I didn't know what caused me to remember my previous life memories - It might have been the impact from an accidental collision, the inexplicable feeling of familiarity I sensed on the person coming at me, or the person himself who may have been the key to this impossible phenomenon.
In that split of a second that felt like a lifetime, I was stuck in a limbo of two different timelines, reliving a memory prior to this one while the other is dead to the world - no awareness, eyes unseeing, and ears deaf.
When clarity rushed over me like a whirlwind, gaze shifting at the person across from me, I realized I didn't care who I am from this point onwards.
As fate has it, I regained something I didn't know I had lost.
A memory I have been reliving under the covers of a dream, fragmented and broken, have finally resurfaced in full.
Faced with the person who influenced my predicament.
An unbearable pain engulfed me along with the recollection, pain that has nothing to do with
the throb in my back or the sting in my hands.
His presence, bright as the sun, broke something within me, and I couldn't stop the tears from spilling under my welling eyes.
It felt like I had found a missing part of me again.
Regardless of the reason - whether from this life or another, whether I am merely in a bittersweet dream awakening in my room and forgetting everything like all the dreams I've had, or in a street dying under a moonlit sky, bathed in my own blood and whispering wishes that will never come to pass - none of it held significance.
Confronted by someone I shouldn't have recognized, the person who once filled the void in my heart - created by grief, loneliness and isolation with warmth, companionship and even the determination to live.
That person is Obito Uchiha.
My comfort character whom my previous self used to cherish and relied on for the remainder of her hollow life.
The one-sided bond I have built in my lowest of low, the last bond I held onto until the end.
'I'm glad to have the chance to meet you like this, Obito'
My mouth quivered, teeth clenched as if striving to prevent the wail from escaping my lips.
Hnngghh!
Tears, however, continue to gush from my eyes, staining the ground and my hands.
Hands that kept wiping furiously, trying their best to clear the blurred vision of Obito, who was attempting to get up and check on me - his face stricken with panic due to my uncontrolled tears.
And finally, like a losing battle, I let go of the restraint that held me in place and tackled the now confused Uchiha, convincing myself that this is reality and not an illusion.
"Woah, what?!" Obito had to firmly plant his feet on the ground due to the momentum of my movement before grabbing me by the waist to steady both of us when I was within arm's reach - his face reddening from the sudden contact.
Surprised, he instinctively tried to pry me away but ended up tightening my hold on him, hugging him with the might of a four-year-old.
'Just this once I don't want to hold back'
"Just this once," I whispered my thoughts under my breath, completely out of it.
Obito heard me and calmed down, staying still as I clung to him.
In my desperation, I hadn't noticed my chakra flaring wildly and my senses spreading with abandon, attention solely on the person in front of me as if trying to memorize every single detail of this encounter.
"Are you okay?" he asked a moment later, not knowing what to do.
Silence.
He must have only noticed that I was already unconscious when I refused to respond and my hold on him slackened.
Both of us have been oblivious of my reckless release of chakra - him for not yet honing his chakra in this age and me for my single minded intent to embrace Obito.
It was when I had calmed down from the rhythm of his heart that I was forced to feel the brunt of my chakra exhaustion, regretfully passing out.
It's no surprise grandpa was there when I collapsed in the arms of the young Uchiha, tear-stained and bleeding from the scratches gained from the incident.
The hidden crest on my nape shone in a silvery glow.
. . .
Obito's POV
. . .
It wasn't Obito's intention to bump into her.
The path was narrow to begin with, and he was running at full speed, which might have been his fault.
He was already running late for his grandma's dinner.
If it wasn't for the granny needing help carrying her groceries, he wouldn't have been so late.
It just so happens on his way to the crossroads, she popped out.
Unfortunately, we were too close for either of us to move out of the way in time, forcefully slamming against one another to the ground.
Ignoring the pain from the impact, he tried to turn and check on the other person whom he thought was unlucky enough to have bumped into him.
What caught his eye, however, was the tears spilling on the eyes of the girl and the blank look on her face.
Somehow, he can feel that something isn't right.
"Hey! Are you okay?!" he shouted, unable to completely mask the panic in his voice.
When he was getting up to check on her, intent on apologizing and worried for her well-being - she was already up, limping towards him.
It confuses him why she started to approach him despite the obvious injuries she has sustained, more so when she surprised him by her desperate hug.
It caught him off guard and instinctively tried to get away.
He was alone most of the time and the villagers never looked at him with expectation - save for his grandma, he never had anyone show such blatant affection to him.
Frankly, he just thought she wasn't on the right mind.
The hospital gown didn't do much to dissuade him.
He never was close to any of his peers, both from the village and his clan.
The only friend he ever had was Rin Nohara, although he himself didn't know how that happened.
After a moment had passed, he asked the same question, now in a calmer tone.
However, he was greeted with silence.
Sensing something was wrong, he noticed her going limp in his arms, leading him to swiftly adjust her position by supporting her under the arm and shifting her weight onto his shoulder to maintain their balance.
His panic was short-lived as his fellow Uchiha landed only a few meters away from him.
Obito wasn't particularly familiar with his clan, so he didn't recognize the individual in front of him, except for identifying him as an Uchiha based on his appearance and attire.
"What happened?!" he asked, a little forceful, eyes drifting to the nape of the girl where a dying silvery light shone on her crescent mark.
He proceeded to lift Noemi away from the young Uchiha's arms and place her in his.
"It was my fault, I accidentally bumped into her," he hurriedly said, explaining the whole situation.
"I don't know why but she started crying uncontrollably and hu-hugged me" he stammered as if embarrassed.
While the elder adjusted the girl in his arms to a more comfortable position, he still continued to listen attentively to the young Uchiha, but when he stammered, he frowned.
Glancing back at the young boy, he noted who he is.
"Obito Uchiha," the elder stated.
"Yes, that's my name," Obito replied nervously.
"Ummm," hesitating a little, "is she going to be okay?" he added.
The elder assesses him a little further, then he nods his head at him.
Turning his back on Obito with an unconscious girl in tow, he halted his steps.
As if sensing the turmoil in Obito's head, he tilted his head in Obito's general direction.
"If you wish to apologize to her then look for her in the Konoha Hospital, she might be there for a while" he informed, facing straight ahead.
"Just ask for her name, Noemi Tsukiko. I will allow you to visit her" after inviting him, he shunshin away leaving a stunned Obito.
. . .
Noemi's POV
. . .
Urrghhh.
Groaning, I tried to sit up just after waking up but was stopped by a hand on my shoulder, gently pushing me back under the covers of a bed.
"Don't get up yet," a rough voice resounded in the room, retracting his hand once I obediently settled back down, vaguely noting that it was Grandpa's voice.
The tapping sound of a medic's pen against her clipboard, as if jotting something down disapprovingly, caught my attention.
Lifting my gaze to the footboard of the bed, where the medical ninja was glaring daggers at me.
I got reminded of my little stunt this afternoon.
It wasn't really my first rodeo.
As if seeing the guilt from my eyes, she ease her expression and let go of the matter, turning to face my grandpa.
"Uchiha-san," she addressed, loud enough for me to hear.
"The injuries sustained by Noemi-san from her little trip outside aren't grave but also aren't light either," she surmised, glancing at me from time to time.
"That is to say, her already low chakra has come down to the point of chakra exhaustion," her brows furrowed at the gravity of it - chakra exhaustion can lead to death if not handled well.
"Aside from the scratches and sore pains which we have already treated, due to her chakra exhaustion she'll have to stay here for a week and refrain her from using chakra" she said in a firm tone, unwilling to entertain any other suggestions.
I tilted my head to my left, eyes half-lidded and worn, staring blankly.
Grandpa sighed tiredly.
"What happened, Noemi" he shifted back at me after talking a little longer with the med-nin before walking out to see her next patient, his face looked so gaunt.
'Probably my doing' I thought, guiltily.
I myself didn't know what happened, everything felt so bizarre and absurd.
To relive a lifetime of memory, to meet the character I depended on, to be reincarnated in a pre-canon Naruto torn by war and idealism.
I didn't know what to say or where to start.
Everything felt so overwhelming.
With the body of a four-year-old, there is so much I can hold onto.
My breathing started to pick up, "Jii-chan," I pleaded brokenly.
Almost close to tears but controlled enough not to break down.
I wasn't always this emotional in front of Grandpa - not even when having spent a good number of my life inside the orphanage, I never complained about it.
It really felt like I got pushed against a wall.
The deep regrets and pain seems to have carried over from my previous life to the present.
'At least this life is better than the last - Here, I have the opportunity to be with the people I love, who are still alive and real,' I reflected
Wiping the remainder of my tears, I determinedly faced grandpa, eyes conveying promise and resolved.
'And I'm going to keep it that way, no matter what'
"Jii-chan," I began, vulnerability seeping into my voice.
"I want to be stronger," I pleaded. "Stronger than I am now - to be the strongest kunoichi"
It wasn't what Grandpa expected to hear from me, but if he was shocked, I couldn't tell.
He had already put on his expressionless face, never once faltering in the face of my big ambition.
"Why" he asked, "It has only been a day, what changed your mind?"
He didn't show it, but he had an inkling that it had to do with what happened at the shrine and the incident in the streets, both times she passed out only to have a crest bloom on her nape.
'It couldn't be,' his thoughts were grave with suspicion, hands clenched.
At that moment, I didn't notice Grandpa's worries, his thoughts didn't seem to reflect on his face.
Not hesitating the slightest, hope started to bloom in my heart.
"I want to protect the people I love with my life," I responded slowly.
"All of you, with my own strength, Jii-chan" I added with conviction.
'I don't want to wait for another miracle, or another reason to regret'
I know what I'm asking could lead to my death - especially with the war that would one day break out in half a year's time, but if I don't do anything then I won't survive anyway.
Losing everyone I cherished, that's a future I am not ready to face.
. . .
Kazuma's POV
. . .
Despite her optimism to face the world with hope and dreams, Kazuma Uchiha didn't seem to share the same sentiment.
Unlike her, who lives within the safety of the village walls, he had already experienced the horrors of war.
Because of her talent and her lineage, he believes she will eventually be on the front lines if a war were to ever break out.
He does, however, respect the resolve in her promise - he also understands that it is for the best.
It is true that he may have guided her to this path ever since teaching her how to control her chakra, but that was then and this is now.
It wouldn't be just skills, she may need to adapt to the mentality of a shinobi.
Even though he himself became a child soldier at her age, his reluctance still persists as he doesn't want that for her.
'If possible, I want you to hold onto your childhood for a little longer' he lamented.
But this is a world where 'what you want' doesn't align with 'what you need' - it has always been about survival.
And he'll make sure that his ward will survive the perils of the world.
His eyes hardened as he reached a decision.
"Fine," he responded, tone flat.
"Your desire to protect your people is commendable, but if you want my support, you'll have to prove yourself ready to me by passing my test" he declared firmly.
Noemi might not know what kind of test her grandpa has planned for her, but she won't back down.
With her dreams and the burden of changing the future weighing heavily on her shoulders, determination is etched into her expression.
Kazuma can't help but sigh from her stubbornness, a personality so in contrast to both of her lifetimes.
However, with that out of the way, his countenance then softened to the grandpa she knew.
"I'm not going to pretend that nothing happened to you, Emi-chan"
"I know there must have been a reason for you to change this much, but I'll wait until you're ready to tell to me about it" he said, eyes dropping.
"I will always be here to listen, patiently"
Noemi couldn't help but feel ashamed for not confiding in him.
He deserved to know, but something within her held her back from sharing her experience with others.
Kazuma thought about the ambition her ward wanted to pursue.
"Just remember, being the strongest doesn't always equate to power or the skills one possesses in their arsenal, true strength often lies in the ability to endure, to withstand adversity, and to continue moving forward" he advised.
'Perhaps, she might grow up as resilient as that person had, but for now,'
Shifting back at her, he continued to part his beliefs that he held close to his heart.
"The bonds you create with those you call your own, the people you love and cherish shall one day aid you in your journey to strength," He paused.
"And I will be here, supporting you along the way"
A subtle but genuine smile graced his lips.
His sincerity left Noemi completely shaken, wide-eyed in disbelief.
Her grandpa's words are the words she secretly wished she could have heard from her parents in both lifetimes.
To hear it from him is like having her existence validated once more.
After Kazuma was done, he reverted back to his expressionless face.
His mind preoccupied in his thoughts about his origin and belief.
In the Uchiha Clan, Kazuma is a respected elder, a strong shinobi in his prime.
Yet he was also one of the few elders who, despite being born into the clan, had his own unique way of thinking that differed greatly from the majority of their clan.
Kazuma believes in the peace of the clan and the village.
But because of their clan's long lasting obsession with their lineage, they fail to grasp that bonds are not confined to those of their kin.
That's why he doesn't want her to pursue a path fixated on power, a cursed concept of strength in his clan.
. . .
Noemi's POV
. . .
After being confronted by grandpa last night, and getting his support on my ambition to be stronger, I was left to rest in the hospital bed, still in a daze.
The bitterness to spend a week in a hospital and the chakra exhaustion, forgotten.
Reminiscing about the events that occurred the other day, she tried to process her grandpa's interaction with me.
His show of vulnerability and genuine support has continuously provided me with endless solace.
'I didn't realize I meant that much to him.'
It's just too good to be true.
This instinctive denial for love might have been influenced by my personality in my past life.
Yet, the few bonds I managed to form out of hope hurt when they shattered, strengthening the barriers around my heart.
That's why I chose a one-sided bond that will never come to fruition, to minimize the pain.
In the end, I closed myself off to the world.
Reflecting on it now, I regretted it.
The me from the past is nothing but a coward.
I wasn't brave enough to let others into my life - I was afraid of the pain they will leave in my heart.
However, remembering grandpa's comforting words makes me realize how grateful I am to be alive.
'I want to belong here, I don't want to give up, I won't give up'
Speaking of, that stopped me in my train of thoughts.
'I won't give up' an echo in my mind.
'Right, Obito.'
A soft smile wore on my face, neither knowing if it was out of longing or sadness.
'I won't let you suffer the same fate as you did in the original, I promise.'
In Kakashi Gaiden, there was a scene where Obito declared to Rin that saving Obito is the same as saving the world.
'How convenient' I thought.
'So I just have to keep Obito from turning over, right?' I nodded to myself as if that alone isn't a problem itself.
In truth, I am aware how hard that will be, I'm just too exhausted to think it over and flesh it out. But in a way, that's the plan for now, and I'm going to make it happen with the strength grandpa believe in.
I'm not alone anymore.
'I'll think about the Kyuubi Attack and Uchiha Massacre after I ensure Obito's safety and preserve all the things that define him - his love, his comrades, his village - one by one'
'Somehow I will,' I groggily thought as I drifted off to sleep.
Not knowing the sacrifices and hard decisions I'll have to make, in order to achieve that goal.
. . .
As time progressed, I spent most of my days sleeping to recover from chakra exhaustion.
At other times, I engaged in strategic planning inside my mind to counter the events of the original, a pass time to remedy my aversion to idleness - a sentiment that both the past and present me share.
The time spent recovering and being visited around the clock by my assigned med-nin is exhausting.
It seems the stunt I made caused the other med-nin to keep an eye on me whenever they passed by.
'Ugh, I really hate the hospital' my body sagging deeper in bed.
It was about time for grandpa to show up just as he always does every midafternoon.
Grandpa dragged a chair close to my bed and sat comfortably.
He didn't forget to bring me dango, which I happily received from his hands.
'Ah, dango' I sighed contently.
I always have a sweet tooth.
If there is any saving grace about this place then its the scenery and grandpa's daily visits.
Remembering a life where everything was unbearably noisy, with overly crowded areas, towering buildings obscuring the starless sky, and an unbelievable amount of air pollution.
'Compared to there, this is freedom!'
As I hummed with my mouth already full of sweet and flavorful dango, Grandpa was staring at me strangely.
"Jii-chan," I called after swallowing the dango, "is there something wrong with my face?" I asked teasingly, choosing to embody the child I always am, or have wished to be.
"Hm." trailing off.
"You're happy," he observed, "almost too happy" raising a brow.
My sunny smile froze, and I embarrassingly looked away.
"Well, uh..." I began to force a laugh, shoulders lifting with one side of my mouth turning up, conveying a message of 'It is what it is'.
When goofing around wasn't effective, I took a breath and sincerely offered a smile, with my eyes slightly squinting.
"I guess I feel alive again, Jii-chan. It's like I've rediscovered myself. The whole place seems brighter than usual, and I can't help but feel more!" I exclaimed excitedly.
However, Grandpa wasn't convinced and only frowned, asking, "Are you high?"
If I had something in my mouth, I'm sure I would've spat it out.
"What?! Jii-chan!" blood started to rise on my cheek.
"I'm not under the influence!" I shouted, indignant.
Grandpa let out a drawn-out sigh, a clear sign of how tired he was, with his hands haphazardly covering his ears.
'I swear, he always looks tired these days, must be his age catching up to him' I reasoned, face scrunching up.
"Jii-chan, you're a meanie!" I pouted.
He only glanced back at me, his right hand covering his face.
A moment later, with my smile back in place.
Grandpa and I went back to our pleasant conversation.
'It's weird. I think I got a little closer with grandpa than I ever had this past two years.'
...
"Jii-chan, can't you really tell me anything about the test?" I asked once more, just like every time since that day.
Grandpa ignored me as he packed up to leave.
Not much time had passed since his visit, but I wasn't too sad to see him leave - I knew he would visit again tomorrow.
But seeing him go is still tough - I wished he would stay.
"Jii-chan, I love you," I said with a smile, feeling happy to be sincere.
I swore to myself that I would be different this time.
No more regrets.
Grandpa, for the first time, faltered in his steps in the hallway toward the door - his back straightening and hands clenching as if attempting to regain control.
He glanced back at me, his expression lighter than ever, with a smile tinged with sadness.
"Hn." was his only response.
As he closing around the door, he paused once again.
"Just so you know, it's too early for you to have a boyfriend."
Without another word, he left.
"Eh?! A boyfriend?" I asked incredulously, surprised by the notion.
It only took a few more seconds before a small visitor entered the hospital ward, carrying a bouquet of flowers in his hands.
Just like before, I would always recognize this person anywhere.
It's Obito Uchiha, a boy with spiky black hair and matching dark eyes concealed behind his orange goggles.
He wore a plain grey shirt under a blue high-collared jacket with long, open sleeves.
The inner lining and hems were dyed orange, paired with a simple brown pants and open-toed blue leather sandals.
His sudden appearance made my breath hitch and triggered a flight-or-freeze response from me.
But since there was nowhere to run, I ended up staying still until his gaze shifted to me.
The sight of him, my eyes can't help but widened.
I may have developed a filter in my eyes, but he looks incredibly cute in his pre-academy self.
Forcing myself to breathe, I straightened up and sat on the edge of my bed, clad in only my hospital gown as per protocol, with my hair loose and softly curling.
"Hi" I greeted dumbly.
"Hi" he responded, holding out the bouquet, my eyes drawn to the delicate white dandelions.
"I wanted to say sorry for what happened last time," he started, still holding out the dandelions.
"My Obasan said that it's rude not to apologize when I was at fault," he explained.
"And to show my sincerity, I made a bouquet of flowers" he beamed.
As if in a daze, I remained where I was, staring intently at the flowers instead of the person in front of me, yet secretly enjoying his company.
"They're dandelions," he stated.
"Obasan said they would speed up your recovery, they're really hard to find in the late autumn, you know" he added, seeing as I was fixated on them.
"Oh, I'm sorry," I apologized while mustering the courage to face him, feeling my cheeks flush with excitement.
I smiled a little wider than usual.
"They're just so beautiful that I think I fell in love," I paused, "with them," I added, my gaze returning to his wide black eyes as I reached for the flowers gently.
Obito seems to have gotten flustered with my strange behavior and tried to change the topic.
"I'm Obito Uchiha," he introduced, reaching out his hand towards mine.
His sunny smile, so radiant that I feared my chakra might start to run wild again.
"Konoha's future Hokage!" he declared loudly, enough to attract the attention of the other shinobi patient resting in the hospital ward.
Pfffttthehe!
I attempted to suppress my laughter and restrain the widening smile on my lips, feeling tears welling up in my eyes.
It's so hard to contain myself any longer.
The joy from meeting him as well as the privilege to witness his signature intro make me lose control.
'This real. He is real. I can't believe it!'
It is not farfetched to say that I may have turned into his fan.
Unfortunately, both Obito and I seems to have been running in parallel minds.
Obito took offense of my laughter as a sign of mockery judging by his pained look.
"What's so funny, huh?!" he shouted, finger pointing at my face.
"I will become a Hokage, you'll see!" he exclaimed, eyes full of resentment for my ridicule.
'Ah. I made a mistake.'
Taking a deep breath, I tried to fix the misunderstanding, but he was already leaving.
As if struck in the face, I hurriedly called out to him.
"Obito! It's not what you think!" I shouted, but he was gone.
Attempting to follow him, I got off the hospital bed and started to run after him barefoot.
When I passed through the doors, he was nowhere to be seen in the crowded hospital corridors.
I bit my lip in frustration.
"I fucked up didn't I?" I cursed out loud for the first time in my present life.
'Why did I have to ruin everything?' lamenting, I stared at the delicate dandelions in my hands, wondering if I should make a wish instead like those myth in my previous life.
A/N: Hey there, dear readers! I apologize for the delay in my update schedule. I tried to make it 3-4 days after each release but I got caught up in rl and only finished it today. Anyway, we finally met Obito Uchiha! Although things didn't end well for our little Noemi, why does she have to laugh?! I swear the characters are already out of my hands. I hope you are still with me. I appreciate your support minna-san!