Hello and welcome back to another chapter! We are back to Zo's POV and we are slowly heading into some canon plot. Slowly but surely.

Thanks to everyone who has followed and/or favorited this story. I hope you are enjoying the ride so far.

Thank you to Deepak Singh Chauhan, MileytheARMYotaku, Narcisz, and Jazzmeene for your reviews. I'm glad yall enjoyed Harumi's POV! Zo doesn't give her enough credit, mostly due to the fact she has other things on her plate.

Thanks for reading and I hope yall enjoy this chapter.

The morning after, what Zo had named the incident, she couldn't help but feel the sensation of growing dread within her. Like the calm before the storm, she knew something had to happen after last night.

All actions have consequences, she knew that.

She just wanted to get it over with. It was her stupid decision to get involved in a situation that she had no business in. The fact that there were most likely shinobi watching the same scene only meant that the brat would've been fine.

Or perhaps they still wouldn't have gotten involved. Either way, it was never her place.

Zo shook her head, it was useless to dwell on the what-ifs. No matter how tempting they are.

To her surprise, she saw Harumi pacing the wooden floor. Did she ever go to sleep? Zo watched as Harumi fiddle with her hands as her eyes stayed glued to the floor.

What was going through that mind of hers?

Zo quietly walked towards the low table where they usually ate their meals and grabbed the book she left on top of it.

It was an old geography book that was barely held together. Despite its awful condition, it did lay out the trade routes all the way around the fire county. It also made a good journal, a lot of blank space for Zo to scribble notes and plans on.

Thank god everyone in this world only knew Kanji.

As Zo gave Harumi one last look, she made her way to the door. Sadly, she only remembered the one creaky board the moment she stepped on it.

Harumi's head snapped towards her and she watched as her eyes widen.

"Keiko-chan, where are you going?" Harumi questioned softly, her voice trembling slightly.

Zo bit her lip and sighed, "Out to read. Fresh air would be nice."

Harumi nodded slowly, her eyes glancing towards the book in Zo's hand and the door.

"Keiko-chan," Harumi whispered out right before Zo turned around to leave, "How would you feel if I said we were leaving the village?"

Zo paused, her attention fully on Harumi. "Why?" Zo made sure her voice came out softer to signal that she was not rejecting the idea. In fact, it was the best thing she heard in years.

"Well," Harumi paused as she bit the inside of her cheek, "for a fresh start. For the two of us. We will stay within the county lines, but just a change a scenery. Would you like that?"

Zo kept the corner of her lips twitch up. Harumi was lying about something, the way her eyes darted around the room was an easy tell. However, whatever the reason was, Harumi was her ticket out of this shithole of a city.

"Yes Kaachan, a change would be nice."

Harumi's worried face was gone the moment Zo finished her sentence. A large grin appeared on her face as she sighed in relief.

"Good good, it will be so much fun Keiko-chan." Harumi took a step forward with arms wide open before pausing. There must've been something on Zo's face that caused her to drop her arms but not her large smile. "Are you sure you want to go out and read Keiko-chan?" The nervousness was back in her tone.

Zo just slowly nodded and left the room. She had no clue what just happened, but she wasn't complaining.

Zo never would admit to having good luck

In fact, her luck was usually shit when it comes to certain things.

The appearance of a certain Uchiha brat merely proved her right.

Funny how both him and the feeling of eyes on her from the trees came at the same time.

All actions have consequences and it seemed that part of the consequence was to have her bench time violated.

"Chibi-chan! How I missed you my friend," Uchiha Shishu's childish voice grated in her ears.

Zo decided to not even spare him a glance and continue to read.

"Chibi-chan," he whined at her response.

The silence that was created for a sweet several breathes was ruined when he grabbed the book out of her hand.

Zo felt her one of her eyes start to twitch as she stared at her empty hands as he rapidly flipped through the pages.

The amount of restraint she had to use to not sock him in the throat and grab her book back was immense.

Instead of snapping his neck, she settled with a glare. A glare that probably would've been more effective if she was in her usual body.

The brat arched an eyebrow at her, not even fazed by the glare. Typical.

"Chibi-chan, reading such boring books." He sounded almost disappointed.

"I like the pictures," she said dryly as she watched him flipped through the rest of the pages, only slowing down when his eyes looked at what she assumed to be her notes.

"Doodling in books Chibi-chan, you rebel," he threw her a smile, "I might have to bring you down to the station. Defacing property is a crime y'know Chibi-chan."

She raised her eyebrows, "Defacing my own property is worst than stalking a four-year-old child Uchiha-san? I wonder what their policy with harassment is..." she trailed off, keeping her eyes on him.

She felt a small inkling of satisfaction as he averted his gaze. His pale cheeks tinting red.

Using his embarrassment as a distraction, she grabbed the book from his hands and opened up the book.

Zo hoped the eyes were enjoying the show because she wasn't.

"Chibi-chan," he said aghast, falling on top of her lap. His thick skull crushing her. "How could you suggest such awful things."

She gave him a blank look, "What do you mean Uchiha-san, you are crushing me with your fathead. Maybe I should file a report."

He glared at her as he sat back up. "So mean to me Chibi-chan," he sighed, "I'm not sure how I have the willpower to be your friend."

With the roll of her eyes, she set the book down next to her. "Friends? Is that what you call stalking and harassing young girls?"

"Chibi-chan, I would never do such a thing," he let out an exaggerated gasp, placing his hand on his chest.

She couldn't help the corner of her lips twitching upwards.

It seemed he saw it as well.

"Was that a smile Chibi-chan?" A mischievous smile on his face, "Are you feeling ill?"

Zo scowled, rubbing the corner of her gloves.

"You should get your eyes checked Uchiha-san," she gave him a cold look, "or perhaps it would do more good to check your mind."

He rolled his eyes, his smile never wavering.

What a weird brat.

His eyes glanced over her, pausing slightly at her arm before returning to her gaze.

"How's your arm chibi-chan?"

Despite how nonchalant his voice was, Zo didn't trust it.

"It's fine Uchiha-san. Why do you call me that?"

Redirect him to buy time. Simple.

"Well that is good to hear chibi-chan, you had a nasty fall. Call you what chibi-chan?"

Zo bit the inside of her bottom lip. She was in no need to play games, but it seemed she would have to. Zo had to give the brat credit, he was quick on his feet.

"It wasn't that bad of a fall, only got a bruise," a soft lie, better than saying nothing happened, "and you know what."

"Oh really? Is that why we heard a snap from your bones? Was that a bruise forming?" The look is his eyes were cold and analytical, she returned his gaze without flinching, "I'll call you by your name if you use mine."

The eyes were moving, as if they were getting ready to do something. She blinked. Uchiha was the decoy, a distraction. But for what?

All Zo knew was that she had to go. She should've left the moment the Uchiha brat sat down.

"Maybe you should get your ears checked out as well Uchiha-san." Zo pushed herself off the bench, her book in hand. She only made a couple of strong strides until she was blocked by two tall figures.

Well, all the adults were tall for her. But not all adults wore animal masks.

God fucking damnit.

Zo inched backward and turned around only to be greeted by the appearance of two more adults in animal masks.

Her eyes glanced to the bench only to note that the Uchiha brat was gone.

He was a distraction.

And now Zo had to deal with this world's version furries.

Great.

All actions have consequences.

Her actions led to her being brought into the head honcho office by the eyes who had been spying on her.

Finally, she had a 'face' to the eyes who had been watching her. The white porcelain masks revealed nothing of the individuals behind them. Masks, what a great way to remove any sense of identity from someone. Despite the lack of psychology in the world, they seemed to grasp certain concepts that fit their agenda.

When she stepped inside, half the animal-masked shinobi left her presence. The only two that remained was a tall figure with almost impressive gravity-defying grey hair and a dog mask as well as his companion who was a slightly shorter figure with brown hair and wore a mask that resembled some sort of mammal. A cat perhaps?

"Sasaki Keiko?"

The elderly male voice caught her attention. She straightened up her posture as she slowly walked forward. Her eyes never wavering from the eyes of who she assumed was the leader of Konoha.

The way he held himself was what caught her attention. Despite his age, each movement he made was precise. Everything he did seemed to have a reason. The white of his hat and haori and red kimono made him seem weak. She wondered if that was the point.

His friend who stood next to him made her feel even more uneasy. His dark eyes stared at her with interest. She knew those types of eyes, and she knew nothing good came from them. His hand a strong grip on his cane. The x-mark scar on his chin added to his aura of danger. This was a man who could destroy her, it was plain to see.

Zo knew that if she was standing in front of these two, nothing good was going to happen.

She merely nodded her head and kept her lips closed tight. She kept her face blank and her voice monotone. Show nothing, reveal nothing.

The man sitting in the main chair raised his hand as he beckoned her. His dark brown eyes glanced over her.

"Come take a seat. No need to stand."

Zo nodded her head as she slowly walked towards them. She felt the eyes from the masked figures glued to her. Waiting to end her if she made any wrong movements.

Slowly she sat in the chair. Zo made sure her back was up straight and rested her hands in her lap.

"Sasaki-chan," the Hokage paused his eyes staring directly into hers, "what do you wished to do when you grow up."

Distraction and build rapport. Great, a slow death.

"A mer'hant, like my pa," she replied, playing into his game as well as her role as a child. She knew that she wasn't going to win this fight, so why make it easy for them.

The Hokage nodded his head while the dark-haired man glared at her response.

"Why that?"

Zo shrugged. Well, y'know, to get the hell out of this village and disappeared into that good night. "I dunno. Fun?"

He nodded again.

"Have you given thought of attending the Academy Sasaki-chan?"

"A-cad-e-me?" Zo tilted her head, widening her eyes in faux confusion.

She tried to ignore the smile the dark-haired man had. Why was he smiling?

"For children who wished to serve and protect the village as shinobi and kunoichi."

A weapon-making facility. Been there, done that and Zo had no need to do it again.

She pretended to give it thought before shaking her head.

"I-I don'ta think I be good shanobi or k-kun-o-chi."

The Hokage raised an eyebrow. Zo had a feeling she knew where the conversation was heading.

"Is that so? Despite crippling and nearly killing two men last night."

Zo mentally scoffed. There we go. Action meet consequence.

The silence in the room was heavy as Zo felt every eye on her.

"What do ya mean Hokage-sama? I didn't do dat."

The Hokage tilted his head. "You're a bright child Sasaki Keiko. Bright enough to figure out you were being watched, bright enough to hide your chakra from us for a while. Your healing, equally curious. All very impressive. However. Where did you learn to fight like that Sasaki-chan?"

Despite being called out on everything, Zo couldn't help but focus on the word chakra. What the fuck was that? She bit the inside of her cheek. Nothing she can say would help her.

"What you did was a serious offense Sasaki-chan. However, the council and I decided to look the other way." He continued, ignoring her lack of response to his question.

Zo raised her eyebrows as she waited for the condition. There were always conditions and she had a hunch on what it wasm

"In exchange for our leniency, you will attend the Academy."

How typical. Zo resisted the urge to start laughing. What a joke this all ways. She escaped her life as a tool only to be sucked back in. Same role, different world. Fucking hilarious.

"And if not?" Zo dropped the act, her cold eyes piercing into his. She was tired, so tired.

The Hokage blinked at the shift of behavior before a smile formed on his face.

"You attacked and nearly killed two civilians Sasaki. You would be dealt with accordingly."

Zo scoffed, "You were allowing a child to be beaten on the street. Your people were watching and they did nothing. Is that not a crime in itself?" She watched unimpressed at the lack of emotion on his face.

"You attacked to protect. Just like all good shinobi and Kunoichi do."

Zo clenched her jaw, her hands forming fists. What kind of horseshit was that?

Protect the innocent as his own tools did nothing?

A cold realization washed over her. They knew she was there. She knew they were watching her.

Did they purposely not help to see what she would do?

One look at the two elders and she got her answer.

They so fucking would.

She got played, she got played hard. If she wasn't so pissed she would've been impressed.

God, she was fucking rusty. She was retired too long to deal with these chess games.

"So Sasaki-chan, do you accept."

With narrowed eyes, she slowly nodded her head.

How fucking stupid was she?

God, she needed a drink. Or a smoke.

The Hokage gave her a smile as he gestured to the two masked guards that Zo almost forgot about.

"I'm glad to hear your support for the village," What fucking bullshit, "An instructor will come visit you and your mother and explain everything in depth." He gestured for her to stand up, which she did.

"Hai," Zo gritted out as she guided out of the room.

When she was out of the building, she glared at the two adults.

"Fuck off," she hissed at them as she stalked away. Too angry to care about her language, it wasn't like there was any use to hide it.

As she walked back home, she did something she had done in years.

"God fucking bullshit fuck fuck fuck." Zo muttered in English underneath her breath.

Guess she was stuck in this stupid fucking village for awhile.

She needed a drink or ten.

Wow this chapter was longer than I planned, what can I say I enjoyed writing Shishu. Danzo and Kakashi had a very small cameo and the Hokage was a pain to write. Sorry for any typos and grammatical errors. I hope yall enjoyed this chapter! Let me know what yall thought about this chapter and the story so far!

Until Next Time!