Biwako Sarutobi has lived through the wars that ravaged this world, and has seen the sort of cruelty man was capable of inflicting onto each other. She was a hardened veteran, mother of two audacious boys, medic, and married to the Hokage.
In sort, Sarutobi Biwako was not easily taken by surprise.
However, when her husband not only returned home for lunch, —on time— but he arrived with a slip of a girl, who couldn't be older than her own Asuma, and simply introduced her as Reiko, and telling her she living with them from now on…even she had to at least blink in surprise.
Although, any questions she might have had, were put on hold, and she did what she knew best:
Take charge of the situation.
After introducing herself to the child, Biwako showed the girl to a spare room, dug through old clothes, and prepared a bath for Reiko.
Who, for the most part was still to confused to hake heads or tails of the situation.
Biwako instructed her briefly on where she can find everything needed for her bath before leaving with a simple: "enjoy the warm water." The woman made her way to the kitchen, checked on the food, and finally turned to face the man she has been married to for nearly thirty years.
Hands on her hips and waiting.
What Hiruzen told her next left Biwako speechless. To such an extent that when their eleven year old returned from training, the normally self assured woman didn't know what to say to the boy when he greeted them.
Asuma simply gave them an odd look, before rushing to the bathroom, shooting that he will take a quick shower before lunch.
Neither Biwako nor Hiruzen had time to warn the boy about their guest.
Poor, poor, Asuma. Oblivious to the events which just transpired in his own home. All he wanted to do was change out of his dirty clothing, take a shower, eat his mother's delicious cooking before heading out again to meet up with his team.
He never expected that when entering his bathroom, ready to get clean, to see an equally naked Reiko in the bathtub.
As mentioned previously, Reiko had excellent aim.
Thus Asuma was left, but naked, outside the bathroom, covered in bruises, various cleaning bottles and soaps surrounding him, wondering what just happened.
—.—.—.—
The first few weeks were odd. Reiko, who was no longer used to have someone care for her, found herself awkwardly attempting to help Biwako. The older female took pity on the child and allowed her to help with the coking and household chores. Partially because she saw that Reiko needed the distraction, and partially because it was nice to have help.
You won't see her sons offering to help so eagerly.
And if Reiko turned out to be a rather good hand in the kitchen…well, that was just a bonus.
The girl rather easily discovered the Sarutobi library, eyes gazing longingly at the various scrolls, and leather bound books displayed. It wasn't till she was given a physical push by Biwako, and verbal permission from Hiruzen, that she ventured inside to take a peak inside them. Absorbing the information like a sponge.
During her second week, Reiko wandered into the training ground behind the house when Biwako and Hiruzen were gone. The silver haired girl wasn't paying much attention as she began practicing, having taken far too long a pause from it. The village was swarming with people and whenever she attempted to sense her surroundings she ended up with a headache of massive proportions.
Therefore she didn't notice Asuma till the boy asked for a spar.
Reiko was able to equal him in stamina, even if he kicked her ass in taijutsu hands down. However she had the larger chakra reserves and better jutsu arsenal.
Hence, why by the time the adults of the house returned, they were only partially surprised by the state of the two children, laying face down, behind the house. The state of the training field was more interesting to observe anyway.
It was after this incident, despite Hiruzen's initial wish to allow Reiko to adapt to her new environment more, that he offered to help train her in taijutsu.
At the end of said week, Biwako took Reiko with her to the hospital, having the girl help with the menial tasks. The Sarutobi female then had Reiko practice her chakra control, delighted to find that she had perfect chakra to pursue the path of a medic, should she wish.
Too bad Reiko had even less of a calling for the noble art than she did for fūinjutsu.
(Somewhere, far away, during a poker match, Tsunade felt a familiar wave of annoyance wash over her. Even though she was having such a great time.)
Early next week, was when Reiko first meet the three councillors which helped Hiruzen manage, and keep Konoha safe. They showed up at the Sarutobi household for tea, and if Biwako's reaction was any hint, this was no common occurrence. Pleasantries were exchanged between the adults which grew up together, while Reiko spied from the kitchen, food on the stove.
Hiruzen beckoned Reiko to come introduce herself, and the young teen was, at best, apprehensive about their presence.
Nonetheless, she didn't want to be rude towards Hiruzen, who technically still took her in, despite having no reason too, (like she would have been able to leave anyway).
Much like Hiruzen's first reaction when seeing Reiko, the three were taken back, and, for a short moment, saw the nidaime before them. A small nidaime admittedly, one with lanky limbs and more feminine features, but alas, the mind was inventive.
Koharu was more surprised by how demure Reiko was. Not very talkative and a bit fidgety, she was the complete contrast of the young Shōrai Koharu so vividly recalled.
However, years of being a ninja taught her to not take people at face value. At least not initially.
She would give the girl time to grow more comfortable with the change. Allow her to grow accustomed to her first before forming any concrete opinion about her.
As for the other two…Homura reached the same conclusion as Koharu, and chose to give Reiko some space, choosing to wait and she how time changes her attitude. Danzō on the other hand, wasn't very impressed by Reiko. To think that this was what the nidaime's bloodline has produced…disappointment didn't encompass the full spectrum of his opinion. Danzō was however patient. And if the girl truly possessed the mokuton, dismissing her so early on would be a shame.
'Though, Kinoe is far more formidable,' he allowed himself to think.
—.—.—.—
Two weeks later, found Reiko thrust even further in the world of social interactions, being forced to meet even more people despite barely growing adjusted to the ones she already knew.
Starting with Sarutobi Isamu, the couple's first son and heir.
The young man just returned from the frontline, alongside his platoon to take a break. He expected a warm welcome, his mother's delicious, warm, cooking and a little brother to tease.
He received everything and Reiko. After his initial skepticism, he was more than happy to accept the girl. (that is, after a rather uncomfortable grilling session, and a long talk with his father) It might have helped that Asuma grew to rather like Reiko and was rather defensive of her, providing Isamu with ample, new teasing material.
It was most uncomfortable to learn that Reiko had no idea what they were talking about, and, as punishment, Isamu was forced to explain what the teasing implied. Reiko, who never had the chance to have this sort of conversation with her mother and grandmother before their passing, asked plenty of questions. All straight faced despite Isamu's increasing blush.
The oldest Sarutobi sibling finally understood why Asuma grew so protective. Reiko was so hopelessly inept socially, that it just made you want to shelter her more. "If I'm getting a little sister out of this, does that mean I can kick any guy's ass for her?" Isamu once asked his father, several days later. He felt it was his right after all.
During this time frame she was also called to the Hokage tower to meet up with a particular pair of shinobi: Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina.
Reiko was certain that it was the woman Hiruzen was most interested in her meeting, the blond simply came as an added bonus or part of the set.
The two were debriefed about the situation before the girl arrived, giving Kushina little time to fully swallow the news that people she shared blood with were killed, despite having survived the massacre that was Uzushio's fall.
It wasn't something she liked to dwell on often, as those thoughts were often accompanied by even more negative ones. Instead she would simply accept that she was possibly one of the last, or the last Uzumaki left, lighting up incense sticks, and offering a prayer every year for her departed clan.
Now she stood before Reiko, a vestige of the Uzumaki,—regardless of how diluted her blood may be— and didn't know what to say. Not that the teen was doing any better, the woman's appearance reminding her far too much of her deceased family.
As such the two remained awkward messes, while the other two men in the room deliberated the wisdom of interrupting…whatever they were attempting to do.
A/N: Meh, not to sure about this chapter. I'll edit it when I think of what about it makes me-meh
However I do wish to give you all a big thank you. For reading this story, for being bothered to read thus far. Also thank you for everyone that reviewed, your comments fill me with happiness and I adore all of you!
Also just to clarify. No Asuma does not have a crush on Reiko,(Isamu just likes to tease) he kinda sees her like a lost puppy for now? Or a sister...sorta.
Next chapter I will introduce Team Minato and their interactions with Reiko
Any guesses on what the three will think about Reiko? Will she get along with them or not? ;)