Disclaimer: I don't own the series Naruto.

Some days were harder than others and it was the hard days that left me unwilling to get out of my crib and explore my tiny world. It were these times that I could still imagine myself as a woman grown and hear the laughter of children. My children. What were they doing now? I couldn't even remember their names. Two sides of me seemed constantly at battle with the other, either I be a toddler with an overwhelming amount of intellect with an unquenchable curiosity or I would be a woman stuck in a child's body mourning the loss of a life she no longer remembered.

Some days were simply harder.

*

Kabuske had told me if I learned the layout of my house and didn't run into anything for a week he'd convince mother to take me outside for more than a trip to the market. Easy enough, challenge accepted.

Except that was what I thought around a month and a half ago. That ass hasn't stopped laughing anytime I manage to trip or bang into something. I swear he's moving the furniture around.

Kabuske became a constant in my life whenever my mother had to go out. Apparently she had gotten a job or something of that nature, she tended not to talk about it much and I had yet to ask for details. She seemed unhappy with it but also resigned, I was at a loss of how I could cheer her up.

Kabuske was just lazy so he ended up staying at the house more often than not saying he was on "Medical leave" yet I had been unable to sense or recognize any injury he may have. I asked about it once before and he simply told me it wasn't that kind of injury, I was confused on what that could mean, but I was grateful for the company. I'd never been without someone nearby for more than a hour and the thought of being alone and vulnerable in an unfamiliar place often terrified me, even if it was a place I had lived in for many weeks now. Without my sight I could only do so much, yes, the sensing helped me when a person was nearby but otherwise I was lost to the world, which brings me back to my earlier problem.

"It's not funny Kabuske! You're moving the furniture around!" I yelled furiously as I hopped on one foot, my other foot clutched in my hands and tears pricking the corners of my eyes. Kabuske only laughed harder and his howling laughs grinded on my nerves.

"I am not, you brat. It's not my fault you can't memorize your own damn house!" He hollered at me through his laughter, his energy rolling in amusement and mischievousness.

I faced him with a scowl on my face, "I know you're lying!"

His laughter was finally dying down and the mirth rolled off him in waves, "Yeah, yeah. Alright. I admit I've been moving things around somewhat, but being a ninja means you gotta be aware of your environment at all times and you can't even get around your own home." The teacher tone had entered his voice again and I internally groaned. Since the day I asked if I could be a ninja Kabuske had taken it upon himself to slip me in "lessons" at my own expense.

"I'm two." I complained.

"A two year old that could probably qualify to enter the academy if not for your disability." Kabuske pointed out briskly.

Blinking slowly, I thought about that. I realized I was smart for my age, my mind having already developed past its years, and that my chakra sense was also advanced but I was still only two and I still often wobbled when I walked. "I don't think I would? I mean, I think I'm smart but I'm not physically fit enough and sensing chakra still wears me out when I focus on it for too long. "

Kabuske didn't even take the time to ponder this, "Muscle coordination can be taught. Once you're able to have some semblance of environmental awareness I'll start you on some stretches and katas. You're young so focusing on flexibility now will make it easier in the future. Chakra control also comes with practice. I can probably start you on the leaf exercise today, yuh know, if you're done stubbing your toes." At this last part the grin had entered back into his voice and I scowled in his direction.

Kabuske had put a surprising amount of thought into how to train me and I was glad to know he cared as much as he did. Part of me was still suspicious of this seemingly young man around my mother but the constant company and the fact he did seem to genuinely care for me and my mother's well being had been successfully melting my nerves of him so far. "Alright, what's the leaf exercise?" I asked, my tone showing my wariness of the new task.

Kabuske's chakra was amused, "Well, we've established that you can sense chakra and even focus on that sense, which means your already molding it to an extent, but the question remains if you're aware of what your doing or if it's all instinct."

"Molding it?"

"You said you can focus it right?" As he said this Kabuske approached and crouched down in front of me, he then tapped my forehead, "You usually scrunch your face up when you do and seem more aware of other people's actions as well. "

I nodded my head, "Sometimes if I focus I can tell if someone is shaking their head or waving their arms. Usually I just know they're there, except for mom. I can always tell what mom is doing."

"Right, you're directing your own personal chakra into strengthening your sensing, aptitude be damned, no one can sense that well without some kind of control over their own chakra." Kabuske explained.

I made an "oh" face, of course I had my own chakra. Hadn't I noticed the same fluttering energy of my mother's chakra in me as well? With my face set in a mask of complete seriousness I demanded of Kabuske to, "Get me a leaf."

Chuckling at what I assume to be my facial expression I sensed Kabuske get up, "Alright brat, I'll be right back."

I heard his footsteps trail off to where I had discovered the entrance way was, on one of the days I took to learn the house layout, and heard the door open. Kabuske hesitated though, I felt his chakra spike rapidly in a panicky way. A breeze flowed into the house from the now opened door and the sound of panting followed it.

A door slammed.

"You know what, kid? Let's try this another day. I'm heading to bed." Kabuske's voice was gruff and exhausted and I frowned in worry.

"Kabuske?"

"Just leave me alone right now, brat." His voice shook as he moved to his room.

A second door shut.

"You're supposed to be watching me.." I muttered as I was left alone in the dark.

A/N This chapter is exceptionally short and accomplished only 1/3 of the things I wanted to establish in this chapter. Due to stress recently though I had gotten really sick and under the weather. I am getting better now but expect another week before hoping for another longer chapter. The mother is not forgotten and her job isn't anything shady it's just something that is gonna establish her as a stronger character and develop her a bit. Kabuske's "injury" was gonna be further explored this chapter but I wanted to give the readers something to read and stop hiding from the shame of not posting anything. I'm sorry for the wait. Please wait a little longer. I'm going to try to wrap up this childhood arc in the next two chapters but worse case scenario expect three.