Chapter 2 - 2 - Where Am I

* * * * *

Not long ago, the world was threatened by a criminal organisation known as the Akatsuki, with their leader being known as Pain, a wielder of the legendary dojutsu, Rinnegan.

However, it was only during the 4th great Shinobi World War that the world understood; Akatsuki was simply masterminded by Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Madara, who sought to rule the Shinobi world through the Infinite Tsukuyomi; in order to gain what they define as true peace, a world of dreams.

The legendary Ten Tails was revived along with the God tree and after Madara cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi, Otsutsuki Kaguya was resurrected by Black Zetsu.

It was only due to the efforts of Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke, that Kaguya was sealed by the resonating powers of Yin and Yang("Rikudou:Chibaku Tensei!").

- - - - -

For a period of time, the world was at peace.

The Five Great Villages had united during the 4th Shinobi War and each village was mainly concerned with rebuilding their infrastructure and addressing the deaths of the Shinobis.

However, not everyone believed that the threat was over.

Uchiha Sasuke, a current wielder of the Rinnegan, was left doubtful as to why Otsutsuki Kaguya had to create an army of White Zetsu when she was already strong enough to wipe out the Shinobi race by herself.

Being the only one left with the Rinnegan and able to travel through dimensions, Sasuke decided to leave the village to atone for his sins.

Soon after reconciling with Naruto and his former team 7, Uchiha Sasuke finally left Konoha on his journey of redemption.

Two years after the 4th Shinobi War,

Somewhere in another dimension--

A lone figure; wearing a black cloak over a black shirt and pants, with white bandages wrapped around his legs, could be seen walking through a seemingly endless desert.

- - - - -

As Sasuke continued walking through the desert, his mind wandered off and he was dragged into his subconsciousness, causing past memories to start surfacing.

What spread within the inner heart was an overwhelming and vast darkness. It was a place that gave off a feeling where a person would lose themselves. However, on the surface of the darkness, slight ripples were spreading out.

Continuously heading towards a deeper place within the darkness.

It was an image of the deep sea. The pitch-black color of the darkness slowly became more and more dark.

The parts of Sasuke's mind that were disconnected were being dismantled bit by bit and lie scattered across the vast empty darkness.

The time he first joined the Academy.

The time he entered Team Seven and joined the Chunnin Exams.

The time he defected from Konoha to join Orochimaru in search of power.

The time he joined the Akatsuki.

The time he and Naruto fought against Kaguya.

And--

His final battle with Naruto.

And then even further into the past----the events that were seemingly painful to recall, the distant scar....

The bottom of his own mind. In the lower strata of his unconsciousness that was far separated from consciousness, forgotten pasts were precipitating as if being thrown away.

The first time they took down a Boar together.

The time his brother killed his entire family.

The time when he realized that the Brother he thought hated him actually loved him all this time, and all he did was to protect Sasuke from danger.

Nii-San.....Itachi.....

As Sasuke looked up at the sky, he once again felt just how minuscule his existence was in the vast cosmos; and how there were many things in this world that have yet to be explored.

However, he was soon brought back to reality.

It seems there is nothing I can find here.

As I thought, Kaguya's palace is in another dimension.

Sasuke took one last look at his surroundings.

The black color started draining from the iris of his left eye into purple; forming three circles, with three tomoe intersecting the two innermost circle.

A dark oval shape spiral started distorting through the atmosphere and a separate dimension could be seen through it.

Without hesitation, Sasuke jumped through the portal.

- - - - -

As Sasuke stepped out of the portal, he instantly realized that something was amiss.

This place was...

He had ended up in a park.

As he surveyed his surroundings, the orange sky indicated that it was close to dusk and there were several couples preparing to leave the park.

Did I end up back in Konoha?

I can't create another portal?!

Although his Rinnegan was clearly visible, he was unable to create another portal.

It was at this moment, that he sensed a strange feeling in the air. Right at that instant, an area of the park which Sasuke had stumbled in was cocooned by a purple barrier and he could sense an ominous energy signature coming from the center of the park.

- - - - -

Rushing to the location, what came in Sasuke's sight first was an aesthetic and breathtaking Water fountain.

However, he was clearly not alone.

His eyes quickly landed on another scene. There was a male and female in front of him.

The male, roughly around Sasuke's age, stumbled to the ground as two black wings started sprouting from the woman's back.

What is this...

The female started speaking first, "Although short-lived, playing innocent lovey-dovey with you was fun. So..."

A spear started materializing in the woman's hand.

Shit, this is bad!

"Yuuma-chan?"

"...please die!"

The woman brought her spear down on the man's ċhėst and flesh blood spurted out.

However, just before the spear could penetrate in deeper to the ċhėst, the man suddenly disappeared like mist and another figure took his place.

It was a male with a cloak.

PING!

The woman's spear was deflected away.

"What the...!"

- - - - -

Tch, I was slightly late in my judgement, Sasuke cursed inwardly as he released the Rinnegan; drew out his katana from its' sheath and intercepted the woman's spear.

"Who are you! Where is Hyoudou Issei!"

Unbeknownst to her, the man called Hyoudou Issei was only a few meters away from her.

Sasuke whipped out three kunai from the pouch he carried and hurled it at his opponent.

"Tch!" The woman flew up a few meters in the sky and black feathers rained down as she ascended.

"You will pay for interrupting my meal!" The woman started hurling verbal insults and a spear of light formed in her hands.

"Die!"

She threw the spear down at Sasuke.

"Earth Release: Earth Style Wall!<Doton: Doryuheki>"

A thick barrier of Earth was constructed in front of Sasuke and the spear of light was defended against; however, the barrier instantly crumbled.

The woman's face contoured into a grimace and she created another spear of light.

This time, she flew straight down at Sasuke but he predicted her movement and had already leaped up midway into the air; the ground where he was just at was already a crater.

He formed the Tiger Seal on his right hand, a seal common for fire techniques.

"Fire release: Great Fireball Technique!<Katon: Goukakyu No Jutsu!>"

A fireball, the size of a giant orb, was expelled from Sasuke's mouth and upon impact, with his complete mastery of the jutsu, the fireball was powerful enough to obliterate the ground and vaporize the surroundings.

- - - - -

The woman was able to bȧrėly avoid the direct impact of the blast although--

"ARGHHHH!"

The woman ġrȯȧnėd in pain as she clutched her injured body. She had suffered extensive external wounds and some parts of her wings were already charred beyond repair just from Sasuke's jutsu bȧrėly touching her.

If that blast hit me completely, I would have...

Her eyes, filled with hatred, glared at Sasuke before she declared.

"The next time we meet, I will definitely kill you!" The barrier started to disappear and the woman instantly took off.

However, Sasuke decided not to chase her and instead focused his attention on the injured male.

He walked over and crouched down before examining the wound.

Although the spear had penetrated slightly, the wound was not considered fatal.

Luckily, he had switched positions almost instantly, or else...

As soon as the barrier was released, a couple of people started entering the scene and were shocked to find an injured male in the park.

Sasuke calmly ȧssessed the situation and stood up.

"This man here was attacked by a robber and requires immediate medical attention."

Although some of the passerby were suspicious of Sasuke's getup, they still listened and hurriedly called for medical services.

After witnessing the male being carried off by medical personnel, a question still remained in Sasuke's heart.

Just where am I?

However, it was at that particular moment, a mysterious event occurred, which completely caught Sasuke off guard.

- - - - -

A crimson light, which flew out from the injured male, pierced through the air and insinuated into Sasuke's right arm.