The putrid smell of flames invaded my nostrils, causing me to gag. My limp body bounced as I was being carried in someone's arms.
Due to his chakra signature, I was quickly able to deduce it was Pein, former leader of the Akatsuki.
His heart was beating rapidly as I felt him propel us into the air. While he was doing so, I attempted to convince him that I was asleep. Keeping my chakra at ease and maintaining a steady heartbeat. Obviously, he was not easily fooled.
"Haruno, I am aware that you're awake."
His deep, monotonous voice was nearly a whisper. I decided to open my eyes, but I was met with black and red cloth.
Jerking my head away from his chest, I took in my surroundings, my heart clenching as I saw the ashen remains of my village.
Looking up at the pierced ginger, I began to think about our current situation and how we got into it.
Yet another war was started by Uchiha Madara. Pein, the leader of the Akatsuki, thought it would be wise to begin an alliance with Konoha and Tsunade agreed, despite her higher ups disapproving .
Unfortunately, even with the extra help, Madara had already destroyed most of villages, leaving us for last.
As Pein jumped from on tree branch to the next, I found it hard to remember how I had gotten into his arms.
"Pein-sama," I called to him, gaining a soft grunt in response. Narrowing my eyes in confusion, I looked away, almost sheepishly.
"What happened, before I.. went unconscious?" I assumed he found me in such a state, I just don't remember what caused it.
The older man's brow furrowed in thought as if he were pondering if he was going to tell me or not.
With a sigh, he began to speak.
"As I arrived on the scene, you were on the ground unconscious with a head injury. How it got healed, I am still unsure of," he raised a knowing eyebrow at me, before continuing to speak.
"Naruto Uzumaki had embraced the full power of the nine-tails, though it did nothing but fuel Madara's powers." He clenched his fist, a subtle action that spoke volumes.
"I take it, that you attempted to save him." He paused, looking away. "Your attempts were in vain, and he died by the hands of Madara."
Tears shone in my eyes as his words echoed in my mind.
I looked up at the man again, and his usually impassive face stated it all. He really respected Naruto, and he was almost as torn up by his death as I was.
Memories flooded back as I thought to before I had went unconscious.
Despite the attempts to keep Naruto hidden, Madara had found him.
I had protected Naruto as much as I could, but the Uchiha had thrown me like a rag doll.
Thankfully, a shadow clone of Naruto's was able to catch me, but not before asking
where 'Sasuke-Teme' was.
It broke my heart to tell him that his dear friend was dead, and it also broke my heart to tell him that all of our other comrades had shared his fate.
That was the trigger for him and he became one with Kyuubi in a way that was indescribable.
The amount of chakra my friend had released had sent me flying backwards, causing me to crash into a wall, knocking me unconscious.
I touched the back of my head where my injury should have been. But it wasn't, and I only had a seal to thank. There wasn't even any throbbing or pain.
Speaking of Pein, his voice had knocked me out of my thoughts.
He had informed me that Tsunade was waiting for us, for she had devised a plan that may help with our situation.
Confused, I decided it was best not to question the pierced man about the fifth Hokage's plan. I instead noticed how close we were to our assumed destination.
"Pein-sama-" I began, gaining his attention. He gave me a confused side glance as he jumped from tree to tree. "I can run the rest of the way. There is no need to carry me for much longer." I told him, making sure not to offend him.
The ginger gave a small smile and patted me on my head. "I'm holding you because the process of which Tsunade is trying may take a lot of your chakra." He said bluntly. I nodded, choosing not to say anything else until we reached our destination.
-Page break-
As we reached the Hokage's office, I stared behind us, watching my village- my home burn.
Entering the office, my heart clenched as I laid my eyes on Tsunade.
My teacher, my Hokage...my comrade.
She's never looked this fragile before, her blonde hair unruly, her amber eyes laced with fear and fatigue.
When our eyes met, her face had lit up, looking much more like the woman I came to care for like a second mother.
"Sakura, you're safe!" She exclaimed, getting out of her tattered chair. She took me out of the pierced man's grasped and embraced me. Tears filled my eyes as I buried my head into her shoulders , but I wouldn't let them fall.
"Naruto," I gasped his name out, my heart clenching painfully yet again. "He's g-gone." I informed her, cringing as the fifth Hokage tightened her grip on me.
Pein coughed, getting both of our attention. They shared a look and the blonde haired woman sighed.
"Sakura, as you know-" She began. She inhaled sharply before retaining a straight face.
"There have been many casualties in this war." I nodded bitterly. Despite her calm demeanor, I could tell she was ready to break down at any moment.
"I thought that since all of our allies are dead, we have no other choice. Once Madara reaches us, there will be no way to stop him."
I nodded, waiting for her to explain her plan in more detail. She went to her desk and after doing several hand signs, a scroll appeared.
Becoming tense, my hands clenched, and my eyes narrowed.
"Do you need me to deliver the scroll?" I asked, ready to take on the task. She gave a raspy, bitter chuckle.
"I wish it were that easy, but no, I have something else in mind."
Sweat dripped down my brow, my stance probably showing how nervous I am. Sensing my uncertainty, Pein put his hand on my shoulder.
"Keep calm, Sakura."
That's all he said, and somehow, I wasn't as tense anymore. Nodding in appreciation at the self-proclaimed god, we both looked at Tsunade.
"Tsunade, what exactly are we doing with this scroll? You never answered me directly." Pein asked, and I had to agree with him.
Ignoring him, she looked at me and gave a shaky smile. "Sakura, would you do anything to stop this war?" She asked me, watching for my reaction carefully.
After I gave a curt nod, she smiled at me. A smile that reeked of desperation, regret and fear.
With an uncertain nod, she asked a question that caused me to do a double take.
-Page break-
Throughout the years, I have always regarded Tsunade with respect and trust. Never once questioning her motives, nor have I ever doubted her plans.
But this, holy hell, this was something that only an insane person could come up with.
I blinked at my former master, hoping I had misheard her.
"Can you please repeat that, m'lady?" I requested, to which she narrowed her eyes at me, crossing her arms over her large chest.
"I said, 'do you believe in time travel?'." Oh, that makes sense.
I frowned, running a pale hand through my pink locks. I looked over to Pein in hopes of him being as confused as I am, to no avail.
"Listen Sakura, what I need you to do is go back in time." She explained casually.
I looked at the sannin as if she had sprouted two heads.
Had she cracked from all of the stress? Usually, her plans had some logic in them.
"Can you elaborate, Tsunade-Sama?" I asked, my voice sounding as cynical as I felt. She gave a coy smile, grabbing the scroll and shoving it into my hands. I slowly unraveled it, taking in every single piece of information.
"A time-travel justu?" I muttered, not believing my eyes.
"This is a forbidden scroll, how did yo-" I began, before looking over to Pein, who nodded slightly.
"Now," She began, cracking her knuckles. "This jutsu will send you back to a time after your birth, because your current mind will inhabit your past self."
She explained, leaving me to feel overwhelmed after processing all of this information, but then I noticed a few holes in her plan.
"What about my chakra? Will my body be able to maintain it?" I questioned, to which the sannin's shoulders started to sag.
"I doubt it, but to insure success on your mission, Pein and I are willing to give up our chakra to you."
My lips parted as a gasp escaped them.
Tsunade lightly touched my neck, where my seal was conveniently placed. I felt a strange surge of energy as our chakras mixed.
It took a full minute until she placed her fingers away from my neck. Looking at her, my eyes widened as her youthful appearance was eradicated, leaving the appearance of a middle aged woman.
She smiled weakly at me before receiving a soldier pill from Pein. I watched with confused eyes as her youth did not return.
Noticing my puzzled look, she sighed and began to speak.
"Compared to my original chakra, this is only enough to restore a genin's." Nodding, I jumped as I felt Pein's large hands against my neck.
By the time he was finished, he nearly collapsed, as he had nearly drained himself of all of his chakra.
Now that I was ready, I laid the scroll down on Tsunade's desk, biting down on my thumb hard. When I drew blood, I let my thumb glide over the paper, an intense focus in my eyes.
My hands and fingers were a blur, with a yell of the jutsu's name, it was complete.
My vision blurred slightly as everything began to disintegrate slowly.
As Tsunade and Pein wished me luck, their faces dropped instantly.
I watched helplessly as Madara stormed in. He teleported behind Tsunade in a flash, slitting her throat in an instant.
The last thing I saw was Madara's grin, and the last thing I felt was another strange surge of energy.