I do not own Naruto.
The night was calm, finally. After what seemed like forever and losing a good portion of the village's forces and the Fourth Hokage to the Kyuubi, the deep silence that night held was more than a relief. Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage of Konohagakure, slowly puffed at his pipe, allowing himself to enjoy the taste of the herb he favored most. The long walk he was taking around the village was the first moment of relaxation he had a chance to enjoy, in quite some time. The village appeared to be in good condition again. All the buildings were repaired and all the dead had been paid their respects. Life in the village would return to normal, the Third was sure of it.
A baby's cry pierced the silent calm of the night. He looked in the direction of the cry, disappointed that the sound had interrupted his thoughts. He took a long deep drag off of his pipe. Yes, that baby will be taken care of shortly, nothing to wor-, another cry interrupted his thoughts. He sighed deeply, a huge puff of smoke billowing away from his mouth. A quick look in the direction of the cry showed him that the baby was not being taken care of. In fact, it was sitting in a black basket. Outside of his home no less. His brow furrowed with curiosity.
He approached the basket cautiously. Upon closer inspection the baby was wrapped in a black blanket, sprinkled with stars and with detailed images of the phases of the moon lining the edges. Stuffed into the basket beside the babe was a thick scroll with a silver chain tied around it, a solid white stone attached to it. The blanket covered the baby's head and face, though loose around its mouth and nose so it could breathe. The shadow casted by the night was cut through by a white gleam in the cloth. Keeping his senses keen he moved his hand towards the baby's face, a kunai knife at the ready in his other hand. He pulled back the cloth and revealed that the gleam was a long strand of pure white hair.
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed suspiciously. He reached for the scroll; it appeared that the scroll was actually being held tight by a wax seal with the symbol of the fang of Garyuugakure, the Village Hidden in the Dragon's Fang. He tucked the scroll back, lifted the basket and took the baby inside.
"You called for me Hokage-sama?"
"Yes Mihari. There's something important we need to discuss."
The gentle babbling of a baby caught Mihari's attention. She looked over and saw a black basket, the stars and moons along the brim of the blanket bright and contrasting. She smiled in the direction of the baby for a moment. Then her attention was back on the Hokage.
I wonder why he's got a baby in here… Oh well I suppose. It doesn't really concern me anyway.
"I'm glad you've noticed." He was quiet for a moment, contemplating what his next words should be. "Do you recognize this?" He placed the scroll on his desk, the seal facing her.
Mihari's eyes widened. She immediately got on the ground and bowed down to the Hokage.
"Hokage-sama, I swear to you, my allegiance is to Konoha. I have not ever, ever broken that trust. If you feel you have reason to believe otherwise please punish me as you see fit!" She said the words without a moment of hesitation.
"Mihari, please stand. I have never doubted your allegiance since you came to this village. You went to such great lengths to ensure you broke away from that clan, and you even brought us the Scroll of Dragon Summoning, one of the most valuable items your clan has ever possessed just to prove your need to leave them."
Mihari stood, slowly, her fists clenched. She almost felt ashamed knowing that she betrayed her birth place but it was quickly washed over by the knowledge that, her actions would prevent her from being the heartless monster the Kirinketsu clan wanted from her. The ways of Konohagakure, were just something that called out to her.
Not to mention other more personal motives.
"I'm sorry to have jumped to conclusions Hokage-sama. I just dread the day that I'm sent back for some sort of indiscretion…" Her voice trailed off as she finished her sentence.
"Fear not child. Were your clan the same as it was one hundred years ago, you would never have even been able to flee to our village."
Mihari nodded.
"What, if it's not too bold of me to ask, are the contents of that scroll?" She inquired after a few moments of silence, not bothering to hide her curiosity. The Third knew her too well; she couldn't hide anything from him.
"That baby is Tsukiko. Kirinketsu Tsukiko."
Shock drew itself across her face.
"No… Don't tell me she… She is…"
The Third Hokage nodded.
"She is. Your father gave his life to prevent her from being raised in Garyuugakure. Being the younger of the pair and after learning of their fates from the clan's seer, he felt it would be futile to take them both and only had Tsukiko brought to us."
Mihari only nodded.
"Mihari, this baby, your sister, will need a caretaker." He paused for a moment so that she could see where the conversation was going. "You may be young, yes, but you are mature well beyond your years, a common but positive trait within the Kirinketsu Clan. Due to the sudden and unexpected arrival of your young sister here, we are aware that financially you are not prepared. The expense for the first few months will go onto a tab that I will personally take care of."
"Hokage-sama! That's too much to ask of you! You've already been so kind to me."
"This was my decision Mihari. Babies have needs, and if she is going to be raised as a shinobi, she will need the best of care. Furthermore, once you have finished your current investigation, you will not be taking major part in anymore S-rank missions. Instead you will be working on the research teams for the missions. It may not pay as much, but your survival will be ensured so that you can raise your sister."
"I… Yes Hokage-sama." Mihari reluctantly agreed to the Hokage's wishes, feeling backed into a corner since she knew she couldn't just flat out say no to the Hokage. Not after all he had done for her.
"Tomorrow afternoon I will come by to determine if your apartment is large enough to raise a child. If not, I'll take care of the necessary moving arrangements."
"Hokage-sama, you are truly too kind to me." She bowed low to him. Footing the bill for her to move... He truly believes she can handle this task set to her.
"It is truly my pleasure Mihari. You've been such a big help to this village. One of the best this village has ever produced." He stood and walked over to Mihari, he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You and yours are welcome here. No matter where the blood may have originated, you will always have a home in Konohagakure."
Mihari's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he pulled the young girl into a hug.
"Thank you Sarutobi-ojiisan. Thank you," When she released the hug, she immediately stood at attention again, "Please forgive my actions, Hokage-sama."
"Mihari, as a citizen of Konohagakure, you are family too," He said with a smile. "Never fear that I would cast you away from here. It would never happen. Even after I've passed on, I view you as one of my own grandchildren; certain measures have been put into place such that your life here will always be protected,"
"W-what do you mean? What sort of measures?"
"If my time as Hokage were to ever end suddenly, you will find out. Hopefully that time will never come."
"I... I see,"
Hiruzen smiled at her.
"It seems your baby sister has fallen asleep. You should go rest as well. There is much to be done tomorrow, Mihari." The cooing of the baby had stopped and the two were in complete silence.
"Yes Hokage-sama," she bowed respectfully to him and made for the window but stopped and turned to the Third Hokage, "Thank you, Sarutobi-ojiisan," and with that she jumped out the window and disappeared into the night. Hiruzen sat in his chair, his eyes closed in contemplation for a few minutes after she left. When he opened them, he picked up the scroll from the Kirinketsu clan and tucked it into a hidden compartment of his chair. He stood and walked over to the baby. He looked down at the sleeping child and sighed heavily.
What sort of power does your blood carry young one?