Title: Restarting Life From Zero Alternative

Summary: At age 36, Uzumaki Naruko died with very few regrets with her family by her side. Having achieved her dreams and formed a wonderful family she was content on just passing away and entrusting her will to the next generation and to those that outlived her. Yet, life had a weird way of operating whenever Naruko was involved. (OP time-travelling !femNaruto)

Author's notes: Like I said in my other version of this story, after reading the first two chapters again, it felt that I've made a mistake publishing the second chapter so fast, it felt like a bad choice and made the story a bit uninteresting for me, it essentially made it into a crappy slice-of-life with a bit of romance and some humour. It doesn't really have anything to move the plot further since Sasuke already remembers her and she doesn't have to do anything to gain his friendship and later have him fall in love with her, she wouldn't have to worry about him defecting or choose someone over her and as far as action goes, she and Sasuke were the strongest shinobi alive and no one should be able to stand up to them even if they were in their 12 y.o bodies.

BUT a lot of people seemed to like it and I can see why, it definetely has its good points and it would be interesting to continue it as well. I'm sure it can make a good fanfic as well if I don't fuck up. So yeah! The other story would still be up, and I would update each route. I would do my best to update it along with this one and 'Till I colapse'.

Which route do you like more, though? I'm intrigued.

Chapter 1: Stay Alive

Danzo wasn't sure how a single twelve-year-old girl was able to crack through his passive stoic and fearless attitude. He never thought he'd be shaking like a leaf standing in front of what was supposed to be a knuckleheaded talentless academy student. An ant that was supposed to be crushed if it stood in his way. A worthless ninja wannabe fault of his idiot rival Hiruzen. He had faced the bloodiest of wars and had escaped the most fearsome opponents. He even came up on top usually.

This was nothing in comparison. It should've been nothing.

Clearly, he had been wrong, oh so wrong.

The girl just strode into his hideout -hidden hideout- with that so unnerving cheeky smile of hers, backhanding the mightiest of his shinobis without a care in the world and sending whoever dared to stand in her way flying like the ant he had made her out to be.

He had only one thought as she stood facing him, that smile of hers ticking at his nerves, her aura instilling a kind of fear he had never thought he'd experience.

Just how much had Hiruzen been hiding from him.

He should've given the man more credit. He clearly wasn't the peace-loving old fool he made him out to be. Maybe he was a peace-loving genius if this was the product of his ideals.

''Ma, Ma. That's not very nice, dattebane,'' The girl had let out in a faked disappointed tone, his shinobi- trained by his own hands to be the perfect weapons unparalleled in their strength- lay by her feet, unconscious. ''And here I thought we'd sit down and settle things in a friendly manner.''

Danzo didn't answer. He didn't know what to say at the face of the young raging storm that was the Uzumaki. She was strong, extremely so. He couldn't wait for her to be by his side. She'd become his new pawn, the perfect pawn.

He'd maybe come to regret using Kotoamatsukami just to get her to his side, but with her services, he was sure he'd be unstoppable and Hiruzen would not be able to deny him this great asset, not when the girl would be so adamant on being on his side. The soft-hearted fool would not be able to take her away from him when she becomes so attached to him.

''Hey, don't think on using that eye on me now, dattebane.'' The girl growled and in an instant pain shot through his right eye socket and his unbound hand shot towards the place where shishui's eye should have been. It was gone.

''Problem solved.'' She grinned at him, and for the first time since god knows how many years fear started to show on his face, and a growl of anger escaped his throat. She was far too amused by all of this. She was having far too much fun. He looked at her, more accurately glared because he worked extremely hard to get that eye, plotted for days to get his hand on it without a hitch and she just tore it away like it was nothing. He would make the brat pay! If he could that is.

''I hope you don't mind me taking that, Shinobi-san. You see I just hate getting mind controlled, sorry.'' She didn't sound apologetic at all, her tone was rather mocking.

He couldn't do anything but watch as the eye was sealed away out of his reach, and his mind screamed at him to do something, to launch at her, make her pay, make her see how much of a bad idea she made by attacking him and taunting him, but he found himself stuck in place fear holding him back, even with the knowledge that he had nine lives to spare.

The little demon's face -maybe the villagers had been right calling her that after all- scrunched up in thought and she gave him a pointed look.

''Now I'm curious, does your Izanagi have the ability to get you the eye back or not?''

Her amusement just seemed to grow bigger at the shocked expression that had settled on his face. How did she know about Shishui's eye, let alone the Sharingan arm he had? He didn't hesitate to voice his thoughts.

''How do you know of the Sharingans, child?'' He barely suppressed the wince that came with his statement, he hated the obvious fright that his voice was laced with. No one knew about them except Itachi and Orochimaru and even then their knowledge was about one or the other. No one! Not even his most trusted tools, not Hiruzen and not the Hyuuga clan. The seal he kept on his bandages assured that. yet, here was the resident jinchiruki privy to his little secret.

She shrugged.

''I am from the future.'' She said fully expecting him to believe her.

She was a good liar he could tell, even if her lie was completely and utterly unbelievable and farfetched. Even so, every feature of her posture was telling him that was the absolute and complete truth. He had almost believed her, almost.

She would have been a great spy. Her astonishing deceiving ability coupled with her fighting capabilities she could escape from any situation that her ridiculous lies could get her in.

It was a shame he hadn't got his hands on her sooner.

''I am sorry Shinobi-san but similar to the mind-controlling eye, that right-hand doesn't really belong to you now does it?'' She said.

Another surge of pain shot through his shoulder before the girl was back standing in front of him holding the hand casually. God, he hadn't even seen her move again.

Sealing the hand in one of her scrolls she spoke again.

''I'm not going to kill you today. Or any other day honestly,'' She smirked, an unsettling smirk that didn't really sit well with him. ''But I know someone that would be dying to do so, and I'm not even sure if I would be able to stop them even with how much I'd like to use my therapy no Jutsu on you.''

A sense of foreboding settled in his stomach and he was sure that he was soon going to meet his demise. Someone that she would not be able to stop? With the power he felt radiating from her, he was certain that she would even be able to stop people on the likes of Hiruzen.

If her threat was not something to be shivering at, he didn't know what was.

''In the meanwhile, this would be our little secret, okay? Trust me if you tell someone I would definetly know dattebane.''

Naruko walked through Konoha's streets, a bright grin on her face even with the glares and the stares directed at her. She couldn't care less, she was used to them, and she certain they would come to respect her and love her as their own. She did it before, what was another time?

She couldn't let it bother her, because she was once again at her home, her sweet home Konoha. The beautiful Konoha before Pein had destroyed it, her beautiful Konoha that used to be her home before those damned aliens came and tore her world apart. It felt nostalgic and soothing. Being away from the destruction and chaos those damned Otsutsukis had caused was a nice change.

She'd be lying if she wasn't worried sick about her husband and her two beautiful children, though. She had died protecting them, entrusting the fate of the world to their hands. She knew they would come up on top. She had faith in their powers but it didn't stop her from getting worried. They were alone fighting the strongest opponents that she had ever faced while she was stuck in the past with no way back.

She was certain there was no way back for her. As optimistic as she had been her whole life and as much of an unyielding and determined Kunoichi she was, she didn't let false hopes enter her mind. She learned long ago to prevent herself from succumbing to such unhealthy thoughts.

By all means, she should've been dead. She remembered her last moments all too clearly, drawing her last breath, her body withering, crumbling and turning to ashes after being hit by the very same rod that killed Obito in the previous shinobi war, her dear beautiful husband clutching her, eyes watering in a way she had never seen before, her two precious children by her side sobbing uncontrollably clutching at her sides.

Her death was painful, gruesome but she died with a happy smile on her face. She had left with the knowledge that the shinobi were going to triumph. That her family was going to enjoy the peace that was to come.

Kurama had promised her he would ensure it as she poured the last of her power into her capable husband.

Kurama would never break his promise to her.

At age 36 she had died with her family at her side, having achieved her dreams and lived a fulfilling life, she was satisfied, her only regret was not being by their side, not getting to grow old with her husband and not getting to meet and spoil her grandchildren.

She was content to join her parents in the after-life, get to meet her people, her sensei, her teammate, her master and her disciple again, she was just happy to finally give up living. But it was clearly not meant to be. She was not allowed to simply drift out of existence. Life apparently had another say in the matter and by a strange act of fate, she found herself waking up in her old twelve-years-old body when she was supposed to never wake up again.

She should've known that would happen. When was her life ever normal?

Still, she was called the most optimistic, hyperactive ninja for a reason. She had been able to keep her people's spirits high even in the most gruesome of the Otsutsuki's attacks. She commended her tropes with an unwavering, encouraging smile on her face and guided them to victory even amidst the losses and despair.

And so, while most people would have probably gone crazy at the idea of having to relive their lives especially one as chaotic and troublesome as hers, she did not let it bother her, her determination and willpower was not the subject of many admirations for no reason.

A minor setback such as being stuck in her 12 year old body was not enough to hold her back, she would relive her life and forge a happier better ending. She would make sure that none of her precious people died this time around, that her family will not be left alone once more.

It still fucking sucked though. Losing all of her accomplishments, all of her friends and all of her precious people.

Everything she had worked hard to achieve. All gone with the wind.

It was a depressing thought only soothed by the thought of achieving even greater achievements and forging an even better world. After all, she had already made the first step towards that and the moment Sasuke got his hands on Danzo the first step would be complete.

The man was dangerous and delusional no matter what his intentions were.

Seeing him tremble in fear at her mere presence filled her with glee. She was just that awesome.

Sasuke didn't know why or when the blonde loudmouth dead-last took a liking to him, for all the time he had known her and was forced to interact with her she would do nothing than glare at him and sprout insult after insult at him and for all that time he was more than happy to just reply in kind. So when, someday, all of a sudden she plopped down next to him as he was enjoying his calm revenge plotting session and smiled at him kindly and sweetly he didn't know how to react.

If he was a lesser man, he would have been gaping at the girl that was his incompetent rival. It didn't stop him from blinking owlishly though.

Her calling him darling? He didn't know if he was dreaming or if some kind of demon with a weird sense of humor had possessed her. It would be equally weird if it was either of those, why would he be dreaming of such a thing? Every single dream he was having since that day was about him maiming his brother corpse or something close to it.

Now Sasuke understood perfectly why a girl would chase after him. He had irresistible charm and was mature for his age, he was aware. He had a handsome face and a pair of the most beautiful black eyes to ever be found -he got them from his mother after all and he always found her eyes to be breathtaking. His dark blue hair in contrast to his pale skin made him quite the looker for any roaming eyes. Sasuke understood why his fangirls yearned for his attention.

But never in a million years had he thought that the girl that didn't even tolerate his presence -granted he didn't either- would be one of the foolish girls to fall for him. As incompetent, rash and brash she was, she had a will of steel and an undying resolve. She was truly determined to become a strong and powerful kunoichi and he knew she, more than any other girl in this classroom had the chance to make something of herself. Because even if he was sure that talent was necessary -which she lacked- anything could be done with the right mindset, which was why he believed that he, against all odds, will one day be able to defeat his prodigious big brother, even if one would argue that his mindset was a bit not right.

Seeing her degrade to being a fangirl was disspaointing and pitiful.

''Sasuke, are you ignoring me? I swear to god if you are I'll...'' She trailed off at that moment and he glanced at her to see her purse her lips as she stopped herself from speaking as if a certain realization dawned on her. He raised an eyebrow at that and she responded by crossing her hands under her chest and pouting.

''Whatever! It's not like I wanted to talk to you anyways, dattebane.''

Sasuke didn't help but find her pout cute, but it didn't really concern him that much. He was relieved to just get back to his calm, peace of mind but said mind's thoughts refused to drift to any other subject than the confusing act that his blonde classmate had pulled off. He had been wrong to brush her off as one of his new fangirls. She unlike the others didn't lust after him, she didn't go out of her way to get his attention nor was she bold enough to bother him when he made it obvious that it was the last thing he'd rather do. The other fangirls never understood or decided for some reason to ignore that.

She, at least, was much much more tolerable than the other girls. And thinking about it, her calling him darling had a fond undertone that all other girls lacked when seeking his attention.

Even so, it didn't make it any less annoying to figure out that yet another girl was seeking his love.

Honestly, let them keep waiting for all he cared. One thing mattered at the moment and one thing alone and it paled when faced with something as trivial as his love life. It was revenge.

He didn't care about the tired sigh that escaped the Uzumaki's throat a second after, too absorbed in his thought to notice and unaware of the swirling thoughts in Naruko's mind.

Naruko cursed herself for acting as irrationally as she had. The moment her eyes landed on Sasuke, sitting all alone by the window, probably wallowing in his self-destructing thoughts and indulging himself in his dark revenge plots -she was certain that he enjoyed those by that time- she couldn't help but rush and sit by his side, failing to recall that this boy was still not the man that she remembered.

Contrary to her, he didn't recall the years they had passed together, the laughs they had shared, the meals they had cooked together and the games and challenges they took joy in competing over.

All the simple things that made her heart beat faster when she thought of him was now making her heart ache as his glare and his confused blinks harshly reminded her that she was stuck alone in the past without her precious people.

She only managed to make a fool of herself, in the end, thanks to her childish pouting and antics.

What made things even worse was Sakura and Ino entering the classroom to find her sitting next to their love interest, the same place they had been fighting over and racing to acquire. It was only natural that their anger would be redirected at her.

''Naruko-baka, what do you think you're doing sitting next to Sasuke-kun?'' Sakura screamed at her and she winced, not because the insult affected her but seeing Sakura's face again brought some unpleasant memories.

Her best friend and companion dying in her hands and it was all because of her, all because she couldn't think of a better plan.

Normally, she would've teased the girl, both girls, as she used to do in their genin days when she was the only one of the lot that Sasuke gave his attention to, when he finally started to see her as a friend, but she didn't find it in herself to do so, after seeing their familiar faces that she hadn't seen for so long.

She smiled at them and got up, there will be time to get her darling -as she lovingly used to call him- back later, but for now she couldn't feel like denying the girls even if she felt a bit of jealousy -she wasn't going to fight over him now, that'd be super weird. He would be hers in the end and Sakura will come to accept that as she already did last time and maybe take up lee on his date offer.

Her smile was a bit wistful and sad though and they found themselves staring at her even amongst their contest for the place right next to Sasuke.

Said boy stared at her standing up with almost pleading eyes, and he found her eyes wrinkling in amusement clearly pushing the sad glint they had earlier to the back of her mind.

Serves him right for ignoring her in her opinion.

Her eyes roamed the classroom, taking in all the familiar faces, each one bringing their sets of painful flashes yet also precious happy moments before they landed on a familiar slumped figure of their resident lazy genius and his big-boned childhood friend. A smile played on her lips. She could go bother them instead and start reforming her former friendships already.

''Yo, Shika! Choji! How is it going?'' She greeted and the Akimichi offered some snacks as a greeting. She accepted the offer with a pleasant smile.

She appreciated these two's company, despite not really interacting that much at that period of time, they were always pleasant and acceptant of her, back at the academy. She could definitely admit that they were the first friends she ever had, she was just blind to see it, too busy trying to get the friendship of the 'cooler kids' like Sakura -she didn't understand why she saw Sakura as cool back then- and both boys never went out of their ways to interact with her considering Shikamaru was the laziest person she'd met and Choji was lazy in his own right.

''What do you want you troublesome woman?'' He drawled with no real malice and she just grinned at him. Over the years that Shikamaru worked as her right-hand man, she came to appreciate the man's company and she was adamant on knowing more about him and his best friend a little early on this time around.

''Come on be nice to Naruko, won't you Shikamaru?'' Choji piped in and Shikamaru just made a dismissing hand gesture to his statement.

''Thank you Choji.'' She smiled at him.

''You didn't come here to confess to us like you did to Sasuke, did you?'' Shikamaru smirked.

She spluttered for a moment, blushing deeply as the boy eyes wrinkled in amusement.

''Seriously, what was that about? I thought you hated Sasuke.'' His tone turned serious and analyzing, something that she wanted to avoid, the genius before her probably formed a thousand theories and rejected half of them already. If he set out his mind to something, he would be sure to get it no matter how lazy he is. She really wanted to avoid his suspicion.

''Oh, how could someone possibly hate someone like him?'' She gave him a passive, disarming smile, one that she was all too used to with dealing with unpleasant clients or disobedient shinobis.

Shikamaru stared at her for a long moment before deciding he didn't care all that much, it was too troublesome to think about that nor did it concern him really, she can fall in love with whoever she wanted.

Her eyes sparkled under the moonlight as she stood in front of him with that beautiful smile on her face, the unwavering blissful smile that captivated him the longer he looked at her, the longer his eyes dived into the blue wide ocean that her eyes were, the more it took his breath away. Her oh-so-blue irises shone like a sapphire, reminiscing of the stars that adorned the night sky hiding a swirl of emotions underneath; the sadness of heartbreak, the joy of love, the hope of the future, the pain of sorrow, and the fire of a spirit that would never give up.

Feelings that he was all too used to when dealing with the raging storm that was his rival and best friend, feelings that even he sadly took pleasure in inflicting sometimes past.

It wasn't even two years after the war and Sasuke realized he was in love, he was madly in love with the blonde haired girl, no he was madly in love with the magnificent woman that was his best friend. It ate away at his heart thinking that he tried to kill her, erase her from his life- he couldn't imagine passing a split second without her happy grinning face filling his vision. He was sure if he was successful that damned day, he would not be able to live it down.

''Hey, Sasuke, why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my hair? Are you feeling sick or something? I knew there was something wrong when you didn't ask me for a spar or even contact me for a few days-'' Her face scrunched up in worry and there she was rambling again. A fond smile fought itself into his lips before a joyful laugh escaped his throat. He was laughing heartily-he found himself doing that a lot recently whenever the blonde was involved.

''You didn't bring me out here to laugh at me, did you, dattebane?'' She huffed in annoyance and Sasuke couldn't help but register how cute the action seemed in his mind. He mentioned for her to come closer and she did slowly and a bit reluctantly.

He poked her forehead affectionately, the same way his dear late brother used to in his childhood and he instantly understood why Itachi took such a liking to the gesture. He smirked as her hands instantly shot to nurse at the spot where his fingers had poked her and she pouted. He had seen the complaint from miles away but thankfully he was able to beat her to it.

''I just found the way you were rambling cute." He admitted. He suppressed a smile at the blush that appeared on her whiskered cheeks, the rosiness on her usually slightly tanned skin was cute.

''Now I know for sure you are sick! Did you eat something bad? Oh, maybe you drank some expired milk. The effect that that has is not good at all.'' She winced and he raised an eyebrow at that. That was a story he was going to have to get out of her someday.

But for now, he had a more important thing to do. He had a reason to bring her here after all and it was definitely not just to laugh at her.

He took her hands into his -her hand into his rather- hesitating for just a second. She looked at him surprised by the sudden action but didn't make any move to retract her hand. She didn't flinch away from the touch. She just looked at him with her wide curious eyes.

''I've been planning to do this for a few days now.'' He admitted. ''I asked Shikamaru and Kiba for help but I still couldn't figure out how to do this. I wanted this to be special but..'' He trailed off and risked a glance at her, and her beautiful smiling face met his gaze, she gave his hand a light comforting squeeze encouraging him to speak.

''I've been thinking a lot lately, Naruko... thinking if I deserve the warm smiles that you give me, thinking if I deserve the unwavering faith that you have in me. I've hurt you a lot in the past Naruko, I've done everything in my power to destroy and everything that you worked hard to achieve. I would've expected nothing than for you to hate me. But you didn't... You fought to save me even when I fought to destroy you. I tried to kill yet you still didn't give up... to the point that you lost an arm. You believed in me until the very end. You know, you told me once if this is what it was like to have a brother... maybe it is but I don't want it to stop there... I want you to be more than a sister to me, Naruko.''

His voice was low and unconfident and never in a million years had Naruko thought she would see her best friend as vulnerable and helpless as he was at that moment. She raised her other hand and rubbed on his sole hand soothingly only to get a grateful smile from the boy.

She had been moved by his words, deeply so. She was going to chide the Uchiha, tell him of course she'd believe in him; she would not be able to live without regret if she was not able to save him on that merry day, the day she got her Sasuke back but it was clear that was not what the man wanted to hear at that moment.

''I love you, Naruko.'' She felt her heart skip a beat. ''I know I've done wrong by you countless of times. I know I don't deserve your love but know that I will still always love you.''

A slow joyful smile spread across her features, and she felt an entirely new feeling in her chest. So this was the feeling of love. It wasn't like her love for ramen or dango as she had thought. It was much much stronger and more breathtaking.

''Don't be silly, -ttebane.'' His head shot up to look at her in an instant, his look was so hopeful and so desperate. ''You deserve all the love in the world. I love you too, Sasuke.''

For that moment, Sasuke could definitely admit that his whole world was lit up and the happiness that filled his heart was nothing like he had never felt before. His hand reached into his pocket and he pulled out a small box.

''Will you be my girlfriend?'' He asked as he opened the box- kneeling on one leg- struggling for only a moment because even if he was a cripple he was still a ninja.

A beautiful gorgeous amber ring stared back at Naruko from within the box and her breath hitched at how beautiful and magnificent it was. It was her favorite color too.

''You don't have to give me a ring just to ask me to be your girlfriend, you idiot.''

Yet even as she chided him, she launched at him, hugging him closely crying tears of joy and he relaxed in her grasp enjoying her entrancing scent and the feel of her fluffy hair against his chin.

He didn't want this to end, maybe he could just hold on forever. Hopefully, she wouldn't mind.

Naruko felt her lips tug upwards into a wistful fond smile as the memory resurfaced to her mind. Those were simpler times, just coming out of a war, enjoying the peace that their efforts had brought them. They were able to just smile and laugh the days away, able to just enjoy their lives without the threat of death looming over. She wished she could be back to that time, hold her darling close to her again and smile with all of her friends by her side.

She supposed that this was her wish coming true even if it was slightly off by a few years.

Maybe it was for the better.

She relaxed under the drifting clouds, enjoying the afternoon breeze, the sky in the land of fire -in Konoha- was extra beautiful and captivating, maybe it was just her but every other place in the world never felt as beautiful as her home and the blue sky never felt as soothing in the many hideouts she had visited in the many Otsutsukis attacks.

''What's that dreamy look, you troublesome blonde?'' She glanced away from the drifting clouds to look at her Nara friend.

Of course, she forgot he was there. She had joined the boys in their daily cloud watching session after the academy as Shikamaru had called it. While normally not a fan of staying still and relaxing, she had come to appreciate the simple hobby her right-hand man had as she grew up. See could see the beauty the boy found in such action.

''Huh, It's nothing.'' She shrugged the matter, not really wanting to disclose her inner thoughts. Her eyes drifted to the sleeping Choji before they returned to Shikamaru.

He shook Choji softly waking him up before looking at her.

''So are you ready for the genin test?''

She had learned earlier that day that the test was supposed to be two weeks away.

''It will be a piece of cake.''

His eyes wrinkled and a smile adorned his face.

''Confident, are we?''

She grinned back. ''Of course, are you nervous? Afraid you'll not pass?''

''It's troublesome but I definitely think I'll manage.''

She nodded. Of course he would, It's just that he'll put the minimal ammount of effort needed into it. It would be a challenge placing beneath him this time around. Not that she was gonna try to anyways. In her time as Hokage, she learned that teams weren't placed like the excuse Iruka had used for them the day of team placement but actually made in the manner that benefitted the village most. And she knew that no matter what she and Sasuke would be placed in the same team under Kakashi.

''I think we better go now, it's getting late.''

She nodded. He smiled at her.

''It was fun having you aound, Naruko! It almost reminds me of those times where we used to hang out and do troublesome pranks together, even if it was troublesome and childish.''

''Take care, Naruko! Bye-Bye.'' Choji added.

Naruko felt the brightest of grins settle on her face as she watched them leave.

It was definetely better coming back this far into the past! She missed these carefree happy smiles they had. And now, she would definitely do anything in her power to see that they remain.

Okay, so what do you guys think? Please follow, favorite and review. It would definetely mean a lot to me.