Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, its storyline, or characters. However, this fanfiction is based on Naruto, and is my creation. THE GENERAL PLOTLINE WAS INSPIRED BY -brezoflower- 's story, If I Knew Then What I Know Now!

C O L L A T E R A L - N A S C E N C E

Second Beginnings

Chapter Four: Telling a Secret That Shouldn't Be

"Why the effort? A girl like you…even if you are from the future, you can't be that old if the Akatsuki attacked and you fought. We've always predicted an attack, and the time's coming sooner. Three, five years maybe. Why…"

Sakura was quiet, wondering if she could say…but she had to.

"Because…in the future…everyone's dead…you're dead."

Kakashi was silent. Then…

"I don't know what to say," he said quietly, rubbing his head and laughing a little. "How many know of this? Who will we tell?"

Sakura's heart lifted at the "we," but his question troubled her. Who could she tell?

Maybe it's better that it's spoken of later. It's best that this they learn of this, but later…I believe my brother has sensed me through Naruto's body. If he is wise, he will let me speak to him in the dimensions between the Demonworld, where he is caged, and not let his capsule know of it. But that Uchiha…Sakura's memories tell me that he is fickle and untrustworthy if we don't play our cards right.

Sakura heard Yuugao, but this time Kakashi stiffened and she knew that he heard her too, that terrifying, feline voice with a rough feminine quality. Kakashi nodded.

"Besides Yuugao-san, what are your abilities?" He coughed and admitted, "Your chakra signature is larger than mine!"

Sakura responded as modestly as she could, "I can heal on par with the legendary Tsunade-sama, as she is my mentor in the future. I can hold my own against the Akatsuki. I'm a fairly good taijutsu fighter; relying on speed. I'm also adept in using genjutsu and improvising ninjutsu.

Kakashi whistled. A little hope stirred in him; he had once glimpsed the healing powers of Tsunade-hime. "Could you…could you heal my eye?"

"Your degrading Sharingan? Yes. When?"

"We'll get to that. I have to get back to the bell test." He finally said.

"Of course. What should I do?"

The corner of her sensei's lips quirked, the first smile he had given since the petrifying ordeal and revelation. "What can I say? You passed with flying colors."

Sakura looked down at her hand, and suddenly, a replica of his bell was there. She looked at him and saw the same two bells jangling with laughter.

Maybe things would be okay, if they played their cards right.

"…comrades who don't look out for each other are trash." Kakashi finished, and the two boys stared glumly at their feet, glared at each other, and then stared some more. Sakura knew that Sasuke had discarded the message quickly, still holding on to his "alone – power – revenge," motives…but she knew he would soften later.

If everything goes on as it did in my first reality. She reminded herself. She couldn't get to confident that she could change everything!

We will try, kit.

Of course.

"Sakura?"

The jounin – genin, on paper record – looked up and saw Naruto holding out a hand. "Time to go!"

She smiled and took it, "Yeah. Bye Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke-kun!"

Back in her bedroom, she pondered the day's events, the first day of many that would be the way to change the future. She examined her small, childish hands and remembered her long, calloused and tapered fingers. But she knew the strength of those hands were still in there, even though appearances denied it.

Yuugao-san?

Yes?

Do you miss your siblings?

Of course…

I'm sorry, thought Sakura earnestly. I'll help you get them back, no matter what!

Yes. But a plan, kit. Like you said, the Akatsuki, Orochimaru…rivaling factions against Konoha could attack any moment. And side things you also want to change, like preventing that Uchiha from leaving, how to break the news to the boys…

Sakura sighed. You're right.

For the next hour, she outlined everything she wanted to do, but there were so many things! She narrowed it down to:

O Land of Waves O Allow Sasuke to be introduced to Sharingan, Allow team to be introduced to Naruto's Kyuubi, Let Zabuza and Haku go

O Chuunin Exams O Target Sound genin immediately, Prevent Sasuke from getting Curse-Sealed, Win the randomly-generated battle (Sakura knew that there was a big chance that she wouldn't fight Ino again, as the fights were random and therefore out of time-control)

O Final Chuunin Exams O Allow Sasuke to train with Kakashi, Push Naruto to find Jiraiya, and Find Tsunade, and tell her about the whole Thing.

O COMPLETE Training with Tsunade O so you can pick up training from where you "left off"

O And if she could convince Tsunade to help her, they could prevent the death of the third Hokage, until Tsunade ascends.

That was as far as Sakura got, but she and Yuugao were satisfied.

The next morning, Sakura reported to Team 7's designated meeting area: the red ceremonial torii by the matching bridge and stream. When the boys arrived, she presented each of them a bento and they had a picnic without Kakashi, knowing that he would be late. Watching them eat, Sakura felt elated, curiously examining their childish faces with her older, 18-year old eyes, like an older sister. She put to memorizing every detail, cherishing her memories and knowing exactly what they would look like when they grew up. In her blissful reverie, Kakashi arrived and they set to the Hokage's hall where they would receive their mission.

"To the Land of the Waves!" cried Naruto cheerfully, as he rushed towards the gates – the first time – thirty-seventh time for Sakura - he would be ever be leaving Konoha and the first steps outside his small world. Tazuna was already waiting, and so were the assassins, Sakura knew. She quickly reined Naruto in and jumped with her kunai ready at Tazuna, who was startled away from his greetings to the team.

"Good call," Kakashi whispered as he passed her. "Or, a good use of foreknowledge."

Sakura smiled as the boys dove into battle, now readily alerted. No one would get hurt this time!

When the job was done, they saw Tazuna smiling broadly.

"You know, I was at first disappointed to be put to with such kids, all due respect mister," he admitted gruffly, nodding towards Kakashi. "But I'm impressed!"

Soon, they were on there way to the Land of Waves.

"What thick mist! I can't see ahead!" Naruto complained.

"The Wave country is at the base of the bridge," the boatswain replied. "Won't be awhile 'till you see it."

"Wow! It's huge!" Naruto cried out soon.

"Quiet! Why do you think we're in the mist and not using the engine? We'll be in trouble if Gatou finds us." Tazuna warned.

The group fell silent: the old man had told them of Gatou, the underground shipping magnate with ninjas at his feet. The only thing in his way was the completion of the bridge…

Naruto gaped at anything and everything, that Kakashi wryly tapped the bottom of his chin to close his mouth.

Just like Kitsu-chan, the Nekomata chuckled.

"This is it," the boatswain finally said. "Good luck."

"Thanks," Tazuna replied. To Team 7, he said gruffly, "Get me home safely."

"Yeah, yeah," Kakashi said. "Watch out. If we are attacked again, the assassins won't be genin or chuunin. A jounin-level, for sure."

Sakura watched Naruto punch the sky in confidence, but was worried when Sasuke hunched over with a manic look in his eyes. She knew that this was around the time when his Sharingan appear, but was his nervousness affecting it? Would he jump into battle suicidally if he thought killing a jounin would make him stronger?

They were a little ways off when Yuugao suddenly warned in Sakura's mind: Watch out, an enemy Kakashi's level is here, and Sakura could almost see her hackles rising with excitement.

"Everyone get down!" Kakashi shouted a split second before a whirlwind of cold steel whistled above their heads. A figure appeared through the mist, and Naruto and Sasuke strained to see. Sakura heard their client step back in fear.

"The Missing-nin Zabuza Momochi." Kakashi stared at the immoral assassin, who was slouching casually and swinging his sword menacingly, a leer traveling over the children behind the jounin, and resting on Tazuna.

"Stay back. This is on a different level. It will be difficult, unless I do…this," Kakashi continued, pulling up his hitai-ate.

"Stop!" Sakura couldn't pull herself back. "I didn't heal it yet! You'll kill yourself. Last time…" she choked. "Last time, Zabuza almost killed you!"

Shocked at her lack of self restraint, Sakura glanced at the boys and saw confusion register on their faces. 'Last time?'

Zabuza finally stopped swinging his sword and pulled into a crouch.

"Finish your last words, kids. I'll end this, Sharingan Kakashi!"

Sakura saw the confusion replaced with excitement and tension on Sasuke's face. So easy to read, but I could never understand him back then…

Pay attention to the now, kit!

Right!

"Surround and protect Tazuna, team. Don't enter the fray; you'll be a liability and will receive injury." Kakashi instructed calmly while settling into his stance.

"What's with his eye – " Naruto said loudly, and Sasuke merely smirked at him, trying to cover his own shock and excitement. Sasuke hurriedly rushed into explanation, forgetting his aloof façade towards his team mates.

Before Sasuke thought too deeply into it, Sakura said quietly, "He's not related to you. Let him explain later…" With a sharp glance, Sasuke stared at Sakura. She was acting up again!

Before he could respond, Zabuza had disappeared and the mist thickened around them. Suddenly, all of them felt a keen aura of killing menace. Sakura remembered what had happened at that time, the three 12-year olds huddling together. She shook her head at herself, smiling a little.

That man is a practiced killer, but he'd better work on a seamless ki. Yuugao snorted, and Sakura had to agree.

Sakura laid a hand on Naruto and Sasuke, sending her chakra in a soothing flow to calm their individual, erratic and frightened flows. Naruto immediately stopped shuddering and shot a queasy smile in her direction, but she could feel that Sasuke's silence wasn't just tranquility.

"Thank you, Sakura," Kakashi called from ahead. "Keep the boys that way, and if Zabuza comes for you –"

But he did, immediately and soundlessly.

The metal screamed in the stillness of the air as the blade swung towards Tazuna's neck, which Sakura countered with a kunai. She stabbed at the attacker, and he dissipated.

A clone!

"Behind you, sensei!" Naruto screamed.

But it didn't happen like the first time. Unlike in the first reality, Kakashi didn't respond to Naruto's warning fast enough.

Zabuza's sword pierced through Kakashi's back and protruded from his stomach, through the vest that was rapidly being stained crimson.

"It's over."

To be continued…

Preview:

All her work was for nothing if Kakashi died! Sakura swore at herself for getting too cocky, to confident that this second chance could go her way – it was too late…

Haku stared at Sakura. "You're not…you're like me! Not a normal genin, but not accepted by society as you are, either."

"No," Sakura shook her head. "I never had the natural talent you have. Just…hard work. And a second chance."