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!
Interlude 7 – A pre-emptive counter
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"Thank you for coming." The third says, his hands covering the lower part of his face. "As you no doubt know, there's been some... troubling news regarding Orochimaru." The two shinobi standing in front of the Hokage's desk look neutral, at worst.
"I suspect he will make a move in the coming month to take you, Sasuke. I do not know what he wants with you, but seeing as he's being so careful I do not doubt he wants you alive." The Third continues. "He has a history of human experimentation, he may want you for this. However, he may also want you for a few thousand other things. Asami has already come up with a method to extract you immediately should the need arise. you'll be signing a summoning contract of sorts with her. She will also act as your handler during this mission. You are to contact her for every update, and all orders will come through her."
"..."
"Something to say, Sasuke?"
"Aya would be the better person." Sasuke intones, his eyes blank.
"Oh?" That surprises Hiruzen, though it doesn't show.
"I'm used to putting my life in her hands." He explains simply.
"And here I thought you were in love with my daughter."
"Hnn."
Hiruzen studies the boy in front of him for a long moment. He's a tough nut to crack, no doubt about that. "Is there something I need to know, Uchiha Sasuke?"
"... No, sir."
"But you still feel Aya is the better handler?"
"I do."
Hiruzen thinks about that, still unsure what to make of the boy. "Kakashi?"
"Sasuke trusts Naruto and Aya. They've gone through a lot together."
"... I see." Hiruzen goes over what he knows, what he suspects. Asami is far easier to predict and control, especially for Sasuke. Though the bond is easy to overlook, it is there. Aya, on the other hand, is about as predictable as Naruto, maybe less so. So why is this boy with trust issues so willing to trust her. It could be the bonding a team goes through naturally during high stress missions like they've been on, but... somehow that doesn't fit the bigger picture. There's more to this. "Are you or are you not in love with Asami."
"That is not relevant, sir. I trust Aya. If she says she will do something, I can swear blindly it will be done." Sasuke says that with a confidence that Hiruzen hadn't heard from him since Itachi went rogue.
"Very well. I will speak with Aya about this before you leave."
"Not needed, sir. She will accept the mission without question." Sasuke's faith in her seems absolute. This is the kind of loyalty on would expect from a Namiki, or an Inuzuka. They put the pack before their own needs every time, after all. But to see such a thing from an Uchiha? Hiruzen never thought he'd see such a thing again. "I will sign this contract with Asami, under the condition that Aya be able to summon me when the time comes."
Hiruzen looks to his little girl, wondering what's going through her head. He'd hoped to give this to them, to allow for Sasuke to have a strong bond to return to the village when he is able. It would seem he needn't have worried. "That's easily arranged." Asami says, her tone professional. Almost too professional.
"..." Sasuke looks like he wants to say something, but the words won't come. "Where do I sign?"
Asami takes out a large scroll and unrolls a section of it, laying it on Hiruzen's desk. "Leave the first slot empty. I'll have Aya sign there. Write your name in your blood, and be sure you do not conceal your chakra while signing." Sasuke does as he's instructed, writing his name left-handed. Asami leaves the scroll as is, allowing the 'ink' to dry naturally. "I'll give the scroll to Aya personally, so you'll know it's in safe hands."
"Have Naruto sign as well. Aya will want to be able to save us both if something comes up."
"... if that's what you want." Asami says shortly.
"Good. Is there anything else, sir?" Sasuke's eyes linger on the redhead for a moment, his emotions unreadable.
"No. You're both dismissed." Kakashi and Sasuke leave without another word, destination unknown.
"Yet another person that trusts Aya more than they'll ever trust me." Asami says, her tone sour and her eyes filling with unshed tears she refuses to let fall. The Professor isn't sure what to say, truthfully this isn't something he saw coming either.
"The first slot, that is for the person able to summon the others that sign?" Hiruzen asks.
"Yeah. Only the person signed to that first slot can summon the others. Reverse summoning isn't an option with this setup. Why?"
"You will sign after Naruto." Asami narrows her eyes, unsure what to make of that. "Sasuke has a point. Aya will want to save you if the need should arise."
"Daddy...?"
"I'm an old man, Asami." The first tear falls, but she tries to hide it. "Aya sees you as part of her pack. She will not allow you to come to harm."
"What is it about her that people trust..." Asami tries directing the conversation anywhere else. She really doesn't want to think about that.
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End Interlude 7
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A/N: Really, REALLY short, but this is what needs to be shown for now. Don't worry, things here will be better explained another time; maybe. The next interlude isn't scheduled for another three or four chapters, but it will be geared towards unravelling Orochimaru's plotting. Oh, and just an FYI, I have no idea what to do with those Sound genins currently in Konoha T&I's custody. What do you guys think? Execute them? Give them a shot at living in Konoha? Let me know what you think.