Honestly think the song is Ko's theme song lol hope you guys like it :)

Only a couple days have passed, and I spent most of the time training. No matter what I do, it didn't feel like enough. I've learned so many new things and yet I still felt weak. Surprisingly, Kisame had reached out to me saying it was rare that a newbie fought a powerful Jinchuuriki and lived which helped a little. He had to leave a while ago to seal the Eight Tails which I was a bit nervous about since it was a fake.

Suddenly, I felt Sasuke's presence coming towards me making me guess he was bored of waiting around for Suigetsu and Jugo to heal.

"I have a question for you," I spoke up once Sasuke was close enough. "Why are you planning to attack the Leaf?"

I turned to face him seeing his blank expression. He was silent for a few moments before answering. "They're responsible for the murder of my clan." He answered but I wanted him to elaborate more.

"Kinda need more of an explanation." I said motioning for him to continue.

He let out an annoyed sigh before reiterating what Madara had told him which did surprise me. I knew Father spoke ill of the village but to go so far and have a child choose between his village and his clan? That's deplorable. I did understand why the elders had done it but to have Itachi be the one, it was unnecessary.

"If you once again want revenge, why get the whole village involved? Just target the elders. You need a plan also; you can't just rush in there when you don't know where the elders are. While you're trying to find them, every shinobi will be after you." I reasoned knowing he hasn't thought this whole thing through.

"That's why I have you to guide me." He replied making me snort.

"Nope, I'm not getting involved with the Leaf; I did enough damage. Revenge is not my thing and I don't want any part of it." I said hoping he wouldn't press farther but knowing Sasuke, he doesn't like being told no.

"You're part of Taka and you will help!" He shouted with anger flashing his new sharingan.

"I never agreed to join. I needed protection and I found it. You can't scare me like the others. I'm done taking orders." I said taking a few steps forward.

I could tell he was angry but didn't say a word. He only turned on his heel returning to the base. I've noticed that his personality has changed since I transferred Itachi's eyes into his. He has grown colder and is letting his revenge take over. He's been lashing out more instead of remaining calm. I let out a sigh as I created a dozen clones making them attack me simultaneously.

I tried without using my Subete Miru but it was getting difficult. As I was fighting off six, the others were hidden throwing weapons landing every hit or grazing my skin. I gave in and had to use my Subete Miru. Using my summoning tattoos, I summoned several kunai into my left hand. I threw four towards the clones hiding in the brush hitting three while the other deflected it. Using the one kunai left, I stabbed the leg of a clone who attempted to kick my stomach. She disappeared while the other five worked together landing a hit to my chest making me step back into another behind me.

I ducked avoiding her kunai and swiped my legs under her causing her to fall. I managed to stab her then roll on the ground dodging a kunai. With the help of my eyes, I was able to dodge the remaining attacks and kill my clones. I set on the ground catching my breath and looked up at the sky.

"I wonder how the Leaf is doing." I thought as I started playing with the grass beneath me like I use to do as a child. "I gave them enough time to prepare so hopefully they put it to good use. I can't believe Naruto defeated the guy with the Rinnegan. I guess I was wrong about him; he is a good ninja." Then an image of Kankuro flashed through her mind. "I hope Kitty's alright. I haven't seen him since before the explosion." Just thinking about him made my heart flutter making me feel uncomfortable.

I got up shaking the feeling away and went back to the base. When I arrived, I noticed Jugo was back to his adult self but Suigetsu wasn't with the others.

"Is Suigetsu still recovering?" I questioned Karin who was brushing her long hair.

"Sasuke was about to check on him." She answered.

I looked over towards Sasuke who was close to the door then walked past him. "I'll get him." I said as I bumped his shoulder which I knew set a fuse.

When I got down to the basement where Suigetsu was recovering, I could see his head emerge from the water.

"Ko! So glad to see you." He cheered. "I was starting to think you guys forgot about me."

I went up to the control panel releasing him from the watery chamber. The water filled the room as it released a bare Suigetsu. He got up with no shame not even bothering to cover himself.

"Can I just say how awesome you were with that rapper guy?" He complimented stepping closer towards me. "I could feel the blood lust radiating off you during that fight. Imagine what our powers could do together. Killing would be so much fun." He said the last part like a little kid in a toy store.

"What are you talking about?" I questioned staring directly at his face as he stepped closer.

"Why haven't we tried teaming up?" He questioned with a toothy smile.

"I don't like the sound of this,"

"Why would we?" I questioned crossing my arms and raising a brow.

He swiftly moved behind me placing his hands on my shoulders. "Since we've traveled together, I'm surprised we never got close...or ya know, hooked up."

My face turned sour at his words and shuddered when his hand moved to my arm and his finger traced the scar running down it. He turned me around to face him which was too close for comfort. He moved his other hand to my face tracing that scar also making me slap his hand away. I couldn't help but compare it to when Kitty did the same thing when he was in the hospital but it was more comforting than disturbing.

"Don't touch me," I growled flashing my glowing red eyes.

"Come on Ko, you're so beautiful and dangerous and I'm also handsome and dangerous. We should be together." He said leaning close to me.

I knew what he was trying to do so once his eyes were closed, I punched him in the face then walked away.

"Tch, that idiot." I thought feeling my anger rise. "What makes him think I'd fall for a trick like that? Trying to seduce me while he's freaking naked." I reached the top of the stairs and punched a hole in the wall. I don't know why I was so angry but I also couldn't stop thinking about Kitty. "Why do you plague my mind?" When I reached the living room, Karin tried to talk to me but I ignored her and sat on the chair behind her.

"Heh and I thought that tank was suppose to heal you," Karin snickered when Suigetsu walked in. He had a huge bruise on his cheek which started to swell.

"Yeah yeah yeah," he replied trying to ignore her.

Within seconds, Sasuke and Madara appeared in the room. Madara's gaze landed on me which I glared back at.

"Sasuke tells me you aren't joining them to the Kage Summit." He said walking towards me with chakra cuffs in hand.

"What of it?" I snapped.

Before I could react, the cuffs were already on me. I felt pain as he stabbed my shoulder right under the clavicle with a kunai twisting it into my flesh, but I didn't even flinch. I heard Suigetsu and Karin gasp at the sudden attack, but they stayed in their spot.

"Good, then you can help Kabuto with the plan while I'm out. Don't think you're getting away with letting the Hachibi go. I know you saw him escape with those eyes of yours." He growled but I wasn't fazed.

My mood had already been ruined and he made it even worse. Even without my chakra, my killing intent had been released making the members of Taka shudder besides Sasuke. My eyes flashed red as I looked into his Sharingan eye making it widen with surprise.

"How do you possess those eyes without chakra?" He questioned trying to hide his surprise.

"Courtesy of my Father." I replied. "He made sure I knew how to use them without the use of my chakra. Apparently, it's rare but not uncommon for Himuras."

He let out a frustrated sigh and released the kunai from me yanking it out with force. He gave me another glare before disappearing once again.

"Well have fun getting killed," I told the team before turning on my heel heading to where I saw Kabuto.

He was only a few miles away from the base entering a cave. I wish I could've teleported there, but these cuffs were preventing me with that luxury. It didn't take long to reach him, so I entered the cave seeing him standing over a chess board with many pieces scattered around.

"Finally decided to join the winning team?" He spoke with his back still turned to me.

"Whatever gets me out of danger," I replied attempting to cross my arms, but the chains prevented me from doing so. I walked closer to him seeing that on the chess table was a map. "What's with the map? All part of the plan?"

"You could say that" he answered finally turning to face me. "What happened to your shoulder?"

"A lesson from Madara, I'd heal it myself but," I held up my cuffed hands, "my hands are tied."

He chuckled at my comment and ruffled my hair. "Who knew you had a sense of humor."

"Just heal me," I sighed getting impatient.

"Still impatient as always," he commented as his hands started to glow green.

I peeked over his shoulder looking at the map and various figures scattered all around. "I'm guessing you're planning a strategy with those?"

"Yes, do you want to see?" He questioned once he pulled his hand away from my healed limb.

I looked up at him still grossed out by his appearance, but I still had to play nice and figure out this plan of theirs is. Kabuto had one weakness since I've known him and he actually trusts too much. He wouldn't trust an enemy but if Orochimaru trusted them, he wouldn't be suspicious; well except for Sasuke.

"Sure, that's why I'm here."

"I've researched every powerful shinobi who have passed and started to pair them up with someone they've either worked with or have compatible abilities."

I looked at all the figures surprised at the accuracy. I wondered how much free time he had here since he sculpted them.

"You should pair up Zabuza Momochi and his apprentice Haku..."

"What was his last name?" I wondered as I tried to think that far back.

"Yuuki." I finished.

"I did hear your team had a run in with them," he said with a smirk.

"Of course, that's when I used my abilities to partially resurrect Sasuke." I replied then thought of what Itachi said to me the last time. 'The Akatsuki wants you as an ally rather than an enemy. You are important enough to be considered a threat.' "How exactly am I a threat?"

"What about my Father?"

Kabuto was silent for a few moments before answering. "I can't revive him, try taking off your necklace."

"Why does he want my necklace?"

"Yeah no, I'm using it right now." I spat not wanting to give it away.

"Your chakra won't disappear; it'll stay in there."

I hesitated for a moment honestly not wanting to remove it. I had thought about it before but if I took it off, it meant he was truly gone.

" Well if it doesn't come off then he can't even unclasp it. Only Father can do it, but what if they need me for the necklace?"

"Can't take off with these cuffs Kabuto." I pointed out trying to move them.

"Of course," he sighed then swiftly moved behind me.

I felt him life the small chain kind of choking me a little. He fiddled with the clasp for a few moments before giving it up. I felt my chest flutter with happiness and felt relief that the necklace didn't come off.

"Just as I thought, he's alive somewhere. I wonder where he's been hiding." He said still standing close behind me.

Once again Father evaded death making happiness fill me. He might've spent his life looking for physical immortality, but he already discovered spiritual immortality or something like that. I knew he was living inside the curse marks. He was ejected from Sasuke's already but who else was left? Me and I think someone else.

"I think your memory is starting to get fuzzy," Kabuto commented making me confused. "I can also take this off with a seal." He said grabbing the chain choking me again but I elbowed him in the stomach making him release the chain and I jumped away.

"I got my answer now leave the chain alone." I said watching him as he recovered.

"Heh, sharp reflexes." He complimented. "I can still bring back your mother though." He said catching my attention.

"That's another reason why I joined." I replied trying to ignore the situation I was just put in. They need my necklace for some reason. I knew this was a trick but I needed to seem loyal.

"Curious to see who your mother is?" He said pushing up his glasses back to the brim of his nose.

"Who wouldn't be?" I commented.

It would be too good to be true, the Edo Tensei was made to kill. My revived Mother wouldn't her true self. Once she is summoned, she'll be a mindless killing machine just like the rest.

"Because of our past, I might make an exception for you." He spoke catching my attention.

"What do you mean?" I questioned tilting my head to the side as I eyed him.

"I won't control her, she'll have all her memories, abilities, and personality."

"What's the catch?"

"You give me your chakra. I need it to revive all these bodies."

"I can just help though," I reasoned honestly not wanting to give up my necklace for a possible broken promise. Maybe I can get something else out of this.

"Madara doesn't even trust you without cuffs. He wouldn't trust you with his main plan. You could cancel it at any time."

"So, you said my Father couldn't be a sage but what about me? Aren't you curious to see if his daughter can do it?" I said hoping he'd give into my demand.

Just by the look in his eyes I caught his attention making me inwardly smirk. "Hm, it is a hypothesis that you won't. Why are you changing the subject?"

"Bet I could prove you wrong." I gambled.

"How would you manage that?"

"Easy, I'll give you my necklace to use the chakra, even leave you a clone and you uncuff me. I'll look for that cave while you cover for me. I know Madara gave you keys since you need my chakra. Release me and put the cuffs on my clones. With no chakra, he won't tell the difference." I explained stepping closer to him.

"You thought this out well," he said with a smirk.

"I am my Father's daughter." I smiled innocently.

"Why do you want this power?"

"To be like you of course." I said knowing it caught him off guard.

"You're lying,"

"No I'm not, come on Kabuto think about it. We grew up together and I saw you more like an annoying older brother so who else was I going to look up to? You're a spy even when you were young and I became a spy just like you. Even learned medical ninjutsu from you. You've also saved my life numerous times and took care of me at the Leaf. Why wouldn't I look up to you?"

He was silent processing my words. I knew his ego was growing and had fallen for my ruse. "I'll let you go only if you give me the necklace." He gave in making me smile.

"Can you cover for me for a bit?"

"Can't keep it up for long but I'll give you time."

"I don't think he'll find you easily though. You can't find that cave, it finds you."

"I guess I should be going then." I said holding up my wrists.

He reached into his kunai pouch pulling out a key. Once the cuffs were off, I made seals releasing the chakra I needed. Kabuto then was behind me making a series of seals then unclasped the chain. It felt weird not having it on after all these years. I created a clone and went from there.

"Thank you Kabuto, for everything." I said with a smile.

"No, thank you Ko." I heard him say quietly before I disappeared. His last words made me wonder, who manipulated who?

Edited: 2/26/2021