#masshirohebi

How long had it been? Decades? Since he’d taken the exiled sannin under his wings, but a young person making their way in an underworld Konoha was too unwilling to even dream of venturing while living contentedly short lives in their kennels. Having given them a place in the upper echelons of Akatsuki, how splendidly had Orochimaru served alongside the Uchiha boy te village had deigned dead. Yet here they were, decades later, in the gradually restoring Uchiha compound at an offshoot wing of the village under heavy surveillance and guard. A concession the hokage had begrudgingly made in light of his predecessor’s blind eye to the genocide conducted nearly twenty years before. 

On a surprisingly mellow day, an unmistakable chakra signature brought a wry smile to the Uchiha ancestor’s visage.

遠:

In all his years of life and traveling, D has never heard of Otogakure before. Was it a frontier all to its own? Unless, perhaps, it was a new place, that wasn’t poisoned with the history of being ruled by nobility. From the point he had offered to take them home, he had no idea that the journey would be like this. Long ago has he already passed a point of land he could recognize, but now everything is new. Not a bit of memory to aid him.

Worse yet, a witch had tailed them, and while D was successful in deterring the onslaught of magics, Orochimaru was not as lucky. While she stood idle reciting an incantation, D took the opportunity to strike her down with his long sword. The witch either had a den or cave somewhere, or was hired by a noble or other individual to hunt him specifically. Unless perhaps, the reason they cast an incantation Orochimaru’s way, is of a reason he doesn’t know.

He turns to ask them this, finding a heap of their clothes. The hunter saunters over and kneels down on one knee to inspect, pulling at one of the clothing to find that the other became small --- a child. Was it an age reverting spell, or did she simply give him his child body?

Even with all the barriers, their hatred rains down on her like hail, their hiss dragging across her flesh like overgrown claws. Even their laughter punctures her like nails. The more she takes in of their restraints, the more her heart breaks. She can’t recall seeing them look so animalistic until now. She knows they haven’t been eating because she’s been overseeing their meals, the one to tell the staff what they like and don’t like. 

She’d never asked for it. The pardon was a reward for her cooperation, but all it does is spare her from most of the legal penalties of her past actions. It changes nothing else. She’s only tolerated here, not welcomed or trusted. She’s right back where she’d started...except it’s all worse, now. 

For a second, she reels. No matter how many people surround her, she is truly alone in the world. Perhaps she always was? 

For a second more, she contemplates coming closer, to offer to undo some of their restraints knowing full well how mad they are at the moment with bloodlust. Instead, she tugs at her hair and stamps her feet but otherwise stays put. 

Chances are they won’t believe her no matter what she says at this point, but she must speak her piece regardless.

“I didn’ do it for th’ pard’n,” she mutters with a hot lump stuck in her throat. She blinks her red puffy eyes, aching from seemingly endless tears. “I...I did it for you. An’ I did it for ev’rybody in Oto. Tol’ Tsunade I’d only help ‘er get you if she spared your life. Tol’ ‘er...told ‘er you mus’ be worth savin’ if you’d risk your safety for somebody like me. She di’n’ think you’d do it, don’t you know. Said you were too selfish t’ care ‘bout anybody but y’rself...b-but you proved ‘er wrong.” 

She bows her head, fishing her pockets for one of her crystals. The rose quartz. 

“I...I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I hurt you.”

But you hurt me, too... 

     Given her fondness for children, Ryū has long been associated with aiding the Academy in their yearly medical examinations to help ensure the next generation of shinobi enter their next phases with a clean bill of health. It’s one of her favorite avenues of her job - far better than the closely-related task of aiding with the chūnin exams. Here, at least, there’s no danger - just a simple check up to clear the class about to graduate for their stint as genin.

     She’s had interesting results before: notable clan children, uniquely gifted students, and even the rare cases who are found to be unfit due to one prevailing ailment or another. But Mitsuki is, for all intents and purposes, the more extraordinary child she’s had the pleasure of meeting. And that’s saying something, given his classmates include those like the last Uchiha’s daughter Sarada, and the Nanadaime’s son Boruto. Never before has she met someone made as he was, nor as sound in condition.

     Prior to her examination of the boy, she was indeed made aware of his lineage, Naruto looking rather pensive about the revelation. But Ryū merely waved his concern aside. Even if she had some bias against Orochimaru - and perhaps in a small way she might, given their proclivity for questionable methods - Mitsuki was not his parent, and she was hardly one to be judge, jury, or executioner. It is not a medic’s place to pass judgment, only to heal. Especially so in the case of one of her line, what with their long history of ignoring both clan and country borders in their work.

     So, when the serpent sannin is set to meet with her to discuss the results, she’s hardly worried. And given the information Naruto gave her about them, she’s already well aware that Mitsuki is well looked-after. Their nonchalant reaction to her diagnosis is therefore expected.

     “He was very pleasant to work with - a charming young man, to be sure,” she notes as they speak of Mitsuki’s disposition. But at the serpent’s note, she can’t help a small look of surprise. “I...yes! Suigin Ryū.” Though of course, maybe she shouldn’t be as taken aback as she is - her father is an old teammate of theirs, after all. As relatively recent as that revelation is, she doubts it would ever slip by someone as astute as Orochimaru. And Ryū has to wonder how much they know about the other half of her lineage.