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 37 – Ties than bind

8-8

"You're sure you don't mind?" I ask Sensei for the fifth time in as many minutes.

"Aya. You're going. I'm staying. Enjoy yourself." She drones, narrowing her eyes at me. "Haruki-kun here knows what Maki's like and he can tell me anything she won't. I've dealt with situations like this with Shikaku. And I certainly believe that Yasu will be able to help me with anything should the need arise. Stop looking for excuses."

I blush, hating that people read me so well these days.

"Aya-chan! Give it up, we're going to totally have a blast tonight!" Ao-chan announces, dancing excitedly. I don't know why, but he's wearing a girl's kimono and makeup. I don't care why. He looks cute.

"Should we refer to you as a girl tonight?" I ask him. "I mean, it is a girls' night out."

"I don't care either way. We're gonna have fun!" He says, cheering himself –and us– on. From what I hear, he overheard Asami and Minori talking about tonight and invited himself. I don't mind too much either way. He is kind of a lot of fun to be around, after all.

"It's almost six." Maki-san says, smiling brightly. Our eyes meet for a moment, her smile grows more teasing. "Make sure you girls have the time of your life tonight."

"You can count on it, sensei!" Minori and Ao-chan announce happily.

8-8

We go to some new restaurant Asami says opened last week. We're immediately shown in and seated in the middle of the room. Our menus are handed to us and I take my time to… study where we are. I see two genin cells nearby. One with a panda looking girl, a green spandex wearing jounin and what looks like his mini-clone and the stick-up-his-backside Hyuuga that I refused to let onto my property some time back – he still looks as annoyed with the world, but too 'cool and detached' to let the world know.

The other genin cell I've never seen before. All guys. The jounin looks bored and slightly annoyed. The three genins keep looking our way. "Why is it that a group of girls always attracts guys' attention?" I ask, annoyed.

"Maybe because they're desperate." Minori announces loud enough to get three winces from the genins that have been eyeing us.

Anyway. The restaurant itself is quite nice. Not fancy, so we don't feel underdressed, but nice. The dark colours of the walls, floor and ceiling mixed with the colourful flowers growing everywhere, tough I can't tell if they're real or fake at this distance… it's really pretty here, if a bit crowded.

Looking over the menu, I see a few dozen things I wouldn't mind trying. The shrimp stir-fry, the beef stew, the 'home-cooked for my honey' (I really wonder about that name, but it advertises as a basic home cooked meal with rice, greens and meat all randomly selected by the chef). It all sounds delicious.

"What are you thinking about trying Hina-nee?" I ask, wondering about what I feel like ordering.

"Hmm… I'm thinking about the shrimp stir-fry." She says. "But the chicken specialty sounds yummy too."

"I dunno. I'm more leaning towards the pork dish. It sounds divine!" Ao-chan adds his two cents.

"Yeah, but the rabbit sounds good too! I've never tried rabbit in a ginger sauce." Minori jumps in. I smile, going over the menu again. Yeah, rabbit in ginger sauce sound yummy – if a bit spicy. No, I think the shrimp stir-fry is the better option. But I really like rabbit too.

"I have an idea, why don't we all order something different, so we can each try different dishes? I mean, this way we'll know what we like and don't like." Asami offers.

"I'm game!" Ao-chan is really bubbly tonight. We should drag him along for more girls' night outs. We negotiate a bit, trying to agree who'll order what, but eventually we all agree on something. I don't care, so long as I get something yummy. The waiter comes, placing and pouring our tea and taking our orders. He seems to be eyeing Haku and Ao-chan a bit too closely, so I ask him if something's wrong. He stutters and assures me nothing's wrong at all, before rushing back to the kitchen.

"Ouch, Aya-chan. Just ouch." Minori teases, smiling.

"What? If he likes them he should ask them out, not stand there gawking like a fish out of water." I say, teasing a blushing out of the two Yukis. "What? Like the two of you don't think he's cute."

They don't deny it, but Haku does wonder out loud of the beef she'd ordered would be how she likes it. I roll my eyes at the lame deflect.

"Excuse me?" I turn finding one of the genins that was gawking not ten minutes earlier. I thank all that is holy he isn't talking to me. "I just wanted to let you know that I think you're pretty and that I hope you ladies have a wonderful time tonight." Asami glares at him, unimpressed – she's the one he's talking to.

"That's nice. Goodbye." She waves him off. He leaves, downtrodden. And his 'buddies' are making jokes about him getting shot down. I roll my eyes. If that only thing you have to say is 'you're pretty', you might as well not bother. Yes, it takes guts to come up to a group of girls, but COME ON! Why not just ask her name, or just say hello and introduce yourself! START A CONVERSATION! Don't just be like 'hey, I know I'm hot, worship me'.

"Hello. I am Rock Lee. Konoha's Wild Green Beast. It is an honour to meet you." Another one announces. I turn, finding this one is talking to me. Ah, the green spandex mini-clone. And he's bowing at the hip, politely as well. "Might I ask what your name is?"

"Namiki Aya." I say, nodding to him – it's hard to bow while seated like this.

"Aya-kun." I wonder at the honorific. He doesn't want to be distant and call me 'san', but he doesn't want to assume too much and call me 'chan'... Interesting. "I see you are a shinobi of Konoha, just as I am. I was wondering if you would consider sparring with me some time." He offers, smiling so brightly that light glints off his too-white-to-be-natural teeth. He also gives me a thumbs-up while he's at it.

That brings me up short. I blink a few times, trying to figure out what to say. He's being nice, courteous, treating me with respect, showing the he respects my skill as a kunoichi by asking me to spar with him, and he's not being a pervert or outright flirting with me. I blink.

I don't really have a reason to say no. And I honestly wouldn't mind a spar to test my skills. "Alright. It will have to be early afternoon. Where?"

"My team trains in Training Ground fourteen. Perhaps tomorrow at two PM?" He offers, just as polite as he's been the whole time.

"We'll be there."

8-8

Dinner turns out to be enjoyable. We exchange bites of every dish, chatting and giggling the whole time. Another five guys work up the courage to approach us, but they all try to talk down to us or only seem to notice that we're 'cute', so either Asami or Minori runs them off – no matter who they're talking to.

Seriously. You don't walk up to a kunoichi and say, 'Hey cutie, where've you been my whole life'. You're asking for something vital to be broken along with your ego.

The waiting hall in the movie theatre is just as bad. Any guy younger than eighteen that sets his sights on us is bound to come over. And of course, of the dozens of them, only one or two doesn't talk down to us.

"Good evening ladies. May I ask which film you're here to see?" The latest victim announces himself.

"Oh look. Someone that's nice. That's refreshing." Ao-chan teases, not even noticing that this one is closest to him.

"I'm sorry about them." The tall, muscled chuunin says, sorrow in his eyes. "Though I can understand why you ladies would attract so much attention, it must get annoying after a while." He understands if nothing else.

"Sorry, stud. But this really is a girls' night out. I'm gonna have to shoot you down on principle." Ao-chan says teasingly.

"A girls' night out?" He looks confused. "I'm sorry, I thought… forgive me."

"Ao!" Minori elbows her teammate, obviously telling him to go for it.

"You thought what?" Ao-chan asks, eyeing him much closer.

"You're probably going to hate me for this, but I thought you were a… a guy." He says, embarrassed.

"And… you're interested in me?" Ao asks carefully.

"Well, I'm not sure yet. You're cute, you obviously have understanding friends. And you're also a shinobi, so you'd understand me easier than a civilian would." He explains. I eye this one a little closer. He's wearing his uniform, showing he's prepared to accept a mission at the drop of a hat. He seems to be about sixteen, on the tall side, has three scars on his face and his nose has been broken so often that it's grown wrong. He's not what I would call cute, but he is what I would consider capable. He's really buff too, even with a slight gut. And his beard is trimmed just enough to show he takes care of himself.

"Oh." Ao deflates a little.

"Yeah, that's what caught my eye. But I'm not into girls, so…"

"Take me out sometime?" Ao-chan asks, looking away from the boy and blushing deeply.

"Hmm?" He thinks about that, suddenly sure of himself once again. "I dunno. I'd have to get approval from your girlfriends here." He says coyly.

"Not tonight, obviously." Minori is the first to speak up. "But if you promise to treat him right, I won't complain."

"I second that. In fact, you should come by the house sometime." I offer. Ao-chan is without a doubt part of the pack, so anyone that tries to date him needs to be approved by the pack. "But I'd have to know who you are?"

"Hmm? Oh, where are my manners? I'm Kamizuki Hiro." He says, smiling. "You're Namiki-chan. The one that promised a pretty violent death to any that would harm the Uzumaki kid."

"Naru-nii, yes." I agree, smiling.

"Izumo was impressed when he heard. You moved back into your parents' house I hear… Hmm… would it be alright if I come by sometime? I'm supposed to head out on a mission tomorrow though. Might take a few weeks."

"I thought I just told you to pass by." I drone, wondering if he's a few cards short of a deck. "Anyway, girls, let's go. We don't want to give him the chance to ruin his good first impression."

"Yuki Aomaru, by the way." Ao-chan says, blushing as I link arms with him and drag him along.

"Ladies, what's the rush? I just got here." Another unwanted idiot walks up to us, obviously trying his luck.

"That's why we're leaving." Minori shuts him down. The rest of us giggle at how depressed he looks.

8-8

"Guys suck." I complain the second the movie lets out. The main character had her heart broken over and over by the one man she truly loved, eventually settling for a farmer than at least treats her right.

"I take offence to that." Ao-chan says, all hurt innocence. I glare dully at him, but don't comment.

"Aw, come on, Aya-chan. Guys aren't all bad." Just as the words leave Ino's mouth, another guy walks up to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder like he's known her all his life, whispering something into her ear that makes her snarl angrily. I break his arm on principle alone. In three places. We leave him there, screaming in pain – quite a girly scream, might I add.

"Something to add, Ino?" I ask, glad the girly screams are fading into the distance.

"Yeah. A lot of guys give guys as a whole a bad name. But not all guys are like that." She tries. And just to prove me right, another guy struts up to us, his chest puffed up, his shoulders squared. He's trying to look tougher than he is. And he's a civilian.

"I broke the last guy's arm. What should I do to you?" I intone, enjoying the smell of his fear. He walks away, acting like he intended to walk off in that direction the whole time.

Asami leads us deeper into the heart of the Shinobi District, eventually ushering us into a bar-like place. This won't end well.

At the entrance is an Anbu I know well enough, Cat. He turns to us, walking up to us with purpose in his stride. "Namiki Aya." He calls, walking up to me.

"Yes?"

"Hokage-sama asks that you stop assaulting civilians." He tells me. I can tell he's more amused than anything right now.

"Anyone that cannot respect that I and my pack do not wish to be touched by strangers, deserves to be assaulted." I counter easily.

"… Message received?" He trudges on, as if he hadn't heard me.

"If it makes you feel better. Yes." I offer.

"Good. Hokage-sama asks that you write a report on the incident for the eventual paperwork. He also says that he'll post you as his secretary if you do this again." Cat continues.

"In which case I advice he remind the populous that touching perfect strangers –let alone a shinobi that might see it as an attack– is socially unacceptable. Or has that social norm changed without me knowing about it?" I tilt my head. "Oh, right. We're pretty. So we MUST want to be touched. Right?"

He shrugs, obviously not knowing what to say about that. "I'm just the messenger." He says, before disappearing in a poof of smoke and leaves.

"Whatever." I shrug, not caring. I didn't have to break his arm, I'll agree to that. However, he should know that in our culture it's rare for husband and wife to show that kind of affection in public. So just strolling up to a perfect stranger –or anyone really– and not just touching them, but putting your arm around them? Hnn! Disrespectful to the highest degree! I could have killed him and claimed I thought she was being attacked, and even Hokage-dono wouldn't be able to prove otherwise!

8-8

"Last night was a total disaster!" Sasa-nee announces dramatically. Yasu-nee shouldn't have asked her. She really shouldn't.

"No it wasn't. Breaking that guy's arm was fun." I counter, grinning evilly.

"Aya!" Yasu-nee chastises angrily.

"Yasu-nee, if some guy just walks up to you and puts his arm around you, as if he's entitled to, then whispers: let's ditch the group, I'll show you a good time. Do you or do you not agree he deserves to have his arm broken?" I explain. Ino retold the tale at least fifteen times while we were at the bar after all.

"… You still don't have to be so proud of it." She insists.

"Oh? So if someone does that to you, you expect me not to hurt them in any way?" Everyone bristles at that. Even Momochi-san. It isn't hard to figure out that if some guy does that to her, his corpse would wind up in a river somewhere.

"Don't encourage her!" Yasu-nee demands.

"Wouldn't dream of it." Momochi-san says evenly, but Yasu-nee doesn't believe him and storms off – obviously not happy that everyone supports my 'senseless violence'. "You'll let us know if that ever happens."

"Of course." I grin, just as evilly as I did earlier.

"I'm glad." Maki says, shifting in her seat a little. She's been doing much better, so we try to keep her in the family sitting room for longer and longer periods of time, so she can get used to a high stimulus environment again. Momochi-san even crafted a special low chair for her so she can sit at the low table on her own, even if she's tired.

"Hmm?" I wonder what she means.

"That you all look out for each other… I'm glad." Maki explains.

I wave it off. "We're going to start you on walking exercises tomorrow, by the way." I change the subject.

"That's great! Maki-sensei, you'll be back to your old self in no time!" Ao-chan is really, REALLY loud when he's excited.

"Of course she will be. Maki-san is totally awesome!" I say, nudging Naru-nii in his side to show I'm mostly saying it to tease him.

"Sis, are you mimicking me?"

"Of course not, dettebayo!" That gets a laugh out of everyone, even Naru-nii.

"Aya-nee~eeee! You shouldn't pick on Naru-nii, ya know!" Saki-chan is so cute when she pouts like that.

"Now, now, baby girl." I kiss her brow and pull her into my lap. "Naru-nii knows I love him. And he knows only his pack is allowed to pick on him. If anyone else tries it…" I grin again.

Saki grins too. "Then we show them why the Namikis are rightly feared!" She announces, her fist in the air and a dangerous glint in her eyes. She catches on quickly.

"Exactly." I agree.

"Naru-nii is our idiot! So no one else gets to call him that!" Saki announces happily, but that just makes Naru-nii face fault.

"That's just being mean!" Naru-nii says, tears in his eyes. Fake tears, mind you.

"The truth can be harsh." Minori teases, patting him on the shoulder gently. Naru-nii doesn't look comforted at all.

8-8

"It's time." I say to myself, trying to pump myself up. Then I sigh. I haven't done this since that first time. I really want to spend some time with them again! So I bite my right thumb, and I go through the motions.

Boar – Dog – Bird – Monkey – Ram – Summoning jutsu!

Once the smoke clears, I see one proud mother wolf and four pups, bigger than Pakkun by half now. "Aya. It is good to see you again." Tsuren says, her voice still sounding like rolling thunder.

"And you, Tsuren. I'm sorry I hadn't called on you since that time. I didn't want to burden your bonding time with your pups." I explain honestly.

"You are my pup. You would not burden us." Tsuren says evenly. I walk up to her, wrapping my arms around her neck again, rubbing my face in her fur and sighing contently.

"I want to introduce you to my pack." I say. "Is that alright?"

"Of course. I would be wise if we knew those you hunt with." I'm assured. I take a long moment, just soaking in the warmth I'd sooooooo missed these past months (and years).

I also make sure to memorise Tsuren's scent. Then I move to her pups. Tsuki is the first to come to me, jumping up into my arms and licking me all over my face. She's really playful, now that she isn't so careful with me. I study her scent as well, before petting her and putting her down. "It's good to see you as well, Tsuki. I hope you've been listening to your mama."

"Yes." She says, her ears worn a bit lower. I don't really believe her, but I don't press.

"Now, I saw you three last time. Would you mind introducing yourselves?" I ask.

"I'm Tsupou." The first comes up to me. I sit on the ground in front of him, offering him a chance to smell me so he can identify me later. I also make sure to study his scent so I'll know it's him. He's not nervous, or cautious. Mostly he just walks around acting like he doesn't care – a carefree wolf, stranger things have happened.

"Tsuma, Tsuma! I'm the totally amazing Tsuma!" This one is running around like his tail's on fire. He jumps up, putting his paws on my shoulders, then runs off, in a circle and comes back and does it again. He's REALLY energetic. And he smells like vanilla for some reason.

"The name's Tsuza. Just call me Za." He takes a sniff at my hand, licks it and sits in my lap like he owns it. I giggle a little.

"Alright. I'm Aya. I summoned the five of you today, because I want to discuss us training together so we can really get to know each other. Would that be alright?"

"Training!? Training!? We're gonna start training, do you hear that Pou-pou! We're gonna start training! ALRIGHT!" Tsuma is REALLY over the top. Wow. I think even Naruto-nii would have to tip his hat to this one.

"Calm yourself, Tsuma. A wolf must never get too excited, lest they alert their prey." Tsuren chastises her pup. Tsuma looks sorry, whining pitifully. "Do not fear to make a mistake, pup. Fear not learning from it."

Wow, Tsuren sounds super wise!

I clear my throat. "Tsuren. I would like to summon the five of you every day for at least two hours. Would that be alright?"

"It is." She says evenly. I wait, wondering if there's more, but she doesn't continue.

"I train with my team for most of the morning. I would like to summon you during this time to that you may also get accustomed to them."

"Alrgiht. I would like to meet them first." She says evenly. I can't tell if she sees me as higher or lower in status. Maybe equals? I just don't know.

"Please wait here, I'll call the others in." I'd arranged for this moment, making sure to space everyone out so that I don't overwhelm their instincts. Making sure that the most important come first so that if they get annoyed, at least the most important introductions had already been made. I leave the dojo for a minute, coming back with Yasu-nee and Saki-chan. "Guys, these are my adopted sisters. Namiki Yasu and Namiki Sakiko."

Tsuma, of course, runs right up to them and starts licking Saki all over. Tsuki is much more reserved, but she does come up to them – Yasu-nee is even allowed to pet her. I take my time introducing them one by one.

"And this is Tsuren. She was mama's personal summons as well." Sakiko walks right up to Tsuren, no fear in her eyes or in her scent.

"You look really strong. Are you going to help Aya-nee take down the bad guys?" Saki asks innocently.

"In time. Yes. For now, I'm mostly focused on my newest pups. They have a lot of growing to do." Tsuren explains simply.

"Thank you." Saki says, trying to wrap her arms around Tsuren, but Saki's much too small to manage. "Soft…" She murmurs. I smile, knowing I said exactly the same thing when I hugged Tsuren a few months ago.

"You're quite welcome, Saki. Perhaps in time, you'll want to sign with us as well." There's a pause, as Saki lets that roll around in her mind. "You still have a lot of growing to do though, but like Aya, I believe you will be both wise and strong in time." I blush, not really believing either claim. I have too much growing to do to claim either title.

I smile, though. Typical for a wolf. Strength is needed, but not as valued as wisdom. They'd respect a weaker but wiser wolf far quicker than a foolish and strong one. They'd just fear the strong fool.

"I'd like that." Saki says, before running to play with Tsuma. They keep chasing each other around the dojo.

"And you…" Tsuren turns her attention to Yasu-nee. "Aya respects you, even though you are a civilian. I sense you've been training your chakra somewhat, but you'll never be a warrior."

"That's true." Yasu-nee says, not bothered at all.

"You hold her heart. You guard her." Tsuren gazes at my elder sister, almost as if she's a puzzle that needs to be figured out. "Miwako would be most grateful to you. As am I. Guard her well, Yasu. And I swear my pack will guard you just the same."

"I would ask the same of you. My sister means the world to me." Yasu says, walking up to the wolf that's easily twice her size. Tsuren is still just laying there though, unmoving, unblinking. Yasu-nee kneels before the gentle giant, wrapping her arms around her. "Please, take care of my little sisters for me."

"Fret not, Yasu. I guard my pack jealously." The corners of Tsuren's mouth curl up, partly showing some of her teeth. When a human does this, they might be slightly amused. When a wolf does this… they're halfway to ripping someone's guts out. I don't doubt Tsuren would kill for me.

"Thank you." Yasu-nee squeezes gently, before excusing herself – she needs to start on dinner, but she makes sure to ask what the wolves will be having. Heaven forbid someone should be willing to protect Yasu-nee's family and not get fed as thanks.

"Any meat will do. So long as it's raw and unseasoned ." Tsuren says evenly.

"Warm or cold?" Yasu-nee, Kami bless her heart, doesn't even bat an eyelash.

"Warm is nice."

8-8

It takes a bit longer to convince Captain to meet Tsuren and her pups, but I do eventually get Haku, Naru-nii, Saskue and Captain into the dojo.

"Hatake… Kakashi…" Tsuren intones.

"Tsuren."

"Fate has a sense of humour. Does she know?" Captain is asked.

"Pakkun let it slip." Tsuren nods. Mama's death is my guess.

"The only honourable dog I've ever met." Captain winces at that, but I flat out laugh. Seriously. Ouch!

"Tsuren. I'm sure you remember Naruto." I change the subject. I'm sure Captain is in for a lot more of these 'little chats' anyway.

"Of course. Hello, Naruto."

"Hey, Tsuren." Naru-nii knows not to be too loud around wolves – they have VERY sensitive hearing! They can literally hear a leaf falling from the tree! Some as far as fifty metres away! Naru-nii carefully walks up to Tsuren, hugging her. As soon as his back is turned, all four pups jump on him, licking every inch of exposed skin. He tries not to, but he ends up laughing because of how their tongues tickle him.

"Kushina would have loved this scene." Tsuren says, getting Naru-nii's undivided attention. "I will speak more of her with you. But I wish to meet your sister first. It would not do to exclude her from such talks, yes?"

Naruto-nii rubs the back of his head, please but a little embarrassed. "Alright, I'll go get her then."

"Yes, please do." Naru-nii's off. "That leaves only Sasuke. Mikoto would often brag about her two sons."

Sasuke doesn't look too happy about that.

"Do not be a fool. I am aware of Itachi's deeds, but emotion clouds your judgement. You are a hawk summoner. One with exceptional sight. Why do you not see that there is more to this?" Tsuren speaks evenly, detached from the situation. "Uchihas have never played the fool. Do not start the trend. Test what you know, see if it is real or make believe. Then, and only then, will you see what you already fear to be true."

Sasuke stands rooted in that spot, as if frozen by her words.

"Tsuren, this is Haku. She's of the Yuki clan and can use ice release jutsu." I change the subject before poor Sasuke gets bowled over by another revelation.

"It is an honour to meet you, Tsuren." Haku bows reverently. I can't say I blame her. If Tsuren really wanted, I don't doubt she could kill all of us – except for (maybe) Captain.

"It has been some time since I've heard of your clan, Haku. From your scent I can tell there is only one other you are aware of." Tsuren is REALLY scary when she talks like that.

"I'm afraid you're right. I plan on rebuilding the Yuki clan here in Konoha. Aya's been kind enough to aid me in this as well." Haku's REALLY overstating that. All I did was suggest it. She's been doing all the legwork to get all the paperwork we need!

"A sound decision, for both of you. The Yuki clan was once revered. Perhaps it will be again." Tsuren says. I smile, liking the sound of that. "Aya. You can trust this one. Her heart is pure and in the right place."

"… I will keep that in mind." I say smiling, but still a bit shocked. Wolves do not compliment others lightly.

There's a knock on the door, just before it slides open and reveals Naru-nii and Sasa-nee. Naruto even brought Hinata along as well.

"Tsuren." Naru-nii slides the door shut behind him.

"Asami. You have the look of your mother. But you smell of your father. The look in your eyes shows you have his sharp mind, but your relaxed stance shows you also like to lay back and enjoy life. You are your father's child. No doubt about it." Tsuren seems to have known them pretty well.

"And Hinata. Hanae spoke highly of you each time we met. And of Hanabi. Tell me, how fares your little sister." Tsuren seems to know EVERYONE! Jeez!

"She is well." Hinata's caught off guard, but doesn't relapse into her stuttering – thank Kami-sama!

"You'll meet her soon enough." I assure Tsuren. "I had planned on bringing both of them at the same time, but… It would seem the kitsune got excited."

"Truly his mother's child." Tsuren says, amused. "Pups… come now. You need to go meet Aya's pack."

"You smell like cinnamon buns and raisins… and you smell like ramen too… why is Naruto's smell so strong on you?" Tsuma asks innocently, but Hinata's face is as red as Asami's hair.

"Well, well… it would seem Naruto's as much a lady killer as his father." Captain teases, but quiets down when Tsuren's gaze lands on him.

"… N-naruto-kun… who's your father?" Hina-nee asks carefully.

"Namikaze Minato, of course." Tsuren answers evenly. Hinata looks shocked for a long moment, her eyes wide as dinner plates. Tsuren gives the girl a moment to collect herself before, "But you already knew that."

8-8

End Chapter 37

8-8

A/N: Another slight timeskip coming up. I've dealt with everything I want to before spring comes. Next chapter is going to be a good bit longer, but that's because I need to set up some things before the first exam. And... I'm likely to throw in a lot more interludes to round out the picture so that everything makes sense.

Now, I normally don't do this, but... the reviews I've been getting lately are really touching! So I just want to thank my reviewers for their (continued) support and let's all hope that my skills continue to get better! I'm aiming to start going (semi) pro as of next year, so I REALLY want to be on the top of my game! I'll keep you guys posted on any developments on that front ^_^