I head to the library, I haven't been in a while now. Now that I have… friends… to PLAY with? Still not sure how to classify everything and to be honest play being my best description still feels weird. Still I have been doing so much physical exercise recently I've not really been meditating and reading in class.

"Sayori-chan? I haven't seen you in a bit." Hazuki greets me her face stony like she is holding something back and I tilt my head.

"I've been trying to… socialize." I decide to say and she smiles at me.

"Well which book would you like?" She asks and I think about it.

"A camping and survival book… a history book, and a book on how to cook on an open fire?" I say and she raises an eyebrow in question. Come to think of it Hazuki often uses non verbal cues in our conversation. I remember Sasuke didn't talk much so is this a trait of the Uchiha clan or am I looking to deep into it for my own good? "My apartment still doesn't have water or power so I thought I might try doing some camping." I tell her bluntly but can't help but scowl a little. The village apparently really needs to work on its infrastructure if this is a regular occurrence for how long it takes. However judging by the look of pure SHOCK on Hazuki's face it isn't normal at all.

"From that storm?" Hazuki asks and I nod subtly. "Oh kami no wonder you look… that was so long ago… how can…" Hazuki begins to say her mind seeming to be flying every direction as she doesn't finish any of her thoughts.

"What do I look like?.." I ask for some reason latching onto that unfinished thought out of all of them.

"I thought every part of the village was up and running by now. It's nothing to be ashamed of… your simply not as… put together as usual Sayori-chan." Hazuki says gently and then it strikes me, when was the last time I washed myself or my clothes? My face burns bright red. However what does Hazuki mean by every part of the village being 'up and running?' Then an idea hits me, or maybe it's a realizations. A terrible one. Koharu wouldn't go that far would she? Surely she wouldn't keep the power and water to my apartment shut off? I mean… that would be… and Ami… was I hurting Ami by association?

"I… I…" I begin to stutter out and Hazuki places a hand on myself shoulder the action grounds me from quickly my spiralling thoughts.

"I'll go get you those books. You can come to my house to clean up if you'd like." Hazuki offers and I breath out slowly. Ok one step at a time.

"Thanks Hazuki-san." I say with a faint smile as she brings me the books and I begin to read but also do something else. I practice. There's a difference between having a skill and applying it. A person can have amazing handwriting (which I do not) but if they want to use a new style they have to apply the skill and practice using it that certain way. Like the sticking exercise, that part I had mastered but had to practice applying it to climbing. So the question is… what other ways can I apply that particular skill.

I channel some chakra to my finger slowly using it to turn the page. It takes practice not to grab more than one page with my chakra… it's kind of fun.

I focus on the camping book for a moment it shouldn't be hard to cook on an open fire… though these little pits will limit the smoke I'll still have to do it away from Yota so I don't draw people to him.

Reading Expertise level has risen X1

Reading Expertise Level 38

Ability to read and understand texts on a far higher level. Increases rate with all languages to read and learn them. Speed reading increases an additional 1% per level on top of 200%. Current Reading speed increase 238%

I smile a little… I'm getting better everyday. I smile getting distracted by the reading that I barely notice the time slipping away. It's been a while since that happened just being in the moment. It was nice refreshing even. Then again I had alot of encouragement because did Koharu have a hand in my apartment still being in the state it is? If she was willing to go so far then what would her next move be?

I felt like I was playing chess, only I had only been given only half the pieces and allowed to spy the board every five turns. It wasn't a good feeling. Worse was the fact that this wasn't chess… no it was real people. I wasn't just playing for myself I had friends now didn't I? Where does the line get drawn? When is it considered too far?

"Sayori-chan, I'm leaving now want to come along?" Hazuki asks and I nod putting the books in my backpack. I feel myself blush when she actually holds my hand leading me down the street. We probably look like an odd pair the two of us, but it feels… nice.

POV Hazuki Uchiha

I can still remember the day everything changed. The day the man I loved died, the day I activated my mongekyo, the day that friends became enemies and home became unsafe for me and my child.

The ninetails attack changed the world. I was just in the other room when the beast appeared quite literally on top of our home. I had moved away from the clan compound. My husband not being an Uchiha… and worse having… an interesting background made him a bit of an outsider.

Though that wasn't the reason we left. No we left because he wanted to rebuild his clan with his cousin. Few knew about this, not even Fugaku knew, but Mikoto does which is a relief. All of those dreams though died with him and her. I thank kami everyday that Izumi has my colouring and not her fathers.

When the village turned on the Uchiha clan, we were caught in the middle. Home was no longer sage. Vandalism often occurred at our new home and it just wasn't the right environment for a child to grow up in, so we returned home to the Uchiha compound, the new one. I continued my job at the library and the bad things settled, the village was rebuilt rebuilt, and I carried on with my life. Tension tends to grow when unaddressed though and soon the world may change again.

I try not to think of it as I look down at the tiny girl at my side. Sayori reminds me of myself in many ways. A book worm, though she is far smarter then I ever was. I am glad she is unknowingly or knowingly building allies. Allies will keep her safe.

A year…

I have a year tops before the world changes again. I don't plan to waste it this time around. I will prepare, but I will not dwell. I'll enjoy my daughter whenever she is home from her missions and I will make memories. Silently I think about a small blond boy. How I wanted to help that child, not that they would ever let an Uchiha near him. The fact that Mikoto was given a restrain if order against him is proof enough. I pray that Fugaku doesn't do THAT with the child. I pray that the demon locked away stays that way. I pray they don't feel the need to dispose of the child. I pray that no one dies. I pray that the coup never comes. I pray that… I don't even know anymore… I just pray.