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The Anachronism

Chapter III: The Day He Bought New Clothes

Warm sunlight broke through Nadeshiko's half open window the next morning. The blonde snuggled against her fluffy pillow, smiling, before stretching her arms and sitting up in her bed. Peering out her window, the young woman couldn't help but laugh at the dream she'd just had. Though the woman had a knack for crazy dreams, this one definitely took the cake, especially with how real it felt. It had been like something out of an anime: she'd walked home one day to find a seemingly dead man on her floor, who she later, after his miraculous recovery, promised to help out of the innocent, overly-trusting-ness of her heart.

The blonde giggled again, swinging open her bedroom door. Crazy!

Or, maybe not so much.

Sitting at the table counter adorned in Nadeshiko's ex-boyfriend's sweatpants and father's old Budweiser T-shirt was Itachi Uchiha. Always an early riser, the man had awakened an hour before the blonde girl with the same mindset as she. However, upon realizing that he was on an unfamiliar couch, that this wasn't a horrible nightmare, that he wasn't rightfully dead, and that he seemingly wasn't even in his own world, the Uchiha man had taken to doing research. So, with a glass of tap water, Itachi had collected Nadeshiko's every book, sifting through them for some hint on where he was, or maybe even why he was here.

When he heard Nadeshiko's door swing open, his black eyes flickered up to the blonde's blanched, nervous expression. Averting his attention to the latest book, the man said, "Good morning, Nadeshiko."

Th-that's right… Nadeshiko thought, sweat dripping down her brow. It wasn't just a dream…

Last night, after determining that Itachi had no severe wounds (much to his genuine surprise, Nadeshiko had noted), she had instructed the dark-haired man to shower and change out of his spoiled clothes. Though he had initially seemed as though he wanted to protest, Nadeshiko had offered him the only male clothes she had – regrettably, her ex-boyfriend's sweatpants and her father's T-shirt, but they worked all the same. She had explained to him that there was no way he was staying in her home wearing bloody clothes, nor would he ever be able to leave the confines of the apartment without being patronized and questioned if his clothes were tarnished.

Thinking back on it now, Nadeshiko realized in horror that she must have sounded like a demanding mother. Oh Lord, the blonde girl cried out, scolding herself and her desire to take in strays and help them. What have I done…?

Finally moving out from her door frame, Nadeshiko smoothed her button-up night shirt and matching shorts and approached the man. She realized as she neared him that he was engrossed in one of her nursing textbooks. After grabbing herself a glass of orange juice from the refrigerator, she plopped down in the seat across from him.

"Why are you reading my textbooks?" She wondered, honestly curious. The stoic man didn't look at her, only continued to skim and flip through the pages of the Medical-Surgical Nursing book. Nadeshiko sipped patiently at her orange juice.

"I'm looking for answers," Itachi replied, shutting the book and moving to the next one: a romantic novel called Pride and Prejudice. Nadeshiko flushed as she read the title.

"I don't think you'll find your answers in my books," she squeaked, swiping her favorite novel from her new roommate's hand and hugging it to her chest. "Maybe I can help clarify things for you? Are you still having trouble remembering anything before waking up in my living room?"

Though the Uchiha nodded, he knew it was partially a lie. The man knew everything that had happened prior to his winding up there, aside from the actual transportation from his and Sasuke's ruined battlefield to the small blonde's apartment. But he knew he couldn't tell her that; she would never believe him. It was outside the realm of her reality, he had presumed. Not to mention, after reading through her Mental Health Nursing textbook, he knew what they did to people who spoke about things they didn't understand. He would not allow her to bring him to a hospital.

Nadeshiko frowned, less out of sympathy for the man and more out of knowledge that behind his stoic exterior, she could presume he was hiding something from her.

"Okay," she continued, sipping again at her orange juice. "Well, is there anything in particular you're confused about? I'm sure I can help with something, and maybe that would help jog your memory. Then, it'll be easy to get you back to where you belong!" The blonde smiled brightly and leaned toward the Uchiha.

If only it was that easy, Itachi thought, considering her statement and forming his first question. After a thoughtful, patient pause, he decided on the first thing he'd ask her about.

"What is 'Japan'?"

Nadeshiko's cheerful expression immediately fell and Itachi couldn't help but wonder if he'd asked the wrong question.

This was not going to be easy.

xXxXxXx

After five questions, Nadeshiko was convinced this man was from another world. Of course, she'd reasoned with herself, that wasn't actually possible, but Itachi's complete lack of knowledge about anything related to the world was enough to have her considering it. If he hadn't looked so serious asking his questions, the blonde would have thought he was joking with her. Especially after he demanded to view a world map out of disbelief that there were seven continents separated by large bodies of water.

As Itachi's eyes flickered over the world map image Nadeshiko had pulled up on her phone, the small woman studied the stoic man's face. Where did you come from? She pondered, drinking the rest of her orange juice. What happened to you?

Suddenly, realization flashed across Nadeshiko's face and she slapped her hand on the table. Itachi blinked his eyes away from the device in his hands – which, like the unusual map pictured on its screen, confused him – and stared at the grinning woman in front of him.

"That's it!" she squealed, leaping up from her seat and speeding into the living room. Itachi leaned back in his chair and peered after the excited blonde through the archway separating the two rooms. As she returned, Nadeshiko was clutching a thin laptop. While Itachi watched her quietly, the blonde quickly tapping away on her laptop, smile growing wider.

"Someone out there is looking for you," she explained, despite Itachi's lack of questioning her. "And assuming you've been missing for about a day, there must be some sort of Missing Person's announcement for you on the news or the police logs! We'll be able to find your family!"

Nadeshiko looked up at Itachi with a wide grin, proud of her quick thinking, before returning her gaze to the computer screen. Itachi watched her for a moment, before averting his eyes to the hardwood counter top.

Of course, he knew, she wouldn't find him or a family trying to locate him. Not even in his own world could she have found them. But somewhere deep down, he appreciated the thought.

"Drats!" Itachi peered up at Nadeshiko, who was grimacing at the laptop screen. She looked up at Itachi, "Nothing. Not even so much as a Facebook post!" She sighed, raking her hands through her hair, before whining, "And I really thought I was on to something too! Man, what a bother."

Scowling, Nadeshiko slid out of her seat again and crossed her arms over her chest, considering what to do next. It was a Saturday, and normally she would spend the day cramming for her exams, but the girl knew that with the problem at hand, she would never be able to concentrate. Squeezing her eyes shut and pressing her hand to her head, she tried to think harder. Come on, Nadeshiko! Her inner voice cheered. If you were lost, with no recollection of anything, with only the clothes on your back, what would you do? Next to her, Itachi studied her expression, again noting amusedly that even while he was sitting he was still slightly taller than the woman.

And then, she knew.

Nadeshiko whirled around to face the ever-stoic Uchiha, grinning again. He watched her carefully, and his brow lift as she decided, "We're going to go shopping!"

"Shopping?" Itachi copied, confused.

"Mm!" Nadeshiko nodded, spreading her arms out around her. "You only have the clothes you woke up in right? And I don't really have any other men's clothes to spare, so we should get you some new clothes! It'll make it easier for us to try and find out who you are if we aren't trapped in the confines of my apartment. Plus, maybe getting out and looking around the city will jog your memory!"

Nadeshiko smiled proudly. It wasn't directly a helpful plan, but it would do the man good to be able to come and go from her apartment. Plus, she didn't very well like the idea of him staying in her apartment unsupervised yet. Not expecting the quiet man to respond, the blonde spun on her heel and headed for her bedroom to get dressed.

Behind her, Itachi's expression was unchanged. Though he didn't completely dislike the woman's idea, he certainly wasn't a fan of it and a feeling of shame poked at his chest.

"I don't have any money," he stated.

"Oh, that's okay," Nadeshiko called back to him, waving her hand in the air. "I'll treat this time around, but don't expect anything fancy! I have a tuition bill to pay in a couple months and I don't work all that much during the school year, so I need to save what I can!"

Itachi's expression turned downcast. That was not what he had wanted. He didn't want to be babysat by a woman who appeared and acted more like a child than a grown adult. He didn't want new clothes or an apartment to stay in. He didn't want to be shown innocent kindness; or, moreover, he knew he didn't deserve it. If she knew what I've done… Itachi thought, watching her retreating form.

What he deserved, was to be dead.

"Why are you helping me?" Itachi heard himself say and, in front of him, the blonde paused. Slowly standing from his seat, the Uchiha continued darkly, "You do not know who I am. I could be a criminal. I could kill you. So why–"

Itachi stopped, surprised. In front of him, Nadeshiko was laughing.

Without turning around, Nadeshiko replied, "I have to admit, I'm still pretty skeptical of you. I don't know why you were in my apartment, and that part makes me a bit nervous. And you're right, you could be a criminal and who am I to know it? My family always did tell me I was all too trusting for my own good. But–" She stepped back, turning to face Itachi's indifferent, yet somehow thoughtful expression. In return, he'd never see someone so small and innocent hold such a serious expression. He'd barely known the woman then, but he'd decided that it didn't fit her.

"You also need help, whether you want to admit it or show it or not. And what kind of person would I be to leave a lost soul by himself to find direction? That's just cruel." Nadeshiko giggled, her seriousness melting away with her laughter, and after a short paused she added, "Your clothes should be clean and dry now if you would prefer to wear those out. I'll just be a minute!"

As Nadeshiko slammed her bedroom door behind her, Itachi sighed. It was going to be a long day.

xXxXxXx

"You could at least pretend to enjoy yourself," Nadeshiko teased, sifting through racks of men's clothing.

Next to her, Itachi stood observing his surroundings with his hands stuffed in his pant pockets. They were in a store called "Beams" and it was packed with individuals looking to be around their age. He peered down at the little blonde, who already held several hangers of shirts and pants in her arms, causing the man to sigh.

Nadeshiko glanced up at Itachi's apathetic expression curiously, before giving him a curt smirk and throwing the clothing into his unexpecting arms. She explained, "Go to the dressing room and try these on and let me know how they fit, okay?"

When Itachi didn't immediately move, the blonde waved a hand at him, grinning. "Well, come on! We don't have all day!"

Despite himself, a blood vessel burst in the dark-haired man's forehead; however, he bit his tongue, though he desired to remind the girl that he could very well be a criminal and could very well kill her. Itachi wasn't a threatening man, but this woman's child-like attitude gravely unnerved him. However, he did as she asked of him anyway, turning on his heel and entering the conveniently-located dressing room.

Behind him, although she talked big, Nadeshiko was sweating and staring nervously at Itachi's back. I need to stop joking with him… she thought, rubbing her head with the back of her hand. Something tells me he doesn't find it very funny. She followed Itachi into the main area of the Dressing Room and sat on a cushion in wait for Itachi to finish trying on the clothes. Around her, male and female voices alike filled her ears as they passed by the dressing room. One voice in particular caught her attention.

"Megumi?" Nadeshiko asked, and a tall, black haired woman walking by froze and turned around to face the blonde. Immediately, her lips turned up in a grin.

"Nadeshiko!" the woman called, walking up to her friend and neighbor. "What are you doing here? It's not often I see you out of your cave on a Saturday afternoon!"

Nadeshiko flushed and scratched the back of her head, laughing. "I know, pretty uncharacteristic right?"

"Don't tell me you have a da–" As if on cue, Itachi emerged from his dressing room wearing dark jeans and a button-up top. The two women stared at him, flushing a deep shade of red.

"The pants are too small," he replied after an awkward moment of silence.

Next to Nadeshiko, Megumi was staring incredulously back and forth between the blonde and the beautiful man speaking to her. When she realized this was actually happening, the dark-haired woman grabbed the back of the blonde's head and dragged her to the opposite corner of the main room, both to Itachi's confusion and Nadeshiko's dismay.

Megumi whispered loudly, "You have a date?! And you didn't tell me?!" The much taller woman grabbed Nadeshiko by the shoulders and shook her wildly. Across the room, Itachi's expression remained stoic, though he was confused by the odd display between the women as he had not heard the black-haired woman's question.

"N-No!" Nadeshiko squealed, blushing even deeper and pursing her lips. She whispered back, "It isn't a date!" Sure, the man was attractive, but he was also bleeding all over her rug last night. And he was pretty disagreeable, apathetic, and silent. Plus, he didn't like her jokes and teasing, and he didn't even seem to appreciate her help. Nope, the woman resolved internally, pursing her lips. Definitely not a date.

Megumi released Nadeshiko's shoulders and stared at her in unmasked horror. "What do you mean?! Why the hell not? He's gorgeous."

"I'm just helping him!" Nadeshiko whispered in agitation, trying to be as general as possible. "He's new to the area and I wanted to help him get situated!"

"Well, you need to get on that!" Megumi teased, prodding her finger into Nadeshiko's side. In turn, the blonde covered her ears with her hands, squeezed her eyes shut, and yelled la-la-la-la to keep Megumi's words from penetrating her mind.

Still standing in the doorframe of his dressing room, Itachi watched the interaction, both a sweat drop and burst blood vessel adorning his forehead. "Nadeshiko."

Both women faced Itachi and shivers simultaneous shot up their spines at the dark look in the man's eyes and the sternness of his tone. Cupping her hand over her mouth, Megumi whispered nervously, "Ooh, he's scary! Um… good luck, see you later!"

Nadeshiko reached out desperately after Megumi, but she was dashing away after the group she'd previously been walking with. When she realized she was alone with the annoyed Uchiha, she slowly turned to meet his dark look with a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of her head absent-mindedly.

"S-So…" she stuttered. "Too small, you said? I'll go get a different pair!"

The little blonde sped off out of the room, leaving the Uchiha alone to rub his face in annoyance and wonder what exactly he had gotten himself into.

Woo! Another chapter down! Hope you all have been enjoying this story!

Thank you to everyone who told me their opinion on the title. I'm going to keep it as The Anachronism, because, honestly, I like the title that way and I'm glad you guys seem to like it too!

Also, I just want to take a moment to thank everyone who has followed, favorited, and reviewed. I believe I've responded to everyone's comment who isn't a guest, though if I forgot to thank you personally please forgive me! My mind has been mush recently. But, truly, I appreciate all of your kind words more than you can imagine and I really do hope that you continue to enjoy this story.

Next update should be here soon! Thank you all again! Follow/Favorite/Review if you liked!