When Orochimaru awakens he finds himself in a pitch black container. He listens and hears the clopping of hooves and being jostled around he figures he's being carted off somewhere. He tries to move but his body feels bound, he recognizes the work of some jutsu at play. Even when he tries to open his mouth to speak he cannot, but his vocal cords are still free to make noise. Calling out with whatever sounds he can muster, he is responded to by two knocks on the container; it sounds like wood. Orochimaru realizes he's in a coffin when he hears Jiraiya's voice

"Ah, so you're finally awake in there my friend"

Tsunade's voice joins him

"It didn't have to be this way you know. Nobody ever wanted it to end up like this"

"If you're wondering why you can't move in there, we put you in a sealing box so you won't be able to perform any jutsu to free yourself"

"Orochimaru, I can't believe you did such horrible things... Why would you? How could you?"

"Tsunade, he can't speak either, remember? There's no point in trying to question him right now"

"Oh yes, you're right..."

Their voices fall back silent and Orochimaru fumes, he tries to recall the events that happened before he woke up here. It's still somewhat vague, but he remembers trying to flee from the village. He went to his hideout where he was performing human experiments but was pursued by his old teammates. They engaged in an immense battle, he decided to cut his losses and destroy his laboratory in the process. The combat finally ended when Jiraiya managed to hold onto him long enough for Tsunade to knock him unconscious... Orochimaru tries to meditate and calm himself, but becomes distracted when he hears two more voices. It's that of a woman and a very small child. Even though his facial muscles won't cooperate, Orochimaru smiles on the inside. He thinks to himself

"So, they survived the explosion... I'll have to factor recovering those three into my escape plan..."

Seated at the rear of the wagon is a boy who isn't much older than two years and a woman in her mid twenties. The boy is fair skinned, has scruffy brown hair, and large, black, almond shaped eyes. The woman has long, wavy, black hair, a fair complexion, violet eyes, and she is heavily pregnant. They are both dressed in what looks like prisoner's attire, and both have the appearance of having been undernourished for a long time. The boy leans close to the woman and she wraps her arms around his shoulders. The boy speaks

"Where we going, Sayonakidori?"

"We're going someplace safe, Tenzo"

"No more scary snake man?"

"No, no more. We're going to be okay now"

"Okay... is baby okay?"

Tenzo looks up at Sayonakidori and gently rubs her belly. She smiles back down at him and answers

"Yes, she is fine"

He kisses her belly before laying back down and wrapping an arm protectively around her. She runs her fingers through his hair as he continues talking

"You take good care of me"

"I tried my best"

"Sayonakidori... you leave me like mommy leave me?"

She stops stroking his hair and looks down at him again. Her heart softens, she doesn't know if he understands or not, but she overheard Orochimaru say that all the children he experimented on were orphans so there would be no families to be alarmed and come looking for them when they went missing. Looking into Tenzo's eyes, she makes a decision, then kisses the top of his head

"No Tenzo, you're going to stay with me"

His eyes light up and he gives Sayonakidori a huge hug. She smiles again, then notices a change in the landscape. Turning around she sees they are entering through the enormous gates of Konohagakure. Tenzo notices too and gets shy, clinging closer to her as they are taken through the village. Jiraiya drops Tsunade, Sayonakidori, and Tenzo off at the hospital while he continues on to take Orochimaru into custody.

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Sayonakidori and Tenzo are treated for dehydration before blood samples are taken and Sayonakidori is interviewed by Tsunade inside a hospital room.

"Do you think there could have been any other survivors?"

"I'm not sure. From the last ranting I overheard of Orochimaru's I understood that his experiments with children was failing. There were so many of them... I couldn't believe they were all dead. When we prisoners looked through our barred windows and saw the fight you were having with Orochimaru we rioted and broke free from our cells. Once out into the yard most of the other prisoners took to vengefully slaying the guards. When I saw Tenzo wandering around crying, I was so happy at least one child made it so I rushed over to him. When that giant snake started rooting up the foundation and causing the fortress to collapse on itself nearly everyone inside was killed. You saw how Orochimaru took care of the rest with that explosion... Tenzo and I only made it because I put up a protective barrier when I knew the walls were going to fall in on us."

"I see, so you are a kunoichi then?"

"Yes"

"Where is your affiliation?"

"I have none. My parents are both ninja but from different lands, but they decided to leave the lifestyle and they settled along the southern coast of the Land of Fire to become civilians."

"Ah. What do you know of Orochimaru's experiments?"

"Just that they were genetic in nature. He was trying to manipulate both the child I'm carrying and Tenzo with the DNA of shinobi masters"

"You sound a bit detached talking about your baby in those terms"

"Well, it's not a natural pregnancy"

"Oh? Please tell me how so"

"Orochimaru created an exact clone of myself and implanted it in my body for harvest"

Tsunade's jaw hits the floor. Genetic mutilation? Cloning? She thought she knew her comrade so well... Who is this monster she's finding about about now? Sayonakidori stops talking and glances down at the table. Tsunade recollects herself then urges Sayonakidori to continue

"Please go on... I'm sure this must be difficult but I'm trying to gather as much information as I can to help you and Tenzo"

"Orochimaru captured me almost two years ago. He was intrigued by my ability to perform a simultaneous shape and nature transformation I call plasma. It requires the use of any two elements at the same time in combination with changing the form. Orochimaru thought it could be a more powerful weapon if I were able to perform the jutsu using three or more elements. Since I am only capable of using fire and lightning he tried to inject me with the DNA of masters of the other 3 elements. After a few months of not getting any results he thought he would try it on children because their bodies are more pliable than adults. That's when he started collecting orphans like Tenzo. Again, not finding immediate results, he decided to go even younger and try manipulating a child while still in utero. Thankfully for me he didn't want to go about the normal routine for impregnation. He said it left too many open variables and he wanted a subject he could understand precisely so that's when he began to clone my cells. I had two failed pregnancies before my body accepted this one. Orochimaru subjected my clone to many things, I'm not sure of what. Since fire is my main element, at the very least I'm guessing he exposed her to the other four. So now you understand why I'm having a hard time being attached to the child growing inside of me because in essence she is myself"

"Yes, I do understand..."

"Tell me, what's going to happen to Tenzo and I now?"

"Well if you don't mind staying in the village for some time, I would like to observe you and your child to make sure you don't suffer any ill effects of Orochimaru's meddling. Tenzo on the other hand not being an adult or having any family will be placed into the orphanage while I provide him with regular check ups as well"

"Well I do mind... But if I could keep Tenzo, I'd be more apt to stay here"

"I'll speak with the Third Hokage, I'm sure that can be arranged"

"Thank you... Is there any way I could write some letters to my family? As I've already told you it's been almost two years since my abduction, I'd like to let them know I'm alive after all this time"

"Certainly! I'll send an attendant with some ink and scrolls and we'll send your messages from our aviary as soon as you're finished writing"

"Thank you"

Tsunade exits and as she does an attendant is leading Tenzo back into the room. With the attendant he is timid but as soon as he recognizes Sayonakidori he smiles and races over the bed she is sitting on. Tsunade gives instruction to the attendant before walking off.

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Inside the Hokage office, Hiruzen is pacing the floor. Hearing a knock he beckons the visitor to enter and Tsunade steps in. Tsunade recognizes the look of worry on her old mentor's face as she begins to debrief him on the recovery mission. As she recalls the battle and capture of Orochimaru, Hiruzen only thoughtfully nods and strokes his beard. When Tsunade shares the information she gathered from Sayonakidori, the Hokage feels sick to his stomach and takes his seat behind his desk. Tsunade can tell he's having just as hard of a time digesting the news of Orochimaru's sinister work as she did, and perhaps even more so. More than a few moments of silence pass after Tsunade finishes speaking before Hiruzen finds his tongue again.

"I do pity that poor woman and child, but I worry Orochimaru may have created incredible weapons out of the both of them. I believe it would be best for them to remain here in the village for long terms study. Please go prepare living arrangements for them so they may feel more at home"

"Yes Hiruzen-sensei"

Tsunade bows respectfully and leaves as the Hokage rests his elbows on his desk while interlocking his fingers and thinks more on the matter.

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The following morning Tsunade has secured a small, floor level apartment and a small bag of money from the Hokage. She goes to the hospital and has Sayonakidori and Tenzo discharged; they both have recovered from their dehydration and other than having been underfed, they are both in moderate health. As Tsunade escorts them through the village and shows them around a bit, she chats with Sayonakidori

"Thank you for choosing to stay here in Konoha for a little while. I hope you find it welcoming. The Third Hokage has paid for a month of rent on a small apartment for you and the boy and he wants you to take this gift to get started"

Tsunade hands Sayonakidori the money and Sayonakidori gasps with a shocked expression

"Oh my! I would certainly love to meet the Hokage and thank him in person"

"I can arrange that for you. Have you considered how you're going to earn money while you're here visiting?"

"I have and I'm really not sure. As we discussed yesterday, I am a kunoichi and that is how I earned my living before my abduction. I can't really fulfill the lifestyle of a shinobi in my current condition nor leave Tenzo alone."

"And how long do you have until the child is born?"

"I would guess at the very least I have two months."

"I understand it can be very difficult for a ninja to secure civilian work because that is not where our skill set lies, but perhaps after a standard evaluation of your shinobi talents, you can be processed into our infrastructure and be assigned some D-rank missions that would keep you local, have low stress, and often times allow little Tenzo to tag along"

"That would be fantastic! Thank you for doing so much for us!"

"It's not a problem at all! I want you to feel at home here while you are with us"

"I'm sorry to be such a burden, but could you show me where the aviary is? I'd like to see if my family has answered my letter"

"Of course! This way..."

Tenzo looks at everything in amazement but clings closely to Sayonakidori as they are led through the village. Once at the aviary not one, but three messages await Sayonakidori. As she reads each of them, tears fill her eyes and she holds the letters close to her chest. Tsunade asks

"Is there something wrong?"

"No, nothing at all! They're all so happy to hear from me! They are traveling here immediately and will be here in three days"

"That is wonderful to hear! I'm sure your reunion will be joyous. Come, let me show you to your apartment and on the way I'll show you where you can purchase groceries and as my welcome gift for you we'll stop and get you some new clothes so you can get rid of that garb from Orochimaru's prison."

"Tsunade, you do too much..."

"I am more than happy to help. Lets go this way please..."

Unexpectedly Sayonakidori hugs Tsunade. Tsunade reciprocates the gesture and as she does she can't help but wonder if she would be this outwardly kind if these strangers hadn't been tortured by someone she until recently considered one of her closest friends. Sticking to her word, when they stop for new clothes Tenzo gets a gray t-shirt with the village symbol on it in red, black shorts, and new sandals. Sayonakidori gets a simple lavender robe patterned with small purple flowers, and a purple sash to tie her hair back into a ponytail with. Outside the clothes shop, they pitch their old clothes in the trash which Tsunade recognizes as symbolic of their walking away from the tragedies they suffered through.

Tenzo is completely enthusiastic about his new footwear as all he can ever remember wearing before are simple leather slippers. Tsunade smiles because she never thought something so basic could make a child so happy. Being young and unaware, Tenzo runs circles in amazement of the shoes until he plows into a boy a little bit older than him. The boy is about 5 years old, has silvery hair and dons a mask which covers the bottom half of his face. The boy shoves Tenzo to the ground and shouts

"Hey! Watch where you're going!"

Sayonakidori drops to her knees to pick Tenzo back up, and as she's dusting off his rear she gives the silver haired boy a vicious look

"You're right, he does need to pay more attention but he's also younger than you and doesn't know much better. You on the other hand should have better manners!"

"You're right, he should have better manners"

An unknown male voice speaks. As he approaches, Tenzo gets shy and wraps his arms around Sayonakidori's neck. The man is tall, has silver hair like that of the boy, but he wears his long and gathered in the back and wears standard shinobi attire of the village. He reprimands the the boy

"Kakashi, that was very rude of you. Just because you're bigger and stronger than somebody doesn't give you the right to push them around, especially when it was just an accident."

"Yes Father..."

Kakashi replies sullenly while looking down at the ground. The man directs his attention to Tenzo next

"Are you alright young man? I hope my son didn't upset you or your mother"

Sensing this man is friendly, Tenzo lets go of Sayonakidori's neck and smiles up at the man

"I'm okay! And this isn't my mommy, she's my Sayonakidori. She takes good care of me"

"Oh, I see"

The man extends a hand to her as an offer to help her back to standing, he asks

"May I?"

She smiles at him and takes his hand

"You may"

Tsunade provides the introductions

"This is Hatake Sakumo and his son Kakashi. Sakumo, please meet Sayonakidori and her young friend Tenzo"

Sayonakidori speaks

"It is a pleasure to meet you Sakumo"

With her hand still in his, he lifts hers to his face and gently kisses it.

"Trust me, the pleasure is all mine"

Kakashi puts his back to the scene, crosses his arms, and rolls his eyes then pipes up

"I'm sorry my father is such a terrible flirt, doesn't normally act this strange"

Hiding his embarrassment, Sakumo calmly turns around and with a malicious glint in his eye forms a hand sign similar to the tiger seal then jumps down into a crouch and pokes Kakashi in the rear while calling out

"ONE THOUSAND YEARS OF DEATH!"

Kakashi is humorously propelled down the sidewalk as Tenzo bursts in laughter and Sayonakidori and Tsunade smirk. Sakumo returns his attention to the women

"So, are you new in the village or are just visiting your friend Tsunade here?"

"Oh, it's a bit complicated... But Tenzo and I will be staying here for a short while at least"

"Very good. Perhaps we'll bump into each other again soon"

"Perhaps"

Sayonakidori gives Sakumo one more smile as Kakashi rejoins him, walking while holding his sore bottom. The two parties wave goodbye to each other as Sakumo and Kakashi continue on down the road and Tsunade leads Sayonakidori and Tenzo off until they reach their new home.

Entering the apartment, Tenzo gets excited again running around from room to room. The apartment is lightly furnished and Tsunade bids them farewell as she returns to her regular duties. Before they settle in completely, Sayonakidori and Tenzo get some groceries then return to prepare supper. That night as they get ready to go to sleep, Tenzo snuggles in close and asks Sayonakidori

"Are we staying here?"

"Not for very long. We're going to go back to where I'm from after the doctors make sure we are healthy"

"When will the baby be here?"

"Soon. Very soon"

"Are we going to leave before or after the baby?"

She pauses here to think. She hadn't considered it yet, but being logical she answers

"After. It'll be hard for me to travel before the baby and we want the doctors to make sure she is healthy too before we leave"

"Oh okay. It's good here. I like it"

"You're right, it is nice here. But I don't think it's where we belong"

Not hearing another word from Tenzo, she looks down at him and sees he's fast asleep. She kisses him on the head and closes her eyes. She's worried it'll take her a long time to fall asleep because of how happy she is to see her family again, but she drifts off in moments. It's been a long day.

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