Distance was all that mattered for the two children sneaking between buildings in different stages of ruin. They were shadows, a mere outline of darkness dancing with flames on the wall, a passing smudge in an abandoned alley. One's movements were short and so smooth that normal eyes wouldn't even notice as they slinked through the coldness of the night. Meanwhile, the second one moved jerkily, like a cheap stop-motion animation.

Itachi's eyes fixated on the slightly taller figure ahead of him. He wasn't sure what to think about the odd girl, who in one moment was terrified and unable to utter a word, and in the second was fuming at him like seasoned kunoichi, who had every right to be seething. At the same time, she was using seals he hadn't ever heard of as if it was a perfectly normal thing.

Now she was trying to drag him somewhere, remaining hidden from any unwanted eyes. The kids turned the corner and ran down a streetlamp lit avenue. The redhead noticed that the backyard fence of one of the collapsed buildings had a rectangular hole and she pulled Itachi through it. There they stood, hearts in their throats, as still as statues for what seemed like an hour. Two golden pools focused on him in something akin to annoyed resignation for world's overwhelming senselessness.

"Take off your clothes."

"Excuse me?" He couldn't hear her right, could he?

"Take off your clothes." She repeated even more irritated. Sounds of fighting were coming closer.

Itachi instinctively squeezed his shirt. Walking around naked was inappropriate. Uchiha always had to be proper and modest, especially him – his father told him so. His mother told him that if someone would ever tell him to undress, Itachi should hit them between their legs and run to her, so his dearest mum could kill them. Sadly, none of these options were possible. The boy doubted the toothless child would be pacified by such an attack, probably she would try to hit him back or worse - start crying. Itachi would like to avoid this possibility at all costs. Nothing was more shameful than bringing a woman to tears, even when said woman wasn't even in her puberty yet and was lacking a tooth. His mother and her holly anger were unfortunately also unavailable at the time, so he had to deal with everything on his own.

"Cloth…?" Before he could ask what she meant, the girl started to pull off a yukata smeared with blood from some boy's body protruding from a collapsed wall nearby. The dead child was similar to him. The same high and black hair. From this angle the differences was practically unnoticeable - it could have been him. We are not meant to kill each other, he thought. Ninja are supposed to protect their homes, not destroy other people's lives. What kind of insanity gets us into wars anyway? Kids are not collateral damage; each one is precious. Each one matters.

Quiet sounds of slurred words brought him back to reality.

"You can't march around with that crest on your back." Muttered the girl, tugging the dirty cloth with all her nearly nonexistent might. "You may as well sit and flag yourself: here I am, the heir of the renowned Uchiha clan, come and get me. Set of shinobi tools for first three assailants gratis."

The tiny hand tightened its grip around the kunai, the redhead however hadn't noticed it, being too busy robbing a corpse.

"How do you know who I am?"

"Firstly – you just confirmed my suspicions. Secondly – think. You're led from the capital in one of the few times when new clans' heirs can officially be recognized. You're around the right age and were coming back before any other VIP, because it should be safer, so you're even more important than they're. Oh, and you look like a little princeling and speak way too formally for any normal kid. It truly wasn't so hard to figure this out." Shiori mumbled, finally managing to undress the body. "Here, take it."

When she turned around, she was met with a pair of large, obsidian eyes looking at her in wonder.

"You are smart."

Despite the compliment the girl's cheeks puffed in anger, in which she forcefully pushed the yukata into his arms.

"And what of it? Shouldn't I be smart because I'm a girl or because I'm young?"

"No!" Itachi was at loss. He wanted to praise her, not make her angry. He bowed. "I am sorry if I offended you. Do not be mad, please. You are really smart. Still, you do not look like someone from the Nara family or any other clan I know about and that is odd. That is all. I apologies if my words wronged you."

"Statistically, basing your deduction on my appearance, I should be a hyperactive moron. Lucky for you, I'm not, so put it on. And in the name of everything what isn't absurd in this hellish world, stop bowing." The redhead begged in a mix of irritation and embarrassment.

The boy however bowed even lower.

"I am sorry but I cannot wear it."

Shiori's plum face puffed even more as her skin gained a rosy hue that complemented her sunny eyes. Non the less juxtaposing it with her bloodstained hair, the effect was rather terrifying.

"And pry tell me, my dear comrade in misery, why the hell not?" She hissed.

"Our clan is our pride. Shinobi shouldn't…"

"You're just out of your diapers, for the Hashirama's sake! You're a kid, not some bloody ninja! Put it on or I swear on every single dango I've ever eaten I'll make you wear it!"

At the moment Shiori couldn't care less if someone heard them or not. Earlier, when her brain barely moved from its torpor, as she noticed the Uchiha fan on Itachi's back, she nearly choked. Shouldn't ninja at least try and hide in the shadows or something? Wasn't it in their modus operandi? But NO – of course it couldn't be as simple as that. From every shinobi family in Konoha, she just had to deal with the proud and pompous Uchiha clan and its prodigy. For all his supposed brilliancy the boy was… well, he was a brainwashed with patriotism; cute, little thing in the middle of a military clash. True genius or not, despite his blank and calm appearance, he was afraid just as she was, if not more. The reborn woman couldn't just leave him here alone. She hadn't remembered if something like this happened in the original timeline but if it was true, then no wonder it left a toll on his psyche; and that Itachi did everything in his might to stop upcoming conflicts. Even if it meant royally screwing up.

And now she fucked everything over. As always.

If not for her presence Itachi's uncle should already been dead for a few hours and never come back to the hotel. The little Uchiha would go somewhere and do something that certainly had nothing to do with following one terrified, revived soul from another dimension… in other words, the whole situation should be totally different. Maybe thanks to her, the boy wouldn't be so traumatized, opposing the whole thing alone, but now his future was uncertain. He could die in every moment from literally everything, and then only gods, Einstein and Elvis knew what shit would happen.

"Done."

The girl assessed him critically.

"Even in rugs, you have to look all suave and royally, don't cha? You don't have to answer. It's a rhetorical question." She added, seeing as the boy open his mouth. "Come, we need to find a safe place and wait there, until it'll be over."

Itachi once again was dragged like an impudent child. He didn't know where to, but he believed the toothless girl with her whole eccentricity and determination knew what she was doing. Otherwise they were both doomed.

Ω

His target was jammed between two higher buildings. It looked squeezed, as if the neighborhood was threatening to crush it. The sign looming over the entrance looked ancient, some letters had become illegible because of peeling paint. Nevertheless, the window was clean and the things on display were clearly expensive. There was no theme or color coordination through them as they were crammed together rather than thoughtfully arranged. When the door was pushed a bell rang. The bright room was much longer than it was wide, resembling a corridor with shelves supporting its walls.

One deep breath and last glance around later the man dived into it, as if afraid of being noticed. He walked into the unknown territory with the grace and ferocity of seasoned shinobi. He had seen a lot of bloodbaths of which many were his own doing. He was involved in countless battles and visited numerous battlefields. But nothing prepared the one of the legendary Sannins for this.

From every side and angle creations of all shapes and sizes peered at him. Everything here was vivid, referring to his deeply hidden instincts, buried by time and instilled with its passing social norms and expectations. Orochimaru's brain was screeching from information overload. His famous comprehension was crumpled by a single visit in nothing else than a toy store.

With a single stare he sent a clerk to the back, not wishing for any witness of his atypical behavior.

On the left side were hoarded toys for girls and on the right for boys, meanwhile on a long table in the middle lay a whole troop of plush animals. Despite her odd quirks Shiori still was a little girl so the man turned left. Walking among the small, ornament and ridiculously girly music boxes, tea sets and encrusted with shells, mirrors and matching hairbrushes, he knew he made his first mistake. Everything here was way too feminine for his little devil's taste.

His bright eyes swept over a pink ribbon. It would terribly crash with her rosy locks and finally, thanks to her pouting and trembling lips, it would end on him. Subconsciously he touched the tip of his locks. Jiraiya once expressed his regret that the snake summoner wasn't a girl, because he had the prettiest hair in Konoha, and even Kushina with her flaming mane had to acknowledge his superiority. After that Orochimaru put twice as much effort to sleep as far away from the slightly older male as possible - especially when some sake was involved.

The next thing that caught his eyes was a hand-sewn doll. It had light brown buttons for eyes and blond hair in two ponytails. Even kanji for gambling was present at its back. Tsunade as the First granddaughter always was immensely loved in the Village. Her fan-club seemed only to increase after obtaining the Sannin title and even her defection (or as everyone called it – momentary absence) hadn't changed it.

Orochimaru snorted. He would like to see how everyone would react if someone else had done something like that, especially someone as suspicious and shady as he. There would be a manhunt, that's what. He… he blinked. The world had to be joking! His feet turned to the other side of the room, where exactly opposite of the place lay the plush Tsunade, on the table with boy toys was an army of miniature Jiraiyas. It had to be him. No other model could look like a cross between toad, troll and twerp.

Potential customers apparently shared his opinions about the appearance of his former companion, because a whole pile of his likenesses pointed out an almost complete lack of interest in it. Especially comparing it with a single remaining doll presenting their female teammate. Nevertheless, the scientist wasn't surprised. What kind of mother would buy the representation of a well-known pervert for her children, who she for sure at least once hit in the face? Even Orochimaru would be a better role-model by a bystander's standards. What was truly surprising was the fact that he was apparently right.

On his right was a slightly smaller pile of black haired dolls. Orochimaru took one carefully as if it could bite him. Long, inky locks – check. White skin and purple markings – check. It even had his serpent eyes. The only problem was that his likeness looked even more feminine than Tsunade's. In fact, if it had lightly blue hair it would look just like his mother.

Orochimaru as if burnt put down the doll. He hadn't thought about his parents since the last soul he acknowledged to honestly like died. It was nearly five years ago. That god forsaken day when he went to bid farewell to one more person. Just that grave had no headstone. Traitors of Konoha didn't deserve it.

The table crackled under his hand.

The dark hired Sannin wasn't a hero. Some would call him a monster. Everyone would do it, if they knew he was partially responsible for the recent abductions, even the child. Actually it was so absurd it was at the same time tragic and enormously funny. None of the trio of Konoha's legendary Sannins deserved their titles, because frankly speaking none of them gave an authentic fuck about the Village. For him it was the source of materials for his research. For Tsunade – cause of her grief; while for Jiraiya a factory of unwanted responsibilities.

Nawaki and Dan loved the Village and they died for it, not even knowing for what atrocity they sacrificed their lives. For it, their existence had no significance, being just two stepping stones in the road to a bright future. The only person who knew the Leaf with all its filth and lies, and still loved it despite it, ended as a disgrace, as a thief who dared to reach out for something that belonged to the Village. Years of faithful service were irrelevant because he decided to take his own life. Orochimaru hated this wretched place almost as much as he hated death itself.

No, mourning of the dead was useless. The human lifespan was useless.

"When I was told where you are, I had to see it with my own eyes."

The Sannin's face instantly went blank.

"Sensei." There was no trace of disdain in his voice. "Why do I deserve the honor?"

"Can't I just seek the company of my favorite student?" Asked Sarutobi, standing next to the younger man.

"The last time I've seen Biwako-sama, she complained about your absence at Asuma-kun's birthday party. You, sensei, and free time in one single sentence is a big oxymoron."

The Third hokage laughed.

"Just like you and a toy store, and yet here you are. I swear, the next time I'll find Jiraiya-kun in Kannon's temple of virginity."

"He went there once." Mumbled the snakes summoner and spun a rubber kunai in his hands. Given to Shiori it would end as a missile against Kushina's head. "He crept there to peek at some young priestesses. The idiot."

"Ah yes, I remember it. Tsunade kicked him through a wall and a few trees."

"Just like million other times." His brows twitched, nearly knitting in a frown. "As much as I like to recall the old days, sensei, I would be grateful for the true reason of your presence."

The sight that escaped Hiruzen's parched lips was slow, as if his brain needed a few seconds to process his next words. His eyes remained fixed on the jonin, who with interest was measuring a colorful, plushy snake. The world was ending.

"Shiori-chan will like it." Assured the old man, seeing his pupil's hesitation. At that Orochimaru openly sneered.

"And that's what worries me."

Hokage coughed, hiding his growing smirk.

"Despite everything she's just five."

Orochimaru knew it, and that was one of the more disturbing facts about the girl. Even he was far more childish at her age, constantly strolling after his parents. He wasn't spending the majority of his time in laboratory, pondering genetics puzzles and creating new fuinjutsu formulas. The Sannin was really curious who she would be in a few years. Nonetheless, she for sure would be his by then.

"Besides," continued Third far more morose. "She'll need a little happiness, after their way back."

Suddenly Orochimaru's face felt tight, like being natural wasn't an option any longer. His usual calm had been replaced by a carousel of ideas, each one more worrying than the last.

"And why is that?"

"She's going to see some nasty things. We won't be able to clean up all the bodies before the end of the festival."

"What bodies?"

"An hour ago I received report about the attack on Nankoku. It's Kumo and Iwa. It looks like they're working together and what's even more worrying, they managed to get so far into our territory undetected. I already sent a backup, but I need you to go to the border and examine how they managed to get in."

The Sannin's heart rate was accelerating as his mind replayed the image of Nawaki's death on a short loop, replacing the boy's corpse using a smaller one with a halo of rosy hair. With a rest of his conscious mind he counted the days and distance, after which he cursed.

"Orochimaru-kun?"

"Kushina wanted to return earlier. They're there."

Sarutobi seemed to age at least ten years in one second. If anything happened to the girl, Kushina would go on a rampage. Konoha already was in a tight spot, they couldn't afford to lose nine-tail's jinchuriki. Additionally, granddaughter of that old witch seemed to be only thing able to awake in his pupil some sentiments. Something even him and Jiraiya were unable to do.

"Just hurry up."

Ω

A large part of the reborn woman's brain was cut off, but of course neurons transmitting pain worked with irritating efficiency. Nevertheless, some thoughts still operated in its depth. Spreading one fat fact for consideration: they were going to die.

Even if a moment ago she'd been paying attention, she would have been hard pressed to dodge the gust of wind that knocked her back. If not for Itachi that caught her, she would end as part of a nearby ruin in which they were now hiding.

"Oh, common kiddos. Don't cha wanna play with us?!" In their ears rang a screechy voice, belonging to one of the four kumo-nins that were standing before the building, taunting their future victims.

The boy was holding her up with one hand, in second clutching small kunai. His doll-like face was set in pure determination to protect. Shiori was in awe. She didn't know if it was caused by his courage or ignorance for their situation, but the young Uchiha impressed her non the less. The little motherfucker was far braver than her.

The girl took a deep breath. She had to think. Slightly burned, chubby fingers riffled through her fuinjutsu notes, but there was no more exploding tags or other dangerous seals she could use. The only thing left was her numerous not working properly doodles for vacuum barrier and gravity seals. However, if they manage to surprise the bastards, maybe they would gain enough time to escape.

She snatched one page, handing it to Itachi.

"Attach it to the kunai and throw under their legs as if you couldn't hit them. When it'll start, be ready to run, ok?"

The boy nodded and did as he was told. The kunai flew in a slow arc through the air and with a clatter clumsily bit into the ground, causing a barrage of hysterical laughter that didn't stop until the seal stared to glow, however then it was already too late.

The kumo-nins screamed, but in one second their shrieks were drowned by a crash of breaking bones. Their bodies began to fall to the inside; starting from their skulls, ending on toes. After three seconds the children were left gawking at four piles of squished meat and blood.

"Ok… it wasn't what I had in mind, but I guess it also works." Mumbled Shiori, too mortified to do anything else. "Now, we should…"

The girl stopped, seeing still perplexed boy, frozen with open mouth. She hadn't broken him, had she?

"Hey, Tachi-chan, are you there?" Waving in front of his nose had no results. Ok, Huston, she had problem. She needed to do something, otherwise some new idiot could find them.

The reborn woman did the first thing that appeared in her mind. She poked him in the forehead. Repeatedly. Not carrying at all about possibility of changing the symbol of Uchiha's fucked up brotherly relations.

After fifth poke the boy blinked.

"Are you with me?" Answered her one, small nod.

"What was that?" His voice was so stressed she nearly cuddled him to death.

"True be told I've no idea. Come, we have to go."

And once again Itachi was dragged by a slightly taller girl. This time to a shore of the lake on the town outskirts.

"We need to get to the other site. Can you swim?" Asked the redhead, checking if her bag was secured and everything inside properly sealed.

"I can, but would not it be faster to run on the surface?" Itachi involuntarily winced at her sour expression.

"I can't walk on water. Actually, I don't ever know if I can swim. I never before tried it, ok?" She added fuming. It wasn't her fault that in Uzu ocean currents were too strong to try and learn it. Besides, even in her previous life she barely floated on the water. She never was an outdoor type of person. "Also, going underneath will be safer."

"Safer?"

"I haven't seen anyone using water jutsu yet, so the lake should be left in peace. We'll be harder to be noticed, and even then no kunai or shuriken will reach us."

"It will not?"

"The density of water stops practically every thrown weapon before it dives further than one meter. You know what? We don't have time for it. Are you going or not?" She added stressed by odd glint in those onyx eyes.

This time it was the boy, who took her hand, walking into water.

"Just do not let go."

"Don't worry, Tachi-chan. I don't intend to."

Half hour later on Nankoku's lake opposite shore, an old duck almost had a heart attack, seeing two very odd things. They were more or less of human child size, but bent almost double. They were equally covered with slime or mud, or maybe compressed mixture of both, so felted that even small plants ventured their roots into them. When those creatures climbed into a natural hollow in the scarp and pulled over themselves the leaves and sticks they had piled up, they were perfectly hidden until daylight would broke again, and even then they would be pretty hard to spot. Crouched down, they were remarkably similar to the long-forgotten compost heaps, that were wheezing rather loudly. However, the old duck wasn't there long enough to hear voices coming out from within.

"Are you cold?" asked slightly taller heap of compost.

"Not really." Answered second one, but the first seemed to look at it doubtfully, probably because of the sound of chattering teeth.

"Well, I'm freezing here." Whispered first one and cuddled to its companion, who after a momentary shock snuggled up with redoubled force. "Better, Tachi-chan?"

The smaller compost heap, that in fact was Uchiha heir, hmmed in affirmation and after a moment of hesitation asked a question that tormented him for a long time.

"Excuse me, but what is your name?"

"You mean to tell me I haven't introduced myself?" The girl face-palmed making a loud splash. "Sorry. I'm Uzumaki Shiori, age five. It's nice to meet you."

Boy only nodded and snuggled even closer if it was physically possible. The silence of surrounding them reeds made the reborn woman blood as cold as the night air that crept around them. Deprived of any wind the plants stood still. Not counting sound of fighting on the other shore, there was no noise or rustling. It was as if nature conspired to keep them in the dark, not daring to even whisper. Then the boy broke the silence.

"Why they were attacking us, Shiori senpai? We are only children; they should not do it."

The redhead really wanted to make him understand that she wasn't his senpai, and that his formal speech pattern was giving her a royal headache, but seeing those large, troubled diamonds she couldn't worry him further. Instead she tried to answer him.

"It's a war, Tachi-chan, and at war everyone is killing another ninja just because some jackass in a pointy hat told them to. Normally most of these people wouldn't be enemies, some could even become friends, but on a battlefield you fight and win or you die. It isn't right, but this is how it is. Shinobi rules state that human life is replaceable, that ninja is nothing else than their Village's tools. Tools don't feel, don't cry nor love, but we do. Everyone wants to live and that's main reason why every shinobi kills even innocent civilians – not for the sake of their Village, Kage or other stupid ideals. Because when it's raining cats and dogs, and a man wades waist-deep in corpses, there is no time to check the rules. Besides, they are senseless. Most speak only when you're allowed to be killed. But back to the topic, you must understand that no matter from what Village people are, they all are afraid to die and just want to go home."

Shiori didn't care that her words couldn't possibly came out of any five-year-old's mouth. The kid trembling next to her deserved the best explanation she could give him. She was way too scared and cold to think about consequences. She wanted nothing more than sleep. Not only she was dead tired, the boy also was closing his eyes… The reborn woman mentally kicked herself.

"Hey, Tachi-chan, we cannot sleep, do you hear me? Or we may never awake again. Talk to me, about anything you want. Tell me about yourself, your family, hobbies."

Black, hazy eyes tried to fix on the kneeling next to him toothless girl. Slurred words slowly escaped from dark-haired boy's frostbitten lips. Itachi told her that he was four, lived in big house with his mother and father. He liked books, the most about Leaf's history. His favorite food was cabbage and onigri; his mother made the best – especially with seaweed.

"It sounds very nice. I'm sure it's delicious. Who knows, maybe I'll try it, when we get home."

"I will be delighted to host you in our home."

"And then we'll have a talk about your language."

"I speak properly, do I not?" Asked flabbergasted boy.

"You're speaking so formally it's killing my brain. But don't worry, we'll fix it." She stroked his hair, while flashes of explosions on the other shore were getting stronger.

"Ne, Tachi-chan, I have a request. Well, two actually." Seeing the boy was attentively listening, the young Uzumaki continued. "Can you don't say anything about the thing my seal has done to those shinobi. If they knew, I'd end in the middle of warzone faster than I can say dango. And for the other thing - when you'll see your mum, cry as much as you want."

"But shinobi…"

She interrupted him with a huff.

"Don't show their tears, I know, but you aren't shinobi. Besides I thought we established that these rules are stupid."

Itachi opened his mouth to reply but only a short yelp left him, when something emerged from a water. He wanted to shield his senpai, but Shiori squalled in delight and flung herself at it. It proved to be a scary looking man, whom the girl was hugging for her dear life.

"Orochimaru-sama, you've found us!"

"Of course I have found… wait, what us?" The man dragged his yellowish gaze to the second heap of compost, that the girl dragged forward.

"That's Tachi-chan. I've found him and I'm going to keep him."

If Orochimaru wasn't his own terrifying person, his jaw would hammer in the mud, but he couldn't do it, so it remained in place. The only sing of his inside turmoil was single elegant brow soaring up.

"And Orochimaru-sama?"

"Yes?"

"I'm hungry."

"Of course you are."

ANOUCMENT: I've one thing to say to you, my awesome readers. From the next chapter there will be a little omake at the end of every chapter, so if any of you want to read about something that was only mentioned or have any other idea or wish just let me know.

OK, this is a place where gush over you guys, so thanks for reading. Also as always I'm bowing before my dear mrsmiawallace88.