I wake up more tired than I was when I got knocked out, and that's saying something. Light filters from stained glass windows onto my face, and I huff. Fighting off Yota's little forget me genjutsu/whatever that was, was mentally draining. Still the experience did give me some good ideas. If petals can't attack invaders, what about the tree leaves of my mindscape? If the water can boil, could it freeze and seal my memories from view? These are things to consider some other time when a headache isn't hammering the inside of my skull, though.

The room… well, it's definitely not a hospital room. That much is certain. Large and square, I am on a double bed with a dark blue blanket. The window, and the stained glass form three symbols… the Akimichi symbol in dark red, the Nara symbol in dark blue, and the Yamanaka symbol in a bronze colour. Judging by the architecture (and the fact I only really have a STRONG connection to one of those clans), I can guess where I am. It doesn't help with the confusion, though, as to WHY I am here. I wince, looking down at my arm, my right arm, the one I write with. The one that has a broken wrist. Clearly, I've BEEN to the hospital if the white caste that is now firmly on my arm is any indication. It binds it tightly, weaving between my thumb and separating it from the red of my fingers. It doesn't hurt as much as it did before, just a dull ache which the deep calm numbs to an ignorable nuisance. I am once again glad that my 'contract' provides me with 'healthcare.'

I turn my head to the side, confirming what my senses have already told me. Next to me lay a sleeping Ami, her hair a huge mess over the sheets and pillows…. Ok, this is getting weirder. I roll to the side and slip out of bed in the same clothes we had gone on our little mission in. Time to get some answers as to what I'm the hell is going on!

I tentatively open the door, poking my head out, feeling like a child sneaking out of bed… I am a child…, and I am sneaking… but only not to wake Ami! I blush at the thought. Instantly I recognize the house I come to every Thursday for dinner. Choji's house, huh?

Chojii isn't home, and neither is Choza or Natsumi-baasan… (it's a test image to how much I hate cheek punching that I refer to her as such even in my thoughts.) However, the fiery hot and rumbling hum of Yataka chakra, as well as the deep voice singing a song that is clearly a war song (the type that should never be sung around children for its more graphic depictions), assures me that Ami and I are not the only one in the house.

"Ahh! Chibi, your awake!" Yataka exclaims happily from the kitchen, not bothering to turn to me, but I bet he can see me in the corner of his eye. The smell of good food fills the air as he cooks, and I walk toward him. Even as his chakra swirls around him, it doesn't register as a threat to me. I am very comfortable around the older man.

"That smells good." I think our loud before anything else, and Yataka makes a sound of approval. Then I notice something he seems to be rubbing some vegetables and meat with some spices and oils, but it's more than that… I sense flickers… tiny little flickers of chakra flowing gently… steadily from his hand onto and INTO the food. "What are you…?" I begin to ask, furrowing my brow as Yataka laughs good naturally, a large OILY hand landing on my head absent-mindedly… great it's going to take forever to get out of my hair…

"Your sensing skills are growing," Yataka comments lightly, and I try to force my body to stay calm, only just succeeding, but my face tightens a little. "Of course, I know chibi-chan, any trained ninja around you who is observant enough would eventually notice how you react to things a little faster than others…." He reassures as though it is nothing.

"Still… I thought…" I begin to say, though, I am not actually overly surprised he noticed. Ami noticed after all though she didn't know what it was.

"I'm transfusing my chakra with the food…." He then states, changing the subject and this time, my eyes DO widen. "Adds a bit of a kick and boosts the effect of the food in the body." Yataka adds as an afterthought to his explanation.

"That's… wow." I say a little in awe because what exactly does the chakra affect in the food? What is the transfusion ratio? Many, MANY questions swirl around my head as I think about this… what else can be transfused with chakra?

"Want to learn?" He asks, a playful smirk on his face, and I nod instantly. "Alright then, since we're cooking, go wash your hands and roll up your sleeves." Yataka says a habit, no doubt, since I am wearing a short sleeve t-shirt. Still, I don't point this out quickly rushing to the sink. This is amazing!

"Ok… done, so what do I do, Yataka-san?" I ask, holding up my slightly damp uninjured hand, a twinkle in my eye. He moves me closer to the relatively large counter, his foot shifting a small stool with I begrudgingly step on as he lays some vegetables in front of me.

"It takes practice, so don't worry if you don't get it right away." He adds, and I nod. That's fine. It really is. "Focus your chakra on your hands… it's like you are releasing it but spread it out and imagine it mixing into the food like ink and water. Hold it steady and slow… too much, and the food will burn." He is strict, and clearly, this isn't the first time he is teaching this. It might be a test, but at the moment, I don't care. This is too good an opportunity to pass up. I do as he instructs, closing my eyes and focusing inward, nudging the chakras out in a mist-like fashion but only through the palm of my hands. It takes a few tries, my chakra begrudgingly not wanting to comply and wanting to really release everywhere instead. Still, I stubbornly keep at it until the notification arrives, puzzling me thoroughly.

Energy Transfusion Expertise level 1 (unadvised)

The ability to mix energies with other things. Current energy you have access to (chakra). Increase in overall control 2% per level. Decrease in chakra cost 0.01% per level. Transfusion assimilation without waste 0.333…% per level. Current ability 2% control, -0.01% chakra cost, current assimilation 0.333…% of energy.

I feel a slight burning in my skin and stop hissing a little between clenched teeth. Chakra burns…? But why…

Yataka reaches out, taking my uninjured hand with his own apology written all over his face. "Sorry… I…" He begins to say and stops a look of foolishness present. "I'll teach you that when you're older." He smiles at me lightly. That is new… the burns…

He takes me over to the bathroom, taking out a first aid kit, grumbling about how he had no way explain this. I ignore him in favour of thinking. The skill says 'unadvised,' but it also is a second-tier level skill… so it has a precursor skill. Yataka says I was supposed to release energy… seems a lot like 'energy flaring' to me.

Energy Flaring Proficiency level 1

The ability to flare your chakra outwards to alert others to your location or flush your chakra system to release a genjutsu. With high skilled sensors can coat surroundings in a thicker chakra/energy for various uses. (Current available energies to flare chakra) Range and thickness of flare increases per level, thick chakra range increases by 0.2m. Chances of breaking genjutsu increases per level. Cost 100-300 chakra depending on how large the flare. Current chakra coating range 0.2m

Yes, these skills seem similar. My guess is I unlocked a second-stage skill without mastering the first stage, which is why it isn't working. Yes, that makes sense.

You have gained 1 INT!

That pretty much confirms it, too… ok now that that is settled no better time to ask my other non-chakra-related questions. The thought of Yota… gone makes a deep sadness fill my chest, and a deep calm rises to suppress it from my features. I'm not supposed to remember him. Given I am not being interrogated in any form, they probably know so too.

"Why did I wake up here?" I ask as Yataka finishes with my small burn. It should heal soon.

"You got hurt, Chibi." Yataka says, gesturing to my cast-covered arm. "Choza-kun didn't want you to be alone while recovering, so you'll be staying here for a week or two," Yataka answers and I nod. I guess that is reasonable given that I've been an active part of Chojii and, by extension, his family's life. Still, I can't help but chew on my lip a little, thinking of how Koharu will respond to this. She'll probably want me as a spy even more. I don't see why she seems so obsessed with learning the secrets of the Akimichi clan. There doesn't seem to really be many but maybe for the council? The votes? I guess that in itself is worth it. But I won't be a pawn… so to solve this. I'll have to do something drastic.