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 69 – Stories only eyes can tell

8-8

"Good morning, Aya. Ryuuzetsu. Hitomi." Senju-san greets us as she arrives at the office, her eyes smiling. Katou-san is right behind her, as usual. Three Anbu shadows pretend I can't smell them. Her usual three, so I'm not worried. "Aya, I need to speak with you." I nod, leaving Haruno-san to start things up for the morning.

In her office, Senju-san behind her desk as usual, she nods to Hitomi. I think I already know what this is about. "Do you want her to take your name?" She asks. I was right, of course.

"Is that a question?" I ask, smiling a little myself. Senju-san takes out a form and offers it to me. The same form I filled in for the other Namikis. Once completed, I offer it to Hitomi. Tears in her eyes, she fills in her name and signs. "Namiki Hitomi." I say, smiling warmly at her. She turns to me, eyes swimming with a million emotions at once.

"Aya… I…" Words fail her.

"You training, your Namiki training, starts tonight. As will yours, Tsu. I need both of you to be at your best at all times. Do not let me down. Is that understood?"

They both glomp me, sandwiching me in their love. I pray… that this is just the beginning of their happy stories.

8-8

The day goes, more or less, like it always does. Idiots try filing idiotic paperwork. Some of them deserve a timeout, so they think about their own stupidity on the ceiling. Or count to fifty-thousand, whatever works.

By some coincidence, the realtors come by with their paperwork. No idea, but I'm not complaining. I sign for the all the properties and tell them that I'll be sending Maki and Akari by to finalize payments and whatnot. Sure, this way the properties will all be in my name, but that isn't something we haven't discussed. The others know I won't hold out on them, even if I start hating their guts for whatever reason. I smile, grateful they trust me so deeply.

No one dies during our rounds at the hospital. Haruno-san starts taking more specialised lessons from Senju-san, which I end up having to plan into her agenda. I don't mind, it's just once or twice a week.

Katou-san, however… I'm grateful I don't have to manage her agenda! She's been in and out like her tail's on fire! Kashi-nii tells me how often she's in the Jounin Lounge, talking to everyone, soaking up the latest gossip and dishing out a bit of her own – all Senju-approved gossip, from what Katou-san tells me. Even Momochi-san points out how Katou-san is on a first name basis with almost every jounin in the village; nothing to sneeze at!

Shimura-san comes by around two. He eyes me before walking up to me. "Namiki-san, a word if I may."

"What's on your mind, Shimura-san?" I don't like it when he wants to talk to me. If he wanted Senju-san, he'd cut straight to the chase and ask when she's available.

"You are starting to make enemies in all the wrong places." He isn't beating around the bush. I can appreciate that.

"How sad. But thank you for the update." I drone sarcastically.

"You misunderstand me, Namiki."

"I understand you all too well. Why do you think I'm so paranoid?" I turn to the 'invisible' idiot trying to sneak past.

Snap!

Another moron on the ceiling. Unfortunately for him, his camouflage jutsu wavers because he can't focus it while his chakra is being disrupted by my Devouring Shackles. I'm soooooo tempted to use the second step of the jutsu when I see no identifying marks or headband.

Hmm, smells like dirt and pebbles getting kicked around. Possibly a Stone shinobi. "Hitomi?" I hand her three suppression seals. One to be placed on the back of the neck to prevent roughly ninety percent of the electrical signals from the brain to his body. Another for the forehead to prevent chakra manipulation. The last simply to knock him out and keep him knocked out.

What a moron, trying to assassinate Senju-san in the middle of the day. He must have been desperate, or bored.

Once the seals are in place, I release him from the Devouring Shackles and Hitomi takes him to T&I. Ibiki will have so much fun with that one.

"With the missions assigned to me, the duties assigned to me, there is no doubt in my mind I'm going to upset all the wrong people eventually." I turn my attention back to Shimura-san. "What of it?"

"Your guards are loyal, but lack the proper training." He tries.

"Shimura-san." My tone is cold, almost dark, my eyes hard and unforgiving. "I will not have you looking down on my pack. I will not have you looking down on their skills. And I certainly will not tolerate where this is going. I turned down the elders already. I have guards I trust. If there's nothing else?"

He eyes me, but doesn't answer. He walks off without another word.

8-8

"You know. I'm starting to lose patience with people." I intone as we turn onto our street. Tsu and Hitomi tense. I don't. There's no point. It's only four of them. "We need them alive. Ibiki will get bored if we don't bring in new faces for him to meet."

Seeing as their 'cover' is already blown, the four drop their camouflage jutsus and attack. Two with swords, the other two with kunai. They're obviously under orders not to implicate their village. Poor them.

We're not under any such orders.

Snap!

The first one, that Hitomi 'Hyuuga pokes', is on the floor, struggling with his shackles. I unsheathe one of my kodachi and block an incoming strike. A woman from the scent of her. A strong woman. She's actually coming close to overpowering me, even with my chakra enhanced strength. Sure, I'm not on par with Senju-san, or even Katou-san, but I'm no slouch either. She's a medic worth her salt.

Snap!

And now she's a medic in shackles. Poor her. Tsu is holding her own against one with a sword, but I believe she'd need my help quicker than 'Tomi would. So when their swords clash:

Snap!

The funny thing about trying to overpower what you see as a weaker opponent? It leaves you open. That opening can kill you. Don't do it.

The last one tries to turn and run, but runs right into the Yuki compound's barrier. That's not a fun sight, seeing someone turn to ash and seeing that ash be ripped apart on a molecular level. I shiver. Better him than me. I wait a full minute for the scent of ash to waft away.

Sniff, sniff.

"Waterfall." I say. The three of them look away from me. The scent of a waterfall in your chakra is damning enough, but thanks for the confirmation. "I think this is the beginning of a very troublesome time. Don't you?" I nudge Tsu. She rolls her eyes, trying not to smile at the Nara-esque announcement.

Sniff.

"Shimura-san… what have you done?"

Snap!

The hidden on in the tree drops to the ground, in shackles of his very own. He smells of fresh leaves and shrubs –so I know he's from Konoha– but there's also the scent of ink about him.

"No mask, no identifying marks." Hitomi announces. "And he knows how to hide from the Byakugan. How interesting. I'm sure Hiashi and his elders would love to hear about this."

"Mitarashi-san!" I holler. In an instant there are at least six out of uniform Anbu filing out of the four compounds. They carefully close the gates behind them, already taking the idiots into custody. "These three are suspected Waterfall shinobi. The woman might be a medic, be extra careful with her. That one is Shimura-san's. I'm certain of it. You mind returning him to his owner?"

"… Danzo's interested in you, Aya? That isn't good." Tenzo points out.

"He'll have to take a number. Come on, hurry up. Yasu-nee won't be happy if you guys are late for dinner, you know."

8-8

After dinner I get down to Namiki clan training. Katsuo, Sakiko, Ryuuzetsu and Hitomi are all in the dojo. I cast a privacy jutsu so that everything I explain stays here.

"The Namiki clan. We are famous for our berserker rages." I begin seriously. "The pinnacle of our Hidden Jutsu is call the Okami jutsu. Now, do not confuse this with being called a wolf, this goes so much further. Okami does mean wolf, but this is something that… is a double edged blade."

They look at me, worried at how vague and how over the top serious I am. "The Inuzuka have something similar, called Beast Mimicry: All-Fours jutsu. It allows them to mimic their canine companions, allows them to reinforce their muscles and bones, their sense of smell and hearing. In short, they become much more dog-like." Hitomi nods, but this is news to the other three.

"Our Okami jutsu is… on a whole other level. It's mimicry done right." I explain seriously. "I've never seen it in battle, nor have I ever used it in battle. This is because I am not yet ready to use it. But the stories I've heard and read…"

They don't like where this is going. "In the simplest terms, you turn into a wolf. Your mind, your senses, your very being. None have ever managed a complete transformation, though. We always end up halfway in between. In a form neither wolf nor human. I will warn you now, unless you master your emotions in a berserker state I will teach you first, I will never teach you the Okami jutsu. What we will work on tonight is a special meditation, a mental conditioning all Namikis need to go through in order not lose ourselves completely during a berserker state. You will each have to do this meditation in the morning just as you wake up, and at night just before you go to sleep."

They look at me. Katsuo seems worried. Sakiko looks excited. Hitomi and Tsu are just… weary.

Hitomi swallows painfully. "Aya… you would… teach us this?"

"You've heard of it." I don't ask.

"Nn. I worked with your mother for three years. I've… seen it first-hand." She shivers, obviously thinking about what she saw.

"What's it like?" Sakiko asks excitedly.

"… Miwako would… turn into a wolf, basically. Only one that stands on its hind legs. Her face was completely wolf-like, but her chest was still human. She would be covered in silver hair, other than the black patch on her head. Her nails would grow dangerously long, and hard as stone. Her teeth sharpened. Her muscles didn't bulge up, usually. That only happened when she got really upset about something. It's as if she was able to do with her body whatever she wished."

"So… why are you so freaked out?" Tsu asks, a bit freaked out herself.

"She would… lose herself. In fact, if she was teamed up with someone she didn't like, I'm sure she'd have killed them in an instant."

"No, she wouldn't. All Namiki are required to master their urges before they can learn that jutsu. If they are stupid enough to provoke her, however…" I leave that hanging. Provoking a Namiki is dumb at the best of times, but during that jutsu? They'd deserve whatever they got.

"Now. The only reason I wonder if you will master this isn't your lack of Namiki heritage." I say, not bothering with being polite. "It's because you need a very specific kind of mentality. One which the Namiki are known for, bred for, and cultivate in our young from the time we're crawling around. It's the wolf mentality: pack above all else."

"During any berserker mode, you lose rationality, caution, reasoning. Everything that makes up your public persona is washed away. All that remains is the core of your being. If that core would allow you to hurt a packmate, you will. Without hesitation."

"How… do you return to normal?" Tsu asks, a bit worried.

"You have to undo the stages of the transformation." Hitomi answers. "Your body won't return to its regular state, even if you're knocked out or… killed." Mama died fighting, just as she would have wanted. Good to know.

I nod. "Nn. That's why I'll be so careful with you. If you lose yourself completely, nothing can bring you back."

"… Have you… done it?" Hitomi asks. I nod. "How long did you stay like that?"

"Two hours. Tsuren said that I was able to use all of my regular jutsus. I was even able to speak to her via Whispering Winds." I say, smiling. "Naru-nii gets the creeps whenever I use that jutsu though. He says I look like something out of a horror movie."

"… That's why he trusts you so completely." Tsu sounds amazed. "He saw you in that form and you didn't even try to harm him!"

"Not really. It confirmed some things, I guess, but we were like that even before I tried that jutsu. Anyway! The point is, you must absorb the Namiki way of life so deeply into you, that your very core must cringe at the thought of harming a packmate. Now, get comfortable and focus. Your training starts now."

8-8

"So we won't transform with a full moon?" Tsu is being annoying. And paranoid.

"Why would…. You've been looking at way too many horror movies. It's voluntary. Completely, totally, irrevocably voluntary. Now stop crazy-talking in public." I tease.

Poor Haruno-san isn't enjoying the tea time chitchat. "I don't want to know, do I."

"How should I know what you want to know?" I roll my eyes. "Oi! If that's another toilet paper request, you'll be crawling around on the ceiling for the rest of the day, you hear me!" The woman turns on her heel and leaves. I thought so.

"It's weird." Hitomi says. "I feel… more myself now?"

"That's the point." I say with a shrug. "Namikis are always exactly who they are, no matter the situation. We can try to fight it, but why should we? Not that people appreciate that, though. Meh, you can't win 'em all."

Hitomi thinks about that. "And the sensory jutsus?"

"What? You're a Namiki now. She's a Hatake. Did you expect to not learn how to sniff like us?" I tease, smirking. "You're actually lucky you don't have to learn the night vision jutsu. That one sucks to master!"

Tsu rolls her eyes, nodding at that. "Suck, it does." She says sagely; I guess. I shake my head, refusing to even try make sense of that. Suck, it does. She must be the one teaching Sakiko the horrid grammar she's been picking up.

Four heartbeats grab my attention. "Ah, meeting's done." I grab the paperwork that Senju-san needs to see and open the door without knocking. The leader from Waterfall and two guards eye me warily. "Something on my face?" They don't answer.

"Aya, Shibuki here would like to see Fuu." Senju-san says, trying to hide her smile.

"That's nice. I'll see if Fuu wants to see him. Now, these reports are vital. You may want to read them immediately. As well, the T&I gopher has been itching to speak with you. It might be worth your time to go see what is going on over on that side. As well, Ono-san sent word that there isn't anything vital going on in the hospital right now, so he believes you'd just be wasting your time there. Haruno-san's training might be more worthwhile, but that's your call to make. Katou-san made arrangements for lunch seeing as daddy wanted a lunch meeting with you. It's the only time he has available right now. And that one's been sniffing around again. Says he's 'just being cautious'. You may wish to have words with him, unless you want me to go berserk on him sooner or later."

"I see. Have Shizune go to the hospital to confirm this for herself. I trust Mitsugi, but I like being cautious." She makes a shadow clone, which is likely going down to T&I to see what all the fuss is about. "Ah, and he has a point."

"Senju-san. We've been over this."

"And I will continue to agree with him on this." She counters, her eyes just barely showing concern for me. "A little caution never killed anyone."

"Do you really think there'd be no hidden agenda?" I raise an eyebrow to show just what I think.

"Has that person been on your property?"

"He's still breathing, so no." The Waterfall group doesn't seem to like our little chitchat. Obviously they were hoping to get Senju-san to force me in one direction or another. Simpletons.

"So long as there's no security breach, I see no reason why there shouldn't be extra eyes to keep you and your pack safe." She smiles, serene and completely unbothered by this.

I narrow my eyes, fighting the temptation to growl. "Whatever." I hate that I can't argue against that! The street is still public terrain, so there's nothing I can do legally, no matter how much my skin crawls at the thought of some guy camping out there around the clock. It's just… weird!

"Good. Do you know where Shizune is?"

I sniff. "En route. ETA, just shy of two minutes. Maybe longer, depending on whether or not she takes… that route." I smirk. Those two hit it off. I wonder why Katou-san is still denying that they're a thing.

"I see." Senju-san tries to hide her knowing smile, but I know her well enough to notice it anyway. She's happy for Katou-san. "Well, gentlemen. You'll still be in town for a few days. I'll contact you when I hear what Fuu has to say."

"… And if she refuses?" This 'Shibuki' sounds sore about his lack of power.

"Then you won't see her." I answer. "Wasn't that obvious?"

"… How will I know it's not you denying in her name?" I feel my lip twitching, wanting to sneer at him for doubting my honour.

I step up to him, nose to nose. Enjoying his nervousness and his bodyguards on the verge of attacking. "You won't. But don't worry… I don't mind."

"Ah, there you are, Shizune. I need you to head over to the hospital. Mitsugi says we'd waste our time there. I want you to confirm that. If there really isn't anything interesting going on, book the training room and bring Sakura there. I want her working on the new jutsu." Senju-san seriously isn't bothered by these idiots being here.

"As you wish." And Katou-san is gone, but not before, "Aya, you really won't make any friends like that you know."

I snort, not caring. "So, 'Shibuki'. Are you satisfied with my answer?" He smells like a chuunin. That's got to be hard on his bodyguards, to work for a 'boss' weaker than they are. "And for the record. I do not appreciate you sending assassins to my home. It makes me itch." I take out my kodachi with my left hand, rubbing the edge of the pommel against my neck. The tip hovers over his shoulder – no doubt setting his guards even more on edge.

He's going to deny it in three, two, one: "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Of course you don't." I smile. Not a nice smile mind you. A cruel, evil, seconds away from cackling like a madwoman kind of smile. He shivers, clearly uncomfortable. "Mind what I said. I won't repeat it."

"Are you threatening me, Nam-"

"I was warning you before. This is threatening you." I correct, the sharp edge of my kodachi against his windpipe.

"Aya…"

"Senju-san, you know I don't care if beheading him causes you a headache. You should have warned him about me." I say, not a care in the world. I cast an underpowered genjutsu to make it look like my eyes are completely yellow and my irises far larger, like a wolf. "If you talk down to me or my pack again. I promise you, there won't be any evidence of what killed you. Do you understand what a threat sounds like now?"

I remove my kodachi, sheathing it. "Good day, gentlemen." I turn on my heel and walk out.

"Don't say I didn't warn you, Shibuki. Namikis are never tamed. It's why I wanted her as my secretary in the first place." I hear the amusement in Senju-san's tone. I can imagine her, sitting there with a cocky grin on her face, rubbing salt into his wounded ego. "Now. I think you gentlemen could use some fresh air, and I need to get back to work. We'll be in touch." Just as I'm sitting down, three Waterfall shinobi take their leave. The two bodyguards leer at me, but say nothing.

That was fun.

8-8

The rest of the morning is pretty boring. No hospital round, so Senju-san decides to drag me and my shadows along to see if there's anything she can teach us. Not the best way to spend the morning. She's a demanding teacher.

I eat lunch with daddy and Senju-san, because it seems a border patrol spotted two dozen Sand shinobi en route to Konoha. Senju-san confirms, seeing as they'd 'hawked ahead' – I giggle at how she words that.

"Aya, I think it's safe to say that you're going to have to set up this meeting yourself." Daddy tries.

"Nope. Senju-san needs to be there to approve of anyone that will be staying in Konoha for a while like that. Especially given the situation." I counter. "I'll reserve somewhere and arrange for snacks and the like afterwards."

"Oh? Is your office ready?" Daddy wonders. Senju-san narrows her eyes, wondering what he's talking about.

"The four clans bought a few properties recently. One of them is an office we intend to use for meetings just like the Sand shinobi coming. And yes, it's ready. Maki and Akari are very efficient." I point out. "In fact, we even have business cards with our telephone number and the four clans' crests are painted onto the windows so no one doubts where it is. But this meeting must be about something else?"

"It is." Daddy agrees, chewing on a big piece of chicken to buy himself some time. "I've been hearing rumours about the Artisan Village requesting aid without being able to afford the A-rank mission to defend its village from… rogues?"

"Nn. I'm not sure what they expect to happen. They'd sent the same request to all five Great Villages. If we all respond, it'll sooner end up a battle started by those they invited than those they already know are coming." Senju-san makes sense, but…

"What if we send a small team that can get in and out without causing too much trouble? Just to see what the situation is? I mean, what if no one sends help on the basis of someone else might?" I voice my opinion.

"… That's a scary thought." Senju-san agrees with me. "Hmm, we might be able to arrange a more… profitable arrangement if we end up being the only village that sends help."

"Theoretically. They'll still take orders from other villages, no matter what we say. It's how they survive." Daddy points out. And really, he has a point.

"Maybe, but they are still the best blacksmiths around. They would be well worth the investment if we could… come to an agreement?" Senju-san seems to be thinking about that. "Yes. That's what we'll do. Aya, I'll need you to assemble a team you think can handle this. Bring the Sand Trio with you as well, but not Fuu. You will leave after your meeting with Taiju."

"… Is that a nice way of telling me not to open my big, fat mouth?"

8-8

"Thank you, Cat. I can take it from here." Cat bows and disappears. I open the door wider to welcome Taiju and the… twenty-one people with him. "Taiju, you and anyone not meant to be screened will please take a seat. Those here for the genin team selection of Gaara will line up against that wall. Those here for Temari, will line up against that wall."

Three walk to the couches I'd pointed out for Taiju. The six here for Temari line up against the wall to my right, the rest line up against the wall to my left.

"Alright, I'm a busy woman so I'll make this quick. I am Namiki Aya. I am asking the questions, I am making the decisions. You are here because Taiju believes you are worth my time. I don't know your names or your files. And frankly, I don't care. I'm picking you for reasons I won't explain, and even if I do, you'll just think I'm lying. So don't ask." These people really seem nervous. "We'll start with the six for Temari. Two females one male will be chosen. The four ladies, step forward please."

They do, though only two of them bow. The tall one and the short one. Hmm, interesting. "You are aware that if I choose you, you will not return to Sand. Ever." They all nod seriously. "Good. You reasons are your own. Anyone with medical training step forward."

The short one that bowed steps forward. "Your connection to Temari?"

"We were close in the academy." She answers simply.

"Any family?"

"None, ma'am."

"Sorry to hear that." I study her. The way her two ponytails seems to corkscrew down into a single point, the permanent blush on her cheeks. Her big orange eyes. She's shorter than I am, but I can tell she's years older. The midriff shirt and short skirt. She's… not wearing that in my house, is she? "Your name?"

"Yome."

"Yome, please understand that you would have to change your wardrobe. I have no idea why you think that's practical, but…" Two of the girls laugh, but the tall one looks peeved. "I would be careful if I were you. Coming over as giggly gossips is not in your favour." The tall one smirks this time.

"You. You specialization?" I nod to the tall one.

"Genjutsu, but I'm good enough to survive in a straight taijutsu fight." She claims. Then again, so can I. Best not to judge by appearances.

"Very well. Your connection to Temari?"

"Same as Yome. We were close in the academy." She answers. I turn to the short brunette, who nods. "You can ask Temari if you'd like. She isn't the type to forget a face, ever."

"Your name?" I study her as well. The wild, puffy hair, the narrow, mature face, the intense brown eyes. She's a serious person, but seeing as she got upset when she thought I was insulting Yome, I can guess she's protective.

"Sen." She answers proudly. "No family either, I'm afraid."

"Hmm. Very well. If the gigglers can kindly step back. Yome, Sen, please have a seat. And the two gentlemen, please step forward." A medic and a genjutsu specialist. They'd need a heavy hitting taijutsu specialist to complement their styles. "Again, you are aware that, if chosen, there's no returning to Sand?"

They both nod, but the grey-haired one is more hesitant. "You, what's with the hesitation?" I ask him.

"My parents."

"Tough. If you're picked, and you agree, you're at the mercy of the tides." He doesn't like my words, but he nods agreeing with them nonetheless. "Your specialization?"

"Taijutsu." He doesn't even think about that.

"And yours?" I ask the other 'man'.

"Long rang ninjutsu." He answers. Nope, you lose.

"Your name?" I turn back to the grey-haired one.

"Shira."

"Shira. Take a seat." I then turn to the other one. "You may step back."

Once Shira is sitting I walk up to the three chosen. "I'm going on a mission. A plausibly dangerous one. You three will join me so I can see you in action. Die, and you're getting replaced." They really don't like how I word that. "Sit tight, I'll explain more in a bit. Now!"

I turn to the wall with the thirteen genin? That's an odd number. One of them is a plant, to test me. Hmm.

Sniff.

Snap!

One of the 'genin' is on the ceiling. "Taiju, Taiju, Taiju. Sending a jounin to test me? How sad." I ignore the amused chuckle.

Sniff.

Yup, these are actual genin, fresh from the academy. There seems to be no clan children, no shining stars. Hmm, not sure how to feel about that.

"You twelve are here for Gaara. Those who do not have a problem with this, step forward." Five step forward. "Honesty, I like that." I smile. "Those who hate bloodshed, please step forward again." Four step forward this time, one quicker than the others. Three girls, one guy. One nervously fidgeting, one carefree, one serious, the last about ready to cream his pants.

"Those who would die for Sand Village, step forward again." All four step forward. I grin. "Good. It's decided. You ladies will be Gaara's genin. You, sir, will be Kankuro's. Questions?"

"I've got one!" The one with long black hair raises her hand. She smells like Taiju's daughter, and judging from his wince, I'm guessing he's hoping for something other than her to open her mouth. "You got any snacks? I'm getting kinda hungry."

"Yukata…" Taiju sounds annoyed, but I'm grinning like I won the lottery.

"You can eat when we get there. Senju-san, are satisfied with my choices?"

"You don't know anything about these four genins." Senju-san tries.

"Oh, but I do." I disagree. "Yukata here is a ninjutsu type. Wind release user. She's obviously a bit of an airhead, and little naïve. But she's got spirit and cares deeply for her village." Yukata shrugs, but smiles. She isn't disagreeing with me, and neither is Taiju.

"This one." I continue, pointing at the shortest girl with brown hair and bright, brown eyes.

"Sari." She says, probably introducing herself.

"She's more of an in-your-face type. I can bet right now she's decent in taijutsu, and should consider taking up a weapon. She's conditioned for it, after all." Sari smiles and nods, agreeing with me.

"And the last lady."

"M-matsuri." Short brown hair and shy, black eyes.

"She was the quickest to step forward when I asked if they hate bloodshed. She dislikes violence, and no doubt would make a decent medic with the proper training." She smiles, nodding. "So you've got close range, mid-range and a medic. A balanced team."

"And the boy?" Taiju is curious. I can hear it in his tone, but his eyes are by far more telling.

"Puppeteer wannabee." I say. The boy grins.

"What makes you say that?" Taiju narrows his eyes a bit.

"The way he reacted when I appointed him as Kankuro's genin." I say, shrugging.

"And how did you know about the others?" Taiju really seems curious about me.

"Eyes and their scent. The two tell me more than your files would have." I say, shrugging. "Anyway, if we're done here? I'm going to need you seven to come with me. And Taiju, you'll need to come alone as well. I'll explain when we get there. Senju-san?"

"I'm coming as well. I want to see the team you have in mind."

8-8

End Chapter 69

8-8

A/N: So... For those who don't know it. Matsuri, Yukata and Sari are three of Gaara's more vocal supporters. All three happen to be good friends as well. Yome, Sen and Shira are from that interlude Arc (mostly done for fanservice) where the Konoha 11 (not including Naruto) get promoted. None of them will play a major role in this story. But they will play a role. If I do a Gaara Spin-off (and I'm tempted to) it would likely focus on the four of them.

Anyhoo! Now you guys know what's going on. Action is coming. And I promise you... action is going to be a bit prominent in the coming chapters. You'll see why.