A flower by the flame (Self Insert)

2: Set in motion

Just like being a baby, being a toddler was also boring. I'm two years old, I can walk, speak, and all the normal stuff. I really don't like telling all of my learning and unimportant moments. So here I am, sitting on the floor in the first floor of our tree, playing with my chakra. I started to meditate when I found out how to connect to the swell of energy inside. Mom doesn't know I can though. I can't exactly tell her that I can sense chakra as well as mold it at a small level.

She left again today, taking me with her into town. I was allowed to walk beside her instead of being carried so I can build muscle in my legs. I've been worried ever since meeting Akane, that I might run into some more important people. Thankfully though, mom never went out of her way to find them. That was the only time. We stopped at a fruit stand and my eyes drifted off to see some older civilian kids running around with sticks as if they were swords. Too bad the game they play simulates war. Was that too morbid? No. Because it's true.

An idea came to mind and I tug mom's kimono sleeve and she gives me a nod. "Go play if you wish, just stay nearby." So I laid. I carefully walk over to the kids but begin to freak out internally. I haven't spoken to anyone in two years! My social skills are really bad at this point in time. "H-hey. C-can...play?"

"Maybe if you can beat us little boy."

"Beat?"

"Yeah! Only strong kids can play with us."

Children... Always the cruel ones. He didn't even know that I'm female since my hair was short. Suddenly the oldest grabbed me by the collar and lifted me up off the ground. I bare my teeth and growl at him, kicking my little feet helplessly. "Awe, the kitten is trying to be scary." I grab his wrist with my two small hand in a desperate tempt to get free. Perhaps if I paid attention I would have noticed It.

So when this boy was about to hit me, I swung my foot and kicked him right in the gut. I expected him to just drop me but what I did not expect, was him to go flying into the wall. I stared at him as he did the same, looking at me like I was a freak. Mom heard the commotion and hurried over, picking me up.

Civilians whispered to each other and pointed at me. I knew what they were talking about. All this attention made me really uncomfortable so I tried hiding in mom's hair. Her hand patted my back in order to comfort me. I always hated drawing attention to myself and what I did was definitely not normal. She walked home and sat me down the couch after she bought what she needed. "Kaa-chan?" I climbed into her lap when she sat down too.

"Rei-chan. You are a special girl. You can't fight others like that." Gee.... Thanks mom. I'm 'special'.

"What I do?" I ask her. I want some answers and I want them now. I am two! I don't have the muscle to pull that stuff off. How could I kick a kid so hard? Her face became grim as she sighed. "We, my child, have special abilities. When you are older.... I will tell you more."

In all honesty, I was disappointed but I'll wait. Mom left the next day for what I suspect is a mission. How else would we get money for food and clothing. I took this time to explore the house more, or more specifically, find a mirror. With how genetics work in this world, I wasn't sure if I looked like my mom exactly or not. I never bothered to check it out. Itama was an even mix of both parents.... He isn't born yet right? I think the order was Hashirama, Tobirama, Kawarama and Itama. Each brother seemed to be one year apart from the one before them.

So after climbing the Mount Everest of stairs, I look for anything that can show my reflection. I stumble into mom's room. I can see a hand mirror on the tall dresser but luckily there was a standing one that I can just crawl to. When I saw the new mini-me, I froze. This child, this infant, looked like me but not. I recognize the face shape, skin and hair color because I saw my own baby pictures of my past life. The differences on the other hand are far from subtle.