“Oof! A dream... just a dream again.” I drive up from my bed, a shoddy straw mattress and slightly moth eaten bedsheets, wiping away at the sweat that accumulated on my forehead.

  It's been five years since I was born. Five years since that faithful night. Even today I can't believe how much luck must've been involved in me surviving this mess. But well, I don't belong to this world after all, so maybe it was the same kind of fate that led to me being here.

  Although I dream nearly every night about it and it always leaves a bad aftertaste in my mouth.

  That's right, after my mother and I fell into the cold stream of the Kōri-river, I passed out pretty soon. I was sure this time I wouldn't wake from my death. So I was very surprised when, a few days later as I learned, my eyes sprang open and bright daylight made it's way into my vision.

  Somehow I survived the cold waters and didn't drown or freeze to death. It were a few fishermen who found my mother and I, floating along the coastline, as I learned much later. Unfortunately any help came far to late for my mother. She drowned that night, still embracing me tightly and I was given towards an orphanage, where I still reside. But I will never forget, how brave she fought and struggled to protect me; I firmly believe that she's somehow responsible for my being alive. I often still get tears in my eyes, thinking how cruel this new world can be and was.

  Since then a lot of things took place I couldn't categorize at first. But I gathered pretty soon, that I must be in a totally different world from the one I lived in first. Actually this seems to be a world I watched about a long time ago; the Naruto world.

  At first I thought I must've gone mad, brought to unravel my own mind with the combined boredom and desperation my new situation gave me. As I saw one of my caretakers leap from roof to roof and then a doctor who came to check up on me, used the same green glowing hands my mother did. I very much had a mental breakdown once I realised that.

  It must've been hell for my caretakers in that time as well, as I cried. For the first time I can remember in this world and new body, I cried. No I wailed and bawled to my hearts content.

  At the world, at whatever god that put me here and most of all, for my old life.

  I didn't have a big family or anyone at all to care for, but I did love my cat and I just thought I found my place, with a new apartment and work place. Only to be ripped from that and all that was familiar, just to be placed here.

  My knowledge of this particular world is unfortunately very limited; I never saw fit to read the manga. Although I watched the first show that aired and can somewhat remember the important parts from it. That's how I got some small idea of the concepts of this world and I tried to gather as much information about chakra and how to proceed to train it. Sadly I learned fast, that there are very limited books available for civilians that would go in depth. Not that my mobility allowed me to even search or read books properly. Which also is strange. The language, I can read and understand everything just fine.

  So I racked my brain of what useful information I could remember from the show; few things like a leaf-exercise made themselves prevalent among my memories. But what made itself known most within my murky recollection of the show, was that this world is one particular place of hell.

  The things I remember from the show are of assassins, so called ninjas and brutal child soldiers murdering others for a living. And wasn't that a fun idea of how my new life is going to be?

  I am really screwed. Well that's what I thought at first, but whilst I was wallowing in self pity; struggling to come to peace with being here in this world and being simultaneously bound into the body of a newborn baby, I grew restless. Until a particular event took place and shook me to my core. Finally allowing me to get a grip on what I need to do.

  Flashback no Jutsu:

  The caretakers at the orphanage are a kind old matron, with far too stern eyes to match her actual kindness and two women, whom I had little contact with. So as I grew restless one night, I overheard those two women and the old matron fall into a loud argument, just outside the room.

  They discussed me and if I shouldn't be released from life...again. It took a lot from me, not to break down again. And I forced myself to listen more closely again.

  It seems the orphanage has a slight budget problem and they had too many mouths to feed already. Also they argued that a blind baby, yes they mistook me for blind again, wouldn't be of any use even when grown up. The old matron, bless her heart, argued against them. Saying every life has it's worth and that after I survived that river I had a damn right to live.

  She grew on me the exact same moment she defended me.

  But what really set things into motion; was the following night.

  I was lying in bed, staring up at the ceiling and counting dust motes. Until I heard the door to the room I and several other kids varying ages were sleeping in.

  I couldn't make out who it was exactly, but the silhouette was distinctly small and female-ish. And she was approaching me. It was as the figure pulled something shiny and metal looking out of their pocket, that I had enough. I knew where this was going and my prevision told me, this was not a normal nightly visit.

  I haven't survived that cold ass river only to be mugged by whoever pleases. So without knowing how or what I do, my anger gets the better of me. I feel a hot surge throughout my body, as if something has to be released and I let it. With great relief I let this feeling surge to the forefront of my mind and close my eyes in consternation. The next thing I hear is an astonished “Ho?” rumbling sounds, splintering wood and hastened steps away from my crib.

  I open my eyes again and all I can see is a wall of white, pristine ivory, white shining in all directions from my crib, stabbing into the air and luckily no other kid was sleeping directly near me.

  A grotesque display of bones protruding from my ribcage in near all directions, splitting my skin at varying degrees.

  “So you do have a secret and use yet, my dear.” The person who wanted to mug me, she, definitely a female as I see her now, walks slowly into my vision. She just barely fit between the ivory spikes that somehow protrude from my body. She is covered up in some suspicious attire, looking like a bona fide assassin with her black coloured face mask and the tight wrapped vest, a weird knife shining in one hand.

  I don't understand what happened, but obviously I missed my target. So with slight fear in my eyes I make some desperate gurgling noises at my assailant. And to my horrified astonishment, I manage to break the bones connection to my body, whilst flailing around in fear.

  But she is unimpressed and lowers slowly towards my ear, “Don't worry now, little one. I'll make use of you yet. Let's see, I'll get rid of this evidence and you become my ward?”

  She understandably can't expect me to answer right? And I can't even fathom what I should answer even if I could.

  But I worry unnecessary, as she continues to speak nevertheless, “You're a Kaguya, dear. And after what I just saw, probably the strongest offspring they could generate in a few decades. But it would be best if we kept you away from that nasty... nasty clan. Won't it?” she giggles slightly and I see her moving her hands under me. She carefully picks me up and sways me a few times in a calming gesture for babies, I assume.

  What a psycho bitch, first she wants to kill me and now she wants to recruit me? But I struggle not, I am far to scared of that person right now, to even move a muscle.

  “Yes, I shall take you and I will make something great of you yet. You shall become a masterfully crafted weapon for Kirigakure. I'll even give you a name, how's that sound,” She contemplates a while, still swaying me rhythmically along. “Yuki, that shall be your name. Like your hair and eyes, white as snow. So you shall be named Z ō ge Yuki.” Not that I can argue against the new name bestowed upon me, I actually have no real complaint either. Far to obsessed with the slight mania I can spy in her coastal blue eyes, glinting with the bare moonlight in my direction.

  “Now, let's get you back to bed, after I clean this mess up, shall we?”

  In the end, I needed to sleep with her for an unidentified time after this event, as my crib was destroyed and some other kids actually seemed to be unnaturally afraid of me. On the plus side, I learned her name was Mitsuru and that she is actually one of the two women caring for the kids here.

  End of Flashback no Jutsu

  Well since that happened, Mitsuru made sure to keep me in her eyes for the time being.

  I concluded she probably was some secret agent placed in the orphanage, for what purpose I don't know.

  Whatever; the matron accepted my name the day after and even congratulated Mitsuru for finally accepting me as a person worth raising.

  Of course I tried to avoid her as best as I could, though my options were quiet limited for what I could do to circumvent contact with her.

  She was a near constant presence at any given time, always looming somewhere nearby and ultimately also deciding, that I needed the warmth of body-contact for my sleep, as I was just a newborn babe... So I slept with her plenty of times.

  So yes, I actually didn't manage to avoid her all that much. And I gained a healthy dose of fear of her. Even though she never indicated any murderous intent again at me.

  On the good side, no one really ever questioned me, why I was able to understand and converse as smartly as I probably still did, because it seemed to be expected of Mitsuru to have taught me... Not that she did and she only ever smiled dangerously, when I actually asked her something. Why I am able to speak the language here, which is some barbaric version of Japanese, I don't know even until now. But I am very well glad I do understand what's going on with people around me. Although I don't speak very much and limit what I say and to whom to the bare minimum.

  Well whatever, I had bigger problems, avoiding doing anything suspicious in front of Mitsuru for example.

  Although it's been suspiciously silent on her front, other than the occasional glance in my direction and the always present knowing smirk from her, for the last two years.

  Because it's been two years exactly, since I finally quit sleeping with her and was allowed to room with the other twelve or so kids, much to the consternation of the other kids.

  They all still avoided me like the plague and I know I didn't imagine it, but heard some of them whisper behind my back. Calling me mean things like demon child and a witch.

  I didn't care all that much, after all my mental age is or should be that of a twenty-ish? And I definitely didn't feel disappointed that I won't be making friends in this world as well...

  Well, who am I kidding. Even from their tiny figures and squeaky voices, the insults stung somewhat badly. After all I wouldn't mind some company, even that of a kid less than half my mental age.

  And it would've given me some solace in needing to grow up again, if I had a friend, with whom I could share this pain.

  But be that as it may, I am still aware that this world has some great dangers lurking at every corner and I decided, that I at least, would try not to be someone's prey again. Who needs friends anyway!?

  So I swore to look into what kind of ability I gained in this world. If I weren't so scared of Mitsuru I would have approached her with this topic, but I can't seem to be able to control my shaking hands and trembling voice in her presence. So for now I resolved to use my own skills; Not that she was very forthcoming anyway, never even mentioning the night she claimed me as her ward. Sometimes I even feel like it was all a dream, only to be reminded that, no in fact it was not a dream. That's when Mitsuru gets this strange glint in her eyes while looking at me. As if she is waiting for something.

  What I gathered though is, with help of my memories, I have some kind of inherent ability which is called a bloodline limit or kekkai genkai. All I know about it, is that some weird dude from the show Komimarra? Komimaru... no that's all wrong...Kimimaro! Yes that one, had the same type of powers I have. And that I should be able to create and control bones at my leisure.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  In a grotesque way I find it simply fascinating... on the other hand, I worry that it might hurt like a bitch. Even if I can't remember pain being associated with my first use.

  And unfortunately that's about all I've found out. As there aren't any useful books around on chakra, it's even worse for blood limits... say there's none.

  Which is not to say I didn't make any progress at all. Since that night of my repeat near murder, I practised. I trained myself to feel the same thing as I felt that night. I never want to feel helpless again!

  Which leads us to today.

  I sneaked away from the other kids and the watchful, well not very, eyes of the old matron. Although I had a real hard time finding a moment to go under Mitsuru's radar.

  All the hard work of learning her daily routine paid off though and once she was away, going for a regular round towards the other kids, I slipped away. Luck is on my side as well, today is, as most often here, a very foggy day. So I had an easy game getting away.

  Oh yeah, that reminds me. I am obviously not in Konoha. Actually, I have no real idea where on the damn map I am, but the weather here is an atrocious mixture of humid rainforest and a strange fog that wants to drown you through mere attendance. The orphanage itself also is very isolated from any civilization as I could make out. But then, I never really ventured any farther than a few precious miles out.

  And the farthest I ever really got is right here, at a steep cliff; just facing the Kōri-river, maybe a mile away from the orphanage. Not very far away, but still enough so that I don't attract unwanted attention.

  And if it weren't for this damn fog all the time, it would be a kind of scenic place too. Alas it is foggy eighty percent of the time and always wet.

  Well here goes nothing. I find a nice spot on the humid ground and sit down cross-legged.

  My mind slowly emerging into deeper parts of my consciousness searching for the feeling I've tried so hard to replicate over the last years.

  This is what comes closest to meditation I've known from my life before. And actually it helps relieve some stress for me. The deeper I delve into my mind, the more calm I can become.

  It's like the first time I've done this, I feel a compulsing energy waft around my spirit. It's powerful and dense. To me it feels like an endless pool of startling electricity mixed with waves of calmness.

  I feel it leading me, deeper into my core.

  The first time I've experienced this, I got so spooked that I didn't even dare to think for a whole day afterwards. Now though, I rationalized, that this must be what chakra feels like. After all it's a new resource for me and a fully foreign concept. I conclude, it's not harmful. And even a little exciting.

  So I follow my instinct, my chakra leading me naturally to what my mind orders.

  And there it is, like a ginormous ball of glowing whites and blues, just wavering in front of my minds eye. Such a beautiful thing and it knows me so well, small tendrils reach out to me, touch me and they want to embrace me. It feels so right, like I am meant to use this power.

  It gives off a funny feeling; like it's got a will of it's own. Tempting me to finally follow my instincts. It's hard to keep my composure, my calmness fades away, giving in to excitement, but also anger.

  Anger at the world, anger at anyone who dares oppose me. A calculating hubris, that wants to overtake me. That is the part I was always afraid of. But I have to do this. I am the master and the energy my tool!

  So, with determination in my ivory eyes, I delve deep into the waiting embrace.

  Small sparks of power shifting to accommodate my spirit within them, waves of clashing blues and whites swimming through my body. I feel it!

  Now it's mine!

  “Haaah!” With a sudden lurch I open my eyes, my hand prostrated forwards and to my utter astonishment nothing has happened.

  “Why?! I tried so hard...” I sigh loudly, throwing my hands in the air.

  Then I go slack in my cross-legged position and pout a little. “What am I doing wrong?! I feel the power and I know it wants to come at my command,” My five year old voice screaming at no one, a slight echo my only answer.

  “Well at least the cliff-side talks to me,” with a little bitterness at the situation I decide to get up.

  My legs feeling a bit numb from the sitting in that position and they tingle as I stand up.

  “Now, Yuki-chan~ You should've said that you wanted a little help,” It's Mitsuru! My eyes widen in surprise and fear. Her voice sounding sweet and teasing, just over my right shoulder. And I simply know she stands there, her coastal blue eyes tinkling in this devilish glint and her slender body tightly wrapped in that damn formal dress robe she seems to love. I can picture it clearly.

  Still, she startles the hell out of me, “Eeep...M...Mitsuru-san?! What are you doing here?” my voice sounds a little higher than I wanted, damn. I quiver, not ready to turn and face her just yet.

  “Well, it just so happened that a favourite wayward child of mine deemed it necessary to skip a meal,” her teasing voice now so very close. And I feel her hands on my shoulder, sending a shiver down my spine. “So I thought it prudent to investigate. After all, meals are very important for growing ladies. Right?,”

  I blankly nod, my eyes vacant of any emotion. Damn! This is it. Now she's alone with me and can do whatever she pleases. Why was I so stupid.. stupid, stupid!

  “And imagine my surprise when I stumble upon you, my dear Yuki-chan, just barely a mile away, facing the cliff. One would think you care so little for your life as to end it prematurely, no?,” Is she insinuating I would kill myself?!

  No! She can't, right? I want to cry, my body shivers in cold sweat, her hand tight like a vice on my shoulder. “I...I wouldn't,” I rasp out, tears marking the edge of my eyes. Milky whites blurred by small drops “I just wanted to...,” I stumble over my own words, Damn it, this wasn't how I imagined to go. My spite leaves me and I feel like hanging in suspense making my gut drop heavily.

  “Now, now. I know that Yuki-chan~,” I truly awaited her to backstab me, or even throw me down the cliff, but to my endless surprise, she embraces me, warm and slender hands snaking around my waist, pulling me in ever so gently. “Shh, shh, it's okay little one. I am not going to hurt you,” her voice soothes with a lulling whisper into my hair, as she presses me tightly against her.

  And suddenly it's like my floodgates open up. Tears stream uncontrollably down my eyes and cheeks, a great sob escapes me and I cry. All my stress and concerns flood open into me, bursting my emotional blockage. The weight I carried on my soul crashing into me and leaving me with little control over the situation.

  “I..i was so scared you would kill me for real this time!,” Great sniffs heave up from my tiny chest, my head firmly pressed into Mitsuru. Now everything is lost, all my composure gone down the drain.

  But it feels so good to finally be hugged by a person. “Since that night, I was so afraid. And I didn't know what was going on...,” My sobs grow faster and I near mumble as well. But I have to let her know of those feelings... I have to let SOMEONE know!!

  “You poor dear,” Mitsuru gently lays her hand on my head and drives her fingers through my shoulder-long hair. And it feels so nice... “I had an inkling you remembered that night. And part of me was glad, glad that you do. It would make things easier,” she continues to softly circle her fingers in my white and open mess of hairs, her voice a soft lilt. “I realised quick, that you were a very smart girl. Your posture always so aware and alert, your speech patterns so eloquent. I never wanted to scar you so, poor dear,” With her nigh reminiscing tone she gently plucks me from her bosom and looks me in the eyes, not uncaring, not with the manic glint I know from her. No, to my tiny heart it feels very close to compassion.

  My ivory eyes lose themselves in her coastal blues and for a moment my time stands still. I must be a horrid sight. My snow-white shoulder-length hair a wild mess, my lips red and broken and my eyes teary and puffy. Snot and tear-streaks running down my face as a whole. My body more bones than muscle and on the smaller side as well. I must really look like a child of three or maybe four right now.

  But I don't care, with innocence I didn't know I still possess, I stare at her, half convinced I might cry any time again now. Small sniffles escaping me here and there.

  “But this world is cruel, Yuki-chan. Many horrid things happen in places you wouldn't expect. And...,” She sighs a bit, lifting a strand of my hair carefully sticking it behind my ear. “and I had my mission to do as well. You see, I am positioned here for exactly cases like yours. Were smart and prodigious children like you, go unnoticed by life.,” she pauses and smiles at me. I study her eyes and face, my momentary childish mind scanning for any deception, coming up with nothing. So I widen my eyes in na?ve anticipation. “So that I may pick you up and make the flower that would die in these wasted lands alone, sprout like you are meant to. And bloom you will, for Kirigakure will make you strong.”

  In the far recess of my mind, the name Kirigakure rings an unfamiliar bell. And I am sure I've heard that name mentioned at least once or twice in the show.

  But all that I can care for right now is the familiar scent of pine and saltwater, that Mitsuru smells like. And the calming presence of her body and warmth.

  I listened well and yes I realise this is probably what they would call a recruitment speech.

  Do I care though?

  No, right now, right this moment. I do not care in the slightest. My emotions got the better of me and I guess hormones and mental contributors really messed me up good.

  So with a tilted head I look up at her, the sniffles stilled. I rub my face with the sleeve of my shirt, going for the driest I can manage. “S..so what now then?” I bother not one bit to regulate my voice, may it sound cracked or whatever.

  Mitsuru looks back at me, an indulgent smile on her lips. “Now, my dear Yuki-chan. We go back to the orphanage and I'll have to talk to the matron,” for a second or so she pauses and looks away in contemplation until she returns her gaze back to me. “It would be best for you to pack whatever belongings you hold dear. We will depart soon for Kirigakure.”

  I stare at her a little perplexed, that was not the answer I expected. “We will leave here?” it's the only question I can think of and it repeats itself in my mind over and over. Why would we leave here now...?

  “Of course, you'll have to enter the academy after all. But be assured, you'll get a recommendation letter from me. That ought to put you on a higher list than the nobodies from the countryside,” With that she gently lifts me up and places me beside her. “Now then, shall we?” She looks at me expectantly, holding out her hand to me.

  I hesitate a second, not really understanding what the heck I just got into. But with academy, she could only mean the Ninja-Academy; right?

  “The ninja-academy? But...but I can't even use my power, you must have seen it” She has established some ground with me, I think she definitely won't kill me, right?

  So I grab her hand and decide that asking questions will not do me any harm now.

  “Hahaha. Oh poor Yuki-chan. Indeed I saw,” At my question, she guffaws a loud laugh, then turns to me again her eyes crinkle in amusement. “Don't worry Yuki-chan. They'll teach you at the academy and I'll make sure you get to cover anything they won't teach you.” here she smirks and I get the strong impression that my life will get a lot harder than I bargained for.

  The walk back is actually a great relief for me, I didn't know how much tension I still had in me. But the moment I grab Mitsuru's hand and we start walking, a heavy stone lifts from my heart. Although I have grown perfectly anxious now, what the hell Kirigakure is like. I stay mostly silent on our way back and Mitsuru seems content with it as well as she only occasionally hums to herself.

  This gives me time to think about what I know.

  But no matter how much I rack my brain, I can't recall any significant information about Kirigakure.

  Kimimaro comes from there, right? His clan, subsequently my clan as well, the Kaguya-clan.

  And I do know, that the Kaguya-clan is supposed to be dead when Kimimaro appears.

  But it's been far to long since I've watched the show and I get the feeling reincarnating...there I said it, I reincarnated... well being reincarnated didn't help my memory.

  I simply have to go with it.