AN: Hi guys! It's the Author here! First and foremost, I'm so sorry for the long awaited second chapter. It's literally been all year (Forever really). I've just been so focused on school and once I posted the first chapter I thought that maybe it was too early and started editing the first chapter again (as mentioned in the first chapter) and slowly working on it during my breaks and stuff while working on further chapters. Then I saw your guy's comments and realized how long ago you guys read this and well…Sorry again!
But really, it was a lot of fun and I hope you guys have fun too. I would also like to mention that this OC has no knowledge of Naruto, like, our world never had the manga or anything.
WARNING it's going to be a worldbuilding experience for Dora for a few chapters, a bit OC centric but I'm trying to get more cannon characters in there. And also a change in perspective now that the story is going to start getting a move on.
WARNING again! Mentions of missing limbs and light gore. Also profanity
Naruto is owned my Kishimoto, not me. I own nothing but my laptop and an energy bar.
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Previously on "Just as Sweet"
"As I said, you are no longer home. That is to say, you are in, what to you is, another world, for all intents and purposes. Where your home is one way this one is completely different. Here in this world there is darkness and only those strong enough to live in it can thrive. That is what I want to accomplish here. This world has a limitless amount of power and harnessing it will change the world as we know it. The only way to access that power is through you my dear. That is what a Shinobi is, what you will become."
There was no way she was believing anything he was saying.
"I see you don't believe me. Look, even now you resemble a frightened little mouse. Believe it or not I am telling you the truth and this is your new home now. I will teach you all you have to know. You can trust me."
She was so not trusting him, "…Okay."
The now dubbed Dora, would forever call this day as the shitty lecture day where everything she knew about anything was thrown up to the air and this was only the start of the first edition of her story. The prologue to the sequels of her new life.
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It was after a pause of silence that the man in front of me started to stand. I'd assumed that the ball was in his playing field, so I waited for him to continue the conversation.
After a pretty short but-still-long-enough-to-be-awkward pause he continued.
"Of course, it's only natural that I cannot answer your questions if you do not trust me. It's the fundamentals of building relationships after all. Whatever I say, lie or truth, does not matter if you perceive that all I say is a lie. Or am I wrong Dora-chan?"
Not trusting my voice I hummed in response, and could do nothing but follow his lead. Out the door and through more humid hallways. I mean, the dude is huge, and could probably choke me to death if he wanted to. He's saying he wants me to trust him but I'm also half expecting there to be an alley or something.
"I'm glad you agree, I knew you were smart. The question now is, how do I gain your trust? After all, you are in a foreign place with a strange man, oh, and you may have the notion that you were kidnaped."
He had the nerve to look sheepish!
What!? And let me just say that it looks really bad on him, like he was a bad actor.
Attitude souring even more, I paced just faster than his hand on my back…unsuccessfully…because it was brushing now against my back now, which was worse!
"The first rule you should know is that I do nothing without purpose Dora-chan. And what I am about to show you is the reason for everything. Why you are here, why I will train you, and why I need you to trust me."
We were going down dark and humid hallways, the torches lit only the next couple of feet. I didn't even register how it felt almost opposite to the corridors I first went through.
"Before we emerge I must warn you, the sight may not me what you are accustomed to. Yours is a diverse and marginalized world from what I heard. A land of great wealth and poverty. But, no matter your faults, this one is much more savage. With constant world wars and endless heated struggles from major countries, the younger, weaker lands wedged between them never had a chance. Its people slaughtered or left to die, always at the mercy of the ninja who were an enemy to their allies. It's been the weapon of choice for centuries, hiring ninja to do the dirty work. Every country has it's own private military power and in the last war it was common practice to engage in environmental warfare. Drowning mountain valleys with major trade routes their enemies used, burning down timber forests and pouring acid on farmland so nothing would grow therefore starving opposing forces. By any means necessary, ninja would persistently do what it took to complete the mission. As a result, you can imagine what happened to one's who's entire lively hoods were uprooted. Many, with nowhere to go had no choice but leave and find elsewhere to travel and delay their inevitable deaths from famine and war."
We reached the end of the long hallway, to a heavy door where the robed man paused, I swear the only sound in that quiet corridor was the single 'ching' from his purple earing. And that's when I noticed he was looking at me through the corner of his slanted yellow eye.
"I'm going to change that"
And the doors burst open
And
I was assaulted with an entire world I'd never experienced before. All of my senses felt like they were on overload. Everything was brighter, but it shouldn't have been, it felt wrong with what I was seeing. What I was smelling.
With that I was hearing.
There, surrounding the two of us was an entire population of people groaning, crying, screaming, and just…conversations everywhere.
I could see people in what looked like makeshift gurneys, spilling out of tents and though they were all patched up already, thank god, were obviously in need of changing. The smells were rotting limbs, and old bark and old food and other things I had no idea of and didn't want to find out.
There were children who were playing with makeshift toys, and mothers nagging at this and that. Tents were everywhere and though they were all living it was overwhelmed by this feeling of fatigue and wear. They were tired of wandering and running and being scared all the time. You could see it hanging off their bones like how they wore their thin skin. Everyone's cheeks were incredibly pronounced and their eyes were going hollow with hunger. The entire air buzzed with anxiety and unrest, it was almost too much.
Was this where people went to when they had no where else to go? In the middle of a rotting, humid forest, 'I've never seen a swamp with these types of trees'. Is this where these people found refuge? How bad was it in their homeland? Even if I don't believe this war happened, I know something terrible did. What's it matter if it was war, collateral or targeted discrimination? No one should live like this-or be treated this way. It made my stomach churn unlike anything I'd ever experienced.
Was this how it was at home too? With the endless, pointless war that decimated beautiful cities and hurt countless people?
I wasn't good enough to help anyone then. Now that it's in front of me, what am I supposed to do now?
If this really is a different world the rules from home would still apply. Wars and skirmishes will keep happening. It's just how life is- it goes up and down and a place where there is absolute peace doesn't exist because we are not in heaven. The best thing we as humans can ever hope to accomplish is help everyone as much as we can. Yes, it sounds futile, but it will eventually become the norm everywhere to live a comfortable and wholesome life. Looking at everyone here, wearing what looks like medeivil peasent clothes instead of the standard worn pants and flannels, I feel like I'm starting to get convinced that…yes, this isn't home, and war is rampant.
How do these people get by? They all, to put it lightly, look half dead. They aren't thinking of staying here right? This place doesn't look habitable. It's humid as all hell, the mud is thick and mucky and the trees are covered in so much moss I was sure that the bark was unusable for any fires.
…of course I'd never been in a swamp so maybe there was a way and I didn't know… there was also a weird smell somewhere in there…
Somewhere in front of us a thin man was tugging in front of us when he looked over and a light in a man's eyes appeared, or more specifically, when he looked at the figure next to me. "Orochimaru-sama!' he exclaimed. 'ah, right, that was his name'
Everyone was alert to the man's call, calling out themselves and gathering around. Tuning out their welcomes to the man beside me I tried to process what was going on. Half the adults here were missing teeth, many who had a cane looking object struggled through the mud on the way over. Their clothes had seen some really bad days, but they were neat and patched up. Everyone had these smiles and shining eyes as they looked to their 'Orochimarusama'.
I was broken out of my reverie when I heard Orochimaru announce that he would look into getting more supplies during their stay and for their journey. With a smooth wave of his hand it looked like he dismissed everyone to go about their business as he led me more into the tent village.
"What do you mean journey? Are we moving again?" I really don't like the thought of having to go somewhere. On the bright side, yay no more swamp but on the downside… this is the place I'd come from, when I mysteriously woke up here…woke up on a table. I'm sure there's a portal somewhere in that lab, (like a closet of something? Heh), if I could just find my way back there and get some clues…
"Not you and your companions of course, it's much too soon for you to be out and about. The shock will kill you my dear Dora-chan. I merely brought you here in the efforts that you could place your faith in me and join my efforts."
I know he's going to direct the conversation to his 'efforts' but, "Then, where are these people going?"
'Also. kill me? What the crap? From shock?'
The man hummed, "I've selected a precise section of land between two nations to start my own village. The plans are all in order, I just need the man power. A select group of people who offer the talents required for a shinobi."
"Shinobi?" I remember hearing that word before not knowing what it was.
"It's what we call those who are the primary sources of military power throughout the nations, a ninja."
I nodded, still being led by his hand as we walked toward the tents with beds and gurneys.
"Even if they are the cause of this mess, it's also the kind of power that will heal it. I intend to rebuild this world to prevent such atrocities by starting with a village of my own. Then, to have the power to build a strong enough village I need to have strong ninja, and I was fortunate enough to find you and yours."
I still couldn't get over the amount of people here, there could've been hundreds, "and these people are…"
"hmm, yes, the consequences of war and thus, refugees, all from different nations mind you. Of course, many come from close to the nation of water. Come." and he led me through the flaps of the tent entrance.
In one word, it was crowded, and it seems this is where the mysterious smell was coming from. There were rotting limbs (be it from missing ones or other wise) everywhere I looked.
"ah, Orochimaru-sama" came a greeting from somewhere in the room. Looking up from a particularly nasty looking thigh on a sleeping woman I saw a familiar face. Silver hair and large glasses.
"Kabuto-kun, making your rounds, you are as dutiful as always." Orochimaru weaved through the field of beds toward the boy and not wanting to stand there gawking at everything, well, no more than I have been, I scurried after him.
"Well, I do what I can," He sighed, raking his hands on a mans missing knee. Wait…He wasn't raking his hands, he wasn't even touching them…and his hands were glowing? " but it would be easier if I didn't have to worry about Chakra exhaustion. That's it for the treatment today Ari-san, try and rest now, your next appointment is in two days." Pulling down and tying his pants on his knee, Arisan took his cane and scratched the back of his head, "thank you Kabuto-kun, we would all be lost without you and Orochimaru-sama, I apologize for all the trouble we have caused, myself included of course."
Huh, he has nice hair. Oh oops, he's looking over at me now
"and this is?"
"I'm me."
….
Oh god, I just said that. Oh god, I just stopped breathing. Why did I say that?!
"This is the newest edition to the ranks, Dora-chan." Orochimaru chuckled, "she's young and has much to learn. Go on my dear, say hello."
The man called Arisan laughed, leaning on his crutch and extending his hand, "now, now, it's alright I don't bite. I apologize if seeing my leg spooked you."
"No! It's no trouble at all, it's not your fault that this happened to you, a-and it looks like you're getting some medical attention at least."…was that the right thing to say? God I hope it was.
"ah, yes, it was already festering when we arrived. Believe it or not, what you saw was an improvement. Kabuto-kun is the one who has almost single handedly been taking care of everyone's wounds." Kabutokoon* got a pat on the back, and I pat myself on the back for not making the dude feel bad, go me!
But…looking around, Kabuto is the only person really here to, I guess, heal people. There's two more besides him but…the patient load looks like way too much for each person.
"Aren't there more people to help?"
"Yes, but medical ninja from small villages were wiped out in the last war so their medical training does not cover the amount of skill needed to heal substantial wounds like these."
"We are all so very grateful." More solemn this time Arisan* bowed his brown head.
"Well, we intend to gather more ninja with healing abilities in the future to lighten the burden." Kabuto explained as he started packing his equipment. Probably to go to the next person? "Once you get all trained up, you can join the others and help find those with special talents to join us."
Huh.
Everyone's been mentioning 'others ' and stuff for a while but what do they mean?
…
I'm drawing a blank here.
The deep chuckle I'm starting to associate with a certain pasty man made me look up into-'how are his eyes so yellow?!'
"By the look on your face you are wondering what we mean by others hm?"
I could feel my face heating up in frustration, 'he needs to lay off the reading my mind thing'.
"Come, it's time to go back in, you are running out of time as it is. I'm afraid we mingled with the crowds a bit too long." And just like that, out the med tent we went.
It was halfway up the small incline, toward the doors we'd come out of from before, where the feeling of something crawling up my feet made me look down…jeez, do swampy places always have so many roots? Well, whateves- I just shake them off.
"Sooo-" I try to start the conversation, I mean he is going to answer my question right?
"So impatient." Oroshimarusan starts opening the door, "my dear, haven't you realized it yet?"
"realized what?"
His creepy face looked down at the ground, following his gaze I saw-HOLY SHIT!
"Now, Now, don't fret my dear." He chuckled, like it was nothing.
BUT it's not NOTHING! I have plants growing like crazy! Getting too friendly! UP. MY. LEGS! H-how is this happening!? Why is it happening!? OH god, they are squeezing real hard now- REAL! This is all really real!
Next thing I know, I was quickly pulled inside the tunnels by a firm hand, immediately dislodging the weed-like plants from my legs from the sudden movements.
"Until you learn to control your chakra, it's best to stay inside." the sudden rush of air from the double doors closing made me sway. I couldn't take it anymore! What was with all this tiptoeing around!?
Just!
Just!
"Give me a straight answer please! What's going on!?" I've been trying to make sense of everything from the moment I woke up this morning! I've been taken to God knows where by a pasty-faced cave hermet and his cult where they must have done some kind of freaky demon worshipping shin-dig that I'm now involved in because-why!? PLANTS!
And all I ever get is said pasty-faced piece of pie doing the creepy smirk face!
"ah, now there's that fire-remember how it feels, you'll need it here." Orochi-jerk then started strolling into the dark tunnels.
Yes, it's strolling, 'cuz he just strolls everywhere.
We end up in a giant room that looks like a stadium and the ground is a rock garden theme. Yes, I'm feeling very frustrated right now, but I couldn't help but admire the neatness of the lines that were raked through the grains. I'm motioned to sit down on a nearby boulder and Oroci-jerk does the same.
A snake sunbathing on a rock comes to mind, but y'know… without the sun
"You are not the only one here child. Through various methods I've been able to perfect the jutsu formulas to bring others from your world to this one. You are just like Nagamaki, the one who brought you here, but more…complete, you could say."
I just gave him a look again, I'm really not in the mood to listen to half explanations anymore.
"It's true, what he says." Came a voice so deep I felt it move in my chest and through me. Seeming to emerge from the darkness. A young man appeared before me and I recognized that it was the same man who brought me to that room where the yuck ball caught on fire. His skin is almost cobalt from the limited lighting and his braided hair was tied with a red string. Overall, a handsome guy 10/10.
"I know it all sounds crazy, I was just like you when I was brought here, years ago with others from our world. My homeland was the country Namibia, a neighbor to South Africa. Since I have been here I have trained in the ways of the shinobi just as Orochimaru-sama has explained to you." As he sat on a nearby rick I nodded, promting him to continue.
"after my initial training here I've been sent on mission after mission and the atrocities I have seen will make you want to give up on the world. There is so many here who lead lives with only pain and suffering as their friend. You saw them just now didn't you?" The man known as Nagamaki lifted his hand, and the white sand under out feet started climbing into his grasp. "We have a gift here, something no one else has. I have seen it for myself and it has been the reason for finding no equal on the battlefield." The sand curved around his hand in a circular motion, " Orochimaru-sama has given each and every one of us the option of returning home but isn't that selfish? We return to our stable lives while these people suffer?" The sand turned hard as stone and oce it became a long pike he stabbed the ground between out feet.
"We have the power to change the world, to help the people here. To make. A. Difference."
I don't know if it was what Naga-guy said or how said it but…I was shaken out of my stupor.
I felt the ground give out beneath me and I gripped the boulder to keep me steady. 'like different dimensions? Parallel worlds theory stuff?! What?' I was going to argue why I should stay but..maybe it's just a random draw, and just anyone can be dragged here?
"Why was it me? Why do I have to be here?"
Orichi-jerk almost kneeled in front of me, but I didn't want to look at his face. I don't want to look at anything. "You are the product of years of research. Don't you remember what I said before? You are the most complete version of interdimensional transfer I've been able to bring here. The explanation for this lies further in your training, but know this, since the circumstances of your…birth, here has been because of extenuating circumstances, as such, so would your return home."
A Billion more questions just erupted from that reveal alone but it seems that I'll be staying here for a while anyways. Might as well learn some magic stuff and help people.
"Fine, Fine! I'll stay and help before I go home! But you gotta explain another thing to me before I totally agree to this."
Tucking a strand of inky black hair behind his ear, Orochi-jerk responded, "Oh? And that would be?"
"Why am I stuck in the body of a little kid?"
Welp, there is the second chapter. Thanks again so much you guys! I'll try not to take so long again.
Should I make shorter chapters more frequently? Are these chapters too long? I feel like this one dragged on and on, that's one of the reasons it took so long to upload.
Honestly, I was originally planning on posting this right after the re-uploading of the prologue but there were kinks in this one too that I had to bang out.
The next chapter should be a small time skip and less draggy than this one.
(word count 3.402 words)