Chapter One

The two deities looked down at the funeral being held for the pink haired genin who sacrificed herself for her teammates. Amaterasu sighed; a sad smile etched on her face as she saw what appeared to be Sakura's best friend/rival bawl her eyes out as she leaned on her brown haired teammate for comfort. Tsukyomi frowned at his Opposite. He knew that look.

"Please don't tell me you're thinking of reviving the girl are you?" He drawled, his black pupiless eyes narrowing in on her fiery orange hair. "You cannot go around bringing back eery human that touches your compassionate heart." Amaterasu looked at the Lord of the Night with amused ruby eyes.

"This is true." She sighed, "Don't you have souls to reap Tsuky, my dear?" He scowled at the nickname and disappeared in a swirl of shadows. The Goddess of the Sun spared another look at the procession below, and sucked in her breath. The Uchiha boy was really crying? On closer inspection his eyes were misty but still, a Uchiha showing emotion was a rare thing, especially tears. Amaterasu swiped her hand in front of her and Sakura Haruno's soul appeared in front of her as a floating white orb. Amaterasu blinked and peered closer into the soul before gasping.

This girl couldn't be a youki shishou! They were supposed to be extinct! Her ruby eyes narrowed, she couldn't be allowed to die; she'd deal with Tsukyomi later. Amaterasu smirked. This girl was perfect.

"I can't believe it's been five years since I died." Sakura said in disbelief. The Sun Goddess smiled with pride at her young protégé. "But it's only been five days for your friends." She reminded. Sakura nodded and ignored the urge to hug Amaterasu. The Goddess had brought her back to life and taught her how to manipulate the bijuu's charka to form even more powerful elemental attacks.

Along the way, she'd discovered that clans such as the Uchihas, Hyuugas, and the Aburames were the offspring of demon and human relations, and despite how diluted their demon heritage was, Sakura could manipulate their kekkai genkais. Amaterasu had took her under her wing and Sakura was eternally grateful. Amaterasu smoothed her yellow gown and stood up with her hand outstretched, beckoning Sakura to come to her.

"But now you're ready to change the past Saku." Amaterasu smiled. The shinobi and the bijuu were her children, and she felt compelled to change their lives, for the better she hoped. "But," Sakura bit her lip," What if I can't help Gaara or stop the Uchiha Massacre?"

"Believe in yourself, I trained you well. The future will change significantly, as well as some of your relationships with people, but when you die on the bridge this time, I'll automatically revive you." Amaterasu smiled brightly. "No pressure huh?" Sakura laughed nervously. What if she messed this up? "No more worrying." Amaterasu touched Sakura's forehead and she fell in a deep sleep.

When she opened her eyes, she was greeted by the scorching heat, endless sand dunes, and the feel of someone's back beneath her. "You up Saku-bear?" Her father's cheery voice startled her and she realized she was five years old and accompanying her father Teyaki, on his trip to Suna. The one he had died on, after being ambushed by a rouge ninja. Would it happen this time?

"Now sweetie, I'm going to be working for the Kazekage most of the time, so you'll have to take care of yourself. Can you be a big girl for Otou-san?" Sakura inwardly snorted as she adjusted the red ribbon holding back her short pink hair. Who did he think she was? "Yes Otou-san."

They reported to the Kazekage and went to the apartment they were provided with to get used to it. Sakura shivered, no wonder the Gaara in her time was so hesistant to speak of his father. He had an air of cruelty around him that let you know he had no value for your life, as long as the job was done.

The next morning Sakura woke up to an empty house and after making herself some breakfast, she wandered the streets of Suna looking for a small redheaded boy. Sakura inwardly frowned. Suna under Gaara's care had been bustling and full of life, here it seemed desolate, and the people that were out kept to themselves and hurried to their destinations with looks of mistrust. No wonder Gaara had been so lonely. Was this what Naruto had to endure?

"Demon!" "Sat away from me you freak!" Sakura winced as she took off in a light jog towards the playground. She turned the corner to see a group of children huddled together while the boy in the sandbox held in his hands a soccer ball. He dropped it and the others grabbed it and ran. The boy clutched at his heart and squeezed his bear tightly as he plopped down in the sand holding back tears.

Slowly, so not to startle him, Sakura walked over and bent to his level. He hurriedly wiped away his tears and waited for the jeers he knew were coming. They always did. "Hi! I'm Sakura." She smiled brightly, her emerald eyes sparkling. "I-I'm G-G-Gaar-a." he stuttered, awe in his pale jade eyes. Why wasn't she running away?

"Do you mind if I played with you?" She asked curiously and Gaara nodded his head so fast it looked like his head might fall off. Sakura giggled and her heart softened. Together they made sandcastles and pushed each other on the swings. Gaara even let Sakura hold his bear Ai, which had been a gift from his uncle Yashamaru. As dusk hit, Sakura reluctantly had to leave. She had no idea when her father was suppose to be home and didn't want to be out too late incase he didn't allow her to come tomorrow.

"Well I have to go Gaara-kun, but I'll be back tomorrow to play okay?" Sakura asked. Gaara gasped. "You want to play some more tomorrow?" He asked incredulously. "Well of course silly! You're my friend!" She exclaimed, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. Gaara turned bright red and slowly hugged her back. This was heaven compared to what Yashamaru described! Sakura smiled and waved before jogging home where surprisingly, her father wasn't home yet.

Gaara was so cute! Sakura gushed in her head as she jogged up the steps, especially when he turned red! Just then Amaterasu whispered "Somebody's got a crush!" Sakura squeaked in surprise, lost her footing and went headfirst into a stair.

I do NOT!" She yelled.