Set Post Naruto Gaiden.

Previous Chapter Summary: After sitting down face-to-face with her uncle, the Uchiha heiress finally gets the answers she'd been looking for.

A/N: Long chapter! Initially wasn't going to turn this scene into a whole new chapter.. But here it is. It was sad for me to write T_T. Let me know that you think!

Only 2 interludes, 2 (or possibly 3) chapters to go! Reviews are appreciated!

Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto

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Journey Back In Time

Rewind III: The First and The Last

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".. And then I'd always help mom whenever I got back from my duties. She makes really awesome tomato soup for dad!"

Itachi rested his elbows on either side of his leg while his head was turned, listening to every word the Uchiha heiress was saying. They had spent the last half hour after their previous conversation talking about life in the new Konoha.

"Sakura seems to take care of him very well." He said, pleased with the updates he received so far regarding the Uchiha family.

"Yeah, when mom and dad are together, sometimes they don't know, but I'll be peeking at them through my bedroom door when they're not paying attention." Sarada's face was filled with excitement. "Recently, I've even seen them kiss!"

At this, the elder Uchiha couldn't resist his grin. He continued to stare at his niece as she proceeded to speak with large arm movements, her facial expression changing with every word. He nodded at everything she said, absorbing them while his own thoughts roamed. Hearing these stories reminded himself of their own family, with Fugaku and Mebuki. They once had very happy moments just like the new Uchiha family. His expression alone wasn't enough to show how happy he was for his younger brother. The two of them had come a long way, and now that Itachi was gone, Sasuke had really found happiness and success in one, while carrying on the name of the Uchiha.

".. And that's why Boruto really looks up to Dad now, he's even taken him as a disciple! Everyone thought he'd want to be Hokage just like his dad!"

The unfamiliar name caught Itachi's attention. "Boruto?"

"Yeah, Uncle Naruto's son!"

Ah.. So Naruto had a kid now, too. Itachi thought, pondering how times have really changed. Wait.. Hokage?

"Naruto has become the 7th?"

"Yep! Boruto also complains how his dad isn't really around, but Uncle Naruto and dad are always sneaking around having conversations with eachother. They seem to be more devoted to eachother than their wives!"

Surprisingly, Itachi let out a soft chuckle. He reminisced back to the times where Naruto would constantly drab about becoming the Hokage after saving Sasuke. His brother really was lucky to have a best friend like him.

"In fact, he's the one who took me to this old storage room where the time-travel scroll was hidden.." Sarada faded as she continued her speech. "Come to think of it, you didn't answer my question from earlier. Why were you in the white space? And how am I able to talk to you like this if you're from the past?"

This situation came along with another story. Itachi took a moment for himself in an attempt to think of the most condensed version as possible.

"The time-travel scroll was originally developed by Madara a long time ago." He started. "After he died during a conflict with his rival, Hashirama, he went into hiding and developed the scroll for future use. He was planning to use it to overwrite history between the Uchihas and the Senju clan by eliminating them once and for all, and to make it so that everyone lived in that past."

"Making a time-travel technique.. Is that even possible?"

"I'm not sure of the details myself. But he spent a long time creating it, almost as long as his second plan to destroy the world."

"So how did it get in your hands?"

"When Madara entrusted the scroll to a man named Obito, the scroll made its way to the Akatsuki. No one in the gang knew." Itachi said. "Except for me, of course. I eventually managed to steal it."

Sarada smiled. She didn't doubt her uncle's capabilities.

"I didn't approve of what Madara was planning to do with it. That's why I took it." He continued. "The scroll can only be open by the hands of a Uchiha, with only one use by a single person. Initially, I planned to save it for when I revealed the truth about the massacre to Sasuke."

"But you didn't."

".. No. Under a circumstance I was in, I sent the scroll back to Konoha for safekeeping away from the Akatsuki. I figured they wouldn't know what to do with it, but it appears that they've tried to decipher it many times." The elder Uchiha shifted his gaze towards the metal bracelet on his niece's wrist. Sarada followed his eyes. "I reckon they knew it could only be opened by the initiation of a specific person.. Seeing as they've gotten quite creative with it."

The Uchiha heiress placed a hand on the cold metal of the bracelet, giving him a shrug. "The ninjas weapon army. They really need to make improvements or something, cause this thing hurts like hell."

"Amateurs." Itachi shook his head, earning a chuckle from Sarada.

"But still, the white space?"

"Before I sent it off, I inserted something inside with a hidden jutsu. To make matters simple, I gave it a part of me." Itachi paused, hesitating to speak what was in his mind. It's also what helped aggravate the disease during my last battle with Sasuke.

"That's why you can talk to me like this and see who enters the white space? Are you like the time-travel keeper or something?"

Time-travel keeper. It had a cheesy ring to it, but sure, Itachi accepted it. "You could think of it that way."

"So did dad enter the white space?"

".. He did. We had a nice little chat in your absence."

Sarada's expression faded. A wave of pain broke out in her chest. Although it was true that she knew her father had a brother, he spoke little of Itachi. But the one thing she did know was that along with the taboo subject of his sibling, she could tell that Itachi was someone he really missed. "But he couldn't see you, just like how I couldn't, right? I know he wants to see you."

At this, Itachi felt pain as well. During the time where he reincarnated and met Sasuke again, he really wished they could have started over again, living as how brothers should live. He thought back to when he saw Sasuke in the white space. Even though his brother couldn't see him, he himself saw Sasuke very well. It surprised him how different, yet the same he looked. He was much taller before, much more mature-looking, and he still resembled being a member of the noble Uchiha.

There were countless times where he tried to think of a different solution for them, one that didn't involve a massacre. But at that time, there really was no better choice for him. After that, he was pretty much absent for the rest of his brother's life. He'd spend his nights in Akatsuki wondering what became of him, how he was growing up, who his friends were...

Sarada managed to read the hurt expression on her uncle. He really was good at hiding his feelings, just like Sasuke, but this was one where she was able to see through.

"It's okay, Uncle Itachi." She said, wearing a smile on her face in an attempt to comfort her family member. "Even though you've hurt dad, he's had happy moments in his life!"

The elder Uchiha simply stared at his niece.

"In my first time-point, I spent time with mom, dad and Uncle Naruto in their Genin days." She said, "Although I don't know how or when dad left the village, I can tell the three of them were really happy together. In fact, people back at the future Konoha always told me that they really believed the three of them were inseparable, no matter what happened."

Sarada beamed in pride as she continued. "Besides, he has me and mom! He's like a total rock sometimes, and sometimes our family has fights just like how we did before I came here. But I know he loves us, and I miss my parents a lot while I'm time-travelling. Mom and I will always be there for him even though he leaves us often."

Sasuke really was blessed.

".. And dad is going to be really happy when he sees you've come home with me!"

Itachi's heart nearly dropped a thousand craters at her statement.

"Thank you, Sarada." He managed to force out of his mouth, forming a weak smile at the corner of his lips.

Almost as if on cue, Sarada suddenly felt a burning sensation beginning to take place on her wrist. She made a small gasp at its sudden onset and flinched back, earning Itachi's attention. The elder Uchiha gazed at her wrist, which was starting to become red. The two of them exchanged glances. They knew, it was almost time.

"Sarada. You said you missed your parents, right?" He said as his niece stared at him with a puzzled expression. "I'm going to show you something."

In the next moment, Itachi raised his arm again, his palm facing the Uchiha heiress. Almost immediately, the two of them were pulled into another place.

Though the technique took place fast, she could feel that it took awhile for them to actually arrive in the new setting. But once they arrived, the place was rather familiar to her. She knew that they were in Konoha, but this specific era was unique to the one she lived in, in the future. She could tell because of the new skyscrapers present behind the Hokage stone faces, particularly the one with Uncle Naruto's face plastered on it.

"Uncle Itachi." She darted her gaze towards the elder Uchiha, who stood beside her and looked like he was in deep thought. "W-We're in my Konoha."

Itachi gave her a nod. "This is Konoha right now, as we speak."

"Are we back home?"

He was about to open his mouth to answer, but before he had the chance, Sarada caught sight of two people she'd been longing to see.

"Mom! Dad!"

Itachi peered behind him, to where the Uchiha heiress was looking. As he turned around, he caught sight of a tall, raven-haired man walking beside a girl with vibrant, viridian eyes. No doubt, he knew the familiar face of his brother and his fellow kunoichi partner.

As the couple started closer towards the time-travellers, Sarada ran over to meet them halfway.

"Mom, Da-"

To her dismay, she stood to the side as the two of them completely walked past her, not acknowledging her even with a single glance. She wondered what was going on and immediately turned to her uncle for an answer, who was still standing in his original spot.

"They can't see you." He explained. "It kind of defeats the point of coming here, but you can see them. You're not really home, I just shifted time into your future." It's a difficult technique to do, but somehow we managed to arrive alright..

"Oh.." Sarada's smile faded as her gaze subsequently followed her parents, who were now walking inside the dango shop they frequented on days where Sasuke was free. "Let's go, then."

Her feet shuffled over to the shop, urging Itachi to follow along, in which he did. When the two of them reached the large curtain folds of the entrance, she moved them out of her way to let herself in. Itachi followed closely behind, until they reached the table her parents were sitting at.

The store was rather empty, it seemed like it was down-time. It was perfect.

"I really hope to god that Sarada is okay." Sakura says, burying her hands into her face as the waitress seemed to have just left with their menus. After a few seconds, she lifted it up again, staring at her husband with sullen eyes. "Were we wrong, Sasuke? Should we have just told her sooner?"

Sasuke remained silent for a few seconds. Thousands of thoughts ran through his head at the same time, and he pondered that question every single night since Sarada was away. Finally, he spoke. "I was afraid."

At this, Sarada paid extra attention to her father's subsequent words. Itachi also listened closely as they hovered near their table.

".. I don't want her to follow in my footsteps. When I learned of my family, the curse was already taking place inside my heart.."

The Curse of Hatred. Sarada repeated in her head, remembering what Itachi had told her. She suddenly understood her parents' worries, how it would eventually engulf her as well.

"I'm not ready to let that happen." Sasuke continued, slowly closing his eyes in deep thought.

".. She's precious to me."

The Uchiha heiress felt tears beginning to well up in her eyes. She bit her lip, trying not to release her emotions at this moment. Everybody knew her dad was a man of few words, so whenever he says something like this.. It really means a lot.

Her uncle could tell that she was trying not to cry. He gave a small benevolent smile, silently praising himself on the inside for giving her the glimpse of this moment. She was going to be home soon, where she could give them a reply on everything that's happened.

"You said Itachi was in the white space?" Sakura inquired, and Itachi looked at her once he heard his name being mentioned.

Sasuke responded with a nod. "The scroll definitely belongs to the Uchiha. I don't know about the details."

"Did he say anything about Sarada? Does she know who he is?"

The raven-haired man pondered for a moment, thinking of what to report to his wife. His mind traced over him and Itachi's conversation in the white space. He decided to leave out the part that he almost killed her, for now. "He said she was willing to continue with the travel. To see more."

Rather than angry, Sakura looked surprised, just as how Sasuke was when he found out the same thing.

".. And, she called him a creep."

While Sakura bursted out in laughter, Sarada immediately darted her gaze towards her Uncle with a pout. "You told on me!"

Itachi let out a little laugh, letting her proceed with a rant on his tattle-taling. In this moment, there was a bittersweet atmosphere of bonding that surrounded the four of them, almost as if they were physically together as an entire family.

"They would have gotten along in a very interesting way." Sakura said, her laugh fading out. "That is, if he didn't.."

A sudden tense air broke out in the stall, and Sarada had a sinking feeling in her stomach.

"If you didn't what? What are they talking about?" She turned to her Uncle, grabbing hold of one of his sleeves almost in desperation. He looked down and they exchanged looks for a brief moment before Sarada suddenly flinched.

"Ow!" The Uchiha heiress released her grip on her uncle and immediately placed her hand on her wrist, where her metal bracelet started to burn harder until she was groaning in pain.

Widening his eyes at the depths of her pain, Itachi raised his palm, switching settings in a mere half second. It's time.

Sarada didn't have time to observe the quick change, but they were back on the riverbank. Her eyes were still set on her Uncle, demanding an answer. "You're coming back with me, right? I know you want to be with dad again!"

Itachi simply stood, holding her strong gaze. The next few minutes were going to be a lot harder for him than he'd thought.

Sarada became more and more frustrated at her uncle's silence. There was simply no time. ".. Just come home with me! Dad's forgiven you! You can live with us in the way you've always wanted to live with him, you can taste mom's awesome tomato soup, you can keep me company when dad isn't here.." Her voice started to choke, and she was unable to control the tears that began to run down her cheeks.

"You're apart of our family." She whispered, her voice cracking as she forced the words out of her mouth.

At her words, Itachi felt like the world was crashing down at him. He wanted to come home, really, he did. He wanted to be home more than anyone else.

She continued to cry, louder this time. Instinctively, he took a step forward and reached his arms up to wrap them around his niece, pulling her into a gentle hug. The Uchiha heiress returned her uncle's hug with a tighter grip, burying her face into his shoulder.

Though she couldn't see his face, Itachi smiled, ready to confirm her thoughts.

"Sarada.. I died a long time ago."

The Uchiha heiress only continued to cry at her uncle's words. Part of her always held the possibility that he was already dead, but she really hoped it wasn't true. This moment felt too real, he felt too real, his hugs felt too real.

She proceeded to ask another question, although she was a hundred-ten percent sure of the answer already. "How?"

Itachi responded with nothing but silence, still holding her as she made small gasps between her tears.

"Dad did it." Sarada whispered under her breath.

"He didn't know the full truth until after I died." Itachi said. "But that's also something you have to ask him about, okay?"

The girl with the red glasses nodded, burying her face further into his cloak. Her bracelet was hurting her wrist. But in this moment, nothing pained her more than her uncle's words.

Naturally, she shifted herself out of his hug until the two of them met face-to-face again. "If you could visit the future, why haven't you come to see us?"

"I can't use the jutsu that often. The last time I did, Sasuke wasn't at the village, and you weren't born yet. Besides, no one can see me." He explained, giving her a tiny grin. "It's how I planned to watch over Sasuke, just like I promised. Now I know I don't have to do it that often because he's in the hands of two very capable women."

Through her tear-stained eyes and cheeks, Sarada managed to blush and return his smile. "So this is the last time I'll see you?"

"The first and the last."

The two of them peered at eachother for awhile longer until Sarada let out another loud groan. The bracelet continued to urge her resistance. She looked down at her wrist, and saw that some of her skin had started to peel. ".. I think this is the part where you're supposed to tell me to eat well, study hard, and listen to my parents?"

"I wouldn't listen to Sasuke if I were you, either. From your stories, he sounds like a pain." He said playfully. ".. But maybe to your mom. She's probably something to fear."

Sarada laughed, but gritted her teeth from the pain.

"But I am going to tell you this." Itachi slowly began to raise his hand, and she watched as it approached her with two pointed fingers until they landed their tips on the top of her forehead. She didn't blink as her head recoiled back a little from the tap of his fingertips. He left it there for awhile, and just when he had done it, her mind started to play images of the times her parent's would do the exact same thing.

"I'll always be watching over you and your family."

Sarada smiled, forcefully giving a quick nod in understanding. Her body could no longer resist, she had to let herself go. In a few seconds, she relaxed her limbs, feeling the harsh tug of wind on her limbs.

Her gaze was becoming more blurred, not from her tears, but from the current time-point beginning to disappear from her vision. She took one last glance at her uncle, who still retained his smile. He no longer felt the feeling of his finger on her forehead as she started to dissipate into thin air until she was completely out of sight.

"Mom, have you ever kissed dad?"

"Huh?" The pink-haired girl widened her eyes in surprise, an obvious blush forming on her cheeks. She took a moment to think to herself, then answered with a silly chuckle.

The tiny Uchiha smiled at her mother's expression. "What is it?"

"Oh, it's just.. I remembered he gave me something better than a kiss."

"What's better than a kiss?"

To her surprise, the viridian-eyed girl crouched down to her daughter's height and gave her a light tap on her forehead with her two fingers, earning a much confused look from her face.

"I'll tell you next time, okay?"

Honestly, she never understood the significance behind the gesture that her parents were so fond of.

But in this very moment, she knew.

And it really is better than anything in the world.