"Welcome back."

  Grandpa's voice was flat and monotone, and it hit me all at once—I was home. My legs felt like jelly, and I sank to the floor, gasping for breath. Lying flat on my back, I stared at the ceiling in disbelief; my chakra had depleted far too quickly. I had only just found him.

  "You're two hours late for our agreement," Grandpa remarked, standing up and shuffling towards the kitchen.

  Four hours—that was my limit.

  "Grandpa," I said, pushing myself upright, willing my shaking limbs to cooperate, "is there a way to increase my chakra?"

  He said nothing at first, simply filled a bowl of soup and set it on the table. He moved deliberately, grabbing a bowl of rice as well, before finally speaking. "Eat first. Rest. Then, we'll talk. But, only after you tell me everything."

  "Deal."

  After finishing my meal and taking a brief rest, I headed for a shower. When I emerged, I found Grandpa in the living room, sitting on his usual couch with our cat, Whiskers, curled up in his lap, fast asleep.

  When Grandpa saw me, he smiled and gestured to the couch near him. "Come sit, Aki, and start from the beginning."

  I settled down on the couch and began recounting my experiences—what I did, what I saw, and who I met. Though he remained silent, I could sense Grandpa's mind drifting far away as I spoke. I patiently waited for him to gather his thoughts but I found myself sitting for what felt like hours until he finally spoke.

  "I know of only one village that carves faces into mountains, particularly the symbol you described on the headband. That village is known as the Hidden Leaf Village," he explained as I listened in awe at this newfound information. "When I was a shinobi, I traveled there several times on missions...mostly just for transportation and as a hired bodyguard."

  "Why didn't you ever tell me you were a shinobi, Grandpa?" I asked, my surprise evident. The image of Grandpa as a fierce shinobi was hard for me to imagine. I couldn't quite picture him in that role, not with his unruly starfish-shaped hair and the stern but gentle demeanor that seemed to speak of quiet afternoons rather than epic battles.

  "You never asked," he said with a soft chuckle. "How else do you think I taught you all those jutsu?"

  I nodded, unsure how I'd missed it.

  "The clan you mentioned—the Uchiha—they're revered for their Sharingan and natural combat prowess. Feared, even. But beyond that, I don't know much..." Grandpa paused, interlacing his fingers as he pondered. "It appears the situation in the Hidden Leaf Village isn't very stable. I advise you not to go back there, dear Aki."

  I understood his concerns. My experience in that village had been nothing but intense, especially during the attack of an enormous Nine-tail Fox—information I decided to keep from him, knowing he would be vehemently opposed to my return. Not only that but the atmosphere had been thick with tension, particularly around the Uchiha residence.

  I knew that Grandpa was right in more ways than one.

  But, that was the more reason why I could not turn back. I had only just begun. The answers were still out there and I had only taken the first step.

  That was not all.

  "I know you're worried, Grandpa," I tried to reassure him with a smile, "but while I was there, I made a friend—his name is Shisui Uchiha. And soon, I'll make another friend, Itachi Uchiha... I believe that even if they knew who I am and my mother's legacy, they would still be my friends..." My voice trembled and I swallowed hard. "I know my time there is to find answers, but for the first time, ... I have actually made a friend..and it makes me really happy. I had fun, Grandpa..."

  Grandpa looked at me with a quiet warmth in his eyes. That knowing, gentle gaze that always made me feel seen, and I could sense before he even spoke that he wouldn't try to stop me.

  "Dear Aki, I will never be the one to hold you back from forming friendships or enjoying life. You don't need to worry about that," he said softly. "All I want is for you to be safe. Even if I can't be there with you, remember that I'm always here at home, waiting for you. You'll always have someone to welcome you back. Go out there, have your adventures, but promise me you'll stay safe."

  I always knew that Grandpa was too good for me, and today he proved it once more—he truly was the best thing that has ever happened to me. I often wonder how I would have turned out without him, how lost I might have felt in a world where I had no one.

  "Yes, I promise. Thank you so much, Grandpa! I love you!" I cried, tears of joy streaming down my face as I leaped into his arms, holding him tightly.

  My tears soaked his shirt, but he didn't mind. He wrapped his arms around me, patting my back just like he always did when the night felt too dark and lonely.

  ~~~

  The full moon hung high in the night sky, casting its luminous glow through my window as I gazed at it, lost in thought. It shone brilliantly, outshining the stars that dotted the heavens, and in my heart, Itachi was that moon—radiant and incomparable, illuminating everything around him. I wondered if he was also staring at the same moon, feeling the connection that bridged the distance between us. Probably not.

  Nestled beneath the comforting embrace of my blankets, I tossed and turned in a restless dance, desperately seeking solace in sleep. The silence of the night enveloped me, with not even the whisper of the wind to break the stillness.

  Yet, my mind was ensnared by the haunting image that lingered at the back of my mind—the young man, battered and unconscious, sprawled on the ground. Beside him lay a hand, its owner obscured by the restrictions of my vision. But, the sight of it twisted my heart in anguish, and I felt the sting of tears forming in my eyes.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Deep down in a part of me, I dreaded the truth that loomed like a shadow, a truth I already knew all too well.

  That hand belongs to him—my old friend.

  ~~~

  I recognized this place.

  I was just three years old when I first time I dreamt of this place—a desolate landscape of ruins, where a once mighty throne lay in shambles, surrounded by debris and decay. The air was thick with an ominous energy as the cawing of crows filled my ears, their cries as deafening as thunder. It felt as though the very heavens were unleashing their fury, lightning illuminating the darkened sky like angry gods hurling down their wrath upon the earth.

  Then, without warning, my gaze fell downward, and my breath caught in my throat when I saw a man lying on my lap, eyes closed and as still as a statue.

  It was him—Itachi Uchiha.

  Time had altered him; he was older now, his body larger, shoulders broader, and his hair longer, cascading around his face like a dark halo. But the sight of him was far from regal. He looked battered and broken, dirt smudged across his skin, and dried blood stained his lips and chin.

  In a daze, I glanced down at my own hands, and horror gripped me as I saw them smeared in his blood. My hands trembled uncontrollably, shaking in utter disbelief. It was as if my mind had gone blank, the world around me fading away until all I could see were my trembling hands—smeared with crimson, a stark contrast against my pale skin.

  I couldn't look away.

  The weight of the moment crashed down on me as I realized the truth that I'd always known: Itachi lying on my lap. Cold and unresponsive. My heart sank into an abyss as the chilling realization washed over me.

  He was dead.

  It was then that I heard it—a terrible scream, a cry of grief and sorrow that tore through the air like a thunderclap in the darkened sky. The sound was so visceral, so raw, that it reverberated within me, shaking the very core of my being. As I listened, I realized that the anguished scream belonged to me. I had never known I could cry like this as if my heart were being ripped from my chest, each sob a manifestation of my despair. Tears streamed down my face, a never-ending waterfall of anguish as I clung to him—clung to what little remained of him, to the cold body that lay lifeless in my arms, devoid of the warmth that once held him.

  "No! No! No!" I heard myself muttering, a desperate mantra that repeated over and over as if I could somehow turn back time, as if my words could breathe life back into him. "I can't accept this! I won't accept this! There has to be another way! This can't be the end!"

  The desperation in my voice echoed through the ruins, mingling with the cries of the ravens, pleading for a miracle that felt impossibly out of reach.

  ~~~

  I jolted awake, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath.

  My heart hammered violently in my chest, each beat a frantic reminder of the nightmare that clung to the edges of my consciousness. My throat felt raw and parched, as though I had been screaming for hours, the echoes of a distance scream among the caws of crows still reverberating in my ears. I instinctively grabbed at my chest, where my heart thudded heavily, feeling as if it were being ripped away, leaving me breathless and dizzy.

  "Deep breaths," I told myself, my voice a whisper against the pain. I closed my eyes and slowly inhaled, focusing all my energy on calming the storm within me. I held my breath for a moment before exhaling slowly, forcing the tension out of my body.

  Repeat. Inhale. Exhale.

  As I followed my instructions, I became aware of the wetness on my cheeks and the burning sensation in my eyes, but I didn't care to wipe them away. I let the tears flow freely, a release for the overwhelming emotions boiling inside.

  It took what felt like an eternity, but gradually, I began to feel a sense of calm wash over me, my heart rate finally decreasing to a more regular rhythm. I had experienced panic attacks before, but this one felt different—it was the worst yet, and the haunting images from my vision refused to leave my mind.

  Lying there on my bed, I stared blankly at the ceiling, trying to distract myself by tracing the tiny cracks that had formed over the years. Each imperfection seemed to mirror the chaos within me, and I fear as the years continue, so will those cracks.

  I will no longer be whole ever again.

  I had never been...

  I couldn't help but remember Grandpa's words. They echoed in my mind, a painful reminder that my visions were not mere figments of my imagination but glimpses into an inescapable future. They always led to the same fate, regardless of how much blood I spilled or how fiercely I struggled against it.

  The realization weighed heavily on my heart, the knowledge that no matter what I did, certain outcomes were beyond my control.

  What a cruel joke...

  Then an idea struck me, sudden and desperate.

  What if...I just forget about it all?...

  Everything...

  If I could erase the pain in my chest by..banishing thoughts of Itachi Uchiha—the boy I had yet to truly meet—perhaps I could escape the inevitable heartache and grief that awaited me.

  At that moment, it seemed a merciful option, a way to shield myself from the truth of what was to come.

  Why should I burden myself with this pain if I could simply avoid it? Anyone in my position would likely choose the easy path out. I wouldn't have to battle against a fate that felt unyielding and preordained. I wouldn't have to bleed for a cause that seemed hopeless from the very beginning.

  Maybe, just maybe, I could let it all go—release the weight of these haunting visions and embrace a life of comfort and safety alongside my grandpa in the Land of Frost. The thought of a peaceful existence, free from the madness of fate, called to me like a siren's song. I envisioned days filled with warmth and laughter, the simple joys of life that felt so far removed from where I stood.

  As I pondered this escape, the familiar pain began to creep back into my chest. It tightened its grip around my heart, constricting my breath and clouding my thoughts. At that moment, I realized there was no true escape from the heartache that awaited me.

  Itachi Uchiha had been woven into the very fabric of my being—a part of me that I cannot simply cast aside.

  With a deep sigh, I turned my gaze toward the window, hoping that the light of a new day might bring clarity and perhaps a glimmer of hope.

  ~~~

  The sun hung high in the azure sky, casting its golden rays down upon the world, while fluffy white clouds drifted lazily by like cotton candy in a summer fair.

  Today was warmer than usual, a welcome change that made everything feel alive and vibrant. After a long morning of hard work—setting traps with Grandpa, gathering berries from the brambles, digging up roots from the snow-covered earth, and fetching water from the nearly frozen river—I finally found myself with a moment to unwind.

  As I wiped the sweat from my brow, Grandpa reminded me of my lessons about chakra and explained how one can increase one's chakra.

  Chakra is the intricate fusion of physical and mental energy that fuels a person's stamina. The greater the stamina one possesses, the more chakra one can generate. It's a vital resource that determines not only the strength of one's abilities but also the capacity to endure and grow.

  "To enhance chakra, one must engage in exercises that promote both physical and mental vitality," Grandpa explained almost as though he was recounting lessons learned from years passed. "Activities like running, swimming, and engaging in combat can build physical endurance, allowing the body to push beyond its limits. Meanwhile, practices such as meditation, reading, and learning strengthen mental acuity, fostering clarity and focus. Each of these contributes to the reservoir of chakra, creating a wellspring of energy that can be tapped into during critical moments." Then he added, "Additionally, the passage of time plays a big role in the development of chakra. As one ages, experiences accumulate, and both physical and mental faculties mature and naturally will one's chakra."

  Nodding my head eagerly, I diligently wrote everything down in my notebook, highlighting the key points of what I would need to do. It became clear to me that I could focus more on meditation and studying since there wasn't much I could do physically in a land blanketed with snow year-round.

  "Got it," I said, finishing my last thought in my notebook before setting it down on the kitchen table with a sense of accomplishment. "Grandpa, can you prepare all the materials I'll need to study to increase my chakra?"

  His face broke into a wide grin, a glimmer of pride shining in his eyes. "You asked for it! I have a whole collection of books I've gathered over the years, just sitting in the cellar collecting dust, waiting for you to dive into them."

  I should have felt overwhelmed by the prospect but instead, excitement bubbled within me at the thought of the potential chakra I could gain.

  "When I come back, I'll get started on those right away!" I exclaimed, my enthusiasm infectious as Grandpa scurried off towards the direction of the cellar with Whiskers following closely behind him.