Sasuke had never left my side for such a long period of time, it felt a little strange to not expect him home for so many weeks. Of course I busied myself with my own things to do such as knitting, embroidery, tea making, perhaps some pottery here and there, silk weaving, cleaning, general accounting and such. It was a simplistic life, one that I enjoyed very much. To be able to use my hands to create things instead of destroy was a great blessing in my life, though with my temporary retirement fund now beginning to dwindle in its support, I knew that soon enough I would either need to seek out employment or return to the shinobi world.
For some time I contemplated my options, after all I was still receiving offers from the council, specifically Danzo to either be given a high ranking commanding position or to return to the ANBU corps. Each position they offered me paid well, but I was so content with my life that a large part of me did not want to go back. It was not entirely necessary, in any case. Soon enough Sasuke will leave the village and I will follow him to Orochimaru, where money would not be necessary. Although, I have seen a few advertisements in the paper as well as shop windows seeking cleaning staff.
If there was one thing I enjoyed it was the satisfaction of a good clean room without a speck of dirt or dust to be found. The pay was modest, but sufficient to support myself. Decided upon the new direction, I circled each and every advertisement, memorised the addresses then prepared to go out seeking cleaning work the next morning. I ensured that I looked extremely clean and tidy, scrubbing under my nails and behind my ears, combing through every strand of my hair and straightening the lapels of my yukata until I deemed myself very respectable and presentable.
I went to each of the addresses to learn more about their requirements, however I did not meet with much success. "But you are a ninja, what would you want with a simple cleaning job? I'm sorry, but you would scare my customers away. Please seek elsewhere for employment." The same answer was given to me in many different forms until some began to be repeated almost word for word.
"I understand. I will be leaving now." Bowing each time I left, I would then cross off the address in the mental list I had in my mind and proceed to the next one, unfazed by the constant rejections. One of the latter addresses was the largest and most popular bathhouse in the village, and when I entered I was met with a rather plump lady with her hair pulled back into a strict bun, Furukawa-san. She ran the bathhouse as it had been passed down in her family, and I was mutely pleased that when she saw that I was the albino Uchiha, she did not become flustered or fazed.
"Ah, Uchiha is it? Excellent, excellent. I get plenty ninja coming through those doors, so I'm not bothered by whatever oddness you might be. I also don't know why you're looking for work, but I could do with someone like you to clean for me. If you're willing, I'll increase your pay if you do something a little extra for me." She was strict-talking and straight to business, carrying towels in her arms as I followed after her. "If you keep an eye out for any trouble makers or peepers and deal with them according to the regulations here, then I'll give you twenty percent extra on top of the starting wage."
"I am in agreement." Nodding my head, Furukawa-san eyeballed me for a few moments, studying my face carefully before finally grinning, making her face plump up like a dumpling.
"Excellent! So you are now the designated cleaner and rule enforcer of Konoha's Bathhouse. Welcome Miyuki Uchiha, I am very glad to have you on board. Now, about your hours…" Unfortunately the hours were not many and all were late in the evening, so I decided to see if I could secure further work, but sadly, the other positions were already taken. It was a shame, but at least I had not been entirely unsuccessful. Since I was now working at the bathhouse, I was now permitted free entrance, so perhaps I would make use of it a little more often.
Now wandering through the village on an aimless walk, I found myself walking up towards Hokage Cliff where the four faces of the previous Hokage all gazed out over the entire village. My attention lingered on Minato for a little while, contemplating on his fate and wondering if I might have been able to change its outcome. My hair became tousled in the harsher wind this high up off the ground, pale strands falling free from the tidy knot I had secured it into to flare of white fire. Only when the wind settle was I able to draw my hair over my shoulder, tying the lower part off after braiding it so that at least it would stay put.
"Miyuki Uchiha. This is rare, it is not often that you come to this part of the village." The voice of the Third Hokage filtered into my mind, interrupting my thoughts. Of course I had sensed him approaching, but since I had not viewed him as a threat I had not prompted myself to focus my attention. "What brings you here, my dear?"
"I was walking."
"I see." Smiling at me warmly the older man came to a halt before me, his broad cap tilted forwards with his bowed neck which hid the upper features of his face until his smiling eyes finally revealed themselves. He was a very…comfortable person to be near to. Despite all of my suspicions of the Konoha Council, I had never borne any reservations against Lord Hiruzen. "Was it a pleasant stroll?"
"Hm."
"And did you find anything of interest whilst on this walk of yours?"
"Hm."
"Would you care to share with an old man? Come, sit with me a while. My old bones seem to grow heavier by the day." I was fairly certain that bones did not literally become heavier after surpassing one's prime years, but I kept such a remark to myself. Instead I followed Lord Hiruzen to a bench in order to sit down beside him, facing the Hokage Cliffs where his own face stared back. "So Miyuki, what have you been doing with your time of late?"
"I found work."
"Oh?" Sensing that he was curious, I explained simply that I had wanted something to do so had found work as a cleaner at the local bathhouse. "A cleaner? I did not know that you enjoyed such simplicities. In that case, I may have a task of my own for you, if you are interested." My head turned, signalling that I was listening. "The archives have fallen into a somewhat neglected state recently and many of our valued texts are gathering dust. If you enjoy cleaning and organising, then I am prepared to enrol you onto the staff list so that you may reorganise the entirety of the archives as you see fit." My eyes brightened immediately at the offer with no small amount of eagerness.
"I will do it." Lord Hiruzen laughed, amused at my quick enthusiasm.
"Youngsters, so much energy. I am glad, Miyuki. Very well, I shall see to it that it is done. However, this will mean that you will have to come out of retirement in order to become a paid staff member once more. Is this alright with you?"
"My retirement was temporary. It is acceptable." Very pleased that I would have another task at hand to occupy my time, I felt a rather odd sense of anticipation for the coming days. The archives were large and such a project would take me some time, but I do not foresee it would take me any longer than perhaps a week or two if I am vigilant and quick. So long as the regular staff members do not get in my way or break my focus, I am certain everything would run very smoothly.
"Then it shall be done." We lapsed into silence for a few minutes thereafter, simply enjoying one another's company and not feeling the need to say anything more. The sky was beginning to darken, shifting its colours in order to match the setting of the sun until eventually the light no longer rested upon Hokage Cliff, sinking it into shadows. I caught the sound of rushing feet as they ran all the way up the stairs with ragged breath.
"Grandpa! Grandpa! There you are, I've been looking all over for you!" The young boy appeared at the top of the stairs hunched over and grasping his knees, breathing heavily from having run all the way to the top without stopping. He had upward spiking hair and wore goggles upon his head, Impressive for one his age, he must have a significant level of endurance.
"Apologies, Konohamaru, I was chatting to this young lady here and completely forgot the time." Smiling to his grandson, Lord Hiruzen slowly rose to his feet, moving with meticulous care for his bones, I should think. "You should not be out so late, Konohamaru, you should be eating dinner by now."
"I was looking for you, grandpa! That's why I'm not at home yet, did you forget? You promised dad you'd eat with us." Laughing at his forgetfulness, Lord Hiruzen continued towards his grandson who was grinning, clenching his fists as he grinned. "I'll race you to the bottom grandpa!" My eyes flashed suddenly, seeing Konohamaru twist around in his intent to run all the way back down the steps but when he did so, his foot became caught on the long train of his blue scarf, making the boy lose his balance and go tumbling down the stairs where he would break his arm, a few ribs and would be severely bruised.
When my vision returned to reality, I blinked before all at once rushing forwards. "Go!" Konohamaru punched forwards as he turned, foot catching on his scarf and he gave a surprised yell as he twisted and began to fall backwards.
"Konohamaru!" Before Lord Hiruzen had even made a movement to catch his grandson, I was already standing behind him with my arms raised, allowing the boy to fall into them and use me as a support to keep him from falling.
"It is dangerous. Do not run." Instructing him on how he should act in such a precarious place, I looked down at him as he craned his neck backwards, staring at me with a wide open mouth and eyes. His cheeks flushed bright red as I set him back on his feet, dusting him off nonchalantly before then drawing away.
"Miyuki, thank you for your swiftness."
"Hm." Nodding my head, I gave a bow to the Hokage, signalling that I was now leaving. "I take my leave. Send word when I may begin my task." And with that I disappeared from view, leaving Konohamaru safely clasped in his grandfather's hand still staring after me as if he had seen a ghost.