DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own Naruto or the characters, Masashi Kishimoto does. I DO own Andy, Emily, and the plot.
Rated M for swearing, violence, and eventual lemons.
For purposes of this story, some characters that have died in the series are still alive. Partially because I'm in denial. :)
Chapter One:
"Andy! Wait up."
I paused mid-step, glancing over my shoulder at the voice. A reluctant smile curled the corners of my mouth as my best friend, Emily Song, came panting into view.
Even red faced and clearly winded, she still managed to look as if she'd stepped off the runway. Long white blonde hair streamed around her shoulders, pink eyes sparkled with something humorous she was no doubt dying to tell me. Our school's uniform fit her like a second skin, the black sweater hugging her hourglass figure and the black and white plaid skirt making her legs look a mile long.
I, on the other hand, was sure I looked like I was drowning in fabric.
And was perfectly happy that way.
With her quick pace, Emily came to skidding halt in front of me, hands going to her knees as she fought for breath.
"Did you run everywhere looking for me again?"
Emily's bright eyes snapped up to mine, a blinding smile making me blink. "Yup!"
"And you didn't think I was heading to the bookstore?"
"Ehe." She giggled, scratching the back of her head. "I only thought of it a few minutes ago."
I suppressed a sigh. She was a great friend, but the girl had the memory of a goldfish. I'd told her last period where I was going afterschool and she'd still forgotten.
"Emily, we need to work on your memory."
"I try!" she defended herself, cheeks puffing out.
"I know you do." I resumed walking, adding, "That's what's scary."
"Andy, don't be mean. I have something awesome to tell you!"
"Sorry, Em," I mumbled, playing with strand of my dark brown hair. "What's this awesome thing?"
An eruption of giggles from the being on my left had me eyeing her uneasily. Whenever she was in this kind of mood, it meant trouble for me.
"What is it?"
"I heard from Sarah in class 3-1 that Jeremy in class 3-4 likes you," she squealed. I stiffened as the loud sound pierced my eardrum. Boys and I did not mix. Sure, I could find them hot, but I wasn't going anywhere near one. Not after what happened with him.
"So, so! Do you like him back?"
Like I even knew who Jeremy was. Two seconds ago, I didn't know there was a Jeremy in our grade. I cleared my throat, irritation tickling the back of my neck. We had this conversation more often than I wanted to admit. It had to be the memory thing. Leveling her a stony expression, I said, "You know my opinion on boyfriends."
Emily glanced at her feet before hesitantly responding, "I just want to see you happy, Andy. It's not healthy to avoid boys like you do."
Taking in her contrite appearance, I sighed. Em did mean well. She wanted to help, just like I help her. Unfortunately, this was something I needed to work through on my own. That desire, though, was what made her such an amazing friend. It was also why we spent so much time together.
We walked for several silent moments to the entrance of our school before I couldn't take it anymore. "Do you want to come to the bookstore with me?"
Instantly, she brightened. "Are you picking up another order?"
I nodded, going over the list of novels I'd ordered from the local indie bookshop. I didn't know which one I wanted to read first—the swashbuckling adventure by Kitty Katlynn or the latest volume of Naruto.
A hand appeared before my face, "Earth to Andrea!"
I rolled my eyes at Emily's smirking face. She always found it funny I got lost in books like I did.
"Are you coming or not?" I grunted.
My friend giggled before falling into step beside me. It only took two heartbeats before she launched into a story from the lunchroom. Apparently, some first years thought it would be a good idea to challenge the second year queen bee. As expected, chaos had erupted in the form of pulled extensions and chipped manicures.
Where was I during this? In the peaceful setting of the school's library.
Thank God. I don't think I could have taken it if I'd been there. It only served to remind me how happy I was about graduating this year.
By the time we reached Margie's Book Stop, Emily had miraculously talked herself out. I pulled open the door, enjoying the soft tinkling of the bell overheard. It was like signaling I'd come home.
Margie's Book Stop was a sight to behold to any bibliomaniac. Floor to ceiling books shoved into every nook and cranny. More like a canvas filled with colorful covers and inventive titles, painted for my own personal pleasure. As the door swung shut behind me, I was engulfed in the familiar smell of old paper and ink, with an undercurrent of peppermint from the owner's constant supply of tea.
I'd barely begun shifting through titles when a short, plump woman with a blue smock appeared from the back room behind the counter.
"Margie," I greeted with a smile.
"Andrea, Emily, welcome!"
Behind me, Emily waved to the graying, older woman over my shoulder.
"I've come to pick up my order."
Margie's eyes sparked with excitement. "Ah yes! It just came in this morning. I also received a first edition of Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, if you're interested."
The idea of owning a first edition anything sent a thrill through me. I was so deep in thought, I lost track of Emily. And that was never a good thing. While I loved books, they never meshed well with my friend. She'd get bored and a bored Emily caused an endless amount of trouble.
Hence the automatic groan that escaped when I heard a loud crash from the back of the store and no blonde in sight.
Margie shot me a pained smile before investigating the damage. I waited by the case housing rare books. Glancing over titles I could never dream of affording, one in particular caught my eye. It was deep purple linen bound volume. The gold lettering had faded with time but I could still make out part of the title: Into the … Universe. Curiosity pulsed through me, making my fingers tingle. I wanted—no, had—to touch that book. To find out what the rest of the title was.
A clearing of a throat snapped my head up. Margie had returned with a shamed faced Emily following in her wake. I sighed, "What's the damage?"
The older woman huffed slightly, "Not nearly as bad as last time. It will only take me three hours to restock instead of seven."
"I'm sorry, Margie," the blonde murmured.
"I know, dear. Just thank Andrea's continued patronage as the reason why I don't toss you out on your ear each time you enter."
I hide my amusement at Emily's put out expression behind my hand.
As Margie returned behind the desk, I couldn't resist the temptation.
"I know I could never afford it in a million years," I said, "but could I please have a look at that purple book?" I pointed at the one I wanted to see. Margie followed my hand, something I'd never seen, nor could I name, flickering in the dark depths of her gaze. She seemed to hesitate a moment before nodding. I didn't blame her. As much as I loved books and this shop, I was still a teen and the book was expensive.
"Sure."
Margie put on cotton gloves for careful handling and unlocked the glass door. Placing the antique novel on a velvet covered tray, she left me with a pair of gloves, saying she was going to fetch my order. I nodded absently, already mesmerized by what was in front of me.
Behind me, I heard Emily whisper with odd reverence. "It's so pretty."
I nodded, carefully wrapping the glove around the hardcover to flick it open to the title page. What I saw made me gasp. There in big letters was not something I would expect a book this old to have in the title.
"Into the Naruto Universe," I whispered.
Just as I said it, a soft glow started to emit from the book.
"What," Emily muttered. She reached out to touch to book. Not only did I not want her finger oils on the ancient pages, I didn't want her anywhere near a freakin' glowing book.
"Wait!"
It was too late. I grabbed her wrist just as her hand connected with the title page. A sudden, violent gust of wind ripped through the store, shaking stacked books to the ground. Loose pages fluttered around us. I gripped harder onto Emily's wrist as our eyes met. Red met her pink and I suddenly knew we were in a great deal of trouble.
"Shit," I cried as the world seemed to fall away and we dropped into eternal darkness.