Heart monitors. The steady beeping of a heart monitor was the first sound I heard when I awoke. I was relieved to hear it, though it took me a moment to realize why.
Root didn't use heart monitors. If you were a particularly good operative, they had pulse monitoring seals but even those were seldom used. If defeated in battle, you were a broken tool. If you were badly wounded, you were wasted space and years of resources. Nothing was gained if you were kept clinging to life in the medical bay and nothing was lost if you died.
I forced my eyes open, squinting slightly though the light in the room was dim. My throat was tight and my mouth dry. A metallic taste I recognized as blood was lingering on my tongue and, as I tried to swallow it away, deep scratches on my face and neck reopened. Every inch of me felt bruised and battered and, doing a mental diagnostic, I had at least two cracked ribs and a broken wrist. My chakra levels were beginning to recover, though, and soon the energy would rush to my wounds to speed up the healing process.
I was elated.
The pale color scheme was starkly different from Root's medical bay. An IV dripped a translucent blue liquid I distantly recognized as RC8, a chakra restorative, into my bloodstream. I could feel bandages beneath the thin hospital gown I'd been changed into and, on the small end table beside my bed, there was a dark brown teddy bear. While the smile embroidered onto the bear's face was slightly sinister and the toy was far too childlike for my taste, I appreciated the sentiment. Better than all of that, though, was the sight I caught across the room. There was another bed, in which lay a small girl with dark blue hair. She was resting peacefully and, aside from a small bandage on her cheek, she seemed largely unharmed.
Briefly, I studied the room. My training compelled me to catalogue the exits, possible weapons, and potential areas to bottleneck any attackers. Once that scan was over, I allowed myself to study the room as a civilian might. It was a reasonably sized room with curtains, now pulled back, were strung about the room to separate it into four quadrants. In each quadrant was a bed but Hinata and I were the only patients in the room. I could count three windows, each large enough for me to slip out of, on the far right wall and another two on either side of my bed behind me. The door was to my left in the far corner, closer to Hinata's bed. Dotting the walls were some basic equipment, drawers, and cupboards. The crash cart was concerningly close to my bed, making me wonder if it had been needed while I was unconscious.
Steeling my nerves, I threw the blankets out of my legs. I twisted on the bed so my feet grazed the tile floor. Shivering slightly at the cold linoleum, I pushed against the bed, forcing myself to my feet carefully. Standing, I leaned heavily on the bed, my breathing slightly labored as my ribs protested the movement.
Without warning, the door was flung open and a woman strode in wearing what I vaguely recognized as doctor's scrubs. She was in her mid thirties with mousy brown hair streaked with silver and cut short to stay out of her face. Dark jade eyes glanced briefly to Hinata before moving on to me. As she studied me, her mouth fell open slightly.
"Back in bed," she commanded, recovering with a frown. "Can't have you hurting yourself more, sugar."
I opened my mouth to speak but no sound came out. Giving me a decisive nod, the doctor strode to a cupboard, taking out a small carton before coming to my side. She set the carton on the end table and all but forced me back into the bed, wrapping me in the blankets with practiced ease. When I vaguely resembled a burrito with arms, she pressed the carton into my hand. I stared at it blankly.
"Juicy Juice?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at the name. The doctor frown ever so slightly as I studied the carton. After a moment, she took it from me and stabbed a straw into the top.
"Drink," she ordered. I obeyed hesitantly before my eyes widened ever so slightly.
"It's good..."
"Of course it is," she said patiently. She paused, hesitating. "Do you remember what happened to you?"
Of course I do.
"I need to see the Hokage," I said seriously. The woman looked at me with concern.
"That'll have to wait. When you came in, you had some very... severe... injuries, sugar. Also, the Hokage is a very busy man. Unless you-"
"Can I see my chart?"
"As your physician, I don't think that's a good idea," she said gently. I looked at her seriously.
"Doctor, I have been trained for six years now and that training has included a very thorough study into anatomy and medical technique. If you don't want me to see my chart because you think I'll panic, I assure you that I have likely been injured worse and I have definitely seen worse injuries."
She paused, her mouth pulled down into a concerned frown. Even so, she fetched my chart from the edge of my bed. She passed it to me cautiously and studied my face as I flipped it open, my eyes scanning the paper.
The first thing I recognized was my identity. In lieu of my actual name, as there was no way to identify me and any records of my birth had been removed from public records, I was Jane Doe 15-6. 156. Quickly pushing that out of the forefront of my mind, I skimmed through the rest of my chart, a grimace pulling at my lips. I had gotten worse injuries in the dojo but that didn't mean that anything I had was minor. Lacerations that had required stitches, a severely broken wrist, two cracked ribs, one broken rib, severe chakra exhaustion, the list went on.
"How long was I out?" I asked, glancing at the date of admission, October 7th, two days after Hinata and I made a run for it.
"Almost two days. We intended to keep you under until your injuries were better healed, but-"
"I have a fast metabolism," I said absently, glancing at the amount of drugs that I had been put on to keep me unconscious. So today's the ninth. "When can I be discharged?"
"Even if you are a ninja, you don't have a hitai-ate. It's hospital policy that minors under the age of fifteen are required to have a parent or guardian come to bring them home."
"That's perfect. I turned fifteen on the sixth," I said honestly. The woman looked at me dubiously but did not stop me from standing again. Even so, she tried to convince me otherwise.
"You're still injured," she protested. I sighed, exasperated.
"I am Uzumaki Rei, the last of a line of master sealers and shinobi of legendary power. My father was Uzumaki Jun, a personal friend of the Yondaime Hokage, and my mother was Raiden Arisu, the Kaminari Dansaa. I am a shinobi of Konohagakure and Hinata-chan and I are leaving."
"Hinata-sama's father will not allow her to be discharged until she is fully recovered," the doctor said, clearly thinking she had an advantage. After all, who was I to interfere with family matters?
"Hinata-chan is only Hiashi-sama's concern if she wishes to be. She is old enough to make her own decisions."
"She is a child!" The woman opened her mouth to continue in her argument but I was too fast. I jumped to my feet and, with a quick push of lightning chakra, jabbed her twice in the abdomen. A strangled noise escaped her throat before she fell unconscious. I caught her, wincing slightly as my ribs protested, and laid her out on the bed, glad I had grown during my years in Root.
After a moment, once I was sure that no one had heard the commotion, I rummaged around through the drawers and shelves before grinning, finding Hinata's and my belongings and clothes. I quickly stripped out of the hospital gown and donned my ANBU armor, my hand pausing over a pure white mask. Each recruit receives a blank mask for their fifteenth birthday that gets decorated when they are finally integrated into Root's ranks. It had been an early birthday present from Mira. Swallowing, I put the mask on, shifting it to the side of my head for now. Grabbing Hinata's belongings, I strode to her side. After scanning her chart, I carefully detached her from the medical equipment and, though my reserves were already taxed, I pushed chakra to my hand once more, now intending to heal. I rested one palm on her forehead and my other on her heart, my chakra drifting into her. She gasped awake, her eyes wide with shock. Seeing me, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Nee-chan..."
"Ohayo, imouto-chan.I'm going to see if I can arrange a meeting with the Hokage. Do you want to come with me or wait here for your family? I'm sure someone will-"
"I'm coming," she interrupted, throwing the blankets off of her. She only had a few minor injuries- shallow lacerations, bruises- so she was free to go. Even so, I looked at her with concern as she quickly changed into her armor.
"Are you well enough to shunshin?" I asked as she strapped her tanto to her back.
"Are you?" she returned. I hesitated before chuckling.
"Let's find out, shall we?" I reached out my hand and Hinata took it. Together, we disappeared into a fold of shadows, a variation that left less evidence than a swirl of leaves and was significantly easier to disguise than a puff of smoke.
I soon found myself at a desk outside of the Hokage's office. I stood straight, my mask in place but henged to resemble an active ANBU's. Hinata also had a forged mask but, as an incomplete replica, she stood in my shadow where its flaws were less noticeable.
"Lioness and Wolf to report to Hokage-sama," I reported to the receptionist. She hardly glanced at me before waving me in. Behind my mask, my jaw dropped at the lax security. Even so, I didn't hesitate to move forward. I knocked twice on the Hokage's door before entering.
The door had hardly closed when Hinata and I were pushed against a wall by a pair of ANBU, their katanas dangerously close to our jugulars. The operative restraining me held his forearm across my chest, holding me against the wall without effort. It took all of my restraint to not react. If I injured one of the Hokage's guards, I doubted he'd be very understanding.
"ANBU-san, we mean no harm," I said as clearly as I could with the pressure on my chest. The ANBU's head tilted ever so slightly towards the Hokage, looking for orders.
"Remove their masks," he ordered. I kept my arms still, making no move to resist. I heard a gasp as Hinata's mask melted away to reveal her pale eyes. My own mask was taken off my face rather roughly and my red and silver hair fell loose. I looked up at the ANBU holding me, studying his body language before turning to look at the Hokage.
"It's been a while, Hokage-sama," I said softly. My voice sounded oddly broken but I composed myself quickly. "Six years now, jii-san."
"Rei-chan?" he breathed, the wrinkles around his eyes deepening as his eyes widened in shock. I nodded, ignoring the blade still at my neck. Sarutobi Hiruzen looked to the two ANBU. "Release them."
"Hokage-sama, they-"
"Release them," he repeated, his voice leaving no room for argument. The guards obeyed without another word and I stumbled ever so slightly as they disappeared. My eyes tracked them to the ceiling but I pushed their presence out of my mind.
I stared up at the man who I remembered so clearly. He had come to my sixth birthday party. I still remembered the beautiful blue kimono he'd given me. He had always seemed so kind and hopeful. Now he seemed exhausted and weighed down though I could tell seeing Hinata and I relieved some of his burden.
"Rei, what happened to you?" he asked, his voice carefully composed but his eyes betraying pain. "There were so many people looking for you two, but there wasn't any sign of you. Not even the tracker nin could get a reading."
Biting my lip, I glanced around the room before flying into a series of hand seals. The ANBU on the ceiling stirred, ready to react, but the elderly Hokage stayed them with a wave. Once I finished the long string of seals, I bit my thumb and drew a seal on the floor. As soon as I withdrew my hand, the seal began to glow purple. The glow spread throughout the room before dying out completely, my seal fading into the wood floor as if it had never been created.
"A privacy seal?" Hiruzen asked, sounding impressed but wary. I nodded.
"This can't leave the room, not yet..." I took a breath before speaking again. "Danzo has been busier than you know, jii-san... On the night the Kumo nin came for Hinata-imouto and I, we were tracked. His subordinates killed the men that took us before returning us to the base."
With every word I said, Hiruzen grew more and more pale. At first I thought he was stunned but, looking into his eyes, I quickly realized that he was angry. A steady wave of killing intent began to emanate from the God of Shinobi in such a large amount that, had I not been trained for this, I might have passed out. As it was, Hinata began to shake ever so slightly. I drew her close, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. She nodded thankfully as Hiruzen tried to compose himself.
"Rei-chan, can you-"
"I can locate the base and give figures... I know the training methods, the punishments. I can identify the masks of the Root ANBU. I have all the information you should need," I confirmed softly. "But it needs to stop, jii-san."
"It will stop," he vowed. "I suspected that Root was still going strong, but I couldn't do anything to stop it. I didn't have any solid information to go off of... But what will you do now, Rei, Hinata?"
"I'm taking my life back, jii-san. I suppose I'll move back into my old house, assuming my parents' will was honored. I'll join the regular forces, maybe go for ANBU in a few years."
"And you, Hinata?" At his question, the Hyuuga frowned thoughtfully.
"I don't know, Hokage-sama... My family will want me to go back to the compound, but I don't want that. I... I just want to live with my nee-chan!"
At her declaration, something inside of me broke but something much larger healed. Hiruzen looked to me, an eyebrow raised, and I nodded quickly, wrapping my arms around Hinata.
"Like I'd let you go that easily," I laughed under my breath softly. She sniffed, her shoulders shaking ever so slightly as she tried to stop the tears. "I was planning on kidnapping you, anyway," I said, making her laugh weakly.
"This will cause a lot of contention," Hiruzen warned tiredly. "Hiashi will likely demand his daughter returned and the council will be divided on the matter."
"The council can do whatever they want..." I grumbled before recalling something. "Jii-san, what happened to my father's seat on the council?"
"It's been left empty. You could, in theory, reclaim it once you are a legal adult. There will also be a lot of debate on your parentage. Your records have- Danzo." The warhawk's name sounded like an expletive.
"Yeah... He sent operatives to destroy my records. But one of my dad's friends, Aokawa Renji, managed to save most of the official documents. I have them, safe and sound. Besides, how many red and silver haired, silver-eyed kunoichi have ever been born to this village? And they can check my medical records from the hospital to confirm the Uzumaki accelerated healing and stamina. I also have my mom's lightning chakra, which isn't too common in Konoha either."
Hiruzen nodded, confident that my seat will be secured.
"I think you should go home now, Rei. Come back tomorrow, once you've rested. I'll have my receptionist keep an eye out for you."
"Oh, about her, you might want a replacement. She barely looked at my mask before waving me in. I don't think she even saw Hinata-imouto." Again, my words made Hiruzen frown.
"I see... Thank you for bringing that to my attention." He was silent for a moment before clearing his throat, looking up with a new dedication. "I'm assigning an ANBU guard for you two. I'm sure you can defend yourselves but I can't risk either of you getting hurt. You're far too important."
"A guard?" I grimaced. Hiruzen looked at me seriously.
"Unless you want two...?"
"A guard!" I exclaimed with false cheerfulness. The elderly man rolled his eyes, shaking his head ever so slightly.
"Go home," he said again. Smirking slightly, I lifted the eight year old Hinata onto my back, giving the Hokage a vaguely mocking salute before leaving, shouting a goodbye over my shoulder.
"Nee-chan, you're loud," Hinata whispered in my ear. I raised an eyebrow before humming thoughtfully, my expression softening.
"I'm... happy."
After a quick trip to the house in which I discovered that, while it was kept reasonably clean in my absence, there was absolutely nothing edible in the building, I raided the safe in my parents' old bedroom, surprised that it had been untouched. Then again, I doubted many people would search under the floorboards under the bed for a safe the size of a shoebox. Once I had accumulated a fair amount of money, Hinata and I went to the shopping district which was distinctly larger than the last time I'd been here.
Soon enough we were laden with bags of groceries and clothes. We couldn't get away with wearing ANBU armor for any length of time, especially since neither of us bore the ANBU tattoo. As it was, we were henged into normal clothing though a good jounin would be able to see through the ruse.
Returning home quickly, Hinata and I stocked the kitchen. The fridge and cupboards were soon filled with food, nearly all of it healthy. I doubted that either of us would be able to eat any too-sugary foods for a while. Our bodies simply wasn't used to it.
After a quick dinner in which Hinata and I both discovered that neither of us were exceptional chefs, I recognized a presence in the hall. I walked towards the doorway, motioning for Hinata to stay quiet. Once at the doorway, I called into the hall.
"There's no point in hiding," I said, my tone slightly mocking. A figure formed out of the shadows and I recognized the mask as a dog. Immediately, I froze, my eyes widening as I recognized the chakra signature of the ANBU in front of me. "Kakashi?"
