(A/N) Hi! Three people spotted the Todoroki family cameo. Good job! And yes. I killed the proverbial Endeavor. We have a Shisui pov to get his opinion, and the start of an actual plot line, lol.
With Tenten passed out, Shisui helped the Yuki's set up the campsite. It wasn't all that surprising none of them had camped before, they had been nobles, and nobles weren't exactly known for going camping and enjoying the great outdoors.
He did have an extra tent, an old habit left over from when he was on a genin team with a teammate who perpetually forgot something every mission. It wasn't big of course, but he figured that with a bit of shifting around, they would all fit. It'd be a bit cramped, but it was only one night.
Fuyumi, Rei, and Shouto were in one tent, and Natsuo and Touya were with Shisui in his. A bit tight, but it worked. Shisui was probably going to be on watch most of the night anyway, so he wasn't all that bothered.
He'd sent off one of his crows, a note explaining what had happened and why they were going to bring in refugees. There was little chance of the Yuki's being turned away, especially if they had the bloodline.
He settled in one of the upper branches of a tree, keeping an eye on the family sitting down below, and on the forest around them. He knew where they were, and full well knew they were near enough the border that ANBU patrols passed nearby here, but far enough inside Konoha's lands that the ANBU likely weren't going to see them. They'd know they were there of course, but they'd recognize Shisui and not question him. Hopefully.
Morning brought the reply, although in the form of a messenger hawk led by his crow. He spotted the rest of the murder following a little ways behind, apparently having gotten the message he was back in Konoha. He tried to avoid having them out on missions with him, they weren't exactly inconspicuous. Murders of crows, while not entirely rare, weren't exactly common anywhere outside of Konoha. And the one that followed him around most of the time was bigger then most.
He hopped out of the tree to receive the hawk, handing over a treat to the crow that had led it back. Shouto was the only one awake, and was blinking sleepily at him. Shisui smiled at him while the hawk settled itself on his arm. He pulled the message from the hawk's leg, opening it one-handed from a great deal of practice, and reading over it quickly. An acception of the Yuki's, provided they went through the standard screening for refugees.
"What's that?" Shouto asked in a small voice. Shisui realized it was the first time he'd heard him speak. He threw the hawk into the air and crouched down to Shouto's level.
"It's a messenger hawk. It carries messages." He showed Shouto the piece of paper, and he blinked at it for a few moments.
"What's it say?" He asked quietly, flinching backwards as if he expected Shisui to punish him for asking a question.
"It says that you and your family can be safe in Konoha," Shisui said, tucking the paper into one of his pouches. "Means you can settle down, and never think of your father again."
Shouto looked afraid that it was too good to be true. Shisui scrambled for something to put him at ease, eyes landing on his crow.
"Shouto, this is Chiyo, she's part of my murder."
Shouto looked very confused, looking from the bird to him. "Murder?"
"It's what a group of crows is called," Shisui explained quickly. He'd forgotten not all kids would know that. "Chiyo's the unofficial leader of the murder and the oldest."
"How old is she?"
"Older then I am," Shisui said, patting her head and offering Shouto one of the cat treats he kept on hand. Both for cats and for the crows. Both liked them. "Hold your hand out, and she'll take it from you."
Shouto took the treat cautiously, but put it in his hand and held his hand out. Shisui extended his arm near Shouto's outstretched hand, and Chiyo flew to perch on it to delicately take the treat from Shouto's hand.
"Chiyo, this is Shouto," Shisui told her, pointing at Shouto. "He's nice, we like him, okay?"
Chiyo bobbed her head, then flew back up to perch on his shoulder.
"Did you know, crows can remember faces and things?" Shisui whispered to Shouto, appearing conspiriatorial. "They can also hold grudges. They're real good at that."
Shouto looked pretty amazed, like how Itachi had when Shisui told him that. Coincidentally every single one in his murder hated Fugaku's guts, but there clearly wasn't a collelation there. Not at all.
"Shouto?" Fuyumi asked sleepily, wandering out of the tent. "Are you out here?"
"Yep!" Shouto chirped. "Mister ninja was showing me his crow."
"Shisui," he said quickly, realizing he probably hadn't said his name. "I'm Shisui Uchiha."
Fuyumi nodded to him. "How far to Konoha?"
"An hour or two?" Shisui guessed, then remembered they were civilians. "Oops, nope, about a day actually."
She nodded, slumping against a tree and starting to run her fingers through her hair.
The rest of the family got up one by one, starting with Touya, followed by Natsuo, then Rei. Tenten got up soon after, and they began their journey home.
"How many crows do you have in the murder?" Shisui snickered at Fuyumi's somewhat constipated face at calling them that.
"Twenty three," Shisui answered easily. "It'll fluctuate during breeding season when the ready to breed next generation leaves to get mates and the old pairs have their chicks, but right now it's twenty three."
Shouto tugged on his pants, so he glanced down at the kid. "Are they all nice?"
Shisui internally cooed at the kid. Sasuke was never this cute, but he also never liked Shisui all that much, so perhaps it wasn't a fair comparison. Although Itachi would probably attempt murder if he thought Shisui was contesting Sasuke's place as best and cutest child ever. "Yep! They're all very nice. Trust me, if one wasn't nice, they'd be kicked out and have to find another murder." Well, he assumed that was what would happen. He'd never actually run into a mean crow that he knew. If he didn't know them and was encroaching on their territory or something, then yes. Otherwise? No.
"Don't crows roost in huge numbers?" Touya asked skeptically.
Shisui shrugged. "They don't around Konoha, but I think they do near the borders and in other nations. I think it has something to do with the messanger hawks keeping other hawks out of Konoha and the surrounding area?" Shisui just shrugged again.
Natsuo was happily being used as a perch for a good third of Shisui's murder, arms outspread, and head straight to avoid dislodging the birds cheerfully sitting on his head. Shisui snickered as yet another crow joined in the fun, the others moving out of the way to allow him space.
"Having fun there, Natsuo?" He asked, patting the one that sat on his shoulder.
"Yep!" The teen replied cheerfully.
Tenten giggled as one landed on her head. "Is this why I haven't seen them yet?"
"Yeah they like using people as perches," Shisui admitted. "And they're only allowed in the house when I'm sick or otherwise injured."
"I'll remember that," Tenten replied as another one landed on her shoulder.
"Lazybutts," Shisui muttered fondly.
Touya sighed heavily as one nestled into his hair. "You're lucky I like birds," he informed the crow. It cawed at him and settled in further.
"That one's Taka," Shisui informed him.
"Why did you name a crow Hawk?" Touya asked, looking very incredulous indeed.
Shisui shrugged. "Ask his parents. Washi and Suzume." He pointed them out, the fourth bird on the left on Natsuo's arm, and the one on his head.
"Eagle and Sparrow?" Touya muttered incredulously. "That's ridiculous."
"Better then one named crow!" Shisui chirped.
Tenten snorted. "You would name one crow if they let you do it, wouldn't you."
Shisui decided not to answer that one.
She laughed at him. He had to admit it was well deserved.
"You're ridiculous," Fuyumi sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. The bird on her shoulder cawed at Shisui in agreement.
Chiyo stared at Shisui meaningfully. Shisui decided to interpret that as 'she's right you know.'
"Yeah yeah," he replied, waving a hand in the vague direction of Chiyo. "I mean, at least Taka likes you, Touya. He can be a bit of a brat."
"You don't say," Touya said dryily.
(A/N) Well look at that. Another cameo. More subtle this time I guess. It's one of the crows. If you need a hint. Somewhat connected to the last cameo. Happy birthday to Kakashi!