A/N: My word, you guys really seem to hate Danzō. Now then, I have seen people asking whether Mirai is going to hook up with someone when she's older and I honestly don't know. At this point I can't really picture her with anyone but maybe you guys can see something I can't.

Disclaimer: I no own, you no sue, savvy?

Mirai tucked her legs beneath her, sitting seiza-style and resting her palms on her thighs. She was as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs but did her best to keep a straight face.

"Tea?"

"S-sure," she stammered, hating herself for doing so as he poured her a cup. Mirai lifted it to her lips, swirling the amber liquid around and looking for any signs of powder on the rim or surface. Not seeing any and fervently noticing the way he was staring at her Mirai took a long swallow.

It went down smoothly, tasting of apple and cinnamon and warming her up a bit. Mirai folded her hands around her cup, waiting for him to speak.

"I must say, I was surprised to hear Hotaru-sama had a child," he began, adjusting the jacket draped over his shoulders. "I would never have pegged her as mother material."

Mirai bristled like an angry cat at those words, gripping her knees tightly. "I'm sure that given the opportunity she would've been a great mom. She gave her life so I could live mine you know."

"You misunderstand," Danzō replied, taking a drink of his own. "I simply meant that it came as a surprise that such a dedicated kunoichi would give up a life of combat to raise a child."

"You mean you're mad that one of the village's greatest assets defected?"

Danzō was quiet for a moment and when he finally spoke his words sent shivers down her spine. "You are far too astute for your own good, Senju-hime."

Mirai took a sip of tea, ignoring the little voice in her head that reminded her she only had so much left in her cup and that once she was done she'd have to say something.

Fortunately he seemed content to do enough talking for the both of them for the time being. "It's rare to see orphans delve into ninja studies so early."

'Shit,' she bemoaned to herself, trying to keep a neutral expression on her face.

"It's a shame Hiruzen kept your lineage hidden from you. You could be a chuunin by now if he didn't do so." Mirai wasn't at all surprised by the fact that the Third didn't tell her, seeing as how he kept Naruto from his-

Speaking of which…

When she thought about it, she didn't remember ever seeing Naruto in the village. Almost six years yet no sign of the endearingly hyperactive jinchuuriki. She hoped her existence hadn't caused such a violent ripple effect that he hadn't even been born or something along those lines.

Tucking a strand of damp brown hair behind her ear she finally responded with a rather snippy, "What do you want?"

"I wish to train you."

Mirai was grateful she'd swallowed the remainder of her tea before he said that otherwise he'd be wearing it.

"I already have a mentor," she said almost automatically. "Maito Gai-senpai has been instructing me in chakra control techniques for the past few months."

"If I recall, your caretaker forbade you from having any contact with the man after a dismal attempt at water walking a few months ago."

She was pleased she didn't sputter for a response, instead taking a moment to gather her thoughts. She felt violated. Who knows how long his henchmen had been watching her? It made her nauseous to think about it so she stopped doing so.

"Why do you want to train me?" she finally asked, very cautious of the massive minefield she was about to walk into. "I'm nothing special. You make it sound like gold runs through my veins instead of blood just because of my last name."

"You are kin to the founder of our village, the Shodai Hokage, a shinobi revered as a god by many because of his unmatched prowess on the battlefield. Hotaru-sama was as skilled a kunoichi as her cousin, Tsunade-sama. You have potential and it would truly be an honor to help you unlock it."

Laughter and annoyance warred inside her. To her surprise (and utter horror), laughter won out.

She tipped her head back, laughing so uncontrollably that tears began streaming down her cheeks. Several minutes had to have passed before she could get herself under control enough to realize he was addressing her.

"May I ask what you find so humorous about my proposal?"

She snapped her jaw closed so fast she swore she heard the enamel crack under the stress. Heat flooded her cheeks and her brain raced to come up with a suitable answer that wouldn't wind up with her meeting the business end of a kunai.

"I-I just thought it was funny that a shinobi of your high status has an interest in an orphan like me," she settled on saying, glancing down at her lap. She was grateful she hadn't gotten her hair cut that day like she'd planned as it hid her face from his gaze.

"You are hardly a nameless orphan Senju-hime. It may surprise you but your great grandfather was actually my sensei. It would be an honor to be able to pass on what he had taught me to you."

'Like you even know what honor is,' she thought scathingly to herself.

"But I'm starting the Academy soon. I'll be busy with that-."

"First year students only attend three days a week for the first year. You will have plenty of time to train on the side."

'So heads, you win and tails, I lose huh?' Mirai liked to think she was old and wise enough (so to speak) to recognize a Catch-22 when she was presented with one and with slumped shoulders she tentatively asked;

"Can I have some time to think about it?"

Judging by the brief look of shock that crossed his face he was just as surprised by her answer as she was. He offered her no quarter however, folding his arms into the sleeves of his jacket.

"You may have three days."

That was three more days than she thought he'd give her. She tried to smile, facial muscles twitching in vain as she tried to complete the motion but found she couldn't do it. Couldn't even attempt a fake one.

"Thank you." It almost made her physically ill to bow to the man, standing from the mat.

He stood from his own, towering over her (then again, everyone did when you were six years old. He was just much more daunting than the other adults). "I will have Tanuki see you out. Have a good evening, Mirai-hime."

She hated hearing her name come from his lips and before she could stop she heard herself say;

"Only my friends may call me as Mirai. You can address me as Senju-sama if you wish."

He didn't recoil at the vitriol in her voice. If anything he seemed more amused than irritated.

"You have your mother's spirit." Her face twisted into a scowl though she held her tongue. She wasn't about to press her luck any more than she had already. She really needed to learn how to control her emotions better if she had any hope of becoming a ninja but hey, she was technically six years old. The occasional outburst wasn't entirely unexpected.

She felt a subtle disturbance in the air around her and moments later a ninja seemingly materialized out of the shadows on the floor (when she really thought about it, he probably did materialize out of them).

"You will accompany her," he ordered the shinobi. They dipped their head lightly in a show of understanding, outstretching an arm towards her and gesturing towards the door. Mirai followed mutely behind him, waiting for him to slide the shoji door open.

"Oh, and by the way," Mirai froze in the threshold, wondering what on earth he wanted that time. "The academy doesn't teach advanced medical ninjutsu. We do."

"And who's 'We'?" she asked, even though she already knew the answer.

"You will find out should you accept my proposal. Good night, Senju-sama." He was obviously mocking her and Mirai left without another word, following the ROOT agent down the hallway and out into the rain once more.

"What about Lord Third?"

"What about him?"

"You don't think she's going to tell him?"

"I'm not worried about that. We can get, at the very least, two or three years of training in. The Yamanaka Clan won't subject her to a mind walk, she's too young and it could cause irreversible damage. Besides, under my tutelage she will learn to resist mental manipulation."

"You think she will agree?"

Danzō glanced over his shoulder at the operative behind him before turning his attention to the young girl walking from his manor with Tanuki shadowing her.

"I'm afraid she hasn't got much of a choice in the matter…"

"What are you doing Mirai?"

She didn't even look up from the map she was studying. "Debating how far away I can get from the village in the next three days."

Lee cocked a brow in confusion. "Why would you want to do that?"

"No reason."

"You were never a good liar, Mirai-chan," she winced at the accusation, folding the map closed and tucking it back into her bag.

"I was just kidding Lee. Jeez," she laughed, waving her hand dismissively. He pursed his lips, eyeing her warily before returning to his katas.

Feeling like she had dodged a bullet Mirai pulled out her notebook, flipping it open to a page she had titled 'School Supplies'. She was making a list of items she needed and had an appointment set up with Hiruzen later that day to speak with him about the so-called 'funds' she was privy to (as well as talk to him about Danzō).

"What else do I need Lee?" she called over to him. Lee glanced up from his handstand, flipping nimbly to his feet and dusting his pants off.

"What do you have so far?"

She tapped her pen against her bottom lip, "I need a new set of clothes. Well, I guess I don't really need them but I want them. Anyways, I need clothes, a beginner's set of weapons, a backpack, note-taking materials, a book on basic flower arranging-," she wrinkled her nose at the thought, "-and I don't know what else."

"You also need 'The Founding of Konoha and her Sister Countries'. The Yamanaka Clan publishes the flower book the academy requires and you can actually have my old Founding textbook. You do not use it after the first year."

"You'll help me find everything, right Lee? I don't wanna go by myself." He nodded several times with a bright, reassuring smile. She had to force down a shiver when the hairs on the back of her neck rose slightly. Ever since she found out that Danzō's goonies had been watching her she had become acutely aware of their presence.

She wondered offhandedly if she could be predisposed to being a sensor since her mother was one. Then again, it could've been because her original world didn't have chakra and she noticed it because it was so foreign to her.

She had discovered when she put some effort forth it was a breeze to search out chakra signatures and it was child's play to sense people she already knew (like Lee and Momo and Uguisu-san). It was also easy to sense others if they weren't concealing their signatures such as that ROOT agent poorly disguised as a civilian hovering around a fruit stand across the street from the orphanage…

…

God damn it…

The next morning Mirai got up extra early, wanting to be on time to her meeting with Hiruzen. She didn't have much in way of a fancy wardrobe so she settled on her nicest pair of charcoal-gray capris, a plain white undershirt, and a dark violet vest Momo-san had given her for her sixth birthday. She had even gone so far as to braid her dark hair that morning, wisps of bangs framing her face.

After scarfing down her porridge and making sure her paperwork was in order she lounged about in the front foyer, waiting for Uguisu-san to get ready.

Uguisu-san had offered to accompany her to the meeting with Hiruzen, mostly for support she figured. It did make her feel more comfortable having an adult with her though and she readily agreed.

That and it seemed like ROOT agents were scarce whenever Uguisu-san was around.

"Are you ready?" Mirai glanced up in surprise, jumping to her feet.

"Yup!" she exclaimed, seeing Uguisu-san smile warmly.

"Good. Let's get this taken care of. We have to finish shopping for your school supplies today," Uguisu-san said, ushering her out the door.

"Actually," Mirai trailed off when the matron looked over her shoulder. "I was gonna go shopping with Lee-kun."

"Lee-kun is more than welcome to join us." Mirai pursed her lips in annoyance but held her tongue, following her obediently to the Hokage Tower.

It was seven in the morning and the place was already bustling with activity. She couldn't help but flinch reflexively whenever she saw an ANBU agent vanish into the crowd. Making sure to stick close to her chaperone Mirai trailed up the stairs to the Hokage's office.

After exchanging words with the secretary operating the desk before the office the pair was ushered inside.

"Ah, Mirai-hime, Uguisu-san. I hope you're both well this morning," Hiruzen greeted them, standing from his desk. Mirai clutched her papers to her chest, feeling unusually shy all of a sudden.

"We are," Uguisu-san replied, bowing at the waist while Mirai followed suit a beat later. Once pleasantries had been exchanged they took their seats before him.

Mirai listened halfheartedly to Hiruzen explaining her rights as a clan heir and how she was considered the heiress of the Senju since Tsunade had defected. There was a decent sum of money left to the Senju name, which surprised Mirai (given Tsunade's gambling habits). She wondered if it was because she felt part of it belonged to Mirai's mother and never used it because of that…

When Uguisu-san was finishing up some paperwork to have a bit of money placed in a personal account for Mirai she suddenly blurted out;

"Who's Danzō Shimura?"

It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"Why do you ask Mirai?" Hiruzen asked softly, leaning his forearms on his desk and eyeing her wearily.

Figuring she had nothing to lose she bulldozed onwards, "He approached me two nights ago with an offer to train me."

Mirai pointedly ignored the looks of alarm exchanged between the two adults and gave a weak shrug. "I mean, I know he's on the shinobi council but that's about it. He had an ANBU agent escort me to his manor to visit with him."

"What did he ask?" It was Uguisu-san who spoke that time, turning in her chair and resting a hand on Mirai's shoulder. The motherly look she gave Mirai almost brought tears to the younger girl's eyes.

"He asked how I was and we had some tea. Kinda badmouthed my mom and then offered to train me. He said I had three days to decide which means he'll expect an answer tomorrow. I wanted to know your opinion. Should I let him train me?"

"If you-."

"Absolutely not," Uguisu-san said firmly, cutting off the Third Hokage in midsentence. "I refuse to allow that-that man to have any interaction with Mirai-chan."

Hiruzen seemed to wither at those words before straightening in his chair. "Shimura-san is a seasoned shinobi. We were teammates once upon a time and he is very knowledgeable. I have no doubt he could mold Mirai-hime into an excellent kunoichi-."

"I will not let him have her," Uguisu-san practically snarled, standing from her chair so abruptly it hit the ground with a sharp bang.

Mirai found herself unable to breathe all of a sudden. A weight had settled on her chest and she felt the sharp edge of a blade running along the curve of her throat. She glanced down, seeing blood drenching the front of her shirt and covering her hands. She was choking, drowning. So much pain and blood and I'm dying again-ohgodpleasehelpme-

"Calm yourself Uguisu," Hiruzen commanded and just like that the feeling was gone. She felt as though she had been doused with a bucket of cold water, body trembling violently as she fought the urge to vomit.

Was that what killing intent felt like…?

"Are you alright Mirai?" Her head jerked up in surprise.

"Wh-what?" she managed to croak.

"You're crying." She reached up to touch her cheek with a shaky hand, feeling tears slick on her fingers.

"I-I'm f-f-fine," she stammered through chattering teeth.

"I'm sorry," Uguisu-san murmured, dropping to her knees and enveloping the Senju in a warm embrace. "I'm so sorry Mirai-chan."

"S-s'okay," she choked out, burying her face in the side of her caretaker's neck and inhaling the faintest scent of lavender. "You didn't m-m-mean t-to."

"It is ultimately your decision Mirai," she glanced over the matron's shoulder at the Hokage. "I will tell you that your training will be rigorous and unforgiving but you will be a better shinobi for it in the long run."

"So you think I should-?"

"Mirai, no-," Uguisu-san began to say but Mirai didn't give her the chance.

"All I'm saying is-," she trailed off. She had no desire to disappear into ROOT but if the Hokage had her back perhaps there would be a lesser chance of that happening. She needed all the training she could get if she had any hope of surviving the shit-storm that was going to commence when she was a teenager. "Maybe I could train with him a few days a week. Just for a year so I understand the basics and I get up to snuff with the other clan kids."

"I don't think that's a good idea-."

"We could draw up some sort of contract, right? I mean, I could pay him to train me and everything."

"Money isn't the sort of reimbursement that man wants-." Hiruzen gave Uguisu-san a warning look.

"It's up to you. If you want Uguisu-san can help you figure out some terms and conditions to go over with Shimura-san."

Mirai nodded once before turning her attention to the matron. "Will you help me Uguisu-san?"

The woman pursed her lips, clearly not onboard with the whole thing but a few moments later she sighed in defeat. "If that's what you truly want Mirai-chan then I will assist you."

"Great! So that's settled. Anything else?" Mirai asked quickly, wanting to get out of the office as soon as possible. The tension in the air was nearly palpable and suffocating.

"That should be it," Hiruzen said slowly, sitting back in his chair and shuffling through some paperwork on his desk. Mirai stood, bowing politely as she headed for the door. "Oh, if I may have a word with you Uguisu."

"Sure thing Hokage-Sama," Uguisu-san said, turning to Mirai. "I'll be out in a moment."

"Okay," she replied as the door shut in her face.

Mirai waited a moment before pressing her ear against it. The voices were muffled but she could make out most of what was being said.

"We can only keep her from him for so long. After she graduates she will be considered an adult like the rest of her peers and she will no longer be under your protection or mine."

"So long as I live she will be under my protection."

"I am grateful Mirai has someone like you in her life."

"I owe it to her mother. They look so similar, you know? If only Mirai had white hair-."

"I did see the resemblance."

"Could you tell Danzō if another of his ROOT operatives set foot on my property I will not hesitate to kill them?"

"I'll be sure to pass on the message."

"I'd appreciate it."

"Well, I won't keep you any longer. She's eavesdropping-."

Mirai flung herself onto the bench outside the office as soon as she heard those words, crossing her legs neatly just as the door opened and Uguisu-san stormed out.

"Let's go Mirai-chan. We have much to get done today and not a lot of time to do it."

"Yes ma'am."

The walk back to the orphanage was silent. Mirai figured she had pissed off Uguisu-san by saying she wanted Danzō to train her.

She wasn't that worried about being absorbed into ROOT in all honesty. That's why she was going to knit her own security blanket, to prevent that from happening. It helped having friends in high places.

She had just about reached her bedroom, intent on collecting a notebook and pen to work on a training agreement when she heard a voice say;

"He's going to use you. No one will ever find you, no one will ever go looking," Mirai froze in mid-step, looking over her shoulder uneasily at Uguisu-san.

"W-what did you say?"

"I said I'll see you shortly," Uguisu-san answered, giving her a quizzical look. "Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm great. I'll see you in a little bit," she replied shakily, waiting until Uguisu-san was out of sight before shutting her eyes and leaning against the doorframe for a moment. Several beats passed before she reopened them to narrow slits of molten gold. "Too bad Danzō doesn't realize I'm the one who'll be using him…"

Please don't hurt me. I have a good reason *cowers beneath table*. So yeah. Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed and if you didn't, I'm sorry *cringes*. Sorry for the delay as well and thanks to everyone who has favorited/followed this and special thanks to anyone who's reviewed. Ya'll are super sweet and very encouraging so thank you. Till next time.