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 10 – A new tune

8-8

It's been a day since Uchiha-san has returned. And I can't wait for him to step out of line so he can go away again. If he was annoying before, he's unbearable now. Showing off his stupid new eyes, acting as if he's lord of the world.

Instead of focusing on him, though, I focus on my fingers. I cannot hope to learn the flute, if I cannot properly control my fingers. Sensei'd taught me some finger-stretches, to help me to relearn how to use them effectively. So I…

Crap. "Yes?" I can't believe I didn't notice Ecchi-san standing there.

"That exercise works best if someone helps you with it. I've had to relearn using body parts often enough to know." I'm informed. I wave him off, left-handed. "Naruto, help her out?"

"She doesn't want the help, Kakashi." Uzumaki learns quickly. I've got to give him that.

"Wanting and needing are not the same." I grumble, glaring holes into the Cyclops. I have no interest in hearing him, let alone hearing him out… HOLY CRAP! I thought that right! On the first go! Wow, Sensei's books really are working wonders!

…

That's going to take a while to get used to. Wording things right the first time around.

Anyway. Fingers. I bend them this way, tug them that way, stretch them the other way, and… pain, pain, pain, pain! OW!

"That's what I mean. It's going to hurt until your muscles grow used to it again." Ecchi-san… ignored. I push through the pain, biting my lip to ensure I don't lose focus, or pass out. Not that I'm sure why biting my lip helps, or if it even really does. It just helps me to focus. I'm going to be complaining about it for days, but… this is needed.

FLICK!

Did Ecchi-san just…?

Twitch.

"Do that again. I dare you." I warn, glaring so hard at him that he'd turn into a she if he's not careful. Aya… how…? Stop. Glaring. Ecchi-san.

"Stop being so stubborn. If it was Naruto, would you let him do this alone?"

"Tha…"

…

He shouldn't make so much sense. Since when does Ecchi-san make sense? Did I wake up in a different reality this morning? Is he actually some weird double that looks just like him but is actually someone else entirely?

"You do realise that when you're thinking weird things, you get a little wrinkle in the middle of your forehead?" Without even thinking about it, I swing at the pervert. Brilliant, Aya. He blocks my punch, and grabs my hand-

"#$#% #$ #$!" I can't tell what just flopped out of my mouth. All I know is that it sounds like a single, long, drawn out curse. He did the stretch for me. I'm pretty sure my brains are goo, liquid from the pain that just hit me.

"See what I mean? Doing it right isn't something you can do on your own. Your nervous system won't let you." I snarl at him.

He grabs for my thumb. I look away. It isn't as if I can stop him, or as if this is something that doesn't need to happen.

A blade is unsheathed. I know the sound well enough by now. "Try it." Uzumaki-san?

"Will you do the stretch for her then?" Ecchi-san. There's a long pause. Nothing gets said. "I didn't think so."

I hold back the words this time, but the tears are another story. I hear a raspy, drawn out, tired set of breaths back to back… only to find it's me doing it. Wow… that REALLY HURT!

"You should be able to do the other exercises in a bit. Take a minute to calm down first." Ecchi-san says, already standing and walking away. Jerk!

8-8

I'm really glad it's a 'missions day'. Even more so that Yoshino-sensei is keeping Uchiha-san in line, and away from me. Relaxing in the shade while Sensei was dealing with Uchiha-san turned out to be far less relaxing than I'd planned, but… that's life for you. So, after our second mission, lunch, a little rest, and Sensei dishing out orders of who's doing what, I'm told: "Aya, you're going to practice your flute."

Arguing with Sensei is pretty pointless. So I sit in under the tree once again, my flute in my hands. I've read through that scroll on how to play at least twice, so I know the 'how'… somehow that never quite helps when it comes to actually doing it.

I hold my lips to the blowhole… cover the first three holes with my left index, middle and ring fingers… cover the last four holes with my right index, middle, ring and pinkie fingers. I angle the flute so that when I blow, my air will flow with the curve of the wood… bamboo… the inside of the flute!

Then I blow.

The sound that greets me…

…

…

… … …

That sound did something to me, emotionally, mentally. It's so… happy, so…

I blow again, uncovering one of the holes after a second. The high-pitched note changes. I cover the hole again, lost in how I'm doing that. I… I'm playing music?

I go through each and every note I can make, testing what this wondrous little flute can do. I recognise the sound, the pitch, the notes. I've heard this flute being played over and over again, at festivals…I'd usually listen in from my apartment window. It reminds me of that songbird that used to sing by my window every morning.

Then… the notes turn calm… soothing… What would be seen as sad any other time, just…

I move the flute from my lips, staring at it. I just stare, in slack-jawed awe. Hugging my flute to my chest, I turn to Uzumaki-san. "I think I just fell in love." I say, a goofy grin on my face.

"Lucky you…" He grumbles, studying a scroll Sensei gave him. "Sensei seems to want to make me study all six years of academy crap in two weeks! I swear I'll never get this done!"

I shrug. Understanding the basics is important. I hold my flute properly again, bringing back to my lips, and I blow again. I don't think I'll ever get tired of doing this.

8-8

After dinner, after my day is officially done. I find myself wanting to go back in the Nara's yard to play for hours. But I can't. Uzumaki-san wants to head home, and I don't want to upset his plans – whatever they might be. So, I agree to go with him.

I thank Sensei for today, I ignore Uchiha's reaction –whatever it is this time– and I-

"Hey, Aya-chan, you want to walk with us? We're just going to the convenience store for some ice cream. You know how auntie is with too much sweets, so…" Chouji-san…

Breathing is a bit harder, and I know I'm blushing like an idiot again. I nod, not daring to look him in the eyes.

"Can I come?" Uchiha-san!? I'm so shocked that I can't stop myself from staring at him, eyes wide, jaw dropped.

"… Why do you want to?" Uzumaki-san asks, clearly not trusting him.

"It's on the way." I don't know if he's telling the truth, but I don't care either.

"No bragging. No getting too close to Aya-chan. And if you step out of line just once, we break you. Understood?" Uzumaki-san is… really becoming quite protective of me.

"Hnn." Uchiha-san doesn't look very threatened. He shrugs.

"Hey, Naruto-kun, you've been pretty… possessive of Aya-chan lately. Something you want to tell us?" Ino teases. We head out the door, Chouji-san sliding it shut behind him. I think he's… a bit jealous.

"Yeah. She's the only one here that…" He trails off. Obviously he doesn't want to finish that. He wanted to say 'gets it', I can tell. "Let's just go." We walk for a while, no one saying anything. In silence, that's how I could say that. We walk in silence.

"So what do you think of Aya-chan?" Ino presses, already tired of the silence. She's usually so chatty, but I think she's worried Chouji-san has competition or something.

"She might as well be my little sister." He says evenly, his hands on the back of his head as he walks. I smile at him, but roll my eyes to tease him anyway. "I mean, who else would help…" He's dropping his guard, but he doesn't notice it when he does. The only problem is Uchiha-san.

"Nn." I smile again, knowing he's talking about helping to clean up his apartment so he wouldn't get in trouble.

"Relax, Ino. Besides, you already know what the situation is. Stop meowing so much." I giggle at the annoyed look on Ino's face. I start hanging back a little, trying to move closer to Chouji-san. He notices, of course. When he smiles, I blush and look away, but I don't move away. I stay near him.

"So that's how it is, huh." Uchiha-san eyes are on me, but not in a pervy kind of way. I hope.

"Speaking of 'how it is'… care to explain your stupidity the other day?" Uzumaki-san is at it again. Now that we're far enough away from Sensei, he's going to start on Uchiha-san's case. He knows Chouji-san and his team will back him up if it comes to that; so will I.

"Hnn." Uchiha-san sounds like he doesn't want to answer, but… he sighs. "You wouldn't get it."

"You won't know if you don't try." O…kay… this is officially another reality. Ecchi-san helping me. Uchiha-san not being all emo – well, he kind of is, but in a totally different way now. And Uzumaki-san… well, him being a bit protective of me is becoming kind of normal. But his being insightful… that's going to take some getting used to. What's with him and dropping the mask though? He usually isn't like this when others can see him!

"I…" He wants to say it. What's stopping him? He's looking away, but his face is emotionless. Is he embarrassed? "Wanted to talk."

Uzumaki-san snorts. Not that I blame him; that has to be a flat on lie! … FLAT OUT LIE!

"Hnn." Uchiha-san walks ahead, obviously no longer wanting to 'hang out' with us. I…'m not sure how to feel about that.

"… Is it weird that I don't know how to feel about that?" I ask. I'm not sure who I'm asking, but…

No one answers me though.

8-8

We make it to the convenience store. I pick up the biggest tub of chocolate ice cream they have, craving chocolate like never before. Sensei's been pretty stingy with my chocolate intake; complaining about how too much chocolate will rot my teeth or something. That I still have teeth after pretty much living on chocolate for six years proves her wrong, but bringing that up won't change her mind.

Ino also decides to go with ice cream, but she's going with strawberry? Interesting to know. Uzumaki-san goes with an ice pop, the one with two sticks. Chouji-san's going with more chips – sweet and sour pork? O…kay… And Nara-san's going with… fried mackerel? On a stick too. And people think I'm weird?

"Aya, what's with the look?" Nara-san glares at me. Nothing! "Troublesome. Acting like I didn't see that."

"Heh, Aya-chan got in twouble!" Uzumaki-san teases childishly. When I glare at him, he sticks his tongue out at me. As much as I want to be annoyed, I find myself smiling at his stupidity.

"Moron." I smack him on the back of his head – lighter than any other time so far, so he'll know I'm teasing.

"Chouji-sa~aaan! Aya's abusing me again!" Na… Uzumaki-san acts like he's crying, covering his eyes with his forearm and all. I laugh. What else can I do? I laugh, covering my mouth with my right hand, trying not to drop my ice cream.

"Why am I getting dragged into this?" Chouji-san asks, munching on his chips. "If she's your sister, there's nothing I can do. Getting between siblings is like trying to mix chocolate with potato chips… it's just not gonna work."

Oh, Kami-sama… what am I going to do with these people? And why am I still grinning like an idiot? I mean… forget it. Chocolate. I open the tub… there's no spoon. I sigh, walking back into the convenience store. "Ah, I was wondering when you were going to figure that out." I glare at the idiot behind the counter. He rings up a plastic spoon, tells me the price, and gets annoyed when I decide to dig into my pouch for exact change. I just gave him a big enough bill last time, but if he wants to be a jerk…

Making my way back outside, happily sucking on the chocolate ice cream on my new spoon, I find Na… Uzumaki-san waving his popsicle and saying something to Chouji-san. "But seriously, if you like her, tell her. A girl's not supposed to make the first move."

"U. Zu. Ma. Ki~iiii!"

SLAP!

I huff, sucking on the ice cream once again on my spoon and very much ignoring Uzumaki's angry-red forehead. Serves him right. Fix your own love life before meddling in mine! Hnn!

8-8

"We're doing something different today." Yoshino-sensei tells us after breakfast. It's an 'off day', but that's kind of pointless to bring up when Sensei's involved. "Aya, I've arranged a girls' day for you, Ino-chan, and two other kunoichi. I want you to not be your usual charming self. Am I understood?" How is this fair?

"Yes, Sensei." I say. Arguing with her, as usual, is pointless.

"Naruto, you and Sasuke are with me. I have something special planned for the two of you." It had better be REALLY uncomfortable! "We're going to talk about Sasuke's 'thing' with Aya." GOOD! Fairness didn't die in this world!

But… could we not say it like that? He didn't have a 'thing' with me. We don't have a 'thing'. And there will never be a 'thing' between us!

There's a knock on the door. "Auntie!? Are we too early!?" Ino announces her arrival, but doesn't open the door herself.

"Aya-chan, could you get that please?" I'm asked. I nod, already moving to stand up. "Properly, mind you. I won't have an unmannered young lady welcoming guests into my home." I grumble, complaining about the unfairness of this unholy world.

"Yes, Sensei!" I try to sound upbeat, but really I just feel like smacking someone. I hate being forced to do things, but Sensei won't see it like that. She'll just see it as 'training', and I should as well… 'should'…

Making it to the front door, I slide it open. "Good morning! Sorry for taking so long!" And… this is what I get for not seeing past the obvious trap. Ino. Haruno-san. Hyuuga-san. I sigh mutely. Sensei is really sneaky!

"A-aya-chan!?" Haruno-san is clearly shocked at the change in my attitude. I don't blame her.

"Ino, please tell me I got that right…?" I beg with my eyes.

"Auntie put you up to this, huh?" She sounds amused. I look at her nervously, but don't dare answer. I mean, what if Sensei can hear me? "I should have known. Yes, you were the perfect lady. And, yes, I'll be sure to tell her I think so."

"I can hear you, you know!" Sensei announces from the table. I flinch. Crap. That means this little skit isn't over.

"Won't you please come in? We're all sitting at the table. I'm sure Yoshino-sensei won't mind if you join us?" I bow, motioning them into the house. In my head, I'm mumbling and complaining though! I mean, what kind of crap is this!? Do people actually talk like this when opening their door!?

"Thank you, Aya-chan." They say in turn, bow politely, and enter the house.

Twitch.

Ino links her arm with mine, dragging me along. At least this is familiar. I sigh mutely, hoping Sensei doesn't notice. "Good morning, auntie. I'm sure you remember Sakura-chan and Hinata-chan?"

"Of course." Sensei smiles warmly at the three of them. Then her eyes meet mine, and she offers me a private smile, just for me. I blush, pleased. "I trust you girls know why I asked you to be here?"

"Umm, not really? You were a bit vague when you asked me." Ino admits, biting her lip nervously.

"Ah, I apologize. As I'm sure you three have noticed, Aya-chan has been going through a specialized social training. The reasons for this are between Aya-chan and myself. Please do not ask her about this. Now, the point is, I want the four of you to have a girls' day out. Go to a café, go to the movies. Do whatever the four of you can agree sounds like fun. No training and no talk thereof. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Yoshino-sensei." I answer immediately. She's been… strict on me answering her properly.

"Yes, auntie." Ino's barely a second behind me with her response.

"Yes, Nara-sama." Haruno-san and Hyuuga-san reply together, just after Ino. It must be the shock of her laying things out the way she does.

"Aya-chan, do you have enough pocket money on you?" Sensei asks.

"Nn!" I nod, blushing a little. Thanks to us taking four missions a day, I've been far better off, financially.

"Good. If you don't mind me asking, why are you wearing your kodachis on your day off?" I'm asked.

"Huh?" I look over my shoulder, seeing the twin grips staring back at me. "Oh! Umm… I guess I'm too used to strapping them on in the morning."

Na… Uzumaki-san starts chuckling to himself. I'm pretty sure I don't want to know, so I'm soooooo not going to ask. I know I worded that right! Hnn!

"Anyway, we've got an entire village to check out! Come on, girls!" I link arms with Hyuuga-san and Ino, dragging them along. It's best to get away from Uzumaki-san for now. He'll just make me do something Sensei would see as 'unladylike' and get me in trouble.

8-8

"Nara-sama can be scary sometimes." Haruno-san says once we're far enough away from the house. I snort, but don't disagree. She is, not 'can be'.

"It's just how clanswomen are." Ino shrugs. She's probably used to women just like Sensei. I mean, her mother isn't that different.

"Y-your mother i-isn't like that?" Hyuuga-san wonders.

"Hmm?" Haruno-san thinks about that. "No, not really. I mean, she's really strict on me, but… I don't know, she's not really like Nara-sama at all."

I shrug. "To each their own. I mean, my mom was exactly like Yoshino-sensei. Always expecting things to be done just the way she wants. And don't you dare try to tell her otherwise." I po… crap. Sensei! Do you see what you have me doing!?

Haruno-san is staring at me. "Something on my face?" I ask sweetly, just like Sensei would when she's annoyed with someone.

"Ah! Sorry, sorry." She motions for me to calm down. "It's just… I'm not used to hearing you talk."

"So, Hyuuga-san, where do you think we should go first? I know if we let Ino decide, we'll just end up window shopping all morning."

"A-ano… I really like this b-bakery not too f-far from here?" She says. I like her suggestion already. Bakeries have chocolate! "A-and… you can call me H-hinata… if y-you w-want, th-that is."

"Bakery it is!" I completely i-

"Aya-chan, you know auntie's going to ask me about every detail about today, right?"

Twitch.

I sigh. "I'm sorry, Hyuuga-san. It has nothing to do with you. I just… don't get into first names with people."

"I-I see." She deflates, like she did something wrong. Her eyes briefly flick to Ino though, before she looks down and away. Crap! Now I feel guilty! Stupid social norms, stupid social rules, stupid social socialness! I'M AN INTROVERT! STOP MAKING ME OUTROVERT MYSELF! …! EXTRAVERT MYSELF! BE…

Shut up, Aya. Just shut up.

I sigh explosively.

"Ino, just so you know. I blame you."

"I didn't do anything!" She complains, but gets ignored.

"Hinata-san, really. Stop thinking there's somehow something you've done wrong." She looks at me, eyes wide with shock. Then, as those words sink in, she looks embarrassed. She starts blushing and poking her two index fingers together, mumbling some stupid apology.

"…" Haruno-san is staring at me in wide-eyed shock. This is obviously too much for her.

"Don't even think about it, Haruno-san." I grumble in warning. She motions for me to calm down again, already saying something about the thought never having crossed her mind. "So, have you two thought about taking the medic exams? You still have like three days?"

"Hmm? No, not really. I mean, I'm not really the medic type. Can you imagine me covered in someone else's blood?" Ino just has to go there. She's probably worried about her hair, or something silly like that.

"A-ano… I d-don't think f-father would a-approve." Hinata-san points out. Great. That means I'll be stuck with Haruno-san. And I'll need to think of a completely different angle to hang around Hinata-san more often.

I wonder though… it is something Sensei would do. "Hmm. Too bad. I mean, when Uzumaki-san heard about me taking the exam, he sounded really impressed. I think he really respects medics. What did he call me again…? 'Totally awesome'…?"

"A-a-an-n-n-no… m-mayb-be I sh-should ask… j-just t-to b-be s-sure…" She's a blushing, stuttering mess. Well, that wasn't the plan, but…

"Maybe you should. I mean, there aren't a lot of Hyuuga medics, are there? Having a good medic in your clan would allow your clansmen to ask about problems they don't want the public to know about, right?" Hinata-san hums thoughtfully. "And Ino, if you don't at least take the exam… I will find a way to get back at you. I still blame you and your nosiness." I raise an eyebrow, daring her to challenge me.

"How many times do I have to say I'm sorry!?" Did I hit a sore spot? "Alright, alright. You win! I'll take the exam!"

"Yes, you will. And you'll do your best during the exam too. I'd hate to have to tell Yamanaka-sama that you may have failed on purpose. That would be most … inappropriate?" I grin at her. And not just any grin. Na… mou! Uzumaki-san's patented that's-what-you-get grin. The one he saves for pranking someone that REALLY annoyed him far too long.

It isn't until her face goes pale that I really enjoy doing this to her though. Yup, Yamanaka-sama is just as bad as Sensei.

"You wouldn't!"

"Oh? Wouldn't I? I do hope you're right, Ino." I offer sweetly. Too sweetly. I really enjoy how she shivers, thinking about what that might mean for her.

8-8

Once at the bakery, we all get in line to order something yummy. I decide on a double fudge chocolate brownie. It has hazelnuts as well! Yum!

Hinata-san decides on cinnamon rolls, six of them. Deciding to not make her feel out of place –totally appropriate behaviour(!)– I order three of those brownies instead! Hinata-san and I share a little smile. I don't know what her reason is, but I'm just glad I can use her as an excuse to pig out! I mean, hello! Chocolate!

Haruno-san and Ino order something far more… modest? Yes, modest. Right? It's smaller, because they feel they can handle less food –or calories– than Hinata-san and I. Hmm… modest would work. I'll have to ask Sensei if that's a good way to word it. Mental note!

Anyway. Once we place our orders, pay at the register, and receive… Okay, my mouth is watering. I sooooo want to skip the pleasantries and get to my brownie! Luckily, Hinata-san feels the same, so we hurry Ino –who's being a blonde and flirting with the idiot behind the register– and we grab an empty table away from the window. Wait a minute… 'to be a blonde'… that means… acting airheaded, right? Well, flirting with some idiot for discount… hmm, not exactly stupid, but… I still feel like that's worded wrong…

Aya. Who cares? You didn't say it out loud. Just avoid blonde references until your next 'meeting' with Sensei. She'll know the right wording.

"I still can't believe you can handle so much!" Ino complains. I shrug, not caring. I want to point to Hinata-san, but that's probably going to make the shy girl even more self-aware, and we don't want that.

"I can't believe you still survive on so little?" Should that have been a state…ment. Crap! Now you're second guessing everything! Just stop. Chocolate! Your reward is here! I rip the bag a little, fold it back, and wrap a napkin over the paper just in case. I'm sooooooo not going to disappoint Sensei if I can help it!

Satisfied with my handiwork, I take a bite. My eyes close on their own, my taste buds take over. I hear a pleased moan, even as my eyes partly roll up into the back of my head. I sooooooo deserve this!

A shy little giggle tells me Hinata-san is enjoying my reaction. I turn to her, make eye contact then look to the brownie, then I make an appreciative noise; these are really good! She offers a little smile. "Nn." She noises, agreeing with me. She takes a bite of her cinnamon roll, quietly munching away. I don't know why she isn't as vocal as I am, but it might just be my chocolate addiction at work.

"I still can't get over how different you are." Haruno-san eventually points out. I squint my eyes at her briefly, then tilt my head for a moment longer than the eye-squint; how so? I'm not talking with my mouth full, and I certainly am NOT stopping from this slice of paradise because you have something to say! "Compared to… oh, the six years I've known you in the academy?"

I shrug. Adaptation is a defined kunoichi trait. Sensei always has these quirky little sayings to throw at you for every situation… 'quirky'… wow. I've really been hanging around Sensei a lot if I'm using words like that now.

"By the way, Aya-chan! How's your flute practice coming along?" Ino asks. That gets the others curious almost immediately. I glare a little at Ino, eyeing the brownie and a half I still have to go! Just because you ordered less doesn't mean I have to rush to keep up, or stall because of your questions!

Still, this is something I wouldn't mind talking about. I swallow, carefully dab my mouth with another napkin, cover my mouth with napkin still in hand… check, check, check… okay, just to talk with hand covering my mouth, just in case. "I'm not very good yet, but I'm loving it! I never thought I would find something I love… well, not more, but at least as much as chocolate!"

"Wow, really? You're comparing it to chocolate?" Ino understands just how deep this goes, I can tell in her eyes.

"Uh huh. There's just… something about it. It just does things to me, you know? I mean, I can't even play 'twinkle, twinkle' yet… but I can't help but love every note that comes out of it, you know?" I hope that makes sense.

"What… kind of flute do you play?" Haruno-san is really unsure what to say, but she seems curious. Maybe she just wants to know if I spoke just because Ino asked me?

"… ummm…" I know this, come on Aya! The blacksmith told you! "A shinobue. The one that's good for festivals?"

"Hayashi styled?" Hinata-san didn't stutter? Hmm, interesting.

"That's the one!" I smile at her.

"Those are really popular! I love listening to the geisha playing them at parties!" So, music; she loves music.

"I love the sounds they make. The happy high notes, the soothing low notes." I offer with a goofy little smile. I really love playing my flute.

"There's this one song that I really love. It's called 'Calm lake', have you heard it?" She asks, not a hint of anything on her face, in her voice, or anywhere, of the stuttering little shy mouse.

"No, I haven't. I might know it if I hear it though! I've always loved wind instruments!"

"I'll try to invite you for the next festival. Father always takes Hanabi-chan and I to a private party. There are always geishas dancing, and singing, and there's always a play. It's… it's amazing!" I can tell she's passionate about this. Not just from the missing stutter, but the look in her eyes, the way her whole face lights up. She loves this as much as I do!

"Oh, would you? That would be incredible!" I smile brightly, enjoying her passion for the moment.

Ino mentions that there's a 'four-clans party' coming up soon as well. There won't be any geishas there, but there's plenty of fun and music all the same. She invites us –all three of us– to join, if we're all off that day.

8-8

After the bakery, we do some window shopping. We watch a movie, we do some more window shopping. We have lunch at the Akimichi restaurant, we do some more window shopping. Ino's really overdoing this window shopping thing.

Anyway, we eventually make it back to Sensei's house. Once inside, I find Chouji-san and Naruto laughing at… I sigh. Chouji-san and Uzumaki-san laughing at Uchiha-san, who's playing Shogi against Nara-san. Of course, Nara-san is winning.

"Chouji-san, Uzumaki-san… We're going to walk the Haruno-san and Hinata-san home. Would you mind coming with us?" I ask, flat out grinning at Na… at Uzumaki-san.

"Aya-chan… that really isn't-" Haruno-san shuts up once I smile a little too sweetly at her. She is NOT ruining this moment!

"Hello, girls. How was your day out?" Sensei announces that she's in hearing distance.

"It was great!" I announce happily. "But, I really don't want to get Hinata-san in trouble for staying out too late. Could I maybe tell you about it later, Yoshino-sensei?"

"That is very thoughtful of you, Aya-chan. Yes, that would be appropriate. Naruto, Chouji. I assume you two are willing to walk with the girls?" She asks sweetly. All I can do is grin wider at the boys. They nod, not seeing any problem at all. Good. Hinata-san would notice if Uzumaki-san hesitates.

It takes some doing, but I manage to 'arrange' our group so that Uzumaki-san and Hinata-san have to walk together. I mean, that I link arms with Ino and Hinata-san, and just 'happen' to walk close to Uzumaki-san, purely coincidence.

After we drop off Hinata-san though, the fun kind of dies down. I'm at least grateful that Haruno-san decides to walk the…

"Sorry, Sakura. If auntie finds out I let you walk home alone…" Chouji-san shivers. Ino and I don't disagree with him either, Sensei is scary when she wants to be. Oh well, I guess that means I have to 'play nice' a little longer.

"So, Chouji-san. You never did tell me how you like my new look?" Okay… this is entirely your fault, Ino! Watching you flirt with that guy is SOOOOOOOOOO not… well, it's helping me by knowing what to say… but it's not helping, because I'M SAYING IT!

"Ino… why does that sound like something you'd say?" Haruno-san is very much being ignored.

"It suits you. A brighter red would really brighten you up, but this… makes you look pretty and professional." Okay, wow. The butterflies are driving me nuts. And I'm starting to get a little lightheaded. "And your kodachis complete the look. I wouldn't mind having you watch my back in a fight."

Okay… my heels ARE turning pink this time. I don't think anyone's ever complimented me so… completely before. My outfit, the colour choice, the weapon choice… I'm not just a pretty face to him… I think I like that most of all.

"That's really sweet of you to say, Chouji-kun." Haruno-san butts in. I glare at her, warning her to back off.

…

And then my brain catches up…

Oh, Kami-sama… I nearly chewed on her he… chewed her head off for saying something nice to Chouji-san…

Aya, you are soooo not becoming that kind of…!

…

… … …

…

Aya… breathe. I know that's Chouji-k… Chouji-san's hand on your lower back. Even through my jacket, I can feel the slight pressure of him gently touching me there. I know this is… a bit much for you right now… but, Aya… You really will pass out if you don't breathe!

8-8

End Chapter 10

8-8

A/N: I know Hinata is somewhat OoC with the whole music thing, but... I really want to give her something she's passionate about, something that will allow her and Aya to grow close on their own, without Aya's plainly obvious agenda. As well, I know giving Aya 'yet another' Mary-Sue trait is going to give everyone that itch. I know, I just don't care. If by chapter 10 Aya isn't firmly established as not being 'Mary-Sue', I really don't know what else to tell you. And this is ignoring slowly building up towards musical talent, seeing as she can't even play a simple melody yet. And that I've been 'plot bunnying' this since chapter... 4? But, go ahead... *acts faint* tell me how I'm 'Mary-Sue'ing' my way through this.

Sorry, had to get that out of my system. Seriously though! I'm loving this story!