In all my years, I never did meet a gambler with such terrible luck, and such a lack of sense.
I'm dying- 's poison. Ambushed by- fuck I don't know. Somebody. Got half the world wantin' me dead by now. But- my daughters. Beautiful, each of 'em. They'll be alright. I got a fort for them, for their first birthday. Spent the next few years making it safe for 'em to be there, bound it up in Iga and Koga seals for safety, security- my own peace of mind. Teeth that'd bite a man clean in half all wound up in that house…
I was… I was at the hospital, check-ups and imm- shots. For the girls so they wouldn't get sick. Blond lady there. In the waiting room. Said- I've forgotten what she said, but she made a bet of it. No, I remember- she said that Raiko would cry harder after her shot, I said she wouldn't cry at all if I held her in my arms.
Senju Tsunade. That was her name.
Was a… a deed. Collateral on the bet, was a deed. A deed to a fort her family hadn't built. Had… found it. Found the found the found the foundations of it. B-built up a fort there, mountain top, beside a glade of wildflowers and an old well that w-wasn't poisoned, still flowed pure. Sounded like… like somewhere my daughters could grow. Could grow up. Be better than me.
They'll be alright. Wrote a letter to their father. Think it's their father- never seen a man with white hair and red all down his face like that, never did lay with anyone else with the intention of drawing up seeds from the loin. Never got pregnant by any other man. He ain't seen 'em. Won't for years if I have my say…
Tired.
Senju Tsunade. Worst gambler I ever saw. 'Course, she didn't know I could sing without opening m' mouth, didn' know I could make Raiko still and quiet through a battlefield when I couldn't any time else. Din't know I could sooth a storm right down and quiet, no matter what, didn't know I'd broken my voice raw out and blood spittin' just to keep my daughter hushed. As soon as I go MIA- maybe KIA, depends on, on, don't remember- as soon as I go, m'friend's gonna send out a letter for me. Hope he gets it.
Shouldn't have made a bet against a ninja, Senju-hime. Your face is too pretty for such a nasty scowl… My mama taught me that ninja's always cheat; didn't yours…?
I'll just rest my eyes for a moment… won't be long… mama…