Chapter 19: Otogakure

"So this is Otogakure, the Village Hidden Sound Village!" Kabuki said happily. "Fenrir, this is so cool! We're in another village!" She stopped and turned around. "Mommy, I've been meaning to ask you about your…headband…"

"E-Eh?" Mitsuki replied.

She looked down. "…I have two questions…One, why did you lie about being a ninja and two…if…if we're from the Konohagkure, then why do you have a Otogakure headband?"

"Kabuki…You're right, I lied about being a ninja. I didn't want to tell you because my shinobi past is painful for me. And about my headband…I am originally from this village of the Hidden Sound."

"So then…What're you're saying is that…" She put her head up and grinned. "My mom's an amazing Sound Ninja!" She turned to Fenrir. "You hear that Fenrir! I have the blood of a Sound Ninja coursing through my veins!" She turned back to her mother. "Are you a Jonin too mommy!"

"Y…Yes…?"

"Awsome! Fenrir, this is so cool!"

Mitsuki sighed heavily. I thought for sure she'd be upset with me…

"We'd better look for a place to stay," Kabuto inturupted with a cough. "But it has to be in an isolated place."

"…I know where we can go…" Mitsuki led the way through the village. "It's a small place, but it's on the outskirts of this village and almost in the forest."

When they arrived at their destination, Kabuki looked at the small house. "This house looks so…sad…"

Mitsuki walked in and picked up a small box on the mantle of the fireplace. "…I never thought that I'd come back here…"

"Mommy?" Kabuki asked. "You know this place?"

"Yes…this used to be…my home."

"You used to live here?"

"That's right. I started to live here after something happened…"

"What…happened?"

She walked over to the window and looked out of it. "…My parents…got rid of me…"

"What! Mommy!"

"It's alright Kabuki. You know, I was a little younger than you when I started to live by myself." She sighed. "…We used to be so happy, but then one day they just stopped loving me."

"Well I'll never stop loving you mommy! I'll always be there for you!" Fenrir howled in agreement.

"This isn't a vaction," Kabuto finally said. "You two have to get back to Konohagkure A.S.A.P.!"

"W-Would Orochimaru look for us here, too?" Kabuki asked.

"…This is his village, so of course."

"But we have to find daddy and the others too!"

Mitsuki looked back at Kabuki. "…Kabuki…"

"Forget about them! They'll be fine!" Kabuto quickly said.

"But-"

"No buts! What we have to do right now is come up with a plan so Orochimaru won't get you two!"

"Excuse me," Mitsuki ssaid. "I'm gonna step out for a little air." Fenrir followed her out. "Oh? Fenrir?" He whined. "…Are you sad?" She shook her head, then sank to her knees. "…I am…" She pulled her knees up to her chest and lowered her head. "I don't know what to do…I'm afraid…I'm afraid that I won't be able to protect the ones that I love…I'm afraid that I'll lose Kabuki…" She began to cry.

Mitsuki, please don't cry! Fenrir thought. He licked her hand.

What can I do? How will I protect her? Please…Someone please save my daughter from this nightmare…