Notes: This is an AU that connects to witchbreaker's AU in AO3, titled And Fate Shall Not Be Tested, so if I reference something that's weird, or not in canon, there's your explanation. (And you really should read it, it's an awesome fic.) Started by Panda. Continued by me...

Prologue
By: PandaLove98

Shikako had hoped that when she died she would be able to rest. She had made her peace with the world, had gotten to say goodbye to her precious people, and then, as Edo Tensai was released she and Itachi had shared a smile. It was over.

Instead she woke up again, the start of her new life being only slightly less terrifying and confusing than the previous.

In this world she had no twin, a detail for which she was grateful. She did not think she could stand to have someone taking on Shikamaru's role. She did have siblings, however. In this life she was Aiko, the much beloved youngest of seven. If she found any irony in that there were seven of them, well that was neither here nor there.

This new world was similar to that of the ninja, but only in terms of the fact that its occupants also utilized the energy within them to accomplish amazing feats. It was fundamentally different, however, in that it was predominantly peaceful.

Those who wielded superhuman power called it magic and were themselves called mages. They did not kill, and they were not at war. In fact, there had not been war for a long time.

Sometimes she sits on the roof of her home and wistfully ponders this peace. Wonders if Naruto and Sasuke had established a similar peace. Wistfully daydreams of what could have been had her precious people – Shikamaru ,Mom, Dad, Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi, Ino, Itachi-been born in this world instead.

She tries not to dwell, thinking about home only makes its loss more painful. Still, she cannot help but think that this is a world that Itachi would have liked. Think that perhaps he would see it and share her joy if his promise only held true. Tries not to think of an eternity of cycling alone if it does not.

She quickly found that she was talented in a multitude of magical styles, with a particular fondness of the runic magic which sent a pang of nostalgia through her with its resemblance to the sealing arts that she had once mastered.

Her new family took note of her passion for learning magic and encouraged it. When it became apparent that the small rural town she lived in held no interest for her it was them that encouraged her to join a guild.

She did not belong on a farm, they insisted. The town's library had long been exhausted of new material and she was clearly growing restless, they knew. She would be able to learn more in a guild they argued.

Go, they told her, and so she did.

She finds herself heading to Magnolia Town with the intent of joining Fairy Tail. They were known for their fierce camaraderie and tendency to wreak unintentional destruction. The part of her that misses being on a team and loves explosions could settle for no less.

It is Itachi who recognizes her first. He recognizes her the moment she enters the guild hall, his eyes keen even in this new life.

When he leans over and pokes her forehead, calls her Shikako instead of Aiko, she cannot stop herself from pulling him into a fierce embrace. He kept his promise. I'm not alone.

Okay, another thing pushed to existence by the DOS Forums. Check out the DOS Index Thread to find out where this came from.

This has the potential to be another collab, but Panda is pushing me prompts and I'm writing it. Drabble-style of course.

~Hallen