I am a Dancer (Naruto fanfiction)

34: Perplexing Contentment

My eyes flicked open instantly. I looked around, seeing the Naruto book's first page open in my hands. I was leaning against the bookshelf and Yanai's voice could be heard several aisles away.

What was that? I wondered in awe, absentmindedly flipping through the pages of the manga book. Was that all a dream? That's a little disappointing--wait...what's this doing here?

Around my neck, the hourglass pendant flushed purple sand from the upper half into the lower half. This was the necklace I chose during the last exam! How did--then the dream--It's not a dream?

I shut the book in confusion. Either someone had pranked me at the right time, or I had truly gone through the life a novel. I was inclined to believe the latter.

"Oh Hirano! I see you're reading Naruto" May called to me. "Naruto is still my favorite anime/manga to read or watch all over again. It was also my first anime when I started."

"I really enjoyed it," I grinned fondly at the book. "But is that it?" I turned to the back of the manga and found the end of the Chunin Exams. "Where's the second book?"

"Oh sweetie, that's just a teaser," May laughed. "Yanai never gave you the actual volume, just the first couple chapters of volume one. Here's the full first volume."

The book May handed to me was much thicker than the paperback book Yanai had shown me. I could feel the comfortable weight in my lap as I flipped through the first couple chapters.

"Is it supposed to go past the Chunin exams?" I wondered out loud. "I think I see some stories that weren't in this book."

"Those are fillers or side stories that have little or no impact on the original story. They are a nice addition sometimes, but honestly, too much can get annoying," May replied "Give me the other book; I'll return it to Yanai."

"Wait, this is his book?"

"Yeah, when he was kid, he would introduce friends to Naruto with that book. He would tear pages out of old volumes and glue them to a new book spine. He calls it the Teaser and has converted many people to visit the world of Anime."

"I'd like to buy this book, then," I said firmly.

"Coming right up~!"

You'll enjoy that book, a voice said to me.

"Who said that?" I jerked my head around, confused.

I'm your precious pendant, little dancer.

"You're a necklace?"

Yes, now keep your voice low. I'll talk to you later.

"Okay then," I whispered to it. Once I was tucked into a large chair with the Naruto manga in my lap, the pendant spoke again.

You know, you did a beautiful job back then, too.

"Wait, so that was real?"

How else did you bring me back?

"Are my parents real ninjas?"

Your biological? No. Lord Akinori and Lady Fumiki aren't ninjas. I assume you already know you are adopted?

"Mom and Dad told me when I was eight years old."

You adoptive parents are former ninjas. Back in their early years, they discovered a way to travel between dimensions and "kidnapped" you. After a ton of misleading paperwork, they finally got you living under their roof.

"You make it as though my parents are scary."

They'll only be nice to you. Everyone else will get threats.

"Oh wow. Okay."

Looks like your mother is here. Go say "hi."

"Wait, what can I call you?"

I dunno. Call me whatever you want. Don't degrade me, though.

"Yeah, okay then." I left my chair and ran into my mother's open arms.

I'm back home, where I belong, I thought contentedly.