Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Just Haine.

Hi readers! I didn't think that I would get a review! Thank you very much. You don't know how happy that made me! Flowers bloomed everywhere...

Thanks, really.

Well, this is the first chapter. I'm trying to make babyhood interesting but I have no good ideas. Just wanted to introduce the people that are going to be a major part for Haine's attitude later in the story. And her living arrangements of course. Well, sort of.

Anyways, please enjoy!


-linesaremeanttobeskippeddon'tyouagree?-


My first thought was wrong.

At first, when I woke up again in a bed this time with no cloth constraining my now infantile body, I thought that Uzumaki Kushina was my new mother. She was the only woman I could see for miles and she was the first person that I saw in this condition of mine.

If you could even call it condition.

Of course that thought burned in flames the split second that it was made because that isn't possible since her son was Naruto.

And Naruto was a boy.

And I'm certainly not of the male gender.

My second thought was that she was a babysitter. I knew that Genin in Konoha take on such missions all the time. By the look of things however, Kushina was a jounin, given that she looks like she's in her 20's. I doubt that the Hokage would spare a capable and skilled jounin from active duty just to babysit a newborn.

My third thought was starting from a sibling or cousin before I felt a person's weight dip the bed I was on. That thought ended with an abrupt no way from me.

I looked up and narrowed my eyes mentally at the male. I didn't recognize him from the characters in Naruto. With his short black hair, narrowly-shaped eyes and pale skin, he could be a Nara, an Uchiha, or a civilian.

Then he met his gaze with mine and my heart stopped.

Somehow, his eyes were…familiar.

"dolob hgneou sh'tat seuges I."

Huh? Where did that come from?

I was shaken out of my daze when Kushina approached him and handed him a cup. They conversed among themselves, using terms that I didn't understand. Having watched a lot of anime growing up, I'm confident with my Japanese vocabulary, even if I didn't really take an interest in actively learning it. However, it seems that even if I did understand a bit, they would either talk too fast or too quietly for my ears to catch up with what they're saying.

The man looked at me once again with his black, pupil-less eyes. Haine, he said. Kushina followed his gaze and nodded. "Yes, her name is Haine."

I could feel the confusion that immediately replaced the indifference in the man's expression.

But more importantly – if I interpreted Kushina's words correctly…then my name is…Haine?

Hai as in Yes? Or is it a Hai as in Ash? Then completing it with a ne?

Hai nan desu ne?

In the corner of my eye, I saw Kushina get a baby bottle from the table. I could feel my face whiten at the notion. She couldn't be doing what I thought she'd be doing, right?

She approached.

I turned my head left and right in an attempt to say no. She looked at me in confusion first before pushing that bottle towards my poor mouth.

I began to hate the beverage they called milk after that.


As an infant, I couldn't really see the outside world without anyone carrying me outside. And Kushina didn't really like me outside. The one time she took me out, I nearly fell off her arms in an attempt to see the village clearly.

I was curious. And I don't really control myself when my inquisitive habits take over me. Now that I could see clearly, I was awed by how different the buildings were compared to my previous life.

And there was also the infamous Hokage Mountain. Minato's face was slowly being carved there. It made me feel giddy – an unfamiliar emotion.

I knew that Naruto's structures were more on the ancient side than ours but seeing it personally rather than on television was...exhilarating. I wanted to touch the cement. Really, I did just to see if it felt different too but Kushina reeled me in her arms and promptly returned us to my house.

Oh, forgot to mention it didn't I? It seems that Kushina is my babysitter of sorts. My second assumption was correct. I mean, I couldn't see my new parents anywhere and I couldn't possibly be Kushina's child because she was pregnant - yes, now I could tell with her subtly bulging stomach - and kunoichi don't have stomach that big - with Naruto and I was just recently born. Having no parents at all wasn't a problem for me. In my previous life, they were so overbearing I found it difficult to even have private time for myself so this change is a bit of a relief.

Over the course of one month - or so I guess since I couldn't really keep track of the days because all I do was sleep and eat - that black haired man I saw last time visited us occasionally. Although he refused to carry me whenever Kushina offered.

I finally got a name for him. I think his name is probably Honda. Or maybe it's a surname but that's what Kushina is calling him all the time.

I didn't like him –w hich was weird because I wasn't really used to disliking people. If they didn't bother me, then I won't bother with them. If they didn't like me, who really cares? They just have to make sure they don't make fun of me or I would go directly to the principal and my father. If they liked me, then all the better. No conflicts and no trouble. Peaceful is my middle name.

The man brought us gifts. More often than not it was a new book added to a small blue bookshelf that I guess was for me. The first row was about full right now with twenty six books. The books that the man added were placed on the right side while the others which were already there were on the left. I couldn't understand the logic behind this but I guessed that it was to differentiate the new ones from the old.

He didn't really talk much, letting Kushina guide the conversation. Which didn't really help me improve my understanding of the language. Honestly, even if I have a clue of what they're saying I can't piece it together enough to know what they're talking about.

He just went in the room, placed a gift on the table, finished the tea that Kushina served him and squeezed my hand before leaving. He never stayed for more than thirty minutes.

It unnerved me. The indifference he possessed towards me. Even in my last life I hadn't been treated with such a degree of indifference. At most I was forgotten and ignored.

He could be my father for all I know. He definitely looked old enough in shinobi standards.

Kushina was kind - although she got really loud with her movements for a kunoichi her standing. She wakes me even with the slightest dip of the bed, and doesn't even say sorry when she does! The most I can do is to attempt to bite her skin off her hand when she picks e up to show her my spite.

So she often just lays a futon beside the bed. I felt guilty and awed at her poor solution but I couldn't help it. It's not like I could say that she could just buy me a crib so she could sleep on the bed. I certainly didn't want to annoy her anyway. I do that all the time, with my baby habits and all.

She wasn't like I imagined her in the anime. I thought she would be like Naruto, reckless in everything and all that. Sure she was clumsy with everything she did at first, like changing my diapers for example which reminded me that I needed to grow up - and fast.

One evening, I was lounging on my bed, looking at the ceiling with nothing to do except to just roll my body over and over without falling off. It was a good exercise, especially when I need to strengthen my muscles.

Then it happened. I heard something in the living room fall down or collapse. It wasn't a loud sound, but it did catch my attention. Kushina is in the kitchen right now, attending to her dinner and mine, but something could have happened to her in the living room.

I started crawling slowly to the door after the life and death risky slide I made from the bed. It was open, probably because Kushina didn't want to not hear anything if I did decide to roll off the bed without her eyes on me and possible kill me.

Pushing the door to open wider with my feeble strength, I peeked outside for a second.

Then I brought my head back as soon as I stuck it out. Okay, so maybe I'm a bit more nervous about going out of the room than I thought I would be. It's not my fault, I know. I would expect anyone, if they spent a long time with only one person with the occasional few with them inside a room with not even a single window leading to the outside, to develop some kind of phobia.

Summoning up my courage, closing my eyes, and slapping my face for thinking of even being scared of a room of all things, I stepped one foot out the door, and another and another.

I opened my eyes.

I was greeted with the sight of the living room. Amazed at how homey it looked and felt, I looked around more, marvelling at how bright it suddenly was.

Then I heard sounds.

My eyes narrowed and my brain began to work. I could hear Kushina's voice - well, more like grunts really but it was different from her grunts when she couldn't lift something up or when she hit the edge of the table with her side since she wasn't looking. It sounded like a...

I felt heat creeping up my neck but pushed it down. Surely there was a more logical reason as to why her grunts didn't' sound the same. It's not like all grunts sounded the same.

Then I heard another grunt and my face went from cherry to ashen white. In my adrenaline and anger - how dare they! - I pushed myself up and stumbled to the front of the couch where I could now see a pair, no, two pairs of feet together.

At first, I stared blankly at them. They were blatantly ignoring me. They were wrapped around each other in like an embrace but not at the same time. Oh, don't be mistaken. I'm quite familiar with this kind of situation. I've read and seen this in numerous stories and I'm not bothered in the least. But this scene I'm seeing now is different. The people I actually know, and didn't really imagine doing this kind of activity in a house with a toddler just one room away.

And then I shrieked, effectively snapping them out from whatever work they immersed themselves in.

I watched as my babysitter whom I now saw as an aunt turn pale and the wretched yellow haired, blue eyed Hokage's cheeks burn. I turned my glare at him and purposefully climbed their knees once step at a time.

Kushina pulled away from Minato and hoisted me up from under my arms before I started trashing around, my feet kicking everywhere they could reach. I almost kicked her growing stomach and froze for a second before directing my kicks now on her face and with a growl, she dropped me on Minato's blue clad lap, earning an approving nod from me.

Just where I wanted to go.

I looked up at a frantic Minato who it seems couldn't decide who to look at if his flitting blue eyes were any indication. An embarrassed and angry girlfriend or a seemingly just as angry toddler. Really, it isn't that hard to choose.

My lips stretched upwards into a length which shouldn't have been possible and dragged out all that I had in my Japanese vocabulary. "You kiss her?" I asked in a shy, almost childish voice. It would've convinced them if not for the words that left my mouth. Those words shouldn't have been known by a seven month old toddler.

With a slack jaw and wide, almost fearful eyes, Minato nodded.

If possible, my smile stretched further for one more second before my eyes shaped into daggers. I jumped up, hovering over his face for a second with my fingers pointed and ready to draw blood before landing down on him and poking his eyes relentlessly. "TEME!"

And I ended up on the bad baby corner where I couldn't reach my toys for the rest of the night while I watched Kushina fuss over and scold Minato simultaneously.

Of course, when she remembered that I had walked for the first time and uttered my first sentence, she kissed me all over my cheek and I got to watch the irritating leader of the village scrunch his eyebrows in confused jealousy.

I almost felt sorry for him.

And that put a good mood on me for the rest of the week. Well until Kushina decided that we were to move to their new house anyway.

On the first day when I received my new room, I spilled Minato's coffee all over his face, got him to change my diaper, hurled on his shirt and slapped his face when he tried to kiss Kushina for good measure.

Ha. Take that, you girly-boy.

How dare you try and take Kushina.

I turned my head to the side.

No way.


"Come on, Han-chan. Please drink this. It tastes good and it makes you feel better!"

She turned the thing to my mouth and I grimaced, turning my head to the other side with a scowl, cursing at the onslaught of striking pain the move caused to my head.

Kushina sighed, placing the spoon filled with that thing to the side. "What am I ever going to do with you?"

I glared at her and clutched a book to my chest as an attempt to make her hesitate. She didn't want to accidentally dirty my book after all. I would be insufferable if she did so.

"No drink," I hissed, glaring at the yellowish green liquid on the cool metal of the spoon. Even the color made me sick.

The red haired woman threw up her hands in the air. "You are so stubborn! I liked you better when you listened to everything I said! I hope Naruto won't be like you," she started rubbing her stomach.

She was now at eight months, the number hanging on my shoulders like chains. In less than a month, Kyuubi would come, and I will lose Kushina. That sent up shiver up my spine. I don't want to think about that now.

So instead I threw it off my mind and went on my daily life. I'm now physically eleven months old. And my mind is slowly reverting to the mind of one. It unnerved me, how childish I seem to be these days. I'm guessing that I'm at ten years old now.

"Naruto, stupid name. Stupid Kushina."

Kushina scowled, the simple action marring her face. Kushina was one of the girls who looked their best when they were angry – which was most of the time. I'm surprised I'm still alive after living with her for such a long time.

"It so is not stupid! It comes from Jiraiya-sama's book!"

Well, I certainly knew that. Still doesn't mean that I can't tease her for it.

I grimaced, thinking of the white-haired old man who whisked Minato away once when the blond haired Hokage was trying to feed me without his hand getting bitten clean off.

Jiraiya is one great character and shinobi. It's just that his hobby doesn't really sit so well with me.

"Who? Stupid old man?" I asked with a confused frown. I only met him once, and that moment lasted for only ten seconds. I shouldn't know him by Kushina or anyone's knowledge.

She scowled and waved her forefinger at me. "That's not right, Han-chan. You can't say that about an elder!" she protested. I was about to accept her retort and answer back but stopped and raised a brow at her. There had to be more of what she had to say.

Then Kushina's lips stretched wide. "But he really is a stupid old man, isn't he?" she chirped, laughing good naturedly.

"Yeah, yeah!"

"There has to be something wrong about this scene than how I'm looking at it," a voice commented dryly. It cracked and sounded awfully awkward and I found myself wondering who had to suffer the effects of the most dreaded puberty.

We both turned our heads to the door - because of course, my room was made void of windows the moment they decided it would be my room - and spotted a very familiar looking white-haired jounin. With the mask on, of course.

I very nearly dropped my jaw in shock. As it was, I stared wide-eyed at him. I didn't expect Kakashi-freaking-Hatake to drop by during my time with Kushina at all.

I stared.

He was clad in ANBU garb. This meant that he was still the Kakashi who went on suicidal missions every time he came back to the village.

His eyes strayed to mine and I frowned. I don't know how I missed this in the anime but Kakashi looked cold - cold and tense, like he's expecting to be attacked.

"Kakashi! Haven't seen you in a while. How's ANBU?" Kushina started, beckoning the teen to sit on the chair across ours.

Kakashi trotted to us, but didn't sit. His eyes closed and his lips stretched into a tiny smile. "It's been fine, Kushina-san. How about you? I heard that you've been very devoted to being a housewife? Jii-san at Ichiraku says that he's been missing his best customer."

He eyed me like I was something foreign. I didn't like it.

I clutched Kushina's pinky finger and hid behind her hand before pointing at Kakashi. "White hair guy old man?" Holy crap, this act better work.

Kakashi raised a brow. "My hair is not white. I'm not an old man either," he retorted before sighing.

"Anyway, Minato-sensei is calling for you, Kushina-san."

Kushina was called? Why? The woman voiced my question.

Kakashi ruffled his hair. "It's about that," he responded, looking away.

That? I blinked and looked at the direction his eyes were facing. But he was only looking at the wall. Why would Kushina be called just because of a wall? Is there a seal or something that Minato placed there that should be discussed with Kushina? Or is it because of the small scratch on it? I just wanted to play with Kushina's kunai! I didn't mean to scratch it! I was actually trying to put a dent in it. It's not my fault!

I watched as Kushina's eyes darkened. She bowed her head and took a breath before smiling. "Alright. I'll go now. Kakashi-kun, can you watch Han-chan for me?"

Kakashi nodded. "Just go," he agreed dryly earning a smack to the head from Kushina.

"Rude! I'm going to tell Minato!" she stuck out her tongue and stomped out of the room.

The silver-haired ANBU sighed. "Kushina-san can be so childish sometimes…" He looked at me. "Perhaps it's partly your fault?" he asked before shaking his head.

I mentally gaped at him. He thinks that Kushina acts so childish because she almost always spends her time with me? What is with that reasoning?

"What's your name again?" he questioned, eyeing me.

I opened my mouth to respond before closing it again. How should I response? I know Kakashi as a character. He's an extremely perceptive character even in his young age right now. He didn't make jounin by thirteen for nothing. Should I hold back my speech like I did earlier? Would that be the correct way? Or should I respond normally? Kakashi was an intelligent child in his childhood. Maybe he remembers how he spoke back then?

However, I am an eleven month old. Better to stick to the lesser one then.

I forced my lips to form a grin. "Hai-ne! Han-chan is okay too, Kashi," I responded. Ugh, this type of act is getting pretty tiring. I wish I grow up quickly.

Kakashi raised a brow. "You know my name?"

"I hear Kushina say name," I responded, tilting my head for the added effect. This should be fine, right?

The shinobi raised both brows. "You're able to distinguish what is being verbally spoken?"

I nodded happily.

His eyes twitched and with a smile, he brought out a paper from his pouch and opened it up in front of me. "Please read this for me, Haine," he asked, his lips stretching to a smile which didn't really suit him.

I looked at him. Strange. He didn't smile at all before. What's with that smile now? I narrowed my eyes at him for a bit before looking down to see the contents of the paper. I blinked. He's making me read kanji? Why would he make me read kanji? It's not like I couldn't read the words, in fact they were words that I've recently learned.

I looked back up at Kakashi before looking down again with a snap of my neck. What was up with that smile? He's planning something. I looked back at the responses I gave him. I don't think that I said anything that would have sparked suspicion or wonder in him aside from the fact that I could understand what they're saying. However, that's normal isn't it? Kushina has been teaching me more about the language the more I showed her I had an interest in the books Honda often left for me.

I mentally sighed. I should just read it to get this all over with. Besides, I still have to question him about Kushina.

"Genin are sanctioned shinobi. They are precious diamonds in the rough," I read aloud, still wondering why he wanted me to read it…what? Why is he looking at me like that?

Kakashi ran his palm over his face and sighed. "Kushina-san…you are a terrifying babysitter…" he lamented, wonder and awe staining his voice.

What is he so stricken about? Either way, it's none of my business. I should really ask about Kushina.

"Kashi, why they call Kushina?" I asked, walking over to the small chair that Kushina bought for me when I complained about the lack of chairs in my room. I mean, I could only sit with my legs crossed or with them folded under me. That seriously makes it hard to read without even a table.

He looked at me from the corner of his eye. "Why are you asking about it? Eleven month old brats shouldn't put their noses in an adult's business."

I blinked. Why is he getting on the offensive? I smiled. "Kushina is mine. I ask, you answer. Got it?" I responded, narrowing my eyes at him the slightest bit. He will answer. I have to know.

He looked at me for a moment before sighing. "Truly a terrifying babysitter… I guess it wouldn't hurt to tell you, brat. It's because Kushina-san is the jinchūriki of the Kyuubi and Naruto is about to be born soon. During a female jinchūriki's pregnancy, the energy used to maintain the seal has to be redirected to the growing child in her womb — whether consciously done or not. As a result, the seal used on the beast weakens in direct proportion, and as such special preparations have to be made when a female jinchūriki is about to give birth as the seal may break entirely," he spoke.

I blinked. What? He spoke too fast I couldn't understand half of what he was saying. But I clearly heard jinchuriki and the Kyuubi there. Which meant that Kushina was called because of the concern for her seal during childbirth.

I pouted. He should have said that in much simpler terms. "I don't get it."

He looked at me for a moment longer. "Oh really?"

I nodded.

"I see. Then, what were you doing with Kushina before I came here?"

I grimaced, looking at the spoon still filled with the abomination of a food. No way am I telling him that. I looked up and my face fell when I could see the knowing look on his face. Ugh. I just told him by my action.

"Don't care about that! Haine wants to ask more! Kashi answer!" Divert. Divert the attention. Just do anything but get his attention away from that!

Kakashi looked at me with wonder. "Maybe or maybe not…"


"Where you going?" I asked, watching as Kushina pulled on her sandals. She's been leaving for an increased frequency this week. I know that she and Minato are preparing for the Kyuubi's seal but…I have no one with me in the house!

I'm sure I'm safe in Minato's home. But it's quite mind numbing to spend my time staring at the ceiling when I can move and do something independently…which aren't something I don't really feel like doing without anyone in the room.

I suppose I can read but…I looked at the collection of books Honda gave me. I've already read all of them.

She looked at me and chuckled. "Just to Minato. Do you want me to send Kakashi in here again? You two have been getting along. And here I thought you had a hatred for males."

Given that I beat Minato on a daily basis to the point that the man has given up on making peace with me, it can't be helped that she would make that assumption.

Then she wore a thoughtful expression. "I know! I'll take you with me to Minato!"

My jaw fell. What? She's going to take me with her. She's going outside. She's going to take me outside. I'm going outside. Outside where other people flock and walk around without a care in the world.

"Come on, Han-chan," Kushina cooed, carrying me in her arms as I struggled.

"After you lock me in here for almost a year, you're bringing me outside? No! I don't want to!"

Kushina blinked, wide-eyed. "That's rare… I thought you didn't use baby talk anymore, Han-chan?" she whispered, leaning towards me in wonder.

I palmed my forehead. Oh, I spoke that in English. Whatever. I'm still not going. I turned my back to her in rejection. I am not going.

Kushina turned silent for a moment before she heaved a sigh. I glanced at her. She was looking upwards, like she was thinking of something with a determined look on her face. Her expression made me tense up. What is with that?

"Hey, Han-chan…can you wish me luck?" she asked. I heard her step towards me before her arms wrapped around me, her palm facing me.

I stared at her palm in confusion. What?

"You know, I'm going to do something really troublesome soon. It's troublesome but…if I don't do it, a miracle…my miracle won't happen. So can you wish me luck?" she muttered quietly, softly, so unlike the usual Kushina.

She grabbed my finger and traced the word, human on her palm. My eyes widened. I know of this. It's like a spell to ward off nervousness. Why…?

"Now you do it."

"Why should Haine do it? Kushina do it on her own."

The red-hiared chuckled. "I know but I want you to do it. Can you do it for me?"

I furrowed my brows. Something is definitely not right.

"Something bad happen?"

Kushina groaned. "Just do it, already! It's such a simple thing!"

I suppose that her soft mood didn't last long after all. I looked at her palm. Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to wish her luck. I did what she said I had to do and lastly, smacked her palm. She chuckled and swallowed up the word.

My own perception of this spell is a bit disturbing to me. When you write the word human in your palm and swallow it, does it mean that you should destroy other people just so you will be able to do what you want? Does it mean that you shouldn't care about others?

Huh? I think I'm getting confused too.

Kushina stood up. "Now that's done and over with, I hope you'll be able to go outside by yourself someday, Han-chan. Your fear is ludicrous," she laughed as I glared at her.

It is so not ridiculous! It's perfectly reasonable! Who knows what will happen to me outside there! So many people, all walking around like they own the world! And I'm only an eleven month old toddler. What if they kidnap me! I can't even defend myself! And what about the sun! The burning sun that will burn my skin and make me look red and ugly and un-adorable. No way. I am not going outside.

"Your tendency to blank out when thinking will endanger you in the future, Han-chan. I'm sure of it." I heard Kushina's voice comment, making me blink as her face filled my sight.

I frowned and pushed her back. "Kushina leave."

She chuckled as I pushed her out of the door. "Leave!"

"Alright, alright! There's some bread on the table and your milk is in the fridge. Make sure you eat."

"Okay!" As if I'm drinking that abomination of a drink. Who does she think I am?

"Bye, bye, Han-chan! I love you!" she yelled out as I closed the door.

Ugh. Why did she have to say that? I felt my cheeks heat up. I'm still not used in hearing those words. I shook my head. No time to think about that!

I turned my gaze slowly at the table and my eyes gleamed. Bread!

I noticed a black blur from the corner and turned my head to look. But there was nothing. Oh well, I bet it's some ANBU again. More importantly, my bread!


Kushina opened the door and closed it. The room got even more silent as only Kushina's footsteps were heard as she walked forwards only to stop in front of Minato's table.

Minato, the Sandaime and his wife, Jiraiya the Sannin and Kushina looked at each other briefly.

"Are the preparations complete?" Kushina asked, rubbing her stomach gently. She had to do this.

Biwako, the Sandaime's wife nodded mutely. Kushina clenched her fist. She could do this. Failure wasn't an option. For herself and Naruto's sake.

"Don't worry, Kushina. All will go according to plan," Minato assured her, smiling at his wife. Kushina smile back. She sure hoped so.

"What about her?" Hiruzen griped, looking at Kushina with those all-knowing eyes that made Kushina momentarily forget of the old man's usual kind nature.

Her lips formed a tight line. "She's doing fine, her growth is as expected. There won't be any problems in the near future. Although her literacy is…quite unexpected," she reported. As many times as she did it during the past eleven months, it was ridiculous that she still wasn't used to it.

Hiruzen blew on his pipe. "Well…that isn't really that surprising…"

"She is Uzumaki Mito's reincarnation after all."


I can guess how many of you will be shocked about this.

All I can say is that I still have plans and with the way I write, I'm extremely sure that no one will expect what I'm going to dish out - unless someone is really smart and used to this kind of stuff.

Please tell me your thoughts on the chapter by reviewing! I really appreciate your reviews!

By the way, this was originally chapter one and two but I joined them together with a few editing here and there since they had the same point that I wanted to make. I'm gonna do the same with the remaining chapters.

EDITED: March 29, 2013