Author notes: Part of this chapter happens at the same time as the fight between Kimimaro, Hitomi and Kakashi described in the previous chapter. I wanted to explore Anko's thoughts regarding the toddler, and why she froze into place.

Anko looked at the child in front of her, and suddenly, it felt like the battle raging in the hideout didn't matter anymore. She dodged anything sent at her by reflexes of ninja training only. She felt like that child was important in the story. Something was wrong, but Anko couldn't exactly point out what. She could only bark the order not to touch him.

Kakashi, because apparently he was the one leading the Anbu squad, was confused as to who the boy was, and why Anko froze into place. "Who are you?" He asked the child. But Kakashi didn't even listen to the answer, joining in the fight against Kimimaro.

"I'm Tadashi. Orochimaru is my daddy, please don't kill him! Daddy is always saying mother hates me and doesn't care if I die," the child said. Those sentences coming from a toddler made Anko's stomach turn.

Anko suddenly felt like her knees were about to give out and she was about to throw up. This child… She didn't know if Tadashi said something else, because she spaced out, stuck in her memories suddenly coming back.

Orochimaru experimented on her. Not only with that curse seal. Suddenly she remembered his other experiment, and how he locked her up in a cell until his experiment was ready. The one he did to create a mix of him and her. Tadashi, perhaps. The only thing that was relieving about the situation at the time was that at least it wasn't a result of intercourse, but one of Orochimaru's scientific experiments. Anko remembered the pregnancy, and how she hated Orochimaru for reminding her he'd be his child the whole duration of it. The baby, looking as pale as his father, with his eyes, with just a little bit of hair that was Anko's color. Anko suddenly remembered why she had wanted to leave. She wanted a better life for her and her son. But Orochimaru prevented her from leaving with him by altering her memories. It was clear in her head, now.

Anko's curse mark started to burn as if it was to remind her what she couldn't have. Tears fell down her cheeks. She couldn't let Orochimaru manipulate her ever again. She would never trust him either. Because it was obvious Tadashi had also been used for his awful experiments, she could see it on his body, his tiny body, too small to be touched. Anko was livid. How could he? Her baby! He was a toddler, just starting his life and the only thing he knew was an awful hideout and abuse. Anko clenched her fist, suddenly coming back to reality. She had to protect the boy. Prevent the Anbu squad from killing him. Prevent Orochimaru from using him ever again. And that weird guy who seemed to have just killed the Hyuuga Anbu, who was trying to protect Tadashi, he needed to die. So Tadashi could live. Not just be alive, but live a proper life.

"Tadashi, you're being manipulated by your father. Like he manipulated me. You do not want to protect him. He doesn't deserve this. Come with me, you'll have the best life. I'll make sure you thrive and make friends. Live in a nice village surrounded by good-looking forest, parks to play in. I'll make you stronger."

"You just want to kill daddy and me!"

"No. I don't want to kill you. I don't hate you, no matter what he has told you. He lied to you. Orochimaru made me forget about you, but my memories are coming back and leaving you here is my biggest regret."

Anko wasn't sure the boy was old enough to understand what regrets were. But she had to try. She couldn't bear leaving him here ever again. She was disgusted he had spent three years in this hideout. At Orochimaru's mercy. How could she forget she had a son? She wanted to scream her pain. She just won the worst mother of the year award. Of the decade even.

Orochimaru's bodyguard didn't seem to like her sudden interactions and protection with and towards the child, aiming his next attack at her. But Anko was skilled. She dodged those – was that bones he was sending at her? Two Anbu, Kakashi and another one Anko didn't know what to call him yet, flanked him.

Orochimaru woke up from the genjutsu at the same moment, realizing who was around all of a sudden.

"Tadashi, go hide somewhere. Do not trust Anko!"

"How could you do this to me, to us?" Anko yelled. She was enraged. Weasel was already fighting Orochimaru now, and Kakashi was now beginning to join him. Anko realized she didn't know the hideout enough to find Tadashi if he hid, and she didn't want him to see Orochimaru die.

"Hound, make sure to kill Orochimaru. I'm letting you end this fight. I have better things to do." Anko didn't want to name Kakashi's name. She didn't want Tadashi to hear about the names of the men who killed his father in case he'd want to avenge him. But the Anbu needed to succeed in their mission, there was no way they would ever let Orochimaru survive this. Anko wouldn't forgive them.

The Anbu captain nodded, his eyes flicking in the direction the toddler ran to. He understood her goal to follow him, probably realizing who he was to her by now. Kimimaro tried to prevent her from following. Anko cut his throat with a kunai and pushed him to the ground. She was overcome with protectiveness for Tadashi, and no one would prevent her from being with her baby. Anyone between them was an enemy she had to kill.

Before she exited, Anko gave one last order. "Kill anyone menacing. If there are children you have doubts about their intentions, I know Konoha's T&I will know what to do with them. You probably know that more than I do, actually." It has been awhile since she last entered Konoha.

Anko followed Tadashi. He wasn't able to go far, with his small legs and tiny untrained body. She scooped him in her arms. He kicked his feet at her stomach, but the adrenaline made it painless. Not that it would be very painful in the first place. She tried to hold him as firmly as she could, without hurting him. She was bringing him to the house she lived in the past two years to get her things. Then, she'd leave it all behind and return to Konoha. It was time for her to start a new life. A mother's life. In the place where she had been safe, and should have never left.