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Chapter 2 - Cookies

Age 4

'This sucks,' I thought sullenly.

I had been trying to get leaves to stick to me with chakra for the past 4 hours. It wasn't going so well, considering I had more chakra than most my age.

It certainly didn't help that it was a hot summer day; the heat was sweltering even in the shade!

"It should be illegal for this to be so hard," I grumbled under my breath, rubbing sweat off my face.

"Keep practicing," my father responded evenly. He had been staring at me the entire time I had been practicing too. It made me wonder if he could sleep with his eyes open or something (because watching fail at sticking leaves to myself for 4 hours had to be boring as all hell); it wouldn't surprise me to be honest.

I would have complained more, but I knew he wouldn't take that too well. I sighed and continued.

"She's been practicing for four hours, Madara. She's just a child, so give her a break already" my mother said walking up to us, her red hair in a high ponytail.

'Yes! Mom to the rescue!' I thought excitedly.

"She has to learn, Mio," he replied, leaving no room for argument...for most people anyway, but my mother wasn't most people.

She was an Uzumaki woman. It was her way or the highway, mighty Uchiha warlord be damned.

"Give her a break," my mother repeated, her eyes narrowed.

Madara looked ready to retort, but then sighed. "Fine. She gets a two hour break, but then I expect her to come back and finish this exercise."

"Thanks Dad! I'll get it right after I get back from my break!" I chirped, taking my mother's hand and following her back inside.

"Let's bake cookies!" my mother told me cheerily, pushing some of her vibrant red hair from her face.

"Okay!"

"Great!" She then proceeded to drag me along, chatting animatedly with me. She reminded me of a kid sometimes. My mother was very kindhearted, lively, and playful. It was almost impossible to dislike her; her chakra in particular always filled me with warmth. It reminded me of field of wildflowers in the spring, vibrant and so alive.

Sure, she had the classic Uzumaki temper, but I still wished I could be more like her.

"Hey, are you listening to me?"

I smiled brightly at her.

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