Chapter 1

Summary: Two years after being sent into the past, Sakura finally decides to return to Konoha.

NOTE: am i starting another fic when i already have two wips? hell fuckin yeah i am. this fic if mainly going to focus on characters, their development, and their relationships. what is plot. i mean, there will be some, but like. i'm a self-indulgent fool. Enjoy.

"My only regret is leaving you to do this alone."

It had been two years- two years since Sakura had been sent to the past and forced to become Uzumaki Nagisa. She knew that it was time to return to Konoha soon; most of her missions were complete and the Uchiha Massacre would be coming up in a few months. The prevention of that horrid event was one of her main concerns; she would not let that happen again. She would not abandon her teammate to depression and insanity. So, she began to plan.

Nagisa knew that she had gained a reputation for both her healing abilities and battle prowess. She was renowned as a "miracle worker", but also feared as an S-Class bounty hunter in the Bingo Books. She even had a nickname- the "Hidden Maelstrom." This was a result of her sudden appearance in the ninja world, and the fact that she went by the Uzumaki name, all the while sporting bright strawberry hair. She had taken on Naruto's last name in honor of her surrogate brother, and doing this had caused quite a stir. When Naruto's chakra flooded her system, forcing her body to accommodate to the Uzumaki presence, her hair had changed and her chakra reserves grown, making her truly look like an Uzumaki. But Uzushio was dead, as well as most of its people.

Nagisa also knew that various rogue nin, and even a couple village leaders, were after her head. They had informants who tried, unsuccessfully, to tail her. However, they had no luck. She was too good to leave a trail, causing all spies to lose her the instant she sensed them. But this time, she would let them come to her.

Already in the Land of Fire, she knew that if she openly traveled closer to Konoha, she was sure to catch the Hokage's attention. Luckily, she knew of a small merchant village not far from Konoha, so she decided to set out immediately. She could get there within the day if she tried, but she figured she should go slower in order to provide more opportunity for ninja to spot her, and, hopefully, report back to the Sandaime.

Two days passed, and Nagisa found herself in Shinrin Village, a small settlement supported economically by the various merchants that traveled through on their way to Konoha. Nagisa entered fairly easily, posing as just another inconspicuous traveler. That was, until a woman recognized her. She was immediately approached, the unfamiliar woman pleading nonsense with tears in her eyes. It was only when she calmed down that Nagisa could understand her.

"Please! My son, he's horribly sick, and we haven't found anyone who can help him. But I've heard of you! Please, Uzumaki-hime, save my boy!" the woman sobbed. Nagisa was filled with a great sympathy at the woman's plight. She knew what helplessness felt like. She knew what it was like to watch your precious people die.

"What's your name," she asked gently, placing a reassuring hand on the woman's shoulder.

"Kyouko," she answered, blinking up at Nagisa.

Nagisa nodded firmly. "Take me to him," she said, her voice changing in tone as she entered "business mode." Kyouko nodded vigorously, hope shining in her eyes as she turned to lead Nagisa to her home.

They soon reached a small cottage on the edge of the village. Nagisa walked in behind the mother, taking in her surroundings warily. Years of war-honed instincts were hard to shake.

The home was scarcely decorated, and a bit shabby, alluding to their lack of wealth. No wonder they couldn't get a doctor.

When Nagisa stepped into a small bedroom, she at first didn't see the boy she was supposed to heal. Then, as she focused, she could make out the small form of a child bundled up in a multitude of blankets. She strode forward and got to work. Placing a glowing green hand on his forehead, she soothed his raging fever and performed a full-body diagnosis. She removed her hand when she was done, the boy sleeping soundly in the bed.

"What's his name?" Nagisa asked, not bothering to turn and face Kyouko. She always wanted to learn her patients' names. It made the job more real, the life more precious. She heard an intake of breath behind her.

"Hikaru. His name is Hikaru," the mother responded, voice thick with emotion.

"Bright light," Nagisa murmured to herself. "He will live," she declared resolutely. "I'll make sure of it."

Shisui sighed for what felt like the millionth time. He flitted through the trees quickly in hopes of making it to Shinrin village in a couple of hours. He had to get there in time; his target was known for never staying in one place too long.

When the Hokage ordered him to track down and approach the Hidden Maelstrom, Shisui was shocked. No one had ever been able to track her- the kunoichi was too elusive. So, having reports of her in Shinrin Village the past two days was suspicious. It was almost as if she wanted to be found. He was on guard.

As he approached the village, he slowed his pace; he didn't want to come across as hostile- if his target really was in the village, she was sure to sense his arrival.

When Shisui finally made it to the gates, he walked through casually, so as to put the villagers at ease. He knew they had seen his hitai-ate, as they averted their eyes after looking at his forehead. He wondered briefly why they seemed so averse to his presence.

He spent the whole afternoon searching for any sign or whisper of the mysterious kunoichi. Nothing. He could tell the villagers were hiding something- were they trying to protect her?- but he didn't want to push it and receive a negative response. So, he waited.

Shisui sighed as he sat down on a bar stool in the sole tavern of Shinrin village. He ordered a drink and rested his head in his hands. He was getting frustrated with the situation and his lack of progress. He knew she had to be there, but where exactly? No one wanted to tell him anything, and she was even masking her presence, so he couldn't track her by her chakra.

When a glass of whiskey was sat down in front of him with a clink, he didn't even think before downing it. He wasn't planning on getting drunk, but he definitely needed something to take the edge off of the stressful day.

It was late in the evening when Shisui decided to call it a night and check into an inn. He was fishing out some ryo from his pouch when he felt a person sit down next to him. His senses were suddenly flooded with the addition of a powerful chakra signature that had previously been hidden. He tensed instinctively and caught a flash of red from the corner of his eye.

"You're not very subtle with your info gathering, you know?" A soft, feminine voice spoke from his left. Shisui slowly turned in his seat until he was face-to-face with the very woman he had been searching for all day.

"Wasn't trying to be subtle," he replied casually. A small shrug and a raised eyebrow served to hide his nerves.

"Oh?" The woman gave him a sly smile of her own. She reached out an open hand in his direction. "My name is Uzumaki Nagisa."

Shisui hesitated before taking her offered hand, shaking it once before retracting his own. He remained silent, watching her intently.

"You know, it's polite to respond with your own name, Uchiha-san," Nagisa said gently, though Shisui could see the hidden force behind her eyes. He looked at her for a moment, calculating eyes searching for a threat. He was caught off guard at first by her knowledge of his clan name, but he didn't let it get to him.

"Uchiha Shisui," he finally said. Nagisa instantly perked up at his introduction. She obviously didn't like being ignored.

"So, Shisui-san, why is a Konoha shinobi hunting me down?" the red-haired kunoichi asked.

"Not hunting, merely… seeking you out," Shisui grinned good-naturedly in hopes that it would disarm the Uzumaki. Today was not his lucky day.

"I'd appreciate it if you'd cut the bullshit. You've found me, now tell me why the hell you came in the first place."

Shisui's pleasant facade remained plastered on his face. "Hokage-sama simply sent me to offer a friendly hand to a well-known kunoichi." Nagisa didn't look impressed.

"And what exactly does a friendly hand entail?"

"As long as you continue to avoid becoming a threat to Konoha or her people, we will not interfere with your work." Shisui didn't miss a beat. "Pretty good deal for a wandering shinobi, don't you think?"

Nagisa did not miss the underlying threat. If you cause trouble you will be eliminated. She stayed silent, pretending to consider the offer. She had to play her cards right.

"Well this Hokage of yours sure seems generous. I'd love to meet him," she said, voice smooth and face unreadable.

Shisui faltered. This was not part of the plan and he had to think fast. "Hokage-sama is a very busy man."

"Hm… I'm sure if he's so determined to get me on his side that he'd send a valuable nin like Shunshin no Shisui to play messenger boy, he'd be willing to have a quick chat." A smirk graced her lips.

Shisui paled before composing himself. So she knew who he was? Well, he supposed it made sense. Wandering shinobi had to be knowledgeable if they wanted to survive. Every bit of information was priceless. He made a decision.

"Alright. How about I escort you to Konoha in the morning?"

Nagisa relaxed, but kept her features schooled. She was in.

"Sounds perfect."

NOTE: hope you guys liked this! i always hate first chapters, but i think we're off to a good start. the ball is about to get rolling, and i hope you stick around for the ride. chapters should get a little longer, but may not be super frequent, as i'm also working on my other shisaku, New Perspective (check it out if you haven't already). anyways, bye!

xoLuke