Scarlet no Sakura

Summary: Naruto goes back to darkest day of his life to prevent his potential death, teaching his younger self to hope and what real love is. (Just try it come on you know you wanna)

Set in the cannon Naruto universe, after the Pain invasion but before Sasuke attacks the kages.

Warnings: Some minor cursing, dark themes, shameless fluff later on mahahahahah (non romantic of course)

Hey everyone Snowy-Chan here, how is everyone heh heh. This is my first Naruto fan fic, (I LOVE my little Naru-chan don't you…well not mine but well…urgh meanie's I want him) This is actually a section of a fic that has been in a my head for a while, not exactly the way it was suppose to be but I don't want to confuse anyone so it turned out like this. If you want to see more of this story or just want a rough summary of it just ask other wise it's just going to be a private one for me to roll around in its goodness. Their will be no pairings in this story part its focusing on some Naruto character development, it would be pretty much the same if I were post the full story though I'm sure some light romance would creep up because I cant help it (hopeless romantic sadly) This was originally suppose to be a one shot but I didn't want to kill anyone with the length so here we are. Man I really suck at that, Everything always turns out longer than I want it. Hehehehe well whatever more fun for me. I hope you like, and I apologize for the somewhat formal writing style which isn't usually me but since the subject matter it felt a little morbid to be cracking jokes every few lines like usual. Though some dark themes this is not angst or at least not dripping in it, I HATE THAT GENRE its just their to make my heart hurt. It will be kind of fluffy sometimes but people that don't like fluff are….puppy killers so you better like it. Okay yes I'm a dork no need to make fun. Muhahahahaha enjoy I will most likely update pretty soon, like less than an hour probably or not we'll see how I feel so have fun my ducks.

Okay okay…I don't own Naruto so sue me…oh wait don't do that hehehe I was just kidding I swear. *mutters* Stupid meanie lawyers and their laws. '

~Preface~

I love you. Three of the simplest words to describe something so profound, humans have spent centuries trying to decipher, to understand it to it's fullest. These words are ones the most people hear many times by the time the can even begin to understand the meaning of them. Said to us by the people that had a hand in who we are. People that felt for us, that understood or at least tried, people that unconditionally loved us. But, and this is a rather large one at that, some of us are left on our own.

Some have never heard these words spoken in earnest, or least have no memory of such a event. Left alone to fight with life, an endless battle, with no guidelines that we as fickle creatures need so grandly to thrive. Some fall and do not get up, drowning in their own desperation. However there are a few, very very few that stand up on their own, with only their own hands lifting them. To fight impossibility, and the weight on hopelessness. One or two of these few are just determined enough to reach the sun, to find true peace and maybe just maybe. A little love.

- Chapter One: Petals of Scarlet-

The room was silent, still even though it held two male occupants. Though strange, it is not completely out of the ordinary, some people really prefer silence. As strange as it might seem. However since one of the occupants happened to be the living incarnation of the sun, and who was by no standard a introverted person, this is unsettlingly strange. Most people that knew him would go into a violent shock if they were to witness it. Well that is the people that had only ever meet the mask so carefully constructed by the boy, even he was tricked by it…sometimes.

The other boy however it wasn't surprising to find him in silent contemplation. Both were in their own worlds, thoughts scattered and unfocused. As they waited for the third addition to their party, when they would find out what they would be working on this time.

The blonde haired boy, the living sun, gazed distractedly out a small window in the plain midnight blue room. Bored of seeing only blue walls and black non descript furniture, he would have spent the time gazing at his companion if he had wished to die an early death. With a short fused temper, he would be quick to become offended.

The blonde haired boy mused on this slightly amused, reminiscing on the temper that made his friend so different from the rest of his family. Leaning his tanned forehead against the window jam his eyes sought out the differences in this world from his own that he normally presided. The sky was a swirling vortex of purple, gold, and silver, very different from the blue from his true world, the vibrant blue that sparkled in the boy's eyes.

The trees were malformed, twisting and some what sinister looking, just what one would expect in realm bucking the demons void-like one. It's plants were the same, with a few strange ones in between, often colored differently. Or vastly a different size. The blonde eyed the enormous Venus fly trap wearily, having had a unfortunate experience with the plant.

This world was not a place many human frequented, in fact the only humans that ever came to this place, to this specific estate was 12 in number. (9 of which could not be counted completely human in the normal sense.) Alive anyway. It was not unusual to come across the soul of a hero or in rare cases a villain, sent to the 'other realm' to help the goings on in the human world and regulate the demon void. Yes, these humans were special indeed. Chosen by fate , to take the less traveled road. The one though the dark forest rather than the sunny meadow.

The 9 you ask? I see you picked that out, very clever of you. (A/N yes I am a royal dork) The ones not completely human, a mystery indeed. In the world of humans and the ninja they are known as Jinchuriki, humans used as a vessel to hold one of the 9 great and terrible tailed beasts. This place was a sanctuary to the unfortunate vessels, a place they learned to control, use, and suppress the demons chakra. Where they became a family, one that though different in many ways was bound by loneliness and understanding.

Though sadly none remembered when they returned to the real world. Through a strange power that surrounded the Junchuriki's estate, a person forgets everything that went on in its confines unless they were meant to remember. Since it would not only be strange but also alarming if the Junchuriki not only recognized each other but acted like family when they were never suppose to have meet. However even with their memories gone, they often retained the peace of a visit to the estate. The other three of the humans lived in the estate, working constantly. Though also lonely they could always depend on one of the 9 to show up to visit at least once a week, if not more.

The blonde boy sighed tiredly, brushing a hand through his messy liquid gold hair. Before turning to look at his silent companion.

"Damn brat is taking forever." The blond mutters irritably, before standing and beginning to pace. Feeling the need to do SOMETHING. Anxious for some unknown reason.

"She's busy idiot, the mission isn't going anywhere." The silver haired boy answered cushioning his head on his fist, uninterested in his friends impatience.

"I know that that….it's just. Oh fuck I don't know I'm just anxious. I have a feeling this is important." The blonde tried to explain running his hands again through his blonde hair before stopping and scratching at his scarred cheek, his eyes taking on a considering look.

The silver haired boy didn't say anything just looking at the boy. Naruto Uzumaki, the vessel of the Kyuubi no Kitsunie was not known to be the most patient of people. Even when he put down the mask of a true imbecile he didn't have the ability to wait when he felt he could do something. Even if it was at the risk to himself.

Naruto abruptly turned rustling his pale gold kimono, decorated with scarlet Sakura, the sign of the Kyuubi in the demon world. Twisting the white wrap-like garment that wound around his forearms and twisted around his waist, he had created it years before to be a center point to his flying jutsu , through the use of wind chakra.

With a sigh he threw himself back into the chair, tanned face pulled into a pout. The silver haired boy had to clamp his hand over his mouth to stop of laughing outright The boy looked like a petulant child.. Naruto saw narrowing his eyes before growling.

"Oi, don't laugh at me Suke-Bastard." Sukeji's eyes narrowed at his blonde friend, his glare far more impressive than the foxes.

"Don't call me that." Sukeji ground out tone daring Naruto to disagree, the blonde rose to the challenge grinning widely.

"Awh why, is Suke-chan angry because his name sounds girly like that." Sukeji raised a silver eyebrow before a evil smirk curled on his face.

"Forgive me Naruto but I am not the one who has been mistaken for a girl in a kimono." Naruto sputtered angrily.

"You know perfectly well why that happened Baka, and I have it on good authority you've been mistaken for a girl before in that kimono." Naruto smiled smugly gazing at his slender friend in the silver and light blue kimono; though the boy may be taller than him he had the far more feline and female figure than the blonde.

"Why you-" Sukeji started his quick temper blazing before the screen door to the room snapped open causing both of the teens to jump in surprise. Not sensing that their final team-mate had arrived. She looked at the them both steadily before rolling her eyes.

"Fighting again? And you call yourselves sages." The raven haired girl shook her head sadly before entering, eyeing her fellow sages. Sukeji Sage of the Past, who watched to make sure none messed with what was meant to be. Herself Chiori Sage of the Future, who protected the future and presided over those with foresight, and last but not least. Naruto Sage of the present, with the biggest job to protect the human and demon realm from destruction. Just your average walk in the park of course. Chiori straightened her blue kimono before throwing the files towards the two boys.

"Awh, you know we were just kidding." Naruto smiled at the girl as he caught the file lazily.

"So what's the mission." Sukeji asked reaching to grab the file with his finger tips. Naruto stopped before opening the file catching the way Chiori tensed.

"What is it?" Naruto asked warily, not sure if he wanted to know. Chiori bit her lip before combing her face into a business like persona, settling down in one of the black chairs before answering carefully. "Suicide Prevention." This caught both of the boys attention, out of all the jobs they worked suicide was the worst to deal with since sometimes they failed.

It being a question of free will they didn't get a second chance and couldn't force the person to do anything. Though they could prevent the act there was no guarantee that once the memory was hidden in the persons mind that they wouldn't do it again. The trio needed to ingrain the feelings needed rather than relying on the memories.

They didn't get many of these cases, only people that would have a big impact on the future or present were given to them, usually it was people in the present but some of them required going into the past to prevent the act…specifically 8 cases had had this result.

All Jinchuriki. Yes every one of the vessels had at one time attempted suicide. It was hard on the trio since they knew these people, and to see them at their darkest was difficult. It was often Naruto that did most of the talking, being a Junchuriki himself. He had a sinking feeling that he knew exactly who this case was… but he had to have it confirmed. So steeling himself he asked the question with his eyes, sapphire blue blazing into the pale periwinkle.

Chiori took a deep cleansing breath before nodding slowly her eyes sympathetic. Naruto closed his eyes before he started to shake. He knew this day would come, the images of that day assaulting him causing his very core to be shaken. The day everything almost ended. The blonde was brought back to the present abruptly as arms wrapped around his neck tightly, Naruto breathed in Chiori's motherly scent of pine needles and cotton wool. Allowing her to comfort him. Sukeji simply placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder gently squeezing and kneading the boy's tense muscles. It was enough.

Taking a minute to compose himself, he cleared his throat and spoke. His voice only slightly strained. "Let's go." Chiori nodded pulling back, but not before pressing her lips to Naruto's forehead. "Whenever you're ready Naruto-nii-san" Chiori smiled gently at her friend as his face lit up at being called a brother.

"Well let's get cooking Nee-Chan." He said with a smirk, though it quivered slightly. Sukeji shook his head at the pair walking into a small closet space and coming out with 3 travel cloaks. Tossing them to his team mates lazily before moving to an empty space in the room where they would weave the Jutsu to the past. Chiori grabbed the cloak and swung it on before joining Sukeji, Naruto grabbed his with one hand on instinct as he wrote something one a plain sheet of paper. When he finished her slipped it into a small pouch tied to his waist before pulling on his cloak and joining the other two sages.

"Ready?" Sukeji asked eyeing the other two. Both nodded before turning so all three of their backs were pressed against each others. With the speed of repetition and practice the three weaved the hand seals of the complex jutsu with blearing speed. As the last seal was completed the three called out in calm voice. "Past no Jutsu." Before slapping both of their palms to the ground. With a familiar whirling sensation the trio was pressed through a vortex of colors. Traveling back. Back to 10 years prior to prevent the death of a little boy…of Naruto Uzumaki.

So tell me everyone what did you think, and Remember reviews are like love, love makes the world go round, so lets keep the world rolling and send me a review nee? Positive comments would be lovely thank you sweetie, you're the best. Oh and FYI I don't care about grammar I know I suck so lets leave it at that….uh huh thank you for your consideration. *EVIL GLARE* Blinks * Innocent smile*

Love Snowy-Hime