Chapter 2: New Things

It seems as if we are trying to join a… country? No… town? City? Something of the sort. Slowly but surely these people came around, checking out every one of us. Hmm, but why? I mean, if we are going to live in their home, I guess it makes sense, but the way they're doing it… They don't trust us at all.

Well, there was a war recently, yeah? Something of the sort? Perhaps they're still paranoid. Security to the max. I guess it makes sense. And since this is a third world, they are checking for the weapons like knifes and such too. They even came to me! A baby. I mean, I get it, you have to check out all the dangerous people. But the baby? Very paranoid.

I went to my Mom, who takes care of all our business. I saw Missy and her brother(?) get checked out too throughout the days. A lot of different people came up to us, ask us questions and other things. The interrogation-as that's what it was-gave me some insight, though. They asked questions I couldn't.

I learned that the place we are trying to get into is called Konohagakure no Sato. Our clan… is a clan of mercenaries. I had to make sure I heard that right. There are 40 of us. We have no Kekkei Genkai, whatever that is. We come from…. uh… I didn't remember but it sounded like another city place and a 'land of' something. There where some other questions that had me learn things too, and it just went on and on.

They left us alone today.

I took the chance to go to around my clan. I realize I didn't know many of them, and we were about to go into a place with other people. I'd like to know my own. Everyone seems to have spiky hair, some longer parts that are straight. We generally have brown hair, some green eyes here and there but mostly brown. It's generic, but familiar. The other people were sporting blond and black hair, blue and black eyes. There are more colors in the crowd of other people, of course, like orange or grey. But at least I know my own. Fun. My favorite color is green.

On my walk around the small camp we set up near the red wall, I also met some people. They told me their names and such. I met some Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins. I even got Uncle's name! The one who takes me out to walk. His name is Jin. Uncle Jin was with Missy when I was going around for names and it turns out Missy's name is Tora! How cool. Oh! Mi-er-Tora's brother is Cousin Kuma.

I didn't get as far to ask the elder's for their names or the other kids, but at least I've got some people. When I got back to the wagon I'm sleeping in-some others are sleeping in tents-my body decided to take a nap.

When dinner and night came, I got new shoes. I got some sort of cloth on my feet when I started to walk, but these new shoes are more sturdy and more likely to last longer with all the walking I've been doing. They're nice and cushy, though not too hard on the outside. It didn't take long to break them in, which I was happy about.

Tonight, only one person sang. The song was less impacting.

When I woke up next for morning from the nights sleep, I was somewhere different. Well, I was still in the wagon, but the… atmosphere was different. Like, I could tell I wasn't in the same place, of facing the same direction. It's that kind of sixth sense, I suppose.

Looking outside, I see… huh. I am in a new place. A field. Not the forest anymore. The camp was still set up. I wondered what happened…. Oh wait. The red wall…. Am I on the other side? Did we make it in? I guess they did it in the night as it's morning…

Most of the older people are still awake, the babies are gone with their mothers… Oh! Here come's mine! She took me from my spot in the carriage and I got to see more of what's inside the red wall…. More tree's, and a lot of construction. It's all quiet, though. Slow. Like the people building the houses and homes don't trust each other. Hmmm….

I guess this city(?) is new, and my clan just moved in. Like a new apartment building, everyone has to get used to each other. Or at least that's the way it was for me…. But I can remember the times where everyone was tense. All the men were off to war and everyone was worried. All the men except for me. Now, don't get me wrong. All the women-who are just as strong as men, believe me-where nice company. But I couldn't serve my country like I wanted…

This tenseness is different, though. More like everyone is paranoid of each other. This isn't a town just yet. It's a group of clans-families, living in the same place…. Speaking of clans… It seems Mom is taking me to Mis-Tora. Tora is her name. Mom said she'd be doing other things and Tora would look after me. Maybe she's helping with the construction? Hmm, who knows…

I look to Tora, who is looking at me. We seem to have a staring contest until she shows me a rock. A rock? She tosses it up in her hand, and catches it. Does she want to play catch? Maybe there is some kid in her after all… She hands me the rock and looks at me expectantly.

Would a normal kid be able to understand she want's me to toss it? Should I act like a normal kid? I mean, I will be a prodigy, yeah? Is that a bad thing? I don't think I could keep up the act, and with a bunch of paranoid people around, I bet they'd suspect anything. Then again-OW!

As my teeth hurt, my hand goes up and the rock goes flying to Tora, who catches it. Was that supposed to happen? Should I have done that? It was an accident… Too late now, I guess… Tora looks at me, a searching look on her stale face. Oh no, what if she catches me? Wait, wait, wait. That's illogical. And what would she be catching me of? I doubt that she would automatically think I'm actually on my way to being 100 years old. There's no need to worry. Perhaps she just suspects that I'm smarter than a normal baby.

She hands the stone back to me. I look at it. It fit's in my little hand, and my fingers are getting better at grasping little things. Maybe Tora is helping me practice my fine motor skills? How kind of her. I pass it back to her. The process repeats for some time, the simple task enough to keep me contempt. Then Tora changes it up a bit. She drops the rock in my hands, and I fail to catch it.

Then we did that for a while until I could catch the rock in one hand. It was fun! I tried not to let my smile show too much, as was custom here, but I was happy Tora was furthering my development. I'd like to get strong enough quick too! Thanks Tora! I couldn't say this, of course, but I think I got the message across with my eyes, if the pat on my head was any indication.

Mom picked me up again when it was time for lunch, and after lunch I took a nap. The rest of the day was routine. All was good.

Huh…? Who… HUH?

It was afternoon. I was with Tora again, but I wanted to just enjoy my time in the sun, so I sunbathed. I guess I fell asleep, but when I heard footsteps(now that I think about it, where is everyone's foot steps?) I woke up and opened my eyes…

To see bright, brown eyes, too close for comfort. I do not flinch, however. If I started flinching every time I met someone's eyes I'd be a laughing stock, in this life and the last. No, here my clan was calm, collected. I won't just ruin that image for anyone, I don't want to let the Haabu clan down. Even if I didn't expect these small, round eyes to suddenly be in my vision.

I do however, freeze, hold my breath and stare like a deer caught in headlights. But I need to clam down, this person is obviously a child. Now that my shock has worn off, I blink. Killing the starring contest I was having. The obvious toddler in front of me giggles and backs away, for me to regain myself.

As I stand up, I notice Tora there, along with another I have not seen before. The guy is decked out in some light armor, a sword with him and another pouch on his leg. Now that I think about it… everyone seems to have some protection on or a weapon or two. Not me, though. Or this other kid. Must be because of the war and the hesitant peace time(?) happening. Expectantly with all the new people just meeting each other.

Tora is here for me, so this other guy must be for this… two year old? Yeah, I'd say he was about two. The adults-yes, I count Tora as one-seem to be calm, but with myself growing up in a clan of little emotions I can tell Tora is tense. Not sure about the other guy. Now that I notice, everything is really tense. The other brat's just standing there, watching me expectantly.

"Hi. I'm Sarwutobi Hirwuzen," The boy says, oblivious of the situation around him. Or maybe he knows and is just rubbing it off, or maybe I'm thinking too much into the intelligence of a two year old. I then comprehend what the boy-Hiruzen?-just said. He introduced himself. Hmm, I cannot speak yet but it is kind to share your name after another's been given… I look to Tora in a subtle pleading way….

Tora doesn't look to me, instead she is having what looks like a silent conversation with the other man. Once the conversation ends, she seems to relax more. She must have known I was looking at her because she looked at me, then gave a little nod.

"He is Habbu Gin," Tora says. It's rare that I get to hear her voice, so I make sure to pay attention. The other boy, Hiruzen, seems to understand and giggles again. He comes closer to me, then.

"Haabbu-san-"Hiruzen starts, I shake my head. No, I'd like you to call me by my first name. Why would you call me by my clan name?

"Haabbu-kun?" He asks, seeming to understand. I shake my head again. What is with all these.. these suffixes?

"Haabbu-chann?" He mumbles as his face scrunches up. I guess he doesn't like calling me 'chan' or whatever. I shake my head again. He seems to sigh in relief. Hiruzen then scrunches his face again to think. So expressive, it's a nice change. His clan must not be stoic like mine. I still love mine, though. Whoa! Hiruzen's head lifts up so fast, he might have whiplash! He's smiling now!

"Gin-san!" He says. Well, I guess that's close enough. I give him a small smile and nod back, to make sure he understands I'm happy too. He gives a laugh. He then comes closer.

"You call me Hirwuzen, then!" He affirms, nodding his head. He was about to say something else when his caretaker-guardian?-put's a hand on his shoulder. Hiruzen looks up to him.

"It's time to go, Sarutobi-sama," He says in a calm, deep voice. Hiruzen nods along, reluctantly, moving on with his caretaker. Before he left my sight he waved.

Huh. I look to Tora, who seems to still be looking in the direction they left in. She then looks at me. Okay then. I met and… made friends(?) with someone outside the clan. Nice.

On the way back to camp, I went back to thinking about how everyone's footsteps are silent. I noticed how everything was silent, actually. I stand in the middle of camp and close my eyes, all that I can hear is the other children. Interesting. Maybe I should be quiet too? It seems so odd, but I feel like I'd be disturbing the peace if I kept being so… loud. I don't want to be left out, so I guess I'll go on and be more… quiet.

I take measure to calm my breathing. I step slower then usual, on the balls of my feet when I can. Hmm, the shoes help. Maybe the shoes are made to be silent? Very nice. I had lunch and with Mom and then was left alone in camp. Well, not alone, just by myself. There were still people around, I just wasn't actively watched.

I find this weird. I mean, no need to think badly about my new family, but why would they ever leave a baby by themselves? I guess they see I'm more intelligent then the other babies and deem me okay to be left alone? I don't see any other child my age walking around by themselves… Well, I am special… I should just go with it. Gives me more chance to explore. No need to look a gift horse in the mouth and all that.

Meeting Hiruzen makes me realize I don't really have any bonds with the younger people of my clan, besides Tora. Maybe I should go hang out with the two year olds around. They seem to be smart, I guess? Where would they be? I know the older kids are in another carriage then me, as my wagon has only babies and older people. I guess I should go look.

Going around, I find a wagon full of supplies and stock, along with a wagon full of gear and weapons. And scrolls? Third world… The third wagon had some murmuring, and when I checked there were a few kids, maybe five or so, playing a little card game. They seem to be as quiet as everyone else, and they notice me immediately when I open their flap. There are three of them.

The oldest was in the middle, he looked about seven, and there was a younger girl-six?-and a younger boy-who looked six as well. But then again, maybe I'm wrong about their age. Their features are all weirdly exotic after all. I guess mine are too, now that I think about it…

I climb up onto their wagon and go into their impromptu circle. Square. Whatever. I sit across from the oldest kid, and they're all looking at me with weird faces. Not as in features-but their expressions themselves. It's like they are trying to… Oh! They are trying to keep a straight face and also look surprised at me being here. Pfft. They are trying alright. Is that what I look like? Do my emotions show on my face? I'll have to check up on that…

I gesture to the cards-as pointing is too forward-then gesture to myself with a tilt of my head. As I cannot speak yet, I hope communicating like this is okay. Where is Tora when you need her… Then again, I am just a baby. They probably don't want to play with me anyway. The other two look to the oldest in silent communication that I guess is all taught when young here. The older one looks amused and nods. Good, he's mature enough not to look down on me because of my age.

Should I be worried? About a seven year old being mature? They're only kids…

They start to play again, to finish their game and I slowly learn the rules. When they finish they deal cards to me. Awesome, as my grandson would say. I get to learn this worlds card games.

"This game is called Bait." The oldest says when he places the first card down. Bait. Nice name.

We play until I get picked up by my Mom-I don't know how she found me-and sent to bed. Next time I bond with my family, I'll have to learn their names. Bait was fun. I'm having a good time here so far. That's good.

My mood soured a little when I didn't hear anyone sing tonight. I guess the clan isn't doing that anymore… I feel like I lost some connection with them. Maybe it's too quiet.

AN: Heyo! THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL THE REVIEWS/FOLLOWS/FAVORITES! It means SO much! I know the pace is slow, but I'm hoping to pick it up a little more next chapter, for you reader's who like the quicker things. Some notes:

-I don't actually know if Hiruzen is the heir to the Sarutobi clan. I decided to make him the heir. If it's not cannon then… Uh… This fic is AU? Yeah, that's it.

-There isn't actually a card game named Bait that I know of, fictional or not. So yeah. I made it up.

Anyway. I'm human, so if you see any mistakes, feel free to tell me so I can fix them! What I'm not is 90 years old though, so if you want to share some things about how you think a 90 year old guy would act or say, let me know! Maybe I'll put it in the story somehow! Thanks for reading! ^^

Hello! For lack of planning I am not going to continue this story. It was a long shot and I just can't make it. Sorry if anyone actually wanted to see this go through, and if anyone wants to continue it, they can just credit the idea to me. Thanks! (Oh! And I did make some plot/character development but nothing came through so if you want to know what would've happened just ask.) SORRY!