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 62 – Meetings, preparations and celebrations

A/N: It's good news, because now both chapters are ready in one go ^_^ Enjoy!

8-8

"Alright, guys, settle down." I call out. Everyone quiets down. "I've got a few announcements to make, and after those announcements I'm going to need a far more private meeting in my office with a few people. Keep in mind that I'm not here to discuss things with you. I'm here to explain things."

Everyone shrugs, it's not like this is really a new thing. "Alright, the first things is that the house across the street has been properly secured. That means that there are going to be different sleeping arrangements, for those that this applies to. What those arrangements are will be discussed privately. However, all patients will be relocated."

"What, doc, no!" They start griping already.

"What did I say?" I can tell they aren't happy about this. "Look, I'm not saying you can't be in this house. I'm saying that the sleeping arrangements will be different. You guys need more room, and we need to stop dragging patients in and risk scaring the kids. Meals will still be served here, you will still be allowed to spend most of the day here. Nothing other than where you sleep and where you work out will change."

They think about that. "Even Chouji?" Hikaru asks, seeing if this is a favouritism thing.

"Even Chouji." I say. They all settle down, knowing that if Chouji has to sleep elsewhere, none of them stand a chance at changing my mind. "The next big thing to discuss is Yuzuki here." I motion for the girl to come to me. She does, but only because she wants me to pick her up so she can hide from all the unwanted attention.

I scoop her up, not too surprised when she buries her face –shades and all– in my neck and hair.

"Now, I'm not going to talk about who she is, where she came from, or whatever. That is not something anyone needs to know. However, I am going to say that she's under my protection. That means that if I find out anyone gives her a hard time or starts talking about her to the public, you're going to answer to me." That gets everyone curious. "Only those I feel need to know will know more than that. With Senju-san's permission, her history has been labelled an S-rank secret until further notice. This is for reasons I am not permitted to discuss. I'm sure you all know what that means."

No one argues with me, especially when Senju-san confirms it. "That's all I have to say for now. If I could please have Yasu-nee, Naruto-nii, Momochi-san, Kakashi, and Senju-san join me in my office?" I'm a little surprised when Yuzuki chases after Sakiko and Katsuo, who are playing a game of tag – inside the house, as usual.

8-8

Once the six of us are in my office, I seal the door and activate the privacy seal. "I trust you all understand what gets said in this room, stays in this room." I begin, motioning Yasu-nee to sit on the couch while I move my two usual chairs for guests and my office chair so we can all sit comfortably – Momochi-san prefers to stand, so that works out for the best.

Everyone nods, even Yasu-nee. "Good, then I'll start with the more annoying part. Kakashi, when were you and Yasu-nee going to tell us she's pregnant?"

The two exchange a look, both clearly shocked. "I'm…" Yasu-nee begins, but words fail her.

"… pregnant?" Kakashi isn't doing much better.

Wonderful. They didn't know. If I can smell it, then why can't Kakashi? "Well, congratulations. Now, how are you going to explain to daddy that you got her pregnant out of wedlock?"

My sister's in shock, unable to wrap her mind around that. Kakashi is… somewhat more accustomed to dealing with issues that need to be handled immediately. "The only way she deserves." He says. Kakashi drops to one knee, right in front of her, taking her hand gently. "I know this isn't the most romantic setting, Yasu-chan."

Oh.

My.

Kami!

"There's no one I'd rather spend the rest of my life with, no one I'd rather raise a family with… no one but you." Tears are streaming down her face. "Namiki Yasu. Will you marry me?"

Before she can answer there's the telltale sound of pictures being taken. Sorry, not taking any risks. Everyone looks at me, shocked. "What? I knew this was a possibility. As you were." I seal the camera back into my glove for safe keeping.

Yasu doesn't seem to notice or care about my interruption, she leaps forward wrapping her arms around Kakashi; he's careful to stand to not risk their child in any way. She kisses him, even with the mask on. "Careful, Yasu-chan. I might take that as a yes." He teases.

She tugs his mask down, kissing him again and again. She comes up for air nearly a minute later, their foreheads pressed together and both still tightly wrapped in their embrace. "Next week." She demands breathlessly, nodding.

"Next week." He agrees just as breathless.

"Obviously we have a wedding to plan. Senju-san, would you mind performing the ceremony?" I ask, grinning from ear to ear. "I'm sure Kakashi would ask, but…" I motion to my soon to be brother-in-law, who barely even notices I'm here.

Senju-san nods, smiling warmly. I can tell she feels welcomed, being allowed to witness an intimate scene like this.

"Now, if you two lovebirds could please focus, we need to discuss clan matters." I demand. They nod, but a minute later they're still standing there. "Look, how about this, we don't care if you two still want to touch and cuddle and bask in the warmth of the moment. Kakahi, sit down, Yasu-nee sit in his lap. That way we can discuss things that will affect all of us."

I completely ignore the overly clingy 'I can manage if you can' back and forth between them. They eventually –as in way taking way too long– sit down and we get to it. Momochi-san decides to claim Kakashi's old seat.

"Good. Now this is what we need to do. Yasu-nee's situation demands she be offered the best protection possible. So the two of you will stay in this house where our pack can best defend you. However, after… leaking some information… the house across from Momochi-san's place –so the house diagonally across the street from here– is up for sale. Kakashi, if you want me to run interference with daddy should he get on your case, you will buy that house and that will become the new Hatake residence. While you're still here, we will use it as a rehab centre for our patients." I lay it out for him.

He doesn't even have to think about it. "Done."

"Good. Naruto-nii, I'm going to need you to move your clan into the house across the street. I don't mind if you still sleep here, but we need the room. And Momochi-san, now's the time for you to make your move as well. I want to help you guys set up next door."

"Alright. Maki's not at a hundred percent, but now's a good time." Momochi-san agrees. "I assume you'll help us set up a security system."

"Of course. Same goes Kakashi. I've already discussed it with Asami. She's been busy with the Uzumaki residence. I'll have her start on the Hatake residence tomorrow and, at worst, you guys' place the day after."

"You mean the Yuki residence." Momochi-san announces. I grin. "I'm going to be applying for clan status, and I'll be clan head until Haku makes it to jounin." He explains seriously.

"Good." I say, thinking about the other things we need to deal with. "Once we have the security systems in place, we'll be making underground tunnels to connect all four residences."

"Clan compounds." Senju-san corrects.

That brings me up short. "Huh?"

"The term you're looking for is 'clan compounds'." She explains.

"Well… I guess that would be true for the Uzumakis and the Hatakes. But the Yukis aren't a clan yet. And neither are the Namikis." I point out, wondering where this is going.

"Well. All clans need to be approved by the Hokage, right?" I agree with her. "So once I'm in officially in office, that'll be dealt with. That includes the Namikis."

I feel Naru-nii's hand on my shoulder, I turn finding his trademark megawatt smile. I try to say something, anything. The words just won't come.

"Don't look so surprised, Aya. You've obviously overlooked the routes to founding a clan." She says, her tone serious. I try saying something again, but adding confusion to the mix isn't helping me at all. "One is a jounin with secret family techniques, which will be true for you once you're a jounin. Two is becoming the Hokage, which I doubt you even want. And the last… is a family with secret techniques that have been living in Konoha for at least three generations, which counts in your case. So guess what?"

Tears are streaming down my face, overwhelmed by the good news. "You're a clan, Aya. Congratulations."

I swipe at the tears, but they just won't stop. Giving up, I bow reverently to Senju-san. "Th-thank you." I say, meaning it. Really, really meaning it.

"Loyalty is a two-way street." She says, smirking.

8-8

Things settle into a comfortable rhythm after we all calm down – mostly just me and the Hatakes. We start setting up true agreements for alliances between our clans. We start arranging all the nitty-gritty that just needs to get out of the way.

"I think the best place for the Anbu is in the Yuki compound." Momochi-san offers. I think about that, unsure.

"I disagree. If they spend the night for whatever reason, they would prefer being somewhere they'd be needed. And extra security near our wounded is something they'll prefer." I counter.

"That's true." He agrees, shrugging. Obviously he's just trying to help any way he can.

"What about using your backyard as an Anbu training ground?" I offer.

He smirks, liking that idea. "I can work with that."

"Alright. We'll have to set up the medical classes in the Hatake compound, seeing as it makes sense to keep all medics close to the patients. Sealing classes in the Uzumaki compound. And sound release here in the Namiki compound?" I offer. Everyone agrees. "Alright, now for who's going where."

"I want the Sand Trio in the Hatake compound." Kakashi demands. I roll my eyes, figuring he'd want the biggest threat the furthest from Yasu-nee.

"Doesn't bother me. Naruto-nii, I think setting up Hinata and Hanabi with the Uzumakis is best." I offer, grinning when I see him blush. He's literally the reason they're here, so it makes sense. "Naturally, Yasu-nee, Sakiko and Katsuo will stay here. I want to keep Tsu and Hitomi here as well. What about Fuu though?"

"Well, she hit it off pretty well with Minori. I think bunking those two together makes sense." Naruto-nii offers. Yeah, it kind of does.

"Alright. Yuzuki is staying with me though." I'm not budging on that at all.

"No one's surprised." Momochi-san teases. "You mind telling us her story though?"

"She's an Uchiha." I say. He motions for me to continue. "Oh, right. You don't know the Uchiha frenzy. Since the Uchiha's were killed off, anything Uchiha related has been… hyped up. So if anyone we don't trust finds out about her, the whole world will know. And that means people will start questioning where she was hiding, how she got here… all the questions we don't want people asking."

"So in other words, you have a means to contact Uchiha Sasuke, he's not really a rogue, and he found the girl and demanded you take care of her for him." He drones.

"… You're a jounin for a reason." I tease. "Yes, that's exactly right. And I'm sure you already know that that's classified and you're not supposed to know any of it." He waves it off, not in the least bit worried. I shrug, it's not like I don't trust the man.

"Hey, Aya… I was thinking." Kakashi begins. "You're looking for something for Ryuuzetsu, right?"

"Define 'looking for'?"

"You hate people not having a family name. But she would stand out too much as a Namiki, which is why you haven't adopted her." He says, intertwining his fingers with his fiancée's.

"Yeah." I agree, hating that I can't offer the girl more. She'd never fit in as an Uzumaki, she doesn't have ice release, and frankly both not having earth release and her silver hair? Stupid reasons, maybe, but she'd simply be 'the odd one out' as a Namiki, too. I don't want to do that to her.

"Silver hair is a defined Hatake trait." He offers, looking at me seriously. "I can't say she'll be allowed to learn secret techniques, or sign the Dog summoning contract, but… I think Hatake Ryuuzetsu has a nice ring to it."

"I kind of like Hatake Yasu, myself." Okay, lovebirds, breathe.

"If you're willing, 'Kashi-nii." I say, meeting his gaze. "It would mean the world to her, and to me."

"Why not let her come up with her own family name?" Senju-san asks, confused.

"The point isn't having a family name, it's having a sense of family." Kakashi counters. "It's why Aya adopted Yasu and Sakiko so easily. She refused to let them walk around without a sense of truly belonging, a sense of family." I nod, agreeing with him. "It's a canine thing."

Kakashi and I share a look, understanding each other completely.

8-8

The next day, at work, Senju-san decides I need to handle a few side projects. So Shizune gets stationed at my desk –I kind of feel bad for her, but that's life for you– and I'm sent, with my usual shadows, down to T&I.

When I arrive, Ibiki is there to greet me, motioning me to follow him. "Hokage-sama told me you'd be coming our way. We have to decide what to do with those Sound shinobi you brought in. The three genins are easy enough to manipulate, but they simply aren't trustworthy enough to release. And the redhead? She's giving me a hard time, so I figure you might be able to butter her up somehow." He explains as we walk.

"Ibiki, are you depending on little ol' me?" I tease, grinning to get under his skin. There's just something about riling him up that makes my day – I must be hanging around Mitarashi-san too much.

"Look at your track record. Inoichi and I were talking to the Sand Trio for almost a week, nothing. You talk to them once, and they're putty in your hands. I think it's your not being from T&I that works so well for you." He shrugs, not bothered in the least.

"Aww, now you're just trying to ruin my fun." I pout, enjoying the giggling from Tsu and 'Tomi.

"I work with Anko. Do you really think you're getting under my skin that easily?" He opens the door to one of the interrogation rooms. "Enjoy. I'll be here."

8-8

I enter the room, finding an annoyed redhead glaring at me. "Great, another one. What, they run out of inches when you came around?"

"Oh look, a short joke." I drone, unimpressed. "She's a riot. Comedienne extraordinaire."

"… You're not from T&I." She doesn't ask. "What do you want?"

"You're right, I'm not. I'm here to talk to you." I say, sitting down across from her. "I'm Aya. With me are 'Tomi and Tsu."

"You're the girl that brought me in." Again, she doesn't ask.

"Nothing gets by you." I roll my eyes. "So, now that we're all friends. You mind telling me your name?"

"… Tayuya." She says, eyeing me cautiously.

"Works for me." I say, shrugging. I simply don't care if that is her name or not, I just need a name to call her. "Well, Tayuya, let me tell you what I can do for you if you cooperate with me. I'm the Hokage's secretary, someone she listens to. I can get you out of this cage and into a prettier one."

"…I'm listening."

"We need information on Sound, on Orochimaru, on the bases and where they're hidden." I lay it out for her. She looks bored, but she isn't brushing me off. "You know he betrayed you, but your pride as a kunoichi won't let you crack under silly things like interrogation or torture. So, how about an exchange. Tell me what we want to know, and we'll work out a bargain that you can feel is a fair exchange for that information."

"Uh huh. And I'm guessing you'll need the information first, right?" She isn't buying it.

"I'm sorry. Maybe a proper introduction will explain that. I am Namiki Aya. I'm a wolf." I tell her. "That means I don't play cat and mouse games. I make you one offer, if you don't like it, I walk. If you accept it, my personal, familial and clan honour will demand I follow through." She's thinking about that, if nothing else.

"… the Sand Trio… they in a prettier cage?" She asks, curious.

I shrug. "I don't see how that's any of your business. They aren't here anymore, are they?"

"Alright, what would you need as a show of good will?" I raise an eyebrow, but unsure what to think about that. "Look, your pretty words aren't enough for me. I need more. You want what I have, you obviously know I'm not giving it up without gaining something, and I need to trust you. I don't trust people."

-Sasuke, you got a minute?-

-I've got an hour if you need. Orochimaru's busy shutting down this base before you can get it out of Tayuya.-

-Perfect! I need the coordinates and name of that base you're in. I need to see if I'm being played.-

-Southern base.- He says, before giving me the exact coordinates.

"The Southern base. I'd need you to point it out on a map for me." I tell her.

"… Why? He'd shut it down long before you even get there." She points out confused.

"Exactly. It's the perfect show of good will. Something that proves you know what you're talking about, while at the same time being low risk should you find I'm untrustworthy." I lay it out for her.

"I can work with that. Oi," I cringe at the colourful name she calls out, "Bring me a map of the Land of Rice Patties, will ya! And something to write with!"

Ibiki comes in a minute later, shaking his head but placing a map in front of the woman anyway. He doesn't have a pen though – or so he claims.

I roll my eyes, offering her mine. Walking around without a pen, what's the world coming to? She looks at me funny. "What? If I can't trust you with a pen and a map, why would I trust you in a prettier cage?" She shrugs, accepting my logic.

"The Southern Base has three entrances. All three hidden, but only one commonly known about." She says, circling the spot Sasuke confirmed as its location. Then she draws three arrows pointing into that circle to show approximates of those entrances. "It's hidden by tree cover, so even it's in your skillset, a flyby wouldn't help you. There's also an A-rank genjutsu Orochimaru placed himself to mask its presence. The easiest entrance would be to the south, at the base of a tree. If you can see through the genjutsu, that's the entrance easiest to spot. It's an Area of Effect genjutsu though, so you'd need someone with a doujutsu to spot it. There's another way, via special seals that he made." She turns the map around, and starts drawing the seal.

"I can't make the seal itself, but this is what it looks like. Maybe one of your people would recognize it?" She offers me back the pen, obviously having given all she's willing to.

"… Ibiki. I think we have a winner here." I say, smiling. "I'll talk to Senju-san. However… There's one condition I'd need you to agree to, considering where you'd be placed."

"… I'm listening." She doesn't like this at all.

"I'd need you to swear you won't give me or my people a hard time. That means no fighting, not being a brat for no reason, and not getting too drunk."

"'Too drunk'? So getting drunk is okay?"

"… Why would I care if you're drunk? I just don't want to have to restrain you, or have you dancing naked or anything stupid like that."

"… On my honour. Arrange this, and I'll be your pretty little princess."

"Tayuya, I don't take oaths lightly. So word it properly or I walk."

"Sorry." She says, sobering up this time. "Honour your word, Namiki Aya. And I vow on my personal honour that I will abide by your stipulations. I will not fight you or your people, so long as I do not feel threatened. And I will not get too drunk."

"Good. I'll make arrangements. It might take a few days, seeing as we're currently securing the place I plan on bringing you. But I'll try to see if I can't make your stay here just a little less horrible. You have a preference of sake?"

"The stronger the better." She smirks, offering her arm. We grab each other's arm at the elbow. "A kunoichi with a sense of honour. How's that happen?"

"Namikis. We've always stood out." I smirk. "Oh, you happen to be a sound release user?"

"Guilty as charged. Flautist."

"Really!? Me too! I play the shinobue, hiyashi styled."

"You're shitting me! I play the nohkan, but I love the shinobue! You any good?"

"Meh. I've killed people with it." I shrug, but smirk anyway.

She laughs, her eyes lighting up with joy. "Aya… I like you already." She squeezes my arm a little. "I look forward to a spar."

"I look forward to a challenge." We share a grin, and a moment really. "You mind sitting with me through the next little chat?"

"Better than sitting in a cell."

8-8

It's twenty minutes later when the three Sound genin are brought in to speak with me. In the meantime, Tayuya and I talk about the music we like, and the interesting things we can do with genjutsu – a flautist and a genjutsu user. It's no wonder Sasuke wanted us to bring her in – he sees too much of me in her to not respect her a little.

"Seriously, I'm soo introducing you to my students. They aren't very good yet, but they love music. We end up putting on little concerts now and again to entertain some friends of mine. And we could really use a new instrument to mix things up a bit, you know?" I say, just as the last of the sound genin are seated across from us – I'd asked Tayuya to sit next to me so we could chat more comfortably.

"T-tayuya-sama!?" These three obviously recognize her.

"That's my name." The redhead says, annoyed. "Hey… you three're the pawns the bastard sent after Sasuke. I'm surprised they let you live."

"It's not like they were very challenging. I mean, I beat them and another team without breaking a sweat." I grin at how uncomfortable the three of them are shifting in their seats.

"It figures you two would hit it off." I think 'Dosu' was what they called him last time. "Flute players and just as cruel in battle."

"I knew I liked you." I turn to Tayuya, a teasing smile on my face. She swats my shoulder, chuckling. It's 'flautist' though, not flute player.

"So anyway. How's prison life treating you?" I change the subject. "You two drop the soap yet? I've heard horrible things about a guy dropping the soap."

"What do you want? We've already told you everything we know!" The girl is in a foul mood, it seems.

"What I want is irrelevant. It's what the three of you want that matters now." I counter. They look unsure. "You have nothing more to offer us. By all rights we should kill you, but that just seems like a waste. We could send you back to Sound." The three of them bristle, obviously hating that idea. "But killing you sounds more humane. The only other option is integrating you into Konoha, but we don't trust you."

"… Why is a genin here?" 'Dosu' asks, trying to understand what's going on.

"You're a genin!?" Tayuya sounds shocked.

"Legally, yes." I shrug, not caring. "I don't doubt for a second I'll be promoted once Senju-san in sworn in."

"They let genins into Anbu?" The three across from me aren't sure how to react to that. I'm sure they aren't too surprised that I'm Anbu, but at the same time, they seem confused why I'm still a genin.

"What can I say? Having friends in high places has its perks." I say, grinning a little too broadly. "So. Now comes the fun part. I get to decide what to do with three pawns Orochimaru sent to die."

The three of them shrug, not bothered by that. "Not afraid to die?" I prod.

"If we were, working for Orochimaru isn't a good choice." The guy I don't know a name for says. The girl snorts, obviously agreeing with him.

"Why bow to a cruel master? I mean, if you three were Konoha shinobi, you'd at the very least be treated with a vague sense of respect just for working in our village." I just really don't understand how stupid people can be sometimes. Working for Orochimaru seems like nothing more than a one way ticket to the grave. Unless Orochimaru found them the same way he 'found' those Grass people?

"…" They look away, half depressed by their motives.

"Ah. Orphans." They look back to me, shocked. "What? You think an orphan wouldn't recognise that look?" It's the look of someone that life had its way with, and left them there to rot. Being an orphan isn't fun, no matter where you grow up.

"Anyway. The point is." I shake off my mood. "I need to decide what to do with you."

"What would I have to do to earn your trust?" The girl asks. Her teammates look put out, but quickly catch themselves. It's that or death, and seeing how I am with Tayuya? It couldn't hurt to play nice with me – which is why I wanted her here in the first place. I may be a softie, but I know how to play the game.

"Start with your name." I say.

"Tsuchi Kin." She doesn't even hesitate.

"Well, Tsuchi-san. Here's how I see this working out. You're too unimportant to have Tayuya's bargaining power. So, I suggest you start playing nice with anyone that gives you the time of day. Show us we can trust you. And whatever you do, don't offer that cocky attitude that nearly got you killed last time we met."

"I understand, miss…?"

"Namiki Aya."

"Namiki-san. I am trying to play by your rules. Would you offer me a chance?" She plays the game well enough.

"Why would I do that? I have enough students." I test her.

"Please." She begs, bowing and clapping her hands above her head.

"You beg well, but I'm a wolf not a dog. Give me a reason." I demand.

"… I have nothing of value to offer. All I have is my life." She says. Sad, but true. "Save it, and it's yours."

"Hmm?" Those are heavy words to throw around.

"I swear it. There's no way you'd be a worse master than my last one. And what little I know of wolves, they're loyal to their pack." She's still bowing, still holding her hands together over her head as a sign of begging.

"You're not part of my pack." I correct her, amused that she thinks she can get in so easily. "But… if you were to show that willingness to serve Konoha, we might well have a place for you."

"No." She shakes her head, obviously not liking that at all. That throws me for a loop.

"No?" I don't hide my confusion.

"You can't guarantee me that there'd be no monsters here that would be just as likely to abuse my trust. That there are no would-be traitors to try to use me. After all, Orochimaru is from Konoha, isn't he?"

"Touché." Denying the truth is pointless. Konoha shinobi going rogue isn't an everyday thing, but Mizuki wasn't the first or the last I've heard of in recent years.

"My offer is to you, and you alone."

"Why me?" I ask.

"A wolf knows honour. You would honour my vow so long as you breathe."

"… And if I refuse?"

"Then kill me." She looks up, her eyes fierce. "You don't know what it's like… being female in Sound, kunoichi or not. I will never go back to that life, so my life is in your hands either way."

I look to Tayuya. She shrugs, looking away and hoping to hide the pain in her eyes. I nod, understanding a little. Then two fidgeting males draw my attention.

"… Kin. Has either of these… boys lain a finger on you?" I ask, my tone well below the freezing point. The boys in question shiver.

"No. That's why we've been a team so long." She assures me.

"Tsuchi Kin. Meet Hyuuga Hitomi and Hatake Ryuuzetsu." I say, my tone proper and professional. "They are my guards, and part of my pack. I promise you, if your words do not ring true, they'll be the ones to end you." Without even looking, I can tell 'Tomi and Tsu are grinning – whether to intimidate Kin, or being happy I trust them so much is a mystery though.

"You have nothing to fear from me." She says, tears in her eyes.

"Good. Then welcome to Konoha." I offer my arm, and she firmly grabs me by the elbow the same time I grab hers. "And welcome to the pack."

8-8

End Chapter 62

8-8

A/N: So much going on. And how will this tie in with Chouji? You'll just have to wait to find out.