A New Hope (private IvO, Ayama Navi)

The trees stood close together, the deep green of their leaves blocking the sun she was so used too. When she had traveled with her father she had seen many different lands but the leaf village had always been avoided for obvious reasons. She had to admit, the Shodai Hokage’s trees were a sight to behold. Some of them were massive and ancient, scars on their trunks a warning to anyone with eyes. Nearby was something dangerous, nearby was a ninja village. She drew her eyes from the thick foliage to study Navi.

She eyed his profile subtly, studying him. They walked side by side, their hands intertwined and the small touch caused her such happiness. When she had first realized her feelings for the dark haired leaf ninja she had tried desperately to suppress them. Relationships across villages never ended well. She had dismissed them, thought a relationship with the stoic leaf ninja impossible. It was just a crush, fleeting and easily smothered. But then he had almost killed her in a display of power and his mask shattered before her very eyes. It had been so subtle she hadn’t noticed it at first. It wasn’t until she had been kidnapped by the Hyuuga that she saw her feelings for what they were. Deep and unfathomable.

Now she had left her village, abandoned the sand with barely a second thought to join his village. She conceded herself to his own loyalty and found herself perfectly willing to join his village to be with him. Taking a deep breath she turned her attention back the road and found her eyes widening as she spotted large yellowish walls rising above the treeline. A few steps and suddenly Konoha appeared before her, the magnificent gates open to reveal the colorful housing and the streets. Her mouth opened slightly in shock. The dull sandy colors of her old village could not compare to the brightness of Konoha. The Village hidden in the leaves was like a flower garden nestled in the deep wood. Here are there were signs of it being a leaf village, signs of past wars and buildings obviously meant for war, like the tall walls. But other than that…

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered softly staring in barely concealed awe. This was the home of her father, or had been. From now on, it would be her home as well. A new hope welled up in her at the thought.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered softly staring in barely concealed awe. This was the home of her father, or had been. From now on, it would be her home as well. A new hope welled up in her at the thought.

Navi had been passing the journey staring at Ayama and looking down at their conjoined hands whenever she looked over at him. Because of this he hadn't really stopped to look at the view until she made the comment. He had actually been feeling quite bored, and the only thing interesting around worth looking at would be the girl next to him. Navi was so used to being at the village in under a minute he had never really stopped to observe the view, and hadn't walked to the leaf village at a normal pace since he was a Genin.

When he looked over at his village from their scenic position Navi was awestruck. He was shocked to have not realized it before. The village was beautiful, and Navi had spent so much time protecting it that he had never stopped to realize it. It was just something that had to be protected to him, there was never a reason or solid motivation. All of this change was happening so suddenly, feelings for a girl, friendship with an outsider, a new perspective on his village. Within the process of a few days Ayama had flipped Navi's life upside down, and he wasn't sure if he liked it or not.

He yanked on her hand a little bit, pulling her away from the scenery after another glance. They would descend down a small hill on a dirt path before arriving next to the enormous gates of the Leaf Village.

Navi would grasp her hand tightly as he pulled her forward, happy to have her cross the threshold of his village. As they approached the gates, three men in black cloaks and animal masks would appear in front of them, members of the ANBU Black Ops. As he was yearning for Ayama to finally enter the village, he waved them aside with his free hand, causing them to vanish a moment later without even a trace of smoke. It would be too late before Navi realized the implications of his actions. The ANBU unit had stopped them because Navi had put the entire ANBU Core on lockdown earlier via the Hokage's orders. It was obvious that they were stationed there to confirm the identity of anyone entering the village. Navi's gesture of waving them away was a quick, but clear gesture of authority which might raise questions from Ayama he didn't want to be asked.

He would only hope that Ayama was too mesmerized by the beauty of the village to realize what had happened. This experience was meant to be about her, and Navi would quickly change the subject as to cut off any questions she might answer.

"Welcome to the Leaf Village Ayama, the people here will welcome you with open arms and warm hearts. In time, you will realize why I have grown such an attachment to this place."

A moment later they would cross through the gates, and be placed in the center of the village, walking through long streets and passing friendly townsfolk. Navi squeezed Ayama's hand in anticipation, smiling at her widely as he had yet another surprise to reveal.

"Oh, I got you something by the way...," Navi reached deep into his pocket and rummaged around, feeling for the present he had been waiting to give her.

She stiffened slightly, her hand clenching around his tightly. The Anbu appeared suddenly and with no warning, standing menacingly between her and the village. Automatically her hand dropped to the hilt at her hip, not yet touching the sword just barely there. But in an instant they vanished. She blinked, still tense.

“What?” she whispered softly confused, glancing at Navi. Where had they gone? She eyed his expression but gleaned littler from it and in the end decided this went under the same label as the note. A secret he was keeping that she would just have to trust him on. Huffing quietly she relaxed her grip again and her hand was removed from her sword.

"Welcome to the Leaf Village Ayama, the people here will welcome you with open arms and warm hearts. In time, you will realize why I have grown such an attachment to this place."

“We shall see,” she had an attachment already. She was attached to Navi and through him the village. Whether or not she formed her own attachment to the village was yet to be seen. She followed him willingly, taking in the entire village. People smiled here, their clothes open with little cover. She could the peace in their interactions the happiness. They were more peaceful, even more peaceful than her old village. So happy, so blissful.

"Oh, I got you something by the way...," Navi reached deep into his pocket and rummaged around, feeling for the present he had been waiting to give her.

“Oh?” she said in surprise, turning her head towards him. What could he give her? Already he had returned her feelings, what more could a person ask for?

“Oh?” she said in surprise, turning her head towards him. What could he give her? Already he had returned her feelings, what more could a person ask for?

By now that had arrived in front of his home, and with his hand in his pocket on the item in question he would open the door for her and guide her inside.

The wooden floor was barren and made of clean boards, the walls a graying white as the home would seem dull and simple. A few wooden windows would be open allowing a beautiful view to the forest, and letting a small cool breeze pass through the room. Navi would let her walk inside first before closing the door and waiting for her to turn around.

He would then pull out a standard metallic leaf headband, showing the engraved Konoha symbol that would glimmer briefly from the rays of sun streaming through the quaint home. Navi would look down at the symbol as he loosely held the headband in his palm. A moment later he would sigh and extend his arm, offering her the gift.

This next part would also probably be a little difficult for her, as Ayama no doubt had taken a last look at her Suna headband before leaving it behind. This leaf headband he was offering her was an assurance of her new identity, and confirmation that she had submitted to being a Konoha ninja and had put her old life behind her.

He would say nothing and show an entirely expressionless face as he held out his hand. Navi would not charm her into making this decision, he wanted Ayama to make this choice on her own willingness and accord. Underneath his almost deadpan expression would be a huge level of anticipation. Behind his indifferent gaze would hold a desperate longing, making him want to fall to his knees and beg. His horrible longing would be completely concealed however, and he wouldn't burst forward into feelings until she accepted the gift, taking her place by his side in the Leaf.

Navi gently guided her into the house and she looked around, casing and analyzing the room like she had been trained. It was empty, and honestly blank, like canvas that had yet to be painted. There was potential here, the potential for a life existed in this house. She gaze quickly returned to Navi, giving him her undivided attention.

He pulled from his pocket a forehead protector of the leaf. Her eyes widened slightly her mouth forming a small O. Almost immediately she was assaulted by a flurry of emotions. Surprise tainted with suspicion being the chief among them. Had he been planning this? How could he gave gotten approval from his Kage to accept her so quickly? Her hand clenched slightly by her side as she stared down the headband.

“You made this choice,” Hisoka’s low purr of a voice reminded her and her eyes flicked to Navi’s face. Despite the fact the fact that it was utterly impassive, it strengthened her resolve. The brief second of indecision passed and she reached forward to grab the headband, moving to tie it over her right upper arm, like she had her sand one. But she paused in the middle of the action. She switched the protector to her other hand and made to tie it around her upper left arm. Adjusting and tightening it she studied the leaf insignia, watching it shine in the light from the windows. She could not replace her life in the sand, she could not take back that time. She would not forget the lack of weight on her right arm and what it represented. She would only move forward.

A smile adorned her face once more and she turned to meet Navi’s gaze. “Thank you,” she said softly taking a step closer to him and standing on tiptoe, to kiss him on the lips.

A smile adorned her face once more and she turned to meet Navi’s gaze. “Thank you,” she said softly taking a step closer to him and standing on tiptoe, to kiss him on the lips.

Navi's deadpan expression would crack into a joyful and warm smile. He hugged her tightly and as she tiptoed up to kiss him he would lovingly embrace her, gently pressing his lips against hers before pulling away a couple moments later.

She was now officially a Leaf Village Shinobi and a comrade he would trust. He would place an arm around her waist and pull her closer, his other hand grasping hers firmly. The small barrier of distrust and prejudice that he held for all outsiders including her would break down, and his respect for her would now go even beyond that of a girl he loved. He would look away a moment later and gesture towards the beds and drawers.

"I know it's not much, but feel free to put what you have wherever you'd like."

Even more strange nerves would shoot through Navi's spine as he realized that this was the first time he would have a family member since he was about seven years old. The last time he had a family member they had all been slaughtered and killed, which made Navi's thoughts drift off a little bit. A frown would subconsciously spread on his face, showing a level of distress. He would also unknowingly squeeze her hand, getting out a little bit of tension from his thoughts.

He would break out of his trance a moment later, smiling back at her and releasing his uncomfortable grip on her, blushing slightly with his face a little red from embarrassment.

"Oh Ayama..." his voice trailing off a little bit. Instead he would just let his eyes fall to the floor and shift his attention to the floor, his mind echoing the simple phrase.

Thank you.

She smiled even wider when he happily returned her kiss, pulling her closer. She could see his walls crumbling, coming down before her. The knowledge that his smile and his happiness was something rarely seen made her happy. She was glad she could elicit this reaction from him.

"I know it's not much, but feel free to put what you have wherever you'd like."

"It's enough for me," she grinned, she was not a material girl. She would make this home her own. A place she wouldn’t mind being tied to. Where the bonds were thread stronger than any chains without a heavy weight on her shoulders. Closing her eyes she rested her head on Navi’s chest a low hum (more accurately a purr) rising from her chest. Then she felt the tensing of his hand, she blinked her eyes open and looked down at the entwined appendages.

He would break out of his trance a moment later, smiling back at her and releasing his uncomfortable grip on her, blushing slightly with his face a little red from embarrassment.

"Oh Ayama..." his voice trailing off a little bit. Instead he would just let his eyes fall to the floor and shift his attention to the floor, his mind echoing the simple phrase.

She reached out and retrieved his hand again, twining their fingers and holding it tight. She understood, even with out him saying the words she understood. She remained close to him reveling in the proximity and enjoying the contact. She had gone so long without any by her side. For all her training and attempts to become heartless and cold she was naturally an open friendly person. To be so cut off from all emotional ties, from any close contact had be wounding to her psyche. She found it amazing the healing that was already happening, and within such a short amount of time. Suddenly inspiration struck her. She stepped back, releasing his hand once more and brought both hands up to her neck, her fingers searching for something there.

“I have a gift for you too,” she smiled happily, her hands paused as they found the thread and she drew the loop over her head, easily untangling it from her braid. After the loop of thread a small pendant, about the size of a human eye, was drawn from it’s hiding place in her shirt. The pendant swung lazily in the sunlight, not even a flash of light reflecting off the smooth surface. Instead the black and purple stone glowed resolutely, as if it absorbed the sun’s rays and used them to create its own glow.

She reached for his hand and brought it, palm up, closer to her. She laid the necklace onto the open palm and used her hand to close his fingers over it. Smiling she looked up into his eyes, knowing he understood the significance of this action.

“Take good care of it,” she hummed softly smiling brilliantly. She trusted him, gods help she trusted him with her life. She didn’t care what secrets he kept or what choices he would make. She understood his loyalty, his pride and to an extent his feelings. As long as she was able she would stand by his side, fight by his side.

“I have a gift for you too,” she smiled happily, her hands paused as they found the thread and she drew the loop over her head, easily untangling it from her braid. After the loop of thread a small pendant, about the size of a human eye, was drawn from it’s hiding place in her shirt. The pendant swung lazily in the sunlight, not even a flash of light reflecting off the smooth surface. Instead the black and purple stone glowed resolutely, as if it absorbed the sun’s rays and used them to create its own glow.

Navi would instantly recognize the necklace, it would be the pendant he first saw when he met her in their first encounter. A slight smile appeared in the corner of his mouth when he remembered taking it from her and watching her squirm and become ferocious. Before she had screamed for it back in a fit of rage, now she was handing it to him as a symbol of trust and love.

She reached for his hand and brought it, palm up, closer to her. She laid the necklace onto the open palm and used her hand to close his fingers over it. Smiling she looked up into his eyes, knowing he understood the significance of this action.

He would smile back as his eyes interlocked with hers. Navi seemed to be doing a lot of smiling around Ayama lately, and it was hurting his cheeks from doing it so often. He turned a little more red from embarrassment and then shook it off after clutching Ayama's present more firmly in his hand.

“Take good care of it,” she hummed softly smiling brilliantly. She trusted him, gods help she trusted him with her life. She didn’t care what secrets he kept or what choices he would make. She understood his loyalty, his pride and to an extent his feelings. As long as she was able she would stand by his side, fight by his side.

Navi would nod slowly, eyeing Ayama's pendant with fragile care. He would reach the clasp around his neck and bring it together, allowing the purple and black stone to sink under the collar of his shirt. Navi wasn't sure if Ayama realized the implications of what she had just given him. This necklace was extremely important to her, he had known this from the first day he met her. Was she really willing to go that far for him this early in the relationship?

"Er-.. Ayama, are you su-"

A loud knocking would interrupt his speech, and Navi would snap his head to face his wooden door, watching it rattle upon the impact of a visitors hand. Departing from Ayama for a moment he would walk to the door and open it widely. A look of horror would spread across his face as he realized who it was. Three ANBU guards with black cloaks and masks on would be kneeling before him, the one in front would immediately ask a question upon seeing him.

...Shit

"Sir, we were asked to inform you that your presence is required at the Konoha Administrative Building. The report on your capture of Azaiyo of the Sand is requested at your earliest convenience."

Navi would stand dumbfounded at the door for a moment, unsure on how to respond. Several mental voices would scream inside his head about what to do, and he would clutch the door handle hard for a few moments before finally responding to break the awkward silence.

"Alright, thank you..." Navi would say, closing the door slowly and snapping it shut. He would turn around slowly to face Ayama now with wide eyes.. studying her every expression and feeling butterflies rage in his stomach. This was bringing back a familiar feeling of nervous fear that he thought he had finally gotten past around her.

Ayama’s head whipped towards the door, all her senses going on high alert at the intrusion. “Calm yourself girl, these people are out comrades now,” Hisoka's bemused reminder echoed from the back of her head and her gaze dropped to the leaf headband tied to her arm. Right, friends, not enemies. Her posture relaxed out of its defensive position and as her alarm fled, annoyance replaced it. They had interrupted their moment, what the hell. While rationally she knew the ninja could not have known what was happening inside the house, she was still irritated.

Navi pulled away and went to answer the door. The instant he saw who had come to call though his back went rigid. Three ANBU were kneeling outside the house.

"Sir, we were asked to inform you that your presence is required at the Konoha Administrative Building. The report on your capture of Azaiyo of the Sand is requested at your earliest convenience."

Some of the blood drained from her face, her fists clenched automatically and Hisoka snarled in the back of her mind, suddenly eager to be released. “Capture of Azaiyo? It’s a trap! He’s using us Ayama!” the Nekoga snarled viciously, “they’re starting a war with the Sand.”

“No,” she thought back vehemently, shaking her head, “No Navi wouldn’t do that, I know...”

“You know what he wants you to know! He’s a powerful ninja and apparently a high ranking one as well. He could have easily tricked you while I was separated from your mind!” Her head shook harder, her hands coming up to clutch at her hair as Hisoka bombarded her with memories of her interactions with Navi, her happy ones, and even the recent ones from their admittance of love. But each memory was darkened, twisted and tainted. The smiles were false, the words lying, the eyes menacing.

“Stop it,” she snarled it him, “stop it Hisoka!” but the Nekoga ignored her. Her eyes opened and she looked up at Navi, her hands still tangled into her hairline. She looked into his eyes, noting the fear, the nervousness. This would explain everything, the letter, the power, the ANBU at the gate, “The lies,” . Hisoka filled her head with the words and her eyes snapped shut again as with an enormous amount of concentration she gagged her partner. She forced the Nekoga from her mind, reveling in the tranquility for a moment before meeting his gaze once more.

“So that’s what you were hiding,” her voice was soft, but strong not sign of her inner turmoil apparent, “I suspected but…” she didn’t need to complete the sentence. The theory of high ranking ANBU of all things was not high on her list. Her expression was… confused, she was confused. She wanted to trust him and love him, ignore this like it never happened and didn’t matter. But the sobering truth was that this did matter. Yes ANBU was secretive, identities were to be kept a secret. The punishment for revealing one’s identity was severe. But she couldn’t help the feeling of hurt. She was trusting him with everything, all her secrets, her heart and even her future. Yet still he retained his own secrets. Her trust had been shaken, Hisoka had made sure of that. Their relationship seemed to be hanging from a thread now, shaken from it's sturdy perch. She felt an overwhelming fear that it wouldn't survive this first test.

“So that’s what you were hiding,” her voice was soft, but strong not sign of her inner turmoil apparent, “I suspected but…” she didn’t need to complete the sentence. The theory of high ranking ANBU of all things was not high on her list. Her expression was… confused, she was confused. She wanted to trust him and love him, ignore this like it never happened and didn’t matter. But the sobering truth was that this did matter.

Navi's eyes would glimmer for a moment as the red symbol appeared in them, marking the activation of the Navagan. Her speech patterns and heart rate would tell him her exact feelings and inflections before they came out of her mouth. She was disappointed, she felt her trust was broken, and due to specific muscle contractions and the flow of the chakra usually going to her bond with Hisoka, she would also be suffering from minor mental trauma.

That damn cat would be turning her against him, and ruining a relationship with the only person in the world that he felt love towards. He couldn't lose her... he wouldn't. Navi had pledged to protect the Leaf by any means necessary, and his relationship would need to be protected as well. Furthermore, his identity in the ANBU couldn't afford to be compromised, and drastic actions would need to be taken.

Navi approached Ayama, a sad look on his face as he accepted what he had to do, his eyes would lock with hers for a brief moment...

"I'm sorry Ayama," and in that instant her memory of the events that had just occurred would be altered. In her mind now would be that Navi had gone to answer the door, and instead he had told someone that he wasn't interested in buying what they were selling. Then he would walk back to her, and be standing in the exact place he was standing now. The less he altered of her memory the better, as parts that remained classified military intelligence could not fall into the mind of another shinobi, even if they were a leaf ninja.

"I'm sorry... for interrupting," he would continue, "sometimes people will come by and bug you". Navi would smile slightly, trying to hide his emotions and feelings from betraying what he felt after doing what he just did. Hopefully Ayama wouldn't notice how he was feeling underneath the barrier he would attempt to put up, although Navi suspected that she would detect it at least at a subconscious level.

He was forced to lie about this, but in some ways, she would deserve a portion of the truth. Military secrets were one thing, but the less things he had to keep from her, the better. She would hear it soon anyway, so it would only help to be up front with this information instead of hiding behind it. He would slip his hands together with hers and gently pull her closer for another kiss.

"Ayama, I need to tell you something important," his smile would be warm but his voice would be serious. "There are a few things you need to know about what I do."