[Chapter 1: Once More, Back Again]

Wh... Why does my... my body feel... so heavy...?

Everything felt different. It was dark-- dark and full of nothing. The abyss was dark enough for me to see nothing. My mind... was so fuzzy. I wondered-- what's-- am I awake?

A tingle on my fingers, I felt my fingers despite not seeing them. Ah... I knew what was happening: I was asleep.

Okay, I told myself, actually feeling the utter exhaustion in my body. Let's... let's wake up. "Mmhm..." I heard myself say, the sensation of my body rolling helping me wake up. It was harder than usual to peel my eyelids open. It was as if I was waking up from the dead. "Ugh.." I groaned, tearing up from the sudden brightness. My throat feels gross. Even though my entire body felt like a limbless puppet, I pushed myself up, clutching my head.

Aah... my head hurts. My eyes closed as I pursued my lips. They felt dry. Just what the fuck did I even do to... I blinked blearily. Huh...? I stared at my hand in front of me. For some reason I-- this wasn't my hand. Unlike mine, this was drier, larger, and more... detailed? I watched as it curled and uncurled under my will. How in the--

I craned my head around in a daze-- only to widen my eyes. This... this wasn't my room. This is nothing like my room. This place was a mess, with papers and pencils scattered everywhere. Next to me was a messy yet empty bunk bed, with a metal desk next to it. There— there was a sort of familiarity to this. Glancing up in wonder, I noted absentmindedly at the bed just hovering above me. What the... When did I sleep in bunk--

Something nagged in the back of my mind. Wait... why does this all look familiar? It's as if... as if I lived here before—

And then it hit me.

No.

No no

Fear struck me like a bullet, the mere force causing me to fall. No-- I-- It can't be-- I let out a gasp at the sight of familiar yet dreadful locks of dyed blonde hair. A horrified scream came out of my mouth as I scrambled up, My longer legs rushing out of the familiar room.

Please-- please don't let it be--

Bursting into the different (yet familiar) bathroom, I closed my eyes as I hunched over the sink. I let out a deep breath, almost terrified to see who I was.

Please... I prayed to whoever was out there. I don't want to--

I took a sharp intake as I got my answer. In the mirror, was a scrawny woman in her early 20's with warm ivory skin. She had messy dirty blond hair with brown roots sprawled all over her shoulders. The most noticeable part was her eyes: bright yellow and disturbingly beady.

I... I was Ashley.

Her stomach (my stomach) coiled around like a snake. God, I felt like puking. I... I can't be. I didn't want it to be true-- none of this is true!

I... I be Ashley.

My heart-- no, this isn't mine-- pounded so loud in my-- her, I'm her-- chest. This has to be a dream, a-- a genjutsu. I gripped onto that flimsy hope like a lifeline. Yeah-- that's it! A genjutsu! I pressed these stupid hands together, "Release!"

Nothing happened.

My brows furrowed as frustration coursed through this body. "Release!" Still, nothing happened. My teeth gritted together. "Release! Release!" after everything, nothing happened. I took a shaky breath. Why?! Why won't it--

My breath hitched. I don't feel any chakra. My lungs felt stripped of their air. I don't feel any chakra. This was too funny, so funny that I couldn't help but laugh. "Aha... ahahaha...!"

They weren't genuine.

"What kind of bullshit is this?" I swore. This genjutsu-- just how strong is it? I glanced back at the mirror, only to cringe at the sight. I don't want to be here anymore. I don't want to be here anymore. I don't I don't I don't I don't

Ah, that's right. The hand that was unconsciously clawing at my hand fell limp. That's right! I heaved a relieved sigh, walking out of the cramped room with such a lightness in my steps. There's another-- a more effective way of getting out of here.

I rummaged around the desks, humming in satisfaction when I found what I was looking for. Not the best, I examined the sharp scissors in front of me, watching it gleam under the small rays of sunlight, but it'll have to do.

Kneeling on the hard floor, I bit back the dread in my throat. It's fine-- it's fine! I told myself boldly, pointing the sharp tool at my palm. If I do this, it'll all be gone. This-- this disgusting body will be gone! Yeah... I laughed to myself, raising the scissors high.

I won't have to be her after this.

I struck down.

But before it did anything, I heard it. "Ding!" The sound of the doorbell. My arm halted in its track as my breath hitched. A doorbell? My heart pounded as everything stopped. Silent. Silent and still.

"What the hell...?" I couldn't help but mumble under my breath, lowering my weapon as my back hunched. Why can't I do it? It's just a genjutsu, it'll all be over— so Something stopped me from doing it. Something I couldn't name. And yet...

Once more, I heard the soft chimes of the doorbell. I looked up in the direction of the sound as if it was enchanting me. Why? My teeth grinded together. Why do I feel as if... as if I don't open that door right now...

I'll regret it for the rest of my life?

I didn't like the feeling, no matter what body I was in. So, with much of my thoughts telling me 'no, finish the job', I pushed this body up ad walked towards the door. My hand hovered over the doorknob, still. Am I... scared? Dread rolled off of my throat, clinging onto me like slime. But... I gripped the knob tightly, my resolve growing bolder. I can do this.

And with that, I gently opened the door.

Looking out of the empty campus, I could only blink. "Huh...?" There was no one there. My eyes darted left and right. Did... did someone just ditch the door? I didn't even know anymore.

I tried to step forward, in hopes of catching someone, but then my foot hit something. "Hm?" I glanced down-- only to blink once more at what was at my feet. It was a big cardboard box, with... holes on the top? Did I... did I order something-- wait, what day even is it?!

Crouching down, I rolled my shoulders in comfort before stretching my arms out and clutching the sides of it. Damn, it's heavy. I thought to myself as I stood up, bringing the box inside. My feet shuffled to close and lock the door as I then stepped inside the living room. Seriously, I thumbed the outline of the box while my arms quickly got tired, why is it so-- I almost dropped it.

Is... is it moving?! I thought in horror as I felt something move inside it. "Holy mother fucker!" I exclaimed, quickly placing it down onto the floor. Oh god, something was hitting the box and I did not like that. I stared at it with wide eyes. Hahhhh... if I accidentally brought in a monster I will-- I heaved in a deep breath, clutching the fabric of my shirt. Well... I eyed the scissors that I threw away, grabbing them leisurely.

Just in case.

With my hand hovering over the flaps of the cardboard, I pushed down the lump in my throat. One, two, and--

I opened it swiftly, only to blink at what was inside.

...Cats?

Inside the box was a bundle of cats, fumbling on top of the blanket that was stuffed at the bottom. No wait, it wasn't just cats: there was also a grey dog peacefully snoring. "Meow!" A ginger one mewled, raising a paw.

"Uh..." I was dumbfounded, to say the least. "Hello?" I raised a brow as I hesitantly waved back. It seemed to be satisfied, flickering its whiskers around, as it then jumped out of the box and onto my lap. I let out a small gasp, watching as it curled against my body.

"Meow!" A different high-pitched voice butted in. Peering back in, a... pink? Yeah, a pink cat screamed with their hair raised. Ah... is it dyed fur? I couldn't help but question, wary of its swipes that it made. My eyes moved over to the last of the cats. Its fur was pitch black as it sat farther away, staring at me with its equally dark eyes.

Huh... I hummed to myself, looking back at the bunch. Something was... familiar to this. I just couldn't think of what, though. Glancing back at the dog, i'm surprised it wasn't awake with all this ruckus-- no wait, maybe it didn't care enough to, I examined its face. Is that supposed to be a German Shepard or something? I mused, eyes landing on its small scar on its eye. Huh, that sort of reminds me of--

Wait.

I looked down at the cats again, a revelation dawning at me like Truck-kun. Orange, Pink, and black. Just like--

Oh my fucking god.

Letting out a small gasp, I gently picked up the ginger cat. I tilted my head at it, watching it look back at me with its blue eyes. If so then... how did they-- oh mother fucker. I almost choke out a laugh. Don't tell me, is it one of those weird fanfiction tropes? "Ugh..." I stood up, bringing the cat along with me.

Hearing it mew in curiosity (or, what I think was curiosity), I pressed my lips together as I entered the bathroom, ignoring my reflection. I placed the cat down gently on the cold floor, moving to then peer inside the shower stall. Now... was it warm water? Focused on the tools of the shower, I turned it on, the loud sounds of rushing water entering my ears. I stretched my hand out, water flowing out of it. After a moment, a warm sensation filled my body. Okay, that's enough.

Turning my head back at... what if it was just some random cat? I shook my head— now's not the time to do nothing. Picking the cat that meowed back again, I swiftly dropped him into the shower.

Immediately, smoke burst out. "Ack!" I yelped, shielding my eyes with an arm. Coughing with a hand waving around, I waited for the smoke to clear. And when it did, I didn't even know why I was surprised at this point.

Because in front of me was a disheveled, naked, yet definitely real Naruto staring right back at me.