Yashamaru made his way down to the kitchen where Sachiko and Mitsuki were having a few slices of cake.
"Oh, Yashamaru!" Sachiko smiled, perking up when she saw him enter. "Would you like some?" She offered him an untouched slice on the table.
"It is so good, Yasha," Mitsuki hummed, shoving a huge piece into his mouth.
"No, thank you," Yashamaru declined the offer politely. "You can have my piece, Mitsuki."
The boy instantly lit up, pulling the piece closer to him. "Would you like to share?" he asked Sachiko with stars in his eyes.
She laughed softly, gesturing for him to put the cake down. "Is your sister back yet?" she asked Yashamaru. "I think she'd enjoy this."
Yashamaru frowned a little at the mention of Azumi. "I have not seen her since this morning," he looked behind him. "It is safe to assume she is with Gaara, but...is he usually out this long?"
"It depends on how many patients he has," Sachiko hummed. "I'm sure they will be back soon. He usually visits them all before sundown."
Yashamaru raised an eyebrow, glancing out the nearest window. "It is near sundown now," he pointed out.
"Your sister is safe with Gaara," Sandaime spoke up, walking into the kitchen. "And Sasori is incapacitated as of right now. There is nothing to worry about."
"I would not say that. Father was just attacked by two hitmen." Yashamaru's tone was far too nonchalant.
Sachiko's eyes blew wide. "He what!" she exclaimed, looking to her husband.
Mitsuki snorted a laugh as he took another bite of his cake. "Those two hitmen are probably dead by now," he said.
"Where is your father right now?" Sandaime asked, trying not to sound as worried as he felt. He saw how brutal Orochimaru was and if his two sons were not worried about it, then he did not want to overreact.
"He is bathing," Yashamaru answered. "I came down here to get him tea."
Sachiko shared a look with her husband. "Well, then we should let him recover in peace," she said to the room. "Do you think he will be hungry?" she asked Yashamaru. Yashamaru opened his mouth to reply but was cut off by Shira walking into the room, arms full of baskets.
"He better be," Shira grinned. "I brought a feast."
"Shira!" Sachiko was on her feet in seconds, reaching out to take the baskets out of his arms. "We weren't expecting you!" She leaned in to kiss each of his cheeks.
"I told Azumi and Gaara I'd be here tonight with food for everyone," Shira chuckled. "I thought they'd be here before me. Or at least with enough time to tell you I was coming."
"You saw them?" Sandaime asked.
Shira nodded. "A while ago, they were at Gaara's house."
Yashamaru chuckled softly while crossing the room to put the kettle on for his father's tea. "Well, that explains that," he grinned, pulling a cup down and setting up the tea.
"We have so many rooms here though," Sandaime sighed, understanding the implications.
"Yes, but it's not the same," Sachiko hummed, setting the food down on the table.
"I honestly think they were just napping," Shira chuckled.
"Sounds like something Azumi would do," Yashamaru agreed, turning back to the room.
Shira took a long look at Yashamaru. "You must be her brother," he smiled, seeing the resemblance between him and Azumi.
"I am," Yashamaru nodded with a smirk.
"So am I," Mitsuki said with a wide grin.
Shira smiled at the younger boy. "It's nice to meet you both," he nodded to both of them. "I hope you two will like everything. Your sister is a big fan of my cooking," he winked at Mitsuki.
"It is not me you have to worry about," Mitsuki grinned, leaning forward to peek into the baskets. "Yasha is the snob."
"I just have taste," Yashamaru shrugged, undeterred by the teasing. Shira chuckled, walking over to the cabinets to pull some plates down for everyone.
"I really doubt there is anyone in the world who wouldn't like your cooking Shira," Sachiko smiled, running her hand through Mitsuki's hair to guide him back in his seat. The boy made a happy little noise as he sat down.
"Now I have some expectations," Yashamaru smirked. The tea was ready and he poured a cup for his father. "I will be right back to try your food," he told Shira. He left the kitchen and headed up to the bathroom to give Orochimaru his tea. He knocked gently on the bathroom door, letting his father know it was him and he was going to enter. "We have another visitor," he said as he walked in.
"Is that so?" Orochimaru sighed, not exactly wanting to deal with another visitor.
"I think he is a friend of Gaara's. He said he saw them earlier."
"She is still not back?"
Yashamaru shook his head. "No. But considering two hitmen came in, maybe it was a good thing she was gone this long."
Orochimaru hummed softly, taking the tea. "I suppose it is." There was still disapproval in his tone.
Yashamaru pulled a stool closer to his father so he would have something to put the cup down on later. "Would you like me to fix you a plate, Father?" he asked on his way back to the door.
"No," he answered. "I will come down there when I am ready."
Yashamaru nodded and left, heading straight back to the kitchen.
On his way, he passed the opening to another hallway. He assumed the two people he saw from the corner of his eye were a couple of servants until he was halted by a whispered, "Psst! Yasha!"
He turned around to see his sister and Gaara. "I was wondering when you were going to come back," he said.
"We overslept," she chuckled. "Where is your father?"
"Your father is soaking in a bath right now," he smirked. "You missed out on quite the eventful evening," he teased.
Gaara tilted his head. "Did something happen?" he chuckled lightly.
"We just got a little visit from some hitmen," Yashamaru said nonchalantly.
"Hitmen?" Azumi chuckled. "Who were they here—oh," she stopped herself, realizing that Sasori had to be the sponsor. If he was going to send hitmen to the house to eliminate her father, it put her baby in more potential danger. "Oh, that is not good."
"Do not worry about him," Yashamaru waved off.
"It is not him that I am worried about," she said. "I know he can handle himself. But clearly, we are not as safe here as we thought."
Gaara's face turned grim. He folded his arms over his chest, settling into thought. "Maybe we should move to my home," he said lowly.
"No," Yashamaru shook his head. "I think we are still fine here," he assured Gaara. "You know how Father is," he said, looking to his sister. "Those men are most likely dead and if they are not, Sasori will probably have a hard time finding someone else dumb enough to try."
"It goes beyond that, Yashamaru," she sighed. "Sure, if it were to happen again, we can handle it. But there are other people in this house that can get hurt or worse should something else happen. Lord Sandaime and Lady Sachiko were generous enough to let us stay here and now their home is a target because it is known that we are here."
Yashamaru sighed heavily. "Alright, yes," he huffed. "I see your point but do you really want to move to the father of your child's house and put him in danger as well?"
"My place is out of the way and if Sasori thinks we are still here then it would work out in our favor," Gaara cupped his jaw.
"But your aunt and uncle would still have to relocate."
"They have a few houses," Gaara suggested. "None as big as this one but them moving would not be an issue."
"How about you discuss this with Father and Lord Sandaime," Yashamaru said. "I am sure for the rest of the evening, we have nothing to worry about." He looked at Gaara. "Your friend is here. He is in the kitchen."
"I would much rather talk about this with them anyway," Azumi grumbled, knowing her brother was usually of no help when it came to planning. She would never tell him, but she always knew he was unfit to run a village and was glad the duty went to their other brother. She lifted Gaara's hand and pressed a kiss to his knuckles. "Go. I will meet you there shortly."
"Are you sure?" he asked softly.
"She will not die from being away from you for a few moments," Yashamaru teased. Gaara sighed, cupping her face. He smiled and gave her a quick kiss before following Yashamaru down the hall.
Azumi turned and headed the opposite direction, toward the bathroom. She found the one she figured Orochimaru was in and pressed her ear to the door to listen for him. The faint sound of water sloshing told her he was getting out of the tub and she waited patiently for him to exit the bathroom. She leaned against the wall next to the door until she heard it open.
"Did you think I could not tell you were out here?" Orochimaru smirked as he stepped out of the bathroom in his robe.
She grinned up at him. "I knew you would and that it would make you come out faster," she chuckled.
"My ever clever daughter," he smirked at her. "Where have you been all day?" he asked, pulling his hair up into a neat bun. He started to walk towards his room to get dressed. "You are pushing your luck coming home so late."
She scoffed lightly as she started to follow him. "I am not a child," she said. "We told you we were going to see his patients. It is not even completely dark outside. Plus, it sounds like everywhere else is safer than here if hitmen are able to get in."
It was Orochimaru's turn to scoff this time. "No one even knew they came around until I told your brother. They were handled easily," he waved off her comment. "They were clearly here for me since Sasori thinks I am the biggest threat to get out of the way." Orochimaru slipped behind a screen to pull his clothes on. "It is neither here nor there at this point but I am considering taking the risk of leaving before the baby is born," he said easily.
She hummed softly, sitting on the bed. "What if," she started, "and here me out on this, you just quietly relocate to another one of Lord Sandaime's and Lady Sachiko's houses?"
"They have more than one?"
"With a mansion this big, they definitely have the money for multiple houses," she said. "As long as you and I stay here, more incidents could happen which you and I both know are more of a nuisance than they are truly dangerous. But if we move, we can live quietly until I give birth."
He poked his head out from behind the screen to narrow his eyes at her while he considered the suggestion. He stayed like that for what felt like a solid minute. Disappearing once more behind the screen, he finally gave her a response. "Are you suggesting we move to separate houses?" he asked. "Because I do not know if I am comfortable letting you out of my sights just yet." It would make more sense to separate them for safety but he really did not want her away from him in case something did happen. There were a lot of variables he was not sure he wanted to risk.
"Of course you are not and you have every reason not to be," she said, "but that is why I emphasize a quiet relocation. No one will know where we are which ensures the safety of my child."
"Fine," he agreed. She was, as per usual, sound in her reasoning and plans. He never doubted his daughter when it came to her planning things out. "We shall discuss it with Sandaime and Sachiko at dinner then." He stepped out fully dressed and offered his arm to her. "Have you and the baby eaten yet?" he asked with an amused smile.
She chuckled softly. "We did earlier but after the nap we had, we are definitely hungry again," she smiled as she stood up and took his arm.
"Of course you would stay out to take a nap," he rolled his eyes. "Let us go get you and the baby fed then," he smiled fondly at her, walking with her to the kitchen. "The two hitmen he sent were not even remotely prepared for me," he told her with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Did you see what they looked like?" she asked.
"I tried to forget their faces but one of them had grey hair and purple eyes," he hummed.
Azumi tilted her head back in thought, trying to recall anyone she had met in the last year that fit that description. Her thoughts went back to just a few days after being bought when Sasori burned the large scorpion into her leg. They had been visited that day by Kakuzu. "Hidan," she said, rolling her eyes. "He is a slave. I suppose Kakuzu is the hitman."
Orochimaru grunted low in his throat, trying to recall the man's name. "I think that is what the slave boy was squawking," he nodded. "I take it you have met them then?"
"I have," she nodded. "Kakuzu is a black market client of Lord Sasori's. He provides them poisons and now that I know Kakuzu is a hitman, I can only assume the poisons are used for hits."
"A supplier for the black market," Orochimaru snorted, turning down the hall with her. "Why is that not surprising? Well, they have been eliminated. Can you think of any others he might send?"
"Not really," she hummed. "None of his other clients ever came to him, they always sent and received their orders through couriers so I never met them. But I do not think there is anything to worry about. I am sure no one else will take the job if they heard the person who is supposed to be the best at it did not succeed."
"Good," Orochimaru smiled triumphantly. They turned one last corner before entering the kitchen.
"Ah, mom and baby!" Shira's voice called jovially from the table. There was a light blush on his cheeks, a glass in his hand, and an arm around Mitsuki's shoulders.
"Welcome back, Sister," Mitsuki smiled widely.
"Thank you," Azumi chuckled. She separated from her father and took a seat between Gaara and Shira. "I did not think you would get here so soon," she told Shira.
"Or maybe you overslept," Shira smirked.
"Ah, yeah...we did," she smiled sheepishly.
"I had a feeling you would," he teased. "I set up a plate for the baby," he said, reaching over Mitsuki to slide it to her.
"I think he gave you all the best parts of stuff," Mitsuki said through a mouthful of rice. Yashamaru was dead silent as he ate. He was clearly savoring every bit of food.
"It is what the baby deserves," she smirked as she started to eat. Shira slid another pitcher of rumman toward her. "And I deserve this," she hummed, excitedly pouring herself a glass.
"Does my food live up to your expectations?" Shira asked Yashamaru, holding back a smug smirk. Yashamaru gave a silent nod as he pushed another mouthful of food into his mouth.
Sachiko giggled lightly, leaning into her husband. "I think that's a yes," she laughed again.
Orochimaru took a seat next to Gaara and Sachiko. "I am shocked," he said, pulling a plate closer. "It must be good if Yashamaru has nothing to say at all."
"Now we know who to go to when we want him to shut up," Azumi said lowly, fist-bumping Mitsuki behind Shira.
"Got him," Mitsuki said just as softly. Yashamaru squinted at his siblings.
Sandaime chuckled, resting his arm around his wife. "Did you two have a good day out?" he asked Azumi and Gaara.
"As nice as visiting patients can be," Gaara chuckled. He poured himself a glass of rumman then took a long sip.
"It got a little dark meeting Lord Hayate," she hummed. "He, uh...gifted us his sword collection."
"Is he getting any better?" Sandaime frowned. "It's been a while since I've seen him."
"He will if he sticks to the medications I gave him but unless he does that, it isn't looking good," Gaara sighed.
"I'm sure his servants will keep him in check. They don't want to lose him, too."
"No, they don't," Gaara hummed. "The Yamanaka boy was as dramatic as ever," his lips quirked into a smile.
"Oh, he's sick again," Sachiko pouted. "Poor boy."
"He'll be fine," Gaara rolled his eyes.
"You are going to get bored in our village," Mitsuki rested his chin on the back of his hand. "People in our village do not really get sick."
"I doubt that means I'll be bored," Gaara chuckled.
"Doctors are not obsolete in our village," Azumi sighed. "Just because people do not really get sick does not mean we cannot use his expertise to develop other things." She looked at Gaara and kissed his cheek. "Not that we would use you but rather if you are willing to help," she chuckled.
Gaara chuckled, smiling the way only a man in love could and both her brothers' faces scrunched up on teasing disgust. "I would be honored if I could help your village in any way possible." He took her hand to kiss the back of it.
"Gross," Mitsuki giggled softly.
"She is not going to use you," Yashamaru smirked, "but we are." He flicked his finger between him and Mitsuki.
"I am willing to help," Gaara grinned.
"Do not let them use you," Azumi said. "Do not let them force you into anything."
"I won't be forced," he assured her.
"I do not trust them," she whispered, eyeing both her brothers.
"We are your brothers," Yashamaru pressed a hand to his chest. "If you cannot trust us..." he trailed off.
"Who can you trust?" Mitsuki finished with a mischievous grin.
"Enough, you two," Orochimaru gave his sons a sharp look. "Your skills will be invaluable to us," he said to Gaara.
"I can only hope so," Gaara chuckled.
"I did go to your father's home today," Sachiko started, looking at Gaara, "and Sasori was not there."
"This is a good thing," Sandaime hummed. "At least we know Rasa isn't getting involved."
"But that means we still don't know where he is," Sachiko said.
"But he can be found. There are not many places he can hide so it will be easy."
"Try the scarab's house," Azumi suggested, taking a sip from her glass. Sachiko's eyes widened, looking at her husband in disbelief.
"You guys didn't look there first?" Shira raised an eyebrow.
"No," Sachiko shook her head.
"If he is not there, then I would assume he is at his parents' house," Azumi said. "I do not think any of his...clients...would be willing to take him in." A slow smirk formed on her lips. "Especially not Kakuzu."
"Clients?" Sandaime asked, narrowing his eyes. "Of course he would have clients in the black market."
"It shouldn't be a surprise, my love," Sachiko frowned. "I'll go over tomorrow and see if I can sweet talk his parents into giving anything away."
"I'd really like someone to go with you," Sandaime shook his head. "My brother isn't thinking straight."
"I'll go," Gaara offered.
"Ooh, that is not the best idea," Azumi hummed, rubbing his back. "I do not think anyone at this table should go."
"I'll go," Shira said.
"Well, they have nothing against you," she shrugged and nodded. "That may not be an issue."
"Exactly," Shira smiled. "I can bring over food too if we need a thorough cover." He stretched to flex a little.
"I think you just want an excuse to cook," Mitsuki teased. "Can I go too?" he asked.
"No," Orochimaru said flatly. "The fewer people the better." He picked up some food to take a bite.
"Then it's settled," Sachiko smiled. "Shira and I will go tomorrow to see if he's there."
"In the meantime," Azumi said, "since he knows where we are, I think we should relocate somewhere else so this house does not get destroyed during another possible assassination attempt."
"That would be wise," Sandaime nodded. "We will move you to the house on the east end of the city. It's a little smaller but a nice quiet villa."
Sachiko's eyes sparkled. "Oh, we haven't been to the Eastern Villa in ages!" she gushed. "I'll send a group of servants over tonight to start cleaning everything up!"
"That is very much appreciated," Orochimaru said with a thankful nod.
"Thank you," Azumi grinned at Sachiko and Sandaime.
"Just when I was starting to get comfortable," Yashamaru sighed.
Azumi rolled her eyes. "Stop bitching," she told him. "You will settle into a quieter location easier than a location that keeps getting trespassed on."
"I suppose you are right."
"Once the servants cleaned it up," Sandaime started, "we can have you discreetly relocated."
"That should be done by around mid-afternoon," Sachiko added. "Azumi, if you go with Gaara tomorrow then both of you can just head over to the new location. I will have someone fetch your things."
"You can have her things brought to my house instead," Gaara said.
Sandaime gave them both a hard look. "Are you sure that's wise?" he asked.
"A hit was put on my father," Azumi said, "because your nephew is trying to get to me. If we are separated then there is less of a chance of other people getting hurt. Plus, if this is done as discreetly as we hope, he will never suspect where each of us is."
Orochimaru stared hard at his daughter. He had just spoken about not wanting her out of his sight. Every fatherly bone in his body said to not allow it. To tell her she was going with them so he could watch over her and keep her safe. However, the village leader in him told him this was the best and most sound course of action. "We will need to figure out a way for you to check-in with us," he sighed.
"Utakata and I could visit often," Shira suggested. "I did promise Azumi that I'd bring her food regularly for her cravings and I don't mind bringing food to you guys as well. And it would be a lot less conspicuous since we virtually have nothing to do with the situation. I saw Utakata earlier today and he mentioned wanting to stop by and see you all."
Azumi looked at Orochimaru and smirked, silently letting him know that everything was going to work out. He looked back at his daughter. The corner of his lip quirked up as he leaned back in his seat. "Very well," he looked over to the Shira. "Thank you for your help." He hit the man with the full intensity of his gaze.
Shira smiled widely but subconsciously scooted just a little closer to Azumi. "It's not a problem," he laughed. "It's what best friends are for!"
"Now that we have a plan, we just need to set it in motion," Sandaime said. He looked to Orochimaru. "Once you are all moved and settled in, we can discuss again what happens with Sasori," he told him.
Orochimaru nodded but his look said he had already decided what should happen to the monster who hurt his daughter.
"We do not have much so packing will be light for us," Yashamaru put his dish in the sink. "I can go start on mine and Mitsuki's now."
"Don't you want dessert?" Sachiko asked coyly. On cue, Shira disappeared under the table to retrieve another basket and set it down on the table. It smelled sweet and pleasant.
"Dessert?" Yashamaru hummed, looking at what Shira pulled out of the basket. Immediately, Azumi gasped when she saw what it was. Yashamaru sat back down. "I am interested." Shira set a chantilly cake onto the table.
"What is that?" Sandaime asked.
"A dessert from where they are from," Shira answered.
Orochimaru smirked, raising an eyebrow. "How did you find out about this?" he asked as Shira cut into the cake to dish out to everyone.
"Shira has a thing for international and inter-domestic foods," Gaara boasted. "If it's good food, he'll find it."
"It helped that I had a good source," Shira said, sliding Azumi her slice.
"I may or may not have slipped a recipe to him," Azumi hummed. "But it was because the baby told me to."
"The baby," Orochimaru nodded with a bigger smirk. "I see." Shira slid over a piece to Orochimaru, Sandaime, and Sachiko.
"We can't have the baby upset," Sachiko giggled.
"Does the baby actually tell you these things?" Mitsuki whispered softly to his sister.
Azumi looked at Mitsuki and smiled. "Yes," she nodded with a chuckle.
"Or is that just an excuse for your cravings?" Yashamaru smirked.
"Shut up and eat your cake."
Mitsuki's eyes blew wide. "Can they hear us?" he asked.
"Do not make your brother an idiot," Orochimaru shook his head at Azumi.
"If he turns out to be an idiot then that is on you," Azumi retorted. "He is your son, not mine."
"We will not take any responsibility for Mitsuki's intelligence or lack thereof," Yashamaru said. "You made us all what we are."
"Whoa, are you ganging up on him right now?" Shira chuckled.
"They are always ganging up on me," Orochimaru sighed. "My children fear confrontation except toward me."
"Brutal," Sandaime chuckled. "I don't know if I could have handled that if I had children."
"You've dealt with worse from men twice your age," Gaara snorted. "And my father."
"Yes, but that's different. They aren't my children and I can punt Rasa across the desert."
"You can punt your brother across the desert and you haven't?" Shira chuckled. "I have my doubts about you."
"I just want to know more about the baby," Mitsuki looked at his sister's stomach. "I am the youngest after all," he said, looking up to his father.
"I can tell you more about the baby later," Azumi smiled, reaching behind Shira and gently scratching the back of Mitsuki's head. "But right now they want to eat their cake."
"Okay," Mitsuki smiled brightly. "Enjoy your cake, Baby," he said to her stomach.
They dug into their cake while Shira put a pot on for tea. The conversation shifted to more food and questions about the city for a little bit until Sachiko let out a long yawn.
"I think it might be time for us to head to bed," she laughed a little. Standing up, she kissed her husband's head then circled the table to kiss Shira's. "Thank you for this wonderful food as always, Shira."
"Any time, Lady Sachiko," Shira said almost dreamily. It did not go unnoticed by Mitsuki who narrowed his eyes at the chef.
"Goodnight, Lady Goddess," Mitsuki said.
Sachiko chuckled, kissing Mitsuki's head. "Goodnight, Little Lord."
Yashamaru stood up as well. "I will go start packing for Mitsuki and myself," he said. He bowed to everyone at the table. "Goodnight," he said as he left.
"Goodnight," Gaara and Sandaime called to him.
"I'm going to go tell the servants to head over to the villa now," Sachiko told her husband, ruffling Shira and Mitsuki's hair one last time.
"Alright," he smiled at her. "Orochimaru, was there anything else you wanted to go over tonight?" he asked the other man.
"Not tonight," Orochimaru shook his head. "We have handled enough for tonight." He stood up as well. "Where should we leave our things?"
"Right outside your doors," Sachiko answered. "They will be collected in the morning."
"Very well then," Orochimaru nodded. He walked over to Azumi to kiss the top of her head. "Goodnight," he said to everyone before leaving.
"Will you two be going to bed?" Sandaime asked Azumi and Gaara. "Or was that nap you took enough?" he smirked.
"I am not sure," Azumi chuckled. "I might be up for a while. It was a long nap."
"I will be up for a little while," Gaara nodded. "I have a few things I want to work on and two naps in one afternoon have me a little overrested," he laughed softly.
Shira chuckled as he stood up to collect the dishes. "Mitsuki, would you mind helping me?" he asked the young lord.
Mitsuki looked at Shira for a moment before answering. "Sure," he said with a nod. He wanted to have a word with this chef.
"Thank you," Shira smiled.
"Right," Sandaime chuckled. "Don't stay up too late tonight," he warned them all before standing up. "Goodnight," he said as he left with his wife.
Azumi stood up. "I am going to go see if Naga and Ryuga are back from their hunt," she said. "I will be back." With that said, she left, leaving Gaara, Mitsuki and Shira alone.
Gaara stood up to clear away anything that was left on the table. He went to set the small pile of dishes down when he felt a strong and dark energy wafting off of Mitsuki. He turned to look at the boy and then at Shira. His best friend was tense. "Are...you two okay?" he asked slowly.
"Yes," Mitsuki answered immediately with a large beaming smile. "We are fine." The boy opened his eyes and Gaara immediately noted the change in his pupils. They were round before. Now they were vertical slits like his siblings' and father's.
Gaara took a step back at the sudden change. "Are you sure?" he asked, looking at Shira who was shaking his head with what he dared to call fear in his eyes.
"We are fine," Mitsuki repeated. "Right, Shira?"
"Right," Shira's voice cracked. "We were just talking about—"
"My Lady Goddess," Mitsuki cut him off.
"Oh," Gaara swallowed a laugh. "I see...should I go get Uncle so all three of you can fawn over her?"
"No, that will not be necessary," Mitsuki said.
"Neither of us will compare to him," Shira sighed.
"Speak for yourself," Mitsuki snapped.
Gaara and Shira both took a step back. Gaara was not entirely sure how to handle his fiancée's younger brother threatening his best friend. He was sure Shira could handle a thirteen-year-old but he also knew just how brutal this family was and if Mitsuki was serious then Shira could actually get hurt. "Shira has a girlfriend, you know," he said, trying to save his friend from whatever Mitsuki was planning.
"Does Shira's girlfriend know he still gets head kisses?" Mitsuki narrowed his eyes. "Or glows from them?"
"You got one, too," Shira said, trying not to hide behind Gaara. "And your father gave one to Azumi so everyone gets them!"
"So you are saying Lady Goddess's head kisses are not special?"
"Well, I mean...of course, but...you know," Shira said. He did think they were but no matter what he said, this kid's fuse was going to be lit.
Mitsuki's fangs poked out very slightly and Gaara almost panicked, knowing what it meant. "Oh, whoa, relax, Mitsuki," he said. "Everyone finds head kisses from my aunt to be special."
"I will fight everyone," Mitsuki said.
Gaara moved to restrain him but Naga and Ryuga came in just in time and wrapped around Mitsuki, restraining his arms to his sides. Naga moved in front of his face, swaying slightly to get him to calm down.
"Oh, thank the gods," Shira relaxed, letting his forehead fall to Gaara's shoulder. "I was afraid this was going to turn in to a deathmatch and I don't...I don't think I would have won," he laughed shakily.
Gaara bit his lip, trying hard not to laugh too hard. "I wonder if she is his first crush?" Gaara murmured to his best friend.
"That's a pretty intense first crush," Shira breathed out.
"Go find Azumi," Gaara chuckled, "I'll take this one to his room." While Mitsuki was still under Naga's trance, Gaara turned him around and started walking him to his room. Ryuga slipped off of him and moved up Shira's body, hissing softly about where she was as if he could understand.
Shira chuckled softly, gently petting Ryuga's head. After a minute of Shira not moving while Ryuga explained, the snake huffed. "How about you just point me in the right direction?" he asked with a sheepish smile. Ryuga rolled his eyes then nodded. His tail flicked towards the door and Shira moved.
With a few more flicks of his tail, Ryuga led Shira through the halls to the back balcony of the mansion. Azumi was sitting at the table, seemingly lost in thought. Her attention was brought to Shira as he stepped closer to her. "Oh, you found him," she said, noticing the snake wrapped around him. "They both rushed right past me. They had not seen me all day and they left as soon as I walked into the room," she pouted.
"Ah," Shira laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I think they left in a rush to save me," he chuckled. Ryuga hissed his affirmation as he slipped off Shira to coil in front of Azumi on the table.
"Save you?" she hummed. "From what? Did another person get into this house?"
"Oh, no," Shira chuckled, sitting down across from her. "Mitsuki...uh...how do I phrase this?" he laughed. "Mitsuki really likes Lady Sachiko." He could not help his smile but there was a twinge of fear in his eyes.
"Yes," she said slowly with an even slower nod, not completely following where he was going. Ryuga explained that Mitsuki almost went full feral on Shira because of their mutual love for Sachiko. "Oh..." she hummed, not completely believing that Mitsuki was even capable of going feral. "I see..." She could not completely rule it out, though, knowing how she could get sometimes.
"I've never been so afraid of a thirteen-year-old in my life," Shira sighed, leaning back in his seat. "Has he ever had a crush before?"
She thought for a moment. "None that I am aware of," she said. "Oh...oh, if this is his first, it might be a bit intense." She sighed heavily, running her hand through her hair. "Someone needs to remind him that she is married and also too old for him."
"Can't be me that does it," Shira chuckled. "He might fight me on sight." He ran a hand through his hair. "I like him though. And your other brother." His smile softened as he looked at her. "Do they like Gaara?"
"They do," she said with a soft smile. "And that makes me so happy. I do have another older brother and I hope he will like Gaara. I do not see why he would not but there is always that underlying nervousness about it." She sighed and leaned forward, resting her head on her fist. "And my father...seems to like him but it is always hard to tell."
He reached over to gently scratch her head, humming softly as he looked up at the moon. "I'm sure your other brother will like him. Gaara's a pretty likable guy. So stand up and adult," he teased. "Your father...seems pretty intense from what I could tell at the table. I think..." he paused for a minute to consider his words, "I think he would have told you if he really didn't like Gaara."
She lowered her head to rest on her arms, humming through a smile as he scratched her head. "Mm, I suppose he would have," she said softly. After a minute, a second pair of hands started scratching her back. "I was not tired earlier," she chuckled, "but now it seems like you two are trying to put me to sleep." She leaned up and tilted her head back to look at Gaara. He flashed her a smile, leaning in to give her a kiss as Naga moved from him to the table and coiled up next to Ryuga.
"Tired or relaxed?" Shira smirked. "We have to spoil you once in a while."
"He's right," Gaara chuckled, pressing in a little harder as he moved his hands and started massaging her. "Do you want a bath?" he asked her. "I know we took one earlier."
She bit her lip through a groan as he massaged her. "We did but I am always up for a bath," she chuckled. If there was one thing she knew she was going to retain from almost a year of serving Sasori, it was constantly bathing.
"I'll go run one for you," Gaara smiled, kissing the back of her head. "And then do this properly." He pressed in a little deeper into her muscles. He kissed her one more time then pulled away.
Shira chuckled, watching the couple. "I'm glad some good came out of you being enslaved," he chuckled.
"I cannot deny that there have been some positive things that came out of this experience," she hummed, watching as Gaara turned the corner back into the house. "Some very positive things," she smirked.
Shira chuckled softly, following her line of sight. "Hopefully," his smile softened, he continued to move his fingers. "The traumas you suffered this year won't follow you forever," his voice dropped low. "You didn't deserve any of this."
She looked at him and smiled. "No one deserves to be abused," she said. She thought again about everything Sasori did to her and how much she resented him for it. Yet, no matter how much she told herself she resented him, her thoughts always shifted to how much they actually got along and how much she felt bad for him. She got lost in her thoughts again, only being brought back when Shira said something she did not catch. She blinked and saw that Shira was looking fearfully at the balcony. She followed his line of sight and saw a giant snake whose head rested on the railing of the balcony. "Oh, dear," she hummed, trying not to fear the size of the snake herself.
"Do you...know this one?" Shira asked softly, trying to hide the fear in his voice.
Azumi looked hard at the snake, slowly standing up and walking toward it. She reached out carefully to press her hand gently to the snake's nose, flinching slightly when it moved closer to her to make contact. "Do I know you?" she whispered, petting the snake. She had never seen a snake this big so she did not think she knew it but when she looked into its eyes, something about it seemed very familiar. Naga and Ryuga hissed frantically, realizing who it was and bowing to it.
Gaara returned at that moment with the words he was about to say dying quickly on his tongue. He stood stock-still and just as shocked as Shira. He took several minutes to take in the image of his wife-to-be speaking softly to a snake that should have only existed in stories. Finding his legs, he very slowly and very quietly moved to the table and whispered to Shira, "Who...what..." Shira shook his head, unable to open his mouth.
Azumi brought her other hand up, petting the huge snake with both hands. She peeked over the balcony to see just how big the snake was and then looked into its eyes again. The intense gaze almost made her shudder and want to back away. She recognized that feeling almost immediately. Only one person made her feel that way just by looking at her. "Father?" she whispered, very confused. The massive snake flicked its tongue just enough for it to slip out of its lips as acknowledgment.
"She seems to know it," Gaara whispered, sitting down to watch, worried for Azumi. He knew she could handle herself but that never stopped him from worrying. Especially in the case of prehistoric-sized serpents suddenly appearing.
"She went right over to it," Shira whispered back, still stiffly watching. "But I mean...she always talks to snakes, right?" He glanced at Naga and Ryuga who were still excited.
"They seem to know it, too," Gaara whispered, looking at the snakes. He looked closely at Naga who looked like he was about to ascend. He had only seen the snake act like that around one person. The idea he was beginning to form seemed highly impossible but given everything he has seen up until then, he was not going to rule it out.
Azumi smiled at the snake then turned around to face Gaara and Shira. "We definitely know him," she told them. The snake moved very slightly to its head was just above her.
"We?" Shira asked.
Azumi nodded. "Yes," she chuckled. "We."
That was the last detail Gaara needed to put the puzzle together. His jaw dropped so hard that there was a soft click to it. "That's..." he started.
"Who?" Shira looked away from the massive snake to his friend. Who could they possibly know that was a snake?
"My father," Azumi chuckled.
"Your father can turn into...that?" Shira asked softly, looking back at the snake.
"Apparently." The snake moved up and carefully brought his entire body onto the balcony. "Why have you not told me about this?" she asked. The snake hissed and despite his size, the sound was only just slightly louder than when Naga or Ryuga hissed. "But that is not something you should keep from your children," she sighed. "Which one of us can do it?" Never in her life did she think or feel that she could turn into a snake so she was sure it was not her. The snake hissed again and she immediately scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Of course it would be Yashamaru," she muttered. "I take it he knows about this then?" Her father shook his head. "No?" she smirked. "Nice. I cannot wait for him to be provoked into this form." The snake hissed again and it distinctly sounded like a heavy sigh. It coiled neatly around itself to rest its head so it was facing Shira and Gaara. Both men stared at it, bewildered.
"Uh," Shira started.
Gaara blinked, trying to find his tongue again. "Azumi...is that...actually your father?" he asked, thinking back to how she had denied she was a snake. He had garnered from the half conversation that she really could not transform but suddenly it seemed more plausible that she could in the future. Would this mean their child could?
"It is," she hummed. "If you are skeptical then try to look into his eyes for more than three seconds," she chuckled.
Shira looked at the snake in the eyes and immediately had to look away, fighting the urge to hide behind Gaara. "Oh...yeah, that's him," he said.
Gaara snorted softly at his friend's reaction then took a hard look at the snake's eyes. It was indeed the intense stare of the village head. He suppressed a shudder of his own. "Is everything okay?" he finally asked. It had just dawned on him that maybe something had happened or he might have been hurt. He was grasping at straws. He could not fathom a reason for her father to turn into a massive snake.
Orochimaru nodded and hissed softly, explaining that he was just going to go out for a little while. He said it more to Azumi since she was the only one who could understand him. He had only stopped by the balcony when he saw his daughter.
Azumi frowned a little, the slightest bit of worry for what he was going out to do washing over her. "I see," she said softly. "Um...be careful then."
"Is he going somewhere?" Shira whispered to Gaara.
Gaara shrugged, not entirely sure why Azumi suddenly looked worried. "I can only assume so," he whispered back.
Orochimaru looked at the two men and gave them a polite nod. He moved his head closer to Azumi so she could pet him and once she did, he made his way down to the ground level and left. Azumi watched him leave for a few seconds and then turned back to Gaara and Shira. "He has business to attend to," she summarized. "He will be back before morning."
"Azumi," Shira's body moved stiffly to watch the snake disappear. He turned just as stiffly to look at her. "Your family is just a little, just a minuscule amount of terrifying."
Gaara finally let out the laugh he had been struggling to hold in. He doubled over, holding onto the back of Shira's chair for support. "You didn't know he could do that?" he gasped, finding his seat so he did not fall over.
"No," Azumi shrugged. "He never mentioned it. Just like he never mentioned me having a snake inside my body my entire life." Ryuga hissed loudly as if proudly stating that he was the snake she was mentioning. "It...does not surprise me and I know that I cannot do it. Unless controlled, that is an instinctive self-defense mechanism and if I could do it then it would have happened sometime this year. Instead, Ryuga came out."
"I learn something new about you every day," Gaara smiled wearily, running a hand through his hair.
"Wait..." Shira perked up. "You said Yashamaru can do it...you don't think Mitsuki can, too, do you?" He looked at Gaara and Azumi in slight fear.
"No," Gaara shook his head. "Orochimaru would have mentioned just now." He had gathered from Azumi's half of the conversation that Yashamaru was the only other one able to transform.
"Oh, thank gods," Shira relaxed. "I wouldn't want him turning into that if he really does decide to fight me," he laughed, still a little tense.
"I will talk to him for you," Azumi assured him. "There is not much I can do about how much he likes Lady Sachiko but I will not let him get physical with you over it."
"No, wait," Gaara started to laugh again. "I want to see our favorite late-night chef fight a teenager for the love of their lives. I'll place the first bet on Mitsuki."
"Wow," Shira punched Gaara in the arm. "Thanks for the vote of confidence," he joked. He rolled his eyes then bowed his head to Azumi. "Thank you."
"I do not want to keep you out too late," she told Shira. "I am sure you have a restaurant to be running right now. I will talk to Mitsuki in the morning before he goes off to the Eastern Villa."
"Please," Shira chuckled. "I have a second in command. They can hold down the fort for one night," he chuckled. "But I'm sure you'd like a little extra alone time." He stood up, stretching his back a little then walked over to pull her into a hug. "I'll stop by the villa tomorrow with food and then swing by Gaara's with food for you and the baby," he promised.
"Thank you," she grinned, hugging him back. "The baby and I appreciate that so much." She chuckled softly as they pulled away from each other.
"It's no problem," he smiled. "I like doing this for you." He gave her another squeeze then took a step back. "I'll see you both tomorrow." He and Gaara nodded at each other as a goodbye. Shira made his way back into the house, disappearing quickly. Once they were alone, Gaara reached out to Azumi and pulled her closer.
She smiled at him and leaned in for a kiss. "I am ready for that bath now," she hummed.
"Excellent," he smiled, kissing her stomach. "I suppose I should let you walk since we could run into your brothers," he chuckled as he stood up, stealing another kiss from her as he did. "I hope you like the oils I picked." He laced their fingers together, leading her into the house. Naga and Ryuga made their way to Mitsuki's room, wanting to make sure he was going to be alright.
"I always like the oils you pick," she smiled, bringing his hand up to kiss the back of it. "You have good taste."
"I have only the best selection," he grinned. They walked down to the bathroom. The fragrance of the oil filled the warm room. "I noticed you like to sun yourself lately," he smiled. "So I made the bath a little warmer than usual since the sun is already down."
"You are so sweet," she grinned, pulling him into another kiss. Without breaking the kiss, she started to undress. "Will you be joining me?" she asked.
"Is that even a question?" He smirked against her lips as he started to undo the folds of his own clothing. He kissed her again while letting his clothes drop to the floor around his feet.
She took his hands in hers and led him closer to the tub. They both quickly got in and settled into it with her back against his chest. They took their time bathing as she wanted to enjoy the hot water as long as possible.