DISCLAIMER: I own nothing from the Naruto universe but I do have an imagination of my own. If you'd like to suggest anything, including pairings, please just let me know!

Thinking

Emphasis

Biju, etc. speaking

Biju, etc. thinking

Naruto felt the familiar warm energy that was Iruka-sensei's chakra coming closer to her hospital room. She could sense the man's nerves and guessed that it was because of her injuries and for having been in the hospital for so long. She wished she could ask Kurama questions about what exactly had happened to her and what was going on, but the fuzzbutt had remained silent since just after she had woken up. He seemed to actually be sleeping, rather than feigning sleep as he was so apt to do when he wished to ignore her.

There was a quick knock on the door. "Ohayo, Uzumaki-san! I'm so relieved to see that you're finally awake. Can't have my number one student sleeping the rest of the year away, can I?" the kind teacher voiced rather nervously.

Number one student? What universe am I in? "Gomennasai, Iruka-sensei. Thank you for coming to see me. I hope I haven't inconvenienced you by forcing you to come by here today." Naruto could feel herself blushing and didn't know why it was happening, or even why she was speaking so formally. She couldn't even look up from her lap - although she still couldn't see anyway. It was just so weird to hear that nervousness in Iruka-sensei's voice, let alone hearing him B.S. about her being his best student. What was he going on about?

"Don't be silly, Uzumaki-san! I'm here to go over your lessons with you. Now don't worry: I've been briefed that you're having trouble with your eyesight, so I can read anything you need. You've always been so far ahead though; I'm sure you'll do just fine." He quickly added, "There's no reason to feel the need to stay so far ahead, however, Uzumaki-san. You've been injured, so you have to take it easy…"

"Ano, Iruka-sensei - you can just call me Naruto, you know?" Naruto said shyly with a small grin.

Iruka was taken aback. When the Uzumaki child first entered the academy he was very wary. The child contained the 9-tailed fox that had killed his parents, after all. But he was a quiet little thing that not only looked malnourished but always sat in the back corner of the room, never bothering anyone. Uzumaki never spoke unless spoken to, and always had the right answers - answering quietly and politely. Even when picked on the kid deferred to others, and eventually, he couldn't help but try to defend Naruto Uzumaki. Still, Naruto held out. It seemed to Iruka that on so many occasions the Uzumaki was worried about him and his reputation for wanting to help him. He noticed the same mannerisms regarding a few children in the class, particularly the Nara boy. Honestly, Uzumaki seemed like a little scared mouse so much of the time. Just asking to be called by his first name seemed like a big step to him.

"Maa, I'd be more than happy to call you that, Naruto-chan!" Iruka said merrily. The child gave the brightest grin he'd ever seen. "Would you like to get started?"

"Hai, sensei! Ano, sensei? I don't really remember what we were doing, or what we were studying about," Naruto told her teacher. Actually, I'm damn sure I was out of the Academy, so I am really freaking confused right now. I must have gotten hit a lot harder than I thought. She twisted her bandaged hand up into her hair. Wow, it's been a month and I still have bandages on… I hadn't even considered that before. And the bandages on my head are thick.

"Don't worry about it, Naruto-chan. Why don't we start by talking about the Hokages? Can you tell me what you know about the First Hokage?"

Well, that's a pretty easy question. She fought alongside the man - well, he was reanimated - during the war. Oh yeah, plus he got reanimated during the chunin exams by Orochimaru then, too, huh? Sucks to be him, I guess. Wait. WTF? That can't be right! "Am I in the Academy?" Naruto asked hesitantly.

Iruka chuckled. "I was told you only woke up a little while ago, hmm, Naruto-chan? No, you're still in the hospital! Forget that you're lying down in bed? Remember to check your position," he chided with amusement.

"That's not what I mean, sensei. I meant, how… how old am I?" Naru asked. There was a pause.

"Oh! Gomen, Naruto-chan." Naruto could feel the anxiety rolling off the man: he was always pretty transparent. She was surprised he hadn't bolted for the hallway and medical staff already. "I believe your birthday is in October, ne? That would mean you're still seven," he laughed hollowly.

Naruto had to try to force herself to breathe normally. Seven? She was fucking seven? And did he really have the audacity to ask her if she was born in October - like anyone would forget that she was born on the day Kurama was forced to attack?! Suddenly her head was roughly forced between her knees as she heard yelling. ANBU plus unknown medical staff approaching. Hopefully, none of them will try to kill me.

She heard Iruka sputtering and trying to explain what had happened as he was apparently dragged from the room. She knew she'd feel terrible about him going through that later, but things were getting dark fast. Panic attack? Seven? I'm seven years old?! What happened to 17, or was it… how old was I? Have I lost my mind?!