Chapter 5
First Person POV
**Warning! This Chapter doesn't have a central plot—its intended purpose is to wrap up all the little stories from ages 8-12, so things I write in the near future will all make sense. This will be the last chapter before the start of the actual main arc, so its length will be pretty much longer than normal. It will show character development, personality, and information regarding any question you might possibly have!**
Age 8—Sana
You can't expect things to just resolve on their own.
I realized this as my second week in another dimension came and passed.
And in that week, I also realized I needed a different approach to everything—I needed to get a new outlook.
So far, my only progress was the fact that Sasuke was more open—more emotional, freer in a sense.
But that's the thing; from what I could tell, that was only around me—and, well, it was probably due to him having no choice otherwise.
Of course he was still the downright moody and arrogant boy to begin with, but it was more diluted.
I didn't know how he was in the general public.
Oh, but I could guess.
Even more reserved, more arrogant, more moody, and more closed off.
Call me paranoid, or a lunatic even, for wanting the Uchiha to have a happy life—but me helping prevent his downfall was the only reason I was alive.
And I'd be damned if I were to let this second chance be all for nothing.
So I did what any other rational fifteen-year-old girl stuck in an eight year old body could do in my situation.
I began going to the academy with him again.
...
"What do you think you're doing?" was the first thing I heard as I stood outside on the porch, lunchbox in hand, with a second one to spare.
My pale brown hair was brushed neatly, long tresses reached the middle of my back, while my naturally parted bangs hung over my face; and on top of that, I even had on new clothes that were recently discovered in one of the worn down shops.
Face clean, teeth brushed, and eyes alight in determination, I grinned rather too widely towards the boy staring at me dubiously.
Straightening my gray shirt, and fixing my shorts, I gave him another overly stretched grin, before watching with evident mirth as his face dropped at my answer.
"Why, going to the academy with you, of course."
"…What?" he asked, stock still.
Pushing a lunch box into his chest—filled with the groceries that were recently bought—I used that as a distraction to start dragging him towards the place in question, refusing to be told I couldn't go.
"Let's go! If I don't, my second chance would be a waste. And we can't that happening, right?"
He stumbled behind me, completely bewildered.
"What—no—Sana—wait!"
Ignoring him, I raced pass the gates of the compound—the gates I haven't been free from in over two weeks. The sense of newly found independence made my bored and overly trained mind clearer, and my eyes were now shining greatly.
The sun was amazingly bright—the sky such a clear shade of blue.
Wind whipped through my hair and seemed to dance around me.
I only thought one thing as I continued my pace—running felt wonderful.
My littler legs traveled at a speed that had been developed through various laps around the house while Sasuke was away doing whatever, and I couldn't have been more proud of myself.
'Boredom sure has its perks,' I mused, grin still stretched into place.
Sasuke was still grumbling behind me, but the overwhelming excitement to finally go outside into the village blocked it out.
Eyes landing on the school, I quickened my pace, all but carrying the Uchiha at this point.
By memory of the last time I visited all those weeks ago, I turned that once sharp turn again, and zoomed straight for the classroom I knew was his.
Screeching to a halt, I caught Sasuke by the shoulder before he could trip and make a fool of himself, making a beeline towards a seat before he could turn to tell me to go home.
'Psh, as if I'd listen at this point anyway.'
I felt his growing glare as he sat next to me; totally oblivious to the questioning stares he got from the students around him.
I gave him an innocent look, before mouthing, "It's all for your benefit—you need to be more social."
His glare lessened, and he seemed more confused.
"What?" he mouthed back.
Shaking my head, I waved him off, mouthing, "you'll find out eventually."
And then class began.
Age 8—Sana
It has now been a full month since I've been in the company of the Uchiha, and I had more plans set, ready for action.
But they were for an older me—a more ninja experienced me.
Besides that, it had also been a full three weeks since I started tagging along for the academy with Sasuke.
It was…eventful…to say the least.
Of course, he'd still glare at me, or even scowl, but he was slowly getting used to the fact that 'his invisible ghost roommate'—as he put it—was tagging along now.
I've learned a few things—like how chakra works, and how to properly throw a kunai, and even shuriken.
And, well, I've learned a few other things as well.
The biggest thing I learned was that Sasuke didn't just have a club of girls dedicated to making him theirs, but an army.
After seeing them, I realized exactly why the poor boy remained even more stoic than necessary.
It was just downright frightening.
And when I noticed that the mass of love-struck girls started to sneak into the compound, I knew I was surrounded by psychos.
Let's just hope they couldn't detect me, because I'd be even more dead if they found out exactly where I lived, and who I lived with.
Thank god for being invisible—or rather, Death.
Back to the topic at hand, my skills with all this ninja business was sharpening—gaining a little bit in strength each passing moment.
I wasn't the very best, but I certainly wasn't the absolute worst.
I was average, to say the least.
And average isn't exactly what my plans called for to proceed to be a success.
Because these plans, so to speak, called for some dangerous business—or rather, company.
And to survive this whole idea of mine, I couldn't be the weakest link in the chain.
So I marched straight outside every available time I had—and I trained with whatever I knew how to do over—and over—again.
…
Age 8—Sana
'Why am I even going through this hell?'
Currently, it was a rather hot, humid day in fire country—the hottest we'd had all summer.
Or, at least that's what Iruka had said today. He had also said to stay inside—so no one would get heat stroke.
And guess which idiot had forgot this tidbit of information and set outside anyway?
That's right, me.
And, well, Sasuke too—but in his defense, I annoyed the heck out of him until he taught me this 'tai-jutsu' thing that we were discussing today.
Because heaven knows I couldn't copy every note down.
'I should learn how to write in kanji,' I thought, going through another form. Bending my legs in an almost impossible—impossible for me, that is—position, I wiped some sweat from my forehead as I swung my other leg into a high kick. I began circling around the tall log, before cartwheeling backwards.
I landed on the needle like grass with a loud 'thump' shortly after.
I sighed, resigning to just take a break; I obviously had no strength left, and I absolutely refused to push myself any further.
Pushing myself up and taking another long heave of dry air, I dragged my limp body back to the main house—practically ready to keel over.
'I can sense it—I'm melting.'
Swinging the door of my destination open loudly, I shut it just as quickly, relishing in the mass of cold air that fluttered around me.
Slinking my back against the doorframe, I sunk down the side, moaning in happiness.
"This is truly what heaven feels like."
Opening my eyes as another person entered the room, I was greeted by an amused, yet arrogant, look.
"I told you it was hot out—that's why you should've left when I did." Sasuke stated dryly, arms crossed.
"You didn't tell me anything," I argued, denying the fact altogether.
Rolling his eyes at my stubbornness—which was a bit hypocritical on his part—he turned on his heel and walked down the hallway to go probably retreat into his room.
"Go take a shower—you smell." Was what he left me with, and I started fuming where I sat.
"Thank you for that needed piece of commentary," I grumbled down the hall, quickly slinking into the shower, and out just as fast.
My brain wasn't really in the mood for any more work—let alone sass—so as soon as I was dressed in a newly found blank, gray shirt and matching pants, I slumped into the couch, feeling like a lump of exhaustion.
There was a grunt that came from my left, but I just ignored it, choosing rather to just sink into myself and sleep.
If sitting next to me bothered him, then he could move.
With that thought, and heavy eyelids, I sunk into unconsciousness.
And I really wished I hadn't.
...
The sky was a dusty gray—storm clouds brewing along the skyline of the skyscrapers surrounding me. Noises were blaring left and right, and the only thing I could concentrate on was that I needed to go. All I knew was something or someone was gone, missing, and I needed to go and get help.
A nagging voice in my head franticly shouted to hurry, hurry before it was too late. And I wanted desperately wanted to shout back 'why?'
Something next to me buzzed, shifted, crackled, and above me someone screeched, breathing panicked and eyes wide.
"Lookout!"
My eyes were torn from the pointing person above me to this mass of something standing in the middle of a street, stock still out of fear.
I dropped whatever heavy thing I had in my hands—plans of my need to find the someone or something forgotten, all placed on this thing that was in immediate danger in the middle of the street.
Someone else was screaming my name, shouting until their lungs were hoarse, telling me to stop. Other voices drowned out theirs, all doing the same in a sense—screaming till their voices were hoarse and shaky.
And I ignored it, mind solely focused on saving this mass of gray.
I couldn't remember what made me run—and it was irritating. One minute my body was glued to the pavement beneath me, and the next, it was in motion, adrenaline pumping sadistically through my veins.
Eyes wide and alert, I realized the mass wasn't just a mass, but a person—more specifically, a kid.
And the thing that was the danger was a speeding truck.
The seconds passing by seemed to slow—as did everything around me. Moving in slowed motion, my hands barely reached the shocked kid as I pushed them to the safety of the other sidewalk, trembling and falling to the ground as their fearful gaze met mine.
Our eyes were locked for a split second, yet it felt like decades. I looked into his familiar onyx eyes, seeing other things that seemed familiar too.
The most frightening of familiarity that this kid—no—boy—had was clutched in his hands.
But I barely got to do anything as something large, white, and painful plowed straight into my side.
I let off a high-pitched scream as the tires screeched wildly on the asphalt, and the pounding of footsteps came closer.
"NO! Susana!"
Head lolling to the side, I caught hold of the frantic women I had seen before, her faced still blurred beyond recognition.
"Please," she said cried, grabbing my hand and wiping something sticky from my forehead, "Susana, please. don't take her away—please, god, no. Please."
Another squeeze to my limp hands, and I felt like almost crying with this women.
"Please don't take my daughter away from me!"
Eyes wide at the statement, I tried to focus on her face, but could still only see the blurry features instead.
Feeling myself slowly giving out to the pain that flared in every corner of my body, my gaze fell on that boy once more—or more pointedly, the object he had—and I like the rest of the noise and scenes around me, I faded.
And the wails erupted painfully and strong as soon as I did.
...
Sucking in a rather deep gasp of air, I bolted straight up, eyes wild and heart beating faster than normal.
"A dream," I muttered, gaze flicking from every inch of the room to the other, "It was—just—just a dream."
The room was only illuminated by the light of the moon outside; a fan in the corner of the room buzzing loudly and the blades whirred.
Despite how calm and peaceful the setting was, I couldn't stop the adrenaline that still seemed to course in my veins.
The memory of pain still settled deep into my bones, and I grabbed my knees to balance myself on the couch before I could flop over.
Trying to calm my breathing and nerves, I glanced over to the tense and shining in a clammy sweat Uchiha next to me—seeming to be having some nightmares himself tonight too.
Eyebrows furrowing in thought, I wonder how I hadn't noticed his nightmares before, but paused the thought as another one passed through my mind.
'He looks an awful lot like the one boy from my dream—could that just be a coincidence?'
Feeling my hands tremble, I gripped my knees tighter, looking up at the clock on the side wall.
'But that boy holding a Naruto manga book sure wasn't one.'
…
Age 8—Sana
The dream from a while ago still plagued my mind throughout the rest of the week, and I'm sure this didn't go unnoticed by the sole person who could see for himself that I was off.
Sasuke didn't comment too much on what was distracted me, but he sure was a lot nicer throughout the week regardless.
As great as that was, I still couldn't shake off the thought of getting plowed by a truck—or, the fact, that it might be a step closer to the actual way I ended up like this—dead.
What irked me though, was the fact that the person I saved held a resemblance to the person I was trying to save now—and the fact he had a Naruto manga with him just made me want answers more.
Because that little tidbit of information was too ridiculous to be a coincidence.
'I need to speak with death—but how do I do that without actually dying?'
I would soon find out that I would meet with him soon enough.
...
Today started out relatively normal; I had woken up, shuffled towards the kitchen in a tired fashion, and promptly plopped at the table with a bowl of breakfast all within an hour. The sun had just risen, and I wouldn't have to go to the academy for another hour.
That had given me an hour of practically nothing to do—and I was elated at that fact.
I was even more elated when Sasuke came shuffling in a while later, informing me of how there was no academy today, since it was the weekend.
Day dreaming at the thought of a whole two days to catch up on sleep, I had murmured a silent prayer of thanks to the lord above as I relaxed into my chair, ready to go and make that day dream a reality.
Just as I was about to set back towards the couch, I had stopped dead still as I watched Sasuke yawn, before going in the opposite direction—heading straight for the door with every single thing he needed for training.
Slumping into myself, I had turned back around and placed one foot in front of the other, heading into the same direction as he was with dread.
This was the start of the nightmare.
Of course, I could have just did as I wanted—but training was initially more important.
So, I followed out of curiosity, wondering slightly what new thing I could learn in only one day; that, and he still owed me from buying the groceries a while back.
And trust me, I expected to be paid in full for that catastrophic experience.
I had continued walking till we were in the middle of the training field, raring to go as my body woke up more.
My mind tried to process something—anything—to beg Sasuke to teach me, and in a matter of seconds, a light bulb had formed above my head.
A great, yet very risky thought.
Standing on the balls of my feet, I had faced the expectant Uchiha with a large grin on my face.
"Hey," I had said, "remember how you owe me for buying the groceries?"
Sighing, he had nodded, looking rather defeated.
It's like he had known right away what I was going to ask.
"Teach me how to use chakra."
And he had agreed.
That was the first factor leading to my problem.
The second was my apparent lack of knowledge of how this 'chakra' would affect a person like me.
The third? My current predicament.
'Breathe in,' I told myself, 'find my sense of gravity, and let it spread.'
Everything was going fine; I had listened to Sasuke's thirty minute lecture on what chakra was, and then his twenty minute one on how to use it.
He told me to meditate, find that center of gravity, and let it spread throughout my being, before setting off to go train his skills with taijutsu.
So I remained where I sat, sitting Indian style, listening and waiting, calming my nerves and allowing myself to focus.
I hadn't the slightest clue as to what I was supposed to feel; all I knew was that if i wanted to protect the future, I had to make this work.
I repeated those words in my mind like a mantra, letting that determination of saving everyone take hold and guide me through whatever it was that I was doing.
I found what I was searching for—this blob in the center of my stomach, which pooled with this bright energy that seemed so warm and easy to manipulate.
Who knew it could be so deadly?
Not me.
If I had been paying close attention, I would have realized the sheer power the chakra held, and how strange it was to have been like that in the first place.
But completely wrapped up by the fact that I was using the one thing I had wanted and needed to learn to use since arriving, I ignored it.
And continued.
I did what I was taught, let it spread throughout my being—extend and grow so I could build up my reserves and control.
The spreading had been easy. My tiny pool of chakra seemed like it wanted to expand, go out and increase.
The reigning it back in had been my downfall.
I tried to grab ahold of it, bring it back in, but it wasn't responding. My control over it was lost.
'No,' I thought in blind panic, feeling it spread outside of my body and into the air around me, 'I lost it—I can't control it!'
A sharp tingling sensation started to grow along with the massive amount of spiritual energy around me, suffocating me to the point where I was gasping.
'Oh god,' I realized, sinking to my knees as breathing became something I just couldn't do, 'I—I'm dying.'
The chakra grew past my fingertips, a light wind started to fly swiftly around me.
Hair whipping out of my hair-tie and into loose strands against my struggling figure, my green eyes squeezed shut in pain.
Someone shouted my name, and I made a move to try and respond, but the lack of air hindered my vocal chords; so I was left sitting there, practically half-conscious.
There was this sudden flash of white as the scenery faded, and I let loose a hoarse scream as the air returned and the pain intensified.
My last thought was of confusion and concerned onyx eyes.
...
"Wake up child—there is no danger here anymore," an old voice rasped, willing my eyes to open with its familiarity.
Gasping at the sight of a scythe, I quickly scrambled up from my spot on the solid, rock floor, staring straight into the eyes of the person responsible for my 'second chance'.
"Hello," he spoke, standing to his full height, "it is a pleasure—well, almost a pleasure—to see you again Ms. Flynn."
Stuttering out incoherent nothings, I finally found my voice, "Death," I greeted, staring into his hooded face.
Looking around at the same candle-lit room I had found myself in only a little while ago, I gulped, fearing the worst, "am I—?"
"No, I brought you here." He replied, seeming to grow more serious, "but if I hadn't reached you in time, you would have been. Permanently."
Nodding, I felt my eyebrows furrow in confusion, "what exactly happened? All I remember was chakra and pain."
His bony hands gripped the staff of his scythe tightly, as if the thought was troubling, before loosening their hold. He sighed, "you unlocked a part of yourself I had hidden for your safety. Your reserves for chakra aren't fully developed, therefore I had a storage of nature chakra in you and around you to keep you alive—if I hadn't, you would've been dead just by setting foot into that world."
"What?" I questioned, perplexed and a little apprehensive.
"The overload of spiritual energy would've suffocated you—as it did merely seconds ago. That is why I must inform you to not use it until you are ready." he continued, tone sage and solemn.
Feeling numb, I ran a hand through my hair—something I did when nervous.
"So," I began, "you're saying I can't use chakra? Ever?"
'If the answer's yes, then my future is doomed.'
"No," he said to my complete and utter relief, "in time, and with proper training, you will be able to use your chakra." He replied, now turning to face me fully.
Sighing, I realized I wasn't going to be completely useless.
'But wait, did he say…?'
"Proper training?" I questioned, feeling even more puzzled, before laughing, "From who? You?"
Death actually paused completely, seeming to take my words into consideration.
I froze, horror lacing my features.
'…Oh no.'
"Yes actually, in time, like mentioned, I will train you—and I will teach you how to control your uncontrollable chakra."
I deadpanned, looking at him with an expression that read definite despair.
"Trust me," he muttered, as if he knew something I didn't—which was most likely the case, "you'll be able to use your abilities to their fullest potential—just be patient. The time for when you must learn to hone your skills will be a dark one indeed. Enjoy the time you have now."
Nodding, still uncertain of his words, I chose for now to believe him.
Dipping his head in return, he tapped his scythe against the ground, and immediately black dots flooded my vision.
"Take care Ms. Flynn—there is someone on the other side who's waiting for you. I'll be seeing you shortly."
Suddenly remembering the question of my dream from a few nights ago, and exactly why there were the many unanswered coincidences within it, my eyes widened in recognition—and I opened my mouth hurriedly to speak.
But before I could utter a single syllable, I was whisked off back to my new dimension—my new home.
…
"…Sana?"
There was a hesitant voice, sounding rather worried, and even a touch of concern laced within it.
I felt my shoulders shake, and I realized the person speaking was trying to wake me up.
"Sana! C'mon, get up!" the person shouted, voice evidently getting a little more hysteric, a little more desperate.
'Is—is that Sasuke?' I questioned, eyes still heavily shut.
Coughing slightly, I felt a gust of air fill my lungs, body trembling at the memory of their being a lack of the much needed oxygen.
I heard a sigh of relief come from above me, and I blearily peeked open my eyes in response.
Coughing a bit more, I lolled my head to the side, trying to get a better view of the face above me.
'Ugh, I feel horrible.' I thought as my eyes started to focus on obsidian eyes peering back at me.
"S-sasuke? Help me up?" I asked, recognizing the Uchiha finally.
There was a nod, and I grabbed his hand as he pulled me up to my feet—swaying a bit before my sense of balance came back.
"What just happened?" he asked, voice still a bit distressed.
With that, I realized just how much the whole scene seemed to affect the newly orphaned Uchiha.
'Oh god; me being unconscious probably brought up some really unwanted memories.' I realized, and I quickly answered his sentence before any more dark memories surfaced from that night.
"I'm fine—Death got me before anything bad happened—as in, the guy who gave me a second chance—my chakra reserves are just very weak right now; since they were nonexistent in my old life and whatnot. So the overload of chakra was overwhelming. That's all."
His tense shoulders seemed to relax, and relief flooded my veins.
"Let's go back home," I suggested, feeling more worn out than I looked, "I need to sit down for a second—a long second.
Nodding, he fell in step next to me, arms swinging as he walked.
Breathing out, I peeked once more at his pinched face, seeing questions and resolve starting to form there, before looking at the setting sun.
"I'll explain everything better someday, ok?" I murmured, eyes still stuck on the sight of the sunset, "it's just, I don't have the answers myself right now. But I will—and when I do, I'll tell you. I promise."
The interrogations forming in his mind seemed to have completely stopped, and I sighed in relief at the response.
On some level, I knew the questions were going to start popping up sooner rather than later—that things weren't going to be the same anymore.
Let's just hope I could take it.
…
Age 9—Sana
It was an average morning—the same bird-chirping, sun-rising morning that I've come accustomed to for the past year.
Groggily rubbing my eyes, I leapt up slowly from my current resting place—the beloved couch—and sauntered my way towards the bathroom before Sasuke took it for himself.
Quickly running through the same routine, I emerged from the bathroom with a slightly better appearance from my half-dead look. Flattening out my spandex shorts, I pulled the ends of the borrowed blue shinobi sandals a little bit higher, grumbling as I hopped from one foot to the other down the hall.
'I really need to stop borrowing Sasuke's shoes,' I thought as the one sandal flew directly off my foot, 'they don't even fit for god's sake.'
Still grumbling under my breath, I hobbled to the chair, sitting down in it, and proceeding for the millionth time that morning to fix the sandal onto my foot.
Suddenly feeling a grumpy aura other than my own enter the kitchen, I lifted my head in time to connect eyes with onyx ones. Lifting my hand in greeting, I gave a little wave, before going back to fixing my—his—dumb old shoes.
"Hn," he stated, shifting away from me and towards the cabinet, grabbing a box of whatever.
'Hi, good morning Sasuke!'
'Good morning, Sana.'
Or, at least, that's how the conversation should've gone.
Sighing, I stood up, resigned to the fact that I was just going to have to buy my own pair of shoes.
'How am I going to get the money for that?' I wondered, biting my lip as I headed for the door.
Sighing, again, I decided to just wing it, and opened the front door, "C'mon Sasuke, we're going to be late!" I shouted, noticing the time.
A pause, and there was still no Sasuke.
Confused, and a bit curious, I walked back into the hall, recognizing the dark figure still in the kitchen.
"Hey, let's go, we're gonna be—!" I started, before realizing he was staring at something on the wall in front of him.
"Sasuke?" I asked; walking a bit closer—concern lacing my tone.
I still got no reply.
Leaning a bit forward, I noticed the thing on the wall was actually a picture—a picture of him and his parents, nonetheless.
Freezing completely as I noticed his lost expression, I saw the emptiness and hatred start to appear in his dull eyes.
'Oh no,' I thought, reaching to touch his shoulder in reaction to seeing the same look from last year, 'I need to snap him out of it.'
"Hey," I spoke, hand now resting on his shoulder, "Sasuke—!"
He flinched as if startled, and I quickly retracted my hand back to my side.
Confused as to why I was standing here like this, his eyebrows scrunched together, previous emotions fading from his eyes, "Sana?"
Breathing out in relief, I replaced my frown with a slight smile, "We're going to be late, dummy." I stated, turning to gather the lunch boxes and heading out the door.
He was trailing behind me this time, slower than usual—eyes distant and elsewhere.
Smile dropping, I realize he didn't retaliate when I called him 'dummy' or when I told him we were going to be late.
'Sasuke?' I thought, still confused by the change in behavior.
"Are you ok?" I questioned as we walked out of the gates of the large compound, eyes stuck worriedly on his face—waiting for any sudden shift in appearance.
His answer was a simple nod, followed with another one of his famous hn's, and I couldn't shake the feeling of something being really, really, wrong.
…
The loud clanging of the bell signaled the beginning of class, and the voices hushing as Iruka entered the classroom signaled it was time to listen.
Currently, I sat next Sasuke on the end of the desk, two other unnamed civilian kids taking their positions on the other side of him. Head resting against the wood of the table, I found myself staring at the Uchiha's face—and before you called me a creep, I have a perfect explanation.
I was worried.
He's the only person I've held an actual conversation with for the past year—so of course I could tell if something was wrong.
And right now, he was acting in a way never seen before.
That was explanation enough.
His face was pale, eyebrows pinched together in deep thought, with both his hands folded together in front of him on the desk.
He was obviously brooding over something—and some part of me doubted I could help him with it.
Narrowing my eyes, the same thought rolled through my mind like it had before.
'Could I really help? Is this second chance going to waste?'
Feeling a sharp pain in my foot, I jolted up, eyes widening at the look from the boy next to me. Face flushing, I realized Sasuke caught me staring, hence the kick to my foot. Promptly looking away with whatever dignity I had left, I sunk in on myself, feeling deflated.
'Smooth Flynn—really amazing ninja reflexes ya got there.'
"Alright class!" a chipper voice announced, the loud noise coming from the front of the room making jolt a bit once more, "we're going to start taijutsu training after lunch! Meet me out at the field outside in orderly fashion later please!"
Eyebrow raised at Iruka's never ending positivity, I slid out of the desk, ready to finally escape and eat. Taking a step and tripping over my—Sasuke's—shoe, I grumbled a stream of profanities that were inaudible in the rising chatter from the kids around me.
Finally balanced with the shoe on tight—so tight the circulation was slowly being cut off—I turned around to walk with Sasuke out the door—only to find him gone.
Dead-panning, my hand formed into a fist out of frustration of being ignored, before I realized that I was the only person left in the room.
"Of course, just leave the dead, invisible girl all by her lonesome—oh, and just take her lunch too, while you're at it." I complained, noticing that the lunchbox I had was also missing.
'There's no sympathy for me here, is there?' I thought, walking around the corner to head outside.
Taking another step forward, I felt something smack into my face and bounce right off.
Watching in disbelief as the ball that just smack me rolled away, I deflated once more.
'There's none; absolutely none.'
Rubbing a hand down my face, I spotted the mass of familiar, spiky black hair, and stalked angrily off towards the Uchiha in sight.
I only stopped short when I noticed that he was alone.
My heart clenched, and I realized how lonely he must feel.
Taking smaller steps, I glanced at the other kids, all laughing and smiling, and turned back towards him.
Determination forming in my eyes, I found another goal that needed to be accomplished.
"Do you wanna go eat with our classmates? I hear someone's going to try and out eat Chouji!"
I received no reply, not even any acknowledgement, and started to drown in his silence.
Pursing my lips, I felt my shoulders slump in defeat.
Turning away to look at everyone else, I noticed a particular group of boys staring at us—or rather him—but disregarded it quickly as just curiosity.
Giving him one last look, I laid my head back against the wire of the metal fence, not sure how to react towards him anymore.
'Sasuke,' I wondered, confused beyond belief, 'what's wrong with you today?'
…
"Ok, everyone know the rules?" Iruka asked, standing in the center of the taijutsu ring, "no maiming, no weapons, and no ninjutsu. Are we clear?"
"Hai sensei." The whole class droned, sounding like they've heard this millions of times before.
Iruka smiled, brushing off the fact that their voices lacked enthusiasm, "Then let's start! First match! Yuri vs. Ami! Begin!"
'Man this guy is perky.' I thought with my chin perched on my arm, body lying heavily against the fence once more.
Watching as the fight progressed between the two girls in front of me, I couldn't help but wonder why the seemed to be acting as if their fight was real.
By the end—a short end, I'd like to add—I realized why.
They were trying to impress their beloved 'Sasuke-kun'.
Well, if their heart-shaped eyes and hopeful gazes were anything to go by, then I'd say my deduction was right.
Too bad their 'Sasuke-kun' couldn't care less.
He was propped against the fence too, casually standing there like he didn't have anything better to do. His face has been impassive since lunch, and my worry level was starting to rise.
He also hasn't spoke to me since lunch either.
Which, undoubtedly, has caused my worry level to skyrocket at this point.
Biting my lip as Iruka called another two classmates down to spar, I pondered what exactly made him so upset.
'Did I do something? Say something? Did someone else do something?'
By time I finished my internal sentence, I was practically screaming on the inside.
'What the heck happened?!'
Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself down, taking a rational approach instead.
'Ok, think back, what caused this to even start?'
A brief flash of this morning and the picture came to mind, and I stopped still for a few seconds.
'I'm an idiot.'
The anniversary of that night was this week. A year ago this week his parents were killed—his whole clan was killed.
'He still doesn't trust me enough to tell me why he's upset,' I thought, staring at my hands, 'I'm still an outsider to him.'
I have never felt worse.
'It's like I'm back at square one.'
Before I could say anything to him—which probably would've been incoherent nothings anyway—Iruka's announcement of the next spar interrupted.
"Sasuke vs Mako! Begin!"
Head turning quickly towards the ring, I didn't even notice Sasuke leave the fence in the first place.
Standing up, I took a step forward, eyes meeting shortly with Sasuke's.
'Kick his ass,' they read, and the weight that had been pressing down on me floated off my chest when he dipped his head and smirked.
'I will.'
Softly smiling, I realized he wasn't too far gone.
Walking a little closer to the ring, I watched as the two boys stood their ground, amazed by the display of taijutsu they were showing.
Mako was a big-boned boy, with full eyebrows, and dark brown, beady eyes. Taking a closer look, I realized he was also a part of the group of boys staring at us at lunch earlier.
His frame showed he was a brawler, and the arrogant look he held when fighting showed that he knew it too.
Too bad his arrogance was overshadowed by Sasuke's.
Mako went in for an uppercut—but it was sloppy, slow, giving enough time for Sasuke to dodge and then attack.
Watching as Sasuke's foot connected with the larger boy's face, I grimaced as he fell to the ground, clutching his jaw.
"Winner: Sasuke Uchiha!"
The match had only been five minutes long, leaving the rest of the class shocked. The first people to seem to recover had been the girls, all clapping and cheering on their 'Sasuke-kun'.
Mako, red with embarrassment and clutching a bruised jaw, scowled, eyes filled with anger.
"I'll get you back Uchiha, you just wait! You won't be so tough then!"
Sasuke scoffed, completely disregarding the threat, before stepping out of the ring, only proceeding in making the red faced boy even redder.
Looking as the ego the Uchiha had only swelled, I face palmed—though, relieved he wasn't devoid of emotion anymore.
…
"Ya know, you should really teach me how to use taijutsu," I chattered to Sasuke as we both walked home from the academy, "I mean, at least spar with me or something."
I was met with a look of 'you'd lose' in response, and I huffed.
"How else am I going to get better then?! There is literally no one else to teach me!" I practically shouted, before being cut off as a rock landed close to my feet.
"Huh?" I questioned, looking at the rock and then back at Sasuke, "did the rock just—?" I was cut off mid-sentence by another rock sailing through the air, this time aimed more precise. Dodging it, I looked incredulously at the owner of said pebble, growing even more confused.
"Well, well, if it ain't the Uchiha," Mako sneered, his two flanking 'cronies' laughing along with him, "ready to learn your lesson for messing with me?"
'You…can't be serious,' I thought, looking nonplussed, 'this kid is really getting angry over a stupid spar?'
Shaking my head, I turned to back towards Sasuke, a smile on my face, 'Well, at least I know Sasuke isn't going to play along with this.'
"It's not exactly messing with you—it's called defeating you." Sasuke shot back, arms folded and arrogance lacing his tone.
Gob smacked, my eyes widened comically, 'he's playing along with this?!'
Gritting his teeth, a vein started to throb on Mako's head, signaling that he was starting to get angry.
"Get 'im boys!" he raged, sneering as the two other lanky boys cackled and raced towards Sasuke with hands pulled back, ready to punch.
'He wants revenge and then sends his friends instead? Really?'
Sasuke, meanwhile, was in position to fight back, eyes narrowed thoughtfully on how he was going to react.
Tense, I felt a prickling sensation on the back of my neck, like a forewarning. Time seemed to slow as I realized why.
Mako wasn't going to play fair; three to one wasn't fair already, but there was another dirty trick.
There's a fourth person.
Rushing forward, I caught sight of the fourth heavyweight boy rushing from behind, arm raised to punch just like the two in front.
Stepping just behind Sasuke as his fist flew, I didn't have enough time to block as his fist connected with my face.
Losing my balance at the sudden blow, I fell to the ground, one hand clutched over my eye as the second one kept me from falling.
The heavyweight boy who punched me fell also, losing his balance from confusion of how his fist connected with 'air' and it was painful.
I would laugh if my face didn't hurt so much.
Time seemed to speed up as Sasuke's wide eyes caught onto the whole scene, and his head jerked to the side while he was distracted due the punch they landed on him.
He took a step back, wiping his sleeve over his split lip, before sneering at Mako.
"You're aren't fighting fair." Sasuke stated, face hard and shoulders tense.
"Tough," was Mako's reply as he crossed his arms, a greedy grin stretched across his chubby face, "it's not my fault the Uchiha are such weaklings; no wonder they were all killed."
'…Did he?—he just—during the week of the anniversary?—he's dead.' Was all that my mind could process before Sasuke gave off an enraged yell, pushing past the two cronies and straight for the head honcho—Mako—himself.
A flurry of kicks and punches rained down on the civilian boy, who was too dazed and shocked to dodge.
"Never," Sasuke gritted through his teeth, "insult the Uchiha name, got it?" he glared down at the poor boy, before turning his glare onto the other three.
"Got it?" he repeated, still deadly calm, hands formed into fists.
The three cronies screamed, before taking off down the street, leaving Mako behind.
'What great friends,' I commented dryly, noticing how fast they took off.
Sasuke glared once more at Mako, before turning around as the chubby boy fled himself, shouting how 'this wasn't over' and whatnot.
Shaking my head, I kept one hand over my eye, before pushing myself to my feet. Sasuke was by me in a few short steps, eyes ablaze and angry.
"You ok?" I asked again that day, probably for the third time.
"Yeah," he breathed, lip still bleeding from where he got hit.
Shocked at the honest answer, I smiled, before cringing when my left eye throbbed.
There was a pause, and I heard a snort. Immediately I glared at its source.
"What?" I asked, scowl set in place and aimed directly at the Uchiha
He kept walking; smirk set in place, before glancing over once more, "You look like an idiot."
I crossed my arms, scowling intensely, "Just be thankful I took that hit for you alright? I could've just sat there and minded my own business, but no; I was being nice and saving you, you jerk."
I continued walking—more like stomping—down the dirt street, fuming at the nerve he had, when I stopped completely at his response.
"Thank you, Sana."
Turning around to stare at him with wide, green eyes, my jaw hit the ground in surprise, "What did you just say?"
"Hn." He grunted, continuing to walk back home
Sighing, I smiled softly, before following after him.
'Maybe things are starting to get better. Slowly.'
Age 9—Sana
It was mid-afternoon; the same beautiful lanterns were strewn across the streets just like they had when I first arrived here. And the busy streets were just as loud too.
Of course, I should've been in the academy around now—but, to be technical, I wasn't really a student there.
Also, they didn't know I even existed.
So, today was officially my day off—and to be technical once more, it really wasn't. You see, I was on a mission; not one from the Hokage or anything.
Because, well, I'm not a ninja yet, and they don't know I exist.
No, this mission was a personal one made by me.
And what was this mission, you ask?
To survive the markets and get groceries.
Also, to find some clothes—but only if I had enough money left over. Sasuke had been rather stingy with how much he gave me, so I doubt I'd get anything over five dollars' worth of new clothes.
But hey, food is more important, right?
Slinking down further into the loud street square, I noticed one food stand looking completely empty, and decided to start there first.
We had food still in the cabinets—heaps of it from our latest adventure in the market—where Sasuke was stalked by his fan club—so I had another motive for being here.
I was going to make dinner.
Because what else am I supposed to do when it's the anniversary of the Uchiha massacre? Write a poem?
Honestly, this was the only I idea I had. It wasn't going to be all extravagant, with steak and other expensive meat.
No, it would be simple—because I didn't know how to cook, and it would be a lot better than the take-out we were living off of.
Plus, I figured it would be nice. And the fried rice was calling my name.
Sneaking past a group of old ladies and moms, I silently reached for a bag of said rice—lying the money needed to pay for it on the counter next to me; a trick i learned after my first grocery-shopping fiasco.
Just because I was invisible, didn't mean I should steal.
Well, I could—but I feel like my karma was bad enough.
'I should probably start using that to my advantage,' I mused, aimlessly looking at the various produce.
"Oh my, have you heard?" they old lady to my left spoke up in a hushed whisper, gaining my attention, "today's the anniversary of the Uchiha massacre."
Stopping mid reach towards the tomatoes, I swiveled my head towards the conversation, taking a step forward to listen better.
"Is it?" the second lady replied, looking slightly younger, "what a tragedy that was."
'You have no idea.' I thought, picking up the tomatoes swiftly and laying another amount of money on the counter.
"Indeed," the old women agreed sagely, fixing the pale blue skirt she was wearing and wiping off dust, "I wonder how the last survivor is doing? What was his name again?"
Shifting my bag, I commented without realizing, "Sasuke—his name's Sasuke."
Covering my mouth in horror, I turned quickly to see if they noticed that the person talking wasn't actually 'there'.
To my utter relief, they didn't.
"Ah, yes! Sasuke is his name," she exclaimed, snapping her fingers, before gaining a sad look, "poor boy lost everything."
"Yeah," the middle aged women supplied, handing the money for her groceries to the older lady, "let's hope he just doesn't turn out like his older brother."
Closing my eyes, before turning and picking up the basket I had of food, I left quietly, still invisible and unnoticed.
'He won't—I'll do everything I can to make sure of it.'
…
I was sweating, hands aching, and head throbbing. I felt as if I just went through a battle—and lost.
Well, considering the shape the kitchen was in, I guess I really did lose.
'At least dinner is ready?'
The sweet smell of fried rice wafted through the air, followed shortly after by the chicken and the tomatoes.
I may not know how to cook, but I sure do know how to read a cookbook.
Grabbing two plates and loading them with food, I placed them on the coffee table in the living room—grumbling as I placed the chopsticks there as well.
'It's been a year, and I still don't know how to use them. That's actually quite pitiful.'
Everything was in place; well almost everything. There was still the fact that the kitchen was in shambles, and my hair was sticking up in weird spots, and, also, Sasuke Uchiha was still missing.
But hey, a girl can dream right?
Looking at the clock, I sighed as I placed my hair in a high ponytail—before shifting out of the weird apron I was wearing and moving towards the door.
'I guess I should go look for him.'
Pulling the door open, I was suddenly blinded by the bright sunset, and paused as I saw storms clouds start to gather in the sky.
Sliding it shut, I ran down the porch, completely ignoring the fact that I wasn't wearing shoes, and ran down the compound's street. Eyes dusting over every square inch in sight, I took a deep gasp of air, pausing to think where exactly he'd be.
A single raindrop splattered on my forehead, and as if it was a light bulb that had gone off.
I understood where he'd gone.
Rolling up my sleeves, I pushed my bangs out of my eyes, before speeding quickly down the road, heading onto the main street just outside the compound.
Rain started to pick up then, making the path muddy and slippery. Every inch of the road was filled with grumpy and rushing people, all trying to get out of the rain themselves.
A few market vendor's cart's almost managed to clip my feet as I slipped past them, and I couldn't help but sigh in relief as they managed to miss every time.
"Almost there," I panted, rain blurring my vision, "almost there." I repeated, picking up the pace.
Turning sharply around a corner, I dodged quickly as I lady and her child barreled past, screaming something about her hair getting wet and the kid screaming just as loud.
Managing a few more steps, I reached the edge of the field, pausing shortly to see if I was right—if this is where he was.
And when I saw the bright red and white fan symbol among all the stone and grass, directly in front of the memorial stone, I realized I was right.
Leaping over a pile of mud, I took a few more running steps, before slowing as I neared him, not sure how to approach.
Biting my lip, I took another tentative step—and then another—and another—until I was right next to him, glancing subtly at his face.
I was face to face with the memorial stone myself now, glancing over all the kanji of the names of the people the village lost.
Noticing as he traced two names in particular, I realized which exactly his parents were.
Wiping my soaked hair once again away from my face, I pursed my lips, realizing I had no idea what to say—or do for that matter.
So I let my instinct take over.
"Sasuke?" I asked, hesitantly at first, before turning soft as his eyes slide over to mine.
His face was streamed with a mix of tears and rain, the rims of his eyes red from pain and loss. There was the hate there again, the emptiness, the thirst for revenge.
And I found myself at a loss for words on how to make things better.
"Let's go home," I said, hand outstretched, not sure how he respond, before my mind fizzled and I started rambling, "I made dinner—which might be bad or might be good—it's a matter of opinion—and it has tomatoes too—because you mentioned you like tomatoes on your birthday last year—the women at the food stand mentioned rice was a good ingredient too—but I don't really know how to make rice—so I used the cookbook—and the kitchen is in shambles—so I'll need to clean that—don't go in there—and—!"
I stopped short when I felt a hand take my own outstretched one, and I paused mid-rant before smiling softly, turning back around and voyaging home.
'It's going to be fine—things are going to be fine.'
Looking back once more—just to see if things were alright—I noticed a faint smile on his face; one that I had only seen once before.
It was bright, showing a hope for the future, hope for his future.
And I couldn't help the painful pang my chest gave in response to it.
Glancing down at the road, I couldn't help but wonder what that was all about.
"Now, what's wrong with the kitchen, exactly?" Sasuke voice rang out, sounding a bit hoarse, but definitely more light.
Eyes wide, I suppressed the pangs enough to let out a small squeak of 'Nothing! Nothing is wrong with the kitchen!'
Watching the smile on his face stay a true one—even for a little longer—I couldn't help the smile of my own in return.
'Things are definitely going to be alright—and hopefully, they'll stay that way.'
Another breathy laugh escaped my lips, and the mourning sky started to clear with each step back to the compound.
'Hopefully.'
Age 9—Sana
It was another one of those mid-afternoon days; and to make it even better, there was no academy.
Sasuke, being the person he is, stalked outside to train instead of lounging—muttering something about becoming stronger.
I wasn't too worried, only because ever since the day in the rain at the memorial stone, I realized I needed to put more faith in him—more faith in the fact that I can't control everything, and that I'm doing all that I can.
So if he wants to be moody and go train? Let him. More room inside from me to act like a slug.
'You have started to become out of shape though,' I thought to myself, frowning, 'I think it's time you start training as well.'
Groaning into the couch cushion, I rolled onto my feet, before stretching. Hearing a satisfying 'crack', I grinned, ready to head out the door.
Right as I took a step, a sharp pain exploded in the back of my head, black dots taunting and dancing across my vision. Feeling weightless, I registered the fact that I fell, and landed on the couch.
Sinking further into the darkness, I couldn't help but think 'what the hell?' before losing consciousness completely.
…
The feeling out weightlessness was back, but now full force. My eyes were still closed, and everything was still dark, but I could tell I wasn't falling.
I was floating maybe? Hovering?
I couldn't tell, and frankly, I didn't want to.
Irony is a cruel thing, isn't it?
"Hello, Susana Flynn," Death spoke, voice authoritative and deep, "welcome to your dreamscape."
Feeling the weights on my eyelids lift, my eyes popped open in response, mind dizzy and limbs numb.
Groaning, I turned on my side, before using my arms to push myself up. Glancing around, I noticed the barren room I was in, a pearly white sort of hue to the walls.
"Hello to you Death," I muttered, turning my unenthusiastic gaze on him, "now why am I here?"
Under his hood, I could just tell that Death's expression was sheepish, "It was an accident at first—but I see now that bringing you here did serve a purpose."
Practically face-faulting, I wondered what he meant by accident?
'Pulling a person out of their dimension and to—to—to wherever I am is an accident in his mind?'
"Yes, I was trying to collect a soul that lost his second chance, and managed to swipe you instead—my apologies," he carried on, and my mind focused on how there was another person like me.
"Wait, there's someone else in the Naruto dimension who's just like me?" I asked, suddenly feeling excited at the thought.
His head swiveled straight, and he cleared his throat, seemingly trying to hide something, "No, I meant—even if there was you couldn't—shouldn't—anyway, Ms. Flynn, that is a topic for another time; I believe I must discuss with you important matters."
I made a move to protest, ready to demand information about this other person who's just like me—with a second chance—but he made a hand motion indicating silence.
It was intimidating enough for my mouth to snap close, and my previous thought to float away. Feeling defeated, I had no choice but to listen.
"Now, the time for you to start your training is nearing—and there are some things I'd like to discuss before we begin."
Gulping, I nodded, listening intently.
"First, I am allowing you an option to back out—give up your second chance if you so choose. Beware though, the cost will be your permanent death."
At a loss of words, I weighed my options.
Either I continue to survive in a world full of powerful maniacs, trying to save an avenger from himself, along with the whole village he lives in—or, I welcome sweet, quiet, safe death.
Closing my eyes tightly, I sighed deeply, before shaking my head, "I chose to decline your offer of backing out."
I could feel the shock radiating off or Death, and decided that my choice was the right one—the one I should've made.
'I've come so far—I couldn't just back out now.'
"This won't be the last time I ask you, Ms. Flynn; the road ahead of you has much destruction and pain—I hope you know what you are doing. The training you will go through will take away your humanity if you let it—make you become your inner demons if you lose control; and once you are gone, no one can bring you back." Death spoke, sounding once again authoritative and leaderly.
"I understand," I mumbled, though a little unconvincingly.
He nodded, before walking a short distance away, waving his hand over the empty space above us.
To my surprise, a map spread out across the floor, shining in color and hazy shapes. There were people on it, from the way the shapes looked like figures, but there was nothing in detail; plus, the scenes flashed too quickly, so any descriptive image was gone before you could really see it.
Once again confused, I looked up at Death's hooded face, expression pressing for answers.
"This is what your memories look like," he stated sagely, and I looked back at the screen with realization, "they are muddled, confused—the first step to my training is the process of cleaning out your confusion, and searching for your answers. This process could take months—years even—so that is why I have called you here. We must begin straight away."
Dazedly, I nodded, understanding only bits and pieces of what he said.
"Once you clear out your confusion, only then can you truly begin training; of course, I could still teach you things along the way, but until you're dreamscape is completely fixed, you cannot use certain techniques." He continued flippantly, robes fluttering as he walked closer.
Eyebrows furrowed, I pursed my lips, "What happens if I use those techniques before my dreamscape is fixed?" I asked, puzzled and in need of any answers I could get.
"Then you'd most likely die."
Blanching, I couldn't help but shiver at the thought.
"Death," I asked, looking from the map to the pearly white space around me, then back to him, "do you think I'll survive?"
His response was delayed, as if he truly was giving it a lot of thought, "that will all be determined in time.
In other words, no.
'Gosh,' I thought dryly, completely sarcastic, 'thanks for the vote of confidence.'
"You're welcome," he replied, and I shuddered in response. Turning my gaze back to him, wide eyes and mouth agape, I accusingly pointed my finger at him.
"You—you just—!"
His bony hand waved, as if he was appeasing the situation, "Calm yourself—did you really not know I could read minds?" he stated dryly.
Shivering again, one thought came to mind:
'Creepy.'
Probably choosing to ignore my last comment, he walked forward steadily, robes fluttering behind him. His staff tapped the ground lightly, and the map of my memories dispersed into the air in tiny, glowing particles. Completely amazed, I felt a peaceful smile grow on my face.
"Meditating will be your first obstacle—remember to overcome it with a fighting spirit, and the rest should fall into place," he lectured, voice solemn, determined, "you might not get all your memories back, and there are others like me who wish to interfere—but I believe you can push past those obstacles as well."
Nodding, the smile resting on my face grew wider.
"The chakra within you will remain violent and unstable if you fail, or if provoked—remain careful, Ms. Flynn; do not waste this chance of yours, for it is a once and a lifetime offer." He continued, arms locking into place as he prepared to send me back.
"I'll be fine, you worry wart," I grinned, taunting him playfully.
There was a deep sound—a sound that I registered as a chuckle just as the pearly white walls faded.
"Goodbye, Susana."
And I was gone.
…
'Ugh, my brain hurts,' I grumbling, sitting up with a hand held to my forehead, 'Death needs to find a better way to transport me places, because this is clearly not going to work.'
Taking a few breaths, I reviewed the new things I learned today, and let another groan as I sunk back into the couch cushions.
'So, if I don't clean up whatever mess my mind is in, I could die—and if I don't stable out my chakra, then I could die again—plus, there are people Death mentioned who want me to die. Oh, isn't this lovely?'
Pushing away my negative thoughts, I jumped back up, rushing through the hall and out the door, smirk settled on my face.
'So, let's get started then.'
"Sasuke," I shouted at the top of my lungs, completely startling the poor Uchiha, "teach me how to meditate!"
...
Hey guys!
This form of scattered little drabbles will continue till Susana turns twelve, and then i will proceed to work on the main arc chapters. Hopefully everything in these chapters make sense; i did kinda rush through writing some parts.
Any questions? Comments? Concerns? Please let me know!
Also, thank you for the wonderful and lovely reviews from the last chapters; they were truly motivating.
Question: What's the worst story you've ever read?