I wasn't at all surprised that I awoke with a dull ache in my head, I'm sure I had scared Itachi with my wailing like the world was ending.

"Being given a death sentence will do that to you."

Pushing away the thought I tried to rationalise the situation, how could I survive in a story where I was likely doomed to die before even reaching puberty. Especially considering I shouldn't exist, that means the world will just try to be rid of the error that much harder. Scrunching up my face in frustration I huffed away the sting of tears, pushing back at the thoughts overwhelming me and attempting to focus one step at a time.

"I'm stuck in a body that is likely new, I won't be able to do much for a while except observe."

If the only thing I could do right now was observe then observe I would, whilst also trying to move this unyielding body somehow. Taking a deep breath I counted down.

"1."

I breathed out slowly.

"2"

I relaxed my face and prepared for what may come.

"3"

My eyes opened slowly, focus adjusting and picking up a myriad of colours everywhere, at least my eyesight is better than the first time. Glancing around with my eyes I could see I was in some kind of wooden crib, no bars however simply raised sides that would prevent my falling. The wood was a light birch, it had patterns carved into it; small flowers that wound their way all over its surface. Hanging over the side to my right I could see a cloth, royal blue with what I could just make out to be red, white and black on its surface. Moving my eyes back towards where my feet should be I could see a large fabric canvas hanging on the wall opposite my crib, rippling in a gentle breeze. A large crest, the Uchiha crest, adorned its surface and captured my undivided attention. It was vibrant yet seemed to ominously mock the situation I had found myself in. Movement to my left and the noise of wood against wood caught my attention, my small head rocking loosely to my left towards the source of the noise. My eyes searched for the source before finding the tiny figure of Itachi stood in a small gap in the Shoji screen to the room, his eyes seemed to light up when they met mine a wide bright grin spreading over his face; before he took off at a run to somewhere outside of the now open doorway.

"I don't think I ever saw him smile like that in the story...he must be really young."

The thought briefly passed over me, a small inconsistency that barely registered before being tucked away and forgotten. Soon enough an excited Itachi reappeared in the doorway this time followed by a smiling Mikoto. Her eyes met mine and lit up much like Itachi's, immediately she followed her gaze and swept into the room gathering me into her arms and cradling me close. Speaking so quickly I couldn't understand her words, but the relief I felt from her was tangible and all-encompassing. It was strange to feel, I was insignificant; not supposed to exist but here she was relieved that I was awake. The feeling touched at my heart, trying to pull me from the apathy I was resigning myself too.

"I don't want this!"

Immediately I tried to struggle free, pushing away with all my small baby might. I couldn't become connected, couldn't become attached to people that were just destined to die and to whom I would hurt when I too also died. The outburst caused fresh tears and warranted the opposite of what I wished, Mikoto continued to rock me shushing me as she did so.

"Izuna-chan, Izuna-chan," the gentle words soothed me, strangely focusing me back to her in intrigue and contemplative thought.

"Is that my name?"

Mikoto continued to speak the words until my sobs turned to hiccups, sitting down and resting me in her lap so that small hands could also reach over to comfort me. The world shifted and suddenly Itachi sat opposite me on her lap, eyes wide with concern and hands reaching out to rest against my tiny ones. His warmth, her warmth...their warmth filled me further and began to heal a hole I hadn't known existed.

"Are they real? Is this real? Am I real?"

The confusion persisted as I could feel them, listen to them and understand some of what they said. They felt alive, I felt alive but could I definitely say I wasn't just dreaming. I wasn't supposed to exist of course, so how could any of this be real if the story wasn't following its lines. Stories stuck to a plot, they didn't deviate even if a reader wished they did so how is it possible that I was thrown in amongst this story, or was I hidden somewhere between the lines. So lost in my thoughts I hadn't seen the approaching figure or heard the deep voice speaking in loving tones until strong hands lifted me from Mikoto's lap and into their grasp; one hand supporting my head and the other holding me outright away from their body. My eyes unglazed and I stared deep into onyx ones, a seriousness lingering as they stared into mine. However I watched the guard begin to drop, the sparkle of hope, relief and love?

"How can they love that which shouldn't exist?"

This man, Fugaku, i'd never seen such love from him before even as he allowed his son to end his life. His eyes searched mine, looking for something and with each passing moment I felt him entering my soul. It was like I was laid bare, all the fear of connecting and loving and the fear of losing it all was out there; even if I didn't yet have the words to vocalize it.

"Izuna-chan," the deep voice drew my glazing eyes back to him, once more onyx eyes implored me to remain here, in this world I was questioning so strongly. As he smiled gently and pulled me to rest against him, head tucked in the crook of his neck I let silent tears soak his clothing. No hiccups or sobs followed just silent understanding and comfortable companionship.

"Maybe I could learn to find my place in this story...maybe I was meant to be here..."

Thoughts drifted away from me, sleep grabbing at my senses and willing me to rest. And rest I did, embracing the comforting nothingness that it brought.


END OF CHAPTER 2: STORIES

Key:

"Thoughts"

Inner Guidance

"Speech"

One Horizontal Line = Time Skip

Hey there!

First off a big thank you to lizyeh2000 for your lovely review, I'm so glad you enjoyed the first chapter and want more!

I hope you and everyone else enjoy this update!

Happy Reading,

K-Chan x