A Ninja's Path (Kakashi X Reader)

Chapter Thirty Six

It was just like the sand, this empty feeling of nothing. No pain, no suffering. Only the peaceful silence. Just like the last time, you began to feel restless. You didn't want this. You wanted to feel.

"(Y/N)..."

You knew that voice, from a place far away, a time long ago.

"(Y/N)!"

The voice was closer now, just a few feet in front of you.

You peered into the darkness, trying to find who said your name. A kernel of light appeared. It was small and didn't seem to grow. From it you could sense a presence... very familiar. You could feel it beckoning you, pleading you to take hold of it and never let it go.

You reached forward, enveloping the light with your hand. Within your grasp, it glowed dimly. Pulling it closer, you unclenched your fist, examining the strange light.

For some reason, you felt like you knew what it was... just not how or why. You examined it, tossed it from hand to hand. You began to grow frustrated, unable to understand what it was.

Why couldn't you remember?

"(Y/N)! Find me!"

You nearly dropped the light at those three words. That voice... now that it was so close, you knew who it was.

You smiled, finally understanding what the light was. Actually, who it was from.

"I'm here." You whispered back.

From the light you could've sworn you heard a sigh of relief. Then the light grew brighter, doubling exponentially. In seconds, it swallowed you whole, enveloping you in a bright comforting warmth. It almost felt like a hug- an embrace.

"(Y/N)... finally... it's been so long..."

The light faded away, replaced with a scene out of a storybook.

It took you a moment to process your surroundings.

You were standing in front of a small cottage with a stone chimney and clear windows. A large garden outlined the entire home. Flowering trees and bushes, patches of vines and flowers- it was stunning.

"Mama!"

You whirled around to see a small girl skipping up the path toward the house. You gaped, this wasn't any child- it was you.

Skipping along with her dark school uniform and hair braided down her back.

Were you in a memory? But you didn't remember a small house with a big garden.

The girl- you- ran straight toward where you were standing now. The girl's face brightened up as she neared you.

"Mama!" She exclaimed again.

You pursed your lips, unsure of how to react. "I'm sorry, I'm not your-" The girl ran straight past you, not paying any mind.

You frowned, turning around to face the girl. She couldn't see you?

"(Y/N)! I'm over here!" A female voice called from within the garden.

You froze. That voice... it was...

"Mama! I had a good day at school!"

"Good honey. Come on, let's go inside and get you some lemonade. We can talk about your day."

You felt a tear fall down your cheek as the woman emerged from behind a cluster of bushes. She had her long hair tied back, a pair of overalls and working gloves on. Her face was smeared with sweat and dirt, but it didn't take away from her stunning beauty.