My Brother's a Jinchūriki! EXTRAS

The Little Star and the Golden Serpent Part Two

((This is canon for MBAJ's lore and background))

Many, many years before the establishment of Shinobi:

Marichi skipped down the path and turned into the unused courtyard and smiled at her handiwork. Each of the flowers she had cultivated- all from seeds that her father had brought from various ruins of worlds- but had grown too large to remain in her chambers. Instead, she had planted them here, in a place no one else cared to venture, and it was here that they thrived under her care.

She stood in front of the small painting of her mother that sat on a smooth stone, with white-violet blooms planted around in a circle that, when she touched them, glowed with a soft light. She smiled at her mother's face and then reached over to scratch Kin's chin.

"We're back, Mama. I hope you weren't lonely without us."

The serpent met her eyes, watching her carefully, and then flicked his tongue.

"If only Mama had been able to meet you, Kin. I think she'd be pleased with how I'm taking care of you."

Kin's pupils narrowed and he hissed, coiling around Marichi defensively and flashing his fangs. The girl's eyes widened and she turned, shuddered, and then swallowed at the figure that stood across the courtyard.

"L-Lord Isshiki!" She smiled slightly and pushed Kin away from her gently. "Kin, don't be rude. That's Lord Isshiki, remember?"

The Patriarch walked farther into the courtyard, his hands clasped behind him as he looked around at the alien foliage. "Was this your doing?"

"I...!" She swallowed again, wringing her hands as she nodded. "Y-Yes, my Lord."

"And where did these come from?"

"...From the plants and seeds my Papa brought me." She answered quietly. "I was growing them in my room, but they needed more space."

"I see."

"I...I'm not in trouble, am I?" Her eyes watered slightly. "I chose this place because I saw that no one ever came here. I didn't know it was yours."

"It isn't."

"I-It's not?" She let out a breath. "Thank goodness."

"You were able to cultivate these?" He eyed a tall plant- taller than himself- with bright crimson and yellow leaves. the flower itself resembled a mouth, emitted a sickly-sweet scent, and seemed to follow his movements as he passed.

"It was hard at first. Because of the soil." Marichi slowly explained. "I had to work the ground and enhance it before the roots would take. After that, they all grew well on their own." She shifted awkwardly as he examined her other plants. "T-That one produces fruit that is delicious." She shoved Kin once again, stepping away from his defensive circle to cautiously step closer to Isshiki. "The skin is transparent, and lets you see the red flesh inside." She plucked a small berry, eating it in a demonstration with a smile.

He watched her from the corner of his eye, taking a berry and then eating it without a word. After a pause, he turned to the girl. "It has a very rich flavor."

She smiled at the praise, and he glanced back at the fruits. Though it was faint, there was more to the flavor than ordinary food; the influence of Chakra.

"A-And this!" Marichi stepped closer to a thorned bush that grew flowers in various shades of gray. "The pollen smells like rotting flesh, but the nectar itself is like sweet wine." She gingerly touched the vine, then winced and drew her hand back quickly as one of the serrated horns sliced her fingers. "O-Ouch. They're quite sharp..."

Kin drew nearer to her, nudging her until she faced him. The serpent's tongue flicked on her hand, lapping at the crimson droplets until the skin was healed.

"Oh, thank you, Kin!" She smiled broadly and stroked his snout, and a slight shudder passed through the creature as his blue eyes appeared brighter momentarily, and then returned to normal. "It doesn't hurt at all anymore. What a wonderful snake you are."

"What is this?" Isshiki's eyes rested on the serpent now.

"This is Kin." Marichi looked back at the man. "He was the snake I showed you when..." She fell silent and her gaze drifted down to the pendant she wore.