Butterflies
"Me? I'm nobody. I'm not skilled like Uchiha-san. I am not passionate like Haruno-san. I am not smart like Nara-san. I'm not as strong as Chouji-san. I'm not as collected as Aburame-san. Or as pretty as Yamanaka-san. I'm not as confident as Inuzuka-san. If anything, I'm like Hyuuga-san, socially awkward. Oh wait, no, she's just shy. The socially awkward one is me." OC! Team 7 remix!
Chapter 1 – Confessions of a chocoholic
8-8
Waking up is always awkward. Not because I'm not a morning person, I sort of am, but because I can never quite find my glasses. You'd think after wearing them for six years I'd have some sort of system worked out. But the truth is, I do. The problem in the system, is that I leave my glasses on my table. Yeah. I have this weird habit of tossing and turning in my sleep, which means laying my glasses near me is asking for trouble. And that's completely ignoring the fact that I probably can't afford a new pair if something were to happen. Well, if I happen to damage them in school, I can always blame it on the teacher – poor Umino-sensei is so far the only one that hasn't been conned into buying me a new pair.
Anyway! Time to start the...
I just kicked the couch again, didn't I? I swear, having a couch and a low table that are sort of the same colour, in low lighting and no glasses on... Not my smartest plan. Still, I suffer the pain in silence. It's not like screaming will make the pain go away. Or at least, not that I've yet been able to figure out. Mostly whining about it in my head is enough, and I don't feel like whining about it in my head. It's... pointless. Especially before I eat breakfast. And I can't start figuring out breakfast until I find my glasses. Not because I don't plan on making the exact same thing I always make for breakfast, but because I probably wouldn't be able to find it without being able to see properly. In order to...
Aya, isn't it a bit early to ramble? Yes, it's a bit early to ramble. Stop rambling in your head, if someone could read your thoughts, you'd look like a schizophrenic or something! Or... would that be someone with Multiple Personality Disorder...? They kind of strike me as the same thing? I mean, different personalities talking to you in your head, versus simply having multiple personalities that share custody of your brain? Okay, that makes no sense. And where are my glasses!? I know-
THUD! Shh.
I sigh. I just kicked the low table, didn't I. At least I heard my glasses move, so I know they're here... somewhere. I wonder what Umino-sensei is going to 'review' today. I mean, it's not like we're going to learn anything new this close to the graduation exams. I hate the waiting. And I hate... THERE!
"Lucky!" I squeal, finally feeling my glasses. I take them, and put them on. They feel a little... ah, upside-down. I take them back off and turn them around, donning them properly this time. The world comes half in focus. I sigh... I hate wearing glasses. I always seem to get fingerprints on one of the lenses, making everything seem fuzzy even when I'm wearing them. If I wanted the world to look fuzzy, I'd not wear my glasses in the first place.
I take my glasses off again, carefully rubbing the lens in my shirt. I know it's horrible for the material, and that I'll just wear them down quicker making me need a new pair sooner, and making me more desperate to start taking missions so I can have a hope in harm to... hope in hail... hope in... ... ... something! A chance to buy a pair I actually like. But, I can't care until after I bathe. It's a rule! No caring about things until: my stomach's full, my body's clean, and my hair's brushed until it shines. None of these things have happened. So I don't care.
Speaking of stomachs, I'd better get some chocolate in there before I get grumpy. I swear, chocolate withdrawal will be the death of me! Or someone nearby at least. I wonder why I haven't killed anyone yet, I mean, I know it's a possibility if I haven't had my daily dose of chocolate. Maybe that's why I keep people at a comfortable distance?
Sure, Aya. Blame the essence of life for your poor social skills. Uh huh. I sigh, annoyed with myself.
I walk over to the fridge, taking out two tubs of chocolate mousse and a chocolate muffin. Hmm, better grab some lychees too, just in case. Don't want to get backed up again! That was NOT fu... why am I thinking about this? I blink. I blink again. Aya, it's official, you're weird.
Then again, is weird such a bad thing? I mean, everyone's a little weird. Like Haruno-san and Yamanaka-san's obsession... correction, ninety percent of the girls in our class's obsession with Uchiha-san. Honestly, I think only Hyuuga-san and I don't like him, at least, not like that.
I open the first mousse, breathing in my good morning. I feel a goofy-happy smile on my face, as usual, my eyes half closed. I swear, the only thing I like more than chocolate is Chouji-san. But really, if he were to smear chocolate on himself...
I wipe away the blood suddenly trickling down from my nose.
Okay... definitely storing that thought away for another time. I have no idea when, but not when I should be starting my day!
8-8
After taking my shower –I hate not having a tub to soak in– I carefully wipe my glasses in my towel to remove the steam... fog... moisture(?) from them. After putting on my glasses, I start getting dressed. Nothing too spectacular. Just the same black spaghetti strapped top, black seven-eighths legging/pants (skin-tight... thing I wear to cover most of me below the waist), and black midriff jacket. Umm... I mean the same TYPE! They're all clean! Well, other than the jacket. I wear the same jacket. I like this jacket. It's kind of an oversized kimono style... ish... thing. So it has wide sleeves that completely cover my hands. I like that. It has no pockets, which is kind of a shame, but nothing I wear seems to have pockets. Other than my leg pouch, but that isn't exactly a pocket, now is it.
Anyway. After I'm fully dressed, I wipe my mirror with my towel so I can see what I'm doing. I don't know why I need to see what I'm doing yet. I just want to brush my teeth. Still, I like seeing myself while I do so.
My long, black hair is a complete mess. I wash my hair in the morning, for some reason. But that's why I'm always up so early. Well, that and making sure my look is absolutely perfect. I don't know why I like to look so perfect, but I do.
Anyway, I go about brushing my teeth. For some reason I like staring at my eyes in the mirror while I do this. I think my eyes are so weird. I mean, brown, bordering on yellow, colour irises, with this weird black band-ring-thing about halfway through? I know it isn't some light trick because of my glasses, I looked at my eyes in my reflection without my glasses –though I almost had to kiss the mirror to do so– and it was still there.
Even though needing glasses kind of irks me sometimes, I do like my glasses. The red, elongated oval frame just makes me look bookish, I think. I like that about it. I like that I look like someone that would comfortably spend their evenings in the library – which I would, if I'm honest. I just no longer have access to any interesting material. There's only so many times you can read 'introduction to jutsu' before you get bored to death of it. The funny thing about being antisocial, is that you don't have to worry about silly things like friends to distract you from a really good read.
Whatever. I spit out the mush in my mouth (spit the mush in my mouth out... spit out the toothpaste!) rinse and wipe my face in my towel. Then I look at myself again. "Good morning, Aya-cha~aaaan!" I say, pleased with the light, almost airy soprano that greets my ears. As little as I like to talk – at least, to people I don't know well – I love hearing my voice. I used to get teased so much, because I liked singing to myself. But what do you expect in an orphanage? People just look for reasons to tear you down. Really, almost everything I did was reason enough to get teased. Until I started punching people. I think that's why I eventually got kicked out. Picking a fight with words is acceptable, but returning the favour with a balled fist isn't. Who knew? At least I got recommended to join the academy for it.
But... I was going to ask to join the academy anyway... when I worked up the courage to. Meh, this way I saved myself the need to ask... which, if I'm really honest might never have come.
8-8
Having made it to class –twenty minutes early, as always– I take my usual seat. I don't know why I like being early. Just that being early is a thing for me. I open my book, turn to a blank page, and start doodling. I don't know what I'm doodling this time. I usually don't know when I start out. Mostly butterflies though. I love butterflies. Part of the reason I love summer so much. I just...
Yup, a butterfly it will be. A little one, with little swirl patterns in its wings. No, not just one. Dozens of little butterflies. Flitting about, carefree, happy. And in the centre? A dancing couple. She has long, straight hair, like me. He has short, spiky hair, sticking up in all directions. He holds her close to him, and she can't take her eyes off him. She's gazing into his eyes as they dance, he's admiring the butterflies.
"Morning, Aya-cha~aaan." I look up, towards the voice. A blurry blond, again. To my left, so it must be Yamanaka-san. I make a noise, but decide to just get back to my doodle. "Another one with him, huh." I blush, but don't respond. It'd be pointless. She's already made her point clear that she knows, and she knew the exact number of doodles with him.
"You know, you have such a pretty voice. Why don't you ever talk?" She asks. I shrug and make noncommittal grunt, not looking up from my doodling. I love drawing almost as much as I love singing. Not that I'm very good at either, but I love them all the same.
"I'll make you a deal, if you talk with me I'll treat you to whatever you want to eat after school. Deal?" She offers, but I smell a trap... I smell a rat, in the form of a trap... I don't trust that she is just being nice!
Still... "Chocolate parfaits?" I ask. I don't trust her, but anyone that buys me chocolate must be a friend! And even if she isn't, the chocolate would still be worth it!
"Is that what you like?" She asks, curious. I nod fervently.
"I like anything with chocolate. Muffins, parfaits, mousse, ice cream, chocolate bars, chocolate milk... chocolate is life!" I declare, and I'm being completely honest too.
"Jeez, how do you keep your figure eating all that?" She asks. She's obviously intriqued... curious. She's obviously curious.
I shrug, not really knowing the answer either. "I just do. I swear if I go a day without it I'll end up killing someone!" Again, completely honest. "I do end up eating a lot of fruits to make sure me and Chocolate-danna don't disagree, but he's sooooo worth it!"
"I see. What about combining fruits with chocolate then? I mean, that should make it easier, right?" She seems amused about something, but I can't really say I care what about. I shrug, having already thought about that but I don't have the money to buy the fancier ones or the skill to make it myself.
"I usually end up doing that anyway. I tend to only stick to fruits that agree with chocolate though. I mean, I tried apples once... bleh!" I almost gag thinking about that again. That was NOT a good day.
"You're really focused on food, huh." I right my glasses and turn to her, eyeing her curiously.
"Not really. I mean, I love chocolate, but other than that food is just meant for surviving." I clarify. "It's just that you've only asked me about food so far."
"Oh? What else do you like then?" Yamanaka-san's being really familiar with me today. Still, she promised chocolate parfaits, so I don't care enough to not answer her.
"Lots of stuff. I like singing, doodling, reading, going for long walks, training, studying butterflies, staring at the stars, cloud gazing isn't half bad either. I like learning new things, trying new things. I like trying to identify a flower by how it smells. I like remember details about people most would never even notice. I like listening to people, especially when they talk about something they're passionate about. I like going to the theatre, to watch the geisha dance and sing and play music. Lots of things." I offer, and again, being totally honest with her.
"But you only admit to loving chocolate." She smiles, amused.
"I won't lie, chocolate is my second love." I smile too, thinking back to the first time I ever tried chocolate.
"What's your first love then?" Crap. I probably should have seen this coming. No, I definitely should have seen this coming! I blush. "Or perhaps 'who' is the better question...?" I blush a LOT deeper this time. No matter how much chocolate she offers, I'm not admitting to anything! But... I doubt she even needs verbal confirmation anymore.
"I see." She says. Yeah, about what I figured. She has a nose for things like this. She's the one that found out about Uchiha-san's love for tomatoes, and she's the one that's been sneaking fresh ones onto his desk every morning. Yeah, I noticed, but it's just none of my business, so I keep out when people start asking around.
"I don't get you. You're not nervous when you talk to me, but you never talk. Why is that?" She changes the topic, thankfully.
"No reason to?" I wonder about that. "Maybe it has to do with the other kids that always teased me about every little detail. I don't know, I don't care. I'm fine doodling by myself."
"Orphanage brat, huh." The life in her voice is gone. I sense this topic is hurting her, but realistically she wouldn't know anything about that.
"I was. I got kicked out after I started bullying the bullies." I smile, thinking back on that. I've broken more noses than anyone in the orphanage's history, something I'm quite proud of, really. I mean, some of those kids were already genins! I still handed them their backs... behinds! I handed them their behinds!
"So you don't like getting pushed around?" She's back in interrogator mode.
"I don't care too much, mostly. I can live with it, but once I've had enough, I've had enough." I offer, shrugging.
"Aren't you going to ask me any questions?" She wonders, her eyes sharper now than before.
"No need. I know more about you than you know about me." I say. That gets her REALLY curious. "You're confident, both in your skills and your looks. You like looking your best no matter the time or reason. You hate bullies, and you hate people being bullied. You're the one that stood up for Haruno-san after all. You're ranked top of our class, for the girls. You're from the Yamanaka clan that specializes in all things to do with the mind, you're also likely to be teamed up with Nara-san and Chouji-san. You show up early every day, and you always place a fresh tomato on Uchiha-san's desk for him, but no one else has ever noticed it was you. You fight with Haruno-san a lot, but that's because you try to help her build up her confidence. You hate that your friendship ended because of something stupid, but you aren't sure what to do about it. And your favourite colour is black, though you never wear it. You probably think it will make you look old, or something."
Shock. That's all she feels right now; it's all she can feel. "Am I wrong?" I ask, batting my eyelashes at her.
"How...?"
"I'm a good listener." I shrug. Nara-san and Chouji-san enter, so I decide it's a good time to get back to my doodle. I do make sure to turn to a new page, just to make sure neither notices what I've already been working on.
8-8
Class was really boring, as usual. Umino-sensei mostly reviewed the first, second and third shinobi wars, and the highlights of all four Hokages. Sigh! The most interesting thing that happened was Uzumaki-san pulling a prank and getting yelled at for it. I swear, he likes getting caught just for the attention and the notoriety that comes with it. I know he's sneaky enough to not get caught after all – if he could be bothered to not laugh his face off... leg off...? Laugh and give himself away!
Still, Yamanaka-san promised me chocolate! And I fully intend to collect! Oh, you can bet your last Ryou I'm not ever going to forget about someone promising me chocolate!
So, after grabbing my book, I turn to her and nudge her with my elbow. When she turns to me, she gives me a meaningful look and a smirk. She didn't forget. Good. I nod, smiling a little myself. "You mind if Shikamaru and Chouji tag along? I kind of had plans with them already?" She offers, pretending to feel sheepish. I know she's pretending. She isn't sorry, she wasn't forgetful. She planned this and set the best trap she could.
I still blush, deeply. "Come on, it'll be fun! And I know you want that promised chocolate ~parfait~!" She sings that last word. Hmm, if she really wanted to hook me, she should have put the emphasis on 'chocolate', but that's just me. I sigh, resigning myself to my fate. The things I do for you, Chocolate-danna. The things I do for you.
8-8
Why Yamanaka-san chooses to meet up with our classmates outside of school is not something I want to understand – mostly because I have a hunch and I'd chomp her head off if I'm right... or is that 'chew'? Either way, I'm introduced to Nara-san and Chouji-san. I bow politely, but don't say anything; I look away too embarrassed to speak. Every time I get this close to Chouji-san, I just get a queasy feeling in my belly, like an overdose of chocolate. He makes me feel so wrong and sooooooo right at the same time. And the now permanently fixed blush on my anything above my chest isn't really helping much.
Still, neither boy seems too surprised that I don't speak. If I had to guess, they're more surprised I'm tagging along. Don't worry, Chocolate-danna, you're worth this and more! So much more!
We make our way in a seemingly random direction. I don't care too much, so long as I can sort of find my way back later. No one seems too chatty though, other than Yamanaka-san. Hmm, what's that about? Nara-san and Chouji-san bother seem comfortable with the silence too, so I doubt this is a new thing for them. Hmm, interesting to note. Not sure what it means, but interesting.
It takes us nearly twenty minutes to reach wherever we're meant to go – we're in the Clan District though. Hmm, Sarutobi Sector of it too. This is their joint clans' stomping grounds? Why am I even allowed here? I mean, sure, I get them being here. They're the heirs of their respective clans. But me? I'm an outsider, a civilian, and not part of any clan. I shouldn't even be in this district!
"So like I was telling Aya-chan earlier, this place has the best chocolate parfaits in the village!" Yamanaka-san claims, but I don't buy it. She offered those parfaits. She didn't say anything about taking me here, or they're being the best of anything. I don't care, the deal was that she'd treat; her cross to bear... I said that right, right? I think so...?
I notice how both boys share a look, wondering why she's calling me so familiarly. Not that I mind. I mean, it's just a thing she does with everyone. Everyone to her is either a 'chan' or a 'kun' in our class, other than Umino-sensei. I don't get it, but I don't try to.
Another thing I notice, is that Chouji-san looks worried about something. He's embarrassed about something? He's even looking down and away from our group? What could possibly... his eyes flick towards me, then flick away again. He's worried about me? He thinks I'll react badly to something?
"It's Chouji's clan's restaurant, by the way. The Akimichi always have the best food, the best desserts and the best service!" Yamanaka-san brags. Chouji-san just worries more.
"It sounds lovely." I say, smiling a bit. Chouji-san's head snaps towards me, shock plainly in his eyes. Whether it's from me talking or me not saying what he expected me to say, I can't say for sure. What I can say, is that he's pleasantly surprised, if that shy little smile is anything to go by. I can't fight the blush though; him staring so openly at me – only me!
We continue for a bit longer, the boys just as quiet as ever, Yamanaka-san just as chatty. Me still blushing. I... I sigh... I just can't believe that Chouji-san would ever worry about what I have to say about his family owning a restaurant. What did he expect me to say? I mean, come on! That means family discount! How awesome is that!
I'm starting to notice something though. Something else. We're encountering a lot of generously proportioned shinobi, blonds, redheads and brunets. And a lot of skinny blonds and brunets. And a lot of lazy looking brunets – solely with black hair this time. And even a fair amount of piercing eyes of brunets that sort of remind me of the Third? Ah, we must be getting close then. The foot traffic is picking up quite a bit, and I can only guess that these are the Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka and Sarutobi clansmen mulling about for whatever reason.
8-8
The restaurant turns out to be quite large. Spacious really. And brightly lit. There are cheerful colours everywhere, reds, yellows, purples, whites. It's a festival of colours. And Yamanaka-san was right, the wait staff is so polite and attentive. They immediately recognize Chouji-san, Nara-san and Yamanaka-san, greeting them like you'd expect from family. They then turn to me, asking who their 'little friend' is. The one waiting by the door to seat us did this, as did our waitress that came up to us. As did three other waitresses that aren't even waiting on our table. They all smile brightly, warmly, heartily. They all seem genuinely happy to see... well, not me per se, but the other three at least. Yamanaka-san has been kind enough to introduce me each time, explaining the other party that I don't talk much.
After our waitress comes back with our menus, and a requested pot of tea with proper cups to drink from, I come to an inevitable conclusion: I love this place. I skip the lunch menu, and the dinner menu, going straight for the desserts. I came here for my chocolate parfait, and that's exactly what I am going to get!
"You should eat something first. Really, it's my treat!" Yamanaka-san offers. I don't even react. She wouldn't understand. I want my chocolate! Meals never include chocolate. That's why I only ever go for desserts! What's the point of eating if chocolate isn't somehow involved? Well, unless it's fruit, but even then it's for the sake of my beloved Chocolate-danna!
"I think I'll go for an order of spareribs and a side of beef." Chouji-san announces. I'm suddenly so glad I'm hidden behind my menu, because I'm blushing so hard that I almost feel like I'm going to pass out.
"That sounds lovely. I think I'll have the same." I offer, still hiding behind my menu. I don't want to know how they'll react. I don't want to know how they'll interpret my words. I just hope, though I don't dare look to confirm, that they don't think I'm doing it to impress Chouji-san. I'm not! I've just never had either dish! And if I'm allowed to eat them for free! It's a sin against Kami-sama to not go for broke!
"They have really big portions here, Aya-chan. I think you'd better order the kid's menu. Trust me, you'll never finish it by yourself." Yamanaka-san informs me. She isn't looking down on me, or trying to make me look small – at least, not that I can tell.
"Maybe we can share then?" I offer. "I mean, I know you aren't just going to order a salad." I watch her from the corner of my eye this time. Is that her actual plan? If her embarrassed blush is anything to go by, I'd say yes.
"Yamanaka-san, really. We're training to be kunoichi. We need the calories. You'll end up undernourished and in a coma if you eat like a civilian." I remind her of Umino-sensei's far too wordy lecture from... six months ago? Seven?
"But I'll get..." I can tell she wants to say the 'f' word, just from how she eye's Chouji-san. What a silly thought to have.
"I've never eaten just a salad in my life. And I've never put on any fat. In fact, I take in more calories in a day than you probably take in per week. Nothing happened to me." I point out. "That's probably why I outlast you in every spar we've had."
She blushes even deeper, looking down and away. She doesn't like where this is going. I shrug, figuring it's really her business if she wants to go down that road. So instead, I focus on desserts. Let's see. Three different styles of chocolate parfaits? Plain, creamy, and berry berry blast. Definitely going for that last one!
8-8
After a very comical meal –with Nara-san and Yamanaka-san both staring at me in awe, they must not have figured I could keep up with Chouji-san– I settle in for my well deserved dessert. I don't bother caring that Yamanaka-san barely ate an eighth of our shared plate. I politely guzzled down the rest, my salad, some of her salad, and still stole a few bites from Nara-san. Chouji-san was somewhat more protective of his plate, but I can understand that. He needs the calories; it's an Akimichi thing, I believe.
When the waitress arrives with our desserts, my face lights up like it's Christmas in November! ... Somehow that doesn't seem to sound right, in my head. Whatever! The biggest glass I've ever seen is placed in front of me. Seriously, I could fit both of my hands into it! And its contents?
Layers. Pure chocolate at the bottom, then milk chocolate, white chocolate, blueberries and raspberries, white chocolate, milk chocolate, pure chocolate. Then a gorgeous design of strawberries, whipped cream, and chocolate cookie crumbles on top! I cry happy, happy tears. "Don't worry, Chocolate-danna, you were worth the wait." I rub my cheek against the glass, happy to finally be reunited with my second love.
I take my first mouthful, enjoying how the flavours swirl around in my mouth. The tartness of the strawberries, the fullness of the whipped cream, the crunchy sweetness of the cookie crumbles. "They need to call this dish 'paradise on earth'." I say, loving the every aspect of my new favourite form of chocolate.
I don't dare rush! No, I take my time, swirling the goodness around in my mouth, truly enjoying this most awesome of awesomes. Eventually, I reach the first layer: pure chocolate. The slight bitterness, the creaminess, the richness of the flavour, the puffiness they somehow managed to instil in it. I moan. This is not chocolate mousse, not as I've ever had it. This is the nectar Kami-sama has been searching for!
"That good?" Yamanaka-san asks. I nod, happy tears once again in my eyes. I take another spoonful, loving it so much that I suck on the spoon to remove every molecule of chocolaty goodness.
"I still can't believe how obese all of them are." I hear someone whispering behind me. My eyes pop open, mostly from shock. I take in Chouji-san, how he's so downtrodden, hurting, embarrassed. Is he embarrassed for his family? Embarrassed by them? Are the words striking the wrong chords with him?
Sorry, Chocolate-danna. I swear, I'll be right back!
Thinking fast, I cast the transformation jutsu on my spoon, stuff my glasses into my sleeve, and drop the spoon-turned-glasses on the floor. "Oh no! My glasses!" I immediately move to stand, shoving my chair back and into the speaker's chair. I hear a most undignified bump, glassware shifting about too suddenly. As I drop to the floor in search of my 'glasses' I finally hear it.
"Michi!" The woman that has been gossiping with her 'friend' notices my machinations. I don't smirk though! I'm 'too busy looking for my glasses'. I hear an embarrassed and very angry huff and half a shriek. Still not smirking, but I sooo want to!
I finally spot where my 'glasses' must have gotten to, just as I hear two chairs slide back, one almost hitting me in the head. I lean away from it though, making sure I don't actually get hit. I may be nearsighted, but that's close enough for me to spot with ease.
Two chairs are then tucked under their table once again, and I see two pairs of fuzzy kimono-clad legs near me. Still not smirking. I wonder if I can con them into buying me new glasses? They seem the type. I touch the side of my 'glasses', just as the woman I'd just antagonized steps on them. Oh yeah, Aya's getting new glasses! And just in time for graduation too!
"M-my glasses!" I cry, mindful enough to alter the transformation just enough to make the lenses appear cracked. She grinds her sandals a little more, so I add a crunching/cracking sound to the subtle illusion. Then as she removes her obviously pedicured and pampered foot from my 'glasses' I alter the transformation once again, having 'pieces of glass' stay put, and more pieces fall out as I handle it.
Okay, Aya, like we practiced! You're distraught, hurt, worried. You have exams next week, written and physical. You'd never manage without your glasses! Never mind that they're actually safe! They're broken, shattered, and you cannot afford new ones with your fixed income! Alright, girl, work it!
"Y-you... y-you broke my glasses!" I cry out again, allows tears to well up, then I think about the last Valentine's day I spent with papa, letting the feeling of hurt and loss fill me up and spill down my cheeks in earnest. "I... I can't see without my glasses!"
"Serves you right!" The blurry woman exclaims, feeling justified. No smiling, Aya! No smirking! You're distraught, remember!?
"But I have exams next week! And I can't even afford new glasses!" I think about the last time mama really hugged me, just before she left for her last mission. Okay... a bit too potent a memory. I hug myself, bawling my eyes out this time. "I'll never be a genin like this..."
"How's that-"
"Is there a problem here?" Akimichi-sama? I recognize the voice, it's Akimichi Chouza-sama, Chouji-san's father and the head of their clan. I didn't know he was here. Oh well, work the angle, Aya, work it!
"I'm s-sorry, Akimichi-sama. I dropped my glasses by accident, and I must have shoved my chair against hers. She seems really upset, which I can fully understand. I tried looking for my glasses before facing her, so that I can better assess the situation, but... I don my 'glasses', which is harder than it looks. I mean, it might look like glasses, but it's a spoon! Still, I manage to stick the item to my nose with careful chakra manipulation, grateful then it tilts to one side to show just how broken it really is.
"I know she's rightly upset." I offer, hugging myself a little tighter now. "I... I'm sorry, O'nee-sama." Oh yeah, I went there. I don't know her, but calling female strangers 'nee-san' is practically a rule here in Konoha. Calling her O'nee-sama, further honours her position, and makes me look even smaller, more humble. I'm not humble, not at all, but this would generate the most sympathy for my act.
"Am I to understand that you purposely stepped on this girl's glasses?" Akimichi-sama is carefully controlling his voice, but I can tell he's LIVID!
"O-of course not, Akimichi-sama! I would never!" She lies. Aya, no smiling, remember!? Hugging mama, hugging papa, our last shared hug together. I break down, letting the transformed spoon fall to the floor. Kami-sama, I'm grateful I'm used to this level of fluctuating emotion, or I'd never be able to maintain that transformation, or alter it one last time to let the last bits of the lenses break, and alter the illusion to include another half-hearted cracking sound and letting small pieces of shattered lens fly in different directions.
"She's lying!" Yamanaka-san defends me. "I saw her step on Aya-chan's glasses! Daddy, come on! Scan my memories, you'll see for yourself!" Ah, it would seem the elder Ino-Shika-Chou is all here.
"How-"
"I would think carefully about what you're about to say to my daughter." Yamanaka-sama warns, his tone dark. Kami-sama, thank you for this most auspicious scene. I might even make her choke up... cough up(?) enough to be able to buy that cute dagger I've been eyeing at the blacksmith's. "Now, I will ask you once. If I suspect you are lying to me, I will take you in for questioning. Did you purposely step on this girl's glasses?"
Hmm, Yamanaka Inoichi: jounin, age thirty-eight, head of Konoha's notorious Torture and Interrogation Division. Blond, long hair kept in a ponytail, like his daughter – I think it's a clan trait. Married to Yamanaka Mariko, jounin, age thirty-eight, housewife these days, but she still works part time at their flower shop in the Commercial Sector. Yamanaka-san is always talking about how 'awesome' her parents are during breaks, so gathering intel on them isn't too hard. I even happen to know that they met during their academy schooldays. Classmates, in fact. Aww, childhood sweethearts are so cute!
No! Aya, focus; crying, distraught, make the scene work for your new glasses! And hopefully that dagger too! I like that dagger!
"... I did." She admits, obviously not happy with the scene she finds herself in. I wish I could see her face. Kami-sama, her face must be a gorgeous doodle waiting to happen!
"And you are, of course, planning on reimbursing her for this." Yamanaka-sama continues, his tone just as dangerous. Good, Aya, it's your birthday, we're gonna spoil you up like it's your birthday! We're gonna buy you those new glasses, 'cause it's your birthday! And you know we don't give a fart 'cause it's your birthday!
Where... did that even come from?
"Of course." I can no longer follow what happens, it's all visual. Blurry, out of focus, and vividly visual. I hate being nearsighted! I want to know what she's doing!
"My sincerest apologies." I hear the woman say. I see a blurry, but delightfully colourful, thing move towards the table, then something else happens that I can't make out of the blurry haze.
"She's gone, Aya." Yamanaka-sama informs me. Finally! Fighting back an evil cackle for so long is bad for you! I grab my real glasses and don them, finally being able to take in the scene I find myself in. I was right. Nara-sama –tall, pineapple styled black hair and too many scars to not have an interesting tale to tell, looks intrigued– Yamanaka-sama –long blond ponytail, no scars, and a knowing smile– and Akimichi-sama –tall, broad, red and wild hair, and little squiggles on his cheeks, looks impressed– are all smiling at me. I turn to the table, a pile of bills rolled up and waiting for me to spoil myself at their expense.
"You were faking it!?" Yamanaka-san can't quite figure out if she's impressed or put on... put in... Upset. I shrug, sitting down and carefully counting the money. Forty-five-thousand Ryou. Hmm, that should easily cover the new glasses if I don't rush order them. I might be able to pay that outstanding water bill now too! And, with a little luck, I might actually be able to buy that dagger!
"Lucky!" I announce happily. "I didn't expect her to be this sorry!" Oh! My spoon! I've made Chocolate-danna wait far too long for my undying love and affection! Shame on you, Aya! Shame. On. You!
8-8
End Chapter 1
8-8
A/N: 'Danna', as is used as an honorific that Aya only uses for her 'Chocolate-danna', has a somewhat long history. Pre World War II, Geishas would call their 'sugar daddy' by this honorific, but it can also be taken to mean 'beloved', 'husband' and quite a few other things. No matter the specific translation though, it's only used to refer to someone of higher social standing, and someone dear to the speaker's heart.
Interestingly, Deidara often referred to Sasori as 'Sasori-danna'. I don't know exactly in which tone he's doing so. It could hint at something sexual, or just as marking Sasori as his superior; but I seriously doubt that last, given how often they fight.