I had never travelled anywhere in this life. I had never left the land of fire. At least not that I know of. Maybe my parents took me while they were still alive? I doubt it though. Still, I have read in books about the vast different cultures of the many nations. Reading about it and seeing it, those were two different things.

How Ami found out about this merchant caravan I have no idea. I often eavesdrop on the streets and I had no idea. Still I wasn't going to complain as my eyes roved through cart after cart of different fabrics, spices, and strange items.

"Better than sitting in your room doing your weird half sleeping thing?" Ami questions with a sly smile on her face. I wrinkle my nose furrowing my brow.

"It's meditating Ami-chan." I tell her in a flat tone that makes her smirk widen.

"Whatever you say googly-eyes, let's get something cool!" Ami declares and I can't help but nod as we move through the streets. There are other Konoha civilians here, all eagerly looking at the foreign wares. I smile a little, the atmosphere is light and happy. This was a good idea, but I'll be damned if I ever admit it to Ami.

The fabrics are so nice and in such beautiful colours. I have never had an eye for fashion, however I love beautiful colours. Though since I don't have a tailed beast to heal everything and am not ignorant to the world as a shinobi I can't wear anything TOO bright. I look around, some fabrics are soft, some are rough, some are red, some are green.

"I already have plenty of tops." I tell Ami, plenty isn't the right word though more like I have enough to get by and a tight budget, especially since I am TRYING to save up money. I don't need to explain this though, Ami gets it.

"They have really good prices here, you can get something you can't usually afford." Ami informs me nodding sagely, I almost want to giggle and though my lips quirk I supress it. The deeper into the make shift market we get the louder it gets. I see candles that smell really nice from the land of water, glassware from Suna, and silverware from Kumo. There's jewelry and even rare fruits and candies of all kinds. My fingers twitch towards the candy cart but I hold myself back. No… can't waste money like that. Still as Ami left my side to go check out some skirts… (not my thing but hey as long as she can do taijutsu in it I don't see the problem) However when I turned to walk away I walked straight into my doom.

The next stand was selling pasteries, one of which was chocolate filled Taiyaki. Taiyaki, is a desert, a sweet pastry shaped like a fish filled with a sort of custard or paste. I've never tried one but I love chocolate so much…

I sigh my heart breaking as I move away from the cart and to a new one and blink at one of the merchadise. Gloves.

I think back to my cut hand, which is still healing after it continuously is getting reopened. Handling blades would be much safer with gloves, and it looks cool too.

I look through them finding the perfect one. A black pair of gloves, small ones but they are fingerless and made of a thick material. I try them on, testing to make sure they don't hold back my mobility. Satisfied that they do not I buy them and go back to Ami…. Only to find she is now haggling for some slightly worn clothing items. Not a bad idea, but she is leaving me with the torture of sweets including chocolate!

I am five years old! I can't hold out forever. I make a slight whimper pressing my hands to the glass staring at the Taiyaki again. My stomach rumbles in an oh so helpful fashion and my head rests the glass in defeat marking it up to be all foggy.

"Sayori-chan?" A voice asks and I turn to see none other than Hazuki. I blink for a moment. I hadn't actually thought of her existing anywhere other than the library… but here she is shopping bag in hand. I feel a little embarrassed honestly.

"Ah… nice to see you Hazuki-san." I say with a small smile hesitantly moving away from the beautiful pasteries. "What's re you doing here?" I ask at a lost what else to say even though the answer is obvious.

"Shopping with my daughter, these merchants usually have some good deals." Hazuki replies smiling wryly.

"You have a daughter?!" I blurt out in surprise. I guess she hasn't talked much about her life outside the library but still… I feel like I should know that.

"Yes I do," Hazuki says clearly very proud, she is practically glowing with pride. She seems like she would make a good mother. "She should be around here… ah… Izumi-chan, come meet someone!" Hazuki calls out motioning with her arm and my back straightens a chill running down my spine. She couldn't mean…

I turn and see none other than Izumi UCHIHA. I stand frozen staring at the brown haired girl who now standing right next to her more aged mother the resemblance is clear when they are side by side like this. Same hair at one point probably, same skin tone and face shape, same EYES they look like mother and daughter alright. Which mean Hazuki is a bloody UCHIHA. "Who Kaachan?" Izumi asks and Hazuki motions to me. Izumi turns and our eyes lock and there is a spark of recognition in them, I gulp. "Oh, nice to see you again Sayori-chan." Izumi says in an animated voice. Why… out of all people for me to get attached to did it have to be an Uchiha… the clan that is going to be MASSACRED some time invv by the not so distant future.

"Nice to see you again Izumi-san." I reply making sure not to miss a beat. Hazuki looks confused more than anything.

"My team brought Sayori-chan and her friends to the village for a mission… so she's the girl you were telling me about?" Izumi then asks her mother and I blink in surprise, apparently I am a topic for conversations outside the library? Is that good or bad?

"Yes, Sayori-chan is quite the avid reader." Hazuki says smiling and I smile back full of hesitates. I look back at the Taiyaki, maybe it can distract me from this swell of horror and dread?

"Want some Taiyaki?" Izumi asks with an amused smile and I blink. No… please… don't be nice to me, don't make the fact I know you and your mother are going to die harder… please…

"Yes, but I don't have the money." I tell her so thankful for the deep calm keep the now crippling guilt from my face.

"I can get you one." Izumi says and before I can protest she is already buying it and handing it to me patting my head. "Nice seeing you again Sayori-chan. Come on Kaachan." Izumi says and the two UCHIHAS… I can't get over the fact Hazuki is an Uchiha… they leave me with a still warm chocolate filled Taiyaki in my hand.

I have no idea what to do.

You have gained 1 WIS

Not helpful! I don't feel wiser! I go to Ami giving her half of the sweet and am silent the whole way home. The Taiyaki is delicious, probably the best thing I have eaten in this life. Does the universe hate me?