Through New Eyes

The day had dragged on like any other, each hour stretching on endlessly, but it was finally over. Walking home from campus, I found myself lost in thought again, like I always did. The usual monotony of classes, assignments, and the endless pressure of the future seemed like a blur in the back of my mind. There was just this... emptiness, this constant nagging feeling that I wasn't really moving forward. I'd gotten used to it by now, I guess.

I wondered why it all seemed so pointless. Was everyone else in my classes just pretending? Pretending to have it figured out while I stumbled through it, day by day? I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong—like I was supposed to be doing more, or maybe just… feeling more? I wasn't even sure what I wanted anymore, just that it felt like I wasn't getting anywhere. There were times when I thought about just dropping everything—disappearing for a while, maybe going somewhere new, or doing something drastic—but then I'd think, "What's the point? I'll just be the same person."

The streets were quiet tonight. The lights overhead flickered on and off, casting long shadows across the pavement as I walked, hands stuffed into the pockets of my hoodie. I wasn't in any particular hurry. There wasn't anything waiting for me at home, nothing urgent. Just the same four walls, the same space that felt smaller every time I went back. Maybe I should've called someone, or done something more productive, but instead, I let my mind drift, trying to ignore the low buzz in my chest.

As I approached the intersection, I barely noticed the traffic light change. It was as if everything had slowed down, like I was watching the world from behind glass. My feet moved automatically, and before I could register what I was doing, I stepped into the crosswalk—just as the light turned green. The sound of tires screeching against the pavement was the first thing I heard. Then nothing.

"Huh?"

A smooth white ceiling greeted me as I opened my eyes, disoriented. I blinked, rubbing the sleep from my eyes before slowly sitting up. The unfamiliar setting around me came into focus—a small bed beneath me, a room with traditional Japanese tatami mat flooring, and a distinct stillness that made the space feel almost otherworldly.

Something felt… off. My body felt different, unfamiliar. Glancing down at my arms, I froze. They were pale and skinny, a stark contrast to the robust, tan limbs I was used to. Disbelief coursed through me as I carefully slid out of the bed, my legs trembling slightly as they touched the cool floor. I moved towards the only door in the room, each step heavy with growing dread.

The hallway beyond was eerily silent, the emptiness of the mansion almost suffocating. I wandered aimlessly, my heart pounding, until I finally stumbled upon a bathroom.

In the dim light, I saw a figure reflected in the mirror. Two onyx eyes stared back at me, framed by dark hair. I reached up to touch my face, and the reflection mimicked my movements perfectly. My breath hitched as the reality sank in.

Who is that? Is that… me?

Panic welled up inside me as I continued to examine my unfamiliar features. I was supposed to have blue eyes and blonde hair. I was supposed to be… a man. Yet, the reflection told a different story.

"But I'm… a man," I whispered, the words sounding hollow in the empty room.

Suddenly, a wave of nausea hit me, and I buckled over, clutching the sink for support. Pain lanced through my skull as unfamiliar memories—memories that weren't mine—began to flood my mind. Flashes of a life I didn't recognize, of faces I'd never seen, overwhelmed me. I gritted my teeth, trying to make sense of it all, but the barrage was relentless.

"Uchiha clan, Shinobi, Massacre, Academy…"

The words tumbled from my lips in a whisper, as if saying them aloud would somehow make them less terrifying. But they didn't—if anything, they only amplified the growing dread within me. My hands clenched into fists as the memories continued to assault my mind, disjointed and relentless.

Images of a proud clan with a bloodline feared and revered. The distinctive swirl of the Sharingan, eyes that could see everything. A flash of red, followed by darkness. The distant echo of screams, then silence. The Academy, where children trained to be killers, where expectations weighed heavily on small shoulders. And amidst it all, a sense of deep, suffocating loneliness.

I gripped the edge of the sink, my knuckles white from the effort. The reflection in the mirror was no longer just a stranger—it was a person burdened with a history I didn't understand, a legacy that wasn't mine. But now, it was.

A name finally bubbled up from the depths of the unfamiliar memories, a name that sent a chill down my spine: Sasuke Uchiha.

A sinking realization dawned on me. I wasn't just in any body—I was in the body of one of the last survivors of the Uchiha Clan, a character from a world I once thought was fiction.

But the nightmare didn't end there. No, it was only just beginning. The massacre. The betrayal. The path of vengeance that defined Sasuke's existence—it was all inescapable now. And the worst part? I was trapped in it, with no way out.

My breath quickened, panic clawing at my chest as the weight of it all threatened to crush me. What kind of twisted fate was this? Why was I here, in this body, in this world?

And why, of all things, was I now in a female body?

I glanced down at myself again, the shock and confusion from earlier returning with full force. Sasuke Uchiha was supposed to be a boy—everyone knew that. Yet, here I was, inhabiting a body that was unmistakably female. The slight curves, the delicate features—it all felt so wrong, so out of place.

Why would I, or rather, why would Sasuke be female? It didn't make any sense. This world was supposed to follow the rules I knew, the story I remembered, yet this detail threw everything into question. Was this some kind of cruel joke? A mistake? Or was this world even more different than I realized?

My thoughts spiraled as I tried to grasp the implications. If Sasuke's gender was different, what else had changed? Was the timeline altered? Were other characters different too? And most importantly, how would this affect the events that were supposed to unfold?

The confusion only deepened as I considered what this meant for me. I was already dealing with the shock of being thrust into a life of tragedy and revenge, but now I had to navigate it in a body that didn't even match my memories of the character I was supposed to be.

I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling up inside me. This wasn't fair. None of this was fair. Being thrown into a world of ninja and war, with enemies lurking around every corner, was bad enough. But to do it while dealing with an unfamiliar body and a completely different identity?

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. Whatever force had decided to put me here must have had a twisted sense of humor. But no matter how much I hated it, this was my reality now. There was no point in dwelling on how wrong it all felt—I needed to focus on surviving.

First things first, I needed to get my bearings. Panicking wouldn't help, and I couldn't afford to waste time feeling sorry for myself. If I was going to survive in this world, I had to be prepared—physically and mentally. The academy was the first step. If I could get some time off, I could focus on training and figuring out how to handle this situation.

Standing up straight, I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. The academy was where it all began, where I could find Iruka and request a leave of absence. If I could buy myself a few months to train, to properly adjust to this body and the chakra it carried, I might stand a chance. I needed to be strong enough to match Sasuke's status—no, my status now.

The halls of the Uchiha compound were eerily quiet as I made my way out, the memories of the past inhabitants lingering like ghosts. The emptiness of the place only served as a reminder of the massacre that had wiped out the clan, leaving only me—Sasuke—and the unbearable weight of that tragedy. The silence was oppressive, but I pushed it aside. I had to stay focused.

As I walked through the village, I couldn't help but notice the sideways glances from the villagers. They were wary, but not of me—of the Uchiha name. But many more gazes held pity, one that my memories had told me sasuke was long sick of. As it only reminded her of that night.

As the academy came into view, I quickened my pace. The sooner I spoke to Iruka, the sooner I could get started. As I approached the building, a sense of determination settled over me. I might be stuck in an unfamiliar body and world, but I wasn't powerless. I had the knowledge of the future, and if I played my cards right, I could change things—starting with getting stronger.

I pushed open the door to the academy and headed down the familiar hallway. I could hear the chatter of students from a nearby classroom, but I ignored it, focusing on my goal. Iruka's office was just ahead. Reaching the door, I knocked twice and waited.

"Come in," came the familiar voice from inside.

Stepping into the office, I found Iruka sitting at his desk, surrounded by stacks of papers. He looked up and smiled when he saw me, though his expression quickly turned to one of concern when he noticed the serious look on my face.

"Sasuke, is something wrong?" he asked, setting down his pen.

I nodded, taking a seat across from him. "Iruka-sensei, I need to request a leave of absence from the academy."

Iruka's brow furrowed in confusion. "A leave of absence? Why? You're one of our top students, Sasuke. It's not like you to want to take time off."

I met his gaze, trying to convey the seriousness of my request. "I need time to train on my own. There are some things I need to work on, things I can't do while attending classes. I won't be gone forever—just a few months."

Iruka studied me for a moment, concern evident in his eyes. "You're serious about this," he said quietly. "What's brought this on, Sasuke?"

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I just… need to get stronger. There's a lot at stake, and I can't afford to waste any more time."

Iruka's expression softened, and he nodded slowly. "I understand. If this is what you believe you need to do, then I won't stand in your way. But promise me you'll be careful, Sasuke. Don't push yourself too hard."

"I won't," I assured him. "Thank you, Iruka-sensei."

Iruka leaned back in his chair, still looking concerned but also resigned to my decision. "Just make sure you come in every Friday to grab your study materials," he added, a hint of sternness in his voice. "I may be letting you take time off from regular classes, but that doesn't mean you're off the hook when it comes to your education. If I see you slipping in your studies, I'll drag you back to the academy myself."

A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips, despite everything. Typical Iruka—always looking out for his students, even when they made unexpected choices. "Understood, Iruka-sensei. I'll be here every Friday, no excuses."

"Good," he replied, his expression softening again. "Remember, Sasuke, you're not alone in this. If you ever need to talk or need any help, I'm here."

I nodded, appreciating his words more than I could express. With a final nod to Iruka, I left the office, It was time to get to work.

Iruka watched silently as Sasuke left the room, his eyes following the young "boys" retreating figure. A single thought echoed in his mind, disbelief mingled with confusion.

Did Sasuke just smile?

It was an odd sight—one Iruka hadn't witnessed before. The usually stoic, reserved Sasuke had, for just a fleeting moment, allowed a smile to break through. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but unmistakable.

Iruka's brow furrowed. He knew how difficult Sasuke's life had been, how the weight of his family's massacre and the burden of revenge had hardened him. A smile was a rare and precious thing for someone so steeped in sorrow.

Could it be that there was a glimmer of hope or change in Sasuke? Iruka shook his head, trying to clear the confusion. He had always been concerned for the young Uchiha, and this new development only added to his worry.

"No, it was a good thing," Iruka thought, grabbing the stack of papers on his left as he began to grade them. It was about time he got back to work.