[Chapter 11: Once More, And Answers]

Haah... I couldn't help but shift in my seat, back slouched and tense as I refused to look at the— the woman in front of me. No— not with these eyes. The heart in my chest pounded loudly, I'm surprised no one else could hear by how much it drummed in my ears.

After... after that encounter, I almost— I almost ran away again. But, as much as I was scared, terrified, even horrified, I was also of running away from my problems. One thing led to another and, along with, uh, lots of shouting, we ended up going to Tae-young's house, settling down on his dinner table.

"I, um," Awkwardly, Tae cleared his throat before standing up from his chair. "I'll leave you two be." He announced, stepping away from us. My lips pushed together. I don't want to be alone but... I stole one glance at my mo— her. I doubt she'd want him to be near. "Ashley," I flinched at the soft yet warm brushing of his breath in my ear. I blinked at how close the adult had gotten, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Make sure to scream if she does something." The Seong whispered, causing me to sigh.

It was a happy sigh, I had to say.

"Yeah, I will," I said with a sheepish laugh, sending him off with a nervous smile and a wave. Watching as he slowly disappeared from view, dread pooled in my chest again. I suddenly regret everything. I instantly thought, pressing my hands firmly in my lap.

Staring up from my hung low head, I noted how... skittish the blonde actions were. Was she nervous, scared? I asked myself, yet I already knew the answer. Of course she is, she's near someone like .

Even now, it still hurts: thinking about how she... how ... Damn it, I cursed internally, I can't even finish that thought. Well, you can't just get over it overnight, as much as I want that to happen. "I," I tensed as the extricating silence shattered by the woman's voice. It was soft— yet also bold with the hint of nervousness. Like she herself didn't prepare for this encounter. Her shoulders hunched as her head hung low. "I'm sorry!"

I blinked. ...Wh...?

"What...?" I couldn't refrain from uttering out, my lips parted in shock. Sorry? For— for what? If I wasn't seating, I'm pretty sure I would have tripped over nothing.

"I'm sorry!" She repeated, furrowing her brows in what seemed to be... regret? Wh— what is even going on anymore? Her platinum blond locks swayed as she raised her head at me, a frown tugging her lips. "I— I shouldn't have pushed you away that day. I mean, I was in a terrible place and— and I—"

My lips trembled, reeling back. "Wa— wait, hold on—"

"I shouldn't have yelled at you, I know that now!" She continued, ignoring my words. The adult ran a hand through her hair, heaving deeply. Like— like she just couldn't stop as words endlessly spilled out. "And I— oh my God, I'm such a terrible person and—"

"I, um—"

"Please forgive me, I didn't mean all that. I, well, I did at the time but— but! I regret it now and I— I, uh, just wanted to apologize and just— just—"

I shouted, swiftly holding a hand out. I turned my head, flabbergasted but just how much she could ramble. I— I felt like shit when she clamped her mouth but I couldn't fucking wrap my head around this.

"Are you okay?!" I heard rushed footsteps, looking over my shoulders to see Tae-young back. He handheld the wall close as he ran his other hand through his hair. "Should I kick her out?"

"No, no, no!" I waved him off frantically, sucking in a sharp intake. "I... it's fine. Just had to stop her from talking."

"...Alright then."

I smiled. Glad to see that he trusts me. But despite those tiny moment of comfort, I had to turn away to the focus at the matter at hand. My head swarmed with millions of thoughts as I shakily took another breath. She— okay, let's take a step back. She— another sharp intake— she's

My hand that was held out curled at the thought. "To... to say that... after all that?" I couldn't help but mumble, utter disbelief laced in my voice.

She leaned forward with softened yet apologetic, wide eyes. "Yes! I— I realized what I did was wrong and—"

"No, no," I said, looking back at her. It— is just couldn't compete. No— not when it was suddenly sprung on me. "Now?" I repeated, furrowing my brows. My teeth gritted together. While... I'm a bit happy about this news... I felt I think that was the word. "I... I literally started hating myself— to the point that I ended up making up a whole different personality and to myself." I couldn't help but say, sensing the familiar burn of anger taking over. I was powerless agaisnt the will to break eye-contact with her. "And all you have to say is

I— In that instant, I slapped my hand onto my mouth. The time to run my mouth was not this! The woman blinked, face quickly contorting into one of regret and agony. "No— no, I mean!" I backtracked, waving my hand at her sheepishly. Though, I couldn't help but feel as though what I said— was true. Even if I did dislike my eyes, I didn't start detesting and lying to myself until I met her. So, uh— "Some fault lies with me," I admitted, pressing a hand over my chest. "I was the one who suddenly approached you. That would make anyone freak out." Though... I reminisced with pressed lips, her words were a bit... too harsh.

"That's what I mean, though!" She pressed on, a desperate expression on her face. Her eyes averted away from me as she pushed back a hair strand. Her mouth wavered— like she just had too many words to say. "You see, I..." The adult took a deep breath. "Years ago, I was in a toxic relationship with a man. A man that would be... your father."

My heart jumped at the mention of a father. I... what? "My father?" He was toxic?

She nodded, her frown deepening as she continued. "He... he used to do so many despicable things to me— to me and those that I cared about!" I noticed how pained she sounded, huffing tiredly. "Even after I finally got a restraining order, the scars he left me," She held her arm tightly. "They left, even years later."

My eyes narrowed as I processed this, eyeing her shifty form. I... that makes sense, I concluded. She did shout about being manipulated or something.

"The, the reason why I yelled at you back then," Her hands, which were now pressed together, fumbled. "Was because you have the same eye color as him. I— I only saw him."

My breath hitched. So— so it was because of my eyes. "I—" I struggled to form my words. Even so, what you did— I just can't help but—

"I know what I did was wrong!" She repeated, leaning forward from her position. "But I want to payback! I—" Her form seemed to shrivel, bashfully looking away. "I... I want to reconcile."

Reconcile? I thought to myself, tilting my head. That's...

"That's utter " I blinked at my own words. What? What did I just say?

"Ex— excuse me?" I didn't blame her for saying that.

Straightening up my back, my lips pressed into a firm line. "First of all, we— we never had a positive relationship." I pointed out bluntly, even if it did hurt. It was just... never meant to be. "Second of all— how the hell can you just... just say that?" I questioned, my voice cracking at the end. My shoulders hunched as I stared down on my lap. "I— I spent years (Maybe two decades?) trying to make peace— to finally overcome all this and now you ask for forgiveness? Do you know how selfish you sound?" I couldn't help but say, both anger and sorrow pooling my chest.

I... I knew it was childish for me to say this— especially when I'm being selfish but, I— I really didn't need this.

I struggled to ask, feeling tears well up. My throat felt thick and suffocating. It felt like I was choking— like I was being choked by someone. "When I was finally able to try to accept myself, did you have to come?"

Oh no, I thought to myself, pressing a hand over my eyes. I can't— I can't cry now. Waves of dejection waved over my mind, tearing my eyes away from my mother. I... this all just happened so suddenly? Just— just why?

"I..." I slowly started as soon as I was sure none of my tears would fall, pressing my hands onto the smooth yet flat table, shoulders hunching. "As much as I want to, believe me, I do, I just— I just forgive you," I admitted, shutting my eyes shut in frustration. It was like I desperately wanted to reach out: to just walk over there and hug her— to be told that I had become someone special to her.

However... I steeled my resolve. I already have a family.

Memories, scenes of my dear family— Sasuke, Itachi, Mom, Dad— I didn't know it at the time but— they all became so precious to me. They were the family that I hopelessly hoped for.

And... Raising my head, I swore I saw the familiar silhouette of Shisui, smiling warmly at me. I smiled back, feeling the kind sensation of warmth course through my veins as he swiftly disappeared from view. I wouldn't change it for any kind of world.

Even this one.

"Aah..." My... my past mother let out, staring at me with bewildered eyes. And yet— my eyes narrowed in slight confusion. She seemed more relaxed. Like, there was a weight lifted off of her shoulders. "Yeah, I see now..." It was then that the adult, after all this time, smiled back at me. "I guess the damage has already been done, huh?"

I blinked, kinda shocked by her calm attitude. Though, I mused with the tilt to the side, I guess this has been something that has worked her up too. Nodding, I finally rolled my shoulders. It's... it's still a bit weird talking to her about this whole time but...

"How... Why did you change your mind? About me, I mean." I mean, trauma is trauma. I'm surprised she went out of her way to meet me.

"You'll never believe me." The woman replied, raising a casual hand as she leaned against her chair. The air had finally eased, even if it was for a little bit.

"I'm sorry but nowadays, I'm constantly told to 'believe it!'" I shot back cheekily with a hand propped under my cheek, raising my voice just a bit at the end. Talking about you, Naruto.

She blinked at me. "Really?" Her eyes narrowed, seeming to take in her options. After a brief moment, her attention was brought back to me. "Well... do you... do you believe in different worlds?"

I raised a brow with a blink. Different worlds? "I mean, yeah?" I literally got reincarnated into one, after all. "What does that have to—"

Wa... I abruptly stood up from my seat, the chair skidding loudly. Wait a damn minute! "Did you also reincarnate?!"

She reeled back, staring back at me with wide yet confused eyes. "Yes? I di—" She suddenly did a double-take. "'Also?!' What do you mean by that?!"

Holy— I dropped back into my chair, running a hand through my dyed hair. Holy mother of ducklings. "Whi— which one? Is it a place that I know? Um, er— I... I didn't expect this!"

"Uh..." She fumbled around, clearly not expecting this turn of events. "Do you know the series called Naruto?"

Oh my fucking— "Of course it's the same world!" I exclaimed, darting my eyes back at her. With a pointed finger, I felt the familiar adrenaline pumping in my blood. "What's— what's your name? Maybe I can find you." That would be nice. Who knows, maybe she can help us with the whole future-saving plan stuff.

"Oh! I— um," My breath hitched as the woman recomposed herself, parting her lips. "My... my name is K—"

Purple.

In that instant, the world was dipped in purple. I blinked, watching as my mother suddenly froze on her wo— no, her entire body was frozen! "What the...!" I stood up, darting my eyes around this new scenery. Tae-young's house was filled with a purple and... and distorted hue?

I don't even know anymore.

Speaking of Tae-young, it didn't take long-form him to rush back in. "What the fuck happened?!" He yelled in confusion, furrowing his brows.

I placed a hand over my mouth, stealing one glance at the frozen adult before back at the dark-haired male. "Why is it that we're frozen but she's not?" I questioned instead, glancing at my hand that, you know, wasn't purple. This is giving me Jojo vibes, despite never watching it. My heel turned, but I just couldn't figure it out. "Is this supposed to be a jutsu? Magic? How is this even happening in this wo—"

And there's a portal.

"What the fuck, why is there a portal." My crush stated outright, it wasn't even funny.

Stepping closer, I leaned forward. "It... doesn't seem dangerous," I noted, poking it, only to blink as my finger went through the dark mist. Huh.

"Should you really be touching it?" I sheepishly giggled at Tae's monotone voice.

"Don't worry— okay, maybe we should worry," I responded, inching closer to him. I smiled as he tensed— though it wasn't in a bad way. "But, I have you, after all!"

Ah. My lips pressed into a firm line as my cheeks burned. Aaaaaaahhh...! That sounded incredibly cheesy! I screeched internally, only getting a glimpse of the adult's cutely flustered face before turning away. Head in hands— uwahhhhhh, I'm so embarrassed!!!

But... I told myself. But! Taking his hand, I smiled as I pulled him along. "Wanna jump in?" I asked lightly, nudging towards the... eerily ominous portal, that was just standing there—

His brown eyes widened in astonishment before he shut his eyes with a relieved grin. "Of course you'd want to jump," Tae-young said in between light-hearted chuckles, curling his fingers around my hand.

My head cocked to the side in amusement. "Yep, who do you take me for?"

"A psycho."

I snorted, watching as he laughed as well. Looking over my shoulder, I couldn't help but grimace at the sight of my past mother. It... it was nice to meet you again. I thought before turning back to my dear one. But I guess it's time to go.

And with just one last glance at Tae-young, we jumped in.

My eyes snapped open. Wh... In front of me was an abyss of... nothing. Just pitch black, black, black. "What... what is this?" I uttered out, examining my surroundings. Even though I didn't feel any ground, I didn't feel like I was falling. It was, okay— it was extremely strange. Stranger than everything thus far— and that's telling a lot. Feeling a squeeze in my hands, I looked to my side to meet the gaze of a certain Seong. Okay, so he's still with me.

My breath hitched at the sudden voice, turning my body around at the source. Only to scrunch my nose in confusion. In front of us, was a floating person with black and white hair, cascading down their back like silk. The person wore a purple turtleneck with sleeves that draped over his form. I felt a shiver down my spine as the... the entity smirked with his bright red eyes, staring down at us.

I... I don't like him.

His voice was melodic, smooth like honey as he stepped forward, transparent platforms clanking against his high-heeled sandals. It was an unconscious choice of mind to step back. At my actions, the man halted— though he was more amused if anything. They questioned instead, his red eyes holding a certain glint to them.

"'Better'?" Tae repeated in a suspicious tone, head slightly downcast. It was ringing a— a lot of bad alarms in my head. "What do you mean—"

"Oh!" I gasped in realization. I know who the fuck he is now! My hold on the Seong's hand tightened. I pointed back at the weird guy with furrowed brows. "You're the fucker that put us back in that world!" I shouted at him. I mean— it just made sense! Who would suddenly appear in front of us?!

The man (God?) blinked as if he wasn't expecting that. They suddenly snorted, a clothed hand over their mouth.

"Hah?" Same, Tae, same. "Why the hell are you laughing?"

They waved us off, a hand holding their arm as they rested the other hand under their cheek.

I blinked. Wait, he's gonna tell us, just like that? My eyes narrowed. Well, he doesn't seem like... like he's lying. Glancing over to my crush, I nodded. No need to be hostile— for . I wanted to convey. It seems like he got it as he then nodded as well.

He started, placing his hand over his chest with an impish smirk.

"'Dae'?" I questioned, mostly to myself. That's a weird name.

Wha— what even— is that even a word?! Dae continued before I could ask about it. My eyes narrowed at his wording, so you did it anyway? His head cocked to the side, his dual-colored hair flowing down his side.

That was what caused me to do a double-take. "You're working under someone?!"

"That's sketchy as hell." My reincarnated buddy pointed out, releasing his hold on me to cross his arms.

I couldn't help but feel that as well, as the God-man only seemed to brighten. He raised a finger.