Crossroads (A Naruto Fanfiction)

It Doesn't Regret

I was in the black space again. I could feel myself turning every which way in hopes of seeing anything, but it was pointless. "Seems like I'll have enough time today." The familiar human and beastly tone sent shivers down my spine.

I whipped around to where the voice came from and held my breath. Everything was the same. The blank space, the voice, It's appearance which replicated my own with its eyes firmly shut. My shoulders tensed as I faced It. "Enough time for what?" I asked cautiously.

My hand reached up to my throat subconsciously as I expected it to start hurting, but no. My throat remained safe and my voice was clear. This voice which only me and It have heard so far was both soft and blunt. I tried to ignore the satisfaction of being able to speak after so long, but my mind couldn't deny the pleasure, so I smiled.

"You've changed since I've last seen you." It said and I jerked.

"Changed?"

"Yes. You're more... Alive. It's not as suffocating to be here as well." I watched as it made itself comfortable by sitting cross-legged on the invisible surface we stood on. This black hole like space - my mindscape - was still grounded in its obscurity, which I was thankful for.

I decided it was best to leave my distracted thoughts and get to the point. "Why am I here?"

It smiled at my question. "I've called you here to speak to you. Before, you were in a very delicate situation and had forced me to use my gathered energy to save you. Thankfully, I was able to save some spares and gather more for this moment."

It took me a while to gather my thoughts around its words. "So... that time... That was you?"

"Yes. It was me who had killed that woman. Not you. Even though we are the same, we are separate."

To be told that I did not kill that woman, I felt as if some kind of chain had finally broken off from me. I could breathe just a little easier and found myself stuck in this revelation. No wonder the memory felt so disconnected from me, but I had to push through. I needed answers. "That makes no sense." How could any of this make sense, really?

It tilted its head. "We share the same body and mind, and yet, how do you think we are able to speak like this? It is because we are separate as well."

That's true. This being was within my mindscape and so it would make sense that we are of the same kind, but it merely resided within me. "Then why are you here?"

It contemplated my words as I had contemplated its own. "Remember what I said to you the first time I spoke with you. I was not able to explain my own purpose as I had called you when I was still recovering my energy, but I am sure I made it clear as to what purpose you serve."

The answer came easily. "To change the destiny of this world."

"Yes. This world which was created from the basis of your own world, the main universe, is now its own separate entity. However, it is still interconnected to the trillions of others out there. If this universe were to cease its existence, it would disrupt the foundation."

"Wait," I put up my hands in surrender and breathed in deeply. "Main universe? Foundation? What are you talking about?"

It sighed. "I'm sorry. For me to explain all the details on how existence's, such as you and I, can be standing here and how the universes work - even I don't fully understand it's logic. This is something only the creator of all creations can comprehend. Still, information such as the main world and the Foundation is not something necessary for you to know. All you need to understand is what needs to be done."

I bit down on my lip and clenched my fists. "You're just using me and there's no point. I'm useless anyway," I said.

"I am using you." I couldn't help but widen my eyes in disbelief at It's admittance. I could only listen as It continued to explain, "And I'm sorry. I wouldn't have taken such drastic measures as to drag you into this universe from your own if it wasn't so necessary. I am powerless when it comes to interfering with worldly matters and I know of your suffering. I can only guide you to the best of my knowledge. I know that you doubt yourself. You're right to do so. I did not choose you specifically for what you are capable of. You are here because your worth is equal to my own to its fullest, and I do not regret it." The voice which was a mixture of my own and that of a beast turned gentle. It was, in lack of better words, soothing to hear. It lowered its head in apology. "You did not ask for this, but I need you. Without you, there can be nothing anyone can do to change destiny."

I took in every word, but only one part stood out to me. "You... You don't regret that it's me you have to depend on?" My voice came out shaking and I caressed my throat again.

It raised its head. It seemed as if time moved slower as It opened its eyes. They shined a whitish bright blue, enough to hurt my gaze, but I couldn't look away. "I had my doubts at first, but the changes you have made so far speak for themselves. You had prevented the elongation of the third shinobi war and you had saved a key soul from a path of darkness. I had been so amazed that I couldn't help but to try and speak to you sooner, even though I was not ready." It stood and walked over to me. My eyes stayed glued to their glowing orbs.

"But those were just coincidences," I whispered mindlessly.

"Even so, you have done more than I could have hoped for." It smiled once more. "So let me reiterate: I do not regret you." When It closed its eyes again, all of the breath within me dispersed and I fell to the ground.

Why? Just why did It's reassurance relieve me so much? Like all of my doubts up till now have been cast away. Those were just a matter of coincidence. Those weren't of my own power and still... Still...

A sob escaped me. A very relieved cry.