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 52 – Life happens

8-8

No one is in a very good mood today. I can't say it's too surprising really. I mean, today's the wake. The ceremony to honour the passing of not just Sarutobi Hiruzen, but all those that gave their lives when Konoha needed them most.

Tsume-san told me that we got lucky. From Anbu, we only lost one member, who was killed instantly. From the shinobi population we lost less than a hundred souls. A horribly high number, but it could have been far worse.

The twenty civilians that died though… that hurt. We did everything we could to save our non-combatants. It hurts to know that sometimes, our best just isn't enough. Naru-nii took that especially hard, seeing as three of those civilians died in his arms – technically his clones', but that memory lives on in him.

The invasion was hard all around. Everyone felt its sting. Be it in losing a loved one, a friendly face, or just the trauma of seeing our beautiful village in tatters. Everyone feels it.

I've been so busy keeping my patients in one piece, that I haven't been able to help the restoration effort. Naruto-nii however has been spamming clones like only he can, doing everything in his power to help.

However, now that everyone is getting ready, now that everyone has their mourning uniform out, or is already wearing it… there's just a… weight, a burden we all carrying though none of us see.

Asami and Konohamaru are especially morose. I think I found both of them crying by themselves at lease five times so far this morning. And it's not helping that everyone is pointedly refusing to let me stay home to care for the patients.

Yasu-nee's the only one that everyone can agree shouldn't go. Seeing as she's the only civilian, and no one wants her to be alone. Sakiko's too young, lucky girl.

The majority of us though… we're trying to put on our happy faces, but not even we buy it.

"No, Kakashi. You're in no state to go." I tell him. "Neither are you, Maki. Shinobi need to stand at attention for the duration of the wake. Niether of you are in any shape to even try that."

"It's alright, sensei. Haku-nee and I will be there. We'll represent you. And Minori-chan already bought flowers from all of us." Ao-chan assures Maki. She still doesn't look too pleased, but she nods anyway.

I… don't even know how to feel about this. The thing about tending to six patients that need twenty-four hour care? I've been so busy that I haven't been able to even process that Hokage-dono is gone.

I sigh. "We should probably get going."

8-8

Befitting our leader, the entire village turns out to honour his sacrifice. Naruto-nii and I are standing on either side of Asami, in case she needs us. Konohamaru is closer to the front, with the academy students – including Katsuo. I haven't really spent much time with the brunet, but he seems decent enough. And Saki's taken a liking to him, so he's okay in my book.

The elders –Hokage-dono's advisors– say something to honour Hokage-dono and all those we lost. Then we're asked to observe a moment of silence.

Just as we do, it starts to rain. I don't mind, it perfectly matches our mood. Then the procession starts. We're each allowed a moment at the alter. There's one large picture of Hokage-dono. He has a stern look on his face, as usual, but I've never seen him wearing only white.

To either side of him are pictures of shinobi that also gave their lives. Lined up to the front of them are pictures of the civilians that were lost. There are also two large torches, burning even in the rain.

Asami, Naruto and I walk up together. We bow, but my eyes only linger on Hokage-dono's picture. The three of us kneel reverently, placing our flowers in front of us. Each of us mutter a few words – I'm asking Hokage-dono to watch over us, but I can't make out what they say.

I hear Asami sniffling beside me. I lay a hand on her shoulder, letting her know I'm here for her. Without warning, she almost bowls me over burying her face in my chest. I don't rush her, letting her cry it out in peace.

8-8

"You will of course forgive me for finding a meeting not an hour after a wake to be… distasteful." I drone, wondering what these people want with me. When everyone else was leaving the wake, an Anbu Operative I don't recognize strolls up to me, informing me and Naruto-nii that we're needed in the Council's Chambers. The only reason I agreed to come at all, is because Momochi-san assured me he'd take Asami out to get some junk food, and they'd meet us at home.

Hitomi, of course, refused to let me come without her being by my side.

"We don't like it either, Aya. But you learn that sometimes you need to focus on tomorrow, and not get lost in yesterday." Daddy tells me. I stand a little straighter, trying to do him proud.

"Very well. What can I do for the esteemed Council?" I ask, my tone far more professional now.

"We've heard the reports on you and Naruto's deeds during the invasion." One of the elders –they're both mummies for all I care, so I don't know which of the two it is– says.

"Oh?" I ask, looking to Tsume-san, wondering what that means. She smiles proudly, but I don't know what to make of that.

"Indeed. And not just during the invasion either. You both saved countless lives in Konoha's hour of need. One of you continued to saved lives after the invasion, while the other worked tirelessly to help rebuild our village. I think we can all agree that the two of you are shinobi this Council, and our village can be proud of." The elder explains. I don't react. How do you react to something like that? I mean, we were doing our duty, nothing more. "You disagree, child?"

"I will ask you only once not to refer to me by my sex or my age. I am Aya." I glare at the elder, not in the mood to be looked down upon. She glares right back, but doesn't comment. "And this has nothing to do with agreeing or disagreeing. I did my duty. Both as a medic and a kunoichi. I fail to see why a meeting should be called for something I see as my duty to my village."

"Well, you see." Daddy begins, his tone a lazy drawl. "They're trying to talk you into something troublesome."

"Oh?" I ask, curious.

"What Nara-sama means to say, is that we have a proposition for you." What's-her-face, the elder, says, her tone smooth as silk.

"I like the way daddy explains things. He doesn't like hiding behind pretty words." I turn, facing daddy – grateful that means turning my back to that old hag. "So, what is this proposition, and what does it entail?"

"They want you to become Naruto-kun's partner. Both martial and marital." Daddy gives it in one go.

"To be his partner as a shinobi. I accept. To marry him… I'd rather chew on rocks. Will there be anything else?"

"Now, chi-"

"Honoured elder. I do not repeat myself when I say I will only ask or say something once. If you choose to ignore my words, you give me clear license to offer you the same lack of respect." I try to speak as politely as I can, but a little fire does leak out in my tone.

"… Can we know the reason, Aya-chan." The other elder tries, his tone soothing.

"Naruto-nii is my brother. I don't like the idea of incest." I explain simply. "Now, please explain to me why there had to be a meeting scheduled right after a wake for something so simple. I'm having a hard time believing this is all you want from me."

"… There is another… proposition we have."

"Daddy, really. You and I both know I'm already out of patience for careful idiocy. Please just tell me what they want." I demand hotly.

"Heh. I warned them not to push this." Tsume-san says, smirking. "They want Namiki babies. Stat. So if you turned down Naruto, they were going to continue making propositions until you agreed to one."

"And which party or parties are pushing for this?" I ask, my face held carefully neutral.

"If it makes you feel better, Aya. I'm sure they'll shut up when they hear the truth." Chouza-san says, chuckling. I glare at him, unamused.

"Chouza-san, who I am interested in is not what I am asking. I wish to know who here feels they have the right to tell me who I should be screwing." I turn my full attention to the two elders, glaring at them. "So tell me. Whose bright idea was it to demand of a thirteen year old to open her legs for the sake of Konoha?"

Shockingly, no one answers me. "Hnn. Are there any other bright ideas you wish to piss me off with?"

"You will wa-"

Snap!

Even when attending a wake, I'm still armed. And now that my Divine Hand has the sharp edge of my lovely little kodachi hovering against the woman's throat, I think I finally have her undivided attention.

"I. Will. What." I grind out, my tone dark. Not surprisingly, she doesn't finish that sentence. "To honour me for my dedication to Konoha, only to demand things of me you have no business demanding." I intone, well and truly pissed off.

"I will marry when I am ready to do so. I will open my legs to whomever I wish to open them to. And I will not tolerate some decrepit, old shits telling me otherwise." I make sure each and every person present hears my words loud and clear. "Now, if that is all this council has to say?"

"Aya, please calm down. There is something I wish to discuss before the council." Daddy says, his tone soothing. I move my blade from the woman's throat, resheathing it and letting my Divine Hand fizzle.

"Yes, daddy?" I turn to him, trying to brush off my annoyance, but I'm only partly successful.

"I am aware that you are trying to establish the Namiki clan. However, as you are well aware, this can only be done once you attain the rank of jounin. Would you find it acceptable that I represent you in Council meetings, should another such… situation arise?" Daddy says, keeping his tone as pleasant and calming as he can.

"There will be no more situations." I intone. The desire to rip that old ghoul's head of and spitting down her throat is almost overwhelming right now.

"I should think not, but I think Shikaku is trying to negotiate that if someone else is dumb enough to try again, that he wants to handle it before it even reaches your ears." Inoichi-san offers. "Unfortunately, we've all already expressed our… displeasure with this attempt. But seeing as none of us are your legal guardian, it can be pushed for once again to call you before this council to try a similar stunt in the future."

"I understand what daddy meant. And I appreciate your support, but I wish to make this perfectly clear." I say, my tone darkening the more I speak. "There. Will be. No more. Situations."

The room goes quiet. Everyone's eyes are focused on me. "Just as I have no sway to tell Hyuuga-sama who his daughters should marry. Just as I have no sway to tell Tsume-san who her children should marry – other than the fact that it won't be me." Tsume-san chuckles at that. "Just as I have no sway to tell Katou-sama who any in his clan should marry. Just because I do not hail from a clan, does not excuse the fact that I do no tolerate any of you –other than daddy– telling me what to do with my life. Should any of you try this again, I promise you here and now, I will hear of it myself. And I will be back before you myself. And I swear on mama's grave, next time there will be a body count."

A few of the council members that don't know me very well start to murmur among themselves.

"So, I will say this one last time. There had better be no 'next time'. There had better be no 'new situation'. Do not attempt to control me, because any of you that have dealt with a Namiki in the past knows that this never ends in your favour. It will not change. And furthermore, should I hear that any of you attempt this with Namiki Yasu, Namiki Sakiko… any Uzumaki, Yuki, or even to Uchiha Sasuke. I swear to you, I will treat that attempt no different that if it was aimed at me. Is that understood?"

Chouza-san starts chuckling patting daddy on his back. "Shikaku, you always seem to find the fiery ones."

"Che. Keep in mind who's interested in her." Daddy counters, smirking. That just makes Chouza-san laugh even louder.

"If there is nothing else, I have patients to tend to. Daddy, Chouza-san, Inoichi-san, please do not waste too much time here. I don't want to have to explain to your wives why you've been called away on such an emotionally charged day." With that, I grab Naruto-nii and-

"Aya, though you are free to go, there is much we must still discuss with Uzumaki."

"No. There isn't. Good day." I hear Chouza-san's laughter echoing off the walls as we make our way out of that insanity.

8-8

"I'm telling you, Yoshino-sensei! You should have seen her! Sis was ready to rip those old ghouls a new one!" Naruto-nii announces, once again being dramatic – honest and accurate, but dramatic all the same.

"The nerve of those two! Really! To arrange such a meeting! And after a wake no less! Have they no respect!?" Mom understands where I'm coming from.

"Well, I'm just glad that Aya isn't afraid to stand up for herself." Remi-san says, smiling at me. I blush a little, remembering all the little hints at Chouji being the theoretical father of my theoretical future children.

"Nn. Chouza-san made a few jokes about how the position was already taken." I say, blushing a little deeper. I'm not sure why I said it, but…

"Maybe it is." Remi-san says, smiling a little brighter. "And I'm sure Chou-chan would agree."

"Maybe, but we're both too young to worry with such things for now." I say, blushing deeper still and looking away.

"Yes, you are, baby. It's okay to think about it, but… to arrange such a thing? No. Unacceptable. I don't even want to hear about marriage talks until you are at least sixteen!" Mom declares, even glaring at Remi-san to get her point across.

"Now, now, Yoshi-chan. Of course I'm going to be teasing them both about it. But you are quite right. They are both much too young for such things." Remi-san placates, a teasing smile on her face the whole time. I roll my eyes, choosing not to get involved.

"Oh! Before I forget! Yasu-nee, I told them point blank that you aren't to be bothered with this either. You're eventual marriage, should you choose it, is no one's concern but yours. The same goes for Sakiko." I say. Yasu-nee smiles, petting my hair, careful not to muss it too much.

"Thank you, sweetie. I'll keep that in mind." She says, kissing my brow.

The doorbells rings. "Now who could that be?" Remi-san wonders. I'm wondering about that myself. Momochi-san and Sasa-nee already came home, maybe it's another wave of Anbu come to check our colleagues?

"I'll come with you." Hitomi announces, seeing me heading towards the door. I roll my eyes, wondering about the shadow I can't seem to shake – not that I mind too much.

At the gate, I see two very distinct parties. Hyuuga-sama and the same Hyuuga-san that Hina-nee knocked down a few pegs, being one party. The other being the two elders from earlier.

"Yes?" I ask, keeping my tone neutral and –mostly– polite.

"Good afternoon, Namiki-san." Hyuuga-sama says and bows his head politely. "I would like to visit with my daughters?"

"I see. And the esteemed elders? To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"We wish to speak with you, privately." The man says.

"No. Anything else?"

"Aya-chan, really, there is no-"

"I believe I have said all I wish to say to you. Now unless you have something more interesting to say, leave. Neither of you is welcome on this property."

"That's just it, Aya. We do have something more interesting to say, but we wish to discuss it privately." He tries once again.

"Does the word 'no' hold no meaning these days." I open the gate motioning for Hyuuga-sama and his escort to enter. The elders try to take a step forward, but Hitomi already unsheathes her katana. "Elders of Konoha, I've made my stance perfectly clear. To step onto this property without my express permission is to give me legal rights to claim your lives."

"Now, now. All we want to do is talk." He tries once again. I shut the gate.

"Talk."

They share a look, neither too pleased with my obvious hostility. "Is it wrong that we wish to ensure the continuation of the Namiki family?"

"So we're still on this are we?" I drone. "Good day." With that I turn and walk towards the house.

8-8

"Hello, daughter."

"Hyuuga-sama, please. Cut the polite idiocy. I think we've all had enough of that for one day. There are no eyes or ears here that will look down on you for showing your daughters love and affection." I cut into the usual stupidity of high society. "And you. I don't care what your reasons are. Speak down to Hinata or Hanabi and I will end you. Clear?"

"Na-"

"Aya."

"…Aya-san. I'm sure you understand why I speak to my children this way." Hyuuga-sama tries.

"Understanding and caring are not the same. Do you love your daughters?" He thinks about that. I groan, already hating I let these stupid idiots in. "Look. Do you see how different Hina-nee is when compared to six months ago?"

He nods without hesitation. "Of course. I would have to be blind not to see it."

"She blooms because here she is shown love, support, acceptance. If you wish to see the proud lioness I helped to cultivate in her crumble, then, by all means, continue being the constipated stoic." I drone. Hina-nee tries not to, but I see in her eyes that she wants to laugh.

"I see." He says.

"No, you don't. You don't even want to." He 'regards me coolly'. "If you wanted to, you'd try to understand that your daughters crave for love to be visible in your eyes when you look at them. You'd try to understand that they want a hug from time to time. That they have emotional needs you are neglecting as their father. It is your choice to not remarry, I'll not get into that. However, by not doing so, you accept the role of both mother and father to them. And you are consistently failing them in this."

Wow. I really just am trying to get in everyone's face today. Oh well.

"Hinata… do you agree with this?" Hyuuga-sama asks carefully.

"I'm afraid so, father." Hina-nee says, looking away from him.

"I'm sorry to hear that." He says, his eyes, his face, still set in stone. I roll my eyes. You're not even trying. "Hinata?" Hyuuga-sama steps forward, gently coaxing his daughter to look at him with a single finger under her chin. Her eyes are watery, unshed tears welling up. I can see her heart yearning for more than he's giving.

"N-nn?" Yeah. Five minutes with you undoes six months with me. Congratulations. Idiot.

"I'm proud of you." Tears fall, not just from Hina-nee's eyes, but from my own. "I'm proud of the woman you are becoming. Of the strength in you I just never knew how to coax to the surface."

A teary smile peeks from behind the rain clouds. "Thank you, father." Then… he hugs her. She's shocked, I can tell from how stiff she is. That shock slowly gives way, and the dam she'd built to hold back her tears gives way with it. She clutches his kimono shirt, holding onto him for dear life, and she… cries.

Hyuuga-sama holds his arm out, obviously wanting Hanabi to get in on the action. "I'll give you three some privacy. You will come with me." I glare at Hyuuga-san. He nods, following me wordlessly. I smile a little when I see Hitomi following me wordlessly as well. That woman!

8-8

I lead Hyuuga-san out onto the porch. I sit down without a word, not caring that he remains standing. "You are a jerk to her. Purposely. Why?"

"That is-"

"Hyuuga clan business. So in other words you resent her. For her being of the Main house, while you hail from the Cadet house. Is that it?" He doesn't answer. "Look, Hyuuga-san. I hang out with Naras and Yamanas and Akimichis all day, almost every day. I understand the ins and outs of clan life, even though I wasn't raised in that idiocy. And on top of that, I have Hyuuga Hitomi here, who is from the Cadet house. Do you really think I can't piece together what your problem is?"

He still doesn't answer me.

"Hnn. Idiot. It isn't my place to poke at prod at your wounds. I'm not your doctor. However, keep in mind what I said. And this isn't limited to her time in this house. Do I make myself clear?" I start to get up.

"You really think you can change people? Change fate?" He begins.

"Hyuuga-san. I don't care what you think. I'm not here to change you, your mind, your fate, or whatever other crap you believe in. I'm here to care for my pack. Hyuuga Hinata is a member of my pack. And if you think I am half as forgiving as she is… then you haven't been properly introduced to a Namiki before."

I stand up meeting his hostile gaze, and not in the least bothered by it.

"And for the record. Uzumaki Naruto… the dead last of our graduating class… changed his fate. With help, yes, but he did so nonetheless. You're just too scared to try." I leave him there to stew in his own stupidity.

8-8

"Daddy!" I glomp him the second I see him.

"Hey, princess. Sorry we took so long." He hooks his hands under my arms and scoops me up for a proper hug. I don't fight him in the least. "I'm really proud of how you handled yourself today, you know." He murmurs, holding me tight. I beam, enjoying his warmth.

Chouza-san chuckles, mussing my hair a bit. I glare at him dully. "You made that meeting worth attending, Aya. You should show up more often." I groan, already hating dealing with those idiots.

"So what kept you? I figured the meeting let out a while ago, seeing as the elders were here to 'talk privately'."

"How interesting. They wanted to speak with Chouza and me." Daddy doesn't sound impressed. Chouza-san doesn't laugh this time, he looks furious.

"What'd they want?" Chouza-san asks.

"To discuss something about 'the continuation of the Namiki family'. I don't know anything beyond that, because I refused to let them in and they wanted to talk privately." I say. "I'm half tempted to give you the rights to speak for me now. I mean, those two seem persistent." Both of them laugh a little. "Nothing I can't handle so far, but… still."

"Well, it's fine either way." Daddy kisses my brow again, before easing me back down. I groan, unhappy that he's ending the hug. Still, I do offer him some sake – both of them nod, smiling at me.

8-8

Dinner, once again, is turning into quite the affair. Other than Hyuuga-san, everyone's in a pretty good mood – even Asami and Konohamaru are trying to enjoy themselves. Eventually, dinner comes to an end, and the sake rolls out once again. I roll my eyes at them, wondering why sake is such a big deal.

"Come on, Hiashi-kun. Don't tell me that life has dampened that wild spirit I once knew!" Chouza-san says, offering the man a drink. "You do realise that it's that zest that your wife fell in love with in the first place, right!?" Chouza-san can be a… bit loud when he's had a few.

"Chouza, you're never going to change, are you." Hyuuga-sama asks, his face perfectly neutral.

"Why should I? Remi loves me just the way I am. Chouji respects me just the way I am. And even little Aya loves me. I see no reason to worry about anything else!" I roll my eyes, wondering why I'm getting dragged into this.

"Oh? There have been so many insinuations already. Tell me, is she courting Chouji?" Hyuuga-sama asks.

"Nope. They're trying to work on themselves first, before getting entangled. But it's no secret that they are head over heels for each other. In fact, thanks to Aya, Chouji's been focusing on being a better man! And that's completely ignoring that he owes her his life! Can you believe it, she simply refused to let him have to lay in a dinky hospital! She has him upstairs tending to him herself every chance she gets!"

Poor Aya. Always the topic of the hour.

"Speaking of which, I think I should go see how he's doing." I point out. That just makes Chouza-san laugh even louder.

"You see what I mean!? My boy couldn't possibly be in better hands!"

I ignore him, making my way upstairs. I do make sure to check on everyone – most of them are resting, if not sleeping. Chouji though… he's massaging his legs, trying to move his feet or something.

"Chouji… physical therapy doesn't start until at least next week. Relax." I say, rolling my eyes at him.

"I'm lying down. That isn't relaxing?" He quips, a smile in his eyes. "Dad's got a lot of faith in you, you know."

"He has more in you." I counter. "Did you want to come downstairs to take a few rounds of teasing?"

Chouji laughs at that. "Thanks, no. Just hearing how bad you're getting it is plenty."

I walk over to him, taking his leg from him, massaging behind the knee with one hand while pushing the bottom of his foot upwards until his knee is firmly pressed against his chest. I hold it there for a moment, before tugging it back down, still massaging behind his knee.

"That tickles a little." He says.

"I know. That's the point. It's to stimulate your muscles so they don't atrophy, while stimulating your nerves to let your brain know something's happening." I explain. "But that's only supposed to start next week, because the swelling isn't gone entirely yet."

"Sorry, doc." He says, not in the least bit sorry.

"No you're not." I smile warmly. "Don't worry, Chouji. With the strides you're making, we should be able to start you on light exercises soon. After that, it's walking exercises. Okay?"

"Hey, I plan on asking you to dance for your birthday, so you'd better make sure I don't make a fool out of both of us." He teases. I blush, looking forward to it.

I switch to the other leg, downing the same stretch. He laughs a little this time. And his laughter helps ease the worries that have been bothering me since I found him lying face down in the dirt. "You're going to be just fine, Chou-chan." I say, leaning in and kissing him gently.

"Are you trying to tell me you need your Byakugan to imagine me naked?" I hear Mitarashi-san. I know for a fact she's downstairs, and likely hammered. I'm just not sure I want to know who she's talking to.

"Wow. And I thought the Four Clans parties were wild. Are you sure this is just a regular Tuesday?" Chouji teases.

"I guess?"

"Heh. I can't wait to get up out of this bed and go taste the atmosphere for myself." Hikaru announces, fire in his eyes.

"Oi. You heard me explaining this impatient one that physical therapy starts next week. Do you really want me to explain it to you as well?" I ask, teasing him a little.

"That's his prognosis." He tries, while also trying to sit up on his own. I rush to him, taking his hand to stabilize him and help him up a little. He sits up all the way, out of breath.

"You're doing fine, Hikaru. I just don't want to rush it, because knowing you… you'd just end up trying to run a mile when I tell you to take a step." I tell him gently. I help him to lie down without making things worse. "You guys are still in recovery. That's the most frustrating place to be, I get that. But it's not forever. I won't let it be forever." I say, my tone sincere. Hikaru smiles, worn out but warmly nonetheless.

"Thanks… doc."

"Oi. It's Aya. Just Aya." He grips my arm by the elbow, meeting my gaze with an intensity his eyes sorely lacked since he got here.

"You will… never… be… 'just Aya'… to… any of us." He says, obviously meaning it.

"You're such a smooth talker." I tease. "Did you want a drink? I'm sure there's still a bottle left somewhere."

"Thanks… no… tired." He says. I nod, understanding.

"Tomorrow then. Just try to remember that you have to build up from scratch. It's not going to be easy, but I won't let you fall if I can help it." He nods, smiling that little worn out smile again. He falls asleep. I wipe away the beads of sweat off his brow, annoyed that he's pushing himself so hard when he should be resting.

I make my way back over to Chouji, finding a warm and welcoming smile on his face and in his eyes. "He got you there, you know." I narrow my eyes, wondering what he means. "That you will never be 'just Aya'. Not to him, not to me, not to any of us."

"Don't you start, mister. I'm just me. That's all I ever want to be." I tell him.

"Well, miss 'just me'… just keep on being you." He says, his eyes twinkling with an emotion I haven't seen in his eyes before. He reaches out, cupping my cheek with his hand once again. "Be you… we'll love you for it. I promise."

I lean in, smiling as that look in his eyes intensifies. Is… is that what I think it is…?

We kiss, I close my eyes, enjoying his taste, his smell, how warm he feels, how soft he feels. The whole time, his hand cups my cheek. That gentle touch of his, almost sends me over the edge. I lean back, hating that I want to go get him a snack before he goes to sleep – not that he isn't worth it, but I just hate having to not touch him long enough to do so.

As my eyes flutter open once again, I see that look twinkling in his coal eyes. His whole face just seems so soft, gentle. But it's the look in his eyes that's making me melt.

"What are you thinking?" I ask.

"How lucky I am." He says smirking. I gaze into those gorgeous eyes of his for a moment longer, hoping he'll continue. He doesn't make me wait long. "Mom told me about that council thing. How you refused everything they wanted. How the only idea you'd even consider was being with me."

Stupid butterflies. Now is not the time to make me lightheaded. "I never mentioned you by name." I say, blushing deeply.

"No… but that's okay. I know you well enough to fill in the blanks." That knowing smile isn't help me in the least. "That's why… why I can say without a doubt I'm the luckiest guy on the planet."

Kami-sama, that warmth is starting to take over. It's getting a bit hard to breathe, but at the same time silly things like breathing don't seem too important.

"Just do me a favour…?

"N-nn?"

"When my mom starts bugging you about grandkids… tell her to ask auntie Yoshino first."

8-8

End Chapter 52

8-8

A/N: Too tired to proof read this tonight. Will go over it in the morning or something. Enjoy anyways ^_^