//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Lost Soul of The Uchiha // by BronyOfSteel //------------------------------// Itachi awoke yet again in a different place than where he had slipped into unconsciousness, he was beginning to feel as if it was becoming a trend. His surprise at being alive and more importantly not in pain prevented him from being too annoyed at being in another situation where he had no idea what was going on. He finally opened his eyes after judging that it would be a better idea to get a grasp of his surroundings rather than keeping up the facade of sleep. The first thing Itachi noticed was the purple horse standing next to the bed he was lying in, it was apparently taking notes by levitating a pencil. Itachi just sat there staring for a good minute in shock, trying to decide if this was real or if he was under the most intricate and subtle genjutsu he had ever seen. Before he could come to a definitive decision on whether to treat this as reality, the purple horse seemed to finally notice him."Oh so it seems you're finally awake." Itachi opened his mouth to speak drawing in a breath when he stopped, noticing something, his lungs were working perfectly. For years he had been living with a death sentence, staying alive only through sheer willpower and a drug regimen but now it appeared to have been cured. He smiled at this realization completely forgetting about the young pony that was speaking to him. Twilight was slightly weirded out by the whatever he was lying in front of her and decided it would be a good idea to go get the princesses. "I'll be right back." She said heading towards the door. She made it about halfway when a voice that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end broke the silence, "Sorry, I was distracted. What's your name?" She turned to face the owner, who looked at her with an inquiring expression "Twilight. Twilight Sparkle. And yours?" "Itachi Uchiha." He replied looking around the room taking in his surroundings. "Where exactly am I?" "You're in my library. You were in pretty bad shape when Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy brought you into town. My place happened to be the closest so we brought you here while the princesses worked to save your life." "Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy?" "Oh they're my friends, they're the ones who found you collapsed on the road outside Ponyville and brought you here." "What country is this in? Fire? Wind?" Itachi asked, his confusion growing with every passing moment. "What? No you're in Equestria." Twilight answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Anyways I should probably go get the princesses; they'd be better equipped to answer any questions you might have. And besides they told me to get them once you were awake." She said heading for the door once more. This is too weird and realistic to be a genjutsu, no one could've possibly come up with this Itachi thought to himself as the pony left the building. Still, there's only one way to know for sure. Itachi concentrated for a few seconds closing his eyes; he then activated his Sharingan, opening them once more. As I suspected. My chakra flow is completely normal. This left him in an even more impossible situation, as it appeared Madara had not been lying to him and had indeed sent him to an entirely different world. This presented him a unique set of problems, not the least of which was the distinct possibility that he was stuck here. Before he could begin to ponder his situation, two equine figures entered the room, these two were different from Twilight, rather than simply having a horn the two both possessed wings and a horn, and they looked as regal as they came. Celestia proceeded her sister into the room curious as to who this stranger was. She had sized him up from the extensive time she and her sister had spent using their combined powers to heal him of his affliction. But now that he was awake, he was much more intense and intimidating, his face betrayed no emotion. Celestia was impressed, she dealt with diplomats and emissaries from across the world on a daily basis and none had been as unreadable as the being that sat before them. "My student, Twilight Sparkle tells me your name is Itachi Uchiha, Welcome Itachi, to my kingdom of Equestria." "Thank you your highness." Itachi replied in a grateful tone. "I am to understand you are the ones I have to thank for saving my life." "Well my involvement was only partial, it was my sister Luna here who really was the one doing all the work." Celestia indicated the midnight blue pony standing next to her. Itachi's gaze shifted to Luna, who was immediately unnerved by the stare of the two blood red eyes that looked at her. The eyes seemed to be looking right through her to her very soul, seeing everything that she normally kept concealed beneath the surface. But there was something else; in those eyes she saw pain, loneliness, and a great sadness. Luna recognized and understood what his eyes contained because for 1000 years her own eyes had contained the same emotions. A moment passed between them as they recognized each other as kindred spirits, both having suffered greatly in their lifetimes. "Thank you, Princess Luna." He said his voice laced with true emotion for the first time. "I had been suffering from that disease for many years. I am eternally in your debt for curing me of it." "I-It was nothing, really you're quite welcome." Luna said sheepishly. "Anyways," Said Celestia returning her attention to the Ninja in front of them "I am most curious as to what you are, and how you came to be here in Equestria." Itachi considered this for moment, he then decided he owed them at least that much and began to speak. "As for what I am, I am a human, a former shinobi from the village of Konoha in the country of fire. And as for how I came to be here, I was sent here as a final insult however I have no idea as to how I was sent." "Konoha? Country of fire?" Itachi then spent the next few minutes giving the princesses a basic history of the ninja world, outlining the political situation and the village system, as well as a basic overview of shinobi. The two alicorns were good listeners rarely interrupting him, and even when they did it was only to ask another question. "So you're from the 'Village hidden in the leaves'?" Luna asked after Itachi had finished. "Yes I was, but I ended up having to leave the village, despite how much I cared for my home." "You left?" "Yeah that's what this represents." Itachi said picking up his forehead protector from the table beside him and putting it on." The symbol in the center is the symbol of Konoha, the scratch represents the cutting of all ties to the village." "But why did you leave?" He grew somber and serious at the question. "It was a necessary sacrifice to protect my brother, who I valued- still value higher than my village." "It must have been difficult." "It was." Itachi then realized he was talking too much, he had lowered his emotional walls for these two, and the more disturbing part was he had no idea why. "Well I think I've explained myself thoroughly enough. Now I have a question for you, what exactly are you two?" "We're ponies Itachi. Specifically alicorns if that's what you're asking." Answered Celestia "Alicorns?" "Yes there are three types of ponies, earth ponies who are just regular ponies, pegasai who have wings, and unicorns that posses horns and can use magic. My sister and I are both alicorns because of our royal heritage." "Makes sense, I guess." Itachi responded, processing this information. "Well then Itachi Uchiha, I have one last question for you, what do you plan to do now that you are here?" Celestia asked Itachi's eyes narrowed as he picked up on the subtleties of the question." All I desire to do is to try and find a way back to my world, failing that I have no idea. I am no danger to you or your subjects Celestia, I have no reason to seek any conflict here." "I had hoped for such a response, Itachi you are officially a guest of Equestria and you may stay here in my student's home while you try to find a way back if you so wish." "Thank you your highness, is there any way that I can possibly compensate for the hospitality I've received? I feel as if I owe you a great deal, yet I have no money." He said "I'm sure Twilight can think of something. In the meantime good luck with your endeavors Itachi, I hope to see you again soon." and with that the two royal sisters turned to leave. As she was leaving Luna turned back to look at the young human who had entered so suddenly into their world, he was standing now unwrapping the bandages that covered his right arm. She was already intrigued by him, and wished to speak with him again in private. Those eyes She thought to herself as she remembered the pain and sadness that lurked behind Itachi's, they're not so different than mine were not so long ago. Itachi was busy examining his arm for any signs of permanent damage when he heard the clopping of hooves behind him, he turned to see twilight walking towards him "Sorry for being so aloof earlier, I guess i just didn't trust you very much until the princesses talked to you. It seems like you'll be staying with me so I think we better have some more formal introductions." Twilight said extending her hoof warily. "Trust should be earned, not given Twilight, its quite alright." Itachi said taking her hoof and shaking it. "Well anyways is there anything you need?" She asked Itachi thought for a moment " Is there a tailor in this town? I do have need of some new clothing." "Oh then we'll go to my friend Rarity's, shes the best clothing designer in all of Equestria!" Twilight said, excited to have the time to talk to a being from outside their world. "And I can also give you a quick tour of Ponyville on the way there if you like." He pondered the offer, finally deciding that it couldn't hurt "That sounds like a good idea Twilight, please lead the way." he said as the two headed for the door. Itachi hadn't made it more than 3 steps outside of Twilight's library when a pink blur shot up next to him, he had been too busy looking at the town around him to notice it at first and would have missed it entirely if his Sharingan hadn't been activated. "HIYA my name's Pinkie Pie! What's yours?" asked the pink pony standing less than an inch from his face who was, surprisingly, not the least bit intimidated by him. Itachi mentally sighed, this was gonna be a long day.