1Chapter 2 - The Sun's Light

This one was WAY easier to write than the last one, I only had to restart it twice! If you didn't see the update I put in the last chapter, then LOOK! I don't feel like repeating myself right now. I also fixed something, but it doesn't have anything to do with the plot. I just made some things clearer at the very beginning and end. You can look if you want.

Disclaimer: This is the last time I'm saying it, unless I have any references to something else in my fic that I knew about. I'm going to forget one of these times, and I don't want to be sued because of my memory. I don't own Naruto, nor anything related to it. There. Happy?

'' '' '' 2 Years Later '' '' ''

Today was another day of the same, but I had a feeling that it would be different, like the feeling I had before that one kid found me sitting here, staring at the sun. But I also feel energetic today, so I think I'll run around in the forest for a little bit. It will be a lot easier on my sanity than going to the park, through all the glares, and getting the other kids taken away just because I'm there. The animals really like me, so I've found myself spending more time in the forest and on Hokage Mountain than in the actual village.

Nodding to myself, I go into the forest and play with the animals, something that they really enjoy, which brings a smile to my face every time. It's refreshing to know that I'm not a waste of air, or a bad use for it.

After a few hours of playing, an ANBU came. Huh, wonder what he's here for.

Well, I wasn't wondering for long, because then they began talking, also answering my question. "Hikari Uzumaki, the Hokage has requested that I bring you to his office for something."

Despite the previous question being answered, I now wonder why jiji needs to talk to me urgently enough to send an ANBU to retrieve me.

I nodded in consent, might as well let them take me to Hokage-jiji, I can always get my answers from him.

Seeing my nod, the ANBU put a hand on my shoulder and used the Body Flicker Technique to teleport to jiji's office. Bleh, that felt weird, and not in a good way either.

While I was trying to recover, a chuckling began, probably at my expense. Listening closer, I realized it was the old man. Yep, definitely at my expense.

After I got my bearings, I started questioning him for the answers I was being deprived of. "Jiji, why did you call me here? What could possibly be so urgent as to not be able to wait until the next time I visited you?"

"Ah, sorry about that, but you don't visit me as often as you used to. I usually only see you when it comes time to collect your monthly allowance, and although I wouldn't say this is urgent, it couldn't wait until next month." Is he avoiding the subject, or is it just me? Maybe he's just giving me his reasons for interrupting my fun before telling me his original purpose.

When no further explanation came, I started getting impatient. There are certain things I could wait an eternity for, this isn't one of them. "Jiji, you called me here because...?"

"Ah, yes, sorry, I just spaced out for a second. Anyways, I called you here to tell you that you'll be able to enter the academy in the next term. Just fill out this application, and we'll go shopping for the supplies you need in a few minutes. Other than that, a few days before the academy starts, you'll have to take a few tests to see where you are, and then you're good to go."

My eyes widened more and more as he went on, until I finally couldn't hold it any more and gave jiji a big hug, while yelling, "Thank you!" over and over again as fast as I could.

The Hokage then started chuckling again, probably at my response. Just because I'm so happy I'll let it slide... this time...

"I'm glad you're so happy about this Hikari-chan. Why don't you fill out the form while I finish up some of my paperwork?" I nod, and he hands me a pen. That's when I realize that I don't know how to read or right, or at least I was never taught how to, yet I feel like I know how. Huh, might as well check and see. Jiji can always give me a new application if it turns out I'm wrong.

As I fill out the paper, trying to read it with the secondhand knowledge I have on the subject, I find that it's a lot harder than it looks, but not wanting to disappoint jiji, I continue on despite this.

After about a half-hour, I finally finished, even though it has very bad hand-writing. I don't have any experience with it, so you can't blame me. Hopefully it will get better as time goes on.

When I handed it to Hokage-jiji, his face scrunched up. I wonder why that is?

'' '' '' Hiruzen's (Hokage's) POV '' '' ''

Hmm... When did she learn how to read and write? I never taught her, and she never went to civilian school... No, they wouldn't have had the common sense to at least put their opinions behind them in favor of teaching the next generation. So... who could have taught her? Her hand- writing isn't very good either, signifying either naturally bad penmanship or inexperience.

I hope that this isn't the work of the Kyuubi, even though how to read and write doesn't seem like something it would teach her to last longer. I guess I could just ask her.

"Hikari-chan, who taught you how to read and write?" She began scratching the back of her head sheepishly, a nervous habit she picked up. I think it's genetic, because Minato did the same thing.

"Aheheh... Nobody taught me jiji, I just knew how to for some reason." That sent alarm bells off in my head. If the fox could plant memories into her head, which I'm not saying it can, but it's a possibility, then what else could it plant inside of her head? I'll call Jiraiya back so he can check the seal, and I'll get Inoichi-san to check her mind.

Her voice broke me from my musings, however. "But, I think I might know where I got the knowledge." I perked up at this. Maybe I can get a hint as to what's going on with the seal?

I was looking at her expectantly, but she was pausing, probably for dramatic effect, until she finally finished, with plenty of exuberance, "The sun!"

I almost face-faulted at that, but I kept my composure. If that's her version of an imaginary friend, then I wouldn't want to burst her bubble too quickly that the sun can't actually tell you things. I'm trying to let her have as normal a childhood as she can, and imaginary friends are a part of it for many children.

The thought that she might be right and she has a special ability that allows her to gain information by watching the sun passed through my mind for a second, before I shot down that idea. Outrageous.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, a small voice was telling me that weirder things have happened, and this could very well be the start of a new bloodline, but I ignored it in favor of more logical thoughts. One of the rules in the ninja handbook is to expect the worst, and hope for the best.

Surely an ability that helpful is impossible, without having a cost, at least. Right?

Oh, how wrong I was.

'' '' '' Hikari's POV '' '' ''

After I answered jiji's question, no emotion could be seen on his face, except one that shows he's thinking about something.

It's worrying, so I try and remind him of the shopping trip he promised me. "Hey, jiji! Are we going shopping or not!"

After my outburst, he looked at me for a long moment, before responding. "Ah, my apologies. I just spaced out again." He grabbed his stuff while saying this, telling me that we're leaving right now.

"Geez, you need to get more sleep jiji! You wouldn't want to fall asleep right in the middle of a fight or while you were assigning and urgent, top-priority mission to someone, would you? I'm probably the only one with enough guts other than members of the council to wake you up, and the council members won't go on a mission, they're too lazy."

He chuckled, then said, "Alright, well I'm ready to go. What about you?"

"Yep! I'm ready to go! I've even got some money on hand to pay for the stuff!" And with the Hokage there, no-one would dare to overcharge me, so it might be enough for once!

"Keep your money, Hikari-chan. Consider this my treat." Awesome! Maybe I can buy some food and everyday clothes while I have jiji with me, since I'll have some extra cash. I could even splurge on chocolate with all the money I'm going to save!"

"Really? Thank you jiji! Hey, do you think we could stop at some stores and shop so I can buy some other things too? I might as well while we're there." After I said that, my surrogate grandfather gained a sad look to his face. Why is that? There's nothing to be sad about! I'm using my own money, so he doesn't have to pay for anything extra. Does he just not want to shop with me?

"Alright, you can run some of your errands while I'm with you. I don't mind." Yay! I just hope he's not doing this out of pity. It's hard to tell with that sad, regretful look he had on earlier...

But I went with it. The rest of the day was nice, I got new clothes, quality food that's not ramen for once, and my ninja supplies. Before the old man went back to work, he told me when the placement exams were and showed me where the academy was, and left, also saying that they should tell me when it actually starts. I was so happy! I can finally start getting stronger.

It was still daylight, being the end of summer, the days were slightly longer, so I went back to my place on top of Hokage-jiji's head, and began gazing at the sun.

I tried to tell it about everything that happened today, and I don't know if I failed or succeeded, but I got the feeling that it already knew.

When I tried to convey a feeling of thanks over to it for teaching me the basics of how to read and write, I had a certain warmth go through my body, a feeling I rarely felt. One of acceptance, and the feeling that the sun had no problem with giving me that knowledge. Kinda' like how I'll do anything for my precious people.

That day, the sun became precious to me, and I enjoyed watching it. Something tells me that it enjoys me watching it, too, no matter how impossible it sounds.

That day was also one of the best days of my life, for it was the day that things began to change, for the better.

I always enjoyed basking in the sun's light, but today the feeling got even better.

'' '' '' Line Break '' '' ''

And, CUT! Because of the entertainment writing this chapter gave me, you get an update quickly! More action will be introduce later, but I must warn you in advanced that I suck at fighting scenes, so if I just skip over some, don't blame me. Also, if you like to read them, I suggest not reading this fic. The few that I do write will probably suck, so you wouldn't enjoy it very much. Flamers are not welcome here.

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