Mitsuki followed Orochimaru down the halls of the hideout, staring at the designs on the walls and admiring the snake candle holders. He looked away from the walls and ran towards Orochimaru's side.
"Hey, can I go outside today?"
Orochimaru thought for a moment and glanced down at him.
"Have you eaten?"
Mitsuki nodded once.
"Then I suppose it's alright..."
They headed into Orochimaru's office and pulled a book from the bookshelf. Orochimaru then picked an empty vial and a half-empty vial. Mitsuki stood in the door-way of the room, watching them mix different liquids. Orochimaru turned their head to Mitsuki, tilting their head.
"Is something wrong..?"
He lowered his head and stared at the ground while nervously stuttering.
"I...I-um...I just wanted...I was wondering i-if...you would go ou-outside with m-me..."
Orochimaru gave Mitsuki a reassuring smile and set down the vials.
"Of course."
The sun was hidden behind the dark clouds, making the forest dark and gloomy. Mitsuki was disappointed as he stood in the darkness of the forest, hoping to see a field of flowers with a great amount of sunlight shining down on him in a clear blue sky.
Orochimaru took notice to Mitsuki's sorrow, then set one hand on his right shoulder and said
"Follow me."
Mitsuki watched Orochimaru make their way past the trees and bushes of the forest, and after a minute, he raced after them. The two of them stopped at a mountain that had a tunnel leading to the other side with vines hanging over the entrance. Orochimaru pushed aside some of the vines to let Mitsuki enter, then continued leading the way. As they grew deeper and deeper into the cave, a light broke in and tons of flowering vines were revealed. Moss was covering the walls and ceiling, mushrooms were sprouted from the ground and with each step, there was a flower.
Mitsuki came to a stop as Orochimaru did. His eyes widened as he gasped at the sight of a large waterfall pouring into a lake with flowers and sakura trees all around the area. The clouds were gone and the sky was a beautiful baby blue with just enough clouds decorating it.
"Amazing...!"
"This is what you wanted to see, correct?"
"Yes! I didn't know this was here! Thank you for showing me this!"
Orochimaru chuckled at Mitsuki's excitement. The sight of his happiness was pleasing to Orochimaru, and made them feel relieved a little. They gazed at the scenery before them, cherishing the moment while the could.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" They asked, watching the petals drift off the sakura trees.
"Sometimes it would get lonely in the hideout...so I would come here to relax..."
Mitsuki stared up at his parent with the sudden feeling that he should say or do something. Nervously, he bumped Orochimaru's left arm with his fist, in a friendly way.
"But, you won't be lonely now that I'm here, right?"
Orochimaru was silent for a second, and soon his lips curved into a smile.
"Yes, that's right.
Since you are..my precious child."