Naruto standing in front of Sakura. Panting and bleeding, a figure was floating above them and staring them down. He then disappeared and reappeared in front of Naruto. He grabbed him by his neck.

"Naruto!" Sakura screamed.

"Still too weak!" The figure finally spoke. "Is this all you got? Even when you're containing all Kurama and his siblings within you? Even with Ashura's chakra clinging to you? Even with the power of the Sage of Six Paths? Pathetic!"

"Let him go!" She shouted.

"How do you know about that?" Naruto asked. Trying to get out of the man's grip. "Who are you?"

"Maybe losing the person you care for the most will get the lesson through that thick head of yours." He said. Sakura charged and tried to attack the man only to be blocked and evaded. "Look, she's even going to her death of her own free will."

"Sakura-chan run away!" Naruto shouted. Sakura stood there frozen. Fear visible in her transparent expression. "SAKURA-CHAN!"

'I can't leave you here you'll die!' she thought.

"I don't care what happens to me!" Naruto shouted as if reading her thoughts. "Just run!"

"Yes, run like you always have," The man taunted. Sakura enraged jumped. He pushed her back with relative ease. "Run, run back to your Sasuke-kun while you leave the one who loves you above all else behind."

He then raised his hand. It accumulated chakra and a black spherical ball appeared in his hand. He then pointed said hand toward Sakura.

"What are you doing!?" Naruto asked. He was now using bijuu chakra to break free but was still getting countered.

"If you want to stop me," He said. "You'll have to be stronger than that."

"Please," Naruto begged. "Don't do this."

"You still love this woman after all that?" He asked.

The man looked at Sakura. He deactivated his jutsu.

"Is there a reason why I should let you live?" The man asked.

"What right do you have to judge whether someone lives or dies?" Sakura shouted. "Who do you think you are?"

"Says the woman who controlled the fate of this boy," the man rebutted.

"What are you talking about?" Sakura asked. She could not look the man in the eye, afraid of the answer.

"I'll bring him back Sakura-chan," the man replied. He gave a thumbs up in a mocking manner. Sakura fell to her knees. "Promise of a lifetime."

"Leave her alone!" Naruto shouted.

"Well, aren't you a knight in shining armor," the man said. "Oh, great demon of the Leaf."

"He is not a demon!" Sakura shouted with renewed fighting spirit.

"Don't make me laugh girl," He said. "You are among those that treated him as such."

He looked at Sakura then to Naruto. His hands began to glow.

"I shall let one of you live but the other must die," He said. "Now choose who must die."

"Easy," Naruto replied defiantly. "Me"

"Very well," He said. "Watch child as rip out that which is forgotten in your hands."

He pulled his hand back. The aura became sharper. He then stabbed the blonde boy with. Time slowed down in front Sakura. Every moment that hand moved caused her pain. Her entire world shattering before her.

"NOOOOOOO!"


"NOOOOOOO!" Sakura screamed. Cold sweat slowly making its way down her face.

"Sakura! Are you ok!?" Her dad asked as soon as he burst into the room. "Are you hurt!?"

"No dad," Sakura replied wearily. "I'm fine. Just had a bad dream."

"Phew," He said in relief. "Don't scare me like that. My heart just won't be able to take it."

"Sorry dad," She replied. Still, she could not shake the dread. The dream seemed too real. 'I better find him. Just to make sure.'

"Sakura dear, where are you going?" Kizashi asked.

"Just going out for a walk," Sakura said.

"At four in the morning?" Kizashi asked.


Naruto was going to the Hokage's Tower to begin his mission before the sun goes up. Jumping over the rooftops, he noticed something off. Sakura was walking around the village but what seemed off was that she was crying and that horrified look on her face. Naruto couldn't help but go to the distressed girl and try to comfort her.

"Sakura-chan what's wrong?" Naruto asked.

"EEEP!" Sakura squeaked as she jumped in surprise. "Naruto, you almost gave me a heart attack!"

"Sorry about that," Naruto said while scratching the back of his head. "Are you ok?"

"What do you mean?" Sakura replied. She tried to hide her face but the blond idiot could always read her like an open book.

"Well you seem sad and you were crying," Naruto answered.

"It's nothing," She replied. Embarrassed that Naruto actually saw her melancholy.

'I guess she doesn't want to tell me," Naruto thought.

"Oh, sorry Sakura-chan, I guess it's about you and Sasuke huh," Naruto said. "It's none of my business. I'll go. Sorry for bothering you then."

He turned to leave but was stopped. Pale silky arms had gone around him. He could feel her warmth on his back. He could feel as tears trickle down her face and wondered what it is that is causing this.

"Um...Sakura-chan," he said.

"Can we stay like this for now," she replied. Her face buried. She continued her sobs. Naruto tried to break her hold but she held tighter.

"I can't Sakura-chan," Naruto said. He tried to get her to let go without physically hurting her to no avail.

"Please, just let me stay like this a while longer," Sakura said. "I just feel like you're going to disappear if I don't hold you like this."

"Ok," Naruto submitted. 'Sorry Jiji, I'm going to be a little late.'


"Naruto, you asked for more missions but do not bother to show up in time," Hiruzen said. He was disappointed. The boy was showing more responsibility. "Do you have any explanation for this."

"Sorry Jiji," Naruto said. "A friend really needed me."

"Alright, let's get with your mission," Hiruzen said. He handed the boy a folder. "This is a D rank mission, you are to help with the construction of the perimeter wall."

"Ok Jiji," Naruto said. "Do you have any more?"

"More?" Hiruzen asked. "Why are you doing this Naruto?"

The boy just looked down. Melancholy evident in his eyes. Hiruzen could think of a few reasons why the boy was like this.

"Sorry Jiji, but I can't," He replied.

"Keeping it in doesn't help, you know," Hiruzen said.

"I know," Naruto replied. "But right now. I just can't."

"Ok," Hiruzen said. He decided not to pursue the subject right now. "How can you do more mission at the same time?"

"Well I can send a clone on this mission while I do a few more," Naruto said. "This way it will be more efficient."

Hiruzen grabbed more files from the pile on his side table. He handed them to the boy. They contained a few more four D-rank and one C-rank mission.

"You can do those for now," Hiruzen said. "I know you can make a lot of clones Naruto but I don't want you overworking yourself."

"Thanks, Jiji," Naruto said. "I'll get started right away."


A week passed. The team gathered every day for training but today something seemed different.

"Ok, so today we're finally going to go on our first mission," Kakashi said. "Please remember that this is official ninja business and I want you all on your best behavior."

He looked around. Sasuke was still glaring and keeping to himself. Naruto was being hyperactive. Sakura was acting strangely. She has been for a week. She looked at Naruto as though he was going to disappear. There were times that she would try to reach out to him but would stop. She would call out to him only to say nevermind. He decided that he needed to observe more before coming to a conclusion.

"Let's go," He said. Before they reached the bridge, the blonde boy disappeared with a puff.

"Naruto!" Sakura shouted. Her eyes began to become hollow as she looked around to find her teammate.

"A clone?" Kakashi said. 'Where could he be? He's the kind of guy who would be jumping for joy for a mission and now he sends a clone for the briefing.'

An ANBU suddenly jumped towards them. He/ she whispered something to Kakashi. He gave a nod to confirm that he understood the situation and the ANBU flickered away. "It seems that Lord Hokage has summoned me." He said. "You two go find Naruto. I'll meet you here as soon as I'm done."

"It seems that Lord Hokage has summoned me." He said. "You two go find Naruto. I'll meet you here as soon as I'm done."

"Sensei, what if we don't find him?" Sakura asked. "What if he..."

"Are you stupid?" Sasuke said irritatedly.

"What?" Sakura asked. She glared at the boy.

"Hell would freeze over before dobe would want to stay away from you," Sasuke replied. "Now come on. The most likely place that he'll be is at that ramen shop he loves so much."

They ran towards the village to Ichiraku's. Unfortunately, neither Teuchi nor Ayame had seen the boy that day. They went to all the possible places that he can be next; asking anyone they know that knows him if they've seen him. The more places they had to check. The more Sakura worried. Her thoughts straying back to the dream she had.

'Naruto, where are you?' Sakura thought. They went back to the training grounds. The Anbu from earlier was waiting.

"Lord Hokage summoned you," he said. His expression hidden behind his masked. They followed the man to the Hokage's Tower. He gestured them towards their leader's office. The two genin approached the door.

"Come in," Hiruzen voice was heard from the other side of the door. Inside the room, their jonin instructor stood along with the Third Hokage. Another person was also in the room, a blonde boy snoozing in a chair. His jacket torn and practically destroyed. He was dirty and bruised, scrapes can be seen all over his arms. The most notable damages were the chakra burns all over his body. Sakura ran towards her battered teammate and began healing him with her current capacity.

"What happened to him?" She asked the two adults. Her tear filled eyes not leaving the blonde in her arms.

"He overdid it," Kakashi answered. "He went on missions without us."

"What!?" Sakura shouted.

"Sorry Sakura-chan," Naruto said in his sleep. "I'll bring him back."

'What!?' Sakura thought. 'What was this boy saying? Bring who back? Sasuke hasn't left yet?'

"I allowed him to take a few missions," Hiruzen explained. "He did multiple of them and training using shadow clones simultaneously."

"Why?" She asked. She was answered by silence.

"Ughh," Naruto stirred. He opened his eyes. They were met by deep pools of emerald. His heart felt like jumping out of his chest. "Am I in heaven."

"No, but you tried," Kakashi replied.

"Feeling better?" Sakura asked. Blushing from the boy's previous comment. He nodded. Her expression changed to that of anger. She smacked him on the top of his head. "What the hell do you think you were doing?"

"I'm sorry Sakura-chan," Naruto apologized attempting to calm her.

"What are you apologizing for?" Sakura replied. "You didn't do anything wrong."

Naruto just sat there. His face twisted in pain. He thought about his memories from the previous timeline. The bijuu trying to reassure and comfort him that what he was doing was right.

"Now that things have settled down," Hiruzen said. "I'd like to give you your mission."


Itachi and Kisame were informed that they were to meet a client for their organization, the Akatsuki. The group usually traveled in two-man teams. Itachi being a former ANBU captain was familiar with the coordinates they were given.

"Itachi-san," Kisame said. His voice filled with lust for battle. "Something wrong?"

"No, just suspicious," Itachi replied. "The location for the meeting place. I've been there before."

"Ah, then how about a tour after?" Kisame asked.

"It's not really a lively place it used to a compound for that was under the control of..." Itachi said.

"Itachi Uchiha and Hoshigaki Kisame," A man's voice cut Itachi off and walked into the light. He gave a courteous bow. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"I'm guessing you're the client?" Itachi asked.

"Indeed I am," He replied.

"So why is it that you decided to use our services?" Kisame asked. "Surely, you didn't ask to see us just to meet us."

"To the point Mr. Hoshigaki," He said. "The reason I called you organization and asked for you two specifically is that you Itachi are a former shinobi of the Leaf and I need someone assassinated. Alarm bells began ringing in his mind.

'Who is this man?' Itachi thought. His eyes quickly turned into Mangekyo.

"Don't bother Itachi-san," the man said. "Tsukuyomi or Amaterasu has no effect on me unless I let you. Save your eyesight. You will need it for this job and I didn't come here to fight you, to begin with."

"What is the job that you need us for?" Kisame asked.

"It is an assassination," he replied. "An important person in Konoha."

"Oh," Kisame said. He licked his lips. Excitement and bloodlust transparent on his face. "And who might this person be."

"Danzo Shimura," he replied. Itachi winced. His hatred spurred for a moment. His face going back to its usual stoic expression a moment later. The client noticed this but kept going. "But it is to be done at an exact time. I will contact you with further details of the mission. I will also pay the amount agreed upon with Mr. Kakuzu. This is the advance and I will pay an extra for the completion of this mission."

"Sounds good to me," Kisame said.

"Before you leave," the client said. Looking at the Uchiha directly in the eye. The worst mistake if you asked any shinobi but the man still did it consciously. "Itachi-san, may I speak with you in private. You may use Tsukuyomi if you wish."

In an instant, Itachi's eyes turned to a Sharingan then merging the tomoes into the shape of his Mangekyo. Blood began dripping from his left eye.


"Ok," Itachi said. This was his realm. This man had no power here. "Why do you want to assassinate Danzo Shimura."

"Because he is a plague upon the village," the client said. "He has lost sight of that which he must protect."

"And what are you going to do next?" Itachi asked.

"That is for me to know," he replied.

"You will tell me," Itachi said. The man was suddenly surrounded by a couple hundred Itachis holding kodachis. Before they could pierce the man, chakra emanated from the man and spread around. The Itachis disappeared. 'What?'

"I told you before, you have no power over me" the man replied. Itachi grit his teeth. "Do not worry. I have no intention of attacking Konoha."

"Then what is it that you are after," Itachi asked.

"I know that you entered the Akatsuki as a spy," he said as he changed the subject. "I know that you have been sending messages to the Third."

The man then covered his hand with chakra and disappeared. He hit Itachi square in the stomach. Though he was in the genjutsu world, the shock of it caused his body yo actually buckle to his knees.

"Do not worry Kisame san," the client said. "Itachi merely tripped in this world."

'What!?' Kisame thought. Alarmed that the man was able to talk to him while being under Tsukuyomi and was aware of what was happening in both worlds. He readied Samehada in case a fight. 'Who is this guy?'

"Now where were we?" The man said. He recollected his thoughts. Itachi glared at the man. "I would prefer it if he is not made aware of our business. If you do I will know; however, if you would grant me this wish, I will reward you."

"You have nothing to sway me?" Itachi retorted.

"Oh, but I do Itachi-san," he said.


In the real world, Itachi opened his eyes. Looked at the client and then to Kisame. He got up.

"We're leaving Kisame!" Itachi said sharply. He turned around to leave.

"What!?" Kisame asked in shock. He did not know what happened but this is the first time that he had seen his partner so angry. He was terrified. "You ok Itachi-san?"

"I'm doing this job," Itachi replied. "With or without you."

"That's good to hear," the man said. He then took something from his pocket and passed to Itachi. "I almost forgot. Take this twice a day every day for a couple months."

"What is it?" Itachi asked. He glared at the man.

"Itachi-san, it's obvious isn't it?" the man asked. "It's medicine. You do want to stay alive when that time comes right?"

"How do I know this isn't something to speed up the process?" he said in suspicion.

"It's made by the best Itachi-san," the man said. "Even if that were poison. If she says that it was good for me, I will drink it."

"Fine," Itachi said. Their client walking the opposite direction. He took a small sip of one of the vials. In a couple of minutes, he stopped coughing blood.

"I guess it really is medicine Itachi-san," Kisame said. He did not get an answer. His partner was just walking staring into space.

'Why invest so much just to assassinate one man?' Itachi wondered.


After a week of doing missions, Team 7 had finished about twelve missions. They were heading back to report on the mission.

"I am proud of you guys," Kakashi said. "You were able to do D-rank missions with ease in only a week."

"Thanks, sensei," Naruto said. They continued their conversation until they reached Hokage's office.

"Come in," Hiruzen said. He turned to look at them. "Perfect timing, I have a new mission for you."

On queue, an old man stumbled into the room. He reeked of sake. He passed through the team and sat on a chair beside the Hokage's desk.

'Old man!' Naruto thought.

'Tazuna-san!' Sakura thought at the same time.

"Let me introduce Mr. Tazuna," Hiruzen said. "He is the man you will be protecting for your next mission."

"What?" Tazuna said. "I'm supposed to be protected by a bunch of brats?"

"Do not worry Tazuna-san," Kakashi assured. "They are more skilled than they look and I will be going as well."

"You sure about that?" Tazuna asked. "They don't look it to me. Especially the blonde one over there."

"He's very reliable Tazuna-san," Sakura countered.

"It's alright, Sakura-chan," Naruto said.

"At least you know your place dobe," Sasuke baited. He heard someone cracking their knuckles. He turned to see that his bait had a different yield. Sakura's hands were emanating green chakra. "What's wrong with you?"

"Put him down again and you'll be spending a while in the hospital," she said. She tapped the floor with her foot causing the room to shake and crack.

"Hmph," Sasuke responded.

"Ok, now that that's over," Kakashi said. "We'll meet a little before noon. This will be our first mission outside the village. Be sure to pack properly."


Hello readers,

Thank you for reading my fanfic. It is a work in progress and any comments and ideas are more than welcome. Thanks again.