As Mikoto talked with the shopkeeper, Itachi stood outside and kept an eye on Sasuke and Naruto as they sat and played a game with a little pink-haired girl that involved a ball, hand gestures and a lot of giggling. But he also kept an eye on the crowd, watching for those who might wish to harm his little brothers.

He was rather surprised when the crowd parted and the Snake Sannin emerged. The older man stopped near Itachi and spoke "You're Itachi, are you not?"

"Yes, Sir."

Orochimaru nodded. "I thought so. My sympathies about your father. I was just told about his death. Is your mother doing well?"

"Thank you. And yes, she's doing quite well. You may have heard that she's leading the Clan now."

"I did hear."

"If I may be bold, Sir, you look like you're feeling better."

Orochimaru huffed a laugh and gave Itachi a small smile, "I only look like Death warmed over now rather than a four-week-old corpse." He raised a hand when Itachi tried to speak. "I know, boy, I know. I am feeling better but my doctors have forbidden me from doing anything more strenuous then strolling around the village. At this point, I'm not even allowed to do Tai Chi! Fortunately, they haven't forbidden reading but my children take everything away by a certain time so I can rest."

Itachi gave his own small smile at the frustration in the older man's voice. He'd been like that a few times himself. But he understood their reasoning. Certain people could be obsessive and get involved with something and cause a setback in their health.

Suddenly a shriek made both man and boy whirl.

"SAKURA!"

A blond woman burst through the crowd practically running toward the three children playing. Itachi saw that the little pink-haired girl cringed and tried to hide behind Sasuke but the woman grabbed her by the arm and yanked her into the air. The child screamed in pain.

Itachi watched, stunned, as Orochimaru moved.

He knew he was fast, Shisui was faster and the Captain, for all of his public perverted laziness, was even faster. But Orochimaru…

The woman was on the ground, her face registering her shock and the girl was in Orochimaru's arms…not making a sound. Sasuke and Naruto were standing upright looking uncertainly between Itachi and Orochimaru.

The surrounding crowd was silent.

Itachi could see two of his cousins that were in the police force making their way quickly through the frozen crowd.

"Itachi-kun."

"Yes, Orochimaru-sama?"

"I seem to have left my kunai behind, do you have one with you?"

"Yes, Sir."

Orochimaru motioned him forward. He gestured at the girl's shirt. "Cut the sleeve there and at the neck there. Then pull back the pieces so that I may see."

Itachi did as he was told. When he pulled back the pieces of shirt, he heard someone behind him gasp. He could see why. It was obvious that the child's shoulder was dislocated but was more disconcerting were the many bruises in various stages of healing.

Orochimaru spoke, his voice carrying clearly. "Up until a few days ago, I was the last of my Clan but I have since adopted my two apprentices and in my familial research, I discovered that two generations ago a Takenoshita married a Haruno. Therefore by Clan Law, I claim this child as Clan."

Behind them Mikoto's voice rang out. "Heard and Witnessed!"

A civilian man stepped forward, prominently displaying his Clan ring, "Heard and Witnessed!"

An Aburame stepped forward "Heard and Witnessed!"

Itachi's two cousins had finally made their way through the crowd. Itachi gestured to the woman on the ground who was in shock over what had just happened. "Arrest her for child abuse." The pair nodded and pulled the woman to her feet and took her away.

Mikoto stepped forward and her cool gaze swept the crowd. Who immediately went back to what they had been doing previously. She gently touched the little girl, tilting the child's chin up to look into her eyes then the girl went limp.

Orochimaru adjusted his hold on the girl, resting her head on his shoulder in such a way that her shoulder wouldn't be jostled. "Thank you. I think she's in a great deal of pain."

Mikoto stroked the pink hair. "Poor little one. It's rather telling that she didn't cry from the pain." She looked at Orochimaru, "I'm sure you know that once she's being treated, the genjutsu won't last."

The Snake Sannin nodded. "I'll have the medics give her the necessary pain blockers before I allow them to treat her. If you will excuse me." He turned and made his way quickly through the crowd and disappeared from view.

Mikoto smiled at her three boys. "I think we should go home now and have lunch."

Naruto tugged at her sleeve. "Mama, was that the man that came out of the ground? He looks kinda different."

Mikoto ran her hand over the bright blond hair. "Yes, that was the same man. He was very ill but he's getting better."

Sasuke spoke up. "So is Sakura his daughter now?"

"Under Clan law, yes."

Naruto bounced. "Does that mean we can play with her again?"

Mikoto smiled. "When she is better, we can ask."

Sasuke smiled and Naruto cheered.

888888

"The legality of what you did is a bit questionable, my boy." Hiruzen sucked on his pipe, the fragrant tobacco scenting the air.

Orochimaru shrugged. "Clan laws have always been biased in favor of someone in a clan over others. Even though my Clan was almost extinct, the Takenoshita are still in the Clan Book. Besides, it was Heard and Witnessed and the child is in my possession. And the abuse she suffered makes things even more biased in my favor."

"Yeah, but Teme, your reputation is a bit notorious." Jiraiya didn't flinch at the glare Orochimaru sent his way.

Tsunade laughed. "Ah, but Oro has a legitimate medical, if not legal, reason for his previous behaviors." She sat on the edge of the desk. "With what was documented on that child, Orochimaru is almost a saint compared to that woman. His claim will stand."

Hiruzen sighed. He'd read Sakura's medical file. Tsunade was right. Once the village's Clan heads saw that file, they would not hesitate to stand behind Orochimaru. At the very least to protect Clan superiority. "Your claim will stand; we'll see to it. How are you feeling, by the way?"

"I'm fine." Orochimaru ignored Tsunade's snort. "I've been walking and Tsunade has persuaded Kabuto and Anko to remove my books and scrolls from me every night so that I can get my sleep."

"Since he was at the hospital, I examined him. His nervous system and chakra coils are progressing in their healing quite nicely. I've decided that you can do more exercising than just walking about. But you still have to take it slowly and carefully." Her face and voice were pleading.

Orochimaru smiled at his teammate. "I won't disobey you. I know what happens when you're disobeyed." Jiraiya laughed. "And I know my body's limits. Tai Chi will be the most strenuous exercise I'll be able to do for a while."

Tsunade nodded, then she tugged at her ponytail agitatedly.

Orochimaru smiled at his teammates and his sensei. When he spoke his voice was gentle. "I take it you've decided to take the hat."

Tsunade took a deep breath and released it. "Yes."

Orochimaru stood up, walked over to her and kissed her cheek. "You'll be a good Hokage. Congratulations."

Tsunade wrapped her arms around him and leaned into his chest. "Thank you."

Geta clacked against the wooden floor as Jiraiya joined his teammates in the hug.

Hiruzen smoked his pipe and smiled.

Author's notes: Takenoshita means one who lives beneath the bamboo. I think snakes qualify. I have looked and I can't seem to find any evidence that Orochimaru has a last name. For the purposes of this story, he needed one and that's the one I picked.

Now if someone knows if Orochimaru actually has one given to him by Kishimoto-san, please let me know.