"What's a Mango Cute Sharingan?" Naruto asks.

"Mangekyō," Sarada corrects in a low voice. "It's an advanced form of Sharingan that can grant powerful abilities. But it comes at a great cost."

Her expression morphs into sudden understanding as if she's putting together something in her head. Her eyes, now back to normal, flit toward Sasuke, but he refuses to look at her.

His fists clench. "It's a secret of the Uchiha clan," he bites out. "You shouldn't speak of it so openly."

Naruto chuckles nervously and tries to joke. "Yeah, Sarada, listen to your father—"

"Shut up," Sakura orders. Her entire body is rigid, muscles coiled likes springs. While Naruto finds the whole situation astonishing and somewhat humorous, Sakura at least has the decency to be serious.

Sasuke doesn't even know how to react properly. He shuts his eyes, but the image of Sarada—his future daughter—refuses to abate. He feels like an idiot for not seeing it sooner.

Sarada looks like him—more than that, he can see the curve of his mother's smile in hers and in the softness of her features. There's a tiny line in her forehead that his father had when he frowned. And her eyelashes—long, just like Itachi's were.

Are.

An overwhelming wave of pain crashes over Sasuke as he realises the reason he didn't notice was because it's been so long. He's forgotten his family's features beyond what can be seen in photographs.

Photographs he has refused to look at for five years.

There are other characteristics, though, that don't resemble his at all. Sarada's eyes might be the same colour, but they are wider and oval-shaped, like a cat's. Her face shape is entirely different, and she wears glasses, which is an utterly foreign concept to him. Sasuke can't remember if there has ever been an Uchiha who wore glasses before.

But then he realises, with no other clan member to marry, he would—his future self must—undoubtedly choose an outsider. Likely, the weaker eyesight comes from that person.

Which brings up an even more confusing question.

Despite his earlier words, Sasuke can't help wondering who it is that he marries in the future. Based on what Sarada can do, and the things that she's said, her mother is obviously a formidable woman. It's simple and logical, and he supposes his future self would want the fittest candidate to ensure he re-establishes the Uchiha to be stronger than ever.

A tiny, nagging disappointment flickers at the back of his mind that it's not Sakura.

He never said outright that he doesn't like her; he doesn't dislike her and, amazingly, she's less irritating than the other girls from their age group. As a teammate, she's someone he trusts—possibly the only girl he's ever trusted. In a way, she's been his default choice the few times he's ever pictured himself married or with a family. A part of him has always expected that once he went off to kill Itachi, he would return, and she would be there waiting for him.

Now he realises how naïve that is. He assumed she would never get over the silly crush she has on him, but Sarada's existence suggests she did. Sakura will likely grow up, finally realise she isn't cut out to be a ninja and get over him. She will go on with her life while his future self makes more practical decisions concerning the future of the Uchiha.

This future is what's…optimal for both of us…

Sakura is a kind-hearted girl who deserves someone who can return her feelings completely. Not an avenger.

He can't help being a little terrified, though, because at least Sakura is familiar to him.

And with Sarada here, it means he now has tangible proof that he will one day achieve his goals. The second one being true all-but proves the first is as well. And yet, for whatever reason, he doesn't feel as accomplished as he thought he would. The heavy, invisible burden that has weighted down his heart since he discovered his family dead is not gone.

Restoring the clan is good news. There's an odd sense of pride flickering to the surface, having seen what Sarada can do. She has strength and endurance and intelligence; everything an Uchiha should have, but—

But the knowledge that he has killed Itachi already somewhere in the future?

An uncomfortable hollowness settles in his gut. Kakashi was right about what he said before: knowing the future is dangerous. Better to focus on the present, and the questions that can be answered now.

"The only way to get the Mangekyō Sharingan is to kill the person you love most," Sasuke states blandly, addressing Kakashi. "That's right, isn't it? That's how your got yours?"

There are gasps of dismay from the girls, and Naruto is even shocked into silence.

"Yes," Kakashi confirms.

"Was it the Uchiha whose Sharingan you possess?" It's a tactless question, but there's no other way to ask it.

"No. That was…before," Kakashi hedges. "He saved my life—saved our entire squad—and then gave me his eye so that I could save the girl we both cared for."

"So, it was her then."

Kakashi closes his eyes and that's all the confirmation he needs. Sasuke wants to press the issue, but the others are listening too raptly. He doesn't want them to notice his interest.

Obviously, Kakashi doesn't want to talk about how he was granted this ability. Sasuke knows why, of course, but he is furious that his teacher kept something like this from him. The jōnin is the only one around with a Sharingan who Sasuke can look to for guidance. Someone who can help him understand and deal with what he read on the tablet at the Naka shrine. Things he thought were secret, things that gave him nightmares because, one day, he will have to—

No. That will not happen, Sasuke tells himself firmly.

Because Sarada has already said she knows all of them in the future—a weird concept in itself—so it means that he and Naruto live. It means he never has to kill the person who has slowly and irritatingly wormed his way into Sasuke's life as his best friend. There's more relief there than he expects.

Except—Sarada didn't say anything about Sakura.

Sasuke mentally flips through every interaction they've had with the girl but can't find any definitive proof that Sarada has mentioned knowing Sakura in the future. She gave them future information earlier, but she didn't mention Sakura at all.

Does that mean… He has trouble forming the thought. Does that mean the person I care about most—the person I have to kill to have eyes like Itachi is…Sakura?

This time the discomfort in his gut is a knife-like nausea.

"Kakashi-sensei…" the pink-haired girl murmurs quietly. "I'm sorry."

"Now isn't the time," he replies, shaking his head. "We have to get out of here."

"You're barely able to sit up, let alone walk. I don't think we're going anywhere any time soon," Sarada points out.

"Besides, you already caught the teleporter with…whatever you did," Sakura adds. The determined expression on her face suggests focus, but her eyes are suspiciously guarded. "Unless he can escape?"

"No, that's impossible. Only I have access to that dimension."

"So it is another dimension."

"Yes," Kakashi says, frowning a little at Sakura's uncharacteristic calm. "The technique is called Kamui. With great focus, I can shift objects or people and the surrounding space into a dimension that's connected to my Sharingan. But there's a drawback, obviously." He gestures weakly at his still limp body. He hasn't regained the sensation in his legs yet and his arms only marginally.

"Yeah, like the bleeding eye," Naruto mumbles. "I'm going to have nightmares…"

"It's kind of like a weaker version of what the teleporter can do," Sakura observes.

"The opposite, actually. In fact, until encountering our mysterious vanishing clone friend, I would have said Kamui was more advanced as it doesn't require summoning seals or genetically engineered tattoos."

"He's a clone?" Sarada questions. "You're sure?"

"Oh, yes," Kakashi replies, grim. "Granted, I didn't see it right away, but once I got close enough I did. His looks are far too similar to Lord Fourth's to be coincidental—but the curse-seal and advanced technique suggest genetic modification."

"But he doesn't look a thing like the pictures I've seen of the Fourth Hokage," Sarada protests. "Besides, the—Naruto would've noticed, wouldn't he?"

"Huh?" Naruto blinks. "Why would I notice?"

Kakashi's eyes widen, and he opens his mouth to cut her off, but Sarada has already answered.

"Well, come on. He's your dad. I'm sure you'd recognise him," she rolls her eyes. Then she looks thoughtful. "Maybe not. You guys aren't great with the observation skills. Now or in my time, now that I—"

"My…dad?" Naruto repeats.

Another heavy silence fills the cavern and Sarada stills. She studies the myriad of expressions passing over the faces of her parents and uncles.

"Why are you looking at me like I've just told you something surprising?"

"Because you did," Kakashi tells her through gritted teeth.

Not that she can hear him because Naruto begins to shout.

"What do you mean, my dad? How do you know who my dad is? I don't even—but you said he's—but why wouldn't—?"

"Wait! Hold on! Back up!" Sakura interrupts almost as disbelieving as Naruto. Beside her, even Sasuke can't quite hide his dawning shock. "Are you trying to say that Naruto's father is—was—?"

"The Fourth Hokage?" Sasuke finishes.

Naruto looks like he's been turned to stone.

"You mean…" Sarada looks at the flabbergasted faces all around her and her cheeks pale. "You guys didn't know that?"

"Sarada," Kakashi begins, resisting the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose.

"What?"

"We talked about this."

"Hey, you said future information!" she protests, her voice high-pitched in dismay. "This is past information! Everyone knows the H—I mean, Uncle Naruto, he always talks about his dad and how awesome he was. How was I supposed to—?"

"Stop talking. Just…don't say anything else for a minute while I—"

"Kakashi-sensei? You knew?" Naruto demands with words laced with hurt. "You knew my father was the Fourth Hokage? And you never said anything?!"

There's nothing for it now. Kakashi wonders exactly how many secrets will come out before the day is done.

Although, this one should have come out much sooner, he maintains privately.

"Yes, Naruto. I've always known. Minato-sensei was my teacher—and for that reason, among others, I was assigned to become your teacher."

"And you never told me!" Naruto shouts, on his feet with his fists clenched. There's a dangerous, animalistic flash in his eyes just then and Kakashi tenses up. Trapped in a tiny cavern with a limited air supply and severe exhaustion is not the ideal scenario to deal with Naruto channelling the Nine-Tails.

"I wasn't allowed," he replies, keeping his tone careful and even. "It was his wish—and Lord Third's—that you grow up safe. He was a great man, but he had a lot of enemies. If they had known about you—"

"What about my mother?" Naruto interrupts. "Did you know her, too?"

"Naruto," Kakashi warns.

"No! You need to tell me!" Naruto shouts. "Why does Sasuke get to find out about his family—family he doesn't even have yet—but I can't?!" He rounds on Sarada. "Do I talk about her? Who was she? What was her name? What did she—?"

He seizes Sarada by the shoulders, and she inhales sharply in pain.

Before Sasuke is aware of himself, he has darted forward and shoved Naruto away from the girl. "You idiot! Her shoulder!"

But Naruto barely notices. He clutches his stomach, feeling as if he is going to be sick—something ugly and hot claws at him from within. Everything he's ever known about his idol seems to be playing on a loop inside of his head.

"The Fourth…" Naruto says, eyes going unfocused. "He was the one who…"

His fingers fist into the fabric of his jacket, and Kakashi knows exactly what realisation he's just had: the Fourth Hokage was the one who sealed the Nine Tails Fox into Naruto. The boy has always known that, but to realise now that it was his father...

"Calm down," Kakashi cautions, trying to get to his feet but failing. "Just let me explain—"

"Don't you fucking touch me!" Naruto growls, betrayal and hurt radiating from him. He staggers away from them, fading into the shadows, and then he turns and runs. The darkness of the tunnel consumes him quickly and soon there is nothing but the sound of his footsteps getting farther away.

"Naruto!" Kakashi calls after him, but he is too helpless to move.

"The stupid half-wit is going to get himself lost," Sasuke mutters, pushing himself into a standing position as if he is resigned to going after him.

To his surprise, a hand reaches out to stop him.

"I've got it," Sakura says, though she doesn't look at him. In her hand, she brandishes a glow-stick. "I…don't think he'll want to talk to any of you right now." The tremble in her voice suggests she shares that sentiment.

"Sakura, that's not a good idea," Kakashi says. Although he doubts that even in a rage Naruto would hurt the girl, today is shaping up to be a day where the unthinkable comes to pass. Tempting fate would be unwise.

"Have you got a better one?" she challenges bluntly.

Before anyone can reply or move to stop her, she too disappears into the unknown.

ナルト

As Naruto and Sakura's footsteps fade into the distance, Sarada experiences a sinking sensation in her stomach.

"Oh, no…oh no, oh no, oh no! I didn't mean to!" she laments. "I'm so sorry! I thought—"

"It's fine, Sarada," Kakashi says, his tone weary. "I guess it was too much to hope we could keep everything quiet. Though that particular conversation was not one I was expecting to come up today."

"I shouldn't have said anything! Why did I just— Ugh!" Sarada grasps at her hair in frustration. "How am I ever supposed to be a great shinobi if I can't protect information?"

"Time travel isn't exactly something covered by shinobi laws," Kakashi points out. "The fact is, the longer we're all around each other, the more information will come out. It's what happens when you know someone really well." He tries to smile at her. "Even if you don't realise you know that person well."

"Yeah, right. Tell that to my dad," Sarada mutters. "He's a champion at not telling people things."

Kakashi coughs and Sarada winces.

Damn it! I did it again, she berates herself.

Again, she forgot that she's not sitting down at Uncle Kakashi's kitchen table to complain about her mother accidentally breaking their house or her father's frequent absences. This Kakashi doesn't possess years of parenting experience—has probably never had his students come to him for emotional problems.

Especially not to this surly, younger version of her father sitting right beside her.

Thankfully, this Sasuke is different enough from her father that she doesn't feel embarrassed or caught out at talking about him behind his back.

Or… in front of him, she reflects, noting that time travel really plays havoc with grammar.

As it is, he doesn't even seem to notice her say anything. He's been disturbingly quiet since his impromptu intervention with Naruto. In fact, almost as soon as he helped her, he put at least three feet of space between them.

He's not even looking at me, she realises. In fact, I don't think he's looked straight at me since we talked about the fate of the Uchiha clan.

That hurts more than she'd like, and so she feels a spring of hope when he does finally glance in her direction.

"There's something I need you to tell me," Sasuke tells her matter-of-factly. Her shoulders slump a bit—he's addressing her, but he's looking at his sensei.

"Just because I said we can't keep everything under wraps doesn't mean you should go asking questions about the future," Kakashi warns.

"I have no interest in my future self, if that's what you're worried about. She exists," he says, nodding his head in Sarada's direction, but otherwise not acknowledging her, "therefore, I achieve everything I plan to."

Sarada tries not to feel like she's been slapped in the face. His words are flat and overly rational as if he's commenting on something as everyday as the weather. There's no trace of the man she knows, the one who stayed away from his family to keep them safe.

Her mind offers up a bittersweet memory.

"Do you think that your heart is truly connected to Mama's?"

"…Yeah."

"But how can you be so certain about that?"

"Because we have you, Sarada."

If she asked him the same question now, she can't even guess what he'd say; she suspects she doesn't want to.

"If I don't find out now, there could be repercussions on my performance for the rest of the mission. And possibly future missions," Sasuke continues to explain, his voice measured and detached.

Kakashi narrows his eyes. "This has to do with the Mangekyō."

"Yes."

"It's not a good idea."

"The only way to achieve my revenge is to gain the Mangekyō. There's only one way to do it," Sasuke continues, ignoring him. "I need to know."

Sarada shakes her head, disbelieving. "You're talking about murder like it's nothing." She remembers what Kakashi said earlier and clenches her fists. "Both of you."

"That's not—" Sasuke begins and, for the first time, he seems to lose his composure because he swallows heavily. "That's not why I'm asking."

"Oh yeah? Then why are you asking? And what makes you think I can tell you anything anyway? I didn't know anything about the Mangekyō Sharingan except that it existed. My father never told me." It seems important that this Sasuke understand she doesn't consider him to be the same person. "I guess he doesn't want me killing the people I care about so I can be more powerful."

Now, he finally looks at her and his Sharingan bores into her with something like grief. But that can't be it, right?

"Earlier you mentioned all of us—Kakashi, Naruto and me," he bites out through gritted teeth. As he did with Kakashi, he ignores her words, powering through to whatever it is he so desperately wants to find out. "You said nothing about Sakura. Do you not… Is she still alive in your time?"

"Sasuke," Kakashi warns.

Sarada wants to imagine he's asking because he cares. She wants to believe the best—that he's concerned he might lose one of his teammates; that maybe he does care about Sakura and this is his roundabout way of asking if she's still in his life. Except she's seen enough of this Sasuke to suspect that's not it. He is such a dark, damaged boy.

"Do you actually care?" she snaps. "Or are you just worried about the trouble you'll get in if you need to kill your friend? Then again, I guess it's not something you really care about, considering."

He narrows his eyes. "You don't understand what you're talking about."

But Sarada isn't having any of that. She's kept her mouth shut the whole day and she has a bone or two to pick with her father.

She jabs a finger at him. "I've seen how you treat her. All day, you've acted like she's beneath you. And that makes it hard for me to trust that you care about what happens to her. You care more about killing people—like my uncle, which you still never explained, by the way! So how do I know that if I say Sakura's dead, you won't decide to kill her now so you can get a stronger Sharingan?" There's a sharp intake of breath, but she doesn't pay attention to whether it comes from Sasuke or Kakashi. "How do I know that if I say she's alive, you won't tell me to list the people you care about so that you can try to kill them?"

"Because you already said everyone else I care about is still alive!" Sasuke explodes. Sarada freezes, not expecting him to say anything like that. Judging from his face, he didn't expect it either. His eyes dart to Kakashi then back to her; his expression hardens.

"You're right. You're not cut out to be a shinobi," he snarls, stalking away. "You should've kept your damn mouth shut."

"Don't get mad at me because you don't like what I have to say! Or in this case, what you have to say!"

But he's already gone, taken off in the direction Naruto and Sakura disappeared into.

As soon as his back retreats into the darkness, realisation hits Sarada and her head falls into her uninjured hand.

"I'm an idiot," she mutters. "I did it again. What is wrong with me?"

"If I were to hazard a guess," Kakashi remarks lightly, "while it seems you inherited your parents' best qualities, you've obviously inherited their worst ones as well. Namely, their tempers."

"I didn't even realise Papa had a temper."

"Oh, it's not as obvious as your mother's, but it's there. And they're both the worst sort of impulsive—ironically enough, Naruto isn't the one most guided by his emotions on this squad."

Sarada sighs. "Is that how you figured it out?"

"Well, that and I'm a little more observant than three genin are, even if one of them possesses the Sharingan," Kakashi says.

"When did you realise?"

"I suspected who your father was before we came to check this place out. After that…well, I look at both your parents daily. I can pick their features out on your face now that I'm looking for it. And most people aren't so aware of their own physical traits that they'd notice them in someone else. Which is why none of them noticed yet."

"That or they just don't care to look," Sarada grumbles, reflecting on Sasuke's strictly utilitarian view of the world. "He's seriously supposed to be a genius?"

Kakashi chuckles. "Definitely an interesting dynamic between you two."

"It's not—I didn't mean…" Sarada attempts, and then sighs. "I've never spoken to my father this way. Well, except for that one time, but he deserved it."

"Oh, he deserved it in this case, too."

"Yeah?"

"Yes. But in this time, we all tend to have a blind spot when it comes to your father."

"I don't get why. He's a jerk."

"Keep in mind that he's likely a very different person from who he's going to be in your time."

"Oh, trust me, I get that. Completely different. I mean, still a jerk, but…but he cares about people." He cares about her and her mother. He's friends with Naruto, and respects Kakashi, and he's a good teacher to Boruto from what she's seen.

"Sasuke—our Sasuke—cares, too. He's just gotten so good at repressing it, only the people who see him every day can feel it."

Sarada fights the temptation to cross her arms—mostly because she can't.

"I'm sure you've heard enough about your father to understand his childhood wasn't an easy one. It's only been five years since he lost his entire family," Kakashi explains. "And it's very recently that he had another run-in with his brother. He nearly died." Sarada opens her mouth. "No. I will not tell you about any of that. Sakura was right earlier—if your parents didn't tell you the story, it means it's a conversation you're meant to have with them when they decide you're ready."

Sarada pouts. "I hate it when you do that."

"Do what?"

"Act all logical and stuff. It's the only thing that's the same."

Kakashi exhales. "Which brings me to the other issue. You and I need to go over a few things you're not allowed to talk about."

"You couldn't have done this hours ago?" she deadpans.

"I honestly hoped we would discover the reason for our spontaneous time travel before it became an issue," he replies, apologetic. "As it is, I will need to use a Memory Erasing Seal when this is all over. We all possess far too much knowledge about the future."

"You can do that?!"

"Yes. In fact, it's a technique Lord Fourth taught me."

"Then why did you make such a big deal about me not saying anything?" Sarada growls. "I've been beating myself up all day trying not to give away too much, and you can just make everyone forget?!"

"It's not so simple. The more you reveal, the more elaborate the seal will need to be—and the more potential it has to lose effectiveness over time. It really is essential that we keep the information exchange to a minimum."

"While you're at it, is there some kind of seal you can use on me to keep me from saying anything else?" Sarada beseeches. "I don't want to screw up again."

"The only technique I'm familiar with would be tied to the user's life-force—in this case, mine. I'd be required to die before you could speak freely. Somehow, I doubt that's the best solution to our problem."

"Um…no."

"So, as I said before, we need to agree on a few things that are imperative you not to talk about."

"Okay."

"First of all, there are some village secrets that may or may not have come out by your time, but you need to keep quiet about them now."

"Like the fact that Naruto is a jinchūriki?"

"Yes. Like that," Kakashi replies severely. "That would be one of those things you don't mention to the others. They haven't been told the truth and, village secret aside, I can't risk the information affecting their teamwork."

"Got it."

"Also, I'm sure you understand why I'm going to say this, but we should keep your mother's identity quiet. I don't think any of them could handle it right now."

That's an understatement, Sarada decides. This version of Mama might explode her head or something. Or spend the rest of the mission making cow eyes at Sasuke.

She feels a little disloyal, advocating keeping such a thing secret. Based on how Sakura's been acting since everyone found about Sarada's connection to Sasuke, it's clear she's in pain. Sarada doesn't want to hurt her mother, but at the same time, nothing in the other girl's behaviour suggests the kind of maturity needed to accept the truth.

"I agree," she says with a sigh. "I don't like it, but I get it."

"Good," Kakashi says. "Now, it goes without saying that you can't mention…"

His words wash over her, outlining the topics she has to keep from speaking about. Against her will, her eyes drift to the tunnel where her parents and Naruto disappeared into.

Not for the first time does she wish it were their adult versions here with her.

つづく

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