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 14 – Sing for me

8-8

There's a thin line between hope and despair. Most people never notice just how thin that line is; not until it's too late. Yoshino-sensei let me help her pack for her mission – watch her and learn, in other words. Just like… mama…

I've been fighting not to cry all morning. I don't want Sensei to have this weighing on her during a mission. She's been filling the silence with little knick-knacks of information. The amount of kunai she's packing. Where she stores them – some in her leg pouch, most in a scroll kept in her hip pouch. She tells me a funny story about she got her tanto, how she got in a fight with some Cloud shinobi, killed him and his teammates, and took their weapons – she killed them in a funny way, it counts. The tanto was the only thing she liked, so she sold the rest.

It turns out, the hip pouch and the leg pouch she gave me came from that same battle. Who knew?

She also tells me a story about how she accidentally stabbed her husband, back when they were still dating. It turns out, he has a wicked sense of humour. One she didn't like too much. So he pretended to be a Sand shinobi and tried to kidnap her. She didn't take the joke too well. He spent a week in ICU, but he'd proposed before he got out.

"He told me, 'Any woman that will fight that hard to come home to me, is a woman worth marrying'. The idiot." She snorts, amused. I find myself laughing a little too. "But, the look in his eyes… he was truly afraid something might happen to me. He feared for me, much in the same way my father feared for me. I… I fell in love with him, then and there."

Awww! We're both blushing, but she also has a faraway look in her eyes. I… wonder if I'll ever feel as deeply for Chouji? If he'll ever feel as deeply for me?

"Don't worry, Yoshino-sensei. I'll take care of them while you're away." I say with a smile. She smiles a little too.

"I know you will. And please make sure to keep in touch with Remi-chan and Mariko-chan as well. They sometimes could use a hand, and I really want you to continue learning to cook while I'm gone. You're getting better, but you're not a five-star chef yet." She winks at me playfully.

I blush a little, but I'm smiling anyway. She seals the last of her shuriken, straps her tanto to her side, zips up her flak jacket, and takes one last look around. I think she's going over a mental list to see if she has everything, but she could just have a ritual of sorts before leaving.

"Well, that's everything. Come on, young lady. I need to make sure Kakashi is here on time, and I'd rather be the one to chew him out if he isn't." We share a smile, but I don't let her lead me out just yet. Instead, I wrap my arms around her middle, laying my head against her. I really wish I'd hugged her before she zipped up her flak jacket; now I can't hear her heartbeat. "I'll be back before you know it, Aya-chan. I promise."

8-8

I rush into the kitchen, wanting to help Naruto-nii with whatever I can. He's really calm though. I ask him how I can help, and he asks me to set the table. I smile. Going over the numbers in my head… I should set the table for seven, but I should also prepare a few extra just in case. That way they'll still match; something Yoshino-sensei is dead set on.

So I take seven plates from a set of twelve, placing them on the table. Sensei will want to sit by her husband without fail, so I decide I'd better keep an eye on who's sitting where, just in case. I run back into the kitchen, grabbing seven pairs of chopsticks, and the little… thingies you set chopsticks in to make it look more presentable. I also grab some paper napkins, and some nicer cloth napkins. The paper ones are for 'oops moments', the cloth napkins are for the elegance of the scene. Yoshino-sensei, what have you done with me?

Anyway, not the time. I head back to the table, setting the chopsticks to the right of each plate, in one of those… thingies for chopsticks. Those fancy paper thingies you can place them in, like you'd get at restaurants? Those. I place the cloth nap under the chopsticks – not very efficient. I probably should have just placed the napkins first, and the chopsticks after. Not that it matters now, it's already done.

Tea! I head back into the kitchen. I fill the kettle and set it on the stove. Naruto-nii lights the burner for me – I'm not in the mood for another burn. I then go back into the living room, take the tin containing the tea leaves, select seven matching teacups – also from a set of twelve, just in case. The cups are set on the table, the (matching) teapot is filled with the tea leaves. I set the tin back where it belongs, then bring the teapot into the kitchen.

Once the water is properly boiling, I fill the teapot, and let Naruto-nii turn off the burner. I really don't trust fire… at all.

Then I head back out and set the teapot on the table. It should need roughly five minutes to steep properly. That means I need to start getting people to the table. If the tea steeps too long, it won't taste as good.

As if on cue, Naruto-nii… umm, many Narutos come out of the kitchen bearing breakfast. The smell calls everyone for me. There's a knock at the door, so I start heading that way. Yoshino-sensei meets me at the door. We share a smile, but she insists that she be the one to see who's there. I nod, taking a little step back – it is her home after all.

"Good morning, sorry for taking so long." Yoshino-sensei announces, sliding the door open. "Ah, hello Sasuke-kun. You're right on time. We were just sitting to the table for breakfast. –Kakashi-kun– Won't you both come in?" I like how she says Ecchi-san's name a coldly. It shows he's still on thin ice with her, where he should be.

I turn on my heel, heading back to the table. This way, they'll only see my back.

8-8

"Naruto-kun, breakfast was delicious!" Yoshino-sensei praises. I blush, feeling proud for him. I noise, to show I fully agree with Sensei. Naturo-nii blushes, rubbing the back of his head, obviously pleased but still a bit embarrassed she's making such a big deal of it. "And Aya-chan, the tea was absolutely perfect. I don't even remember the last time the table looked so beautiful. The two of you are really coming along with this. I'm proud of you." I guess it's my turn to blush then. Still, I meet Sensei's gaze and we share a smile.

I'm really happy I managed to seat her between Nara-sama and Nara-san. Even if that means I have to sit between Naruto-nii and Uchiha-san; Sensei's worth it.

There's a knock at the door.

"That's probably Shibuki-san. Aya-chan, could you get that please?" Sensei's eyes are on her husband as she speaks. She probably wants a moment with him, even if it isn't a private one. I get up immediately and head for the door.

"Sorry for taking so long!" I say, before sliding the door open. A tall, green-haired man with piercing orange eyes greets me. He says something about it being no trouble at all, and he asks if 'Nara Yoshino-san' is ready. "Of course. Who might I say is inquiring?"

"Honda Shibuki." He answers politely.

"Ah, Honda-san. Yoshino-sensei thought it might be you. We're just finishing up with breakfast. Won't you please come in?" I motion him into Sensei's home, making sure to step out of the way to offer him more room.

"Thank you. Who might you be? You could almost pass for Yoshino-san's daughter." He asks as he enters.

I blush, pleased. Still, Sensei would want protocol to be followed to the 'T', so I slide the door shut and turn to him, already bowing. "Forgive my poor manners. I'm Namiki Aya." I say politely.

"Satsuma-san's little girl? My, you've grown up well." He seems pleasantly surprised. I'm mostly just annoyed. I don't like talking about this.

"Thank you." I say, looking away from him.

"I'm sorry. This is probably still a touchy subject. Forgive me." He bows, obviously feeling sorry he brought it up.

"It's fine." I wave it off, walking back towards Sensei. It really isn't fine, and I think he can tell. I don't like thinking about mama or papa. Not when around people.

8-8

A tear-free, but still really emotional goodbye later, Yoshino-sensei leaves with Honda-san. I help Naruto-nii clear the table, and we wash the dishes together. I kind of like his work ethic. I wash, he rinses, his clone dries and another clone puts it away. I find myself smiling at his genius level stupidity.

Once everything is as Sensei would want it to be, we head back into the living room. I often wonder why Sensei and Nara-sama would want such a small house, but I've long decided it's none of my business.

"Nara-san? You're free today as well, right?" I ask, trying to figure out what mood he's in. He's really good at hiding what he feels, but I've spent enough time with him by now.

"N-nn." Nara-san doesn't sound like he's in the mood for anything.

"I was thinking it would be the perfect day to be lazy in your back yard." I offer. He won't want to admit it, but I can tell he's a bit down knowing him mother just left for a mission. "Maybe Uzumaki-san can ask Chouji-san if he'd be willing to join us?"

"Sounds good to me. I'll drag him to the convenience store as well for some junk food. You want some ice cream, right Aya-chan?" Naruto-nii offers. I smile brightly at him. Yeah, I could really use some chocolate right now.

"Thank you, N… Uzumaki-san." I wince at the slip up. Nara-san isn't someone who'd miss something like that. Still, he is someone I feel I can trust to keep that to himself. Talking about it would be 'far too troublesome' for him. Still, I dig into my pocket for my money pouch. Hmm, the biggest one is about five-hundred Ryo. So I fish out a thousand Ryou note and hand it to Naruto-nii. "Please don't forget the spoon."

The second Naruto-nii is gone, Nara-san and I start walking towards the back yard. It's still early, and really chilly outside. I'm wearing my jacket, so I should be fine. I make sure it's zipped up all the way, just in case.

"You can call me Shikamaru, you know." Nara-san offers, just as he's sitting down on the hillside.

"N-nn."

"Troublesome." He grumbles, but I can tell his curiosity is will win over his laziness in the end. I'm a puzzle to him, and he'll have Sensei's urge to solve puzzles. "Thanks…" I turn to him, wondering what this is about. He's blushing and looking away though.

"Nn." It may have been forever ago, but I remember how it was to see your mother off for a mission. It… tears you up inside. Never quite knowing if this will be the last time you see her. Never quite knowing if she knows how much you need her to come back. "I promised Yoshino-sensei I'd take care of her two idiots." I tease, smiling a bit. When he snorts, I giggle a little.

"Mom would feel a lot better knowing you'll be here to keep me out of trouble." He says. And even though his voice is light, emotion free, I still feel him worry.

"And making sure you don't only eat junk food. She made me promise Nara-sama wouldn't be allowed too much sake after dinner too." He snorts, probably thinking how that sounds just like Sensei. "I'm supposed to tell her immediately if he tries bribing me." He chuckles this time.

I can tell he still feels crumby… but he's at least smiling a little.

8-8

We hang out for most of the morning in Sensei's back yard. After I've guzzled all of my chocolate ice cream, and threw away the tub and spoon –in the garbage in the kitchen, Sensei wouldn't be pleased if she ever found out I was littering in her back yard– Nara-san and I cloud watch. It's still REALLY chilly, even though it's going on ten in the morning, but we're laying in the sunlight so it's not as bad as it could be.

Chouji-kun, Ino, Naruto-nii, Nara-san… and that other idiot who thinks he belongs here. Well, idiots, seeing as Ecchi-san and Uchiha-san are both here.

"Hey, Ino, Aya, how are those classes going?" Chouji-san asks. He probably means the medic course we're following.

"Pretty good. Hinata-chan is the top of our class right now. Her chakra control is amazing!" Ino says. I smile, feeling proud for Hinata-san. This is really giving her the boost she's been needing. "Sakura's doing pretty good herself. She's the only one of our class that really can dedicate all her time to this, so she's doing pretty well herself. But Aya-chan is the real shock for me. She's amazing! I mean, other than Hinata-chan, I think Aya's going to end up being the best medic of our class."

I blush at the praise. Ino's really trying to make Hinata-san and I look good. And seeing Naruto-nii and Chouji-san happy about that, I can guess why. I feel really good, knowing that I'm doing something that makes Chouji-san proud.

"By the way, Aya-chan. Do you think you could help me? I mean, I've got so much going on and some of the coursework is really hard!" Ino begs.

"Alright. On our free days in the evening?" I offer.

"Sounds good! Can we do it in your apartment? I can bring snacks?" Ino asks. I don't know why Naruto-nii is giggling pervertedly, but I decide he shouldn't.

SLAP!

Backhanded slaps are still slaps. And I still got him right in the forehead. I glare at him, daring him to complain. "That's fine, Ino. Should we invite Hinata-san and Haruno-san as well?"

"What about the others? I mean, they seem nice enough?" Ino wonders.

"I… prefer not to have boys over."

"Wha~aaaaa…!? I'm in your apartment all the time!" Naruto-nii points out. I wave him off. Brothers aren't 'boys', not really. I mean, he can be as stupid as a boy from time to time, but I know I can trust him.

"Would you mind if I come? I mean, auntie wouldn't like it if Ino had to walk back home alone at all, let alone in the dark." Chouji-san points out.

I blush. "That's okay."

"Huh? Chouji's a boy too!" Naruto-nii, shut it! Stop making me make this obvious!

"Chouji-kun is Chouji-kun. Boys are boys." I point out, blushing deep and not looking at anyone. I just called him '-kun'… twice.

"Oh, so because you can trust us to be gentlemen around you, we're not 'boys'?" Naruto-nii really doesn't get it. At all. Still, close enough.

"N-nn."

8-8

KNOCK KNOCK!

"Aya-chan! We're not too early, are we!?" Ino should know she doesn't have to shout. I mean, she could whisper and I'd probably hear her.

"Can you get that?" I ask Naruto-nii. I'm tempted to call him 'Nii-san', but he'd already asked me not to when others are around, so I don't.

Naruto-nii opens the door, welcoming Ino, Hinata-san, Haruno-san, Nara-san and Chouji-kun. He asks them to come in, and to make themselves comfortable. All the things Sensei would expect him to say.

"Ooh, it smells really good in here!" Ino praises. I blush, but don't answer her. It's a stir-fry chicken recipe Yoshino-sensei taught me. I still need Naruto-nii to light the burner for me though – bad memories.

"Food should be done in ten minutes, please make yourselves comfortable until then. And Ino…"

"Nn?" She wonders what I want, already walking to my bookshelf. I haven't even turned around to check, but I know it's her.

"Don't." She laughs, obviously uncomfortable that she got caught so easily. Her footsteps retreat to my low table. I look over my shoulder, finding Haruno-san and Naruto-nii on the couch. Hmm. Haruno-san doesn't like the idea of sitting next to Naruto-nii, so she moves to the low table instead. Leaving the couch open for Chouji-kun. I frown a little. I don't like how she is with my Naruto-nii. At all.

I hear a bag of chips rustling. "Chouji-kun… please don't snack just before dinner. I have enough for you and Nara-san as well." CRAP! I just called him… you know what, it's pointless. Everyone's heard it at least once now. I find myself thinking of him as '-kun' anyway; might as well just accept it. "What is Nara-sama doing for dinner, by the way?" I ask. I feel really bad I'm not cooking for him as well. I promised Sensei I'd look after him after all!

"He already had plans to go out with Ino and Chouji's dads. They'll probably be out all night." Nara-san sounds amused. Ah. When the cat's away, I guess. Still, I'm glad I'm cooking way too much. I'll see if I can send a bento for him.

I find myself humming. I don't know what it is, but cooking for people, having people over… it's… nice.

"Uzumaki-san, could you set the table for me?" I ask. I'm REALLY glad Sensei pushed for me to buy more plates than I'd ever thought I'd need. I mean, who'd have ever though I'd have seven people over for dinner?

I see Naruto-nii open the upper left cupboard, grab the plates and goes about his business. I smile at him, in thanks. Then I go back to tasting the sauce Sensei said goes really well with this dish – a creamy sweet and sour sauce. Not everyone would prefer it, but it's nice to have as an option.

Ah! Tea! I open the lower right cupboard, grab the kettle and fill it with water. "Hey, Chouji, you mind lighting the burner for Aya-chan?"

"Sure." Chouji-kun gets up, and comes over to help me. I smile, blushing a little – mostly I'm trying not to frown though. What does he think of me? Too scared to light a burner…

He fiddles with one of my matches –it's a piece of crap stove– before light one and setting it to the stove and turning on the gas. It huffs, lighting up without much fuss. Yeah… I hate fire. I hate the cold, but I sooooooooooooooo hate fire.

"Th-thanks." I don't dare looking at him. I don't want him to see how much light a stove… burner thingy… freaks me out.

"It's nothing! I mean, seeing as I'm getting a warm meal it's the least I can do!" He rubs the back of his head, I guess. I'm kind of busy trying not to look at him. He moves back to the couch. I probably made him feel uncomfortable or something.

Setting the kettle on the burner, and adjusting the burner so it doesn't boil too quickly, I go back to tending to my sauce and our dinner. This is pretty much the last of what I needed to cook. I have the rest on the counter – Sensei told me that some of it is meant to be served cold, so I'm keeping them for snacks while we study.

It isn't a minute later I find myself humming again. The water comes to a boil just as the stir-fry is ready to serve. I turn off all three burners, pour the hot water into the teapot I already had set aside with tea leaves, and ask everyone to sit at the table.

Even as I'm bringing the food to the table, I find myself still humming that song. It's kind of stuck in my head. "Aya-chan seems really happy for some reason." Haruno-san says, but I ignore her. I place the wok with the stir-fry in the centre of the table –on a coaster, of course– going back for the teapot and the pot with the sauce. Since I have a square low table, instead of a long one like Sensei, it's not too weird for everyone to just sit around it. And it makes it so much easier for me to pour everyone's tea.

I do make sure to thank Naruto-nii for setting the table properly though – napkins, chopsticks, plates and teacups, all exactly how Sensei would want them. Once everyone's plate has enough food for them, we chorus 'Itatakimasu!' and everyone happily digs in.

"Hey, Aya-chan, what's that song you keep humming? It's really catchy!" Naruto-nii asks, his mouth still a bit full. I glare at him, warning him not to do that again. He blushes, rubbing the back of his head; he probably just forgot.

"Daisuki da yo, by Otsuka Ai." I say. It's a really catchy tune, and I love how she just pours her love for her husband into her words, into her singing. I'm not usually one for piano pieces, but… that song just keeps getting stuck in my head.

"I love that song!" Haruno-san announces. I shrug. I didn't ask for her opinion. "It kind of makes me wonder what it'd be like… my husband would treat me after being married for a few years." Still not asking for your opinion, Haruno-san.

"Well, if a man really loves his wife, then he should treat her with the same love and respect. No matter how much time passes." Naruto-nii says. I smile. Not just because I agree with him, but because I know he's saying that for Hinata-san. Judging from her blush, I'd say she knows it too.

"No one as-" Haruno-san wisely shuts up when I glare at her.

"Haruno-san. Do not pick a fight with Uzumaki-san during dinner. That is most… inappropriate." I point out, still glaring at her. She apologizes –to me, not him– and focuses on her food.

8-8

Naruto-nii clears the table after we're done eating. "Le-" I try to offer to help him, but he's already waving it off.

"Aya-chan, it's fine. You cooked, I'll wash up. Besides, you guys need to get to studying, right?" He says, smiling. "It was really good by the way!"

"Nn! I didn't know you could cook like that, Aya-chan!" Chouji-kun agrees. The butterflies are going nuts now. I'm actually really glad I didn't realise I was cooking for Chouji-kun while I was cooking, or I'd get nervous and mess it all up.

"N-nn. I-it w-was l-lovely." Hinata-san manages, smiling at me. I beam at all the praise, but I feel kind of bad that Sensei isn't getting the credit she deserves. I mean, she's the one that's been teaching me!

"Yoshino-sensei's been teaching me. I'm glad I didn't mess up too badly." I say, already moving towards my bookshelf for the medical books I need for our study group.

"What are you talking about? That was delicious, Aya-chan! Auntie would be so proud." Ino announces. She's really loud tonight for some reason.

"Hey, guys. Maybe we should head over to my apartment, so the girls can study in peace?" Naruto-nii announces.

"It's fine, N… Uzumaki-san. But if you want to bring over your Shogi board, I'm sure Nara-san would enjoy playing a game or two?" I suggest. Seeing as Nara-san looks less grumpy than he usually would be, I'm guessing he thinks it's a good idea. I'm not sure why he tagged along, but I guess being alone at home isn't such a bright idea right now. "And Chouji-kun, I won't complain if you want those chips now."

We settle in quickly after that. Naruto-nii and Nara-san start their Shogi match. Chouji-kun happily munches on his chips, and the four of us get down into all things biology, physiology and pathology.

"Hmm, what about the long term effects of burn marks? I mean, from what I've seen from Aya's burn, there's always a chance it doesn't heal properly or can worsen over time." Ino wonders. Why I always end up being a topic isn't something I'm mean to understand. One burn mark. ONE! And I get talked about more than Uchiha-san used to.

"I-I th-think that has m-more to do with her n-never having someone l-look at it." Hinata-san stutters. I sigh.

"Hmm, that kind of does sound like her. She probably thought she could handle it and never went to a medic to have it looked at." Ha, ha! Thanks, Ino. "What? It's true!" I glare at her dully.

"D-does it still t-trouble y-you?" Hinata-san asks.

I shake my head, no. "Not since two doctor wannabees have been stalking me over it." I tease. "I can almost do my stretches without help now. And I don't feel any pain or stiffness while playing my flute."

"You know, I've been hearing about this flute of yours for a while now. When can I hear you play it?" Haruno-san asks.

"Long term effects: nerve damage, muscle damage, loss or impairment of fine or gross motor function. Short term effects: dehydration, inflammation, pain, blistering, possibility of amputation depending on how bad the burn is and how deep the burn goes." I change the subject. This is medical studies, not 'social interactions'.

"Aya-chan, that isn't very nice." Ino tries.

"Ino, we need to study for the test coming up in two weeks. If Haruno-san wants to hear me play, she'll have to wait until after our study group is over. Not halfway through it." I point out.

"Aw, come on! I haven't heard you play in over a week! I really want to know if you've gotten better now that your hand isn't acting up!" The blonde presses. I glare at her dully. It isn't a 'Haruno issue', it's a timing issue.

"N-nn, I w-would l-like to hear you p-play as well." Hinata-san joins the 'distraction club'.

I huff, annoyed that they're ganging up on me. "Fine. One song." I give in. Hmm, I've only really been practicing those songs from the scroll Hinata-san gave me, but there was one that I really liked. It's supposed to be played with a koto though, and I doubt anyone here can play the koto, let alone actually having one with them! Still, whatever.

I take out my shinobue from my sleeve, going over the notes, the timing, the rhythm of the song in my head. I hmm, thinking about the gentjutsu I've been working on as well. It just needs me to make a sound and have that sound reach their ears. Pauses in that sound break the genjutsu, which would be fine for now. After all, they're pretty much begging me to show off a little, right?

Fine. Let's do this then. I still wonder who this 'princess Sakuya' is, and why she needs a theme, but whatever. I start playing only the part for the shinobue, hating that the piece is incomplete, but not really able to do anything about it.

After the first few bars, I focus the genjutsu, filling my flute with chakra and letting the images in my head flow into their minds. I picture a field, cherry blossom petals raining down. I pause to breathe. The next note that is sung, brings the picture of a lake, two lovers sitting side by side.

I pause to breathe again. Then comes the two lovers dancing on a pier. She's scooped up into his arms, twirled around him, and gently set on her feet again.

I pause to breathe. Night's fallen, the moon is full, the stars twinkle above them. They sit on the pier, their feet dangling in the water. They're holding hands, her head lain on his shoulder. The summer air is still cool, even at this hour.

I pause to breathe. They're walking back, though still on the pier. They're still barefoot, holding their slippers in their hands. She looks at him, seeing the love in his eyes. He looks at her, seeing the stars reflecting in hers. They kiss.

I pause to breathe. She's in her room, daydreaming about her lover. She's humming the same song I'm playing, staring longingly at the same moon that shone down on them. The stars twinkle just as majestically.

The song comes to an end, so I let the last genjutsu sequence fade with the last note.

"Now can we get back to-"

"Aya-chan! That was awesome! You played it with a genjutsu too!" Naruto-nii praises. I put away my flute, knowing having it out will just tempt them to ask for another song.

"You're such a romantic. I could see those two falling in love. How'd you come up with that?" Ino asks.

"Ronin? It wasn't in the movie, but it was in the book. That's from Tagarashi thinking back on how he fell in love with his wife."

"Could you do that while singing too!? I mean, that would be totally awesome if you could!" Naruto-nii, please stop. Playing my flute for everyone isn't enough?

"Now that you mention it, Aya did say she likes to sing, didn't she?" Ino… really? You too? Aren't we supposed to be studying?

"Please, Aya-chan? If you can play the shinobue so well, I would love to hear you sing." Hinata-san begs. Everyone stares at her, noticing that she isn't stuttering. I groan. I rub the bridge of my nose. I huff. And I wonder why I'm such a conversational piece this days. I liked it better when no one dared to talk to me.

"You could sing 'Daisuki da yo'?" Haruno-san suggests. No. Just no! I would end up believing I'm singing for Chouji-kun. And everyone would think so too! NO! Out of the question.

Hmm, I'm really used to singing that song though… I'm still not really sure where I know it from, but it just feels like it's part of me. I take a sip of my cooled tea – to wet my throat. Deciding to just get this over with, I sing.

My days end as I'm trying to find where to vent my irritation
The sky is grey, I can't see anything beyond
People who act like they have common sense are laughing; what kind of lie will they tell next?
How can they treasure what they obtain with those lies?
But we've got to move ahead, toward tomorrow
So I'm going to sing like this

You may be crying, you may be lonely
But that's perfect-that's what human is
The tears you shed say
Thank you for giving life to us-beautiful, honest, and real

Having dreams you want to fulfil and dreams you can't reach
Is dream and hope in itself. That's enough for us humans to live on
There's a door, it's waiting there
So I will reach out my hand

For you who have stumbled, I give you this song and the courage to fight once more
The tears you shed say
Thank you for the miracle of allowing us to meet in this sullied, ugly world

As the last word leaves my lips, I hope beyond hope that I'm not crying this time. I always sing this song when I get depressed, and I always end up crying because of it.

All I feel is smile though. I really love singing this song.

8-8

End Chapter 14

8-8

A/N: The songs mentioned in this fic are all 100% real, and none of them I have any rights to. You can watch them on youtube to really crawl between Aya's ears if you like. This last one she doesn't know the name of is 'My Song', sung by Iwasawa from Angel Beats! This may be some allusion to Iwasawa being 'inserted' into this fic, but seeing as Angel Beats cannon facts would dictate you remember nothing from your time in 'that world' or the world you died in before going there, we'll just never know. Seriously though, I love listening to that song when I'm down. With or without the English subs. The beat, the easy rhythm just soothes me.

A side note. Seeing as (technically) Aya would be singing this in Japanese, the last word that would come out of her mouth is 'arigatou', meaning thank you. This is her way of thanking her friends, her precious people, for being there for her in this ugly world, even if they annoy her sometimes.

And a side-side note. She's mostly singing for Naruto, Chouji and Ino. If that information does anything for you ^_^