly bowed, "I apologize for being rude, Daimyo-sama."

"Keiko-san," Natori rose from his bow, "No need to apologize. You didn't know."

Natori nodded and turned around hoping that she did not see his red face. He stuttered out, "Right this way Daimyo-sama. I'll take you to Chujitsuna."

Natori took them down the hall and into a room with a long table in the center. Across from the entrance was an open platform with a U-shaped table. Every few feet there were wooden rods placed horizontally on the tabletop. Some of his senpais were retrieving scrolls from messenger hawks that had just landed. Others were tending to the birds inside the cages that lined the walls on both sides of the room.

When Sora had stepped into the room, the Aviary staff all paused from their work to look up. Some wondered why a civilian was in their department. One was about to ask when they stopped. Seeing two Anbu agents not far behind the civilian woman, everyone quickly went back to do their work. Sora could still feel them glancing at her curiously.

As Natori went towards the open platform, his coworkers gave him a questioning look. Natori sent them a wavering smile and stopped in front of a cage. Seeing the cage that he stopped at, some of his senpais wished him good luck as a familiar caw wrang out.

Knowing that the Daimyo was not far behind him, Natori whispered, "Please be good. The Daimyo is here. Don't make me look bad."

Having heard this, his coworkers stiffened.

As Natori opened the cage, the black crow hopped towards the back of the cage and cawed again. Natori let out a soft groan.

From behind Natori, Sora asked, "Is everything alright, Keiko-san?"

Natori straightened and turned his head over his shoulder to answer, "Everything is alright, Daimyo-sama. There's no need to worry."

Natori turned back to Chujitsuna, whispering, "Please work with me here."

Chujitsuna cawed once more before turning his back towards Natori. Natori's eyes widened as Chujitsuna looked over his shoulder and began lifting his tail feathers up, "No. You can't do that again."

Natori jumped as Sora popped up next to him. "Chujitsuna-san, are you giving Keiko-san a hard time?"

Seeing the familiar face, Chujitsuna quickly brought his tail feathers down and turned around to face her. He flew out of the cage and landed on top of her shoulder. The black crow rubbed his head against her cheek before pecking at her hair pins. Sora laughed as she brought a hand to pet Chujitsuna. "It's nice to see you too, Chujitsuna-san."

Natori's and his senpais' jaws dropped. This was the first time they have ever seen the black crow this well behaved. Most of the time Chujitsuna would furiously peck or purposefully aim his poop at them as soon as they opened his cage.

Sora placed her arm out as Chujitsuna flew to land on it. "Do you think you can deliver a message for me?"

Chujitsuna cocked his head back and forth before flying towards a wooden rod on the U-shaped table. Everyone inside the Aviary department watched in fascination.

Grinning, Sora drew a dark red scroll from her sleeve. Natori's and his senpais' eyes narrowed in on the scroll. Each of them recognizing it.

Once Sora was done writing, she placed it inside the empty scroll carrier on Chujitsuna. She rubbed his back, "I don't have any treats for you, but if you're nice, Tana-san will give you a few blueberries."

Natori frowned and whispered, "Blueberries?"

Hearing him, Sora nodded as Chujitsuna took off. She turned towards Natori, "While Chujitsuna-san likes eating other berries and seeds, he goes crazy for blueberries. I grow a bunch of them in my garden."

Natori tentatively asked, "Have you've been feeding Chujitsuna berries and seeds from your garden, Daimyo-sama?"

Sora's eyes softened in concern, "Was it improper of me to do so? While Lord Todiyori had given me the option to choose my own messenger bird, I had not known that I was not supposed to feed him treats." Before Natori could say anything to stop her, Sora bowed down, "I apologize for causing any inconvenience. I should have confirmed with Lord Todiyori first."

Natori widened his eyes before quickly going towards her to raise her from her bow. "Fuji-, err, Daimyo-sama, there was nothing wrong with you feeding Chujitsuna."

Sora sent him a relieved look. "I'm glad."

As Sora walked towards Crow and Neko, she turned to look at Natori, "Thank you for letting me use Chujitsuna-san, Keiko-san."

Natori nodded his head as he watched Sora follow Crow towards the hallway with Neko next to her. As an idea occurred to him, Natori called out, "Daimyo-sama!"

Sora turned back around. She studied him as he hesitated for a little bit before his face settled on determination. Her eyes widened as Natori bowed, "I would like to form a trading contract between Tree Leaves and the Aviary Department."

A gasp was heard. In the entrance was the Head of the Aviary Department who had just entered the room.

Thinking his boss was mad at him Natori flinched, but bowed even further, "Please Daimyo-sama."

Sora blinked and cocked her head, "What does the Aviary Department need from Tree Leaves that they cannot get from Konohagakure?"

"Berries and seeds," Natori informed her. "While Konoha have all sorts of native berries and seeds, they are only available during the spring and early summer. During the rest of the seasons our food supply diminishes rapidly. The few berries that grow in the winter are not suitable for our birds. They make them ill once consumed."

Natori paused before continuing, "We were only able to feed our birds year-round when we received some of Tree Leaves percentile shipments. I was hoping we can trade and form a contract for some of the berries and seeds that you grow, Daimyo-sama."

The Head of the Department's eyes went wide as he heard Natori. 'It's her,' he thought.

It was well known within the shinobi community that the Aviary Department suffered many losses in the winter. Most of their hatchlings died during that time of year. Of those that survived, they only grow to be a year old before passing. Each time winter had come around, the Aviary Department was dreading it.

Five years ago, they had managed to hatch a new healthy flock that autumn. But the staff knew that food would soon become scarce during the winter.

A knock was heard at the door and one of the staff members went to answer. A Genin had brought them two boxes. On the side of each box was a hand painted wisteria tree. There was no label as to where or who it was from. When they had opened it, the staff was surprised. Inside one box was seeds they had never seen before. Some seeds had black stripes running down the middle, while others were smaller than a grain of rice. The other box had a mix of what looked to be like berries. Some berries had the same shape as the ones sold in the market, but the ones in the box were dark purple, red, and dark blue. The Head of the Department grabbed a red berry and placed it in his palm in front of an older hatchling. He was surprised to see the hatchling eat it. Most hatchling had an instinctive knowledge not to eat berries grown around Konoha in the winter because they were poisonous. That winter he and his staff rationed the two boxes the best they could until spring arrived.

When the next winter had arrived, the Aviary Department were hopeful to receive another shipment. None showed. They lost the whole flock that year.

The following year, it was only by luck when the Head of the Aviary Department was given a bag of berries from a friend as a gift. He had recognized them immediately upon opening the bag. When asked, his friend had said he had gotten the bag from a merchant in Konoha. When the Head of the Aviary Department had asked the merchant, he could not remember where he had gotten the berries from. He went home discouraged. Only two hatchlings survived that year.

When winter came again, the Aviary staff was on edge. One day when he had gotten in late one morning, the Head of the Department gasped in shock. There sitting on the table were four boxes. Each displaying a Hashirama tree with three butterflies on the left side of the tree trunk. As he opened the box, he was shocked. It was the same berries and seeds from three years before.

One of his staff members came up to him, "Can you believe it? A Genin dropped it off. He said it was from the capitol."

The Head of the Department hmmed. 'If only we could get a constant supply each year, the birds might have a better chance.' he thought.

The Head of the Aviary Department looked at Sora. 'Now is the chance.'

To the surprise of his staff, he bowed deeply and pleaded, "Please, Daimyo-sama."

The rest of the staff members quickly followed suite and bowed before Sora. As a unit, they said, "Please, Daimyo-sama."

Sora's eyes widened. Looking at Natori, she hardened her voice. "Let's say I were to agree, what is the Aviary Department willing to offer?"

At this everyone paused, unsure. Sora continued, "What you can offer me as an individual is different than what you can offer me as an entire department of Konohagakure."

Everyone's eyes widened at Sora's implications while the Head of the Department clinched his fists. 'It's true,' he thought. 'Without the Hokage's approval, if the whole department had entered a contract, it could be seen as treason. There could be claims of us trading village secrets.'

Looking at Natori, Sora sternly stated, "Keiko-san, I cannot accept the trade." She turned around and walked towards the hallway with Crow and Neko following behind.

Natori's eyes saddened, but quickly went after her and asked, "If I were to make that offer as an individual. If I make that trade myself-."

The rest of the Aviary staff followed Natori as well, hopeful.

Not pausing, Sora stated, "You would still be doing the trade with your whole department in mind."

As Sora brought her hand to the doorknob, she paused. She could feel all of their souls flickering before darkening into sadness and despair.

Unable to ignore it, Sora sighed. 'I'm probably going to regret this later,' she thought as her fingers touched the door handle.

Softly, she said, "I heard a rumor," at this, the staff perked up, "that there's a petition for Tree Leaves contract between the capitol and Konoha to be amended so that Konohagakure will have direct trade with Tree Leaves rather than the percentile."

Turning to give them an encouraging smile, she said, "Find the person heading the petition, and your department might have a chance."

Natori's and the Head of the Aviary Department's eyes widened in shock as they watched their Daimyo exit the Aviary Department. 'There's still a chance,' they both thought.

As soon as she was gone, everyone huddled together and started throwing out names of who they thought it was heading the petition.

Once Sora and Team Ro were outside, Sora smiled as she felt their souls lightening up. 'I predict more paperwork is to come.' Smiling, she went down the corridor, 'It'll be worth it though.'

As they descended, Crow asked, "Daimyo-sama?"

"Hmm?"

"Couldn't you have just completed the contract because you are the Daimyo?"

Sora shook her head no. "Even though I am the Daimyo, I am bounded by the laws set in place as well." Looking at Crow, "I am not above the law."

Crow nodded in understanding.

Neko looked at her for a minute before asking, "If you had not wanted to do the trade then why did you reveal the information?"

From the rooftop, Kakashi had wondered the same. Information was kept and guarded to the extreme in most shinobi village. Konohagakure was no different.

Sora stopped to look out of the corridor's windows and into the village. She turned to Neko and gave him a blinding smile, which made him stagger a bit. "Because no one can fault anyone for wanting to provide a better home for the ones they care about. It is how you go about it that counts." Looking forward, she continued, "I am sure for the Aviary Department, they spend most of their time caring for their birds, much like how you would a beloved ninkin." Sora continued down the stairs stating, "That is the reason."

Team Ro looked at Sora in contemplation as she made the last trek to the bottom.

Once they were on the ground, Sora's stomach growled. Face flushing in embarrassment, Sora turned to Crow and Neko, "I think it's time for lunch. Do any of you have any preferences?"

Crow and Neko looked at one another before shaking their heads no.

"I know just the place then," Sora exclaimed.

Sora led Team Ro passed the Hokage's office and the Academy. She passed the Jounin Standby Station which is a circular building with a round green sign at the top. The green sign had a single kanji, short for Jounin. Neko and Crow widened their eyes as they stopped in front of a familiar pub and restaurant. Five large red pillars supported the front of the store. Strung across the top of the pillars were red paper lanterns. Running down both sides of the double doors were two red banners with the words, 'Shushu-ya'.

Team Ro looked at one another unsure. Shushu-ya was a popular shinobi spot because it was owned and staffed by the Akimichi clan. They had no doubts that as soon as they entered, their comrades would notice them immediately. Neko and Crow looked up at Hound, who was on the roof top. Hound signed, 'Go in. Fox and I will follow.'

Neko and Crow nodded.

Ignoring the cold soul that had stopped at a rooftop a few buildings away, Sora reached out a hand to pull the doors opened. Loud chatter could be heard. The minute they stepped inside though, some of the chatter had stopped. Some of the customers lowered their voices while others looked at the entrance.

Seeing the stares, Neko and Crow stood closer to Sora and glared at their nosy comrades. They all quickly averted their eyes and continued their conversations. Once the chatter began again, Sora looked around the restaurant. Inside were small warm lights hanging from the high ceilings. On the right side of the room was a bar with customers asking for more sake. Across from that was a cash register. Behind the register counter was an open view of the kitchen. Sora could hear a familiar voice call out, "Tsabiki-kun hand me the rice bowl!"

Workers went back and forth between the wooden booths on the first floor and the kitchen. Some were taking orders while others were cleaning up tables. The women wore red qipao inspired blouses with cherry blossoms while the men wore black changpao inspired shirts with the same cherry blossom design. All the workers had on a black apron and black pants. Sewn on the left corner of their aprons was the Akimichi clan symbol. In the middle towards the back of the room was a staircase that went up towards the upstairs balcony. The balcony wrapped above the entire room. Strung from the bottom of the balcony rails were small paper lanterns.

From what Sora could see, there was no customers up in the balcony. As Sora and Team Ro walked further into the restaurant, a confused voice called out, "Sora-san?"

Coming out of the kitchen door was a russet haired woman with red swirls on her cheeks. She had a fuller physique and was dressed in a full red quipao dress with cherry blossom petals. On the collar of her dress was the Akimichi clan symbol.

Sora's eyes brightened at the familiar face, "Momo-san!"

Ignoring the curious stares of the shinobi in the restaurant, Sora quickly ran to meet Momo Akimichi halfway as they hugged one another. Momo towered over Sora by a foot. "Nice to see you again," Sora exclaimed.

Momo laughed, "I didn't want to believe it when I heard rumors that you might be in town."

Sora smiled back at her. Sora had met Momo a year ago when she had entered her shop asking for a trading contact for her ginger roots and star anises. Momo offered to make Sora a quipao in return.

Seeing Neko and Crow, Momo eyed them a few seconds before placing a hand over Sora's shoulders, "Let's take you to a booth upstairs, Sora-san."

Sora nodded. As Momo led them up the stairs and into a booth in the back hidden from view, she said, "I heard through the grapevine that you were nominated to become the Daimyo."

Sora blushed and laughed while fidgeting with her bun. Momo's eyes widened. She got closer to Sora and whispered in shock, "You were chosen?"

Sora nodded. Momo brought her into a hug, "Congratulations, So-, no, Daimyo-sama!"

Sora hugged her back and whispered, "When it's just us two you can just call me Sora-san, Momo-san."

Momo's eyes softened and whispered back. "I'd like that."

They released each other and Momo waited for them to be seated. Sora sat on one side of the booth while Crow and Neko sat on the other side. Once settled, Momo asked, "Is there anything you'd like to drink?"

Sora replied, "Jasmine green tea please."

Turning to Neko and Crow who were sitting across from her, "Neko-san and Crow-san, what would you like?"

Neko and Crow both stated "Same."

Sora looked between Neko and Crow before asking, "Do you think Hound-san and Fox-san would like to eat as well? I'll be paying for the foo-."

"Water," stated a husky voice next to Sora. Sora looked to her right to see Hound.

"Tea please," stated a softer voice. Sora turned to her left to see Fox.

Sora blinked before her mouth twitched, failing to hide her smile. She turned to Momo, "I guess that'll be one water and a pot of jasmine green tea, Momo-san."

Momo nodded took down their food orders. Before she left, Sora asked, "Momo-san?"

Momo paused to look at Sora. "Can I order a bottle of your Junmai Daiginjo to go?" Sora asked.

Kakashi froze as an older ruby haired woman came to mind.

"Junmai Daiginjo is the best!" declared a ruby haired woman, who was sitting in his living room floor.

Across from her was a white-haired man struggling to drink the cup in his hand. His nose scrunched up at the strong smell, "Tomoe-chan how do you drink this stuff?"

Tomoe shrugged before drinking another cup. Hiding in the hallway was a four-year-old Kakashi. Sensing his son, Sakumo sighed. "You were supposed to be in bed Kakashi. You have a big day tomorrow," he said as he opened the door.

Kakashi crossed his arms. "How can I sleep when you and Tomoe-san is causing such a ruckus."

Tomoe blinked before laughing, "I never cause a ruckus Kashi-kun."

Kakashi scowled at the nickname she had given him. Sakumo smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Come, let's get you to bed. I promise that Tomoe-chan and I well keep it down."

Kakashi grunted as he let his father led him back to his room.

Kakashi was brought back to the present when he felt Tenzo touch his leg from across the booth. Tenzo sent him a look asking if he was ok. Kakashi nodded briefly and turned his attention back to the scene before him.

Momo's eyes widened and quickly nodded her head. "Of course, Daimyo-sama."

Sora gave her a grateful smile, "Thank you, Momo-san."

Momo returned her smile and went towards the stairs. Once inside the kitchen, she gave their order to her husband, who was also the chef for Shushu-ya. When Momo whispered to him that Sora was upstairs, her husband's eyes lit with fire. His staff backed away slowly as they watched their boss cook with even more gusto than normal.

Momo laughed as she walked back out to look up at where Sora was. Momo subconsciously rubbed the scar on her stomach underneath her clothes. 'I owe Sora-san a lot,' Momo thought.

Smiling gratefully, she went to prepare their drinks. Placing them on a waiter tray, Momo went back up the stairs towards Sora's booth. Momo placed the tea pot in the center of the table and four teacups beside it. After placing the cup of water in front of Hound, Momo excused herself. She went back down the stairs and towards the counter to place the tray back with the others. She then walked towards the bar and grabbed a golden bottle from the very top shelf.

The bartender's eyes widened in surprised. 'That bottle costs at least two months of my paycheck. I wonder who it's for,' he thought as he watched his boss's wife gently placed the sake bottle inside a burgundy wooden box with the golden words 'Shushu-ya' etched on the sides.

Momo quirked an eyebrow at her bartender, who quickly went back to pouring a customer his sake. Momo shook her head and went towards the register counter. Placing the package under the counter, she resumed her duties while keeping an eye out for anyone who looked like they were going to go bother Sora.

When Momo left, Sora placed each teacup in front of the others. As she began pouring the tea, Kakashi took note of how each of her movements were slow and deliberate.

Just as Sora had brought her cup of tea to her face. Hound asked, "Have you've been to Konoha before, Daimyo-sama?"

Sora paused momentarily before shaking her head yes. "A few times for my business."

Sora took a sip of her tea as Kakashi narrowed his eyes at her. 'A half-truth.'

Curious, Fox asked, "Are you and Akimichi-san friends?"

Kakashi wondered that as well.

"I would like to think so," she replied as she set her teacup down. "I've only known her for a year," smiling at Fox, "But I'd like to think that we're friends."

"Of course we're friends," Momo retorted as she came up followed by a dark brown-haired man with a chef bandana on his forehead. On his cheeks were square swirls of the Akimichi clan. In each of their hands were trays of food.

Sora's eyes twinkled, "It's nice to see you again, Mato-san."

A gruff chuckled came from Mato, "It's nice to see you as well, Sora-san." He paused and raised an eyebrow at her, "Or is it Daimyo-sama now?"

Sora blushed and muttered, "Sora-san is fine."

Mato softened his eyes. He leaned in closer, "Sora-san it is when there's no one else around, Daimyo-sama."

Sora quickly nodded her head.

As they placed the food onto the table, Sora saw the two additional plates of beef yakitori. "Momo-san, we didn't order this." Sora stated in confusion.

Momo smiled, "They're on the house. Think of it as a congratulatory meal for becoming the Daimyo."

Sora sent her a grateful smile. "You didn't have to Momo-san. Thank you nonetheless."

Momo laughed, "Don't thank me, thank my husband. He did all of the work."

Mato blushed. "I had help."

Sora smiled. She stood up and bowed to Mato, "Thank you for the delicious food, Mato-san."

Mato spluttered and rubbed his head. "Anytime, S-Daimyo-sama."

As Sora sat back down, Momo chuckled and said, "Enjoy the food everyone."

As her and her husband walked away, Sora could hear Momo jokingly say, "I told you she was going to do that."

Sora blushed in embarrassment. Trying to preoccupy herself, Sora moved the two beef yakitori plates in the middle where everyone could reach it. "Please eat everyone."

Keeping her head down, Sora grabbed a skewer, and muttered, "Itadakimasu."

Five minutes have passed, and Team Ro has yet to still reach for their food. Keeping an eye on her, Kakashi made the first move to grab a yakitori stick from the plate. Seeing that she was not going to look up, Kakashi moved his mask little by little. He tilted it just enough so that his mouth was exposed and began to eat. The rest of Team Ro did the same as well.

'She has decorum at least, or someone taught her the shinobi rules of conduct when around Anbu.' Kakashi concluded. 'Which is more than what I can say about other civilians.'

Most civilian-owned establishments would stare blatantly at any shinobi who came into their stores. It was one of the main reasons why most of his peers rarely enter them. Most civilian workers did not respect the need for discretion.

Sensing them finally eating, Sora let out a small smile as she carefully set her empty yakitori stick down to grab another. Happily munching on a chicken meatball, Sora sighed in happiness. 'Akimichi are the best at cooking.'

Down below Momo internally smiled, 'You're doing it again Sora-san.'

Momo could not see it but she felt it. The familiar warm comforting feeling that had wrapped around her a year ago is now wrapping the entire restaurant. It made everyone in the establishment relax just a bit more as the chatter increased. Momo could see some of the tension disappear in some of her customers.

Down at the bar, light brown eyes watched the booth hidden away in the back corner of the upstairs balcony.

'She's here,' he thought as he poofed away.