I could not sleep last night and was apparently creating stories when I was rolling around in my bed. So I just ended up falling asleep in front of my computer and waking up with this on notepad. Might as well make a story for it even though I was probably asleep when I was writing this.
They lay there on the ground. If they so much as move, they would more than likely bleed out. A pink haired kunoichi was healing them. After admitting defeat and apologizing, the boy lost himself in his own thoughts. Thoughts of family, friendship comradery, and how much his friend had to endure to bring him back. He felt a great deal of melancholy at the thought that for the most part his friend's life was dedicated to bring him to his senses and how he took the burden of the world upon himself just to bring him back.
"If ever that you have a change of heart." Sasuke remembered the Sage of Six Path's saying when they were speaking. "I have left in you a power that can help you change reality."
He remembered. Now that he had changed his mind on what he was a going to do in life, his rinnegan suddenly showed him a vision. Knowledge suddenly flowed into his mind, knowledge of what was and what he needed to accomplish what he was planning. After being healed, he and Naruto undid the infinite Tsukuyomi releasing everyone from there eternal imprisonment.
He followed Naruto around greeting friends and getting congratulated for defeating the enemy. His eyes lingered on the blond and the pink haired girl that was watching him with a smile. He then took his leave and went around to talk to some of the others. First Kakashi, then Tsunade, Yamato, Bee, the tailed beast, lastly his friends. They were reluctant to help him but after explaining what it was that he was trying to do, they agreed to help him.
"So, that's how were going to set it up." Sasuke said to the members of Konoha 11. "I doubt that Naruto will go along with it so we'll need to use that."
"I won't go along with what?" Naruto asked as he walked behind Sasuke. "Hey, you're talking to people. Isn't that nice teme?"
"Still getting used to it dobe." Sasuke replied. Everyone he spoke to looked at him for a signal. He gave a nod in response and they looked away. "Sakura was looking for you by the way. She said she needs to look at that arm again to be sure."
"Oh ok." Naruto replied and smiled at the thought that his female friend was worried about him. "Better not keep her waiting or she'll pound me to the ground."
"Yeah rather not have you turn into a pancake before you become the Hokage." Sasuke teased. Watching as Naruto happily ran and looked for Sakura. He motioned everyone to get into formation.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto called happily. He found her treating some of the wounded in the battlefield. "Sasuke said that you were looking for me."
"Huh?" Sakura wondered. "I didn't tell him to call you."
"That's weird. He said that you were looking for me to check this arm for something." Naruto pointed. Sakura worried looked at the arm and started healing it.
"You saved the entire world you know." She said while smiling at him. "They would make you a legend that would probably surpass all the Hokages before you."
"Yeah" Naruto replied. Sadness suddenly overtaking him at the train of thought that came "If only…"
"Naruto what's wrong?" Sakura asked noticing the change.
"I'm just happy Sasuke's back." Naruto smiled and looked away. Suddenly a red wall appeared and surrounded him and Sakura. His suddenly went into tailed beast chakra mode and a cloak surrounded Sakura. Looking around he saw Tsunade, Bee, Yamato and Kakashi on the corners and his friends supporting them and reinforcing the barrier. He tried to break the barrier with a rasengan but it did not even have a scratch. He did not try anything more powerful because the barrier was too small and doing so may hurt the person he was trapped with. "Hey guys what gives?"
"This is for your own good Naruto." Tsunade answered.
"For my own good?" Naruto asked. "Holding Sakura-chan prisoner is for my own good?"
"Yes" Kakashi replied.
"What the heck are you guys talking about anyway?" Naruto shouted irritated as he tried to punch through the wall. He looked to the bijuu. "Guys help me!"
They looked at him and smiled. He realized that they were in on this plan as well. He looked down to the ground defeated. Sakura placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him. Her smile was giving him comfort and warmth. All he could do was smile back. Sakura then glared at the people around her.
"What do you think you're doing?" She shouted. "Don't you think he's suffered enough?"
"That's not something that you can say Sakura." Sai replied. "After all we've had this conversation before have we not."
Sakura could not retort. She knew that he was telling nothing but the truth. They have had this conversation before. In that tent when her master was still in a coma, about her being the source of this man's suffering and that she had placed a cursed seal upon him by making him promise. She knew however that Sai was referring to in that conversation.
"But he's already done what he promised." Sakura said weakly. "He shouldn't be burdened by it anymore."
"Are you that naïve Sakura." Tsunade shouted at her angrily. "You should know by now that even the happiness of one person is complicated."
"What do you mean?" She asked her teacher desperately.
"Cut this out already." Naruto said. "If I did something wrong punish only me. Let Sakura go."
"See that he's putting you above all else again." Yamato answered.
"Oh, so it was you." Bee said in some form realization to himself. "You were that bright spot among all of his dark memories."
"Octopops!" Naruto shouted.
"You've fulfilled your promise Naruto why not now?" Sai asked. Naruto just remained silent. Gritting his teeth as tears fell from his eyes to the ground.
"Because…" Naruto whimpered. Sakura turned to look at him. Wondering what it was that he was about to say but he remained silent afterwards.
"Because he brought back the person she loved." Tsunade finished. "If he were to confess she would have no reason to reject him except that."
"For that reason, he would willingly sacrifice himself." Hinata added. "And bear the pain."
"He would rather see you happy and be devastated himself." Tsunade reprimanded her student. "Do you get it now!"
"That's enough." Sasuke said walking towards them. "I'll take it from here."
"Sasuke are you controlling them!?" Naruto asked half angry. "If you are let them go."
"We are not being controlled Naruto." Gaara answered. "We are doing this of our own free will."
"Then why?" He asked as he looked around to everyone.
"I'll explain." Sasuke replied. Naruto and Sakura looked at him. "Tsukuyomi"
Naruto opened his eyes. He was in the same space that he and Obito were speaking in before. He looked around and found Sasuke standing there waiting for him to turn around. He was smiling. He realized that Sakura was not there.
"Where's Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked Sasuke.
"She isn't part of this conversation so I left her out." Sasuke replied. Naruto understanding that he wanted to talk to him unhindered and alone.
"What did you want to talk about?" He asked.
"Naruto, I am grateful that you've saved me from the darkness that I was burying myself in." Sasuke started. "I think it's time for you to live your life."
"Is that all you were going to say." Naruto said feeling a little shy as he scratched the back of his head. "You didn't need the Tsukuyomi for that."
"I'm serious Naruto" Sasuke snapped. "All your life you've been putting other people happiness before your own. I think it's time that the world gave you reparations for your selflessness."
"What are you talking about?" He asked, confused about the meaning in his friend's words.
"All this time your aim was to help a friend in need. Help everyone." Sasuke replied. "I believe it's time for you to gain your own happiness."
"Which is?" Naruto asked.
"To be Hokage." Sasuke answered. "But also, to be with the one you cherish the most."
"But she loves you." Naruto rebutted.
"If you believe that then you really are an idiot." Sasuke said. "Either way everyone agreed and this is happening whether you want it to or not."
"Which is?" Naruto asked.
"I will give you another chance." Sasuke replied. "The Sage of Six Path's left me with this power if ever you managed to change me back."
"What did he give you." Naruto continued to ask.
"The power to change what is." Sasuke answered cryptically. He walked to his friend and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Because there are times when reality is not good enough. I can only do it once but it's enough."
"What the hell are you talking about Sasuke!?" Naruto shouted. Now he is more confused and is getting angry.
"Don't worry when I send you." Sasuke explained. "You are still free to stop me. The variation that the Sage gave me was the original one so you will retain all your memories and power."
"Sasuke?" Naruto realizing that this was a farewell. "Don't do this."
"Don't worry dobe." Sasuke said. "You have done too much. I will watch over what you've built and make sure that it will not be destroyed even by time. Then I'll pass it to the next generation. So, don't worry."
"No" Naruto tried to back away.
"I have given you some of my power as well just in case something unforeseen happens when I send you." Sasuke said.
"Good luck dobe, be happy." Sasuke said as they began to fade into light. "And Naruto."
"Yeah." Naruto responded.
"I don't want any nieces or nephews until I'm eighty ok." Sasuke said. He started laughing at the face of the stunned friend while they disappeared.
At the same time as the conversation with Naruto was happening. Sakura stood at a similar space. Sasuke standing behind her. She stood ready for any attack. She knew that she already lost but he was not going to win without a fight.
"Where's Naruto?" She asked him begrudgingly.
"Relax Sakura, I just wanted to talk." Sasuke said as he started to walk around.
"Why the Tsukuyomi then?" Sakura asked.
"If we talked about this in reality you would try to run away." Sasuke replied. "Or Naruto would've intervened."
"Ok start talking." Sakura said.
"Sakura, I know your feelings towards me and I'll say this now." Sasuke said. "They are misplaced."
"Who are you to talk about emotions being misplaced." Sakura retorted. "You tried to destroy the world because of your emotions."
"And I was stopped." Sasuke added. "What I am saying is that you should look into your heart and try to see what it is really telling you."
"What are you talking about?" Sakura asked. "I know what I want."
"Do you?" Sasuke asked rhetorically. "Even your own master was scolding you a few seconds ago, if I remember correctly."
"What is it to you?" Sakura answered trying to hide a blush.
"Are you to be that blind to satisfy your own denial." Sasuke said. "Oh well, we usually take the things we value the most for granted until they're gone."
"I'm not letting you kill him." Sakura said coldly. "Over my dead body."
"And yet you say I am the one you like." Sasuke sighed.
"He's suffered enough." Sakura said. Tears began falling from her face. "Why must he endure the burden alone? Why must he pay with his life for something he did not choose to be?"
"Life is never fair Sakura." Sasuke answered. "We do not choose to be who we are. We can only choose who we will become."
A brief silence encompassed them as Sakura was speechless at what the boy had told her. With no opening where she can argue with him. She just stood there crying. He watched her to see if there was any change. In those tears, he saw empathy, he saw pain, he saw helplessness, and the need and want to be able to help that who is closest to your heart.
"You and I know he deserves better for his actions." Sasuke said.
"I know." Sakura said defeated. "But I love you!"
"Like I said before." Sasuke rebutted. "Your words as well as your heart are misplaced."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Sakura asked in her confusion.
He thwacked he in the forehead. She seemed to be stunned at his action. She fell on her knees in defeated state. Lost and desperate for someone to give her an answer.
"Don't get me wrong Sakura." Sasuke said. "I am not mad, just sad."
"Sad because?" Sakura asked covering her face with her hands as she cried.
"Sad because you could not see what it is that you have before you." Sasuke answered. "Nevertheless, I have given you some of my power. It will prove to be of use in your darkest hour."
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked desperately. "What is it that you're trying to tell me?"
"When I send you back Sakura, I want you to revaluate your actions." Sasuke said as they begin to fade. "But most of all I want you to revaluate your heart. Good luck."
"I am done talking to them." Sasuke told the group. He smiled at the two perplexed at the conversation they just had. He closed his right eye and looked at them. "Gyaku Izanagi!"
As if time, had stopped, everything stayed motionless. They saw the birds in the sky, leaf that fell from the tree unmoving from its position. Naruto and Sakura felt time shift backwards. They were caught in a riptide of memories and emotions. An endless movie flashing before their eyes as each choice they made and the consequences that came upon taking that action. They felt sick as they're minds could not take the maelstrom of information pouring in and out of them as they are made to see what is, what was and what will be as they go back each step. Finally, they fell unaware of the person with him or her as their hands fell atop each other.
Naruto woke up to a ceiling he was very familiar with. He sat up and looked around. He was in his apartment. It seemed bigger than he remembered. Sakura awoke to the same scene. In the house, she grew up in yet it seemed larger.
"How did I get back to my house?" The two thought. "One minute I was talking to Sasuke in a Tsukuyomi in the war and the next I woke up here. Wait the war!"
Alarmed they both went to find some clothes to go to the battlefield because there are still people who needed their help. When they passed by a mirror; however, they were greeted by a scene they did not expect to have in their lifetime. They had shrunk to their twelve-year-old selves. Panic ensued in their minds as they try to recollect what had just happened. They recalled Sasuke casting a dojutsu on them but that was it. They then looked for clues as to what happened. Naruto found that his right hand still had a circle on it. He remembered what Sasuke had told him about him retaining his power but what he was talking about Naruto did not know. They searched their rooms until their eyes landed on a calendar. It was the day Team 7 had been formed. Immediately the two understood what the boy had done and was furious.
"That asshole!" They shouted unanimously.