A bird caged is a bird dead.

A bird free is a bird alive.

A bird with clipped wing is a bird caged.

And thus the cycle begins again.

Blood spills from a small cut.

"Hm. That should do it." I place the ink brush down and admire my work. My Japanese writing was still off but I was getting better. I didn't need to read and write until now since I worked through things by theory based off the show. Water was a safe element to have but I don't think they will work with lightning. It was too unpredictable and dangerous. Not that I'm complaining.

I got an idea for a jutsu already. It will be difficult to shape lightning into a straight line for long but what it was just a small part and propelled forward instead of whatever Sasuke did with his sword. His sword guided the bolt in the direction he wants. If I did the same but with my finger, I'll turn my hand into a lightning gun. Of course this is a theory and would take a long time to master after working out the way it should be conjured up. Since I have it as a second nature, I shouldn't have too much trouble.

Water will be a good use for the lightning in many ways. By many, I mean electrocution Electrocution ELECTROCUTION. Oh hells yes. I've come to the conclusion that if I keep using my precious sword, it will eventually break. When it does, I'll be forced to use jutsu. It will be best if I start getting stronger like Madara and Hashirama. If they can be awesome then so can I. Taigaburedo is too precious for me to break.

"So much for sticking with ideals."

"What ideals?"

I jump at the quiet voice behind me and whip around, holding a kunai up. Standing there with a blank expression was Kiminatsu. His apple green eyes blinked up at me. "Man you are as creepy as a young Itachi…." He blinks again. "You know what, never mind. What are you doing here?"

"I've been here the whole time. You were writing poetry."

My face burned at being caught. I don't like people seeing my stuff. Well, my poetry. I was and still am embarrassed if people read these sappy scribbles. Wait…. If he was here the whole time…. OH MY GOD HE'S KUROKO! "Y-yes I was. Why were you here in the study anyway?"

He walked over to the bookshelf and pulled out sheet of large parchment paper. He grabbed an ink bottle and brush before sitting down. I watch him as he starts drawing something. "An artist huh?"

"It keeps me busy. I was only given some luxuries in my room."

Oh. So that thing with Kimimaru went on even here. "I see. I'm sorry to hear that. The Kaguya clan are known for locking away their gift like a weapon in an armory. Savage. And yet they produce a kid like you." I reach over and run my hand through his hair. Cringing, I stand. "You need a bath! Your hair is so oily!"

I drag him out of the house. He didn't even struggle. Such a good boy he is. Mwahahahah. Not creepy. Totally not creepy.

….

"Knock knock. Anybody home?" I cross my arms as the gate didn't open. The Uchiha compound was easy to find after memorizing the walk. My eyes were closed so I wouldn't be affected by the illusion traps. Taking a deep breath, I push chakra into my feet and leap over the tall wooden wall. One of the men on guard fan up to me. "Hold it."

I roll my eyes and keep walking. "Oh pipe down. I'm here to see my friend so back off unless you want to lose the ability to have kids." I smirk and unsheathe my blade to show an inch of it. He hesitated long enough for me to shunshin away from there and begin jumping rooftops. When I got to the main house, I saw that Madara was training with his brother. He was busy so I sat down and waited for a chance to surprise him.

When Izuna went to hide in the bushes I jumped down with a chakra packed fist and slammed it into the earth, creating a small crater. I'm kind of upset that I can't get as strong as Tsunade and Sakura but then again, I didn't go through extreme training. The smoke from whatever Izuna did clears and I find myself staring up at Madara. He scowled down at me with his sharingan eyes. "Why are you here Rei?" He asked while looking at the crater.

"Just thought I'd visit. I wasn't welcomed at the gate as I expected but I want to try and strike a deal up with Tajima to allow me to come and go." I smile and stand up. "Are you getting used to your eyes?"

His eyes faded to black. "Well my timing has been a bit off but it's getting better by the day. What are you going to do as an exchange?"

"You'll see. Is he busy right now?"

"No."

"Good. Then he won't mind me barging in then." I walk towards the house but stop to say something else. "Izuna is in the bushes." I walk until I reach the meeting room I remember being in last time and knock. Hearing the gruff 'come in' from inside, I throw the door open and grin at the wide eyes leader.

He went for his sword but I ignore him and sit down on a seat cushion in front of him. "Let's talk business Tajima. I want to be able to come here as well as continuing to be neutral to the wars. I just want to be with my friends and that is all. But I also want to make a deal that will benefit you in the long run."

Letting go of his blade, he gives me a considering look. "And that is?"

"Midori. She is sick and I want to help her." I bite my lip nervously as I wait for his answer.

"What makes you think that you will be any better than our own healers?"

"Nothing. I just would like to try. I have been taught in healing since I was four and I have recently increased by studies to herbalism."

After returning home that day I've been studying in anything that might work for the diseases I thought Midori had. I had a good idea on what it could be based on the common diseases I remember from Japan. It was difficult learning all of the herbs here so I focused on remedies that focused on curing the symptoms she displayed as well as going with my assumptions. Hopefully I was right in one of them.

I stare into his eyes even after he activated his sharingan. This was probably stupid of me but hey. Trust is earned and I'm trying to earn it. Even if I can get traumatized by a genjutsu. He deactivates it and nods. "I sense no deceit. Nor did I sense it last time which leads me to believe that you were speaking half-truths."

"Indeed. Girls like me are thought very little of. Why not use that to my advantage and only talk about my other activities aside from missions and shinobi training." I smile and get up. "May I examine her now? I can get started tonight or get it done today depending on the diagnosis."

He nodded and motioned to a handmaiden who scampered off and returned quickly with Midori walking gracefully behind her. When she saw me, she smiled gently. "Hello again Reika-san. I hear you wish to help me. Though I am grateful, I have doubts due to previous unsuccessful attempts."

I just pat a cushion down in front of me and gesture to it. "Understandable. Now just sit tight and I'll see what I can do." My eyes are drawn to her hair as she sits down. How did she get it so long and layered? I place my glowing green hands on her forehead and began searching for signs of anything abnormal. I didn't have to go far. When I got to her neck, I felt it. "Is this where it hurts sometimes?"

"Yes."

"Does your temperature change irregularly?"

"Once recently."

"Have you coughed up blood and when are the coughs more severe?"

"Mornings and I have coughed blood a few times."

Looks like I guessed right. "Tuberculosis in an early stage. It's fatal but this can be treated. I'll have a temporary medicine for you if you have the stuff I need." I scroll through my memory on the ingredients and count on my fingers. "Winter cherry, honey, and long pepper. I will also need a grinder too." The handmaid runs off again to get the things I need. When she returns with the ingredients and a man drops a grinding stone down in front of me, I get right to work. "After I have you take this I'll give you a recipe for a different on. It has to sit overnight and when you take it by mixing it with a cup of water. Drink the medicine once every night for five or six days. That should sooth it. Every weak take the one I'm making now so the disease won't return."

I finish grinding the Winter cherry root and pepper and I place it into a bowl. I squeeze a few drops of honey and mix it up. When it starts looking like a salve, I turn back to Midori. "Open your mouth." She does as I ask and I smear the solution on my fingers before reaching in and rubbing it on the sides of her throat, on her tongue, and on the roof of her mouth. I hand her a cup of water to wash it down. "It's uncomfortable but it's needed. The honey makes it tolerable though. Oh and don't use it if you show signs of pregnancy. You might abort the baby by accident."

Brushing of my hands, I look up at Tajima. He was staring at me like he saw an alien creature. "Something wrong sir?"

"N-no. We never heard of the illness tuberculosis or that those things could be used for medicine. Who taught you?"

"Myself. I studied on herbs and what their properties are. Shinobi focus primarily on combat. The very first thing I learned were basic healing skills. That was my main focus."

"Was?"

"As I get older, I need to expand beyond kenjutsu. A blade will eventually break if overused or I'll become too predictable for an enemy if we meet more than once." I lean back and look to Midori. "So, Mi-chan. I'll come back to check up on you IF Tajima here allows me easy passage." Seeing Tajima nod, I sigh in relief. "Good. I'll be taking a few needed things for the medicine before I leave. See you tomorrow."

I hurry out of the room to find Madara. When I did, I saw that he and Izuna were passed out. I walk over and sit down beside the two and take the time to think. This whole scene was so peaceful. The only reminder of the battles taking place all over the country were the scratches these two gained from training. I sigh. Why couldn't I have been in Naruto's generation. At least I have more ideas there.

Madara sat up beside me right then. "You sigh a lot."

"Gee, you noticed? I'm touched."

"Of course. I notice a lot of things about you guys. Hashirama has quirks and you do too. You sigh, are unpredictable in your actions yet you seemed to have planned it already, and you move with a purpose. I don't know what it is you are doing but I'm curious on why you are so determined to see it through."

I stare at him after he said that. Who knew Ma-kun was this… observant? Well he was very knowledgeable about human nature and behavior as an old man so maybe this is where it started.

Speaking of older. Reaching over, I touch the spikes of his hair. "Will you grow this out?"

He looked up as if he could see his hair, looking thoughtful. "Yeah. Why?"

"If it gets long enough, you should wear it up like a samurai. I think that would look cool and badass. Don't you think Ma-kun?"

"That nickname ruins it. How do I look intimidating if you're there calling me that?"

I stand and wave over my shoulder. "I'll tell you what my big plan is some day Madara. You will need to help me on one of the steps. Promise you will?"

"Maybe."

"Good enough for me."

….

Shit…. I messed up an I messed up BAD. It struck me while I was getting the linseed saturated water I had made. Thirty grams of powdered linseed seeds has to soak in water over night. This is basically liquid medicine now since the water has been absorbed. But never mind that fun fact. I used medical ninjutsu on Midori! I used medical ninjutsu in front of a Sharingan user! I might have ruined Hashirama's future creation! Oh gad/Kami/Jashin and whatever deities are out there.

I growl as I start mixing the remaining water into the thick saturated powder. This will need to be delivered with some lime juice in order for her to take it well. Now before I go, I'll need to preserve the remaining seeds and stick them in a jar. At least until I build a herb drawer system.

"You look irritated."

The flat voice made me jump and I turn to see Kiminatsu drawing in a sketch book. How does he keep doing that? Sure I'm not a sensory type but come on! Is he that unnoticeable? "How long were you there?"

"A few minutes after you went in here. I was curious on what you made."

Of course he was. "Want to be my little assistant?" I ask while grabbing the jar I needed and a metal shallow pot. The Kaguya shrugs and follows me out the door. "I need you to roast these slowly over a fire. When they feel dry, put them in this jar. I can't because I need to deliver this. If you do a good job, I hear linseed can make good bread." He gets a determined look on his face and grabs my jar and bag pot before hurrying out the door.

He must like bread.

…..

Back at the compound, the guards actually let me in this time. I wave my bandage wrapped hand since my other arm was occupies by a small box containing the multiple doses. Thirty, so a month's worth. I decide to hand it to a handmaid and leave. I got to head to the village and buy some seeds for my new garden.

Now I am being nice here but this is also my bargaining chip. These people don't know about most illnesses discovered in my world. If Tajima does something like trying to control me, though he does seem kinder when off the battlefield than what the show lead me to believe, or I need him to do something, I can threaten to cut off the medicine supply.

But that will be a last resort. I need access to the stone tablet. Madara will be the first I seek help from. Nothing goes well by doing things alone. That much I learned in my old life. I was afraid to ask for help from the teachers when a lesson was too confusing for me. I never approached people when we were given the option of groups. Yeah, I was such an introvert.

This world changes you. I feel more confident with the knowledge I have. With chakra and more exercise to keep me in shape, I wasn't worried about my appearance. Not that it mattered to people here. I pull my cloak out of my bag as I walk and was about to put it on when a hand covered my mouth. "Mmf"

"Be quiet little Senju."

I was too far from the Uchiha by now to try and scream for help. I had walked fast since was in a hurry and that made good distance. Wait…. This smell.. It's some type of chloroform rag. My vision starts darkening and I feel my body go slack.

Not good. Why does everyone keep thinking I'm Senju!

A/N Sorry for the wait. With summer starting, I had to do some things. Hope you enjoy this chapter. No, the new girl was not in this chapter. Soon though. What is going to happen to Reika? Is chakra really the only thing confusing people? All will be revealed in the next episiode-cough-I mean chapter!

Q: Time for another guessing game! What do you think the real connection to the Senju is?