| [Dec. 31st, 2016|10:31 pm] |
For a heart attack second, Kakashi thought, Dead child. But the hand wrapped around his finger was strong and warm, and the little girl was breathing. She was just— blue. A deep, dusky blue that started at her torso and spread out, fading to feathery grey along her arms, legs, and neck. Only her face and hands were pink.
On either side of her throat, three fine lines ridged across the skin.
Well, it wasn’t like he’d expected a civilian. There were stranger kekkai genkai in the world than primary colors and gills.
“What’s her name?” he asked.
“Sango.” Kimiko brushed her hand over the fine black down on the baby’s head. “She’s almost six months.” Hesitantly, she asked, “What’s your brother called?”
In the center of Kirigakure, the Mizukage himself couldn’t have dragged Naruto’s name out of Kakashi. He lied without blinking. “Seiji.” Then, to Ryouma, “Did you find baby clothes?”
Ryouma was still staring at the baby in alarm. “Uh—yeah. Here.” He shook himself and handed over a blue sleeper onesie, stitched from threadbare flannel.
Sango was already in a clean diaper. Kakashi bundled her efficiently into the onesie, aware that Kimiko — and Fukuda — were watching every move, and said, “Hat.”
Ryouma had to rummage for a moment, but he eventually produced a purple knit cap. Kakashi tugged it onto Sango and installed the little girl in the sling. She tolerated the treatment with a small amount of fuss, but didn’t scream at the manhandling stranger. He double-checked the sling’s security, then got back to his feet. The familiar weight against his chest, surprisingly heavy for such a tiny thing, made something briefly wistful curl up through his ribcage.
A pacifier appeared in front of his nose. “She just ate a little while ago,” Kimiko said. “When she gets hungry again, you need to give her to me.” Kakashi took the pacifier. Kimiko reached out to adjust the sling a little higher around her daughter. Her hands were steadier now, mouth more firm. She was adapting. She said, fiercely, “Don’t let anyone see her.”
Kakashi nodded and stepped back, making room for Genma and his armful of adult clothes. Genma handed Kimiko a ration bar. “No one will see either of you.”
Kimiko didn’t look exactly hopeful, but she didn’t look terrified, either. And she ate the ration bar. |
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