38. Childish

Time passed by as Tomoka read book after book in the library at an astonishing speed. The little girl had gotten so into reading she had forgotten she was sitting on her mother’s lap. This little hiccup led to Himiko once again reaffirming her belief that her cute troublemaker is a genius. The proud mother enjoyed spending her time pating her cute daughter's soft and fluffy hair.  

Tomoka on the other hand was reading, analyzing, understanding, cataloging and storing every single word and minute detail she got from the books into her mental library. The process was tedious and yet she enjoyed every second of it. As what some would call a huge nerd, she loved gaining new information, even if said info would seem useless at the time. 

Her subjects of study this time were the many, many biology books and medicine books. From chakra pathways to medicinal plants, she had read and memorized as much as she could. Her mind buzzed with theories she had concocted as she went. However, as the saying goes: “all good things must come to an end” 

“Tomoka honey, it’s time to go home, it’s getting late” Himiko shook Tomoka a little to get her attention. Looking outside one could see the sky with a beautiful gradient of black to orange. 

“Don’t wanna!” Tomoka was too into her reading to care about the impending night. In her past life she had spent days straight attached to her computer doing research. She was willing to continue reading for the entire night and continue the next day as well. However, Himiko would not let her. 

“It wasn’t a question, I was just informing you” With a gentle smile and steely eyes Himiko took the troublesome kid under her arm like a sack of potatoes. Of course Tomoka was unwilling to give up just yet. She grabbed the desk with all her might, unwilling to let go. But who is Tomoka’s mother? An experienced jounin there was no way for the little kid to win this fight. 

With an amused smile Himiko placed her index finger on Tomoka’s nape and delivered a slight shock. This was enough for the kid to yelp in surprise and let go of the desk while angrily glaring at her mother. 

With a chuckle Himiko began walking back home, not letting go of her child. It didn’t take long for the two to reach home. The rest of the night was spent in peace as Tomoka decided to chill with her mom… by competing with her in kunai throwing, not the smartest of ideas as Tomoka was thoroughly and mercilessly demolished.

“Mom! no fair, you should go easier on me! I am only four!” Tomoka pouted while glaring angrily towards her mother, who in response began pinching her cheeks. This led to an impromptu game of tag as Tomoka chased Himiko around the house. 

Hours later Tomoka was laying on her bed while thinking about her day. She felt slightly odd and conflicted about her behavior. It felt natural at the moment, but now that she calmly analized it she couldn’t help but cringe a little at her childish behavior.

‘It’s weird I am a grown adult inside and yet here I am acting like a kid’ Tomoka sighed, trying to let some of her frustration out. 

[I don’t see the problem, you are a kid right now so it would be stranger if you didn’t act like one]

That statement or rather, the first part of it brought a few ideas to Tomoka’s mind. What if her behavior has more to do with her body than her mind. She is in fact a child right now. Her body is still maturing, even her brain is not fully matured yet. This might be the reason why her behavior is so childish at times. 

‘Kurama you are a genius!’ Tomoka couldn’t help but compliment her fox friend. If her theory is right then acting childish is not her fault nor something to be worried about. However, confirming the theory is pretty much impossible. Not that she cares, in her mind this theory is as good as a confirmed fact. 

[I know I am] Kurama had no idea what he said or did for Tomoka to suddenly praise him but he would not look a gifted horse in the mouth. 

With a smile, a full stomach after a delicious diner, an peace of mind Tomoka fell asleep dreading the torture that would be going to school the next day. Overall, Tomoka could say with a hundred percent certainty that she is enjoying her second chance at life.