If I'd been nervous the first time when I first went to visit Aoba, that was nothing compared to what I feel now. I feel like whenever a misunderstanding or secret about me spreads, everyone I meet seems to know, and their smiles are like they're plotting to use it against me.

The alley is empty, but I hear loud music coming from one of the first houses I pass. As I get closer to Aoba's door I'm even more nervous. I'm sure someone saw me coming over here, but I'm not in the alley for the reason my sister thinks I am. It was awful at breakfast this morning: aside from making a comment about buns being in the oven, Hanabi also made a point to rub her belly after she was finished eating. Of course, since she's young, my parents just thought she was being cute, and smiled without saying anything.

And at Aoba's house, I almost can't lift my hand to knock, but I do. There. I don't hear anyone coming to the door, but I can't make the effort to knock again, so I lean against the door and take a deep breath. The Yamashiro's alley looks very familiar and homey right now for some reason, but before that can distract me too much, Aoba's door opens and I flinch backwards. "Ah, Hinata! You're back!"

"Yes… um, Aoba, I saw your letter yesterday. May I come in to talk for a moment?" He nods, and steps aside to let me in.

"I was just reading through some of my old scrolls to find my notes on it," Aoba says. "I remember the experience very clearly, but not quite so much how I did it."

"I- if you don't mind me asking, when was the last time?"

"It's been several years," Aoba says quietly.

"I don't want to know what you saw, but, who was it?"

"They were a good ninja. They asked me not to reveal their name, and though they have since passed away, I've decided to keep that promise."

"...Okay."

We're now in Aoba's room, and there are a handful of scrolls piled on his bedside table. "So when did you have in mind?"

"In a few days. W- will that work for you?"

"Yeah; us special jonin don't get called out all that often, so I should be able to."

"Thank you," I nod. "Um, Aoba… my sister went into my room, and opened your letter. If you have the time, I'd like to do something with you to distract her…"

"Distract her?" Aoba asks with a smile. I try not to blush, but that won't work around Aoba. He breaks into a grin and laughs heartily, going on for a couple minutes. I'm not sure whether I should be reassured, or a bit insulted. "Ah, alright. I'll think of something. Mind helping me look for a minute? I've already gone through the ones on the right." I nod and take two of the scrolls, handing one to Aoba before opening mine. It seems to be some kind of mission and travel log. There are a couple notes stuck on the sides here and there, but they're dates and times and places Aoba stayed. "So...how'd the mission go?"

"...I had to leave early. The actual work wasn't so bad, though."

"One of those, huh?" I simply nod, and roll up the scroll and put it in the other pile. The next one seems to be a number of the Yamashiro clan's jutsu- there are even a few notes here and there, but none of them seem to be suspicious, or code for anything.

"This one here has some notes," I say to Aoba. "I'm not quite sure what they might have to do with the Divine Eye, though." Aoba takes the scroll and looks over it, and it seems a light goes off in his mind.

"No, of course it wouldn't make sense- you see, I split up the instructions. This scroll has the hand seals. The other one I need is one with a bunch of numbers for the diagram."

I should've expected something subtle like this. "Here, I think this might be the one." I pick up the one I just finished reading, and hand it to Aoba. "...About how long does it take?"

"It takes a decent bit of time to set up. There's the first reading to gauge your emotions, and that could take a while. After that there's getting the diagram drawn to balance everything, and then the second reading."

"Okay… and Aoba, thank you for this." Aoba simply nods, and I feel awkwards being here with him in his room. "This is kind of a random question, but, would you happen to know where I can find Ibiki when he's not at the department?"

"Ibiki? No, can't say that I've ever heard of him going out anywhere. What'd you need him for?"

"I needed to talk to him about snakes and parrots."

"Well, then maybe you'll find him at the pet shop," Aoba says with a smirk. Wait… of course. Suddenly Ibiki's pet shop analogies make sense. The shop won't be open at this time of day, but I'll know where to look tomorrow.