My first birthday came and went in a blur of cake, presents, and barely contained panic. A whole year in this new life, and I still felt like I was walking a tightrope. One wrong move, one slip of the tongue, and my whole charade could come crashing down.
But I'd made it this far. I was walking confidently now, no more exaggerated stumbles or fake falls. My vocabulary had expanded to simple sentences, carefully crafted to show progress without raising too many eyebrows.
"Mama, play with Akamaru?" I'd ask, pointing to the growing puppy who was never far from my side.
Or, "Hana-nee, show kunai please?" That one always got a laugh and a ruffle of my hair.
I thought I was doing pretty well, all things considered. Then came the clan gathering.
The Inuzuka compound was buzzing with activity. Relatives I'd never met poured in, each accompanied by their ninken partners. The air was thick with the scent of roasting meat and the sound of boisterous laughter.
I clung to Tsume's leg, overwhelmed by the sensory assault. So many new chakra signatures, so many unfamiliar scents. Akamaru pressed against my side, a comforting warmth.
"There he is!" A gruff voice boomed. "The little prodigy we've been hearing so much about!"
I looked up to see a mountain of a man, wild hair streaked with grey, grinning down at me. One of the clan elders, I realized with a jolt.
"Uncle Gaku," Tsume greeted, a hint of wariness in her tone. "I see word has spread."
"Hard to keep anything quiet in this clan," Gaku chuckled. He crouched down, bringing his face level with mine. "So, pup. Let's see what you can do, eh?"
What followed was a series of tests, thinly veiled as games. Reflex checks disguised as playful swats I had to dodge. Memory games that went on far longer than any normal one-year-old could handle. Problem-solving tasks that had the gathered clan members murmuring in impressed tones.
I walked a fine line, showcasing enough skill to be impressive without veering into the impossible. I let myself struggle with the harder tasks, made a show of concentrating deeply before solving them.
"Did you see that?" I heard one clan member whisper. "He stacked the blocks in order of size without even being told to!"
"And his reflexes," another added. "Quicker than my three-year-old, I'd wager."
I pretended not to hear, focusing instead on the puzzle in front of me. It was a simple wooden box with various shaped holes. Child's play, really. But I made a show of examining each piece carefully, occasionally trying to fit one in the wrong hole before "figuring it out."
"Good job, Kiba!" Hana cheered as I slotted the last piece into place. I beamed at her, playing up the proud toddler act.
"Impressive," Gaku rumbled. "Very impressive indeed. But tell me, Tsume, have you tested his chakra control yet?"
A hush fell over the gathering. Tsume's hand tightened on my shoulder.
"He's too young," she said firmly. "We don't start chakra training until-"
"Bah!" Gaku waved a hand dismissively. "Rules are meant to be broken for prodigies. Besides, I'm not talking about anything intensive. Just a little... taste."
From his pocket, he produced a small, round pill. My eyes widened. I knew what that was.
A soldier pill.
"Absolutely not," Tsume growled, pulling me closer. "He's a baby, Gaku. Not one of your experiments."
"It's diluted," Gaku assured her. "Perfectly safe. Just enough to give him a feel for his chakra. Wouldn't want to waste potential, would we?"
I could feel the tension in the air, thick enough to cut with a kunai. Part of me wanted to diffuse it, to act up and distract everyone. But a larger part... a larger part was curious.
I'd always wondered what it felt like, that surge of chakra the anime characters seemed to rely on so heavily. And here was my chance to find out.
Before I could think better of it, I reached out towards the pill. "Pretty," I said, in my best toddler voice. "Can I see?"
Gaku's grin widened. Tsume's grip on me loosened in surprise.
"See?" Gaku crowed. "The boy knows what he wants! Here, pup. Just a little taste."
He pressed the pill to my lips. I hesitated for a split second, then licked it.
The effect was immediate and overwhelming.
Energy surged through me, hot and wild. My senses, already heightened, went into overdrive. I could hear heartbeats, smell emotions, see with a clarity that was almost painful.
And the chakra. Oh, the chakra. I could feel it flowing through me, a river of power begging to be used.
I must have made a sound, because suddenly Tsume was there, scooping me up. "That's enough," she snarled at Gaku. "We're done here."
As she carried me away, I caught snippets of excited conversation.
"Did you see his eyes? They glowed!"
"Such control for one so young..."
"We need to start his training immediately..."
Tsume didn't stop until we were back in our house, the door firmly shut behind us. She set me down, kneeling to look me in the eye.
"Kiba," she said, her voice stern but tinged with worry. "I need you to listen carefully. Those pills are dangerous. They're not toys, and they're not for children. Do you understand?"
I nodded solemnly. "No pretty pills. Danger."
She sighed, pulling me into a hug. "That's right. No pretty pills. They can hurt you if you're not careful."
As the effects of the soldier pill faded, leaving me exhausted, I heard more voices outside. Gaku and some of the other elders, discussing my "potential."
"...never seen such a response in one so young..."
"...could be the prodigy we've been waiting for..."
"...need to start his training as soon as possible..."
I buried my face in Tsume's shoulder, conflicting emotions warring inside me. On one hand, the thought of starting ninja training filled me with excitement. This was what I'd been waiting for, the chance to start building the skills I'd need to change this world's future.
But on the other hand... I was terrified. The more I stood out, the more attention I drew, the harder it would be to maintain my prefered lifestyle. And if anyone ever discovered the truth about me, about my adult mind and future knowledge...
I shuddered, clinging tighter to Tsume.
"It's okay, pup," she murmured, mistaking my fear for lingering effects of the pill. "I've got you. You're safe."
I wished I could believe her. But as Akamaru curled up at my feet, his warm presence a silent comfort, I knew the truth.