A/N: EDIT: Had to cut out the Lemon here to comply with site rules. Sorry, all. It was just too graphic...

Wow! So many reviews! I had no idea ya'll liked this story that much! And to those who worried at Naruto having only one tomoe in his sharingan and the potential/eventual loss of his vision, due to the Mangekyo fear not. Its all part of the plan. A brilliant plan that does NOT involve blindness; one that will unfold over the course of this story; one I sincerely hope you enjoy! While we're at it, I'll address/confirm the age discrepancy as well. Naruto, being postwar, at the moment, seventeen years old, nearing eighteen; making him two years older than Kushina, who is fifteen.

Mikoto...hmm...since she was cannonically older than Kushina, I think its safe to assume she's around Naruto's current age. And for the third and final matter: Naruto's maturity. Naturally, he may be a bit shellshocked in the beginning, but he isn't going to be a naive blockhead in this story. Circumstances are going to force him to grow up; he knows he's been sent back for a purprose, so do not expect him to pussyfoot around when it comes to killing his enemies/fixing the mistakes of the past. I'm still not sure exactly whether he'll be all that merciful when he meets a young Obito...

Now that we've addressed allthose issues, I just wanted to say: Thank you. To all of you who reviewed and have yet to review, and especially those who noticed my improved writing style. I look forward to hearing more from you as we continue down the strange, convulted path that is this story. I honestly cannot believe I've already gotten more than 100 reviews for the first chapter alone and now its so damn high I could cry with joy! Hopefully I won't dissapoint you guys! And with that...

...onto the next chapter! =D I'm also going to address another slight discrepancy here; just how Naruto feels about changing the future...and at long last we get to see the beginnings of true romance! And as a warning, there is a rather M-Rated scene towards the end...

"I'll be honest; I want you."

~?

Cause and Effect

"Well, can't say I didn't see this coming."

These were Naruto's next words, accidentally spoken aloud as the clan carted away the charred corpse that had once belonged to the great, now very late Uchiha Fugaku. And even if he was somehow wrong -if by some miracle the pile of smoking flesh wasn't a corpse, the man would likely never be a shinobi again. The Goka Mekkakyu had done massive damage not just to the clearing but to the bufoon's body; the arrogant Uchiha had been left sporting massive third-degree burns, one of his hands had all but burned to ash in the massive explosion.

Not that he felt sorry for him, mind you. Far from it! He was simply in awe of his own power. It was hard to believe that a single fire technique, even one of Madara's had done such a good job at wiping that smug smile of that prick's face. If Kurama was still with him, he was certain the old fox would be laughing all nine of his tails off. Even now, fire crews were still working to put out the blaze with water; those few who had remained of the Uchiha gazed upon him with varying emotions of respect, awe, and in some cases even fear. As much as he might loathe to admit it; he'd just established a respected place for himself in the clan.

'And quite possibly changed the future.'

As he tried to contain his trepidation at continuously changing the future, Mikoto sidled up to him, appearing visibly pleased with the end result.

"Well done." she said, indicating the charred terrain within a glance. "I wasn't aware you knew such an excellent technique; as expected of Madara's descendant." her finger trailed across his cheek before he could think to stop it, tracing thin lines across his cheek where his whiskers once dwelt and pulling his face towards her own. "You know..." When next she spoke, her lips brushed his outer ear, words warmer than her breath. "I do believe I'm starting to fall for you more and more, Naruto-kun."

She took him by the arm and began to lead him away from the others, deeper into the grounds. Odd.

"So how did it feel, obliterating him a single move?" she asked at length. "Don't lie, I saw your face back there; you enjoyed it."

The former Uzumaki opened his mouth to say reply...and promptly snapped it shut as she stepped away, awaiting his reply.

'Suuuuure...alright, Naruto, just roll with it...'

"It was easy." he feigned a small smile and typical Uchiha arrogance; after all those years spent around Sasuke, it wasn't that hard. "The fool wasn't even worthy of facing me." Truth be told, it was the great destroyer of flame was the only fire jutsu that held any sort of real signifance to him; Madara had used it to nearly wipe out the Shinobi Alliance multiple times during the war-it was only fitting that he use it for the use it toward the greater good the to end their duel swiftly. He felt a brief pang of sorrow, suddenly realizing he just might've ended Itachi's existence before it'd ever begun. But that, was what this was about now...wasn it? He was here to change this. Some of those changes might not be pleasant.

"And some of them might."

The voice didn't belong to Kurama he realized-it was his own subconcious, a whisper of desire as he glanced at the woman beside him, refusing to be denied. There was certainly something alluring about Uchiha Mikoto; she was bold, beautiful, and if her lips on his ear and her words were any suggestion, she, was obviously attracted to him. He was no stranger to the female form...but what to do? Decisions, decisions. The old man had informed him that he wouldn't be able to accept missions for at least a week while he was instated as a citizen of Konoha, and it wasn't as though he'd be able to change anything just by sitting on his hands until such a time, so...

"Which reminds me, Naruto-kun."

"Hmm?"

"I have a favor to ask."

"You...want to fight me?"

Naruto cocked his head aside as Mikoto finished her explanation, restraining a pained grimace as his raven locks threatened to blot out his vision once again. Kami alive, but he wasn't used to have this much hair! He'd have to cut it soon-perhaps into his old hairstyle? Maintaining it in its present form was absolutely of out the question, eerie resemblance to Uchiha Madara aside, he didn't necessarily enjoy being reminded of those old memories; the images of the madman cutting his friends and family down were still too fresh to endure.

"Mmm." Mikoto nodded, mistaking his silence for affirmation. "Just a simple spar. No ninjutsu, or genjutsu. Only our Sharingan. Perhaps some kunai. I wish to see how your skill compares to mine." Once more, the time traveling shinobi had to pause to consider the rammifications of his actions. Something about the way she'd said spar set off alarm bells in his head-surely she couldn't be serious? After seeing what he'd done to Fugaku she wanted to face him herself?

"You'll have to forgive me lack of enthusiasm."

"Granted." she replied, raising her arms and settling into a stance. "You don't strike me as the type to hurt someone without cause; I like that. So, why don't we sweeten the deal?" That caught Naruto flat-footed; once again, and for the first time since meeting with Hiruzen here in the past, he was truly at a loss for words.

"I...beg your pardon?"

Mikoto's smile sent shivers down his spine.

"Say, if I win...you'll spend the remainder of the day with me; you'll spend the night in my quarters and do whatever I ask until sunrise."

Oi, oi, OI?!

"And if I win?"

The heiress's grin seemed to falter for an instant; as though she hadn't considered the possibility of her defeat.

"Then I'll be yours to do with as you please for the evening."

"Just like that?" Naruto's deadpann was barely concealed. He didn't believe her for an instant, but something inside him stirred at the challenge. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you're trying to get me in bed?"

"Figure that out on your own, did you?"

"Look, we barely even know each other-

"What's to know?" Mikoto countered, folding both arms before her not-insubstantial bosom. "I find you attractive. Don't you feel the same? It has nothing to do with whether you're related to Madara or not; I could care less about that. However what I do care about is your strength. You proved your power against Fugaku back there-you're obviously more than a match for most of our clan; I daresay you'd even best my father and he's the Clan Head. As his heir, I wish to see your true capabilities firsthand for myself-you do understand that, I trust?"

"Yes," Naruto chose his words carefully, "But I still fail to see why you want me so badly.

In the face of his silence, she smiled. "It seems forward, I know, but I have always know what I've wanted in life, ever since I was a little girl. Someone strong. A man who doesn't piss or preen over tradition. Someone willing to stand up for himself and what he believes in." She turned aside then, her eyes downcast. "Until you came along, I was beginning to lose hope...I'd never thought I would find someone like that." Unfortunately for you," And here she did raise her gaze eyes bright and determined. "You've come into my life at the worst possible time and done exactly what I had hoped to do-turn my entire clan on his head. I expect you to take responsibility for what you've done."

And then, just as swiftly as her Sharingan had shown itself, so to did it fade, those charcoal orbs unexpectedly softening.

"Do you not find me attractive?" she asked, tucking an arm around her waist whilst she spoke. "As a fellow Uchiha?"

'Oh dear god, she's adorable!' Naruto felt a trickle of blood trickle down his nose and promptly slapped himself. Just who the hell was he staring at here?! Itachi's mom, Itachi's mom, Itachi's! Mom! I have to calm down before I go and do something stupid! And yet...

His mind was screaming at him, telling him that this was the woman responsible for giving birth to Itachi and Sasuke. By all rights they might not exist now after what he'd done to Fugaku, but a small part of him cried foul at the thought of eradicating Itachi from existence. He tried to shut down all thoughts of mutual attraction from his mind, but to no avail. They clung like a stain to his brain, resisting all attempts to be scrubbed off and clean. And as such, he wasn't quite rueing the next words that emerged from his mout:

"Well, you're certainly not unattractive..." Geh! These Uchiha really spoke their minds, didn't they?! She wasn't anything like Itachi or Sasuke! Nothing at all! He didn't remember either of them being like...well, this! He was swiftly losing himself, Naruto was, and their spar had yet to even begin.

"Well, when you put it that way-

"Begin!"

She dove at him, her body a lithe blur, ebony tresses streaming out behind her as she threw the first punch. His new eyes saw it coming a mile away; what they didn't see was her hand emerging from the pouch at her back-the blow had been a feint!

Naruto's head snapped to the right, his mouth snapping shut with a harsh click as something screamed towards his face at breaknecl speed. He felt something catch between his teeth and only then did he realize - he'd caught a kunai between his teeth. Mikoto gave him no time to try and proccess his small victory however, her hand scything towards his neck in a devastating arc that, if successful, would surely leave an awful bruise if it connected. He'd learnt since a young age to understimate the strength of an Uchiha; certainly not one in her prime!

With a hiss his head arched backward, taking the kunai between his teeth and shooting it back at her with the sheer force of his tongue alone. A thin slice opened upon the older Uchiha's cheek, earning him the briefest of surprised snarls

His hand snared her wrist in a vicsious vice, biting down with enough force to shatter bone. This same technique had broken Tsunade's wrist hours before. Mikoto didn't even flinch. Naruto saw it then-the chakra circling in her veins, strengthening her body, granting her resilience momentarily surpassing his own strength.

"Not bad." she conceded. "But...

"But?" he challenged.

"But I can do better!" Mikoto scissored her legs beneath him, depriving both of their balance. The Uzumaki-turned-Uchiha had a heartbeat to realize just how much he was beginning to enjoy their little 'spar' before that old instinct of his kicked in; sending his new body whiriling into action. Sharingan eyes flared, he saw her heel come sweeping towards him an instant before Mikoto began the motion. In the blink of an eye, he launched himself upright, planting his knee into her stomach. He braced himself then, readying for the counterattack...

...that never came.

Mikoto crumpled like a sack of potatoes, her body flopping like a wet noodle to the ground. Oh crap! He'd underestimated his strength! Just what kind of awful power dwelt in this new body of his, to fell someone with a single blow?! Stooping to a knee, he began to check for a pulse, silently fearing the worse. He hadn't killed her, had he? A harsh cough from Mikoto swiftly disabused him of such a notion. She was still breathing-though stunned by the blow to her stomach al the same.

"Sorry." Naruto murmurred. "Guess I don't know my own strengt.

"Impressive." she gasped up at him. "Your strengh exceeds everything I thought it would be. Truly. As promised, I-

"Nope."

"W-What?"

"I said no." Naruto felt he might be making the biggest blunder of his life, but still, he shook his head. "Don't force yourself for the sake of your clan. I...detest that." More than anything, he hated it when people were lying to themselves. He wanted no part of this if the heiress didn't truly want him. And for a moment, he thought he'd been right. Mikoto stared up at him for a long moment-herdark eyes disbeilieving, her expression torn somewhere between anger and amused ire, as though she found this whole speech of his incredibly funny. A joke, even. Then she straightened albeit with some effort, refusing all attempts at assitance.

"Whoever said I was forcing anything, fool?" her hands closed around his visage and drew him forward, their faces now centimeters apart. "I wasn't lying when I said I wanted you."

"Huh?"

Mikoto looked like she was going to say something else, but she didn't. Instead she smiled, leaned up, and kissed him.

His eyes shot open in surprise; her kiss was cool but gentle, her two lips caging his upper lip between them. Naruto shivered, a small tremor of desire arcing up his spine. But desire wasn't enough to hold him to Mikoto no matte rhow much lust he might feel in that regard. It took a great deal of effort to break away but he did just that, gasping slightly.

"We can't do this." he argued as she tugged him out of the sunlight and into the trees, but the words were without rancour.

"Oh, I think we can." she reached up, trailing her finger through his hair, stroking his scalp through the sea of ebony tresses. "In fact we're going to. Right here. Right now." There was just something about the way she said those words that stripped away his self control. Gazing down at her, her eyes half-lidded, her fingers exploring every inch of him -told Naruto all he needed to know. He'd been wrong. Mikoto wasn't being forced into anything, she was doing this there was absolutely nothing h flitting across his frame

"No, you don't understand-

He was cut off as her mouth struck his, her lips connecting with his ferociously, her tongue probing against his.

That did it.

The last bastion of his self-control crumbled.

A/N: And there you have it! Naruto finally sets foot in the village. It took me a DAMN long time to figure out how I wanted to present the Hokage scene, and with this, I can say that I am finally at last, satisfied. Poor Naruto though! No one sees him for what he really is, and more and more he's losing pieces of himself. He remembers what he once was but more and more he's starting to see just how much a mess he's walked into.

Pairing is still up in the air, but Mikoto is most likely going to be involved, although I will gladly take any other recommendations that are offered. Mikoto's falling for him! But the question does remain: will Naruto ever reciprocate her feelings? I'm leaning toward yes...in time... I may even include Tsunade, seeing as how the age gap has shrunk to almost nothing now. Mikot may have a slight lead, BUT THE PAIRING IT STILL ENTIRELY UP IN THE AIR! VOTE! REVIEW! TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT!

So...in the immortal words of Atlas...

Review...would you kindly? And of course, enjoy the preview(s)! I know they may be a total tease, but hey, I live to serve!

(Preview)

"Don't talk like that." Naruto shook his head. "You're a hero of the village, after all."

Kushina flushed.

"A-A hero? What makes you say that?"

"Because you're holding back the Kyuubi, preventing him from escaping." Naruto's deadpann was barely concealed. "Isn't that obvious? Why should anyone mistreat you for your sacrifice?"

There was a silence.

"Y-You...

...you're really trying to make me fall for you, aren't ya?"

"What?!"

"It seems you're having fun, partner."

Naruto opened his eyes bristled; he knew that voice. It wa shis own; speaking to him for the first time since the Falls of Truth.

"You?!"

"Aye, its me." He experienced a sudden flash of his darker half with its dark red eyes and bleak smile. He

"Relax, partner." Yami Naruto soothed, spreading his hands in a calming gesture. "I'm not here to cause trouble...if anything, I'm here to congratulate you! Bedding two women at once! Hot damn!"

R&R! =D