A/N: Apologies for this chapter. I didn't have much time (that's not unusual, though), and I feel sick. I tried, though.
They arrive in Taki's notably small capital on the second day, with most of Team Hiruzen executing the Henge no Jutsu to avoid unnecessary attention. Shun, however, performs some strange technique that involves breathing her fire into the air above and letting it coat around her when it falls. The flames soon flickers out into nothing, but it leaves conspicuous twinkling around her form.
And yet, despite how attention-grabbing the entire display is; not a soul else appears to even notice her presence, let alone notice how she is sparkling.
"How… does that even work?" Tsunade understandably questions, her expression and tone one of incredulity. They watch as Shun experimentally waves her chequered sleeves around, whacking a multitude of people in the face. One person that is more fragile falls, and does not get back up. "I mean, she just whipped like ten people in the face and literally no one except us noticed or cared. Even the ones being hit are acting like nothing's happened!"
It is true, for none of the residents are paying her any mind. Even the ones that have been caught in the wrath of her sleeves resume their activities, entirely unaware of their new injuries. The one on the ground is also subsequently ignored, with the populace unconsciously walking around them and continuing on. Either prone bodies in the middle of the street are normal here, or it has something to do with Shun. Strange how the latter is more plausible.
Orochimaru glances around to survey their surroundings, but not even his team's gawking is garnering any sort of bemused suspicion.
Hiruzen-sensei frowns, stroking his goatee in contemplation. "Perhaps whatever Shun has done to herself is a glamour of some sort." he theorises, observing the dragon in question when she crouches by a stray dog and initiates an impromptu staring contest with it. It does not see her, but that fact does not deter her. "As such… It would seem that anything caused by her, either directly or otherwise, is unwittingly ignored?"
"That sounds insane!" Jiraiya appropriately exclaims, his expression contorting into one of scheming awe. "Imagine the things you could do with an ability like that! I could actually enter the women's baths without a ̶ "
"Finish the sentence, perv," interrupts their Senju teammate, whose wide smile is thunderous and promising, "I dare you."
Orochimaru sighs, making a mental note to warn Shun from ever utilising her expanding repertoire of abilities for Jiraiya's libidinous endeavours. No doubt, she will have little trouble accepting since it would be seen as something fun to do. It is already worrying enough that she enjoys listening to the powder-haired male go on about ludicrous topics.
Just as Tsunade is about to punt Jiraiya through a building, their teacher steps in to mediate. "Alright, settle down. We still have some investigating to do." he reminds them, placing his hands on his two bickering students' shoulders. Though his smile is patient, there is a particular gleam in his gaze that implies he is secretly approving of Jiraiya's thinking.
Another mental note is created; ensure that Shun does not help either lecher in their sexual ventures. Especially the elder one, because it seems like something that would have worrying connotations involved.
"Shun." Orochimaru calls, approaching her and cutting her one-sided staring contest short. She looks to him, her glimmering visage more intense upon closer proximity. "We are going to begin our investigation now. Let us go."
She abruptly jumps up at the statement, eagerness dancing in the depths of her eyes. "Whoo! Adventure!" she whoops, hooking her elbow around his own as she waves to the rest of the team. "We're off, see you later! Don't be alarmed if someone dies or a building is destroyed!"
Both Hiruzen-sensei and Tsunade don similar expressions of alarm, but Jiraiya simply cackles and waves back. "Don't be late now! I don't want to have to go searching for you, only to find the both of you in a compromising position. If you know what I mean."
It is the conspiratorial wink thrown his way that prompts Orochimaru to flick a kunai back as a response. "Moron." he hisses under his breath, tempering his body's urge to heat up with mortification. "We are only twelve, why must he be so vulgar?"
As they set off down the street, Shun hums as they walk. "You know, on average, healthy snakes reach sexual maturity between two to three years of age." she imparts to him, glancing at a street vendor that is selling trinkets made of glass. He expects her to continue on, but she is silent for a few moments instead. "I don't know why I thought it was important that I tell you that, though."
Despite himself, his mild annoyance at his misfit teammate melts into fond amusement. "That is fine," he returns, "as I do not mind listening to your voice either way."
"Oh, good," she smiles, nodding to herself, "I thought the same about yours. You have a nice voice. So, we match! In a way. Maybe."
Sometimes, he wonders if it is possible to die from overexposure to her atypical charm.
They wander around, asking about certain rumours regarding a mystical tool and where it might be found. It is not too eventful, save for the one incident where Shun eats the bird perched on a street vendor's shoulder. The man himself, of course, does not hear nor see the swift but violent consumption of his assumed pet. It is even possible that he has forgotten that there was ever an animal on his shoulder in the first place.
Orochimaru ponders about whether he should ask her or not to use this same ability back in Konoha. It is a useful skill, even if it presently makes little sense. When questioned as to how long she has had this capability, she simply responded that she made it up just today for them. Because seemingly that is just how it usually occurs for her; either she creates the ability herself on the spot, or it happens on its own and she learns of it mostly by accident.
It is indeed rather insane to think about. He suspects that one would lose their mind if they truly attempted to figure out all the nuances of Shun's very existence.
Regardless, they do not find as much useful information as Orochimaru would like. They do, at the very least, eventually learn that the Rikudou no Jingi may have been spotted near or by the bay. It is unknown whether or not it is true, but it is a start.
They may stop by Takigakure first if they do go to investigate, since the village is on the way. It will be a chance to see if they do already have it in their possession.
Deciding regroup with the others when the sun begins to set, he and Shun begin to make their way back to where the three are converged together. Since he is not a sensor, he relies on Shun's tracking skills to lead them to their team's whereabouts. It is the reason he had neglected to ask for a meeting point previously.
As they travel across the roofs, Orochimaru spots a few distinguishable figures that he surmises to be disguised ninja of other nations. They too are most definitely gathering information, and he would opt to pre-emptively eliminate the from the equation if he were authorised to.
But Hiruzen-sensei would disapprove, since they have not yet done anything worthy to warrant such a response. It could cause political consequences and whatnot. A shame, but at least it is now established that they will be facing other ninja further along the mission's duration.
Orochimaru and Shun soon land on the roof of the building opposite to the one their team is located within, and Jiraiya soon appears to wave up at them in acknowledgement. The place they are currently visiting appears to be a modest-sized diner of some sort. The decorations are a little odd, however, as he spots a few locks of hair and even a severed doll head in one corner of the entrance. It does not give a distinctively pleasant impression, but perhaps the interior is better.
"Yo, you two." greets Jiraiya when they jump down to the street before him. He is sporting a bruise on his jaw, and the wide grin he is bestowing them must be mildly painful to maintain. "Did you enjoy your date? Find out anything interesting? I did, but it was more along the lines of a themed café."
Shun hums joyously in confirmation. "I ate this bird that was perched on someone's shoulder because its feathers offended me." she divulges, sounding terribly pleased with her achievement. It is painfully endearing. "It was alright, but it could have used more salt. Are we going to eat dinner here? Because it smells like they're cooking human meat, and I don't know if any of you like to indulge in cannibalism."
Orochimaru blinks, but when he gives it some thought, it is somehow not surprising. His exuberant teammate seems to be of the same mindset, for Jiraiya merely folds his arms and solemnly nods his head. As if the pieces within his mind have come together.
"Yeah… I thought the meat was a little strange. Ah, well! At least Shun's going to eat well tonight!" he snickers to himself, no doubt amusing himself with how the other two are going to react to this disturbing information. "Let's tell them when they're done."
Eliciting an exasperated sigh, Orochimaru elects to venture further down the street for his own dinner later. "Ignore him, Shun. I will buy you something from here before we go procure my own nourishment. I do not wish to get involved in the fallout."
"Yay!" Shun cries, jumping and clapping in delight. "Can we buy a lot, please? I've been craving human meat for so long, yes. It's not as exciting as hunting for food, but it will suffice."
He assures her that they will, though he belatedly wonders why there is a diner using human meat in the first place. Also, is it legal?
Perhaps it is best that he not question it, at least for the time being.
Chapter Word count: 1,716
Total Word count: 16,875
Targeted Word count: 1,667
A/N: There was more I wanted to do with this chapter, but my body was like, "Suffer from headaches and more, okay?" So, my bad.
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