"Toph, out of the kitchen. You know better than to be in here while we're cooking," Yuchi told me for the third day in a row. I wanted to feel if the stoves in here did the same thing as the grill at the restaurant last week, not the burning part -that hurt- but the thing with the chakra. I also want to cook.

Toshi said that what made the grill so hot was the fire underneath, and wouldn't have been so hot otherwise. I think he's just messing with me though. If that were true, then where's the fire for the food when it's warm? Or the water in the tub when it's hot. I know for a fact that they aren't warm all the time.

"Why can't I help?" I asked.

"Oh kami, where to begin." Another voice sarcastically cut in, an older boy I think. "To start with, you're blind and even if you weren't you're still bite-sized, you can't reach over the counter. You mauled a boy way bigger than you, and you're like, five right?"

"Four, and I don't see how any of that applies to me," I responded without missing a beat.

"Wha-" the boy sputtered, "That literally ALL applies to you!" his voice cracked a little.

"No, it doesn't."

"Yes, it does!"

"Prove it."

"You're freaking BLIND!"

"So."

"How the f-"

"What Sochi-kun is trying to say, Toph," Yuchi cut in, "Is that we already need to make all of this food by lunchtime. We just don't have enough time to watch and teach you, right?" I think that was directed towards Sochi… Mochi.

"Yeah," he answered lamely. "That's exactly it."

"Oh," wow Mochi's pretty dumb. "Okay," why didn't he say that in the first place?

I walked out, following the wall with my hand just like Roro told me to, even if I didn't need to. She said something about how it's better to hide that I can get around easily now. I still don't really know why.

'Now where can I find a fire,' I pondered to myself. Coming up with only restaurants with good food, I asked myself another question, how do they even make fire? Coming up with nothing I decided to ask Roro later.

I felt someone run into me, knocking us both down. "Ow!" a girlish voice yelped. Well, if I need to be sneaky, I'll be sneaky. "S-sorry, Toph!" the girl squeaked, scampering off before I had a chance to respond.

I let out an annoyed huff, ever sense that boy hit me, the other kids have all been jumpy around me. While it's been nice since they leave me alone, acting like I'm going to get mad over an accident is stupid.

Getting up, I continued my aimless walk through the building. Sensing the other, less active chakra's in each room. Now that I could make out the general shape along with the chakra, it was pretty cool to feel the flowing of the chakra throughout each person. I could do it before, but I guess now I could just make out more.

Most of the kids my age were in one of the rooms being 'taught' to read still. I don't think they're being taught very well though. They've been learning for five whole months and they've still barely got the basics down! I asked Roro why they take so long when learning's easy, and she only said that it was normal for kids our age to learn slowly. Maybe reading's just hard? Maybe it's like how chakra is to me? I'm having to go really slow with it and it's been, it's pretty fun actually. Doesn't explain why they complain so much…

Stepping out into the backyard, I take up my usual spot on the ground. The adults finally said that because nothing had happened yet, I could be outside alone, without sneaking, during the day. It's nice. I spend a lot of my time here, no one wants to play so it's okay, and -after last week- the adults decided that I didn't need to listen to lessons either. Well, besides Roro's but those change a lot.

Laying on my back, I let myself relax fully. Being out here during the day's different from being here at night. I feel fewer animals and bugs around but the number of people walking around makes up for it, that only matters when I play with the earth though. Not that I'm doing that right now. I can do my exercise for a really long time if I don't strain myself, not that the level I set isn't easy right now, however, I've been doing it so much that I don't need to think about it. Sometimes I still pass out without warning, apparently, it scares the others every time.

I blew a raspberry from where I was laying and made my chakra start flowing a bit faster. The more I copy the earth, the more I can feel everything around me without focusing too hard, to the point I can make my chakra do other things while still feeling through it. Guess even when I'm not playing with it, it's still playing with me? Can't feel nearly as much though.

Stretching my arms and legs out, I stopped moving my chakra in weird patterns letting it settle back down to just vibrate with the earth, and yawned. That was another difference between night and day, the warmth from the sun makes me sleepy. Roro told me it's just a ball of fire in the sky and it's because of it that day even comes. It even makes me glad I'm blind cause that sounds terrifying, she laughed when I told her as much.

"I'm bored," I said aloud. I was getting more and more sleepy. Roro's busy and I don't go out with Toshi today so it'll be okay if I just take a nap. The sun wasn't that bad today so I probably won't burn my skin, hopefully.

Last time was horrible.

Unknown POV

"Damn, even when she's sleeping her chakra still fluctuates abnormally," I said to the man standing beside me.

"Yeah, I know what you mean," he gruffly replied. Never was one for words, that Bear. Made assignments like this even more boring.

"Why do we need to watch her during the day anyway? I mean, I get why we're watching her yeah, but why are we watching her right now," this is the lowest priority mission I've had in years. "She does the same shit at night."

Bear grunted, but that was it. Honestly, why'd I have to get this assignment? The only upside was that this kid is actually interesting. I mean, a four-year-old who can manipulate chakra that well is strange but not unheard of. But a kid who does it consistently to the point she does it in her sleep? Now that's pretty cool. And the abnormal patterns and fluctuations she's clearly doing, at least mostly, on purpose, combined with the fact the kid was blind, was just icing on the cake.

"She's talented," bears deep voice broke me out of my thoughts. "But her disability brings issues."

"You aren't wrong," I replied. He wasn't. She may have talent in spades but the chances of her being anything truly special were slim to none, "It's unfortunate, we could always use more promising kunoichi."

"It is."

Oh, I thought we were having an actual conversation. Guess not.

"Don't count her out just yet though, Bear kept speaking. Well damn, I was wrong. "I'm sure you noticed." I nodded.

"How could I not?" After all, there was a reason we were so far from our assignment. "She was getting a read on us."

"Yes."

And wasn't that a mindfuck. A child barely out of diapers noticed us, the supposed elite of the elite. We pulled back to where we're pretty sure her range reaches at its peak -two fucking miles- and thanked kami it wasn't further. Hell, we only figured out she was somehow noticing us because three days in, she started turning in our direction and scrunching up her nose. If she wasn't such an antisocial kid we'd have been screwed.

Now only we question our abilities, well, and the team we switch with. Sucks that we still had to report it but that's the job. We're lucky we were picked for our sensory abilities -and the big boss wanted this to be discreet as possible-, otherwise, we would have had to pass the mission onto another, more suited, team.

"I guess, but I still don't get why this is a mission in the first place. Yeah, she's a badass sensor but she's still just a kid. A kid who's probably a genius when it comes to chakra control, and noticed us from a pretty insane distance considering her age," I trailed off, "Actually the fact she noticed us at all is ridiculous… huh."

"Yes, it is," Bear replied, "Blind or not, with her sensory abilities the village might have use for her. We are not meant to question orders, Snake."

"Yeah, well we're meant to 'Observe and report' but what's wrong with a little theory too? There are already assets meant for this. We're essentially doing their job on top of them already doing it," Bear and I both knew that whoever was assigned to 'babysit' wouldn't shirk off their duties, "It's unusual is all."

Bear made no reaction except the usual grunt.

I know he's thinking the same though, we only noticed her to begin with due to her chakra flaring up every so often that every ninja around made a report over it. It's usually extremely subtle, but every so often she'll send a huge pulse through the ground for some reason. She passes out every time it happens.

And that's it. We don't know what the fuck she's doing. This is a mission from the Hokage himself and we can only report back, 'Yeah so the kids a freak and doesn't play well, sorry.' More formal than that but it pretty much sums it up.

"Snake, what do you taste now? She's becoming agitated."

Kami, this is fucking pointless, and only serves to make me feel like a dumbass. I need this shift of brat-watching to be over so I can get away from this hardass.

Hopefully, this 'mission' will be over soon. Sure we can relax but I'm starting to hate this damn tree we're in.

"The same as I did earlier, Bear," I flicked my tongue out, "She tastes like a fucking rock."

Some hours later, Tophs POV

Luckily, the sky was apparently really cloudy today.

"Toph, you can't keep napping for so long. You won't sleep at night," Roro was getting on to me.

"I already don't sleep at night," I told her, confused.

Roro stopped in front of my bed, "You'll sleep less, even when you want to," she explained. "You'll also burn again."

"Oh." I didn't think about that, "What if I want to sleep when I nap?" I asked.

Roro started to wrap my favorite blanket around me, "Let me clarify," her voice got stern, "You won't go to sleep when I want you to."

That made more sense, I still wanted to argue some more but knew better. "I understand Roro." I snuggled into the blanket.

"Good," she sat down next to me. We do this a lot after lessons, just sit and talk. Roro lets me ask any question I have from the day, it helps because I don't really get how some people are just so stupid and get annoyed easily because of it. At least, that's what she helped me figure out.

"Tell me about your week."

And so I did. I told her about how the kids haven't really messed with me besides calling me names, but I could deal with that, they were weak after all. I told her that I still thought the sun was horrifying, but all she did was chuckle! How could she not be scared of a big ball of fire in the sky? I only got a little close to a small fire and it burnt my finger!

I also told her about how it's getting easier to play with my chakra, and how I don't have to focus as much to feel things anymore. Well, through the ground that is. I've been able to feel chakra for as long as I can remember. Which isn't that long if I think about it…

"Toph," Roro's voice was soft as she began running her fingers through my hair, "Tell me, can you tell me how many people are in the room below us?"

I put my feet on the floor, "Eight," I answered, leaning into her hand.

"And how many are children?" she asked.

I yawned, hopping up from the bed so my feet were touching the ground. "All of them, three are older kids though. Yuchi and Ochicho are in the kitchen." At least I'm pretty sure they were the adults, they're the only adult shapes besides Roro, plus their chakra matches up from what I can tell.

"Good Toph," she said, picking me up and slowly laying me down, I hardly noticed. "Now is there anything you'd like to ask?"

I blink. The sleepy haze that was sinking into me was gone instantly and I got excited again.

"Yes, mam," I replied. I can't believe I forgot to ask her!

I heard her mutter, "damn it." under her breath. Pretty sure I wasn't supposed to hear that..

"Okay Toph, you have one more question for the night," she told me, "What is it?"

Usually, one more question would make me think a little but I already had it, "How do you make fire?" I asked calmly, trying to show my excitement too much, Roro said I needed to control myself better so we're working on that.

"Make… Fire..?" Roro sounded confused, which was kind of cool cause she never gets confused. "Toph, please tell me why would you need to make a fire?" she sounded weird now.

"Well I don't need to make one, I just want to feel one again. Chakra's never hurt me before but that one did," I explained, "Nothing else hurt me when I touched it so it's weird." I think I did a good job.

"You ca-" she paused and took a breath. "Toph," she said slowly. "Explain to me again, what you mean by 'feeling chakra,' please. With more emphasis on the chakra that's not inside people this time."

"Yes Roro," I decided she was just as excited as I am about chakra, "I feel chakra." I simply said.

Roro took a long breath before she spoke again, "Yes, Toph," she was talking that way when she really wanted me to understand something, "I know that, but please try and explain it to me. I know you can sense other people and yourself. But what does the chakra that isn't inside people feel like?"
I didn't get what she was asking me, I just told her, and we talk about it pretty often. I feel chakra. That's what she told me it was, so why is she asking so many times?

I must have taken too long to answer because she tried again, softer this time. "Okay, let's think this through, yes?" I nodded. "Great. Now, what does the earth feel like?"

Okay, I could answer this. "It's kind of like a heartbeat," I tried to explain, "It's strong and doesn't really change that much but it still flows? It's still moving, just easier to keep up with than the others." I hope I'm doing good. I've never had to explain like this so it's hard.

"Okay good, Toph, you're doing good," she was stroking my cheeks the way I like, "And can you feel water or air the same way?" I was calming down now, when was I not calm? I didn't even notice.

"Yeah, waters hard. Sometimes it's slow but when someone touches it, it moves faster. I get headaches in the bath sometimes… I can't feel air very well.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well," Why was explaining things so hard, "I can only feel it if it's moving, and when it does, it's almost too fast. It's kind of annoying I guess," normally Roro would only take crisp, clear answers so hopefully she doesn't get too mad at me.

"I see," she pulled me into a hug that made me feel really good, "Thank you, for helping me understand Toph. You did well."

I helped her understand? Roro? It's always been the other way around. I reached for her hand from my blanket cocoon, "You help me all the time, so I'll help you too, right?"

Roro took my hand and squeezed, "I suppose."

We stayed like that for at least a minute, me, wrapped in my blanket, as she held my hand next to me. It was nice.

"Alright," Her voice was back to normal, stern and smooth, "It's time for bed. Richi-chan will be up shortly," she said, standing up. "Tomorrow, I will let you bring you a flame and we'll study it, together."

Honestly, I almost forgot about my original question, "Okay," I didn't want her to leave, "Can you stay until I fall asleep?" she hasn't done that in a long time.

I heard a pause, like she was thinking about it, "Oh, alright. But you're going to bed. No sneaking out tonight."

"Yay!" I cheered, grinning. Roro told me not to make sounds like that but I'm pretty excited and she doesn't mind sometimes.

"Yes, I'm excited too. Now quiet down and fold your blanket. I'll get another," She ordered, going across the room where Richi keeps the blankets we use.

I unwrap myself and start folding my special blanket. Nobody can use it but me, not even Roro. Well, if she asked then maybe, it's super soft so I wouldn't blame her but Richi made it for me so nobody else.

I crawled to the end of my bed and placed it there, just as Roro found a suitable blanket. "Hopefully Richi-chan doesn't mind me staying for a while." She said, laying down on the bed.

"She won't mind," I didn't actually know if she would mind or not, but Roro doesn't know that.

"I'm sure," she drawled. I crawled over to her right away, slipping where she held up the blanket for me. She immediately pulled me into her chest. Her clothing was soft, just like her chest, kind of like pillows but different. Comfier, both because her chest was soft and because I could hear her heartbeat. It was even better than the earth. And her chakra felt nice, especially being so close.

"Now sleep, and know I won't keep doing this forever."

I snuggled deeper into her and said, "Yes mam," She said the same thing last time so I wasn't too worried.

Later that night

I woke up. Guess the napping was bad after all, Roro's gone too.

Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes. I might be blind but the crusties are annoying.

I hopped off the bed, nearly stumbling because my leg was asleep, but I managed to stay quiet. Feeling out the room, I get my special blanket from where I laid it down before walking over to Richi's bed and poking her cheek.

"Richi," I poked her some more, "Riiiiichiiiiiii," I poked her some more before yawning.

"Whaa?" Good, she woke up. Kind of.

"Let me sleep with you."

She said something I couldn't understand then scooted over, giving me space to climb in bed with her. Once I was on the bed she pulled me to her chest, not how Roro did though, instead of me snuggling her, I'm pretty sure she was snuggling me, as I snuggled my blanket.

She was allowed to touch it because she made it for me.

Her chest was kind of soft like Roro's, I'll need to ask her about it once she wakes up. I want to know how I can get my chest soft like theirs, it's comfy.

I think I told Roro I wasn't going to sneak out tonight so I'm not, even if she did, but she never said she wouldn't so that doesn't matter. I'm just going to do something I've been trying to do for a few days.

Memorize Richi's chakra.

I usually just gloss over boring chakra like when I do voices, usually letting the, fade into the background. But Richi's not a boring person, and she's sneaky. So I want to be able to find her even when she's background noise.

I slept with her two nights ago and found out something pretty neat. Just cause her chakra's boring, doesn't mean it's not fun to feel. I guess it's not boring if it's fun but… It's still pretty small. Like a trickle compared to a River.

Still, just because it's small and not attention-grabbing doesn't mean it's not unique. It's like it has its own vibration just for Richi. Still hard to make her out when she's with other kids but I'm getting there.

I wonder if everyone's unique even if they're boring… Of course it doesn't matter, soon I'll be able to pick Richi out from the whole village.

Not tonight though, I'm going back to sleep.

Later that week- Roroshi's POV

"Orphanage B. report," the Hokage ordered.

The second of the seven Kunoichi stepped up from the line we made and started droning on about her section. About those who have potential and don't have it, who we need to keep an eye on, new developments, the usual.

I listened, of course, this is valuable information that concerns the future of our village, even if it is a bit dull. But as I listened to the other's report, I found their children to be… lacking.

"Orphanage D. report."

Of course, who wouldn't come short when being compared to my Toph. She's been amazing in every way and she just keeps giving. Intelligent, adaptive, and she has the ferociousness that is so difficult to teach children.

Yes, she struggles with understanding the world around her but that can be credited to her unique perspective and being too smart for her age.

Not to mention, she's a genius. Not a 'genius' that every clan or family seem to have these days but a true genius when it comes to sensing and manipulating chakra. Hell, she doesn't even realize what it's doing to her body.

I don't know how she managing it but she her body's being enhanced by whatever she keeps doing day in and day out. Yes, it's partly just regular chakra strengthening her body, anyone with a set amount will benefit from it, which would already be strange enough from a child her age but something else is happening. Something that I don't understand.

"F. report."

The effects are subtle, subtle enough that even a child as observant as Toph doesn't notice, or just doesn't care. But her normal senses are becoming sharper, she's slowly getting stronger, and she's more reactive. Normal enhancements for a ninja, only it's not strictly her chakra that's doing the enhancing.

And her 'sensing' is getting more and more ridiculous.

"G."

"Yes Hokage-sama," I took a step forward and bowed, "Everything in orphanage G is developing soundly. Every child except the subject reported prior to this meeting is healthy and extremely average." I stepped back. Short? Yes. But efficient. I never liked drawn-out, reports. Lord third already knew the details.

When we were dismissed, I stayed bowing. My Hokage knew why and we had express permission to speak to him privately about matters that might be delicate.

"Yes, Roroshi-san?" Lord third already knew the reason I was here.

I met his eyes, still keen and imposing, despite his age. "I'd like to recommend her for the academy in the coming months, Hokage-sama."

"Oh?" he seemed surprised, "A child hasn't joined this young since Kakashi, what makes her fit to learn before her peers?" he asked.

"Hokage-sama, with all due respect, you know exactly why." I decided not to mince words, "Toph has expressed interest in becoming a kunoichi and is wasted on children, she's already advanced past the first years academically and displays a drive that, if not tempered, will frustrate her to the point of trying to learn herself."

"And what's wrong with that?"

"I do not underst-" I started.

"What's wrong with letting her continue learning what she can on her own?" he cut me off. "She is talented, I won't deny that, and from what you're last report said, her sensory abilities alone, quite frankly, amaze me," he continued.

"Hokage-sama, if I may ask… do you know what she's doing? I have not the faintest clue." If anyone knows, it's lord third.

"I have an inkling… Honestly," he chuckled, "I'd be astonished if I'm right."

"Forgive me but wouldn't those be boons for her joining early, instead of against?" I didn't see his reasoning.

"Roroshi-san, the girl is blind," he lit his pipe, "If she's as amazing as you say she is, as the reports say she is, then she'll continue to adapt and grow as she already has been, on her own. Until she reaches a level I myself am comfortable with, I won't have her formally train. Understood?"

I stared at the floor, "Yes, Hokage-sama.

"Advance whatever lessons you're giving her and nudge her into wanting to be a Kunoichi however you can, when and if she asks, tell her that the Hokage himself said that she couldn't succeed." He blew out a ring of smoke, "You may nudge her in the right direction, give her the basics and more freedom, but do not directly contribute to her growth as a ninja."

He stood, and walked from behind his desk to stand in front of me, "This isn't fair, and yes, I am purposefully making it more difficult for her to succeed. But she is blind, disadvantaged already, if she can't overcome this she won't make it in the life we live. Now, raise your head Roroshi."

I did as ordered, "Yes, Hokage-sama."

"You care for the girl, you want what's best for her, however, you're letting your feelings cloud your judgment," I did not interrupt, I've already gotten away with much already. "Ponder over why I'm doing this," A sly look fell on his face as he smirked, "I, like you, have her best interest in mind. Personally, I believe she's more incredible than even you realize." He turned around. "You're dismissed."

Without a word, I walked out of the office, then made my way out of the building. I smiled at certain villagers as I walked past, but otherwise kept the same façade I'd been keeping for years, right up until I stepped to the orphanage G. door.

'That went better than expected,' I thought to myself.

My lips twitched.

AN: Yeah so ending it here. Short chapter I know, I'm not sure how I feel about it, like, on one hand, it's necessary for the story, but on the other, I wrote this in one setting while tired as hell. Not sure some of the interactions came across as I wanted them to, especially Roro's and the thirds. I'll probably read over this later -with more sleep- and edit some shit.

Tbh I just want to get to the really good stuff. More shit was supposed to happen this chapter but I had to change plans once I realized it'd be better if there was more build-up you know?

"