I bit back a scream as I awoke to a reenactment of the Uchiha massacre taking place on my neck. Biting my lip as hard as I could, I slowly made my way into my old bathroom, wincing at every step I took.
Some pain gnaws at you, throbbing and pulsing, but this was on a whole different level. Tilting my head so I could see the area in which I was hurting, my eyes widened as they landed on my seal. It's usual lavender colour was replaced by a deep red. Other than that, the whole side of my neck was a bright pink in contrast to the rest of my body.
My hand trailed down to reach for some healing ointment when I remembered the situation I was in. Staring at my reflection, a noise of surprise escaped my lips as I came face to face with my twelve year old self.
I clenched my left fist in pain as my right hand began to heal my neck.
Such a strange sight, I mused to myself; indeed it was. A scrawny child who looked as if she couldn't hurt a fly, performing slightly advanced medical ninjutsu. I sighed as my neck went numb, examining my appearance once more.
Long, non-matted hair, pale face that lacked any scars, large doe-like eyes that couldn't possibly strike fear into the heart of anyone. I glared at my appearance, a captious look in my eyes; I looked so weak..
Running my hands through my hair, I realized that my seal stood out like a sore thumb, and anyone who saw it would be suspicious. Furrowing my brows, I styled my hair in a way that would cause it to be unnoticed, but I knew that it wouldn't stay during battle.
"I probably have a few turtlenecks in my wardrobe," I murmured while making my way to my room.
Turns out I had quite the number of turtlenecks, but I decided to just wrap gauze around my neck later so it wouldn't be as uncomfortable.
I stared at my alarm clock with half-lidded eyes. It was nearly time for me to get dressed for the academy. A sigh escaped my lips as I went through my wardrobe again.
Pulling out a few items, I nodded to myself before heading into the bathroom once more.
Undressing, I slipped into the shower, using this time to think about my situation.
Why this age? What could I possibly do as a child to stop the war?
Well, we could stop Sasuke from ever meeting Madara, which could cause a chain reaction of his plans ceasing to work.
My eyes widened at the voice inside my head, I hadn't heard inner in such a long time. Shaking my head, I smirked as the scalding hot water beat down on me.
Oh you're back? I questioned, before giving a rude snort. And you're actually saying something smart for once, I'm almost proud of you.
Inner growled playfully, crossing her arms in my subconscious.
This is the thanks I get for being helpful? Fine, see if I care! She scoffed, before grinning.
It's been awhile, 'Kura. Your boobs are smaller than usual. My other personality teased. I pouted, squeezing a soapy washcloth over said chest area.
If I recall, you look just like me, so you can't say anything. Inner responded to my jest with a loud laugh, urging me to look at her with my mind's eye.
Focusing some chakra into the center of my forehead, I closed my eyes, my jaw slackened at the sight of Inner.
She looked like a fusion between Tsunade and myself, albeit a bit younger. I raised an eyebrow at her, the unsaid question rang loudly,
Inner sighed, looking even more like Tsunade. She scratched the back of her head sheepishly, a grin twitching on her lips.
I've been pretty busy, Sakura. I'll explain soon, but you should probably answer the door.
My eyes snapped open as my mother knocked on the door for probably the umpteenth time.
"Yes?" I called out weakly. Knowing that my mother was breathing, speaking, moving.. just knowing she was alive nearly made me cry.
"Sakura Haruno, you're gonna be late if you don't get out of the shower!" My eyes widened and in an instant, I hopped out of the shower, throwing on my clothes. I twisted the door handle before remember my seal.
A quiet curse escaped my lips as I rushed to wrap the gauze around my neck.
In a poof of smoke, I was in the doorway of my front door, stopping only to get my sandals on.
Waving goodbye to my father, I was gone in a flash.
-pagebreak-
I arrived just on time, a flurry of cherry blossoms catching the attention of a few people, namely Naruto, Ino and Iruka.
I sent a timid smile towards Iruka-sensei, which he returned, though his smile was slightly concerned.
I slowly made my way to the seat next to Naruto, smiling at the boy softly. I was about to greet him when the shrilling voice of Ino filled my ears.
"Hey, Forehead! You were too late and I got to sit next to Sasuke-kun!" I resist the urge to roll my eyes, deciding instead to smirk at her.
"Wow, good job! Was that your first mission as a kunoichi?" Ino looked confused at my sarcastic statement, before glaring at me, prompting me to sigh.
"We're genin now, and that means we have to take being ninja seriously. We can't be pent up on boys nor can we allow petty arguments to get in the way of our comradery." I bowed my head to the young Yamanaka, a sign of respect.
I heard a gasp from someone as I brought my head up with a determined look in my eye.
"As of today, I vow to be the best version of me that I can possibly be, and to ossify that promise, I shall bury the hatchet between us, so that we may become better ninja!" I bowed once again, before smiling shyly at her.
I watched with a sullen heart as Ino scoffed, flipping her hair behind her, nearly hitting Sasuke in the face.
"I bet that bogus speech was just a lie so I could let my guard down, but I'm not as stupid as you are, so I won't fall for it!" She boasted, causing nearly everyone to sweatdrop at her reaction.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw people staring at me, waiting for my reaction.
Sighing, I laughed slightly, though there was no humour in my tone.
"Fine," I began, feeling Inner start to take over. "Have fun playing ninja, but I assure you, batting your eyes and getting boyfriends will only get you killed." I spat.
Ino's widened, take aback by my serious tone. She was about to respond when Iruka cut her off.
"Ino, that was very rude to say to Sakura when she offered her friendship." He scolded, crossing his arms. "Your father will be notified." Ino pouted at that, glaring daggers at me.
"As for you,"
I watched as Iruka turned to me, disappointment shining in his eyes.
"Sakura, though you did have valid points, it was very unwise of you to indirectly threaten Yamanaka-san like that." I let my head hang down in shame as Iruka continued.
"Not only were you nearly late, you also caused a stir in class, which is odd, as you usually have a clean record when it comes to rambunctiousness." He raised an eyebrow before shaking his head.
"I will be calling your parents as well." I nodded, looking the brown haired man in the eye.
"My apologies Iruka-sensei, my actions were severely out of hand. I apologize to you too, Ino-san."
Iruka nodded at the both of us before clapping his hands in excitement, a grin on his face.
"Today, are all going from being mere academy students to actual ninja, and I for one, am very proud of you all."
I zoned Iruka out, opting to talk to Inner instead.
Cha! We showed her, right?! Hey, why are you giving me that look, 'Kura?
I sighed, before glaring at her mentally. Inner taking over was quite the rare occurrence, and she usually never did it over something so.. petty.
What the hell was that about, Inner? I asked, narrowing my eyes slightly.
Inner laughed nervously, before attempting to speak again. This time, however, I cut her off.
You took over my body, and you're going to tell me why as soon as we get home.
Sakura, please I c- We will talk when we get home.
Finalising the conversation, I forced myself to pay attention as Iruka started calling us up to get our hitae-ate.
I listened as the names of my comrades went on and on, until he reached my name. Iruka-sensei smiled at me warmly as I made my way up to him.
I said a few generic words of gratitude before taking my hitae-ate and fastening it around my neck. I bowed to the scarred jounin before bowing to my class.
Making my way back to my seat with Naruto, a grin graced my face as the young blonde gave me a high-five.
I watched as life repeated itself, with one thought in mind.
Time to rewrite history.