Naruto: A Rift in Time
By: Arthemis N. Remison

- CHAPTER 1: ONCE AGAIN -

In the middle of the Great 4th Ninja War, Kabuto unleashed one more trick. The only being in history ever to control the power of time and space to its fullest potential. A tall, tan skinned, white haired, silent man who not only commanded great wisdom in his stare but also great fear. He fought Naruto, Hinata and Ino who were rapidly growing weak since the man was an immortal. Sasuke and Itachi were still fending off Kabuto and his newly found Hebi Sage powers and they were winning, but a last command from the desperate Kabuto send a chill through their bones.

"If I cannot destroy you, I'll just get rid of you! Aion! I release you from your service! Get them out! Now!"

"I want her back as promised, mortal."

The man emitted a horrendous roar that shook the earth, and parted the skies from where a blue tower of energy beamed down in front of the white haired man. Sasuke, Ino, Itachi, Hinata & Naruto focused their attention on the tall man known as Aion, but they soon fell through his portal to another time. One in which the terror of the 4th Ninja War was still not heard.

As Naruto fell through the portal a single glance back let him caught a glimpse of Aion's face and words were silently uttered….like a whisper.

"I am sorry".

- 8 years back in time, Konoha -

The sky was unusually grim. No birds were heard in Konoha. No birds….except for…..crows. Naruto woke alone in his bed, wondering if it was all a dream. He went to the bathroom and washed his face. But when he looked in the mirror, something was wrong. He had a bed? He had a room? Konoha was still untouched? He couldn't believe his eyes. But his biggest shock was that he was back in his 7 year old body.

"AAAAAAHH!" Hinata screamed, as she saw her reflection and touched her face as if she was looking at herself for the first time. Hiashi ran towards the scream.

"Are you ok, Musume?"

"Hai, Ottou-sama." Still dumbfounded Hinata checked herself once more.

"Princess! Are you allright?! I heard you scream, Ino!" Inoichi was facing a similar situation with his daughter.

The most shocked of the ones that traveled through time was Sasuke. He woke up… in his bed… in his house… and he heard something he didn't believe to be possible.

"Mom?"

Itachi came running to his younger brother's room.

"Daiyobuka, Sasuke?"

"Itachi….what happened?…. how are you-"

"Alive? …. I don't know. But I think I know where…..i mean, when we are."

"When are we Itachi?" said a concerned Sasuke.

"…It's the day of the massacre."

Itachi expected Sasuke to jump him, but Sasuke just looked down. Remembering why Itachi had to do what he had to do. He heard it from Madara, and his own brother confirmed it.

"Itachi…I know why you have to do it… but… this time…don't leave me. Please don't leave me."

Itachi embraced his brother and whispered slowly into his ear: "I wont Sasuke, not this time. I got a plan"

Naruto ran out of his apartment and into the street just in time to see Sasuke coming out of the Uchiha Compound. Unknowingly Sasuke walked towards Naruto and when he finally looked up, he froze. He spent the last 3 years of his life ignoring his bond, trying to sever his bond with his blonde friend, but as he realized his new position, in this "new" era, he realized there is no longer any point in hating his friend. He collapsed and screamed. Screamed for the loss of his family again and for how sorry he felt for trying to kill his best friend.

As the night passed Sasuke joined Naruto at Ichiraku's but he didn't want to eat. He was just glad that Naruto was there in his time of need.

Itachi finished his mission much like the first time. But this time he added a little surprise. Before he headed for the Compound to perform his mission, he secretly asked the Hokage and a few clan heads that formed part of the Council to storm the Uchiha compound at 11:40pm, the exact time in which he finished his mission and Madara looked for him to enroll him in Akatsuki.

-11:40pm, Uchiha Compound-

"Itachi." Madara's face came warping from his dimension.

As soon as he achieved solid form, Itachi ran through the familiar 6 hand signs at unbelievable speeds. "Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu"

Madara clenched his face between his hands while he retreated from his surprising foe. His left arm was completely charred by the flaming pain. But Madara didn't have time to relax, since at that time, the Hokage and the Clan heads burst through the compound and foud Itachi facing off the traitorous Uchiha.

"This is your doing, Madara!" screamed an enraged Hokage. The years of experience through the 3rd Ninja War was the only thing keeping Hiashi from turning off his Byakugan. The blood and gore was relentless. The stench of blood soaked the air.

Madara, tired from his battle, was not about to battle 3 of the most powerful shinobi in Konoha. Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, Hyuuga Clan Head Hyuuga Hiashi and Inuzuka Clan Head Inuzuka Tsume and her partner Kuromaru, a one-eyed black and white wolf.

"This isn't the last of me, Hiruzen. This isn't the end" said Madara as he retreated into his dimension.

The alarm echoed all over Konoha, and as it reached Sasuke's ears, the black haired 8-year old young man realized it was time to return and confront his most tragic memory all over again, for the first time in this time-line.

Itachi was brought to court, in front of the Clan Heads, Advisors and the Hokage.

"Uchiha Itachi, you have been accused of murder, aiding an international criminal and treason. What do you have to say for yourself?" started a very eager Danzo. Eager to put Itachi behind bars.

"Danzo, various clan heads and myself were witnesses of Itachi fighting the real culprit." Explained Hiruzen.

"Well who was he fighting Sarutobi?" asked Koharu, with little effort of concealing her curiosity.

"Uchiha…..Madara"

The rest of the council gasped and small chatter was heard through out the room.

Hiruzen commanded everyone to silence. "Sentencing will be passed."

"Uchiha Itachi. For the crime of aiding an international criminal, we of the council find you: Not guilty. For the crime of treason, we of the council find you: Not guilty. For the crime of murder, we of the council find you: Guilty as charged."

"However" continued Hiruzen "seeing as youre an elite ANBU, one of the three left Uchihas and you aid in the intent of capture of Uchiha Madara, as stated by the law of Konoha, you are free of charge. You may go, Itachi."

"This is ridiculous!" said Homura.

"You are the ridiculous one, Homura! How could you want to make this man, who has suffered a loss so few have experienced. I've had it with you Homura! NOW SHUT UP AND LEAVE THIS COUNCIL! YOU ARE FIRED! Anyone in here has an objection?!" said Sarutobi Hiruzen using his full command.

The room was silent. Koharu wanted to raise her hand but she knew she would fail completely. The whole council wanted to erase him for a while. Itachi used this opportunity to dissapear from the Council's presence. He needed to see his younger brother. He needed to see Sasuke.

Itachi found Sasuke with Naruto at Ichiraku's and seeing as his house was now a crime scene he had to spend the night in a hotel. Sasuke didn't wave goodbye to Naruto as if nothing happened, but he simply raised his fist in Naruto's direction.

Naruto grinned like he never had before and punched his fist.

-O.o.0.o.O-

A/N: Hello. Welcome to Naruto: A Rift in Time. Seeing as this is my first real story, I need you to review. You don't have to do it and I wont keep bugging you to do it, but it will help me write a better story for you. Thank you for reading.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.