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 10 – Of Dragons and Wolves
8-8
Checkpoint Alpha, the hub of Anbu information. There are four Anbu Operatives currently flitting about, and one that is standing so still you'd think her a statue. Inuzuka Tsume, codenamed Dragon. She isn't the Head of Anbu, that honour belongs to the reigning Hokage, but she's second in command. She's his voice to his personal army of shinobi. And she's damn good at it.
There isn't a single Operative that doesn't know not to mess with Dragon. Not on the battlefield, not off duty, never. She demands respect, and she will break you in half if she feels she isn't getting it.
Dragon was ordered to recall every team she could for the invasion, and she did. But that still doesn't mean much right now. Konoha faces two invading forces, and only Kami-sama knows the numbers of each. Still, this is their home, their territory, they WILL NOT falter. That doesn't mean Dragon isn't worried, though. There are ten Anbu Teams at her disposal, three of which are incomplete due to fatality or a member being sent on a different mission solo. So imagine her shock when the Third orders her to utilize Fox and Wolf during the invasion!
Two wet behind the ears Anbu Trainees. Two combatants Dragon had never seen in action. Pups. And pups of two of her dearest friends to boot! It didn't sit well with Dragon, at all.
What's worse, is knowing that the first, and by far the most dangerous, part of their mission is the suppression and capture of the Sand jinchuuriki and his siblings. Granted, Fox is a jinchuuriki himself, but that doesn't excuse the obvious insanity. No, Dragon doesn't like this at all.
And yet, once the invasion begins, it takes Fox and Wolf no more than ten minutes to report in, and hand over the scroll containing the Sand Trio. Dragon blinks, unsure what to make of this. At the same time, Dragon can't help but compare the two before to with their parents – her with her mother, him with his father. A dangerous combination if these two prove to be anything like them.
"Wolf, Fox, you will take South Gate. Kill anything bearing its fangs." Dragon orders, hating that they need to take care of so critical bottleneck. All she can do is trust the Third's judgment.
"Affirmative." Fox and Wolf drone, showing no emotion at all. And poof they're gone. Dragon worries for them, but she has dozens of others' lives to worry with as well. Let alone the civilians of Konoha and the shinobi population.
"Stay safe." Dragon intones.
8-8
It's a half hour later when three shadow crows enter Checkpoint Alpha. Dragon eyes the crows, wondering what this is about. "South Gate is secure, enemy shinobi neutralised. Requesting further orders." That sounds like Wolf's voice, is all Dragon thinks. She'd received reports that thousands of Fox clones were spotted pretty much everywhere as well.
Dragon grins. "Report to the Academy, ensure Team Epsilon is in one piece. Report in once that area is secured." She orders. One of the crows disperses, the other two fly off, obviously meant as backups in case one of them were dispersed before receiving orders.
"Dragon, the hospital's been overrun!" Rabbit reports in, her tone emotionless but there's still a sense of urgency in her stance.
"Badger, Weasel, you two will report to the hospital immediately. Rabbit stay here as my lookout. Keep me up to-"
"Ah... apologies, Dragon. Wolf and Fox just arrived at the hospital. They've already dealt with the threat." Rabbit updates her.
Weasel whistles, clearly impressed. "And we're sure they're just trainees?" He wonders out loud. Dragon grins, wondering about that herself. They don't act like trainees, and they're at least as efficient as the other Operatives.
"We don't have time to wonder. Badger, Weasel, to Checkpoint Theta, report in once there and update me on the situation." Dragon orders, and Checkpoint Alpha suddenly has two less Anbu in it. "Rabbit, how's the evacuation going?"
"Ahead of schedule. The last civilians should make it to the shelter in five minutes. Fox has been sending clones to aid in any way he can." Rabbit says.
"... Just like his father." Dragon murmurs, grinning again. Yes, definitely no longer Trainee material, those two. "Rabbit, keep an eye on the situation, and update all Operatives that we enter Phase Two in less than ten minutes."
8-8
Phase two is by far the most troubling thing to deal with. Because now that the evacuation is complete, all chuunin and jounin personnel of Konoha have standing orders to wipe out the invaders. This is troubling, not because there's more manpower, but because Dragon no longer has the information relay structure to get everyone on the same page. That means that everyone runs the risk of messing up. Sure, the jounin aren't likely to, most of the jounin have been through this before. The chuunin and tokubetsu jounin, however...
That means Dragon has to be out there, in the fray. Not that she minds, she prefers cracking skulls to ordering subordinates which skulls to crack. It's that she's mostly out here to organize the chuunins, and assign the tokubetsu jounins to jounins that could use some backup. She's essentially reduced to a secretary.
And what's worse, that means she has to leave two Operatives at Checkpoint Alpha to ensure her other Operatives still have a secure location to return to if they need it, while still having one of them relay orders and updates.
It's nerve wrecking!
"Checkpoint Alpha is under siege." Rabbit updates Dragon. Yes, this is exactly what she was afraid of. She knows she can handle being under siege in this kind of setting – it's not as if it'd be the first time. But Badger is a new Anbu Captain, and he's just so... cocky. The first thing Dragon thinks, is that Badger and Weasel will be dead by the time they ever get there.
"I'll handle it. You go deal with that group of chuunins over there." Dragon orders, body flickering towards Checkpoint Alpha.
Just as Dragon arrives, all she sees is a sea of enemies. Yup, there's no way Badger and Weasel survived this, she thinks. Then, suddenly the enemies just... drop. In pieces, mind you. In the midst of the carnage is Momochi Zabuza, but Dragon isn't sure how he even knows about this location. On the fringe, is Wolf and Fox once again. Those two seem to be everywhere today!
"Good timing." Dragon nods to Wolf and Fox, grateful they're handling themselves so well. "Who's the noob?" She asks. She knows who it is, of course, but she needs to know what he's doing in her Checkpoint.
"Momochi Zabuza. He found us and decided we're hogging all the fun." Fox updates her, sounding amused. Dragon has to fight not to snort. Yeah, that would agree with the reports on his love for battle.
"Well, I can't say I blame the man. You two have been everywhere today." Dragon says, grinning behind her mask. Wolf groans, not disagreeing with that. "Listen. I'm needed elsewhere. I'll need the two of you to guard this post." Dragon orders. Yes, she needs someone capable of guarding their Checkpoint, but she's also doing this because she doesn't need two pups getting in over their heads. They've been amazing so far, but everyone has their limits. These two need to rest.
"Sounds like fun. I'm coming with you." Zabuza announces, grinning.
"You do that. I could use some backup." Dragon says, meaning it. If he can take out that many that quickly, then he's definitely someone she can use to handle a few hotspots Rabbit's noticed. The two of them body flicker back out into the fray, leaving an annoyed Wolf to tend to two downed Operatives.
8-8
It's been two hours since Zabuza joined Dragon. Rabbit's been hit quite a few times, proving just how far beyond their limits everyone is. The interesting thing though, is that every time Rabbit returns to Checkpoint Alpha, she comes back not ten minutes later in fighting condition once again. Dragon didn't ask the first time, simply assuming she ran into one of the Anbu Medics. However, after it happened the fourth time...
"Rabbit, you know of a stationed Medic." Dragon demands.
"Wolf. Everyone's been reporting to Checkpoint Alpha to get patched up." Rabbit says.
"Wolf's a medic?" Dragon hates not knowing the skills of those under her command. Wolf being a trainee is no excuse.
"A decent one to boot. Badger seems to like her." Rabbit says, knowing her words will have two important messages. One, that Badger is alive, and two that he isn't looking down on a trainee.
"I see." Is all Dragon says. Not time to worry about this. "We have two more trouble spots. Rabbit, you're in no condition. Return to Checkpoint Alpha to see who can back us up, we'll meet you there."
8-8
On arriving at Checkpoint Alpha once again, Dragon looks around. Unconscious, but clearly alive, Operatives are everywhere. All of them are patched up, even if it's clear some are in worse shape than others. Dragon sees the telltale signs of limbs having been reattached, chakra deprivation to the point of passing out, severe blood loss, and yet not one of them looks to be on the verge of death; anymore, at least.
Wolf, however, looks like a zombie.
"Wolf, Fox. Orders." Dragon doesn't have the time to play favourites. Of those here, only Wolf and Fox and in any condition to head into a hotspot.
"Unless you plan on keeping this idiot on this plane with those orders, I suggest you shut it." Wolf grinds out, hunched over Ferret. All present, and conscious, Anbu Operatives stiffen. No one talks to Dragon like that and walks away from it; not in their experience. And yet, all Dragon feels is pride in the wisp of a girl that's obviously keeping her head up in a den of monsters, essentially. Anbu Operatives aren't known for coddling anyone, not even their own.
"Tell me, Dragon. Wolf has been getting all the action." Fox says, fidgeting a bit and obviously itching to get back out there. Dragon can't help but see his mother in him this time. Kushina wasn't any different.
"Nn. I need a team to break through their final defences. I was hoping for the two of you, but it seems Wolf's needed here." Dragon says, her eyes lingering on Wolf, and wondering just who that little girl really is.
"That shit's distracting, Dragon." Wolf tells her plainly. Again, every Operative stiffens. That's twice that Wolf's mouthed off. Little do they know that all Anbu Medics mouth off when they're under stress, as Wolf clearly is. Dragon remembers going through this with her daughter more often than not, and Salamander is nothing if not respectful to her.
"Sorry, twinkle toes." Dragon teases, but Wolf doesn't seem like she's in the mood. She looks like she's going to pass out any second.
"Why am I the only one around here with medical expertise?" Wolf complains, feeling her body trying to shut down on once again and is obviously fighting it.
"The others are out there, dealing with what they can." Dragon informs her. "They complain just as much as you do." She's smiling now.
"Whatever. Get moving. And Fox?" Wolf orders. Dragon grins this time, knowing that Wolf wouldn't care if the Third himself were here. Wolf would just order him around all the same.
"Yeah, yeah." Fox makes a clone, so Wolf waves her colleagues out. Dragon wonders about that girl once again. Just what keeps her together?
8-8
Between Zabuza's Executioner's blade, Dragon and Kuromaru's teamwork, Rabbit's Byakugan, and Fox's seemingly limitless energy, it takes the impromptu team less than a half hour to work trough the hotspots. Dragon wouldn't ever admit it, but she's impressed with the pup. His taijutsu isn't bad, his teamwork with his clones is seamless, and his ninjutsu is nothing to sneeze at. For a supposed genin –which Dragon flatly refuses to consider him as– he's comparable to an all purpose pocket knife. He's someone you want watching your back.
Then Dragon's sensitive hearing picks up a cry for help. A girl is calling for Aya specifically. Fox stiffens, before apologizing and body flickering away. Whoever that was, she's important to both of them, so she'll cut them some slack.
"Rabbit, any more trouble spots?" Dragon asks. Rabbit nods, guiding them to another group of Sound shinobi – this one managed to block off an alley to bottleneck Konoha's forces. Dragon snorts; this isn't the first time she's engaged in urban warfare. "Zabuza, we move in on my signal. Rabbit, you're support this time." Rabbit's holding it together is nothing short of a miracle at this point, so Dragon isn't going to risk her life if she can help it.
8-8
Making it back to Checkpoint Alpha once again. The battle's not yet won, so Dragon knows she only has the time to catch her breath before heading back out. Rabbit is wounded again, and Dragon doesn't trust her to go solo this time. Wolf doesn't even hesitate, patching her up without complaint. Only, this time Dragon sees Wolf's sluggish response, a paleness to her skin that wasn't nearly as bad before.
"Oi, I still say we claim the bounties. It's not like that idiot even cares about it." Badger says, obviously too far gone to even realise that Zabuza's here.
"I don't care what you say, those are Momochi's kills. He deserves the bounties." Wolf says, not broking any arguments. "Besides, if not for Momochi, neither of you would still be here."
Badger stiffens, obviously wanting to say something about that. Weasel just pats him on the shoulder. Rabbit's good to go once again, but Wolf is careful to point out that her wounds will easily reopen if she isn't careful. "It'll have to do, Wolf. Thanks." Rabbit says. Dragon notices the new additions –Akimichi Chouji, and some kid she doesn't recognize– but isn't sure what to make of it.
"Ready to go?" Fox asks. Dragon nods and they head out once again. Dragon finds herself praying that the fighting ends soon. Each time she returns to Checkpoint Alpha there's another one of her subordinates passed out. Thank Kami-sama she hasn't encountered a single Anbu casualty thus far; and she prays it stays like that.
8-8
"No more, Rabbit. You're wounds are reopening with a stiff breeze." Dragon points out. The fighting is easing, and there hasn't been any hotspots in nearly an hour, but there's still some stubborn Sand and Sound shinobi putting up a fight.
Dragon, Zabuza and Fox escort Rabbit to Checkpoint Alpha, refusing to trust her stubbornness to engage the enemy when she's clearly push well beyond her limits. Rabbit doesn't argue, thankfully. So when they arrive, she eases into a more relaxed state of mind – and she actually notices the bodies strewn about. The flinch is minute, but definitely there.
"Oi, who're the kids?" Rabbit asks, walking over to Wolf for the umpteenth time today. Dragon studies the girl, not liking what she sees. All that's keeping Wolf conscious is her stubbornness.
"None of your business." Wolf tells her, beckoning to her. Rabbit shrugs, taking the final steps and presenting herself to the young medic once again. "You guys really shouldn't keep going back out there. Wounds shouldn't be reclosed this often."
"Someone's gotta do it." Rabbit says, shrugging. Dragon hates to admit it, but Rabbit has a point. If they don't keep going, then who will? "Besides, you look dead on your feet, but you keep patching us up."
Wolf groans, but don't disagree. "If you idiots would stop reopening your wounds, I wouldn't have to." No one argues with her. "Fox, blindfold the kid. I don't want one of our own to be dragged with half a mask and get outed to an outsider." Wolf seems to have finally thought of that, but it's not like it would matter. The kid's too scared to look around much.
Neither the kid nor Fox complains. The other Operatives nod, grateful. "Yo, Wolf, when this is over, I'm treating you to all the dinners you want!" Rabbit says, meaning it. Dragon doesn't argue with her. Salamander reported in that the other two medics passed out hours ago. Wolf and Salamander are the only two still going.
"Thanks. I'm not into girls though." Wolf tells her, a teasing smile in her tone.
"That's not what I'm offering." Rabbit replies, obviously blushing. "Besides, I'm not exactly into girls either." Dragon watches the exchange, wondering about that. Wolf, if she's anything like her mother, won't take to people easily. Somehow Rabbit wormed her way in already. Maybe it's because Rabbit worked with Miwako? Dragon isn't sure, but she's grateful.
"Whatever." Wolf sways a bit on her feet, but doesn't even seem to notice. "Rabbit. I need you to stay here. Those wounds won't close again, so I need to wrap you up the old fashioned way. Weasel, Badger, you two are the best rested here. Take Rabbit's place for a bit." The pair nod, body flickering back out into the fray. Dragon doesn't stop them. She's grateful, really, so she sends Zabuza with them; he's already caught his breath after all. And Dragon is really curious about what's going on here.
Rabbit takes off her flak jacket and lifts up her shirt to expose her middle. Wolf nods, already unsealing what she needs and busy disinfecting her patient and wrapping her exposed skin in the medical gauze.
"So, who's your trainer?" Rabbit asks, obviously just trying to kill time. She doesn't make a sound when the disinfectant touches her skin. Dragon wonders briefly if Wolf even realises she's about to pass out.
"Dog is my trainer, Frog is my captain. I'm on Team Xi." Wolf answers, but sounds unsure. Yeah, her mind is shutting down, but she's still carefully tending to her patient.
"I see. I haven't seen him at all today. Where's he hiding?"
"Rehab. He's one of the idiots I keep having to put back together." Wolf says, tying the gauze off in a knot, and helping Rabbit to make herself decent once again. Dragon had heard that Dog was brought to the hospital, but then he just dropped off the radar. It's no wonder the Third trusts Wolf and Fox as he does.
"Sounds like him. He and Cat were always getting themselves messed up during missions. Then again, they always seem to survive it." Rabbit sounds amused.
Dragon ignores the pair for a second, downing a rations bar and some water. Wolf is wobbling, but seems to want to do something, though Dragon can't say what.
"Nn. You're shutting down on me aren't you." Rabbit asks, obviously noticing.
"Nn… Sorry." Wolf says, meaning it. Dragon can tell she'd fight to keep going all day if she could, but we all have our limits, and Wolf is at the very end of her rope.
"Don't be. I'll take over for you here. Rest, Wolf. You did good." Rabbit assures the girl, catching her as she wobbles and loses her balance. Wolf passes out in Rabbit's arms.
Looking around, Dragon can see the admiration in each Operative's eyes, in their stance. "Boss. When you start the pool to buy her something, let me know, eh?" Parrot says, but those around him are quick to nod.
"Nn. Is anyone able to fight?" Dragon asks. Parrot, Sloth and Panda nod, standing up to follow Dragon back out into the fray. Dragon finds herself praying this is the last round. If Wolf is down for the count, there's no doubt that Salamander isn't far behind. "You boys are gonna have to step up your training if you don't want the rookies to make you look bad." Dragon teases. Her men groan, but the sober up quickly. Dragon doesn't know what they're thinking, but she can guess it has something to do with Wolf.
Only a trainee, and already earning respect in Anbu. That's got to count for something.
8-8
End Interlude 10
8-8
A/N: Not exactly action packed, but definitely offers some insight.