Heya, again, sorry for the late update. *Sigh*…

Chapter 10

Emi stood in the bathroom, staring at her reflection. She wasn't looking at her red hair, grown to her chin, but put in a loose pony tail. She wasn't looking at her shirt, nor her shorts, but her forehead and what was on it.

She gave a smile to the mirror, "I'm a ninja," she whispered, sticking her thumb to her forehead protector. It was truly a strange thought. She had wanted to be a ninja her whole entire life, she trained, she learned, she knew how to be a ninja; and now that the fateful day finally came, she couldn't help but feel nervous. She ran her hands through her over hanging bangs for, probably, the hundredth time that morning. She wasn't nervous to meet her team, nor was she nervous to go on missions; all of that was simple.

Her family was the problem. She had a lot to live up to.

Her mother, being the vicious and outgoing ninja she was, and still is, isn't someone you can just become with a few ninja tricks. Her father was the yellow flash of the hidden leaf, not to mention the Hokage, you can't just say you're gonna be great, and then become great.

And her brother didn't count. Somehow, he did everything he put his mind to. He is one of the most strongest Shinobi, he has too many friends to count, and he still seems to always have time for family. The only thing he hadn't accomplished yet was one thing; becoming Hokage.

Though he had always said there was another dream that he may never accomplish. Of course, he had never told a soul just what the dream was.

xXxXx

Naruto was walking though the village, on his way to the hospital where Sakura works. She had signed up for the hospital as soon as she had her Chuunin vest on her back, and when they all became Jounin, she practically was handed the position of "head" of the hospital. Sasuke was running the police business with his father, his brother in the ANBU. Sasuke had said he didn't want to join the ANBU, and though Naruto saw many reasons not to, always had picture Sasuke being apart of it.

Maybe team seven changed him.

He hadn't gotten the curse mark, Orochimaru never attacked them in the Chuunin exams. He didn't need revenge, his clan was spared by their Hokage. He wasn't cold, he had a loving family to raise him right. He wasn't selfish, he had a team to share with his whole ninja career.

Naruto smiled at the memories they all shared. They had a mission again, the three of them like old times, going with some new genin fresh from training. Of course, that was in a few weeks. Before he noticed, his hand was reaching for the hospital door, opening it as he had done many times. He slickly walked inside, and was already heading up the stairs, waving to a few people who sat in the waiting room.

He always avoided the desk. The girls who would sit there would get him into hour long conversations that he was too nice to drop. He snuck upstairs where his favorite Kunoichi's office was. His hand reached up for the door, but before he even knocked, the door was swung open, revealing an urgent faced Sakura.

"Of all- oof!" Sakura stumbled backwards, somehow balancing the papers she held. "Naruto?" she looked up at her teammate and friend.

Naruto gave her his famous smile, "Ey, Sakura-chan! Seems you're pretty busy, eh?" he said, placing his hand behind his head, not thinking to move out of the way from the door.

Sakura nodded, "Yeah, hospital's pretty busy lately. Nothing serious, just some illness that's easy to fix, but it seems all the nurses are missing." She squinted her eyes to glance around Naruto and in the hall. Not even one person was seen. She looked up at Naruto, then checked the time on the clock in her office. "And I think I know why," she sighed.

Naruto was a popular guy, with him being the Hokage's son, and his increasingly handsome looks as of late, almost every girl was trying to impress him. It was 3:00 about, the time that Naruto would always come into the hospital to check in on things. Normally just talk to Sakura, but they seemed to never stay too long. Naturally, the girls caught on to his daily routine and began to come to the waiting desk, hoping to have a "little" conversation.

Sad thing was… Naruto was completely oblivious.

"You know, Naruto… maybe you should start being more sneaky about your visits here." Sakura brushed past him and began walking down the hall, knowing he'd follow her.

"What, you don't like my visits, Sakura-chan?" he asked, a fake "hurt" tone in his voice.

With a playful shrug, Sakura replied, "So what if I don't?"

He rolled his eyes and caught in step with her. "Well, I could always visit Sasuke instead," he began, a sly smile above his chin, now slightly stubbled. "I mean, sometimes he'll reply to me," he said jokingly. Sasuke was never one for conversation, even in this timeline.

Sakura laughed, "Well then, looks like you've got your afternoons from here on planned," she said. Turning around and walking backwards, she stuck out her tongue. "So what actually brought you here, Naruto?"

He raised a brow, "Honestly?" he asked, putting his hands into his pockets and watching her walk. Her nod only made him smile, "You," he said.

"I know that much, I'm obviously so amazing that you must come visit me every day." Her playful tone was almost too noticeable. "Anything else?" she continued, beginning to look skeptical.

Naruto chuckled. "Always the smarter one of the bunch. I was wondering if you wanted to get something," he said.

Sakura remembered the time, and her papers in her hand, though none really seemed to matter. "Well, it's 3:00, which means we've already had lunch, and dinner will come soon, so what do you have in mind?"

He shrugged, noting an upcoming object behind her. "Maybe ice-cream?" he tried, flicking his eyes upward to see who it was, only to stop in his tracks as Sakura bumped into it.

Sakura spun around, just about to give whoever she bumped into a firm talking to, only to find herself bowing her head and mumbling an apology. "Sorry, Hokage-sama," she said, glancing at Naruto with a death glare. "I wasn't watching where I was going."

Minato gave a weak chuckle, "No no, I should've stopped and moved. After all, I wasn't looking either," he said, putting the papers he held in his hands into his pocket. "I was actually looking for you, Naruto?"

Naruto gave up his silent apologies to the still bowing girl beside him and looked to his father. "Right now?" he asked, somewhat of a whine.

Minato raised his eyebrows, "Why? Was I interrupting anything?" he asked, trying to seem innocent. The look on his son's face told him yes, but the look on Sakura's told him she was about to gee the blond a firm beating. Maybe he should reschedule? No, he shouldn't. Besides, it'd be quick. "Come on, Naruto, it'll only be a minute."

Naruto sighed and looked to Sakura, "Later?" he asked, not caring about her glare. She only pursed her lips and squinted, glancing at her papers once more. "If I've got the time, I'll find you." She said it as if she wouldn't come, but Naruto knew better.

He nodded with another grin, "Okay, see ya later then," he said, following his father down the hospital halls.

When they reached his office in the Hokage tower, Minato went to his desk, sitting down without a sound. His eyes were piercing as he stared into his son's. "Tell me," he began, folding his hands in front of him, "Tell me what you know about Madara."

Naruto froze for a moment, looking at his father. Naruto knew about Madara, he knew him. But not in this life. "What?" Naruto asked, trying to seem innocent. "Madara? He was an enemy ninja, killed by the First who-"

"Stop the act, Naruto." Minato continued to stare. "Answer me this," the bold Hokage leaned forward, as if he couldn't hear Naruto if he spoke. "Are you my son."

Naruto took a step back, "Y-yes," he said, "Of course I'm you're son! What type of question is that?" Naruto knew what his father was asking, or… he thought he knew. He hadn't discussed the matters of going back in time, he knew Kakashi had, but only Kakashi. Sakura, nor he, had spoken to the Yellow Flash about their previous lives. About themselves. For a minute, Naruto wanted to walk out the door, but he knew this was his father, and his piercing gaze was just that. A gaze. "I am you're son. Naruto Namikaze. Son of Kushina Uzumaki Namikaze, son of Minato Namikaze, brother of Emi Namikaze, ninja of the hidden leaf."

Minato gave a nod, letting loose a breath, unheard by Naruto, but his lax shoulders didn't go unnoticed. "Then answer my question, son. Tell me what you know… about Madara Uchiha."

Again, Naruto's body went cold. Did his father know he was from the past? Madara was unheard of. He was just an old Ninja, someone who passed away… dead by the hands of the First Hokage. At least, in this world… "Madara… Uchiha…" Naruto sighed. "It's been a while since I heard that name, since I spoke that name."

Minato kept his gaze on his son. "So, I've heard enough from Kakashi, now it's time I hear the truth from you…" He closed his eyes, "Naruto."

Naruto sat down in the chair across from his father. "Well then, how about I start from the beginning," he said, knowing there was no way to try and keep this act up any longer. "I'm The Hidden Leaf's most unpredictable Ninja, Ninetailed Fox Jinjuriki, Hero of the Shinobi world." He looked up, his eyes glassy, but not a sign of any tears. With a scratchy voice, and a tender heart, he put up his fist, sticking out his thumb. "Naruto Uzumaki."

It had been a while since he said that. In a way, it felt good, it felt right. But it wasn't who he was anymore. True, he was Naruto Uzumaki, but just as with age, he grew out of the name when he entered this world. He was Naruto Namikaze, dammit. It didn't matter who he was it mattered who he is. He knew his father knew this, and he knew that he, himself, knew it too. But then why… why did it sting so much to say those words?

"I see," Minato leaned back, his gaze less intimidating and more of a welcoming curiosity. "I'm sorry I never spoke up about this matter before now-"

"No, it's fine, Dad. After all, I should've been the one to speak up about it." Naruto sighed, ran his hands through his hair. "I haven't really tried to think much about my old life, so forgive me if I'm a little tender around sharing it."

Minato nodded, "Understandable. But please, I need to know about Madara Uchiha."

Naruto gave an unsure glance, "Why? Is something happening?"

"Yes and no. You see, just because you three came back in time, it doesn't mean that Madara was banished from this earth. He is still out there, he didn't die when he and the First fought. What I'm getting at is… why is he still hiding? What is there to hide from?"

Naruto nodded, "Yeah, I've been doing some thinking myself. He shouldn't know about us coming back in time, so I don't understand why he hasn't done the things he's done. Or… will do, I guess." With a frustrated sigh, Naruto continued. "Honestly? I've been trying to forget about him and the rest of our enemies completely, thinking that maybe… just maybe… their ghosts won't haunt me."

"I get it, and I know that asking you this is probably only digging up dirt that's already been dug up, but maybe we missed something." Minato let his hands unfold and crossed his arms, leaning back more in his chair. "Perhaps he's already played his move, we just don't see it yet."

"But don't you think we would have heard something by now? I mean, it's been 17 years since this whole thing happened. Technically 12 if you only count my memory, but still… why is he being so sneaky about it? In fact, why is he playing different cards this time around?" Naruto asked himself, but Minato was listening.

"What was his first big move in your timeline?" The Hokage asked, professional and serious.

Naruto stopped to think for a bit, and when he looked up, he avoided his father's gaze. "The night I was born. October 10, when Kyuubi attacked."

Minato took in a deep breath, then let it go. "Nothing happened when you were born, except for my hand being broken." Minato winced at the memory of his wife's crushing grip. "Maybe I'm just over thinking this, but perhaps he's got someone inside Konoha, someone with eyes to watch."

Another nod came from the younger blond. "Probably. But we can't assume everyone's a spy. It'll tear this village apart."

"Right, we'll look for unique behavior." Minato stood up, "Besides Gai and Lee."

Naruto gave out a small chuckle, "Yeah."

"Keep an eye out. And when you're on your mission next week, look for any signs of anything suspicious. I can't help but have a bad feeling…" Minato put out his hand to shake his son's.

"Same, but we've made it this far, haven't we?" Naruto grinned and met his father's grasp with a firm shake.

"Sorry to make this so sudden, and I know I'm cutting this conversation short, but I'm sure you'll come to me in time… if you want to. Listen, Naruto. Just because you're from another time line, doesn't mean I'm not your father."

Naruto nodded, standing up to meet his father's hight. "Right, and remember this; I'm still your son."

"Always."

xXxXx

"You've got to be kidding me," Emi groaned, looking at her two teammates. "There's no way I got stuck with you guys…"

Beside her were, Konohamaru Saratobi, and Shin Kakunoku. Both looked at her with peeved faces, but obviously more mad at each other than at Emi's words. There arms were crossed over, eyes blazing, and teeth bearing.

"You've got to be joking! There's no way I'm stuck with you, Shin! You're practically a bug under my foot!" Konohamaru's face shoved in front of Shin's.

In reaction, Shin's dark brown eyes narrowed. "As if, Grandbaby Hokage, you're just jealous that you're aren't as strong as I am, and now you're gonna have to follow whatever I say." Shin stuck his nose in the air, turning away from the irate Konohamaru.

Emi sighed, placing her palm over her forehead. "You guys know this is a team, right? That means that we need to work together. Even our squad leader, who's a Jounin, won't be constantly bossing us around, he's just part of the team. So you guys should shape up before you break up," she ordered, getting her hands dirty and pushing them away from one another.

Konohamaru nodded, "I would be fine with being a team, but I'm not fine with working with- with that- that thing!" he yelled, pointing to Shin.

"Well I'd be fine working as a team too, Konohamaru-baka! But obviously you both need a whack in the head!" Emi hissed, pulling them apart once more. "Now both of you should quiet up and wait for our sensei to-"

"So this is who I've got as a team…" there was a click of the door closing and footsteps walking into the room that they were asked to wait in. "…Interesting." The man before them was tall, he had strangely colored hair, a grayish blue, and his eyes were a piercing black. "I'm Kiritashi Numiya, you're squad leader and sensei." He looked at the for a moment longer, letting the silent stares linger. "It seems you know each other well enough. I'm sure introductions are unneeded. We'll meet outside of the school yard tomorrow morning at 9:00."

Emi let go of her new teammates and tried to say something to their new squad leader, but he was already walking out the door. "Wait-" the door shut, and the room fell silent.

Outside the door, Kiritashi shoved his hands in his pockets, remembering his earlier conversation with the Hokage.

Flashback

"As Hokage, I'm ordering you to take care of your team, no matter the cost. And I'm asking as a father, that you teach my daughter well." Minato was sitting in his chair, a smiling gracing his face as he spoke.

Kiritashi nodded, "Of course, Hokage-sama. I wouldn't dream of failing them, and I'll be sure to protect your daughter."

"I was planning on having Obito Uchiha lead this squad, but seeing as he's going to start a family of his own, it'd be unfair to ask him this. I'm sure he agrees," Minato stood up, a serious face plastered over. "Thank you, Kiritashi, you're work will be beneficial, I'm sure of it."

Kiritashi smiled, "I should be thanking you, Hokage-sama. It's an honor to teach your kin." He stood up and walked to the door, bidding his goodbyes to the Hokage. As the door closed, he lifted his sleeve. "Dammit," he cursed. Black markings were growing along his arm, twisting and turning in an unpleasant pattern, a lime green chakra leaking from the seal.

Suddenly, his surroundings changed and a masked man was standing before him. "I'm glad you're so trusted…" the man looked up, pricing red eyes blazing through the holes of the face covering. "Yuudai."

"And my life belongs to you… Madara," he said, kneeling down. His eyes were piercing the ground and his fists held tight to his clothes.

End of Flashback

His eyes closed and his feet froze as his arm lifted to cover his face.

I'm a traitor…

Until next time guys! Please let me know what you thought! Or if I missed something… that's important…

-LovelySheree