Datenshi: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the previous chapter! Ok so the real funny stuff won't come until a few chapters later so everything is situated. Anyway as promised, Itachi will deliver a Valentine message for all (he didn't kill me)! He wrote a mini verse to express his thanks! Go on weasel!
Itachi: … -looks at script- Hn…very well Datenshi. –clears throat- To all those who read this: You have all watched me and admired me from afar…and I want to thank you for remembering me…and being my ongoing fans…my feelings for you all resemble the intense inextinguishable black flames of Amaterasu…burning on and on…Happy Valentine's Day.
Datenshi: -squeals- OMFJ that was so sweet Itachi! -throws out sweet tarts- Happy Valentine's Day everyone from me!
Natsumi T (my imouto): Me too! –tosses heart shaped lollipops- Happy Valentine's Day!
MissfitWondermutt: OMG, I can't believe you are reading this! XDD And on top of that, you like it too??? –dances for joy- Yes you do need to write more of your story I really liked it! So hurry up, eh? Or I'll stalk you at my sister's school. JK…maybe…
Cheeryboo27: Yaye and it's not a problem! That sucks you had your computer taken away?! I would have like died. Glad you like this story! I luvs u too! Ravioli for Itachi and Sasuke…I think they would kill us if we do that. But perhaps later…kukukuku…
Chapter Four: Of Complex Elucidations and Curious Presages
"What the hell do we do now?" asked Kayli worriedly.
I said nothing, at yet another grand impasse. What could we do? Yeah sure we know what point they came from, but we still didn't know the precise moment. For exemplar: Had Itachi already told Sasuke that he wanted his eyes? Or had Itachi already used Amaterasu?
I had no chocolate fudging idea.
And that reminds me: what about Itachi's disease? Did he still have it or was he just doing a good job concealing it as he always has? I still had no answer to any of my probing questions…but I did have a patent scheme how to get some.
"Imouto…we have to talk with Itachi and Sasuke and get them to tell us unerringly what happened."
Kayli took a deep breath and nodded, in accord with the newly constructed plan. "Yeah, that's the only way…but um…how do we know when to go downstairs?"
"We go now duh," I said nonchalantly, shrugging, "I'm sure Itachi and Sasuke are done with whatever they were doing."
"I don't know…"
"Come on Itachi wouldn't Mangekyou us; it'd be a total waste."
Was she seriously scared of Itachi? Well…it was kinda scary when he did appear to be threatening us but…now that I've had time to think, I realized that he wouldn't bother. I mean really…to use it on two girls that probably can't fight their way outta a paper bag would be a pretty low blow. Okay…maybe that's an exaggeration (cus I am definitely not thatpathetic), but between us against them, I'd say it's a very fair comparison.
"Fine," she finally said, "but if he tries anything, I'm using you as a human shield."
"Oh you're a jerk."
We (well Kayli) finally gathered the nerve to come downstairs.
The Uchiha brothers were doing absolutely nothing. Itachi, who was just standing by the foot of the stairs, took a passing glance at us as we touch the bottom. Sasuke was in the kitchen, leant on the sturdy counter. He gave us a vacant look. Once more there is grave silence as no one knows what to say. I am so tired of this awkwardness.
"Aneki," Kayli's voice filled my ear in a soft whisper, "come on, say something…"
I gave her a look that clearly said 'Why can't you, scardy cat?' before I cleared my throat inelegantly, preparing to speak since my timid imouto won't.
"Um so…Itachi…Sasuke…we need to the talk."
Kayli's jaw dropped. "A-aneki…you're going to give them…the talk? That talk? You don't mean about—"
"No you disturbing perv, I mean we need to talk about what's going on here—get you mind out of the gutter."
"My bad," she mumbled, blushing at her inference.
In the corner of my vision, I saw Sasuke abruptly turned his eyes on me exclusively, giving me a cold stare. I swear he doesn't know the meaning of tact. It's rude to stare—in his case, I'd call that an outright glare—but I won't say anything. I know he's a jerk and that's not going to change.
"Tell us about how you know us first," he demanded impassively.
I narrowed my eyes back at him. So it's like that huh? "…All right I will…" I don't desire nor feel like arguing with someone as stubborn as he is. It's practically pointless. "…Kayli…"
"What Sarina?"
"Go on and tell them."
"What?!" she yelped, caught off guard by being put on the spot. "But why can't you?"
"I will…you start it off."
"You are officially a jackass!" she hissed heatedly. "I hate being the center of attention like this."
"Well too dang bad."
I stuck my tongue and waggled it tauntingly at my imouto, blowing a mocking raspberry. Then I remembered I was doing such a childish act in front of Itachi. In my peripheral vision I saw him give me a look. I don't know what kind of look it was but it was enough to make me feel extremely embarrassed. Sasuke was doing the same, but I don't care about him really.
"Haha…" giggled Kayli, realizing the cause of my spiteful cessation. "Retard."
"Shut up." I need to save face right now somehow. "A-anyway Itachi…I told you I would tell you about how my imouto and I know about you two…so I will."
Itachi nodded mutely while Sasuke stared attentively. Kayli glanced at me and I saw a warning look in her expression. I knew what she was trying to convey automatically. Letting out a deep sigh, I began the expatiation in a composed voice.
"So to start off with…Itachi and Sasuke…I know you two recognize the fact that you both are in a completely different world…" I paused briefly, gathering my thoughts in order to better clarify just how different. "…In this world there are no shinobi…no jutsu, nothing like where you come from."
"Why is that?" Of course, that was the ever delightful *cough* not really *cough* Sasuke.
I sighed lowly, rubbing my temples charily as I felt that oncoming headache and supplied, "I was getting to that. The reason is because you both come from Naruto."
"…What do you mean we come from Naruto-kun?"
That was Itachi. He was giving me an odd look. Whoa…I suddenly realized just how wrong that sounded.
Kayli slapped her forehead in plain exasperation. "Baka…" I heard her mutter under her breath.
"Uh…that didn't come out right!" I said quickly, my face heating up. "Wh-what I mean to say is Naruto is an anime show and manga (picturesque novel) created by Masashi Kishimoto; it is centered mainly on Naruto's life…well it was…" I mumbled that last part to myself, remembering all the recent manga that mainly revolved on Sasuke.
Insert blah.
"A show and a manga?" asked Sasuke dubiously with narrowed orbs, like he didn't believe me at all.
Okay well I can see why he wouldn't believe that because if I was from a show/manga, I'd be like, well you're crazy too. Plus finding out your life was basically created by someone is…hard to take.
"Yes a show and manga," I replied unquestionably, "Why is that so hard to believe if you can willingly believe that this place is a different dimension?"
He turned a sharp glare on me, corners of his lips tugged downward. As he growled, "It sounds completely far-fetched."
"We have solid proof," Kayli unexpectedly piped up.
She ran upstairs and came back down a few seconds later with one of my Naruto manga, volume forty to be exact, where Sasuke and Deidara finished their epic battle (totally sucks that Deidara inadvertently lost though). She nervously approached Sasuke and handed him the small manga.
"Hey be careful with that!" I growled menacingly as he opened the manga much too roughly for my liking.
Damnit Sasuke, I like all my manga in first-rate condition! If he ruins, it I will dye his hair red when he sleeps. Or something to that effect. Anyway, his eyebrows raised high up in silent alarm at seeing himself inside the scenic novel, dark orbs that were oh so similar to his aneki's and yet not widened in obvious incredulity.
I smirked gleefully at his shocked demeanor, feeling a pleased sentiment rise in my chest; I love seeing him like that. Call me twisted, a sadist, or whatever, but I do. Either that or him getting his arrogant ass handed to him. It was always a laugh for me but it always earned a furious punch from one angry Kayli; she hates it when I pick on him. But it was always worth it at the end of the day for me, despite the painful bruises I constantly received. Always.
…Oh wait… Itachi didn't see the manga evidence yet.
"Hey Sasuke, make sure you give it back so I can show Itachi."
"Its fine," the elder Uchiha said automatically, "I can see that you're being truthful…you have no reason to lie."
I smiled to myself. Man Itachi is so cool, of course he would understand. But I wondered why Sasuke wouldn't believe me, I mean, the guy usually believes things a lot more readily than most people. Note, this too, is why he is easily manipulated.
"I see," spoke Sasuke suddenly, "so this is true."
The raven looked up from the manga and handed it back to Kayli, who blushed, but coolly took it back. He didn't look to happy about this news. Honestly, I don't blame him at all on that note. It must suck to know you're not real.
"Yeah," Kayli sighed, "everything that you all went through happened for a reason."
"You both know everything?"
Kayli and I uttered hushed concurrent gasp at Itachi's question, utterly startled at the underlying connotation. I turned to him. His face is emotionless as always, but I can see something profound swirling in his dark eyes…and I can't name it, but it makes me feel…so anxious.
"…Yes we do," spoke Kayli abruptly, nodding uneasily. "And we also now know that you both came from your final battle."
Itachi went entirely ridged with scantily suppressed apprehension. I know and understand why he did; he was afraid about Sasuke finding about his truth. He was intelligent enough to understand that if we were aware of them in general and their final clash that we could possibly know the outcome and even beyond that…which we did.
I glanced sideways at Sasuke. He was just frowning in Itachi's direction, looking slightly surprised at his aniki's unexpected tension. Damnit, I have to say something to halt any more questionings on that particular matter just in case something imperative slipped.
"Listen Itachi, Sasuke," I begin sturdily, "we need to know precisely what happened when you were transferred here…all the details and stuff so maybe we can find a way to get you both back."
My demand was not immediately answered by one of the Uchiha brothers however; the door bell actually chose to answer instead with its shrill ring. I frowned and glanced behind me at the door down the hallway.
"Who in the hell?" Kayli muttered audibly, dread ghosting her features. "Can it be…?"
We quickly exchanged worried glances.
Oh Jashin, please, please, please don't tell me it was our parents. No wait…they would call us and alert us if they were on the plane heading back home. It had to be someone else. Well crap, don't let it be more Naruto characters—Itachi and Sasuke were enough as it is!
"I'll get it," I offered robotically, and hurried down the hallway. I stopped by the off white door, reaching out a trembling hand as I breathed out a breath of determined calm. "…Ok…"
My fingers coiled around the cold silver handle and made a twisting motion.
The lock clicked open.
I swallowed a hard bugling lump that had formed in my throat and mentally prepared myself for whatever.
And then I pulled the door open.
"Hi there Sarina."
I stared at the person before I literally face palmed my face in disgusted enragement. I got worked up over nothing! I feel so stupid, I should have known.
"…Hello…Mrs. Jessica…again."
She smiled warmly at me, her dark blue eyes sparkling.
"Haha…yes me again my dear."
I'm not usually rude to my elders nor do I ever think to be rude, but at the moment, I just wanted to slam the door right in her face for making me get panicky. However, I withheld the very tempting urge because Mrs. Jessica was a nice lady, she didn't mean to be the cause of my irritation.
"Is there something you need?" I asked curiously.
"Oh…I just wanted to give you something." She fumbled in her purse before withdrawing a blood scarlet envelope. "This has your address on it."
"What? But…how did you get it?"
"It was on my porch," she replied. "Someone rang my doorbell and when I went to answer it, there was nothing but this on the ground with your address on it. So naturally, I thought I'd give it to you since it's yours."
I blinked a couple of times, my interest caught. That's really uncommonly weird…why didn't we get it in the mail normally like everyone else? And why didn't the sender just leave it at our doorway for that matter? Oh don't tell me it's a stalker. I better take it so I can report it if it is.
"Thank you Mrs. Jessica," I said appreciatively as I opened the screen door slightly to take the envelope.
"No problem dear. You have a good night and don't burn anything else."
"Y-yes ma'm…" I mumbled ashamedly. Why must she be so cruel as to remind me of my pathetic faults? "Goodnight." I closed the door and proceeded back to my imouto and the Uchiha brothers.
"What, what happened?" asked Kayli inquisitively.
"Nothing…but we may have a stalker."
"Well isn't that absolutely lovely?" she responded dryly. "What makes you say that anyway?"
"This." I held up the envelope for her and the Uchiha brothers to see. "It has our address on it."
"Oh snaps, maybe we do have a stalker! But…Itachi and Sasuke will protect us though, ne?" She coquettishly batted her eyelashes at Itachi, obviously too shy to do it to the raven as well.
Itachi doesn't say anything…what the hell could he say? Oh but of course I will? He barely both talks and knows us. But surprisingly, he gives her a short nod to which Kayli squealed happily. I almost pouted in envy but I will myself not to. Besides he's just did it to appease her so he doesn't have to deal with whatever the negative result would have been.
"Stop bothering Itachi, sheesh!" I hissed petulantly. "We have to look and see if this is a stalker letter first of all."
"Ok I was just having some fun…open it then."
I grunted affirmatively and flipped the letter on its backside, slipping my thumb underneath the sealing and pulled downwards, separating it from its sticky bond. Flicking the flap open, I extracted the paper within.
The letter was pure black in color and folded neatly in threes. This was strange stationary and for some unfathomable reason…I received a portentous sensation from the seemingly innocent paper alone.
A cold shiver ran up my spine like an electric shock. I trembled in spite of myself. Yeah…something just didn't feel right about this at all.
"Aneki," I jumped at my sister's voice and take a quick glance at her. Her face is very troubled…she must have felt the anomalous impression as well. "What's it say on the front?"
I glanced at the large slant white title print, "It says…To Whom It May Concern: The Nine Prophecies of the Second New Decade of the Two Thousands."
"P-prophecies…?" she repeated, looking progressively more uneasy.
"Yeah…"
I took a moment to look at the Uchiha brothers. Itachi was observing me halfheartedly while Sasuke was staring warily at the black folded paper in my hand. They both seemed to be waiting to hear the contents of the peculiar letter. So with careful meticulousness, I gently unfolded the almost frail thin document. The writing is a vivid gold cursive, nearly glowing.
Centered in the very middle is the following message:
The First Prophecy
Reality and Fantasy…both are idealistic Illusions. Both are two different Entities, two entirely diverse Dominions. But on the night of the subsequent hemispherical Moon in the second decade of the two thousands, an extraordinary phenomenon will occur. Both Realms, Reality and Fantasy, will have the space between them bridged. And Fantasy, for a time period, will cross that Bridge and become a Reality.
I had read the entire message aloud for them all to hear. And I can now say that this letter was seriously freaking me out.
"What the hell?!" exclaimed Kayli, abruptly loud. "This is only one though! Didn't it say nine?!"
"Perhaps we shall get the others later," Itachi astutely suggested.
I nodded slowly. "I agree but still…this letter…what does it mean? And more importantly…what are the others?"
"You don't get it?" asked Sasuke blankly.
Both Kayli and I stared at the raven.
"I'd be nice if you can enlighten us," I implied in a straightforward manner.
I have patients, but it thins very quickly, especially…with the intolerable chicken butt haired raven. He just pisses me off, but I do truly feel sorry for him and his situation.
"It said two realms…" He closed his eyes, "Reality and Fantasy."
"Otouto…you understand the message huh?"
Sasuke opened his smoky gray orbs to a slit and stared coldly at his aniki. "Of course," he snapped in a clipped tone. Well, what an unnecessarily mean little attitude he has.
"Ok…you two need to tell us if you know," I declared, slightly irritated. Must they keep us in the dark?
Itachi blinked and turned his smoky gray eyes on me, jet black eyebrows narrowed in the tiniest fraction.
"Sarina…you said we are from a program and manga in this world. This makes your world the Reality and ours the Fantasy does it not?"
…
…Oh…
Well, for the love of Pete (whoever that is), then that means…?!
Tremulous gasp of ultimate comprehension tore from both me and Kayli's lips as we (simultaneously) caught the insinuation of the "First Prophecy". Holy freaking evil god Jashin! This makes everything, this unnatural occurrence of anime characters in this world, so glaringly clear!
"…S-so that explains why…you and Sasuke are…here," whispered Kayli, absolute horrified wonder pronounced in her voice. "Fantasy, for a time period, will cross that Bridge and become a Reality".
I don't know why but…all of a sudden…I had gotten a veritable queasy stomach tingling feeling that we were all are in for one hell of a time. It was definitely not going to be fun having Uchiha Itachi and Sasuke here…not in lieu of these foreboding prophecies that foretell good or bad…who knows? But I believe the implication is for the worst.
Why so negative you ask? Because…reality is never hopefully promising as you'd wish it to be. Put simply…it's a real kick in the hindquarters. Ouchies.
Datenshi: Hope you all liked Itachi's message and everything! See Sasuke your bro here said something nice…why can't you?
Sasuke: My fans are…currently annoyed with me due to the recent chapters of the manga.
Datenshi: True…very true…you're such a poor misguided jerk.
Sasuke: You pity me?
Datenshi: I both pity and dislike you.
Sasuke: Hn.
Natsumi T: Damnit, stop picking on him already! He's got enough crap to deal with!
Datenshi: -rolls eyes- Oh whatever imouto… Hohoho the plot thickens with the foreshadowing of the Nine Prophecies! Just what exactly can they be? Well I ain't telling nothing so nyah! But will you review this chapter? Please? Pretty please with Itachi on top?
Itachi: -/_\- Sigh…
