"No matter what kind of challenges or difficulties or painful situations you go through in your life, we all have something deep within us that we can reach down and find the inner strength to get through them." – Alana Stewart
Chapter OneThere were many secrets in the universe. So many – in fact – that we could never sincerely hope to learn them all. One of those secrets was the world were connected to one another. I did not really understand how I came to be in the hospital, in a four-year-olds body. However, I understood enough to know the dream I had, was not a dream but a request from the Sentinels.
I remember her request, "Stop the world from being destroyed". I remembered she told me that someone from my world had found a way into this world, and had all intentions of making sure the bad guys won. The Sentinel that I had spoken to – Selma was her name – warned me that my body would change. She also told me that things have already played out once. That the person from my world has somehow managed to reverse time in this world so they could do what they want.
I had asked Selma why she chose me, out of everyone on Earth, but all she did was smile and fade away as I was brought into darkness before my eyes opened to the new world I was in. of course, the second I saw the nurse next to me, I knew why Selma had chosen me. However, if I was going, to be honest with myself, there would have been many others she could have chosen for this.
"Ah, you're awake," the nurse stated with a smile when she noticed me staring at her. She poured me a glass of water from the jug and helped me sit up so I can sip at it. "We were worried you wouldn't wake up. Just stay here while I get the Hokage."
I watched as the nurse walked out, and it confirmed my suspicions. Somehow, I was transported to the Naruto world. Never did I think I would say that. It was a ridiculous notion, probably why it was popular amongst Naruto fan fiction writers. However, it did make me think. Were all the stories written in my world, right? If I ever spoke to Selma again, I need to ask her. This is because I know many people who would love to know the Harry Potter universe actually exists.
I sat on my hospital bed, waiting for the arrival of the Hokage. I had a feeling I knew what era I was in, but I needed to be sure. I looked out the window, in which I could see the village, but not the Hokage Mountain. I must be facing away from it. From my position, I could see people walking around, doing their errands. It appeared to be around midday.
The door slid open, dragging my attention from the window to the red and white-clad man in front of me. It was the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. He did not look as old as he did at the start of the anime and manga, but I suspected that that was because it was a pre-series era. Moreover, considering it was the Third Hokage, it could be before the Nine-Tails Invasion before the Fourth became Hokage, or after the Nine-Tails Invasion – when the Fourth dies.
He smiled at me in a grandfatherly way. His smile reached his brown eyes as he walked to the seat next to my bed and sat down. I took this moment to properly analyse him. I noted he was thinner than I had thought when reading the manga; he was also slightly taller than I expected. He was heavily wrinkled, though not to the extent he was at the start of the series and had a couple of moles and age spots on his face and hands. The crows-feet at both the corner of his eyes and lips suggested he smiled and laughed a lot.
"Hello. I'm the Sandime Hokage of Konohagakure," he greeted, and I nodded, not really sure on how to reply, making the older man chuckled. "You're probably confused as to why you are here. I a chūnin of mine discovered you about three kilometres east of the village. You did not appear to have any wounds, but you were very low on chakra, even for someone as young as you are now. They brought you back, and you have been in a coma-like state for about two weeks now."
I was surprised by his words, but I nodded in understanding. I didn't take into account that I was supposed to be a four-ear-old and not supposed to understand most of what the Hokage had said. However, you cannot expect a nineteen-year-old to pretend to be the same age as one of her younger sisters.
"Do you mind telling me your name? If you do, we may be able to find your family," the Hokage offered. I went to open my mouth to give him my name but froze as I realised a significant detail.
I was in the Naruto world, meaning almost everyone's names in this world were Japanese in culture. Now that I think about it, I should not be able to understand the Hokage as well as I could. Nor should I be able to read the signs lying around as comfortably as I can. Sure, I had been learning Japanese since I was twelve, but I still struggled and yet, I had almost no problem understanding the things around me.
However, I could not focus on the technicalities of understanding a new language all of a sudden. I need a name – a Japanese sounding name at that. I'm sure a Caucasian name from a white Australia from another world would not work.
"Do you know your name?" the Third questioned as I tried to figure out my dilemma.
"Try Tamashi Satomi," the voice of Selma flittered through my mind, and, happy that I still had some help, I gave a small nod to the Hokage.
"My name is Tamashi Satomi, Hokage-sama," I replied, and his eyes widened in surprise.
"Are you of the Tamashi Clan?" he questioned.
The Tamashi Clan? But I do not know of a Tamashi Clan in the Naruto world. Then again, maybe they were from a filler episode. Maybe they weren't mentioned in the series at all. Oh, God... I mean, Oh, Kami, I'm completely lost right now.
"Don't fret, Satomi. The Tamashi Clan is a clan initially designed by the Sentinels to keep in contact with them and to help the world move smoothly. There is a similar family or group of people or creatures in all the worlds," Selma explained. "It was why you were chosen for this mission. Your father was from your world Tamashi Clan equivalent. However, the Tamashi Clan in this world was killed off three months ago by the person I sent you here to track. In other words, even once your initial mission is done, you need to remain in this world to continue the Tamashi Clan," Selma finished. I turned to look at the Hokage, who was watching me patiently. He had something akin to a knowing look in his brown eyes. As if he already knew the answer to his question.
"Yes. I am of the Tamashi Clan," I replied smoothly, and he nodded as if he already figured out as much.
"I had suspected as much. You were conversing with a Sentinel, weren't you? Your clan has been destroyed. I suspect your Sentinel watcher was probably controlling you to get you here to safety," the Third explained, making me frown.
"How do you know of the Sentinels, Hokage-sama?" I questioned wearily.
"Leaders and prominent people of this world are aware of the Sentinels. I was close to the Tamashi Clan, and they informed me of different worlds. They warned me that I should never reveal my knowledge to anyone outside of the clan unless they give the okay," the Third explained.
"Selma, are they allowed to do that?"
"Yes. We encourage the Tamashi Clan, and their equivalent, in other words, to trust at least one outsider in each generation. This clan had chosen Hiruzen to know the truth about their abilities. The other nations believe it is nothing more than a strange type of kekkei genkai. When the time comes, you will need to choose someone you trust to know the truth," Selma explained, and then she giggled. "I suspect I know who you are going to tell. After all, I've been watching you long enough to know that there's only one anime character you've ever fangirled over. And he happens to exist in this world."
I felt my cheeks light up with a blush. The Hokage looked at me in concern. "Are you alright, Satomi-chan? Do you have a fever?"
"Ah, no! I was just asking my Sentinel about if my clan was allowed to do what you said. I don't remember much of my clan. Selma – my Sentinal – informed me that when we were attacked, she had taken control of my body. She accidentally removed most of my memories of my clan," I explained on the spot. I heard no protest from Selma at my words, so I knew I made up a good excuse to the Hokage.
The Third nodded but smiled kindly as he took my fair-skinned hand. Which was, incidentally, darker than my skin in my old world. To say I was pale would be an understatement.
"I had made a promise to the head of the Tamashi Clan that if anything was to happen to them, I would help any survivors with their abilities. Would you like to become a citizen of Konohagakure?" the Third questioned. I nodded, knowing that Selma wouldn't have dropped me off three kilometres from the village if I wasn't supposed to be here.
"You put a lot of faith and trust in me," Selma stated. I ignored her as I bowed to the Hokage as best as I could while sitting in a hospital bed.
"I would like to remain in the village. I don't think I would survive on my own. I just have one request," I stated, and the Hokage nodded in agreement. I realised then that he never questioned why I was speaking so well despite being only four.
"Thanks to us Sentinels, children of the Tamashi Clan and the like learn their mental skills at a rapid pace. In fact, almost every one of the Tamashi Clan or the equivalent has a Sentinel watching and caring for them. I was chosen to watch and care for you. I believe you used to call me Su-Su," Selma explained just as the Hokage spoke.
"What is that request?"
"I would like to thank the chūnin, who found me and brought me here. Without them, who knows what could have happened to me," I explained and I could feel Selma jumping up and down in excitement as I said this. It made me very suspicious.
The Third smiled at me and stood up. "Of course, I'll go find him. The nurses will come in with some clean clothes for you, and I'll be back to discharge you after I find a place for you to stay," the Third explained and he left.
Two nurses came in after a few minutes. One of them was the nurse that I had woken up to. They both shot me a kind smile. "Hokage-sama had us get your sizes while you slept. He brought you some clean clothes. Your old ones were almost destroyed when you were brought in," one of the nurses explained as she placed some pink and blue coloured clothing on my bed.
"Do you want to have a shower? We can help you if you wish," the other nurse offered, and I blushed at the thought of having someone clean me.
"No, thank you. I can bathe myself," I replied, and the nurses nodded, though I could tell they weren't sure if I spoke the truth or not.
I got up, wobbling a little, grabbing onto the bed so I could regain my centre of gravity. Before I grabbed my new clothes and walking into the bathroom that the nurses showed me. It was time for me to have my first shower in the Naruto world.