They were drawing closer to the edge of the land of Fire, only half a day's travel away from the Land of Rivers. Things had been relatively smooth sailing, though that was to be expected. The threats were typically found just outside the borders. Not much conversation had been held and what little small talk that began fizzled out quickly. It wasn't out of discomfort or malice, the four were all very focused on the assignment. That was one plus, they were all dedicated.
"So, Mio, where are you from?" Tenzo asked, breaking the silence with his fourth attempt at getting to know her. The personal questioned had been sprinkled in at random intervals throughout the day.
"Konoha." She sighed, keeping her gazed trained on the path ahead. Kakashi and Itachi led the way, the younger walking slightly behind the silver-haired anbu. Mio was a few steps behind them, Tenzo trailing behind.
"Do you belong to an established clan?" He continued on, pleased that she had finally surrendered a detail about herself.
"I do not belong to any clan." She looked back at him, a sadness shading her face; one that he could not understand. "Why are you so curious?"
"You know so much about us…but we know nothing about you." He shrugged, catching up with her. "It only seems fair."
"I don't have a clan. All the family that I had, all the ones that accepted my existence, are dead. Lord Danzo thinks I am a plague to the organization, and the Third just doesn't trust me." She gave a tight smile before returning her gaze to the path. "Also I hate pears. They are bitter and gritty."
"You gave so much, and yet so little." Itachi remarked, a childish wonder tainting his tone. "Incredible."
"There isn't really much to know." Mio took a deep breath. "I'm a skilled shinobi. That's all I have."
"Everyone has a story." Kakashi piped in without even glancing back at the three behind him.
"Not me." She chewed her inner cheek, hoping she could pass her claims off as true; nervous one of them might detect her lie. She did have a story, though not one she ever wanted to share. "I'm just a girl." She was starting to get the feeling Kakashi knew more than she'd offered; like somehow he knew a few of her dirty little secrets.
"Doubtful." Tenzo remarked. The four fell into an uncomfortable silence. It was clear her fellow operatives were less than satisfied with her answers, and she couldn't blame them, but she also couldn't trust sharing the truth with them. Tenzo had been involved with Danzo on a darker level than she cared for. Kakashi insisted she give him the benefit of the doubt, give a little trust and maybe earn some, but the lengths of depravity the boy had been willing to sink to, left her with an uneasy feeling. It was true that there was no love lost between Mio and Hiruzen, but even she had never considered an attempt on his life.
The hokage office was lit by a few candles, the air somber as the entire village grieved the loss of their Fourth Hokage and his wife. Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind the desk, his face distorted in exhaustion and disappointment. He had hoped to never don the position again. Mio stood in front of the desk, a wicker basket rested on the wood between them. She leaned forward, her dark hair brushing the rosy cheeks of a beautiful blonde boy. Whiskers lined his chubby face as his brilliant blue eyes peered up at her. The baby seemed troubled, as if he knew the fate of his parents, as if he could feel the evil trapped beneath his naval. The infant was a ray of comfort in her darkness, a promise at a brighter future.
"How could you ever be trusted with such an important child?" Hiruzen's disgust broke through her moment of hope.
"It is my right." Mio remarked, her eyes hard as they rose to meet his. "Naruto is my blood."
"You are a bastard, born of deceit." The old man snapped. His voice hushed but his tongue was sharp as ever. "Your blood is tainted and unsure. Half your parentage is a well guarded secret. You have no right."
"Why are you being so unreasonable?" She demanded, frustration bubbling in the pit of her stomach.
"It is my duty to ensure the 9-tails is secure, never falling into the wrong hands again. It's too powerful a beast."
"What does that have to do with me?" She shook her head, the bile rising as she choked back the urge to cry out. "I've served this village with unwavering dedication since I was 6 years old."
"You served your brother." Hiruzen corrected. "Minato is dead."
Itachi led the group, single file, across a rope bridge that connected two ends of a deep ravine. The bridge swayed under their light footsteps, causing Mio's heart to sink slightly as she began to assess the area for any escapes. The ropes holding the structure secure, audibly stretched, flirting with their limits.
"I think we should find another way." Mio voiced her concern. "This bridge is old and we are pushing the capacity."
"We are already halfway there." Tenzo shook his head, glancing back at her. "Just take it slow and easy, everything is fine." As if the brunette boy had spoken a challenge, the first rope snapped. The left half of the bridge collapsed. Itachi and Tenzo were close enough to the other side they easily maneuvered to safety. Mio and Kakashi clutched the remaining rope, clinging to the only line available. The pair pushed forward, navigating the broken structure more carefully than before, to no avail. The remaining rope snapped, a deafening sound. The two were no longer suspended, but rather free falling towards the shallow river below.