paixaorpg | Wake up. Turn and face me. [Completed]

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Wake up. Turn and face me. [Completed]

Character(s): Uchiha Sasuke/ Tidus
Content: Sasuke arrives at Joutenheim & meets Tidus
Setting: Joutenheim and whatever random area just beyond.
Time: Evening
Warnings: None currently.

He had been there. He had been right there. And now…now it was all gone. Sasuke spun about, the dark material of his cloak swirling about his form with the motion. Nothing. He wasn’t there anymore. No bridge. No redemption. All of it torn from his hands once again. Unable to catch it, a low growl fled past his lips. Rough and aggravated. Tch…

How had this happened? Only minutes before he had been standing there, yards away from the man he called brother. The kunai in his hand was testament to that. It hadn’t been a dream. Fingers idly slipped along the cool metal edges, a thin line of blood striking up in the wake of its touch. No, this wasn’t a dream.

Nor was it genjutsu. Or at least he was fairly positive it wasn’t. At least it was nothing of his brother’s doing. None of the second-by-second torment, which looped in upon itself. Swirling ever deeper into new levels of mental pain. This was not Itachi’s doing. So then, just what was this?

Dark eyes scanned his surroundings quickly, landed upon the hulking gates before him. Two figures locked in combat it appeared. How fitting. The sight brought a slow smirk to his lips, natural arrogance swiftly working over his previous anger. Packaging the emotion and storing it hastily in some dark corner of his mind. This obviously wasn’t in Sound territory. In fact, it didn’t appear to be like any place he had visited.

His gaze drifted from the gate to the queue of people before him, a small number crowded about what appeared to be a small booth of some sort. Not quite a perfect line though, a few individuals stepping off to the side, peering at the goings-on at the booth. This was going to be annoying, but like most things he had encountered in his life, it was unavoidable. If anything, he might learn where – and more importantly how – he had found himself transported to this new place.

Pulling the tattered hood over his head, Sasuke deposited the kunai back with its siblings, made for the end of the line. It was the most logical place to start at least. And he had learned – years spent as a missing nin, and not just any missing nin, but Orochimaru’s prized pet – had taught him caution. No point in making a scene if you could avoid unnecessary trouble. That was something else he had learned. Most trouble was unnecessary, or more aptly put, most people were unnecessary. Not that he keen on taking lives - there was only one he truly wanted - easily, but dealing with most people was worthless. It’s why he didn’t bother with asking anything from anyone around him. Wait for the booth. If anyone knew, it would be them.

* * * *

After a good thirty minutes – the time spent running through various ways to dispel genjutsu – Sasuke arrived at what appeared to be some weird sort of welcome center. The tourist-driven villages often had a similar set-up, providing maps and coupons and other various We’ll rob you blind paraphernalia to the unsuspecting. However, he was not unsuspecting.

“Name?”

“. . . .” Sasuke started at the question, eyes narrowing at the man, who for all it was worth, he probably could have killed within seconds. But the purpose was not to draw attention, at least not at this stage. Absently some small part of his mind wondered just how much he had picked up from Orochimaru. “Uchiha Sasuke.”

Wasn’t about to deny his name either though. Not even for the sake of security. Damnable pride had its demands about certain things. That was one thing he could never hand over.

Without a glance upward, the man passed him a map and urged him along with a flick of his wrist through the gate. Taking the proffered paper, not quite sure what it was, the youngest heir of the Uchiha name stared down, thought about pressuring for answers. But he had also learned who to ask and who not. This man wasn’t about to offer up anything, and he doubted even a severe amount of pain would pull anything extremely useful from his lips.

“Tch…” Jerking his head up, he made for the entrance. Only to be halted as a pair of hands shoved a small metallic…object towards his chest. What the hell? He glanced at the person threatening to poke him in the torso with whatever that thing was, lips curving in a vicious snarling gesture, a hand prepared with kunai.

“It's free!"

Annoying. A weapon-worn hand shot out, taking the object with a rough jolt, as the other released its hold on the kunai. Another lesson learned: some things were better off simply being accepted. If worse came to worse, he could use it as a weapon.

With no further delays, he made his way past the looming structure. Now, seriously, just where the Hell was he?

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There had been water just moments before, and suddenly there was none.

“Whoa!” Tidus landed hard on his stomach on solid ground. Surrounded by air. What happened? he thought, climbing to his feet. He rubbed his head. Ugh. I wish somebody'd warn me if they're just going to throw me onto land. Wait. Land. Land!! I'm ALIVE! "I'm ALIVE!!" he yelled aloud, jumping up and down on the solid ground. This was great! So much for fading away with the Fayth's awakening. Buuut where was here?

Tidus looked around. The first thing he was able to make out were the domes. A huge sprawling set of them lay not too far away. The next thing he saw was an immense line of people trailing into them. Okay, this definitely isn’t the Farplane I remember. There were big waterfalls there and a comforting orangey light. This is too different for it to be the same place. Tidus looked around for more landmarks, but he couldn't see much in the dim evening light. All there was were those massive domes.

What’s inside? Tidus could not help his growing curiosity and ran closer for a better look. There was a massive elaborate gate that everyone had to filter through. The gate was guarded by two massive giants. For a moment Tidus thought they were real, but they were far too still, and no one could hold their arms in those positions for that long.

Let’s see if one of these people waiting in line know what’s going on. Tidus walked up to a woman waiting in line. He tugged on her sleeve. “Miss, excuse me, but do you know what’s going on here?”

The woman looked down her nose at Tidus, plucking his fingers from her sleeve disdainfully. “Excuse me, young man, but I’ve waited in line for more than an hour in this spot. I don’t appreciate line jumpers, and I don’t think they do, either.” She lazily pointed to the people behind her, the closest of which looked mighty unhappy with Tidus’ intrusion into the line.

Tidus swallowed hard. “Uh, sorry. I’m new around here.” He offered an apologetic grin.

“Even if you are new, you should already know basic manners. Didn't your mother teach you anything? You do not jump in line. To the back with you!” The lady glared at him, hostile.

Tidus backed off. No way am I getting into a fight with some woman over a stupid place in line. I wasn't going to cut! Besides, it isn’t as if this line never moves. It actually seems pretty quick for one of its length. He walked lightly towards the back of the line, head held high. The walk took him longer than he would have liked, and he was fooled more than once by a bend in the line. Geez, how long IS this line, anyway?

At long last, he took his place at the very rear. Even from there, the domes were still impressive. I wonder what’s so great about them, he thought. Personally, I’d rather stay outside. But someone I know might be in there. I’ll look around in there for a bit, and if nothing comes of it, I’ll just come back out here again and keep going. No major loss.

Yuna, if you’re in there, wait for me. I won’t be long, I promise!

The wait took forever to Tidus, impatient to get inside. He tried to make casual conversation with the man in front of him, but the man wasn't up for a chat. After what seemed like hours, Tidus was finally up front by the booth. A smiling woman in some kind of uniform greeted him.

"Name?"

"Uh, I'm Tidus," he replied. Why did they need to know his name? Most cities didn't care who came and went, but he shrugged it off. It was nothing to get upset over.

"This is for you. Welcome to Paixao." The woman offered him a blue metal square of some sort. Tidus turned it over in his hands curiously. What is it? He wasn't given much time for inspection, though, before he was ushered through the gates hurriedly.

Wow. This place is HUGE! Tidus was nearly overwhelmed by the sheer size of the place alone. So many people! And they all kinda look like me. All blonds! No, wait. There's someone up there with dark hair. Hmm. He must be a visitor like me. He might have a reason for being here, not like me. I was just dumped here. Tidus pushed his way towards the dark-haired person.

"Hey! HEY!!" he yelled, trying to grab the person's attention. "You! With the dark hair! Stop!"

Sasuke tilted his head skyward, eyes scanning what appeared to be an enclosure of sorts. It made him uneasy. He’d never really taken to the idea of being caged. Though others might argue that he was nothing more than some sort of caged feeder snaker, having run off to join Orochimaru, but he knew it was nothing of the sort. He had his agenda. Nothing would deter him from it.

“Tch…” But at the moment there was nothing he could do about it. Being collared was the last of his worries. Drawing his gaze from the ceiling, Sasuke began to look around him, lips dropping into an irritated frown. All these people…what was with them? It was as if someone had gone overboard with Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. Not unlike another blond he knew. However, these weren’t really the same person, now that he began to focus on their facial features. Just the same…look. He almost found it creepy. But, after spending years with that Snake, he had learned to fight the urge to shudder.

They seeme relatively harmless at the moment. No point in worrying what he could probably kill instantly. On to other things. Turning his attention to the device in his hands, Sasuke flipped it over, studied it from every possible angle. Still couldn’t figure out what the hell it was. He’d either have to ask someone or dump the damn thing. But, if they had been given them to everyone who entered the city, there must be some purpose, perhaps even a critical one, in having it.

He would’ve given more time to figuring out the object had he not heard a voice ringing out behind him. Loud and annoying. Glancing around, Sasuke noted that there were no others with “dark hair”. Pale pink lips forming a tight line, the youngest Uchiha spun around. Eyes narrowed at the figure, who wasn’t anyone he recognized. In fact, wasn’t even dressed like someone from any of the countries he was familiar with.

Carefully storing the small silvery device in pocket, right side mid-way down his thigh, Sasuke finally gave the blond a once-over. Meticulously noting the build, possible strength. Obviously wasn’t too bright. Tch…why was he being reminded of that dead-last loser at this moment?

“What the hell do you want?” he said, voice cold though not quite threatening. At the moment, it wasn’t worth coming to that. Doubted the stranger had any such intent in mind.

"Whoa. No need to be rude." Tidus caught up to the dark-haired person. It was a boy, about his age, who dressed in some pretty odd clothes. He's definitely not from Spira. I've seen most of that land and no one dresses like he does.

"Uhh... You don't look like you're from around here." He smiled awkwardly. Nothing like stating the obvious. "I just wanted to talk." Was this kid going to get hostile? Tidus really hoped not, as the dark-haired boy didn't look eager for a friend. "What's your name?"

Yes, there was nothing like stating the obvious. Moron. Had he been several years younger he probably would’ve called the blond exactly that. However, this wasn’t Konoha, he wasn’t thirteen, and this kid wasn’t the proven dead-last lose Naruto had once been.

Still, he didn’t radiate hostile intent, which created some room for Sasuke to relax. Shoulders dipped down a little, releasing some of the tension the sudden approach had shuttled through his muscles. Still, eyes remained mere slits, scouring the blond’s form for any trace of ill will towards him. Never could be too cautious. And seeing as he couldn’t make hide nor tail of this new place, it was better to remained guarded.

“Are you from here?” he asked, ignoring the name question for the time being. No need to hand that out just yet. Not after he had already given it up to the entrance booth. You don't look like you're from around here. Did that mean this guy was from here? Or was he in the same situation as himself, unaware of how or why he had been summoned – if that way the way to put it – to this world?

In either case, just wanting to talk was not something the Snake prodigy was keen on. Tch…reminded him way too much of that idiot. And that was irritating him, way down in the pit of his mind where he had shoved those memories. Why, when tossed into this unexplained situation, was he seeking comfort in those?

Apparently the dark-haired kid didn't want to talk that much. Well, that was okay. Tidus would make use of the little scraps of conversation he was offered.

"Nah, I'm not from around here." He didn't look that much like the bland people around them, did he? "I just came in through that gate back there." He jerked a thumb over his shoulder, indicating the Joutenheim gate. "I suddenly... appeared outside. It's weird. Did the same thing happen to you?"

He seems pretty guarded for just a casual tourist. He might've come from somewhere else too. And why didn't he give me his name? That was unusual, but not everyone was as open as Tidus was.

“Aa…” he muttered in response. And that was all for that, just the simple huff of agreement. So, this kid was another like him. Just how many then were there? All those people lined out there at that gate…had they all been suddenly pulled into this world?

Dark eyes looked beyond the blond, back to entrance where even more people were stumbling through. Only led to his next question: Why them? His mind began to work through the various reasons for his being here, what it could possibly have to do with the young man before him and all the other people around. Did this mean that Itachi had also been sent here? Or was it some highly selective process? Too many questions and not enough answers.

At least, none were coming from the blond if he too was in the same situation. This was getting him no where. Sasuke began to turn around, stopped. “What’s your name, and where are you from?”

If he couldn’t find out about this place, he could at least figure out where this guy was from. Maybe he had been pulled from his own world, some odd corner he had yet to tour through. Or if not, then maybe some sort of connection could be gleaned from the information he offered up.

Sasuke was not about to admit he found the boy’s presence slightly reassuring. Something like what he had once known, and yet so far removed from it. This was already getting unnecessarily complicated…

It seemed like the dark-haired boy was already losing interest. Was Tidus supposed to volunteer more information when the other kid could care less? And he was turning away. I think I'm bothering him. And he doesn't like answering questions much. Not a social one, this guy, he thought unhappily. No, hold it. The boy turned back a little and asked a question.

Well, I have no problems giving out my name. "I'm Tidus." He smiled warmly. "I'm from Zanarkand. It's part of a place called Spira. I really don't know how I got here, or really where here is. I'm actually supposed to be dead or something."

Man, his new acquaintance must be really paranoid. He hadn't answered anything so far. It would try his patience in any other situation, but he was happy he was being given the time of day in this strange place. "It's okay if you don't want to tell me your name or where you're from. I can give you a nickname if you'd rather." He smiled some, trying to get some sort of reaction from the other boy.

Dead? How could you be dead and yet alive in some other place? Though it seemed impossible, Sasuke’s eyes narrowed even further. This time more from annoyance – this guy really was an idiot – at that statement than anything else. Still, it had answered one thing for him: he most certainly was not from the same realm.

And that just sent his mind tumbling into a whole new set of questions. Not from his world. And this wasn’t anything like his home. So just where was this place? Another dimension? As if someone’s genjutsu had taken on a completely tangible form. This was not sitting well with him. If something like that were able to manifest itself into real life, outside of the mind…

“Tch…Uchiha Sasuke,” he replied curtly. He wasn’t afraid to hand out his name, but there was no point in tossing it around unnecessarily. Though, the more he began to think about it, the better he thought it would be to stick with this guy. Better two in this strange world than striking out alone. At least for the moment. If it failed to work to his advantage he could simply leave the moron. “Don’t you dare give me a nickname.”

Last thing he wanted was some retarded name stuck to his persona for the remainder of his time on this planet. Or whatever it was exactly. Particularly if it was something horrendously cute. Almost like one of those damn females fans he had back in Konoha. Even the memory made him wince. Eyes finally relaxed as the moment passed, finally decided this Tidus kid was no threat.

"Relax, I won't give you a nickname." He bit his lip, trying very hard to keep from laughing. If the threat of a nickname was enough to start this Uchiha kid up, he must be strung tighter than a bowstring. Okay, so I won't push him. He doesn't seem the type to joke around and tease. He's done nothing but stare at me like I'm from outer space, too.

"And I saw you made a face when I mentioned I was supposed to be dead. Well, I was! I could see through my own hands!" He paused, shaking his head. "You probably had to be there to believe me." He glanced away in a moment of embarrassment.

He looked back with a brighter smile. "Well, let's move on. Uh... Do you have any idea where we are? Or what these things are for?" He held up his newly-received metal box. "Everyone gets one of them on the way in, I think."

“Guess I had to be,” Sasuke replied dryly. He still didn’t understand that, though maybe for Tidus that had been the way he had come to this place. Seemingly disappearing. Sasuke couldn’t quite remember how it had happened for him. Just that one minute he had been there, preparing to face his brother, and the next he had been standing outside those gates. An awing span of blackness standing in between those two moments.

At the mention of that weird device, Sasuke reached down and pulled his from where he had pocketed it earlier. Fingers once again went quickly over the object, scanning it expertly with calloused tips. “I have no idea what this is supposed to be.”

Glancing over at Tidus’ own metallic box, dark eyes flashing red for a moment as he activated the Sharingan, he sighed. Frustrated that nothing was really being answered. New things were learned, yes. But nothing really worthwhile. His eyes couldn’t see anything…unusual about that device. At least, nothing about it from his own world could be detected.

“As for where we are, I don’t know either. It’s unlike any place I have ever been.” He had never felt so useless in his life. At least, not recently.

"Me too." He looked around. "Just a lot of huge domes. I've never seen an entire city made of them. And do you see how everyone looks the same?" He shook his head. "Kinda creepy if you ask me. I don't know if it's like this through the entire place, though. From the outside it looks like the domes go on for miles. We could go exploring. I have someone I need to look for."

Tidus hoped Uchiha, or whatever he said his name was, would want to stick with him for that long. He's lightening up, though. He isn't hopeless. Maybe we can be traveling partners. I'll go through this world alone if I have to, but I'd rather have a familiar face around. Even if he ended up talking to himself for most of the time. And even if he had to be careful. He saw the way Uchiha's eyes had changed. That couldn't have been natural. Now that really makes me wonder what his story is!

“Aa…It’s not like anything I’ve seen from where I come from either,” he mused, more to himself though than to the blond. It was strange. And the people…they didn’t seem to care much, to notice the strangers constantly arriving in their midst. Was this always happening then? Not just some sudden occurrence, but something that went on all the time? He couldn’t even fathom, if that truly was the case, how many displaced people were wandering about here.

He looked over Tidus again, the look in his eyes darkening for a second at the suggestion of exploring together, then suddenly lightening up. Not that you could call the look friendly. But, if anything, it wasn’t threatening nor did it carry the vicious bite of hatred. It was simply cold. Devoid of much feeling, though there was something else simmering there. Deep within his gaze.

Really annoying. This kid could be so much like him. Full of chatter and eagerness. Sasuke began to wonder if he was just as oblivious as Naruto with all those I know you’ve noticed too but I’m gonna say it out loud anyways statements of his. Still, at least the guy had suggested traveling together so he was spared the embarrassment of it.

“Looking for someone?” It seemed obvious enough. After all, if they had all been pulled from some other world, then you would be searching for someone you knew. But, was it the same sort of searching he was doing? If so, this guy could be more useful than he appeared. Even so, he gave a nod of his head, then completed the turn he had started to make. This time though, Sasuke waited for the blond to reach his side so they could head off together.

"Yeah. There's someone I know from Spira. And she's pretty important to me. I don't know if she came through to this place, but I really need to find her." Tidus didn't think going into the whole romance story would interest Sasuke. Letting it stand at 'some girl' would work better.

Uchiha had started to turn again... but this time he waited. We're going to do this. We're actually going to explore some new world together! This is great! Tidus quickly caught up and began walking.

Now it was time to move onto more practical matters. "Um... So I think you saw outside that it was getting kind of dark, Uchiha. I think we'll need to find some place for tonight. You know, later on after we make some progress." He looked up at the dome. I can't even see the top of it. It's just that huge! "And I don't know if you ate before coming here, but we'll probably need a dinner, or something to eat." Tidus was thrilled to say 'we.' It was better to plan things with another person. Oh, he could get by on his own, but if there was an option of someone else being involved, he would take the chance and partner up.

And I need to see why exactly they gave us these metal boxes. When we stop for the night, I'm taking it out and seeing exactly what it does! It's some kind of machina, I know that.

Sasuke merely grunted in response to that first part. Yeah, he could’ve cared less about the romance behind it. Seeing as he was pretty much oblivious to such matters in his own life. There had been a time….but not anymore. Lips twitched with mild irritation at the thought. Always reminding him of what he had given up. That part of his self just couldn’t let it go.

As for the other things….The Uchiha heir smirked. Obviously this kid wouldn’t last a minute in his life. As far as he was concerned he could sleep anywhere. And food…that would come along eventually. With things as they currently stood, the last thing he felt was hunger. Still…What a moron. They really were alike, now why couldn’t he just get over it?

“Don’t you generally need to pay for things like that?” Now it was his turn to state the obvious. That was going to be a problem. How to pay when he had no idea what the currency was. Maybe they had a barter system set up here. Or at least, there would be people willing to participate in such a thing. He couldn’t say much for Tidus, but he was capable of handling most tasks. Even better if it involved weaponry. Better still: good eyesight.

That reminded him. They had been given something else upon entering this place. Pulling to a sudden halt, Sasuke whipped out the folded piece of paper he had been given. Quickly worked it open to reveal a map. Now this was something he could use. Too bad he didn’t know what the hell all of it meant. As far as directions went, he was fine. But what did those names mean?

Tidus laughed nervously. "Yeah, those things do cost money. A hotel can be expensive. And who knows where we'll find food. I don't even know what we can pay with here. I know I don't have much on me." They'd have to find a hotel, if one existed in this weird world. And I doubt Uchiha would want to share a room with a stranger like me. He isn't the sharing type, definitely. So we'd have to buy two rooms, which would cost more money.

"Uh, you know, there have been many nights where I've camped outside with my friends. I don't think we really need a hotel. But we will need food eventually." He looked around as they walked. It was a nice-looking area. Everything was sparkling and beautiful. I guess they can't grow real things in these domes. All the grass and trees aren't real. They're beautiful, but they're not real. I'll need to go outside every so often if I end up staying here for any serious amount of time.

"So... do you have any plans for your time here? Anything you want to see? Anybody you're looking for too?" He looked at Uchiha curiously. Their plans could wait, especially since Uchiha wasn't volunteering much anyway.

A hotel could be useful though. Maybe they wouldn’t be able to stay, but certainly they could learn something from the owners and quite possibly the patrons. “We should at least try to find one. They might be able to tell us something,” he said quietly, once more lost in his own thoughts.

Trying to figure this all out was annoying him. None of it really made sense. This was real. Very real. And it was more frustrating than trying to catch up to his brother. At least that had been something within his reach.

Eyes began to drift away from the map, the Snake prodigy having exhibited an uncanny ability to navigate without paying any attention to the path before him. The environment here was just as sterile as the people he had noted. Somehow fake, lifeless. It unnerved him to a slight degree. Having spent a good deal of his life surrounded by nature, using it to the best of his abilities as a shinobi, this was bordering upon upsetting even. Almost.

“If I’m looking for anyone here, it would be my brother,” he replied tersely. The thing was, who was to say his brother was even here? He hadn’t been present at the gate. So unless they had been sent to different regions, which was entirely possible now that he had seen a map, Itachi wasn’t here. Wasn’t anywhere on this world. That thought pulled a frustrated snarl out of his throat.

As for plans…Tch. What a ridiculous question. He wasn’t a tourist. Hadn’t come here to sight-see till his heart was content. That question wasn’t even worth a response.

Uchiha was still in a bad mood. I know when to back off. Don't want him snapping on me or anything. But now I know that he's looking for his brother. That's good. We can look together. There's a lot of ground to cover, judging by that map he pulled out before.

"I see." Still the same people surrounded them, and still the same fake environment stretched on. "Well, I don't know what the symbol for hotel is for on the map, but we could always ask someone for directions." Yeah, like anyone else would give him as much attention as Uchiha had. He remembered trying to talk to the people in line. If everyone else was the same way, then it'd be good as useless to ask someone. Besides, being so close to the gate, they'd all be tourists or travelers too. No one would know. "Scratch that. We'll have to find it on our own. Nobody here seems to be of the helpful sort."

“Aa…” Fingers refolded the map with nimble movements. Nothing excessive about the way they worked. Streamlined and to the point. It was part of what years of endless, revenge-driven training had bought him.

“I’m sure we’ll come upon it. Or something like it,” Sasuke stated as he tucked the paper away within the folds of his cloak. Like Tidus, he still couldn’t figure out what the symbols on the map stood for, but he would find out. Somehow. Being deterred was not something that came easily to him. He would be damned if he didn’t figure this place out. At least enough to get him back on track. If Itachi was here, then here was where he needed to be. Otherwise, he would have to find a way out.

Still, some small part of his mind urged him that there were other things besides his brother. Other reasons to find his way back to Konoha. Other reasons to search this place entirely. With a click of his tongue, he dismissed those thoughts. Last thing he needed was a distraction. Once they found a place to rest, he’d have plenty of time to contemplate his situation and the possibility that his former friends could be facing something along this same line.

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Wake up. Turn and face me. [Completed]

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