This song fits this chapter so well, I can hardly believe it.
"Miyuki-chan?" I whispered, peaking through the crack in her hidden door. My ears registered a small 'thump' and a patter of feet approaching the door from the inside.
"Come on in Haru-chan." I was pulled in and heard the door lock behind me. I sat down on the bed, Miyuki sitting softly beside me.
"Miyuki, you cannot tell anyone about this. I told Orochimaru-Sama that I was only at the second level of my training." I said, looking into her sea green eyes sternly. I saw my gold eyes reflected on the surface of her eyes, sharp and serpentine.
~ Have I always been so snakelike? ~ I wondered solemnly.
~I truly do look like Orochimaru's daughter. ~ I sighed inwardly, watching her nod.
"Hold still." I ordered, putting her hand in mine and removing my ring. I formed a hand seal with my right hand.
"Secret clan art: Link to the past!" I whispered, preparing to delve into the world of Miyuki's memory.
A powerful tug wrenched my spirit backwards in time. I was standing on a rooftop above what looked like a small clan compound. I heard feminine laughter and children's shrieks of happiness. I floated gently down, landing on a sunny lawn. A large family was at its daily business; washing laundry, beating rugs, cooking in open kitchens, children playing in the tree-shaded courtyard.
Off to one side I saw a twelve year old Miyuki and an older male who I guessed to be her cousin or brother. She was meditating and the man watched intently.
"Ani, I did it! I collected the chakra! See, look!" Miyuki squealed happily, holding up a ball of shimmering silver chakra. Her brother smiled and swept her into a bear hug.
"I knew my little Miyuki could do it! Didn't I say so mother?" he shouted, looking to a woman walking up to them from the other end of the courtyard.
"You did Sou, you did. I'm so proud of you Miyuki! Mastering your Kekkei Genkai so quickly, I think I'm going to cry." Miyuki's mother laughed, futilely swiping at her tears. She quickly retreated from the group hug and put on a stern motherly face.
"You should hurry up and show your father Miyuki. He would be angry if you kept it from him too long." Miyuki's mothers' face cracked, and she laughed again, re-attaching herself to her two children
My spirit drifted away from the images of Miyuki's happy family, to images much more horrifying. I had moved into the future by two years, making Miyuki around fourteen.
Blood-curdling shrieks and screams resounded throughout the now dark courtyard. Blood was spattered on the walls, and bodies littered the ground in various stages of injury and death. I looked to the left and saw Miyuki's mother, clutching her stomach and hugging Miyuki, her sobs ripping through the night.
"S-Sou, take her and go. Your father would want i-it this way." Miyuki's mother instructed her two children. Miyuki clutched tighter to her mother, then was pulled away by Sou. His ANBU mask was cracked and covered in blood, a testament to the battle raging in the compound. They turned and ran into the woods, forcing my spirit to follow.
"If I lose you Miyuki, don't stop running." Sou shouted to Miyuki, who was ahead by a few feet.
"You need to take care of yourself." At the last word, a sickening sound of torn flesh penetrated the air. Sou fell, landing face down on the forest floor. Miyuki froze, looking at her brother's body. The most haunting scream I have ever heard flew from her lips, and crystalline tears poured like a river from her teal eyes. She looked up at her pursuer, a deadened look in her eyes.
"You. You killed Sou" She mumbled, causing the dark figure in the shadow of a tree to laugh. I recognized that laugh, and my blood froze. It was Orochimaru. He walked into a patch of moonlight, an insane look in his eyes.
"I'll kill you!" Miyuki shouted, forming hand seals. The earth began to crumble between the two and formed spikes, then flew directly towards Orochimaru. He dodged and appeared behind Miyuki, who froze again.
"It's always more fun to kill the ones who fight back" He smirked.
"Sen'eijashu!" Snakes protruded from his sleeves, wrapping around Miyuki from behind. She screamed and Orochimaru released her, a look of pain in his eyes. She fell to the ground, her body shivering in overuse, but her face showcased a smirk.
"What did you do girl?" He demanded, walking close to Miyuki's tired form.
"I-I stole your chakra. Wh-what are you going to do now, kill me?" Miyuki panted, sitting up. Her defiant eyes waged a silent war against the approaching Sannin.
"No, actually, I think I have better plans for you" Miyuki's memory disappeared. I assumed she had passed out.
"Release!" I muttered, returning to my body fully. I wiped my forehead, beads of sweat soaking my nightgown's sleeve.
"Haru, you're crying." Miyuki said, handing me a tissue. I smiled gratefully and wiped my eyes.
"It doesn't matter. Would you like to see my story?" I asked, staring intently through my puffy eyes. She nodded.
"Haru, you look tired. Can I help?" I looked at her quizzically. She held up a finger then began to meditate, summoning chakra to her hand. She put the ball of energy in my palm, replenishing my entire body. The energy felt absolutely wonderful as it surged through my being.
"Thanks Miyuki-chan." I nodded gratefully as I took her hand again.
"Secret clan art: Link to the past!" I whispered, giving Miyuki access to my memories. I felt her wander through my memories, hovering over my moments with Keiichi and also my capture a few nights ago. I watched her soul return to her body. Tears ran down her porcelain face, just as they ran down mine.
"We are the same." She whispered, hugging my tightly.
IMPORTANT NOTES! CLICKETH THE PWETTY BUTTON!
Haru is kidnapped six years prior to the actual beginning of the show. She is sixteen when kidnapped.
Miyuki was captured 2 years before Haru, but they are the same age.
Yo comprendo?
This is Miyuki:
