The murmur of birds chirping seeped through the window as the morning sun shown through, awakening the sleeping inhabitant. Long golden strands spread across her pillow, attempting to shield her from the brightness of the sun. A groan emanated from the figure as their hand wiggled out from the confines of the covers, reaching to a nearby bed stand. Delicate pale fingers danced across the surface of the wood, finally finding a bulky pair of eyeglasses. Slowly rising from her bed to look at the clock posted on the opposite side of her bedroom.

"Unbelievable, I overslept again" Shiori whined as she suppressed the urge to yawn. She zigzagged across the floor to make her way into the bathroom, carefully avoiding the books littered about her floor. Once inside she combed her locks into matching braids, falling on either sides of her shoulders. Sprinkling some water on her face to wake her up and a quick brush of her teeth she was ready to go.

Hurrying out of her bathroom, she scampered over to her closet. Stripping out of her pajamas and replacing them with a plain blue cheongsam. Shiori reached inside, pulling out a green apron and fastening it around herself. After sliding on a pair of flats, and grabbing one of the books on the floor, she left her apartment.

Descending down the stair and into her quaint little bookshop. Thick glass covered the front of the store, allowing the daylight to illuminate the store. Lavender wallpaper covered the walls and aisles of bookcases divided the store up into tiny sections. A wooden counter posted by the door holding a cash register.

Shiori reached for the counter, setting down her book and grabbing a set of keys. Unlocking the door and propping it open to welcome potential customers. She then went to the side of the building and grabbed a hose. Coming back around, she aimed the hose at the glass covering her store. Sprinkling water across it, washing away filth the outdoors left on it. Then redirecting the water over to a few potted plants on the ground, dainty purple petals glistening in the liquid.

"Good morning Shiori, you're doing so well with those flowers" tender voice praised, interrupting her chore. Turning to the individual, a short brunette with a gentle smile. The young florist from the Yamanaka flower shop, just a few feet away from her bookstore. The two girls often conversed early in the mornings, prior to tending to their shops.

"And to you Mino, I really can't thank you enough for giving them to me" Shiori bowed slightly in courtesy.

"Oh please Shiori you did me a favor, my family wasn't sure what we'd do with them with our shop being packed. Its nice to see them flourishing rather than withering away" She replied, crouching down to examine them.

"But I wouldn't have known how to properly care for them without you're instruction" Shiori countered, tossing the hose back behind her house.

"Come on Shiori, just accept the compliment…you're too damn modest" The brunette shot back, getting back on her feet; her spitfire personality shining through. A delicate florist she may be, but most certainly not as dainty as the flowers she sold.

"Well we better get to work, I'll see you later Shiori" She said with a wave, jogging back to her store. Shiori watched her disappear from her vision before returning to her own store, situating herself on a stool behind her counter, and began to read her book. The day grew later and soon customers made their way into her shop, only did they come up to make purchases or ask for help did Shiori talked to them.

This is how it has been for the months she resided in Konoha, a constant schedule. Operating her shop and keeping to herself. Mino was the only person in the village Shiori had aquatinted herself with, and she wasn't exactly looking to make friends. Granted she did appreciate her chats with the brunette. This newly formed village had many new faces from clans who merged with it and refugees seeking shelter, all Shiori needed was to keep to herself.

"Well hello there miss, I'd like to make a purchase" A mild aged man said, placing several books in front of her. Carefully, as not to lose her place, she set her book aside to help the customer and silently began typing his purchase into her register.

"So do you always help you're parent run the store, must be difficult helping them out with a business like this" The man said, trying to strike up conversation. Internally she sighed, this too apart of her constant schedule.

"No sir, I'm actually the owner" She answered watching the man's eyes bulge out of his head.

"Ah-sorry about that, still it can't be easy for a kid to-"

"I'm almost twenty-three, sir, now would you like you're items in a bag" Shiori interrupted harshly, uninterested in any further conversation with him. He hurriedly agreed and paid for her purchase, speedily walking out of her store.

Almost immediately Shiori regretted her actions, frightening away her customer like she did. In truth, she did look far younger than the women her age. Her height, not even reaching her five feet, and lack of curves made it appear as though she were in her adolescent years. Her braids and glasses didn't help much either, but they made her blend and that's all she needed.

Her day continued as she read on with her book and more people made purchases. Eventually as the sun began to set, customers departed, and once they were all gone Shiori decided to close shop. Stepping out for a bit to grab some takeout from a nearby restaurant for dinner. Returning to her shop and setting the food on the counter. She went around and crouched down to a few draws at the bottom. Pulling out a few assorted bowls. From another drawer she took kibble and filled the dishes, stacking them on top of one another, and carrying them to the back exit of the store.

Opening the door and stepping out into a dark alleyway, filled with various trash bins and litter. Shiori set the bowls on the ground before whistling a short, steady tune. In an instant several canines scampered about, making their way for the food. Dogs of all shapes and sizes burying their filling their hungry bellies.

It was only in these moments Shiori let her guard down, allowing herself smile. She loved dogs and their big, innocent dark eyes. Her true weakness and greatest pleasure. One canine abandoned his meal and came over to Shiori, mercilessly attacking her in slobbery kisses.

"Cut it out!" She pleaded, secretly loving it. Eventually all the dogs ganged up on her, forcing her to the ground. She didn't care that she was getting dirty or would surely reek of slobber, it was their way of showing gratitude and she graciously accepted.

After awhile the frenzy calm and, reluctantly, left her canine friends. Shiori returned the bowls to their place and grabbed her own dinner from the counter to head up into her apartment…until she heard a subtle crash. Setting her food down, she went to go investigate.

Her eyes peering down each aisle, heading deeper into her store, finally discovering a lone book resting on the floor. She picked it up and searched for its proper place, surely enough she found it. From the higher shelves, left it absolute discord, was where it belonged. In reluctance she grabbed a nearby stepping ladder to fix the mess, rearranging books in their proper place. As she maneuvered the last couple around, she noticed a gap peering into the next aisle…and a human eye.

A shriek escaped her lips as she shoved her body away in panic, falling to the floor. Fear and confusion flooded her mind; her body paralyzed…descending to the floor. She expected an aching pain…but instead felt warmth surrounding her form. Her eyes stared into the coral pair that had frightened her moments ago. Silver hair and ivory skin contrasted against the darkness.

"Are you alright" At the sound of his deep husky voice, Shiori's mind pulled itself together. Her hands rested upon his shoulders and thrust herself from his arms.

"Get Out of my Store! I closed hours ago!" She yelled in an uncommonly shrill voice.

"Fine…but just let me finish this book" He said, whipping out a book and proceeding to read the last few pages. Infuriated Shiori snatched the book from his hands and shot back up onto her feet.

"This is a bookstore. Not A Library! How am I suppose to turn a profit if you just go ahead reading the book instead of buying it?!" She screamed, her face turning red. The man remained stoic gradually standing up, she trembled in realization how he towered over her.

"My apologies, I got carried away in reading, I shall gladly pay for it" He repented with a bow, and Shiori got herself together to restore her ordinary professional persona.

"Unfortunately I've already emptied the cash register for this evening, but I can keep the book on hold for you to purchase it tomorrow. Would you be satisfied with that" She offered.

"Thank you, I'd appreciate that. I cannot apologize enough for the disturbance I caused you this evening".

"Then I'll show you out" Shiori led him out the aisle and to the store entrance. Unlocking the glass door and opened it for him to pass, and he did so without saying another word to her. She watched as he vanished from sight, and once he was gone she released a relieved sigh. Exhausted, she threw the book on the counter and listlessly head up to apartment. Her food, cold and forgotten.