Grandpa wanted to forbid me from using the transformation jutsu for a few weeks to train and help me with my studies but I was adamant about using the jutsu, instead, we agreed that I would wait a whole week before heading off.

  During that whole week, I'd spent my time training chakra control, practicing medical ninjutsu on the rabbits I hunted, and studying basic techniques of self-defense.

  Before I attempted the transformation jutsu to become Whiskers for the second time, Grandpa sat me down, his expression grave and his demeanor serious. He warned me about the dangers of being alone in a strange place and surrounded by strangers. He made me promise him countless things, each one more important than the last.

  His most crucial demand: if I felt even the slightest hint of danger, I must, without fail, undo the transformation and return home.

  "Two hours," Grandpa stated sternly, his eyes fierce and unwavering, arms crossed tightly over his chest.

  Sighing in defeat, I nodded, feeling a mix of anticipation and apprehension.

  "See you in two hours, Grandpa," I said, forcing a reassuring smile to my lips. "Don't worry about me. I'll be back right here where I left off."

  POOF!

  ~~~

  The instant I opened my eyes, I found myself transported to a new location, one that was far away from where the snow didn't reach.

  There I was, standing atop a roof under a clear sky in a strange village with no trace of the cold winter breeze. The memories of my last transformation came flooding back to me as I gazed out over the scene before me, my heart sank with the fear of the enormous fox that had attacked the village just a week ago. Fortunately, there was no fox in sight, but the air was thick with the weight of grief and despair.

  The devastation unfolded before my eyes, stark and unforgiving. Buildings lay in ruins, their structures crumbled and broken, while the remnants of homes and lives were scattered like fallen leaves. Bushes and trees were trampled flat against the earth, stripped of their beauty.

  Sadness and grief washed over me in an instant, chasing away the confidence I had felt just moments before.

  As I scanned the nearly obliterated village, my gaze landed on the carved mountains in the distance for the first time, their imposing presence a reminder of the strength that once resided here. Suddenly, a bright flash of light illuminated my mind's eye, and I quickly closed my eyes following Grandpa's rules.

  I saw three more faces appear beside the four that were already craved.

  A woman, a man, and lastly another man.

  I felt a deep sense of urgency; this information was crucial, and I resolved to ask Grandpa about it as soon as I returned home.

  As I stared down at the village from my perch atop the roof, I observed the villagers coming together in the face of adversity. It was a poignant sight: men and women, young and old, moving with a sense of purpose and determination. They donned their work equipment and tools, each one ready to contribute to the task of rebuilding what had been lost. I watched as they cleared away the rubble of collapsed buildings while others ventured off into the nearby forest to gather more wood, their spirits unyielding despite the devastation that surrounded them.

  A smile crept onto my lips as I took in the scene, feeling a swell of pride for this united community. The spirit of camaraderie radiated from them, a testament to their resilience and strength. I realized that this village, despite its scars, was a living embodiment of hope.

  A wave of self-pity washed over me, reminding me of the warmth and unity I never had.

  Just then, a gentle breeze swept past, carrying with it the crisp scent of snow and pine. It jolted me back to reality, and I suddenly recalled my urgent reason for being here. I had little time to waste; I needed to search for Itachi.

  With determination, I leaped off the roof in my agile cat form while darting my eyes around, scanning the village for anything familiar that could lead me to him.

  Grandpa had told me that my gift was more special than my mother's and that even he couldn't explain why the transformation jutsu had the power to teleport me to a location far outside the Land of Frost. Even at a young age, I understood that it was now my responsibility to unravel the mysteries surrounding my abilities. The weight of that realization settled on my shoulders like an unwelcome mantle, heavy and pressing. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that all my answers were somehow intertwined with Itachi Uchiha.

  I slowed my pace as I landed on the edge of one rooftop, taking a moment to assess the distance to the next. The leap seemed daunting; it was a considerable gap, and I wondered if I could make it in this form. But I felt a surge of confidence, bolstered by my training in chakra control. I just needed to focus, channel my energy into my four legs, and launch myself into the air.

  As I prepared to sprint toward the edge, I felt my claws extend from my paws, sharp and ready. I couldn't help but marvel at the sensation, flexing my claws in awe. But I quickly shook off my excitement, reminding myself that I had a mission to complete.

  I dashed forward, my heart pounding in sync with the rhythm of my paws against the rooftop. As I reached the edge, I propelled myself into the air, the world blurring around me. For a brief moment, I felt a sense of freedom that was intoxicating. But as I reached for my destination, I realized it was just an inch out of reach.

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  Time seemed to stretch as I sailed through the air, the ground rushing up to meet me. My instincts kicked in, and I scrambled to adjust my body for a safe landing.

  A cat always lands on its feet, I thought.

  With a swift twist and a flick of my tail, my paws landed on something that was definitely not the ground.

  "Ugh."

  I heard a startled grunt as two hands shot up, grabbing me with surprising gentleness.

  As I blinked in confusion, I found myself staring back at an older boy with spiky silver hair, his striking features accentuated by the mask that obscured the lower half of his face. The most distinctive aspect of his appearance was the headband he wore, tilted casually over his left eye. As I focused on the headband, I recognized the symbol on the metal plate. It was that symbol again-the one I had meant to ask Grandpa about but had completely slipped my mind.

  The silver-haired boy held me up by the scruff with a hand, his grip firm. "How did you end up on top of my head?" he asked, his voice a mix of boredom and curiosity. But just as quickly, he seemed to dismiss the question, realizing that it didn't matter how.

  Before I could understand the situation, a sudden shout pierced the air. "Kakashhiiii!!!"

  Both of us turned our heads instinctively toward the source of the voice, and I felt my heart race as I caught sight of a dust storm hurtling towards us at breakneck speed. As I focused more intently, I noticed another older boy at the heart of the chaos, running with such intensity that he was kicking up clouds of dust around him. His unmistakable dark bowl-cut and prominent eyebrows made him stand out, and the green jumpsuit he wore, coupled with his arms wrapped in white bandages, only heightened my astonishment at his striking appearance.

  "Not again," I heard the silver-haired boy-Kakashi-groan, the weariness in his tone suggesting that this was a familiar occurrence.

  "Let's see who can clear out the rubble the fastest!!" The bowl-cut boy shouted enthusiastically, his excitement palpable as he barreled forward. "I thought of this new technique that will definitely beat you for sure!"

  In an instant, Kakashi dropped me, and I landed almost gracefully on my four paws. Yet, before I could get a word out of me, the two older boys zoomed away from each other, like a pair of cat and mouse on a high speed chase.

  I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle as I watched the two dust storms rampaging off into the distance. Their rivalry filled the air with a playful energy, and in that moment, I felt that sense of longing again. That feeling of wanting to be part of something but I knew now was not the time.

  In my cat form, I darted through the damaged streets of the village, weaving between villagers and shinobis alike. To everyone around me, I was just another stray cat in a place teeming with strays of almost every kind.

  As I continued my search, I suddenly found myself at a dead end. I had been following a boy who caught my attention. At the back of his shirt embellished a symbol I recognized from my dreams-a fan. He had dark and spiky hair, styled messily with longer strands at the back. He also wore the same headband as the other two older boys earlier and the same high-collar, dark blue shirt as Itachi, but he looked to be around eight years old.

  I watched him from behind as he approached the rubble of what used to be a brick wall. There was something about this boy that intrigued me; he exuded an aura of strength and tranquility, a calming presence that enveloped those around him even beckoning the hungry cats. Kneeling, he began to pull out cans of cat food, his calm demeanor effortlessly drawing the nearby strays toward him.

  My instincts told me that he might know something about Itachi, and since I had no idea where to find him, I figured this was my best chance. So, like the other strays, I cautiously approached him.

  When the boy noticed me, he turned his head and locked eyes with me. His ebony eyes were as dark as the sea.

  A smile broke across his face. "You hungry? I've got enough for you too!" His voice was cheerful and inviting.

  He rummaged through his bag and pulled out a can of cat food, opening it with a practiced hand and placing it down in front of me. I watched him as he returned to pet the other strays, his gentle touch eliciting purrs of approval from the appreciative cats.

  "I'm not hungry," I managed to say, the words slipping out before I realized the implications.

  The boy's ears twitched and he turned his head, his eyes widening in surprise as he looked at me. "You can talk?" His expression was a mix of disbelief and excitement mirroring my own.

  "I can talk?"

  I hadn't anticipated that I could speak in this form-what an unexpected twist!

  Feeling somewhat awkward, I decided to try again. "I guess I can," my voice sounding strange in my ears. The idea of a talking cat seemed absurd, but there was no denying the reality of the moment.

  The boy turned fully to face me, his attention now completely focused on me. His gaze felt intense as if he were trying to peer into my very soul and see who I truly was. "I've never seen a talking cat before! How is that possible? Are you some kind of special summoning?"

  "Summoning? No, I'm not," I replied, surprised by the thought.

  The boy's curiosity deepened, and I could sense his mind racing as he tried to grasp the reality of what I was. His brow furrowed in concentration as he contemplated the possibilities.

  "If you're not a summoning, then..." He rested a hand on his chin, his eyes narrowing in thought. "A transformation jutsu?"

  "Yeah-" The words slipped out but just as soon as it left my lips, a bolt of uncertainty shocked me.

  Was it wise to reveal information about myself so readily?

  Suddenly, the boy's expression shifted to one of seriousness as he stared down at me, his gaze piercing. "I would think I know all the kids at the academy and the genins, but I haven't heard anyone with your voice before." His tone shifted, becoming more interested. "Why exactly are you in a cat transformation?"

  "I'm looking for someone," I replied, cutting straight to the point, my urgency bubbling to the surface. "I think you might know him."

  "Who is it?" he asked, a flicker of intrigue evident in his eyes.

  "A boy named Itachi Uchiha."

  The boy pursed his lips, falling silent as he resumed his contemplation. "Hmm..."

  "Do you know him?" I asked, nearly bursting with anticipation.

  "How do I know you're not a spy?" he countered, his voice serious.

  A spy? The thought had never crossed my mind, and I was taken aback by the sheer absurdity of it.

  "How do I know you're not concealing your identity in this cat transformation, looking to steal useful information now that our village is vulnerable?" His tone was calm, but it sent a shiver down my spine. The friendly demeanor he had just moments ago had transformed into the cold detachment of a shinobi. "Why would our enemies send a young shinobi like you? But to think that you had infiltrated our village without anyone knowing-you must be quite the talent."

  "What?! No!" Panic surged within me, and I stammered in my haste to correct him. The mere suggestion of being a spy was ridiculous, yet the weight of his words pressed heavily on my chest.

  Before I could gather my thoughts, I saw the glint of a kunai as something sharp press close against my neck, its sharp edge barely grazing my fur. My heart raced in terror as I looked up to meet the boy's gaze. What were once warm ebony eyes now glowed with the haunting crimson of my dreams-those same blood-red eyes that had haunted my nights. They pierced through me, probing every inch of my being with an intensity that sent chills coursing through my veins, turning my blood to ice.

  How was it possible for someone so young to possess such a merciless gaze?

  "Who are you, and what is your purpose?" he demanded, his voice steady and unwavering. "You won't like it if you lie to me."

  At that moment, my promise to Grandpa echoed in my mind: if I sensed any threat to my life, I must undo the transformation and return home.

  "I'm Aki Natsuri from the Land of Frost," I stated, trying to hold onto a semblance of strength despite the turmoil churning within me. "I am no shinobi and I have no intentions of harming anyone or your village. My only goal is to meet Itachi Uchiha, and he just happens to be from here."

  "Why must you meet him?" He inquired, still holding onto the kunai.

  "Because..." I paused, afraid that my reasons may not be enough but there was nothing I could think of as of this instance but the truth.

  "...He saved my life."