Chapter Two.
Many of the other anbu hate shadowing the girl, ensuring the lord fourths pride, and joy is not kidnapped and used for leverage.
Hisoka does not mind.
She is an odd child who does odd things, but that is all she is, no matter what they whisper.
And what the girl lacks in height she makes up for in cunning, which he finds endlessly entertaining.
From the corner of the large expanse of an office, he watches their little Tsu-chan lay across one of the bookshelves. The one in question situated near the door. For weeks she has done this, waiting patiently for the others to get used to the sight. Shinpachi in particular.
At first, it mearly draws his bored eye.
The slight twitch. The tenseness of her body as the auburn haired man enters. Small, barely callused hand moving down to switch books. Texts no child should look for, let alone enjoy. He would believe the fourth had switched the covers, had he not sought them for reference.
Perhaps her mind simple wanders, as childrens were bound too.
She winks, suddenly. Tapping at a seal placed on one of the books and asks him to hand her another text from a lower shelf. An uneasiness settles within him.
He catches a glimpse of the woman she will one day be.
The swordsman turns, and the girl bares her teeth at him, in the mockery of a smile. Something, Hisoka has never seen her present to any of the other seven.
He wonders what the man has done to offend the easy-going child.
"Good afternoon Shinpatchi-san," she murmurs, in that too sweet voice.
"Girl," he replies, dismissive of the unblooded child.
His first mistake.
She snorts, and goes back to reading the new book or so it seems. He catches her wandering gaze.
Another month passes, and they continue with the same pattern.
Eventually, Shinpatchi stops facing her, and the girl's eyes gleam.
She waits, like any good shinobi. For that moment.
And when it comes...
Hisoka is prepared.
He shifts closer to his charge, as she leans forward. Stretches out her arm towards the man, covered in dried blood.
The lord fourth nodding to Shinpatchi in his usual manner.
And then the world is thrown into chaos.
Books scatter, scrolls fly and his eyes burn, as the smoke fills the room.
Tsu-chan clings to his chest. A kunai pressing into his shoulder blades. A trail of bandages hanging over their shoulders.
They are both missing some hair, he is sure.
The smell, worse than burning flesh, or weeping wounds.
The lord fourth holds the man responsible by his throat, as the other anbu deal to the collatoral.
"You've been sloppy lately, Jinpatchi. Far more than usual," Yagura chides, letting him loose. "I'm disappointed."
"I told you it would work!" Tsu-chan crows, drawing their gaze as she shifts against his chest. The bandages, brandished like a great prize.
The lord fourth smiles indulgently, as he always seems too at scenes like this, and motions for fuming Shinpatchi to help clean up. "You did."
"You should go inform Juzo-San. I bet he would like to hear of your success."
The child knods, grinning victoriously over the fuming swordsman.
"Ah, and don't forget to thank your savior.
"As if I ever would, big brother."
"Onwards, my noble anbu," the little crane says,pointing towards the door. Resisting his half-hearted attempts to detach her. "And I will serve us pie."
"I even made your favorite."
"And what about me?" the fourth asks, suddenly. "I love pie."
"Isano is supposed to be bring some for the rest of you, if Eito-nii hasn't discovered it first."
0o0o0
The smell of baked goods, draws him into the smaller room.
His father stands over the counter, hesitating.
"So that is how, little sister bribed you," Eito says, drawing closer to investigare the box. Maybe slip off, with the whole thing when his father isn't looking.
"You've really set tongues wagging old man," he continues, picking up the nearest tart and popping the whole thing in his mouth. He closes his eyes. Savors the mix of sweetness, that slips into something more sour.
His hands wring. "I know. I'm worried."
"I fear your sister will draw far to much attention to herself."
"She will be fine. Like Isano, Tsu-chan will survive it."
"She is hardly at the point Isano was."
"She also has nothing to prove. Our shadows mean nothing to her. I doubt she will make the same mistakes."
0o0o0
"You're still nervous?" Eito whispers, pulling Tsuru into a hug.
She nods into his vest. The familiar scent of ink, and new paper wafting beneath her nose.
"They are just other children, Tsuru-kun," Yagura reminds her. The Lord Fourth standing beside her sister, and his very pregnant wife. Her father stiff beside them. "You'll do fine."
She doubts that. She really does.
Adults rarely noticed children, the way that other children did. And now, she was about to be thrown into a horde of them.
Still, Tsuru forces herself self to look up, and widen her eyes slightly. Fake the stars, that came so naturally to others in his presence. "If you think so big brother! I will do my best!"
Eito winces, at the volume. Tsuru does too, and her elders share a look.
This had been the hardest part of their plan.
She turns, her pulse betraying her and looks out into the crowd. People slowly gathering, for the new academy year.
Civilians with nervous parents wait near the gates. Still, half-believing they can convince their children this is not the life for them, or maybe holding them there, because it is the only one.
Other children stand alone, faces fixed and more wait, in various groups with their backs to the walls. The oldest near the edges, standing guard. Recruits she assumes, from the orphanage, and streets. Lured just as Momochi-San had been, with promises of a better life. A better chance of survival.
Perhaps even seeking a purpose, like the third born sons and daughters of the merchant clans stilled clothed in their parents riches. Children who would otherwise be cast away, or pushed to the side, in favor of their siblings.
Or power like those from the noble leniages, hovering near the middle. Desperate to noticed in all their finery.
And the children, like her. Breed for great, and terrible things.