Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Lost Soul ❯ The Unknown ( Chapter 9 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto and not me, but I do claim the Yominokunis, Yakubyougami and the Tekigougan for myself!
A Note from Katana Haibane: I'd like to thank everyone who had reviewed my fic. Although you are few, your encouragement has kept the speed of my writing up! Thanks! Also, for anyone who is unsure of reviewing, I promise to personally reply to your review if you leave one.
Chapter 9: The Unknown
Eastern Edge of Fire Country - 9:00 pm
Kabuto had been able to smell smoke for close to a minute before he came upon the clearing where Itachi and Sasuke had fought. His eyes widened at the devastation. Trees were torn, cut and burnt all over the place. Ice was slowly melting from trees while puddles of water had turned some areas into a muddy cesspool. `Sasuke and Itachi were able to do this much damage to their surroundings before the fight ended? This is unreal. Looks like the only reason that Sasuke didn't completely destroy Orochimaru already is thanks to the control the level two cursed seal had over Sasuke. Guess it's time to find Sasuke or at least what's left of him.'
Picking his way through the debris Kabuto began to shift everything around. He pushed half broken trees out the way and kicked through the ash left behind by the fires. The area was so huge that Kabuto didn't how long it would take to find him. Then he noticed something out of place: Yominokuni Mikomi was nowhere to be found either.
Kabuto keyed his throat mike the second he noticed Mikomi's absence, “Orochimaru-sama please come in. I have urgent news for you.”
The mike crackled on the other end for a moment before Orochimaru responded, “What is it Kabuto? Have you located Sasuke and Mikomi yet?”
“No sir,” Kabuto said, “that's just the problem. The area of destruction is so large that I'm having difficulty covering it. That's not the reason I radioed in. The both of us know that Sasuke would never allow anyone else to interfere with his revenge so we should assume that Mikomi is still alive. I can't find her anywhere and she isn't even revealing herself to a familiar, albeit hated, face. You should organize a Hunter Team to head out find Mikomi.”
It was a few moments before Orochimaru responded but Kabuto could picture his master fuming, “I've sent them out. NOW FIND SASUKE BEFORE I GET REALLY ANGRY!”
Smirking, Kabuto began to sift through the debris once again. After searching for another hour Kabuto pushed his way into an area relatively clear of all damage. In the center of the clearing in a massive red puddle was the dead body of Sasuke Uchiha. Kabuto flipped open one of the scrolls that he was carrying and quickly sealed his body inside to preserve it. “I've got the body of Uchiha Sasuke Orochimaru-sama. Turns out he didn't finish off Itachi after all. I guess we really do have to resort to plan B after all.”
“It doesn't matter,” Orochimaru's voice crackled over the radio, “after all we have perfected our technique to ninety-nine percent success rate. Just get back here as soon as possible. The recovery of Sasuke-kun's body is far more important than finding Mikomi-chan at the moment.”
Kabuto didn't bother to respond as he re-rolled his scroll and took off for the Village Hidden in Sound, `If you tried to escape Mikomi it's going to be a long night for you.'
When Mikomi awoke around midnight the first thing that went through her mind was a blind panic. She couldn't remember why she was scared, all she knew was that something was telling her to run, run and not stop running until she couldn't move anymore. Problem was she had no idea where she was. Then she heard the voices coming from the east.
“I'm not picking up much in the way of trails.”
“Hell she couldn't have vanished I've got an imprint matching her body shape over here.”
“Hey! I've got another imprint. This one has a mark over here on the right. Maybe someone kicked her into the wood.”
The people began to head straight towards her. Panic took hold of Mikomi again and she stood up and leapt into the trees. Surprise spread across her face, `What the heck am I, some kind of ninja? Why didn't I know that until I leapt into the trees? Aw hell, I just hope I'm fast for now.'
Mikomi began to run through the trees as fast as she could to the west. The sensation of the wind whipping through her hair as she ran gave Mikomi a sense of exhilaration despite being scared for her life. The weirdest part about the entire situation was fact that she felt that she had done this sort of thing before. It was as if she knew what to expect from herself while at the same time not understanding anything at all. Like her entire life had just become one massive case of deja-vu except that she could do things she didn't know she could do. And she didn't know why, but she knew that the people behind her were not nice.
`What's happening to me? Am I some kind of prophetic freak of nature? Is there some reason that I…can't remember anything? Am I forgetting something? I know that I've been here before but at the same time I've never been here. That doesn't make any sense. What the hell is going on? Where the hell am I anyway.'
“Tracks! I found Mikomi's tracks over this way!” came a shout from the direction that she had just come from.
`I knew it! Those people are bad! Why are they after me? Why, why, why, why, why? Oh god, what the hell is going on? I've got to run. Faster than this! I'm sure I can run faster than this but I'm not sure why.'
So Mikomi ran. She ran and ran and ran, never allowing the people pursuing her to catch up. She knew she was fast and she was proving it. Fear spurred her onwards: fear of those pursing her, fear of who she was, but most of all the fear of what she didn't know. Images seemed to float at the back of her mind but her fear pushed them aside. She didn't want to see or know right now as it was just a distraction from trying to get away from these people. She wouldn't let them get their hands on her no matter what.
No matter how long she ran Mikomi could always sense those people pursuing her. The ninjas who wanted her. It felt like hours since she had started running and she could feel her arms and legs burning. The motions were becoming repetitive: grab an overhead branch and swing forward, leap from a branch below and power onwards. Away from the devils behind her.
Mikomi began to feel as if she couldn't go on any longer. Her hands felt like they were chewed up by sandpaper. Her arms and legs felt as if they were weighted down by a sadist who kept adding more and more weight. Her stomach burned and churned, longing for food that it wasn't going to get. Her head was pounding from lack of oxygen and from trying to figure out what was going on. Her lungs burned as she breathed as if a fire had been started in her chest. Mikomi was a total mess and she knew it but she refused to give up. If she was feeling this bad then surely her pursuers were feeling something as well.
The Sound Hunter Team was amazed at Mikomi's stamina. They had been following her as she ran pell-mell through the forest for more than four hours now at full speed and they had hardly closed the gap at all. It was inconceivable how a girl as young as Mikomi could live through the devastation of Sasuke's fight with Itachi and still come away strong enough to run for this long.
Finally the one of the Chuunin's chasing Mikomi down decided to end the chase as they passed the fourth village they had seen since this wild goose chase began. Pumping as much chakra into his legs as he could, the Chuunin burst forward as he drew a pair of kunai from his hip pack.
“DON'T!” the Jounin Leader screamed as he watched one of the Chuunin under his command leap ahead to attack the girl.
Mikomi sensed the one of her pursuers appear directly behind her and reacted completely on instinct. She spun around in mid flight and saw the two kunai the Chuunin was holding coming right for her chest. The idea of reinforcing her body with chakra just seemed to float up to the forefront of her mind as she reached for the oncoming blades. Mikomi caught the blades in her hands as the Chuunin stabbed them at her and stopped them cold, a shallow cut the only damage she received. She twisted the kunai outwards as she head-butted the Chuunin as hard as she could. Mikomi vaguely felt something fall off of her head but ignored it.
The Chuunin's head snapped back and smashed right into a thick tree branch with a sickening crack. He fell to the ground with a broken neck. Mikomi broke through a different branch back first and let out a yelp of pain before she hit the ground and rolled to her feet. She dove to the side and rebounded up the trees as a hail of shuriken flew straight at her.
Mikomi continued running to the west with the Sound Nins close on her heels. Fear and adrenaline were the only things keeping her going. Then a hand closed around her right arm.
Mikomi screamed as loud as she could into the night.
The Eastern Interior of Fire Country
It was nearing five in the morning as an ambassadorial team consisting of Shizune, Hinata, Kiba and Shino was tired and distraught. They had traveled all the way to the Village Hidden in Mist to try and patch up the conflict that had erupted between Kumo and Mizu only to be kicked out of the Mizukage's office.
Kiriken had exploded in anger when they had tried to explain that it was another plot by Orochimaru. He had demanded to see some proof that he had anything to do with the situation when he had discovered an entire team of Kumo Nins dead at the hands of one of his own Anbu squads. He had wanted to know where were the bodies of the Sound Nins involved, even ones who had switched their headbands for another village's to hide their allegiance. Kiriken didn't believe that anyone who wasn't Kage level could possibly have been able to escape from the dozens of ambushes that had been made in the heart of Mizu territory.
Kiriken had damned Tatsumaki for claiming that he was responsible for the attacks in Kumo when he never considered that Tatsumaki was having a similar reaction to the situation. Both sides denied that they had initiated the aggressions but neither side would consider the idea of outside instigation because there was no physical evidence that suggested otherwise. Shizune had been completely frustrated as Kiriken had completely ignored the logic as to why Orochimaru had been the one responsible for the attacks until Kiriken explained why he couldn't take action against him. He had no proof, and therefore it would be considered an act of war and not defense. He didn't want to purposefully start a war with another nation.
The best that Shizune had been able to arrange before being kicked out of Kiriken's office was for him to agree to try and make some kind of permanent peace treaty between the two nations.
The tired team stopped for a rest in the trees when Kiba began to voice his complaints loudly, “Why the hell do we gotta keep running through the night Shizune-san? I want some sleep dammit!”
Shizune groaned that the question Kiba was asking her. She had been asking herself the same question for the last three hours, “It's because Hokage-sama asked us to return with an update on the situation and peace negotiations the second that the meeting was over. Those were her orders and I intend to follow them to the letter. Just rest for now Kiba cause there's nothing we can do about it.”
“Someone's coming,” Shino said in his usual monotone as a few of his bugs came buzzing back to him.
Hinata immediately was up and ready as she activated her Byakugan and scanned her surroundings. Then she heard a girl's scream. Hinata didn't hesitate as she leapt off in the direction that she had heard the scream and focused her eyesight in that direction. Hinata saw a Sound Jounin had grabbed a young girl and thrown her into a tree and his other two companions had caught up with him.
“There's a girl being attacked by some Sound Nins,” Hinata said as loudly as she dared, “We've gotta help her out.”
Another cry resounded through the woods as the Sound Jounin kicked the unknown girl. Hinata's eyes widened. The girl had been able to block the kick but it was strong enough to break the branch she was standing on from the impact. She put on a burst of speed while shouting back to her companions, “We've got to move it! I think the girl needs medical attention `cause a Sound Nin kicked her hard enough to put her through a branch!”
Kiba quickly preformed his `Man Beast Bunshin' with Akamaru and shot out to the sides so they could flank the Sound Nins. Shizune loaded up her wrist launcher with senbon and quickly coated the tips with a paralysis agent. Shino's bugs rose out of his body and began to buzz angrily. Hinata simply set herself for what was to come.
The three Sound Nins didn't even know what hit them.
Hinata shot to the defense of the girl and blocked the punch of the Jounin leader. Her hand shot forward and quickly sealed the tenketsu in the Nin's shoulder before he could react. Hinata grabbed the quaking girl and leapt back into the trees with her as Shizune rained her senbon down on the partially incapacitated Jounin. With speed borne of great experience the Sound Jounin's right hand flashed out and blocked every senbon with a kunai. As Shizune landed in front of him she ducked a vicious swing of his kunai only to be knocked back with a kick. Shizune whipped out a kunai of her own as they squared off against each other for a moment. Hinata's reappearance caused the Sound Nin to break the stand off.
Shino and Kiba worked as a team to eliminate the two Chuunin. Shino used the element of surprise to catch the two of them with his Kikai bugs and set them up for Kiba's assault. The Chuunin's were defenseless against the Gatsuuga Kiba unleashed while they were having their chakra drained by Shino and were torn apart by they slashing claws of the bestial Kibas.
The Sound Jounin charged straight at Hinata expecting her deadly palm thrust this time. He slammed his kunai down into the back of Hinata's hand and forced it away. Releasing the kunai as Hinata yelped in pain he caught her other hand and forced it together with her injured one before raising it over her head. Shizune swung her own kunai towards the Sound Nin's neck only to have him spin and take the kunai in his incapacitated shoulder before he gave her a snap kick to the jaw to knock her away. Hinata took her chance and kicked the man sharply in the chest and her foot connected with the skin above the Sound Nin's heart.
The Jounin gave a grunt in pain before he threw Hinata away. He clutched at his chest above his heart as it felt like a kunai had just been imbedded in it. The Sound Jounin stood only a few seconds longer before he finally collapsed to the ground and didn't move.
Hinata grimaced as she pulled the kunai out of the back of her hand and started to try and heal the deep cut. Shizune slid down in front of her, “Let me get that for you.” Shizune's more experienced hand began to glow with a soothing healing chakra that rapidly healed the cut on Hinata's hand.
“We're done up top,” Kiba called as he and Shino joined the girls on the ground, “Where's that girl who was getting attack by the Sound Nins?”
Hinata motioned for the others to follow her, “I set her down over…here…” To the astonishment of the four Leaf Nins they found the same girl still in hysterics and trying to crawl away from them.
Panting from exhaustion and fear Mikomi had tried to get up and run away after that one girl had pulled her away from the Sound Jounin set her down. Her tired legs had given out after a few more steps. The fear in her body was consuming her completely and she couldn't even understand the fact that people were trying to save her. She crawled onwards with tears streaming from her face - she just wanted to get away from those people.
When Mikomi heard voices come from behind her another surge of adrenaline ran through her burnt out body and caused her to scramble forward some more as she screamed, “Get away, get away, GET AWAY FROM ME!”
Hinata jumped in front of Mikomi causing her to throw herself back against a tree. Hinata tried to calm the terrified girl down, “Hey, don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not one of those people who were chasing you. Just take my hand and I'll take you someplace safe.” Hinata slowly extended her hand towards Mikomi. The closer Hinata's hand came the more and more pronounced Mikomi's shaking became. Sighing, Hinata pulled her hand away from Mikomi.
For a moment relief flooded through Mikomi's body. Over tired and under fed, Mikomi's body finally gave out. Mikomi's body relaxed as she slipped into a state of blissful unconsciousness.
Shizune and Hinata quickly moved forward to check on the fallen girl as Kiba spoke up from behind, “Holy crap! Is she alright? What the hell happened to her?”
Shizune wiped her brow before she answered Kiba, “Looks like she just fainted from exhaustion. Her body seems to be almost burnt out and her chakra capacity is dangerously low. We have to get her medical attention immediately. Kiba, you take the first shift in carrying her. We're taking her back to Konoha.
Orochimaru's Chambers - Later That Day
Orochimaru had a grin on his face as Kabuto entered into his chambers, “Kukuku, I'm assuming that you brought dear, departed Sasuke-kun's body with you correct Kabuto?”
Kabuto smirked and pushed his glasses up on his nose, “Of course Orochimaru-sama, his body is sealed away nicely inside this scroll.” Kabuto pulled a scroll out of his pocket and tossed it to Orochimaru.
Snatching the scroll in the air Orochimaru spread it open and summoned its contents out onto the table. Sasuke's blood drained body met his eyes, the wound to the right half of his chest gaping open. Orochimaru bent down and took a closer look at the wound and saw the tell tale marks that the Raikiri left on the body, “I'm disappointed in you Sasuke-kun. I didn't think that you would ever allow yourself to fall prey to your own attack. Oh well, your loss and my gain.” The grin on Orochimaru's face spread even wider looking like it was going to split his face in half.
“Shall we begin the technique Orochimaru-sama?” Kabuto asked as he stepped into the seal that was painted on the floor on his side of the examination table. Orochimaru nodded once before stepping into a seal of his own on the other side.
Both Orochimaru and Kabuto started by making the serpent seal and touching their hands to the seal painted on the examination table, pumping chakra into it. The entire room became aglow with a purplish light that pulsated from the seal on the table. The seal seamed to slowly pull itself up off the table and wrap itself around the dead body of Sasuke. Then Orochimaru and Kabuto began sealing. Their hands went slowly and in perfect sync with each other as they began the next stage of the technique. One hundred and twenty-two hand seals later they fixed their hands in a serpent seal again and touched their hands to Sasuke's wound this time. The purple light pulsating off of the seal turned into a stead white glow as the two began to seal once again. Their sealing again was slow and in perfect harmony. They sealed for a good ten minutes before finishing the three hundred and forty-two seals needed for the technique and placed their palms flat onto Sasuke's body. With a massive release of chakra the two powerful ninjas called out the name of their technique.
“KINJUTSU: BODY RESURECTION JUTSU!”
The seal slowly disappeared into Sasuke's body as the hole in the right half of his chest seemed to fill itself in out of nothing. The colour and texture of the body began to return to a healthy colour as the hole finished closing itself up. Then Sasuke's chest began to rise and his heart began to beat.
Orochimaru smiled once again, “The perfect tandem technique for my Living Corpse Reincarnation technique. It leaves a perfectly healthy and restored body without a soul that can reject my presence. No mind or soul to dominate whatsoever. Essentially a permanent host until I find another body that suits my needs. Kukuku, just an empty shell for me to take over when the time is right is all that is left. Kabuto, make sure the body stays alive until I can transfer into it permanently in ten months time.”
Kabuto nodded as he prepared the stasis cell to store the resurrected body of Sasuke.
Konoha Hospital - The Next Day
Tsunade took a look at the thin girl that was lying there in a hospital bed. When she had heard from Shizune that they had brought in a girl that had been chased by Sound Nins during their report she had been surprised. First they had told her about the failed talks with Kiriken and then told her how they had rescued a hysterical girl. This was Tsunade's first chance to examine the girl since she had been brought in, `Shizune and Hinata reported that this girl was suffering from chakra depletion along with exhaustion and she still was trying to run away. Whatever or whoever had frightened her had done so badly. Still, her build and chakra capacity definitely indicate that she is a ninja of some sort or at least received some training. If she had been running for long enough to cause her to pass out from exhaustion and only get caught just before she collapsed - hell she has to be a ninja from somewhere. I guess I'll get the full story when she wakes up.'
Tsunade's hands lit up with the familiar chakra that came from an examination jutsu as she began her diagnosis. Tsunade started with the girl's extremities and began to work her way inwards, `Hmm seems that there is a lot of stress built up in her muscles along with high levels of lactic acid. The lactic acid levels should be higher than this if the girl passed out from exhaustion. There also isn't any bruising on her arms from the kick she took. How strange. Her kidneys seem to be strained. Clearly her body was pumping out levels of adrenaline that were above what her body could handle. High hydrochloric acid levels in the stomach indicate a high level that she had been under a high level of stress - no surprise there. No heart or lung problems whatsoever.'
Deciding to finish of her physical examination quickly Tsunade at last allowed her hands to travel up to the girl's head. At first glance Tsunade thought that everything checked out until she picked up a residual chakra signature. Tsunade's eyes widened as she quickly sealed for a more advanced brain scanning jutsu, `This isn't good! This residual chakra is identical to the signatures that I found in Sasuke's and Kakashi's brains when I treated them after they suffered under the Tsukiyomi from Itachi! She was actually moving after that attack? What have I gotten myself into?'
“Shizune!” Tsunade barked out into the hallway as she threw the door open, “Get me a detail of two Anbu guards on this girl's doors and one inside her room right the hell now! I don't know where or why but this girl has been under Uchiha Itachi's Tsukiyomi recently. I want them here in an hour but tell them they can't enter until I'm finished.”
Shizune didn't question the results of her master's examination in the slightest and immediately headed off towards the Hokage tower to arrange for and Anbu detail to watch over the girl. Both for the girl's own protection and for Konoha's protection.
`I've never known anyone who was able to come out of the comas caused by the Tsukiyomi's mental attack so I don't what effect it will have on this girl. The only thing that I can do now is try and repair the damage done.' Tsunade's hands erupted with brilliant green chakra as she placed her hands on the sides of the unconscious girl's head. The damage induced by the technique seemed to be focused around the memory centers of the brain on this girl and Tsunade feared that the girl might suffer from amnesia at the very least when she awoke. Taking a deep breath Tsunade began to remove the residual chakra from the girl's brain as well as patch the synapses up as best she could. Slowly, ever so slowly Tsunade was able to get rid of the foreign chakra that was forcing the girl's mind to fall into a state of unconsciousness.
Once Itachi's chakra traces were removed Tsunade sat down for a short rest before moving onto the hard part. Tsunade stood over the girl's head once again but this time her hands glowed with an ethereal white light. She let the chakra flow down into the girl's brain, slowly permeating the entire mass. Tsunade carefully collected the chakra around the damage part of the brain and began to make her repairs. It was impossible to be able to fix and align every synapse in the brain but Tsunade did her best to ensure that the girl had a head start. After a little over an hour of work Tsunade headed for the door to admit the Anbu guard detail.
Opening the door Tsunade found Hinata waiting patiently with the Anbu who were waiting there. Tsunade motioned for one of the Anbu members to take his place inside the room when Hinata spoke up, “Umm, Tsunade-sensei…I was wondering if you would allow me to take care of the girl until she wakes up. I did help bring her here in the first place.”
Nodding, Tsunade shut the door and motioned for Hinata to walk with her, “That's fine Hinata. It probably won't be more than a couple of days at most before she wakes up. I want you and Sakura to take care of her when she wakes up as well. Find out as much as you can about her without frightening her and then we'll decide what happens from there.”
“So she's the one you rescued Hinata?” Sakura asked as she began her checkup on the sleeping girl, “Any idea why she was running from a team of Sound Nins? She doesn't seem to have a head band of any sort but she had the build and equipment of a ninja. Did she abandon the Sound or something? Do you think she knows something about Sasuke?”
Hinata was finishing up changing the girl's IV and shook her head, “Sorry Sakura, I don't know. It could be anything at all to have Orochimaru's people chasing after her. I just couldn't let them hurt someone. I'm sure that it's…it's just what Naruto-kun would have done.” Hinata gave a small blush at the thought of Naruto and Sakura tried to hold back a giggle. Sakura failed horribly and broke out into a full fledged laugh.
Now completely beet red Hinata scolded Sakura, “Why are you laughing at me? What did I do?”
“Oh, you just looked like you always do when you get thinking about Naruto,” Sakura said with a smile, “You always blush when you talk about him. You should ask him out the second he gets back or I'll do it for you.”
“You wouldn't dare!” Hinata said aghast, her entire body turning red at this point, “I just…I just…I admire him.”
“Sure, sure,” Sakura said grinning as she finished her checkup on the unconscious girl's condition, “Well, I'm done. I'll meet you in the training area for practice once you've finished up okay Hinata?”
Hinata nodded before she began to run over her mental checklist for the equipment around the room. `Let's see…IV: check…heart monitor: check…fresh linen for the bed: check…well seems I'm finished.' Sitting down in the chair beside the bed, Hinata examined the girl closely. She couldn't remember ever hearing something from Tsunade about a purple haired girl before. Especially not one with such a distinctive scar. Hinata gave a slight shudder as she imagined what could have possible give the girl such a nasty scar. She remembered when they brought her in and admitted her to the hospital how long the scar on her body was. Stretching from the side of her left eye to her chest must have been a horrific wound indeed.
Hinata leaned over and grasped the girl's limp hand, “I know you might be scared, but I just wanted you to know that you are safe here. We won't let anything happen to you if we can avoid it. I would like to welcome you to Konoha.”
Hinata let go of the girl's hand and headed for the door when a noise came from behind her. Hinata activated her Byakugan and blinked in surprise when she saw the sleeping girl starting to move as if she was waking up. Throwing open the curtains Hinata saw the girl tossing and turning. “Sir!” Hinata called to the Anbu guard by the window, “Can you please go tell Hokage-sama that her patient is waking up! She'll want to know right away.”
Checking the heart monitor Hinata watched as the girl's heart rate started to pick up. Hinata grabbed the girl's hand to try and calm her down and gasped aloud when she felt her hand nearly get crushed surprisingly strong grip. The thrashing girl had sweat breaking out all over her body when she finally jolted upright without a sound, but breathing hard.
Mikomi knew that she was in a hospital when she woke up because of the walls and the smell of medicine. She felt confused: she had no idea why she was here, nor when she had arrived here. Sliding herself back to sit up against the head board she glanced at the clothes she was wearing and saw a hospital gown on her body and sighed. `I must have been hurt pretty bad if I'm in the hospital,' Mikomi thought as she closed her eyes again.
Then she heard a whimper of pain and a voice speak to her, “Umm, Miss? Would you mind letting go of my hand?”
Startled, Mikomi looked to her left to find a lavender-eyed girl sitting in a chair and her own hand clutching the girl's hand. Mikomi threw the Hinata's hand away and pulled the covers up to her chin and pulled back as far as she could while still remaining on the bed. “Who the heck are you?” Mikomi asked, “And where the hell am I? What's going on here? I don't remember ever being sick enough to end up in a hospital.”
Hinata shook her hand for a second before she tried to comfort the scared girl in front of her, “It's okay. You're safe here. This is the hospital in Konoha, the Village Hidden in Leaves. I'm an apprentice Medic Nin and I'm part of the team that rescued you are brought you here. My name is Hyuuga Hinata.”
Mikomi blinked, “Rescued me? From what?”
“You don't remember being chased by ninjas from the Village Hidden in Sound?”
In a rush the memories of the chase from a few days earlier came to the forefront of Mikomi's mind. The fear she felt, the pain, the exhaustion and the feeling of hopelessness filled her mind causing Mikomi to shudder for a moment, “Yeah. It just slipped my mind for a moment.” Suspicion filled Mikomi's eyes and she drew further away from Hinata, almost falling off the bed, “Whadaya want with me?”
`She's still so scared,' thought Hinata sadly, `I just want to help.' Hinata took a deep breath to calm herself before she put a smile on her face and began to explain the situation to Mikomi, “My village doesn't want anything from you Miss. Well, except to know who you are, but we can deal with that later. To begin with I'll explain how you came to be here. Two nights ago my team was heading back to Konoha from a mission when we heard your scream in the forest. I spotted you getting attacked by Sound Nins and we came to help you out. You were so scared that even after we stopped the ninjas who were chasing you, you continued to try and crawl away. You…you passed out shortly after I tried to calm you down.”
Shock spread across Mikomi's face as Hinata's words triggered a memory from just before she passed out. She could remember someone extending their hand towards her and trying to calm her down, `That must have been this Hinata here.' Mikomi relaxed slightly but still stayed away from Hinata, “So you were really just trying to help me out?”
Hinata nodded, still trying to reassure the girl, “Umm, would you mind telling me your name? I don't want to have to keep calling you Miss.”
Mikomi gave a small smile, “Uh, okay. I guess that'd be fine. I just get really edgy whenever someone gets too close to me or touches me. Sorry. My name is Mikomi…” Mikomi frowned. She couldn't seem to remember her family name, “What the hell? I…I can't remember my family name!” Panic spread across Mikomi's face as her hand gripped the headboard tightly, “Who did this to me!”
Hinata tried to get closer to soothe Mikomi only to have her jump out of the bed and back away. Hinata stopped moving and tried to explain, “It's alright Mikomi-chan. We didn't do anything to you. My sensei, our Hokage explained to me that you might be suffering from amnesia. It's the results of a very damaging illusion that was placed on you recently. She didn't know how you were able to get up and start moving again after you were struck by it.”
Mikomi blinked, “I was attacked? Oh yeah, I'm a ninja.” Mikomi slapped her hands over her mouth, `Oh god, I didn't just say that out lout did I?'
“We assumed that you had some ninja training Mikomi-chan, otherwise you wouldn't have been able to last as long as you did running from the Sound. It's alright we just want you to get better first. You're health is more important than your past at the moment. Please sit back down on the bed Mikomi. I promise I won't come near you again.”
Nodding, Mikomi slowly made her way back into the bed. She couldn't understand why this girl was being so trusting after she had just told her that she was a ninja, “I just said that I was a ninja. Why do you trust me so much?”
“I guess you could call it a situation of `the enemy of my enemy is my friend' or something like that. I just want to be your friend Mikomi.” Hinata gave a real smile this time.
The door to Mikomi's room burst open and Tsunade quickly followed by Sakura spilled into the room. Tsunade paused for a moment to regain as much of a dignified air as she could possibly project before she turned to Mikomi, “I'm glad to see that you are awake Miss. I was worried that you might take several days before awakening as I wasn't sure what sort of damage may have been done to you by the Tsukiyomi since you were able to regain consciousness for a period of time after being attacked by it. My name is Tsunade and I am the Godaime Hokage of Konoha. Would you mind telling me your name?”
“Is the Hokage supposed to be someone important?” Mikomi asked pointing at Tsunade, “Is she like the head doctor or something?” Everyone in the room sweat-dropped when they realized Mikomi was serious.
Tsunade just shook her head, “Yeah, the Hokage is somebody important. You really forgot a lot didn't you.” Tsunade watched as Mikomi's face fell, “I didn't mean to upset you Miss. I know this must be a lot to take in right now. In any case, the Kages are the leaders of the five largest Shinobi Nations, and I'm the leader of this village.”
Mikomi blanched. For some reason she felt fear when she realized the disrespect that she had given the leader of this village. She assumed it was because whoever she had known before didn't like to be disrespected. Mikomi started bowing quickly in her bed, “I'm SO sorry Hokage-sama! I didn't mean any disrespect! I'm a ninja but I can't remember where from and my name is Mikomi, but I'm afraid I don't know my family name and-”
Tsunade just waved her hand to cut off Mikomi's babbling and smiled, “Easy now Mikomi, It's alright. You didn't know so there's no harm done. I guess whoever you served didn't like anyone disrespecting them even by accident. I just want to ask you a few questions about yourself. Just do the best you can to answer them okay.” Tsunade pulled a chair up to the bed and put an arm on the bed near Mikomi. Mikomi started to pull away from Tsunade when she put her arm on the bed.
Hinata realized that Tsunade didn't know that Mikomi' didn't like to be touched, “Tsunade-sensei, Mikomi-chan doesn't like having people touch her. I think you're making her uncomfortable.”
Nodding, Tsunade pulled her arm away and made a note on the clipboard that she had been carrying, `It seems that she was abused, wherever she's from.' Tsunade focused on Mikomi once again, “Alright Mikomi, can you remember your full name?” Mikomi shook her head. Tsunade made another mark on her clipboard, “Can you remember which village you are from?” Again Mikomi shook her head. “Can you remember who attacked you with the Tsukiyomi?”
Mikomi shook her head yet again, tears starting to form in her eyes, “Why are you asking me those questions? I can't remember who I am or where I'm from. I don't even know what a Tsukiyomi is in the first place so how could I let you know who attacked me with it?”
Tsunade sighed before she made another mark on her clipboard, “I'm sorry Mikomi-chan. I know this must be hard for you. Sometimes if you ask someone with amnesia, such as yourself, a direct question it will trigger a buried memory. Alright then, would you be willing to tell me what you do remember Mikomi-chan?”
“Umm, alright,” Mikomi said as she glanced around at the people around her, “But please don't be upset if I can't tell you what you want to know, okay?”
“Just do the best you can,” Sakura said from behind Tsunade, “We don't expect you to remember everything all at once. By the way, the name's Sakura: Haruno Sakura. It's a pleasure to meet you.” Sakura extended her hand to give a handshake to Mikomi only to have her flinch away once again. Sakura shrugged, “Sorry about that.”
It took Mikomi a few minutes to collect her thoughts before she began, “Alright, here it goes. I remember that my given name is Mikomi, but I don't remember my family name. I'm twelve and I think my birthday is February ninth. I don't know where I'm from but I remember hating the place and everyone there. Well, except for whomever my master was. I was trained as a ninja by my master…and I remember he was very kind to me. My master was a guy, I think only a few years older than I was. We were…close.” Mikomi paused and a look of concentration spread over her face, “I remember…a piece of paper. It was supposed to tell me my elemental alignment. It turned out that I had two: lightning and wind. I remember a few of those kinds of jutsu, but not much else. I can remember that I know some kind of defensive reinforcement thingy I can do with my body. As for taijutsu, I can recall knowing a style called the `Iron Fist' and I can vaguely recall knowing something else but I can't remember what. I really can't remember anything else, I'm sorry.”
Writing furiously, Tsunade wrote down everything that she was finding out about Mikomi, `Lightning and wind alignments huh. I guess the best place to start looking for connections would be in Lightning country.' Tsunade paused for a moment, “Mikomi, I was one of the two doctors who examined you while you were unconscious. Do you know the reason why you might have chakra coils that are twice the normal size?”
Mikomi only gave a depressed shrug, “I'm not sure. Maybe it has something to do with my defensive technique but I really can't remember. I'm sorry.”
Resisting the urge to put her hand out to soothe the depressed girl, Hinata tried to comfort her again, “It's alright. Just take your time in remembering. I'm sure everything will come to you in time.”
Giving a weak smile, Mikomi nodded, “So what're you gonna do with me now?”
“How would you feel about returning home Mikomi,” Tsunade asked, “Once you remember where you are from?”
Mikomi answered instinctively, “No way! I don't ever want to go back there ever again!” She blinked for a moment, “But I'm not sure why I don't want to go home if that makes any sense.”
“I figured as much,” Tsunade said before she smiled at Mikomi, “Well, since you don't want to return home, what do you think about staying here in Konoha? You said that you've had training in how to be a ninja before so you could try and become one here if you would like.”
“Are you serious?” Mikomi asked as her eyes widened, “Why would you let me stay here after taking care of me? I have not money to pay you and besides, how can you trust me so easily.”
“To put it bluntly, I was the one who healed most of the damage done to the memory section of your brain. I've had experience with the attack known as Tsukiyomi before and I know its effects. Also, you clearly don't want to go home, even if you find out where that is. What kind of Hokage would I be if I didn't try to help out everyone that I could? So what do you say: would you like to become a citizen of Konoha Mikomi?”
Sakura pulled Tsunade away from Mikomi before she could give an answer, “I mean no disrespect Tsunade-sensei, but are sure that's such a good idea? What if she's faking it all? It's possible isn't it?”
“No. The kind of damage done to the memory center of her brain along with the distinctive chakra traces left behind by the Tsukiyomi is genuine. Her revulsion to returning home is quite real. Whatever the case may be Mikomi clearly is wanted badly by the sound if they were willing to chase her as deep into fire country as they did. I know from experience that Orochimaru hungers for power and if he wanted this girl for something then she may be exceptional in some way. I want to keep Orochimaru from her. Having another strong ninja around won't hurt either. In any case, I intend to find out where she is from. With luck her memories may prove useful when and if they return.”
Sakura nodded and returned to Mikomi's bedside, “Hehe, sorry about that Mikomi-chan, just had to ask Tsunade-sensei a quick question.”
Tsunade sat down beside Mikomi's bed once again, “So what's your answer Mikomi?”
Mikomi gave a half smile, “I'd say yes if I had any money or at least some place to stay. I've got nothing.”
Before Tsunade could offer to allow Mikomi to stay in a temporary apartment Hinata butted in, “Umm, Mikomi, if you like you could come and stay with me.”
“Would you father even allow that Hinata?” Sakura asked incredulously, “I mean, hell, he didn't even treat you like you were dirt beneath his feet until you beat Hanabi eight months ago. Do you honestly think he'll be any different?”
Hinata felt her old timidness starting to return for a moment before she sat up straight and quashed it down, “I…I don't care. He chose me to be the clan heir so he'll eventually…eventually he'll be following my decisions. I'm going to start with helping out Mikomi.”
A smile crept across Tsunade's face, `You really have grown up a lot lately Hinata. I'm not sure what's responsible for your increase in confidence but you should be proud. I can't wait to see what you do to the Hyuuga clan in the future.'
Banging her hand down on the bed Tsunade finalized the decision for Mikomi, “So it's settled. You can move into the Hyuuga compound tomorrow after one more night of observation.”
Hyuuga Compound - the Next Day
“You are not brining that girl in here,” Hiashi said as Hinata introduced Mikomi to him, “She is not a Hyuuga. No one but another Hyuuga is allowed to stay overnight within these premises.”
“Otou-sama, pardon my rudeness,” Hinata began, proud that she was able to stand up to her father, “but you named me as the heir to your very title as clan head. I would think that it would give me some leeway to make decisions on my own as I will have to do in the future. Mikomi is staying her with me.”
Hiashi's brow furrowed deeply in anger, “Watch what you say to me Hinata. You may have been name the heir but I can still strip that title from you at a moments notice. You are far from becoming the clan leader as of yet. You WILL obey me when I tell you to do something.”
“You don't have to do this for me Hinata-san,” Mikomi whispered to Hinata as she shied away behind the smaller girl, “I'll be alright.”
“I have to learn to stand up for myself sometimes or I can't call myself worthy,” Hinata whispered back, “Besides, father knows that he can't strip my title as heir from me. It has already been decided and put into the clan record. I learned about it from my cousin Neji.” Hinata squared her shoulders and faced her father down, “I…I have to be able to stand up for my own decisions father, especially now that I have been named heir. A friend let me know that it has already been written in the clan records and can't be rescinded now. I want…I want Mikomi to stay here with us. At least until she can find a place of her own to stay.”
A twitch began to form in Hiashi's right eye, the only outward sign of anger. “Impertinence will get you nowhere Hinata. Records can be erased and they will be if you continue to disobey me.”
Hinata only shrugged, “You can get rid of my title as Heiress-to-be if you really want to. I didn't win the fight with Hanabi to be recognized as the proper heir, I did it to prove that I was worthy to myself. I want Mikomi to stay here.”
“What's gotten into you girl?” Hiashi asked trying his hardest to keep a straight face as he glared at Hinata, “She cannot under any circumstance stay her with the Main Family. You should know the rules just as well as anyone else. Do you want to become a member of the Branch Family?”
Trying to best to show no fear at her father's threat, Hinata tried to push on, “B-but you said nothing about Mikomi s-staying with the Branch Family.” Hinata glowed with embarrassment as she felt her old stutter return under Hiashi's harsh glare, “Which means that if I can arrange a room for her there, Mikomi can s-stay.”
“Fine. Just make sure that she stays within the Branch Family quarters whenever she is on the grounds and not with you Hinata.” Hiashi turned and walked away to hide the contemplative look on his face, `Hmm, that's the first time that you've shown any backbone Hinata. I hope you show me a little more in the future or else the Elders' Council will walk all over you.'
Mikomi walked up and off to the side of Hinata, “Eh he, I guess I should thank you for getting me a room. I didn't want to cause any trouble though. Thanks, I think.”
“It's no problem at all Mikomi-chan,” Hinata said as she smiled and led Mikomi towards the Branch Family complex in the western quarter of the clan house.
Mikomi could only gape at the incredibly beautiful gardens and architecture that the Hyuuga house was made up of. The hosta garden had several varieties that she had never dreamed of before and the miniature maples were alight with a fiery glow. Everything was laid out perfectly: no matter what place you saw the gardens from they came alive with a different picture. The arches had an intricate carving of different kinds of climbing vines meeting in the center around the teardrop-shaped Hyuuga Clan Symbol.
“This place is beautiful,” Mikomi said as she swerved well around another Hyuuga member, “But it feels too crowded. There's too many people around.” Mikomi shuddered slightly as she felt a Hyuuga member brush the back of her purple shirt slightly.
“I'm sorry about that Mikomi but this is the best that I can do for now though. I'll see if I can arrange a room next to my cousin Neji. He'll be able to help you out when I'm not around. He's a nice guy when you get to know him.”
Mikomi stopped short when Hinata abruptly stopped in front of one of the countless white doors that the Hyuuga complex sported, “Neji-kun could I talk to you for a moment?”
Neji came out of his room a moment later and glanced at Mikomi. He smiled slightly in greeting, “Is she the one you needed me to prepare the vacant room for Hinata-chan? It's all cleared out and ready for her to use. What's your name by the way?”
“It's Mikomi…just Mikomi. I can't remember my family name.” Mikomi stared at the floor in shame. `I hate this amnesia bullshit!'
“It doesn't matter who you are to me and Hinata Mikomi. Come in and get used to your room.” Neji then put his arm around Mikomi's shoulders in an attempt to comfort her. He quickly learned that it was a bad mistake. Mikomi shrieked and grabbed hold of Neji's arm in an iron grip. She spun and threw him down the hallway right after she jabbed one of her kunai into his left shoulder. Neji flipped in midair and landed on his feet. He pulled the kunai out and slid into a one-armed battle stance.
Mikomi gasped when she realized what she had done, “OH GOD! I'm so sorry Neji-san!” Several Branch Family members poked their heads into the hall to find Mikomi trying her best to heal the wound that she had given Neji in her panic. Both Neji and Hinata were rather stunned. Neither of them had expected this amnesiatic girl that they had picked up to know how to perform a healing jutsu. “I'm really sorry Neji-san, I just kind of reacted. I don't like it when people touch me.”
Neji was still a little shocked that Mikomi could use healing jutsu, “I'm fine Mikomi-chan, just a little…I guess you could say shocked. Both that you attacked me AND that you can use a cut healing jutsu.”
Looking puzzled for a moment, Mikomi looked down at her hands, “It, well, it just came to me the second that I realized you were cut. I don't think I know any other healing jutsu though.”
Coming up just to the side of Mikomi, Hinata added he two cents, “I guess that's just another area that we can help train you in tomorrow Mikomi-chan. Sakura and I volunteered to help bring up to speed with the academy training course so that you can have a chance at becoming a register ninja of Konoha.”
Hokage's Office
“Shiro I've got another assignment for Anbu,” Tsunade said as she quickly stamped the papers she had filled out for the mission, “I'll leave the team selection up to you. You'll need to arrange for three teams of two for this mission and be sure that they top notch Henge specialists along with information gathering specialists. What I need you to do is find out as much as you can about this girl.” Tsunade tossed a couple of pictures of Mikomi in her purple and black ensemble across the table to Hyuuga Shiro and continued her explanation, “Her name is Mikomi and her family name is currently unknown due to her amnesia. First off, I want to know why Orochimaru sent some of his ninja after the girl. Second, I want your teams to find out everything that they can about this girl's past so that I can be sure that letting her stay in Konoha won't lead to her defecting the first chance she gets. Third, find out everything that you can about the girl's abilities. Finding out her abilities will be the hardest part of the mission but I'm sure that the teams you put together will find something. Any questions Shiro?”
“Just one,” Shiro said, studying the picture of Mikomi intently, “Do you have even a general idea of where we can start our information search. If you can narrow down the search area as much as possible then my Anbu will be able to find something on the girl much faster.”
“I've narrowed it down to three areas to search for information regarding Mikomi. First I'll need one team scouring the land from the Village Hidden in Grass all the way to the Village Hidden in Sound. Orochimaru has been moving a lot there so something is bound to turn up. The only other clue that I have is Mikomi's chakra alignment. She has a connection to both lightning and wind. That means you'll need to send a team to Lightning Country and Water Country. That's the best that I've been able to come up with. Be sure to have your teams reporting in at least once every two weeks.”
Konoha Training Ground # 37
Hinata led Mikomi and Sakura out to the training grounds that she normally used when she trained alone to begin testing how far along in the ninja arts Mikomi really was. Stepping into the clearing Hinata decided to get things started, “So Mikomi-chan, how many jutsu do you remember including techniques like Henge and Bunshin?”
“Umm, I remember five jutsu, six if you count my defensive technique as a jutsu,” Mikomi said as she ran through them all in her head, “I know the Henge of course. For Futon Jutsu I can only remember the `Great Breakthrough' technique and for Raiton Jutsu I know three: Lightning Strike, Storm of Lightning and Chain Lightning. However, I kinda have never used a bunshin before.”
Sakura gave a low whistle, “Wow, those are all seriously high powered jutsu. Wait a second,” Sakura's eyes widened before she pointed at Mikomi in surprise, “You've never used a bunshin and yet you know how to do these crazy techniques? What the hell's up with that?”
“Umm, I guess it's because I can't easily materialize my chakra outside of my body, especially in a set and concentrated form. The only reason that I can use Henge is `cause it's easy enough to keep chakra circulating and moving while using it.” Mikomi looked at the ground in embarrassment, “It's…a bit of a problem that I've had as far back as I can remember.”
“Would you mind demonstrating your techniques for us?” Hinata asked as she tried to keep the evaluation moving along, “I'd like you to start with a Henge for us first if you wouldn't mind.”
In a quick burst of chakra, Mikomi became a duplicate of Hinata. The navy blue shorts with fishnets extending just past the knee was done perfectly, the navy blue long sleeve top also was done quite well, the Hyuuga symbol on the front an excellent replica. The headband around her neck was also portrayed well and even Hinata's lavender eyes were replicated in colour. Mikomi did a quick spin to show what she could do.
“Not bad Mikomi,” Sakura said, “But you missed two things: Hinata's black sandals and her hip pack. Good job though, your Henge seems to be quite good. Now show us what other techniques you can use.”
Mikomi quickly fried a number of wooden posts while doing the three Raiton jutsus that she remembered. Neither Hinata nor Sakura would allow Mikomi to use her `Futon: Great Breakthrough Jutsu' in any direction except up after then had seen the sheer amount of chakra Mikomi put behind her attacks. Hinata finally couldn't contain her curiosity any longer and activated her Byakugan to take a look at Mikomi's chakra coil system.
What Hinata saw left her gaping in amazement. Mikomi's body seemed to almost glow with chakra that spread beyond her chakra coils. Mikomi's coils themselves fascinated Hinata as they looked like they were double the size of a normal person's coils. The glow was incredible, especially around the heart and middle of the body where the major chakra reserves were located. Hinata suddenly realized why Mikomi's body seemed to glow beyond: her coils were transforming the excess chakra that her body developed into a healing chakra and seeping it into her body. `This is incredible,' Hinata thought as she continued to study Mikomi's chakra coils, `The thickness would allow her to move the chakra throughout her body at an incredible speed. The healing chakra would allow her to work and train beyond when most people's bodies would give out.'
After a while Mikomi felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She turned around to see Hinata staring at her with the veins seeming to bulge out of the sides of her eyes. “What's wrong with Hinata, Sakura? Why's she staring at me like that? And what's with her eyes?”
Sakura laughed as Hinata suddenly realized that she was staring and turned away, “Don't worry about Hinata, Mikomi. Apparently she saw something interesting about your chakra coil system. She has a Bloodline Limit called the Byakugan that allows her to see the chakra coil system on people. Whatcha see anyway Hinata?”
“Well, I saw her body almost seeming to glow with chakra, flowing beyond her extra thick chakra coils,” Hinata said as she turned to face her friend once again, “Her body naturally produces a healing chakra that seeps into her entire body.”
“That'd be rather useful,” Sakura said as she looked Mikomi over. A thoughtful look passed over her face, “How about you focus in on her ligaments, tendons, bone structure and check for extra cushioning around her joints. Describe to me what you see.”
“Okay, I can do that,” Hinata said as she let her vision slide outwards slightly to get a good look at the internal workings of Mikomi's body, “Well, her bone seem to just as dense if not more so that your own Sakura. The ligaments and tendons also seem to have a little bit more flexibility in them than normal. As for her joint cushioning…well, it seems as if it is a little thicker than what you'd find on most people as well.”
A wicked grin passed over Sakura's face as she slid on a pair of black gloves, “Well then Mikomi, how'd you like to learn how do to…THIS!” Sakura spun around and punched one of the wooden posts in the clearing, shattering it into a thousand pieces.
A puzzled look crossed Mikomi face for a moment, “I don't know why, but that looked really familiar to me. But hell yeah, I'd want to learn how to do that! What do you want me to start by doing?”
For the next several hours Sakura ran Mikomi through the lessons that Tsunade had given her to teach her how to fight using her legendary strength. The progress that Mikomi made astounded Sakura - it was almost as if Mikomi had been taught Tsunade's taijutsu style before. The longest step for Sakura to teach Mikomi was how to access the strength in the first place. After that Mikomi rapidly caught up to Sakura.
“Jeezus Mikomi,” Sakura panted as she sat down to much on the rice balls that Hinata had brought along for a snack, “Are you a genius or something? I've never met anyone who was able to learn Tsunade-sensei's taijutsu style except for myself and I never expected to meet someone who could learn it in just a few hours.”
Mikomi just shrugged, “I don't know. I've always been rather good at taijutsu from what I could remember and I said that it seemed familiar to me. There is a possibility that I've learned it before and that's why I was able to learn it so quickly from you Sakura.”
“Ha, that's rather unlikely,” Sakura said with a snort, “As far as I've been able to find out, I'm the only one to learn our Hokage's strength besides you now. The chances of someone independently developing this technique are slim.”
“Let's worry about that later Sakura,” Hinata said, “For now I think that we should grab a bite to eat. We can continue with the training later, maybe even showing Mikomi a few healing jutsus once she gets better. How does Ichiraku's sound Sakura?”
“Sure, sure, let's grab some ramen. I need a break after that workout. I'm amazed that you're still able to go Mikomi.”
A grin passed over Mikomi's face at the mention of food, “I'd love to eat something more filling than rice balls right now. Uh, any chance that we could stop someplace for some dango afterwards? I, uh, kinda really like the stuff.”
Chamber of the Council of Elders - Konoha
Tsunade felt a headache coming on as Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu ripped into her about her decision to allow Mikomi to become a member of their village. It was just as stupid and inane as their reasoning for not allowing Naruto to have any sort of freedom whatsoever. It was starting to become frustrating to try and work while dealing with the Council of Elders at the same time.
“Do you even bother to consider the fact that this Mikomi girl could in fact be a spy for Orochimaru or some other village?” Homura asked, barely keeping the anger out of his voice, “She could have easily volunteered to get attacked after she had been given her orders to sabotage Konoha. All she has to do then to gain sympathy is plead her situation under the guise of amnesia so as to slip into our village unopposed. Even worse she would be welcomed.”
“First off, Orochimaru does not have any ties to Uchiha Itachi. I explained that I verified the chakra traces that were remaining in Mikomi's brain were a trademark that the Tsukiyomi leaves behind after it is used on a victim. Also, even if Mikomi was a part of the Sound she clearly hated the place. Amnesia victims may not be able remember much but the often are able to recall especially intense feelings about a person or a place. She clearly showed a deep hatred for whatever village that she was from meaning that if she is from Sound then we may have some valuable information on our hands regarding Orochimaru's complex as well as his plans.”
Koharu cleared her throat before responding, “Ahem, have you already forgotten that Orochimaru kidnapped Uchiha Sasuke from us? Orochimaru has probably forced Sasuke to join his side and could very well have forced him to uses the Tsukiyomi on the Mikomi girl.”
Rubbing her temples Tsunade tried to keep her temper under control, “If you have already forgotten Sasuke isn't able to use the Mangekyo Sharingan, only Uchiha Itachi. Also, Sasuke left Konoha. Orochimaru did not kidnap him. He only tempted Sasuke which caused him to leave Konoha of his own volition. I have already told you that I am very certain that my decision to allow Mikomi into our village is the correct one to make.”
“Fine then,” Koharu said, “But Mikomi must be placed on probation until she proves her loyalty through her actions and by telling us everything about herself and her past, especially the things she has forgotten by her amnesia. There is a Gennin graduation test in a week. We will allow her to have chance to become a ninja at that time.”
Tsunade gave a deep sigh, “If that's all then I must inform Mikomi of the situation. Also, I have to tell her that she has a test that she needs to prepare for, not to mention try and find someone to tutor her.” Tsunade got up and started to leave the room, “I have to get back to work, so you'll have to pardon me for skipping the formalities.”