"I always have to do everything!" I was grumbling, flying above the Forest of Death. It was the second part of the Chuunin Exam, and I was greatly displeased by the turn of events. Right now, everything was following the story I remembered from my previous life, despite my best efforts to change things.

I had tried to convince Kakashi not to let his kids participate to the exam, but he was adamant that this was the best time for them to realize what the exam entailed while they were safe (more or less) in Konoha. He had a point.

So then, I tried to convince Itachi he should drop by and scare Orochimaru a little to get him off his little brother's back. He had been tempted, but he had received a mission from Pain and couldn't leave.

I had gone to the Sandaime. Despite his displeasure at the mention of Orochimaru, he had refused to let any of his shinobi intervene. Konoha's fairness couldn't be called into question. I might have released an ugly caw at this decision, scaring a few ANBU into believing I was going to attack their precious Hokage. It had been tempting.

Really, I wasn't helped! When you wanted something done...

Resigned to the idea I had to dive into that swarming pit, I pinpointed Sasuke's position and carefully entered the death zone. The things I had to do for those kids…

Following Team Seven was easy. Avoiding the deadly fauna was annoying. Finding and intercepting Orochimaru before he attacked was… nerve-racking.

He noticed me immediately, of course, and the sharp eyes of his disguise observed me with interest. We knew each other. I stayed out of his range.

"Well, well, well. Itachi's eyes. Watching over his little brother, are you? How cute."

"I am," I confirmed. No need to play coy. The goal was for him to understand that Sasuke was not to be touched (and of course I was cute!). "So, hands off, Orochimaru. Itachi would be annoyed if he had to go out of his way to skin you alive."

If there was one man Orochimaru was wary of, it was Itachi, and I was banking on this to get what I wanted.

He cackled. Dear Kami, I hated his laugh. How stereotypically villain.

"Me?" He put a hand to his chest. "I have no idea what you mean, my dear."

"Yeah, right," I sighed. "Listen, let's not waste each other time. Sasuke doesn't even have the Sharingan yet. He's of no interest to you."

"But that's the thing with the Sharingan, isn't it? The amazing way it can activate… I can't wait to see it..." Orochimaru licked his lips creepily, and I didn't need to be a genius to guess that he wanted to attack Team Seven in the hope of triggering the Sharingan's activation.

I squinted.

Unfortunately, I had some experience with the creep. We had seen each other a few times before he defected from Akatsuki after attacking Itachi (the idiot). I knew that he had very little self-control. When he wanted something, he had to try to get it, even when he knew what a terrible idea it was (see 'attacking Itachi': I had warned him off, but did he listen? no…). If I tried to get him to back off completely, he wouldn't listen, or at least not for long.

"Let's make a deal," I decided.

He stopped fantasizing, his creepy smirk fading, and tilted his head. "A deal? Interesting. I'm listening."

"I let you attack Team Seven so you can trigger the Sharingan. Nothing more. No maiming. No sealing. No 'anything with lasting consequences'."

His eyes narrowed in interest. He tapped his lips with his index. "How generous of you… but, you know, a little seal can—"

"Don't push your luck. That's the deal. Take it, or leave it and get reduced to ashes by Itachi."

He agreed.

Surprisingly, he kept his word.

I kept an ear out during the battle but stayed far enough not to get swept by a giant snake. Normal snakes were fine, normal snakes could even been eaten (they weren't to my taste, mind you, too chewy, but still, they could be useful when you're ravenous —ah! see that pun, here?). Giant snakes were no fun at all, especially when they were as crazy as their summoner. Yeah, I had a few talks with Kyodaija. They were sassy little shits who showed off their pointy teeth too much (and if I tried to claw at them just as much, it was only fair payback).

I was glad I wasn't hungry enough to try the food of this death trap, because I felt like I would have thrown up when I localized Team Seven's camp and saw how bad Sakura looked.

It could be worse, I told myself. It would have definitely been worse if I hadn't intervened and Orochimaru had sealed the boys, but still… I felt dirty for making such a deal. Those were kids. They had been beaten up by a grown-up while I hid, too ashamed and scared to witness it. This shinobi world and its disgusting priorities and lack of morals were getting at me.

I left a bit before dawn. There was a way I could help, that I could make up for my failings.

Team Ten's camp wasn't far. The Nara kid was on watch while the others slept. Good. I appeared in his field of vision, landing on the ground far enough that he wouldn't feel threatened. His eyes focused on me and narrowed. The genius would know that I didn't behave like a normal bird. I sauntered closer. A kunai appeared in his hand. Calm, lazy, watchful, ready... I liked this kid. Not enough to end up skewered, though. I halted.

"I mean no harm. I'm but a leaf among the trees."

The kid paused at the traditional greeting for Konoha shinobi. It was no secret password, but it was a sign of peace.

"I'd like to offer a deal. Team Seven is in bad shape. They need protection, healing and food. Provide it and, in exchange, I can be your eyes through the forest."

He stared at me, eyes narrowed in thought. "Who's your summoner?"

"Uchiha." Not a lie. Not my fault if he thought of the wrong one, right?

"Sasuke doesn't ask for help."

"Yeah. Well, I didn't ask his opinion, considering he's currently KO."

He raised an eyebrow and hummed, stretching his fingers in an O. After making his mind, he woke up his team who was fully on board (especially the girl, eager to help her Sasuke-kun).

"They're one kilometre to the south-west," I told them. "Whistle the Little Leaf's first notes if you need me."

While Team 10 talked and negotiated with Sakura, I stayed in a tree with a good view on them but out of their hearing range to get a well-needed nap. I wasn't expecting to sleep much, but I must have dozed off because I was woken by loud whistling. Startled awake, I shook myself and realized that Sasuke and Naruto were conscious. Shikamaru was standing in the middle of the clearing with an annoyed expression. Oops, I must have missed a few previous calls.

I glided to him, landing at his feet.

"Took you long enough," he grumbled.

"I need sleep as much as you, buddy. More so when you consider the summoner I have to deal with."

Shikamaru tilted his head and made a face that conveyed "Fair enough." He walked back to the other genin. I followed.

Sasuke and Naruto both looked horrible, but Sasuke more so (no Kyuubi to help would do that). The kid stared at me without expression. Creepy. Still, he was supposed to be my summoner so I stopped at his feet and tilted my head from one side to another to observe him. When he failed to react to my presence, I poked his toe. "Waky, waky, Sasuky."

"Shut up," he grumbled.

"Oh, he's alive. No zombie. All good then." I moved on to Shikamaru. "What did ya want?"

"We'll need to move soon. Recon of the surroundings would be useful."

"I bet it would." I nodded in agreement.

He stared at me and then sighed. "Uchiha. Can you…" he gestured toward me in a way that could convey either 'make this thing cooperate' or 'rid me of this troublesome hag'.

Sasuke didn't react. Great. He was broken. I had broken Itachi's little brother slash Kakashi's student. Oh, this would go well.

"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked, trying to wake him up.

When it failed, you could count on Naruto to punch Sasuke in the shoulder and bellow: "Hey! Tell your bird to do what Shika says."

Sasuke blinked, glared at Naruto and then glanced at me and gestured. That one could be interpreted from "whatever" to "scram".

I sighed. "Someone owes me so many almonds after this." I left to obey the Lords of Vague and Potentially Rude Hand Gestures.

When I came back half an hour later, I calculated my trajectory very carefully. I'm proud to say that I landed perfectly and with very little jostling on my pillow, the very comfortable Duck Butt. His hair was so thick and luscious! Amazing. Unfortunately, I couldn't appreciate it for long. I was grabbed with two hands and had to settle for his Royal Bitchiness' lap instead.

"I'll throttle you," he threatened in a hushed and hissing voice. He was sitting a little away from the rest of the group, like the loner he was.

"I do not think so, dear non-summoner of mine," I replied carelessly. "How are the eyes?"

"You know?"

"Darling, you can call me the Omniscient Crow, or… oooh, Third-Eye Crow, that sounds cool."

"How can Itachi deal with you?"

"A lot of relaxation techniques, and selective hearing. You should try the first one. Pretty sure the second one is genetic. Speaking of genetic, Sharingan: traumatic activation. Uncool or totally not cool?"

"I'm fine," he replied curtly.

"Ah. Denial. Genetic too," I commented with a knowing nod.

"What's with you helping and pretending to be mine?" he asked with a scowl instead of talking about his feelings.

"Trying to save your neck, I guess. I thought you might be more useful alive than dead, who knows?"

"Do you take anything seriously?!"

"I try not to. It's weird to feel sad as a crow. You can't cry or anything. I don't like it," I replied, very honestly.

He made a funny face before shaking his head. "I don't need your help."

"...I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that," I replied while staring at him from head to toes. He looked like… well, like he just had his ass handed to him by a homicidal Sannin. "Now, what did you say to your teammates to explain why I suddenly showed up?"

He scowled. "I said that I summoned you before the exam and sent you to the tower."

I nodded approvingly. "That works. And about why you never told them about me?"

"... None of their business."

With a deadpan expression, I drawled: "Wow. The teamwork feels. Amazing. I'm amazed. Oh, and what about that time you put me in a minuscule cage —I still hate you about that, by the way, don't think I don't, you owe me lots of food— and then Kakashi said it was family issues?"

"None of their business."

"Damn, what a broody loner. And the blond didn't throttle you?"

"He tried."

I sighed and raised my face to the sky in a prayer for patience.

"This is your fault! What was I supposed to say?" he hissed.

"You say that I'm a family summon and that you only use it when you absolutely have to. Obviously, I have standards, and you don't meet them, which is why you tried to subjugate me inappropriately and Kakashi had to intervene before you caused a diplomatic incident. You tried to do better since, but we still have relationship issues we're working on," I said solemnly. I couldn't believe I was coaching him on lies, me, an honest crow! Apparently, he couldn't believe it either, because he stared sceptically. "It's clan business, so Pinky and Cloudy will back off. Blondie might not, but he isn't smart enough to figure out there's something fishy going on."

"Cloudy?"

"The Nara kid. Keep up." I rolled my eyes and noticed movement. "Speaking of the genius…" Shikamaru seemed to have decided we had enough whispering time. The boy was wary of me. "Just remember, kiddo, I'm not telling you anything until you're all chuunin."

"I remember," he growled, "but there is no way we're all becoming chuunin this year."

"On that, you're right, but it never hurts to start early, does it? I might be convinced to give you a clue if you reach half-way point… Maybe. Depends on your attitude and how far you keep me from cages."

"Sasuke," Shikamaru called, getting impatient.

We went to meet them, and Sasuke managed to cooperate willy-nilly.

The next day, I got them to the tower and left them as they stepped in.

I flew to one of the higher floors, looking for an open window to get in. While I managed it, I found myself in a room with a closed door. I didn't have enough chakra to change into human shape for long. I swore and decided I had too little sleep to deal with this setback. I perched on a shelf and took a nap (I had slept so little these last days, it was so stressful to raise kids!).

I was woken up sometime later by someone opening the door. As they went to a bookshelf, I glided out of the room behind their back. Now, to find the boyfriend in this damn maze. Forced to walk around, I kept an ear out.

"Your team came in with Kakashi's?" a woman was saying in an adjacent hallway.

"They made a deal, apparently," a man answered in a lazy drawl.

"I wouldn't have expected it from them, with the Uchiha and… aren't the two girls rivals?"

"There were 'special circumstances', apparently. That's what I want to talk about with Kakashi. Is he here?"

"Yes, I saw him with the Hokage."

I sped up at the mention of Kakashi. Turning a corner, I caught sight of two jounin stepping in a room, but the door closed behind them before I could reach it. Damn bloody doors! I hesitated, looked around at the empty hallway and sighed. I hated to do this. I knocked with my beak. No answer. I knocked again, louder. Still no answer. Was I supposed to hurt myself to get a doorman around here?! Such poor service.

There was no other option.

I cawed loudly ('trying to raise the dead' loud).

The door opened, at last. Without surprise, I was met with my boyfriend's droopy eye.

"Finally," I grumbled. "Carry me. I'm tired of watching your human world from the ground. Does no-one clean up around here?"

"Maa. Good afternoon to you too, Tsukiyo-chan," he greeted me while bending to my will, crouching to offer me his hand on which I hopped on before walking to his shoulder.

"Urgh, shut up. Don't be cheery with me. You owe me so much, damn it. I had to eat insects. I hate insects, but the damn berries in this forest are all poisonous for the little I know."

Trail mix appeared in his palm which he raised to my level. I accepted my payment without hesitation and shut up to get my fill.

"That's the crow Shikamaru talked about."

As it turned out, the two jounin who had come in before me were Sarutobi Asuma and Yuuhi Kurenai. The sensei of Shikamaru's team was squinting at me.

"Since when did Sasuke sign his brother's summoning scroll?"

I looked around the room to realize that the Hokage was here too, sitting on a cushion and calmly smoking his pipe (tsk).

When no-one answered his question, Asuma glared at Kakashi. "You're hiding something." Still no reply. He straightened from his slouch and glared toward his father too. "Am I supposed to believe that Uchiha Sasuke had the chakra to summon a clearly high-level summon—"

"Thanks," I quipped. It was good to be recognized for who I was. A lot of chakra was indeed required to summon me. It was the sass. It was worth its weight in chakra.

"—give it enough chakra to stay for days, fight a Sannin afterwards, and activating his Sharingan?!"

Still no answer. The poor man was starting to turn red, probably because his father was smoking like he couldn't hear him. Damn, that was cold. I felt for him.

Kakashi offered me a new handful of trail mix. I paused and whispered: "Aren't you going to say anything?"

He tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. "It's not my field."

"Oh. Ooooh. You're waiting for me to answer?! Couldn't you say that from the start? Damn you, shinobi. I don't do secrets. Especially not with only an hour of sleep. Yeah, so whatever, pretty beard, Sasuke isn't my summoner. Thankfully. Can you imagine? All this brooding! It's catching. It would make me sad. I don't do sad."

"You're Uchiha Itachi's," Asuma concluded.

"I'd give you an award, but considering the only other option… is no longer an option, it's really not an impressive deduction." Damn it. Let's not think of Trouble Twin Number one. No thinking, no thinking, no… too late. Now I wanted to cry but couldn't. This was the worst.

Asuma raised a finger and waved it toward me as he enunciated each word of an exasperated question: "What the hell is going on here?"

I spread my wings. "Welcome into the Uchiha Itachi support committee. He's not a traitor, yay!"

"He didn't kill his clan?" Kurenai asked. The youngest jounin had stayed quiet until now, watching thoughtfully.

I settled down. "Weeeell… Hokage-sama, that one is yours."

Given no other choice, the Sandaime explained the whole dramatic story, to an unimpressed Asuma and shocked Kurenai. I let them vent and question for a while before stepping in.

"Not that it isn't gratifying to see I'm not the only one thinking this is a stinky pool of poo, but could we get back to more immediate concerns? Like, Orochicreepy?"

"You dealt with him," the Sandaime noted.

"Yeah, if you call allowing him to beat up twelve years old, 'dealing with it'!" I ranted with a roll of my eyes.

"There are no lasting injuries, is there, Kakashi?"

"No, Hokage-sama."

I paused at their nonchalance. I knew, on a deeper level, that I shouldn't take their reaction at face value. I knew that they cared for those kids and that they dealt with a poor hand as best as they could. However, after the days I had spent stressed and worrying… This was too much.

"There is something really messed up with you, shinobi. I hope you know that." At their silence, I flew to the window sill. "Open the window," I demanded.

"Tsukiyo…" Kakashi said.

"I need air. Open the goddamn window before I fly at your face."

At Kakashi's nod, Kurenai, the closest one, opened the window and carefully got out of my way.

I flew for a good hour before I felt calm enough to settle on the tip of the tower's roof.

That's where Kakashi found me sometime later. He sat beside me without a word and offered a handful of trail mix. A peace offering. I hopped on his thigh for an easier reach. While I ate, he petted my head. I was weak to petting. He knew me well.

"They will be fine," he murmured.

"Who are you trying to convince? You or me?" I asked between a walnut and raisins. "Because if it's you, I'm recommending that you keep an eye on their sleep in the coming days. A reassuring presence might help your wish come true, who knows?"

"I'll keep it in mind. Any other tip?"

"Yeah. Your boys will make it to the second round. You'll want to train Sasuke, of course, but don't be an ass and let a prejudiced stranger train Naruto. Jiraiya will be in town soon. Tell Naruto to find him near the bathhouse and convince him to train him instead. To convince the kid, just tell him the Sannin have tons of cool jutsu. Oh, and don't forget to tell him and Sakura they did well, give them a pat on the head, make sure they're eating and sleeping well. You might also want to give them a present as a reward for their good work, like paying for their food for once." I tilted my head in thought. "I think that's it." I finished the food.

There was a moment of silence before Kakashi answered: "Noted. Can you change into human shape?"

"I don't have much more chakra anymore. I'll only have a few minutes as human."

"Do you have anything else to do?"

"No."

Kakashi brought me back inside, in an empty room.

I changed into a human and was immediately embraced and drawn into a kiss. I didn't complain. Throwing my arms around his neck, I pressed closer.

The weather was hot, and I had transformed into a summer dress. Kakashi used this opportunity to lift me onto a table.

I pulled back from the kiss to breath and reminded him: "No time."

"I missed you," he admitted, nuzzling my neck.

I scratched his scalp gently. "Me too." I caressed his cheek and then played with his rolled down mask. "Once the exam is over, we'll have more time." I kissed the tip of his nose. "Take care."

With no more chakra to spare, I felt the call back to Ichouki. Forced to close my eyes by the jutsu, I stared listlessly at the sight which greeted me when I opened them in crow shape. After spending days in the shinobi world, I always felt so alien when I came back to the Karasu tree.

"Tsukiyo-chan! How was it?" a fledgeling called excitedly.

I breathed in and let the pain of separation dissipated.

I had to accept this: I was a Karasu, not human… not anymore.

oOo

Two weeks later, I was summoned by Itachi to join him in his monthly check-up.

Itachi was putting back on his cloak and hat, ready to leave the hotel room in which Tsunade had provided him with treatment. He offered me his wrist.

I stirred and shook myself awake. "Go ahead, I'll be with you in a few minutes."

Itachi raised an eyebrow but left obediently.

Alone with Tsunade and Shizune, I ignored the first's glare and the second's curiosity. I stretched my wings and said bluntly: "Orochimaru will attack Konoha during the tournament of the Chuunin exam, in two weeks."

Shizune's eyes widened. Tsunade didn't react outwardly, focusing on tidying up her scrolls of medicine. She was good at pretending she didn't care.

"The Sandaime will be killed."

Tsunade froze. If asked, she would probably say it was due to her apprentice gasping. It wasn't. Her fingers trembled imperceptibly. She looked up and glared at me. "And how can you know that?"

"Secret."

"Am I supposed to rush back to Konoha based on your 'prediction'?" she asked derisively.

"Oh, I'm not telling you for that. Considering your phobia, your presence won't change much. At best, you'd froze as soon as the Sandaime bleeds. At worst, you'd be a liability for him. No. I just thought you might want to send him a letter… you know… last chance to tell him everything you want… I think I would like that, if our positions were reversed." I shrugged and flew from the coat rack to the windowsill. "I think he would like that. I warned him, and he looked like he put things in order in his life, but he had this look… I know his son didn't get it when he invited him for tea—"

"You told the old man he would die?!" Tsunade asked, rising on her knees.

"Oh, yeah. We thought about alternatives, of course, but he didn't seem convinced by any of them. No, I think his time has come, and he agrees." For the first time, Tsunade's intense look got at me, and I fidgeted. "So… I just thought you should know. Yeah… I'm going now. If you could open the window, Shizune-chan, please?"

Shizune probably only did so by long ingrained politeness since she still seemed in shock.

I hopped to the edge and glanced over my shoulder. They were still staring at me. It was getting creepy. Time to flee. "See you soon, I guess."

I had planned on calling Tsunade 'Godaime' when I had thought about this conversation, but there was something in her eye that stopped my usual shamelessness.

I hurried to catch up with Itachi in the outskirts of the small town.

Although he offered me his wrist without comment, he stared at me.

"What?"

"Did you anger Tsunade-sama again?"

"You make it sound like I'm doing it on purpose. It's not my fault if she's grumpy."

He shook his head disapprovingly but headed for the nearby village where Kisame was waiting for him. "You should go to Konoha," he said after a few minutes of silence.

"Why?"

"The invasion."

I had told him of Orochimaru's plans, of course, but he had appeared unconcerned about it. I had an inkling that it was bothering him more than he let on.

"And what I'm supposed to do? Help with my little wings?"

"You know his plans."

"The basics, and I already told everything to the Hokage. There is nothing more I can do."

"Don't you want to help Kakashi?"

"Please, as if he needs my help. I'd just be in his way. And stop beating around the bush. I can't help Sasuke either." I sighed. "They have to do this on their own. You need me more than they do."

"Do I?"

"Boy, I know you. You're worrying."

"I'm not."

"You passed by the meeting point agreed with Kisame."

Itachi froze and turned to see that he had indeed missed the fallen tree trunk. "Kisame isn't here. I just wanted a stroll."

I stared at him, judgmentally. "You're making excuses. You don't make excuses. You let people stew in silence until they think they're the one mistaken."

He met my eyes, which was a funny sight, no doubt, with me on his shoulder. "Fine," he finally admitted. "I'm worried. You say that the Ichibi is involved. He's notoriously unstable."

"Don't worry about that, the Uzumaki kid will deal with it. You know what you need? A hug. Here, give me a sec." I flew to the ground and changed into human shape. With two arms to do my bidding, I hopped toward Itachi to hug the hell out of him. Proof of his worry: he didn't try to escape me. I embraced him, going on tiptoe to be able to stroke his hair at the same time. He stayed passive but tilted his head so he could press it against my neck.

"Sasuke will be fine. I promise," I murmured. "Konoha will be in bad shape, but they'll get better. They're strong. Orochimaru and a tailed beasty aren't enough to beat them, okay?"

He nodded lightly.

I patted his back and cooed. "That's a good boy."

Which is when he freed himself from my embrace. Fair enough.

"Am I interrupting?"

"Blue!" I sprinted and jumped on Kisame, who stayed unmoving, arms spread in an effort not to touch me, and let me dangled from his neck (he was as tall as a tree, I loved it! I just had to bend my legs and I could play monkey, how cool!). "Wow, strong," I commented when he didn't look at all bothered by the extra weight. "How ya doing, Shark Man? Any food for me?"

He stared down at me and then looked up at Itachi. "Did your treatment go well?"

"Yes."

"Good."

"Bluuue," I whined. "Stop ignoring me. Feed me!"

"Can I feed on her?" Kisame asked Itachi.

"I still need her."

"Too bad." Kisame grabbed me by the waist and lifted me over his shoulder without effort. "Let's go."

"Hey! You two are being so rude! Don't ignore me!" I bend to wrap around his shoulders but that didn't seem to bother him either. "Itachi, I'm really hungry!"

My surly summoner threw a small bag of trail mix at my head, but I was unable to catch it in my position and Kisame managed to grab it… and keep it out of my reach. I stretched and waved my hand in an attempt to get it back.

"It's mine! Give it here, you meanie!"

Unfortunately, Kisame was a sadist, who delighted in annoying me. I had to resort to trying to choke him, but it just amused him. He had thick skin, and I wouldn't be surprised if he was a masochist too.

"Kisaaaame," I growled, without much more amusement left. Hunger could make me mean too.

"Ask nicely."

"You don't care about politeness. What do you want?"

"A kiss."

"Geez, couldn't you say that earlier?"

I wiggled to get out of his grip. He let me down. As I landed in front of him, I grabbed fistfuls of his coat and pulled him down to give him a damn kiss. Whatever, pressing lips to lips was no big deal. Now, when it was with Kakashi, I understood the appeal...

With him surprised and distracted, I could grab my food freely. I opened the bag and immediately hid it in my kimono, where I could access it and keep it safe at the same time.

Eating happily, I jogged to catch up to Itachi, who had gone ahead during my squabbling with Kisame.

"Hey, wait!" Fish Face called.

I turned around with a frown, wary of any grab for my food. "What?"

"Is he alright?" Kisame asked with a tilt of his chin toward Itachi.

"Why?"

"It's not often he lets anyone touch him."

I softened. Aww, Blue was worried for his partner! Cute. Still a food thief, though. "Is anyone alright in this world?"

"You don't like shinobi much, do you?"

"You're all more trouble than you're worth."

He stepped closer and leaned down. "Are we?"

I lifted a finger and pushed him back with pressure on his nose. "Yes, but apparently I like trouble… subconsciously, very deep subconscious. Itachi will be fine by the way, he just needs something to get him out of his funk and then a trip to Konoha, maybe. He will be good. Riiiight, Itachi?" Oh, he had disappeared behind a turn of the path. "Itachiiiiiiiii, wait!" I lifted the bottom of my kimono and ran. Damn it, I needed wings, but I couldn't carry the trail mix and eat if I had wings! Choosing between bird and human forms was so difficult sometimes.

"That's… That's not how you wear a kimono, Birdbrain!" Kisame shouted after me.

"Who cares? Not me!"

Thank you to those who continue writing reviews for this fic, it's much appreciated and keeps me coming back to this in between trips to other fandoms. :) To KaKashi's Okami: I hope this will give you a taste of Tsukiyo's relationship with snake summons. ;) I might be able to make her interact with summons in next chapter.