A/N: We interrupt this story arc for a little side project. Don't worry, this will all make sense later on.
A girl's red sweater rested in a small shoe box, gently folded and molded to take the box's shape. It rested on a desk by Yuzu's window, and the sun's rays poured down on the lid. Resting inside was a small, sleeping bluethroat.
Yuzu was very surprised to find the bird on her front lawn that morning. It was injured, and it let out an aria of pain. But thanks to Ruri's advice and intervention, they were able to safely wrangle up the bird and bring it inside.
It took a while for the bird to calm down. But eventually, its panicked cries softened over time. And Yuzu and Ruri stood by its side the whole time, taking turns keeping watch.
Yuzu sat on a chair and rested her hands on the desk, observing the shoebox. Her mind was filled with anxiety, but also hopeful optimism. She couldn't wait to see the little bird take to the skies again.
"Thanks for all your help, Ruri," Yuzu said quietly. "I don't think I would have known what to do without you here."
It's no problem, came Ruri's voice from within. Shun and I did this before, when we were kids. Our home had a lot of trees nearby, so we would find birds on the ground sometimes.
"It's a good thing you had experience, then," Yuzu replied. "Did any of you have pets before?"
Me and Yugo took care of a cat, Rin said. We couldn't afford to adopt and take care of it full-time, but we could give it food whenever it stopped by. Yugo loved to play with it.
Cats are great! Serena declared. Fierce, independent, wouldn't fall out of a tree and get hurt... But we weren't allowed to have pets at Academia.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Yuzu said softly. "Maybe I could convince our dad to get us a cat?"
Which dad? Rin asked. Yours, or Ruri's?
"Mine, mine," Yuzu answered. "He's all of ours, too, and..."
Yuzu paused. A heavy, bitter feeling welled in the pit of her stomach. Her thoughts immediately went to Ruri, and the could only sympathize with her being separated from her family.
Yuzu put a hand to her cheek. Hopefully, Ruri would somehow be able to feel it. A sympathetic show of support.
"Ruri," she started. "We're going to visit our family in the Xyz Dimension soon, okay?"
Ruri, I'm super sorry! Rin said sweetly. I mean, I didn't mean anything by it.
There was a moment of hesitation before Ruri responded, Don't worry about me, Rin. But I appreciate it. Thank you.
Yeah, I'm not worried, either, Serena added. We're strong, we're fierce. We don't need a family to take care of us, anyway.
"Serena," Yuzu sighed. "I know you mean well, but-"
Yeah! Talk about being rude, Rin scoffed.
I- well- I... Serena stammered. I didn't mean to be... But hey! Don't blame me, you're the one who made things weird!
Please, don't fight over me! Ruri pleaded.
"Stop arguing!" Yuza snapped. "Both of you, enough!"
Before any of the girls could speak further, they were interrupted. The sound of the doorbell echoed through the house; it was the gently four-note tune. Yuya quickly dropped the fan and started walking out of her room.
"That must be Yuya, girls," Yuzu whispered to the others. "Just relax, and try not to make things weird."
The voices in her head kept silent, leaving Yuzu to run down the stairs and head towards the front door.
She rushed past her father, who was in the living room by the door. Shuzo lowered the newspaper in his hands to follow his daughter with a gaze.
Yuzu opened the door, revealing Yuya's smiling face. Yuzu quickly wrapped her arms around his neck and threw herself into a hug. Yuya's hands first remained at his sides, but after a moment of hesitation, wrapped around Yuzu's waist.
"It's good to see you again, Yuzu," he said softly.
"It's good to see you too, Yuya," Yuzu said, smiling.
"It's good to see you two keeping a respectable distance from each other!" Shuzo called out. "Hands off my daughter, son."
Yuzu blushed, and the two pushed themselves away from each other. There was a bit of an awkward pause in the air, followed by Yuzu chuckling softly.
"Let me go get the bird," Yuzu told him. "Wait here - I know you'll just love to see her."
"I can't wait," the boy responded.
And with that, Yuzu turned around and headed back up the stairs. Yuri's violet eyes followed her up. He could tell that this was going to enjoy spending time with her.
Except, that's how it could have gone.
Yuri felt the cold tip of a kunai touch the back of his head. He could hear the heavy breathing of someone behind him. Shuzo Hiiragi, who was holding the weapon to Yuri, was standing behind him.
Yuzu turned around and gasped. "What are you doing?!"
"Don't think I don't recognize a disguise jutsu," Shuzo said gravely. "Now tell us who you really are."
Yuri smiled from ear to ear. His head turned around completely to look back at Shuzo. His now-reptilian eyes stared into Shuzo's nervous blues.
"Oh, it's seems as though I'm caught," Yuri said happily.
Yuri's body spun around, aligning properly with his head. He slowly started to grow in height, and his hair grew dark as it grew out. his skin grew even paler, and his tongue become sharp.
Staring at Shuzo was his mortal enemy, Orochimaru from Naruto.
"How's that?!" the man cackled. "The one who saved your world! The one who is loved by your daughters!"
"Where's the real Yuya?" Shuzo hissed.
"Don't you see?" Orochimaru laughed. "I am Yuya, now!"
"No," came a voice. "You're dead!"
Yuzu's katana stabbed into Orochimaru's back.
The man quickly spun his head around to see his own blood drip from his open wound. He could feel the tip of her blade dig in deeper. And he smiled.
"Yuzu, my Yuzu," he said sweetly. "You know you cannot win in your current state."
"I wouldn't be so sure," Yuzu said, smiling. "While you dueled, I studied the sword. I'm not some little Genin anymore."
"Oh, really?" Orochimaru asked. "Then tell me, are you strong enough to save your father?"
Yuzu's eyes softened. And just before she could ask what the villain meant, she heard the sound of something snap.
She turned her head to look beyond Orochimaru. To her horror, her father lay crumpled n the floor, a snake wrapped around his neck.
"F-Father!" Yuzu cried.
She let go of her sword and knelt before her father. Using a small Chidori, she destroyed the snake around her father's neck. But as her hands toucehd upon her father's chest, she could feel nothing.
Her father had died. And now, she cried. And Orochimaru cruelly laughed at her misfortune.
Next time: A ronin girl seeks vengeance. A girl with a dragon tattoo seeks to quell the fury in her heart. A lost soul seeks peace and silence. Will Yuzu master the demon in her heart? Or will her heart be consumed by Orchimaru's curse mark?