The sensation of waking up felt more like clawing out of a hole. At least, that's how Sasuke described it. The next thing he noticed were the bonds. Somehow, this didn't come as a surprise, but he didn't have to like the situation.

"So, you're awake," came a cheerful voice. Given his knowledge of the whole circumstances, he recognized the voice, but also could hear the changes.

"Kakashi," he said. His throat felt dry, as if he hadn't drunk for quite a while, and some of his bruises throbbed. He looked around, noticing that Sakura appeared somewhat awake, but that they were missing one of their teammates. He nearly cursed, but forced himself to look back at the other nin the room.

He activated his sharingan, and winced at the sudden drain in his chakra.

Kakashi studied him, not indicating any sign of surprise. Still, after a moment, he said, "How odd, to find someone so similar in appearance to Sasuke…"

At that moment, the Hokage stepped in.


"…And they looked so much like Sasuke and Sakura!" finished Natsuko, nearly dropping a glass.

Team 7 sat at the counter, finishing their respective shakes. They always visited after training, though Kakashi was missing.

"Maybe they eloped!" Sakura chimed in, giving Sasuke a quick glance. The receiver of said glance ignored this entirely.

Naruto was chewing at his straw, eyes furrowed. It just figured he'd somehow be left out of things!

Kisame chuckled at the group, finishing to clean the glass Natsuko had nearly shattered. It was always fun to watch the kids interact, especially trying to guess how each would respond.

"It almost feels like I know them," Natsuko said.

"You always think that," replied Sasuke. Natsuko flushed.

"That's true, poppet," Kisame said. "You read people very well."

"But that's not what I mean!" The girl shook her head. "It's…different…"

"I hate to interrupt," said Kakashi, suddenly appearing behind his team, and causing Naruto and Saskura to jump a bit. "But we've been all called to see the Hokage. And she demands that you and Itachi also come, Kisame. And you as well, Natsuko."

Kisame's eyebrows shot up. Since he and Itachi had retired from being nin, the Hokage rarely called for them. Most of the time, she tried to half-heartedly bribe them into returning. Other times, she wanted information on the many clients that came through their domain.

And Natsuko…well, she wasn't a fighter…

He had a feeling that things were going to be quite interesting…


Sasuke thought he could handle it, but the moment he saw Itachi enter, he had to close his eyes. The Hokage had warned him. Here, in this world that seemed so like his own, the Uchiha massacre had never occurred.

It was easy to wish, just for a moment, that this was his life. But as a nin, he knew that such thoughts were foolish. He missed his family, and this he could not change. Yet he had something special, too.

His hand touched the ring that hung around his neck briefly. Sentimental, though it was, it helped ground him. No, not everything was happy in his life, but nor was it entirely black. He opened his eyes.

"Wow," said the smaller Naruto at last. "You guys really do kinda look like Sasuke and Sakura."

"I said that, didn't I?" replied Natsuko.

"Don't even start with the chattering," Tsunade said. "We have very serious business here."

Sasuke noticed the way that the young Naruto's and his alter's eyes seemed to shine just a little more. He could read them quite easily, and knew that they were excited at any prospect of a special mission. Anything to show off their talents…

"This isn't a matter to be taken lightly," snapped Tsunade, who apparently could read them just as well.

"Your lives are in danger," he finally said. The three juniors stared at him wide-eyed. What, did they think him mute?

"There is a jutsu legend," began Tsunade, "and it says that there were several jutsu were so powerful that nobody dared to write them down. They were either taught by word of mouth, learned by accident, and some said that a few were granted their knowledge as gifts from a higher power. One such jutsu was the ability to tear through the very fabric of reality…"

"You really are Sasuke and Sakura!" exclaimed the younger Sakura with delight.

Tsunade slammed her palm down on the table.

"This is not to be taken lightly, Sakura! They're not here to play games!"

"So why are they here?" asked the younger Naruto, oddly shrewd.

"Would you believe it's the usual fight of good versus evil?" asked the older Sakura. "We're tracking down someone who wants to cause great harm to various worlds. He's come here, and we're worried that he'll try to disrupt any peace there is."

"And you want us to help?" asked Naruto, excitedly.

Sasuke suppressed a wince. He wasn't at all confident in these small kids' abilities, even if one of them was his smaller mirror image. Nonetheless, he had learned over time that help came in a variety of places. Plus, if what he understood were true, the holders of the tailed-beast were in danger…

"The different kages are aware of this ability to tear through realities, aren't they?" asked Itachi.

Tsunade sighed. "Yes, it is not something we broadcast, nor is it something I ever thought I'd witness. It's certainly not considered a good omen."

"Hey, hey! Is there an older me?" asked Naruto.

"Yes," said the older Sakura, with a smile.

"What's he like?!"

Sakura glanced at him, a smirk fluttering on her face momentarily. Sasuke's eyes narrowed.

"It's hard to explain. You'll have to wait and see. Right, Sasuke?"

He almost had the urge to tell her exactly what he thought of that idea. He noticed the look the younger Sakura was giving them. That girl had romance on her mind…

"It's going to get really confusing with the names," said Kisame.

"Then we'll use code names," he said, relieved to change the topic. "On missions, I go as Auron."

"Suki," said the elder Sakura.

"What about the older me?"

"Later," said Suki, before he could say a word.

"I'm giving Team 7 a new mission," said Tsunade. "Don't get so excited about it, because this is far more dangerous than I'd like. But you will help them any way you can. They are older, so if they give you an order, then you follow it. Itachi, Kisame…will you two please allow Team 7 and…errr…the other Team 7 to stay at your place?"

Itachi sighed, but didn't say no.


Notes: Kisame does not look like a fish in this, but does look human. His 'fish' form is more of a disguise.