It was early, the sun not yet raised over the horizon, snow lay on the ground and in the trees in the forest just outside of a small town. The wind was blowing dark red locks of hair about the beautiful, soft, pale face of a young boy. His earth brown eyes stared down, solemn and melancholic, at the gravestone he had previously cleared of plants overgrowing on it. The grave belonged to two people.

"They wished to protect their only child," spoke an old woman, "During that time, when users of magic were feared, your parents knew that should your existence become known in the village that you too would be hunted and killed as they were. So they sent you to me, your apothecary grandmother, to hide you, as I live just outside of the village. Of course, as fate would have it, after their death the people realized great uses of witches and warlocks, but still never fully trusted them."

The boy turned towards his grandmother, "Granny Chiyo, you told me once that my mother didn't use magic, at least the way my father did. What did you mean when you said that?"

"Your mother wasn't a human, Sasori, she was an elf. She had innate abilities, meaning she simply had to will things to happen, as opposed to citing an incantation for them, to happen, so long as the thought was clear. That's why you have those adorable little pointed ears of yours, hihehee." Chiyo spoke with amusement.

"I suspected as much," said Sasori, ignoring his granny's last comment, "would that also be the reason of my being shorter than the average male as well?"

Chiyo laughed, taking in his androgynous form, "No my boy, your mother was petite and you seem to have taken after her, except for your hair, so you, as a result, are petite as well."

Sasori turned back towards the grave again, "If she could just will things to happen, why didn't she just will herself and father free? Why not will the ropes that bound them to the stake to unravel and free them?"

"As I said before, the thought has to be clear. Do you think you could form a clear coherent thought when you're about to die?"

"…Perhaps not."

"Come, Sasori, let us end this morbid discussion and return home, my old bones can't handle this cold very well." Chiyo said, shivering.

"You go ahead; I'll be along in a bit. I want to stay here a little longer, and then pick up some food for us in town."

"You staying behind wouldn't have anything to do with the fact Orochimaru is coming by shortly would it now, Sasori? He's rather impressed with your poison and medicine making abilities, says you've got a great mind for it." Chiyo replied, amusement apparent in her eyes and tone accusatory.

Sasori flinched at her words. They were true. Orochimaru was to come by and, as he always does, bring in some of his snakes to extract their venom to make poisons and remedies. He was a great supplier, at least for snake venom.

'He says I've a great mind but seems more interested my body and looks,' thought Sasori as he recalled the numerous times Orochimaru would stare at him when he was present during his visits, especially when a snake needed to be charmed, through dancing, so they could get a hold of it. Sasori was a great snake charmer.

"You should get back home, Granny. It won't do any of us good if you get sick, especially since you've just completed the cure for that disease that's been wiping out much of the country and are to deliver it to the convention to test it."

"Hihehee, oh I suppose you're right there Sasori. I'll see you at home then. Be safe, those wolves that howl sound terrifying, so don't stay out here too much longer, just in case they're about the area."

"I think they sound beautiful…"

"Oh, of course, at least compared to my snoring, am I right? Hihehee." Chiyo said laughing as she walked back home.

Sasori cracked a small smile at his granny's humor. The melancholic howling was the only thing able to distract him from his granny's snoring so that he could sleep. During winter they sleep in the same bed, to keep warm.

The sun had finally risen over the horizon and Sasori could hear (having sensitive elf ears) the townspeople starting their daily routines and opening their businesses.

Waiting an hour after the sun had risen, Sasori headed towards the town.

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I originally wanted to add in Sasori going through the town in this chapter, but doing this much took me a while (obviously lol) so I just decided to upload this part. :D