Offering a smile towards the stock still eldest Uchiha she raised her hand in a wave.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." She told him genially wondering what exactly was his problem. "I would offer to shake your hand but well, I have charcoal all over my finger-"

Blinking because there was suddenly a palm in front of her face, Sai glanced upwards and saw Shisui flash her a small smile, eyes shining with such a friendliness that she felt uncomfortable.

"I don't mind." He grinned and with a little hesitation she slide her hand into his.

"I'm Uchiha Shisui." He introduced and then gestured to the other boy next to him. "And this is Itachi and his younger brother Sasuke."

Repeating her earlier introduction she was unsure what she should do at this point but the option was taken out of her hands when she saw the youngest Uchiha sneak a glance at her sketch pad.

"Did you draw that?" The boy gasped and she resisted the urge to puff up her chest at the awe in his tone.

"Ah yes," She smiled. "It's just a profile sketch, nothing too complex."

"But it looks so cool!" He said before flashing her a dismayed look. "And you look about my age."

"Well, I've had a lot of practice." She told him as she saw the two older Uchiha steal a glance down at the book in her hands.

"You are a very talented artist." Itachi told her after a look and Sai internally hummed with satisfaction. Despite already knowing how good she was it still felt nice to be complemented.

"I am very flattered that you think so Uchiha-san." She smiled placidly. "It took a lot of practice."

"Really?" The youngest one chirped and Sai had to suppress the urge to twitch at how young and awestruck he sounded. It must be bliss to be so dewy-eyed. "Like how long?"

She tapped her chin in consideration.

"Maybe a few months." She shrugged and she wasn't lying, it did take her that amount of time during this lifetime to remaster her fingers enough to sketch. "But apparently the talent runs in the family since my mother knew how to draw as well."

And suddenly Sai felt as if she had said too much because a look appeared in the two eldest Uchiha's eyes and she internally berated herself.

"Oh?" Shisui said with an easy smile but she wasn't fooled. "And who was she?"

And thankfully before had to open her mouth to weasel her way out of the situation a familiar chakra brushed up against her spine - it seemed that the ROOT Anbu that had trailed her sent for help and Sai felt herself instantly relax as her grandfather appeared at her shoulder but the same couldn't be said for the two boys across from her.

And that wasn't to say that it was obvious but as someone who was trained from birth to read people, it just took a bit of critical observation. They didn't seem exactly fearful - perhaps wariness was a better word - and as her grandfather set his hand on her shoulder she knew she would escape this encounter without any more damage.

"Itachi, Shisui." The bandaged elder greeted and the two boys bent at the waist.

"Councilman Danzo." The both echoed and with a hum, the dark haired girl was pulled to her grandfather's side.

"Sai it's time to go." Danzo announced and she nodded her head before giving a polite bow to the trio in front of her.

"It has been an honor to meet you." She told them but later that day when she got back to her bunk inside of ROOT, Sai was suitably confused.

The Uchiha had been entirely too interested in her and she wondered why - and the answer wouldn't come until a few years later when her eyes began to burn red and she could see the future.*


Sai learned a lot of things in ROOT, things that put the Rookie 9's training to shame and honestly, in hindsight she was embarrassed to have ever been impressed by those kids' abilities - especially when she accomplished more than they did in a year in her sleep.

She never had an idle day and it showed in her progress. With how she had figured out her chakra natures young - earth, water, fire. With how she studied copious amounts of taijutsu, kenjutsu, and ninjutsu and how she had fuuinjutsu lessons courtesy of her grandfather - who had been taught by Tobirama who learned from his own family and the Uzumaki - she was leagues ahead of most children her age.

And that wasn't even considering the fact that she was developing her canon counterparts animation technique - Sai was really wondering how her canon self could deal with being on a team with people who didn't match him in skill or knowledge.

It was almost frightening how much someone could get done when all of their time was devoted to being a perfect weapon. She trained and studied for hours and hours on end that it would have driven a lesser person to tears or insanity.

And well tears were forbidden and she thought she was just a little too sane for the world which meant she was handling it just fine.


She met Shin a few months after that and then decided to stay away from the poor boy, lest she be his death.


At age seven, Sai who had been waiting for news of the Uchiha massacre, realized that something was decidedly wrong - and it had to do with the fact that an entire clan hadn't turned up dead with only two survivors left.

Now that it wasn't as if Sai was thirsting for the end of a whole group of people - honestly she didn't care enough to want their demise or continued health - but it was more with the fact that their survival was going to change canon in ways that it shouldn't. It meant that her grandmother and Sarutobi either didn't make the executive decision to let Itachi end them or the Uchiha never planned to revolt and the heir to their clan never saw the need to snitch.

And that was almost confusing because Sai had noticed the rumblings of accusations towards the Uchiha regarding the Kyuubi and she assumed that they would still feel threatened and would make the move.

But they hadn't and they were still quite active in the village but she wasn't too worried. If her grandfather didn't ensure they were killed off then they weren't going to rebel.

And that was just fine by her.

There would be enough bloodshed to counter their survival regardless.


*When I saw see the future I mean that when she's fighting someone she can predict their movements.

Here's the next chapter lol. I've always wondered at how advanced Sai was compared to the other Rookie 9 like skill wise and practical knowledge wise I feel he was the most powerful. Like in Shippuden I feel like Sai could have kicked a majority of the Rookie 9's ass. But that's just me tho lol.

Also, there's a very specific reason why the Uchiha lived.


Also on a side note if you haven't heard already I need some help!

I would like you guys to follow my Instagram because I'm trying to get a paid fashion sponsorship and I need a high number of followers to do that! It would really mean a lot to me if you guys would do this. Like it would mean so so so sooo much if you guys could do me this favor.

So help me out with a follow on my Instagram: slimjimsandarizonas pls and thank you!~

(Also if you don't want to help me then don't leave rude reviews about it bc I've gotten a few rude ones.)