Really, it was only a matter of time before Tobirama ran into Konoha shinobi. He's been sticking close enough to Fire Country- closer than his predecessor, it seems. It's an Uchiha he comes across, either brought by Tobirama's flickering chakra or the young chakra of the child in the clearing ahead of them. Perhaps the Uchiha was even on a mission to get the kidnapped child back. Tobirama isn't- he had been led here by panicked chakra and an uneasy snow leopard. Said snow leopard now by his side, growling quietly at the Uchiha. Too quietly to get heard by the bandits but Tobirama tightens his grip in the big cat's fur. The amusement Yuki is getting from the wary-verging-on-scared shinobi in front of them is simply uncalled for.

"Tobirama," the Uchiha starts, clearly gathering his courage and chakra for a fight. Tobirama interrupts him, unwilling to deal with the Uchiha clan dramatics when the child's chance of getting out of this relatively unharmed is steadily shrinking.

"Stop that," he says sharply, mindful of his volume. "I have a child to save so either get out of my way, help me, or wait to start your tantrum until after I've dealt with the kidnappers." The Uchiha splutters, clearly blindsided by Tobirama's dismissive attitude.

"I- wha- fine!" The Uchiha, thankfully, keeps his voice down. "The kid is my mission, anyway." Well, that explains the brat's presence, at least. Tobirama nods once, sharp.

"You and Yuki will take the bandits, then," he says in a tone that brokers no arguments (when the Uchiha tries, he sends a glare and a decent amount of KI his way. It shuts him up nicely enough). "I'll get the child." With that, he darts into the tree, Yuki following easily at his side. The Uchiha follows after a moment, clearly uncertain.

"Try not to scare the Uchiha too badly," he says softly to Yuki. His summons snorts.

"Sure, stick me with babysitting." Tobirama gives the snow leopard a look and he gets a roll of the eyes in return. "Yeah, yeah. I'll play nice with the brat." Mollified, he turns back to the problem at hand. He pauses on a branch at the edge of the clearing, glancing at the Uchiha. He gives a nod and they fly into a flurry of movement. Tobirama himself is in and out of clearing faster than the bandits can register, scooping the child (a boy, he notes absently) into his arms as he darts far enough away that they won't be traumatized by the following massacre.

"Angel?" The boy gasps with wide caramel eyes. Tobirama smiles slightly. Angel is certainly a first. He ruffles the boy's hair.

"I'm a shinobi," he corrects. The boy shakes his head with surprising ferocity.

"Nuh uh! Mama say angels help you when you're in trouble an' that's what you did!" The boy says determinedly before sucking in a breath like he just thought of something. "Are you a secret angel?" Tobirama debates trying to convince the boy of the truth before deciding it's more trouble than it's worth.

"I am," he agrees with a nod. "Will you keep my secret? It's very important." The boy's eyes go wider, a feat he had thought impossible, and nods so quickly it looks painful.

"I'm Shiko!" The boy chirps. Tobirama hums, standing from his crouch when Yuki steps out of the bushes. He swings the boy onto his hip.

"Tobirama," he returns easily. "And this is Yuki." Shiko laughs brightly, reaching his hands down. Yuki stretches up just enough that the boy can brush his fingers through his fur a few times. Tobirama turns to the Uchiha.

"This is Uchiha-san, a shinobi of Konoha," he tell Shiko. The boy waves. The Uchiha hesitates before returning it. Shiko grins. "He'll get you back to your mother." Shiko twists to look up at him, pouting.

"You're not gonna come?" He whines. Tobirama hums.

"I can't," he says.

"Why not?"

"Ah, well..." Tobirama pauses slightly, tilting his head as he thinks. "I'm... not allowed." Likely true. Shiko pouts more heavily.

"But why?"

"Because-" he searches desperately for an answer the boy will understand without getting angry or upset. "-I... I have- a curse? A curse-" Shiko interrupts his stumbling explanation with a horrified gasp.

"That's so sad! Do you need help?" Oh Kami, if his curiosity doesn't kill him, his propensity for adopting (Hashirama's words, not his) random children will.

"Yuki is helping me," he informs. It's true, just not in this particular context. Yuki rumbles, clearly trying not to laugh. Tobirama forces himself not to glare at the overgrown house cat. "Like Uchiha-san is helping you," he tacks on for good measure. Shiko narrows his eyes.

"You promise?" He asks suspiciously.

"Promise," Tobirama says. Shiko sighs like Tobirama is the child in this scenario and he's the adult. He reaches for the Uchiha, clearly not very enthused about leaving Tobirama behind. Tobirama passes him to the Uchiha without a fuss. Shiko waves at him and he waves back before darting off into the forest. Time to avoid Fire Country for a bit, he thinks.

Less likely to run across the Uchiha that are crawling out of the woodwork of his home country.