Chapter 10: New Way of Life

Eight years ago, Lekali's P.O.V.

Everything happened so fast. There was a loud scuffling noise at what I assumed to be the door, and people shouting.

This is a hospital! Can't they ever be quiet!

The woman from before rushes over to my bed and tries to make me lie down, I don't want to, I resist. She grabs my shoulders and forcefully pushes me back into bed, her voice frightening.

"Lie down! This is for your own good little bird!"

Her sudden change in disposition terrifies me and I lie still staring up as they all chatter around me.

"Just call me "Obaasan" my little bird."

No! Don't call me that!

Days turn to weeks, weeks turn to months and I'm still in the hospital. But I've been moved from the critical ward and now live where the patients who can never leave reside. This doesn't make me feel any better about my situation. I've made myself a promise though. I'm getting out of here and back to the academy. But I've been blind for three months now and none of the doctors can figure out why, that puts a damper on my plans.

I know its Taka's fault but she won't tell me what she did. Every time I slip into a half-sleep I can go to the "Seal World", as I call it. It's still dark and foggy but it's the one place I can see. Now I can quickly find the gate but Taka never wants to talk to me. She's changed and I wonder why. I usually visit her when I'm supposed to be resting and Obaasan thinks I am. You have to do everything she says if you want her to stay sweet. I'm like her obsession; she's constantly with me, as annoying as it is she's been teaching me things.

First she taught me how to use a walking stick. You hold it at an angle with the rounded end on the ground. Then you walk forward sweeping the ground in front of you like radar. Once I got the hang of this Obaasan let me go out to the gardens in back of the hospital. Though I can't see the flowers the fresh air is nice. Occasionally I'm allowed to sit alone under an old tree in the corner of the garden if I do well in my studies. Obaasan has been teaching me something that's called Braille, reading little bumps with your fingertips isn't as easy as it sounds.

Normally I use my earned alone time to practice with my chakra. I can't do any jutsus here at the hospital but I know I must have fallen greatly behind at the academy. When I go back I need to be ready to catch up quickly. But even so I need to be careful that Obaasan doesn't catch me. I rather not be scolded like that again, she has something against ninjas for some reason. She especially gets moody when Iruka sensei's friend visits. He doesn't come often but I guess he feels obligated.