Living Twice

This is revelation.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

13.

"What to do? Train by myself?" He wondered as he wandered. "This is a waste. All I really have on my agenda is to master the Great Breakthrough without hand-seals, or wasting breath announcing it for focus, and learn how to do a compact form of the Air bullet. I'm going to have to hold off on that…Maybe I'll cough out a lung out of my mouth the way Sakura coughed out her stomach contents for her Water Bullet variation. At least I have the Daitoppa down-pat."

He scowled at this, but soon he wondered if he could create a new weapon to fight with. So far, everything had been short range…what if he had to go against a ranged opponent?

'I never considered that before…' He trailed off. 'But the mugshots are purely close range, and I like fighting at that range because it leaves less room for variations and wildcards. If they're close to me, I can take the fight to them, instead of being on the defensive from their attacks. I won't always have that luxury.'

He sat on the roof of his apartment building with his feet hanging off, gazing at the populace milling about below. He was trying to get his answer, but he didn't necessarily feel any inclination of a rush. He had…twelve hours extra. Not to mention that he currently had two weeks before the start of the chunin exams.

Chunin? He beat and killed Zabuza, for Kami's sakes. He wasn't feeling over-confident, but he had to take some pride in that. Although he got the feeling that his name was rising up in the world…

"I have to be careful!" He fumed. "I must have every detail accounted for! Every hole filled, every stone turned, all t's crossed and i's dotted. I can't leave anything to chance, or one day, I'll bite the dust, all because I got too close to someone who can kill dispatch people easily and effortlessly at a short range."

It was a far-fetched presumption, but Naruto knew that he was far from strong. It had been shown time and time again…first with the Mizuki incident, then his startling with Haku's intervention, and then the killing of her…he knew he relied on his fore-experience. Too heavily, in fact. To know what was going to be done before it came to pass was vital and powerful information. Winning fights by only making the right choices and moves. The fore-experience was the most potent and formidable force to grace this planet, and a ten year old boy got it and had it till now.

Naruto himself.

He had always said to himself that he wished he knew then what he knew now…that was a constant for everyone. Instead, he got that.

Wish granted.

To be fair, he didn't know what it really was…if it was a product of his wants of needs or inane wishes, a curse from the Shinigami or a blessing from Kami. It could really have been a Kekkei Genkai, but if it was…a parent with an ability like that should be invincible. Knowing what to do, how to do it, why to do it, and most importantly…when to do it.

It was all about the timing. He knew that better than everyone.

All knew the adage 'wrong place, wrong time'. He knew both. How? When everything was said and done, he was already made to do the right thing.

In fundamental nature…the fore-experience as he liked to call it, was a convoluted thing…a very convoluted and intricate happening. It, by all means, moved his own body to act, like a ghost of his future self. It was as if it was guiding his movements on what was happening of its next instance. The fore-experience, in essence, knew what would happen and controlled his body for what would occur with all the right choices. All he needed to do, was follow that intended plan the second time.

It was…a fantastic dominance! He could err no longer! He was perfect! By knowing how he won, he knew how to win.

However, the perfect actions that guaranteed his victory would and could endanger others. As in the happening of Wave-…Sasuke's death. He diverted from the plan by creating a shadow clone…that could save Sakura instead of Kakashi, and Sasuke kept his focus and kept fighting.

What happened between him and Meizu was his first experiment. It had been the product of intentions, as well as what would happen. He had tried to experience what would happen if he created a clone later, and the result was a half-broken piece of shit…one that barely saved Sakura's life, and kept his intact because the experience was always trying to preserve his own life…all else that happened could be spontaneous at times, and he had to resolute himself to never do it again since that time.

If he were less concerned for the welfare of others, this wouldn't be a problem, but…

But…

It was…a horrible dread! He knew what would happen! Nothing to look forward to, nothing to hope for! He knew whether or not what would happen. By happy things would lose luster. By sad things experienced double would make him twice as morose.

Hence why ever since.

Since?

He got the usual…assaults on his birthday, but when he was experiencing what his tenth birthday had to offer, he decided to follow through with the plan presented.

He had gotten the fore-experience, before his birthday, when the gift/curse was apparently meant for his birthday.

He had saved himself from a beating that would cripple him from the waist down, and the need to know what happens…he had been a slave to it, and he had trusted it ever since. Hence his…nature from the past three, soon to be four years.

Knowing what will be done, made life monotonous. The Academy? Kami-forbid. He was slowly dying, didn't anyone see? Fighting, as 'bad' as it could be, was an exciting change. It did get the blood pumping, that much was sure.

Perhaps the knowledge was changing him, grooming him to who he was now…shaping him into who he will be. He had made deviations in Wave, and it had revealed to him that below his skin, he yearned for companionship, for happiness unexpected and pleasant. Instead, all he had gotten was startling, panic, horror experienced twice each.

But most of all, he had gone through a teaser of happiness, and because of his one…his absolute one error! That one divergence! He had happiness taken away from him, before it was even his!

It was a curse! Oh yes! Of course, he should be grateful he wasn't a cripple, he should be thankful he can beat others with the best of them, but he wanted to be normal! Instead…he…everyday…knew what would happen, and experienced it twice.

This was why Ayame insisted that he should be her big brother. If he had been experiencing nearly four years twice, he was a bit older than her by age, and since he could do no wrong, he should be the one to 'guide' her like an elder sibling should.

Despite his best efforts to claim by argument that he was still younger than her, she refuted it by way of technicalities. She was right, although he got used to it…twice as fast than he would have.

The fore-experience had its limits, and there was only one.

…

'It's not a concern at present, but I can't fight everyone at close range," Naruto decided. "I could make a new weapon, another one that shoots. It needs to be ranged, and accurate. Straight. So, instead of the short and stocky mug, I need a long and slender pole."

He spoke to himself with conviction, and knew…he knew that he was right. "But it can't be that simple. I need to take into account the ammo size, potency of the explosion, and the tenacity of the pole." (1)

He forced himself off of the roof with his hands, and as he landed in the streets below, he fell into a picture-perfect safety-tap. A roll would have let him cover his back in dog shit, but he had known that already. He was inside the fore-experience currently, and knew all that he would and could do was preordained. If he gained control of himself, it meant that it was inconsequential and would affect little, if anything. Like flattering someone on their good looks, or…

"Oh… a ryo." He stopped and picked up the stray coin, but knew it would not matter; his body left his own possession again and soon, found himself standing in front of the Higurashi's Store.

He bought up all of the D-ranked explosives from the man, and in a small bid for conversation-

"So, is Tenten okay?"

"Yeah." The burly man said gruffly. "How do you know her?"

"I was the one who came with Asuma couple months ago and bought this…" He took out his blade-baton and presented it to the man. Higurashi merely surveyed for half a minute before giving it back to him.

"I remember…she came to me asking about it." The man's eyes glazed bit in remembrance. "Anyway, how're the mugs you had me work over been treating you? Keep your hands safe when drinking your coffee?" The man chortled at his own joke.

"I've been using them to kill and maim people." Naruto answered bluntly, destroying the man's mirth. "Anyway, I need two four-foot-long pipes, with openings on one end, and slightly blown out alternative ends. What I have in mind is basically a metal variant to common household water PVC pipes, but-"

"That sounds like an order." Mr. Higurashi interjected. "So…"

Naruto exhaled noisily. "Of course I was going to pay. But this is simple…it should be done in three days or less."

"Payment. Now, you're speaking my most fluent language. But what's the metal you're going to want it crafted of?"

"Just dig up your strongest alloys you have laying around. I can pay for it."

…

…

…

He was done with making his order, and with three-quarters of the money already presented instead of the usual half would guarantee his poles-project the most precedence in the man's forge. He also purchased a dozen C-Grade explosive seals, and a half-dozen B-Grade storage seals.

And it was only one p.m.

He was bored in mind, and his body began leading him in a set direction. At the end of it, he soon discovered himself in front of a Wholesale Store. It was completely empty, and it just so happened to step inside just as the last of the hustle and bustle had dissipated from the previous customers. It was like a walk-in shop, but not in the manner of one doing their own shopping. It was more like the Higurashi's Weapon and Clothing store where you called for what you wanted, and it was fetched to you.

A small henge over his whisker-marks and hair hid his inimitable and most distinctive looks. As it was now, no whiskers and brown hair with bangs that nearly came to his eyes. "I'd like some service please."

"What'll it be?" A rather cheery middle-aged woman asked.

"I need three packaged-pounds of salt, three packaged-pounds of black pepper, three pounds of your most potent and spiciest bird peppers, a liter bottle of vinegar, five liter bottles of vegetable oil…"

The woman had been going around in the background, picking up his goods and returning it to her side of the counter. "Anything else?"

"One large roll of napkins."

"A lot of cooking supplies, this seems like."

"I know." 'I'm gonna cook all right.'

He quickly paid for his purchases and sealed them away in the seals he had just bought, right in front of her. It didn't faze her much; she must've already had the 'pleasure' of seeing storage seals in action in the past.

…

…

…

The senile old man didn't remember him, even with his features un-henged. "I…think I sold you some rubber balls in the past, but…I'm not too sure."

"It was me. I'm going to need your whole stock of them."

"Young man, I believe I have thirty of those blue rubber balls. If you take all thirty, what will other children buy?"

Naruto sighed deeply. "Give me twenty-five, please. Also, I need a fifty-pack of party balloons."

This man was going to take a while. He could barely get around, and Naruto wondered why the man's children or grandchildren didn't help him, if he had any.

"You throwin' some kind of party?" The aged man asked as he shuffled around for the items.

"I'll be throwing something, alright." The Uzumaki said grimly.

=X=X=

"Alright. Everything checks out. Welcome to Konohagakure. There is still the premise of no antagonism or embitterment with any others if it's not required by way of the Chunin Exams." The gate guards told the trio. "Don't overstay your welcome or breach the rules given or you will all be penalized to the fullest extent of our Laws and Regulations."

The trio agreed to the conditions and had their respective passports stamped. They had their representative forms returned to them stamped with approval before they then cleared the massive village gates. Without any preamble, they all walked on in their own respective directions in their own search for the hotel. Maybe their targets if they were 'fortunate'. That differed with perspective.

Flashback

"So…that's that, huh? We each have our own instructions."

"Seems so, Zaku," Dosu answered as they left through the base's exit. "But one thing bothers me. We all got to see Kabuto-sama's 'ninfo' cards."

As they broke the surface of the underground base, Kin had to cover her eyes as the sunlight glared into their faces. They all took a minute to let their eyes adjust, and in that time, all the Kunoichi saw was the countryside of The Land of Rice. She had been rotated among the bases frequently with each new training regimen, so her newly-found father Shiarta was somewhere…she had lost track. Through and through, she intended to find him.

She was entertaining thoughts of making a run for it. Maybe even faking her own death. Who would really miss her? As far as she knew or cared, she and her squad-mates were expendable. She, to some extent, knew that Dosu also had fairly decent beginnings and always exuded the vibe that he wished for escape, but like her, were too terrified to leave.

They were also afraid of continuing down their current path. It didn't help matters when they were aware that death lied at the end of each decision…there was a reason why people like Orichimaru and Kabuto were to be feared…especially Kabuto, as surprising as it was. While the Snake Sannin was admittedly the more formidable and notorious of the two, it was Kabuto who was vengeful, and hated loose ends. To be blunt, Orichimaru would be more willing to let them get away, seeing that he always had bigger fish to fry. Kabuto, on the other hand, was likely to pursue them until they were nothing but corpses for his 'collection' of bodies for his impersonation techniques. He was passionate about keeping everything neat and under control, and if so much as an ant was out of its anthill, it was getting stomped, no matter what apt or frivolous excuse may be given.

A control-freak, or to be linguistic, a perfectionist.

Maybe she could run…maybe she could find Shiarta…maybe she could live.

No, no. Too many variant 'maybe's'. Besides, the third of the series had a lesser chance of becoming true than finding someone who could kill her two so-called bosses on the same day.

And then the minute expired.

"What's your point?" Zaku asked. "You heard Kabuto-sama. We're going to get our instructions from Orichimaru through him one step at a time. When we're done with each one, he'll give us the next one."

"I don't like this," Kin voiced. "It's as if they don't want us to know the final endgame. All we know from word-of-mouth is that Konoha is going to be razed during the exams. Maybe they just want us to help it along. What's our task, huh?"

"The Uchiha. We're supposed to watch him." Zaku then got cuffed upside the head by Dosu as he glared at him with his visible eye.

"You idiot. Didn't you pay attention to the cards?"

They started to take to the trees to begin tree-jumping to Konoha. It wasn't too far from their current base location. In fact, they should arrive by three p.m., if they kept up their current pace. "We're watching the Uchiha, so I looked at his card. What's your problem?"

"Two reasons. We'll encounter his team in the exams…that means not just him. If we only know about him, what if one of his teammates pull some strange ability from their ass and beat us?"

Zaku snorted. "As if. With the new wind-channel pipes in my arm, I can beat anyone. One of the few things that Kabuto actually did right by me. If only he had gotten it right the first time…"

Kin was silent. She had seen all of the three cards, but Dosu had said there were two reasons. He soon stated the other. "It wouldn't look right if all three of us were caught tailing and spying on him. If it's just one of us, the person could be better at espionage, instead of us bumbling over hiding spots and shit like that."

"So?"

Dosu motioned them to stop, and he showed them that he had three slender-looking somethings sticking out of his fist he had pulled from somewhere on his person. "We're drawing straws to see who's observing who. Each of the straws got the person's hair color. The kunoichi's one of the rare pink fuchsia-haired people, the other guy's a blond, and the Uchiha's got-"

"Yeah, yeah," Zaku interrupted rudely. "I still don't like this, but you make sense." He pulled one of the straws from his teammate's hand, and the previously concealed bottom end was revealed to be pink. "Pink? Oh, fuck."

Kin shrugged and picked out another. It came back yellow, and she suddenly evoked to mind what the 'ninfo' card had said about the blond. It didn't say what jutsu he had besides an advanced cloning technique, but in the miscellaneous noting, it told her that he had singlehandedly killed Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Hidden Mist; an infamous swordsman to boot. The man was around elite jounin level, and his sword was as notorious as he was. Apparently, this 'genin' guy killed him at close-ranged combat, cashed in on the bounty and kept the sword.

"No switching." Dosu glared at them momentarily, before going off again with his comrades just behind him in terms of distance. Without a doubt, he knew he had gotten the best choice, as the original objective was to observe the Uchiha. He was sure that he could fight against the Uchiha if needs be, but if it was someone like this 'Naruto', or whatever the hell his name wanted to be, then that was a no-go. Zaku got a bore, and Kin had to tail a very, very dangerous 'genin'.

He was fine.

Kin, on the other hand, looked like she was eager to switch with Zaku. But Zaku was already hell-bent on trying to swap with Dosu himself.

Flashback END

Her direction wasn't completely random. Perhaps it was famished from her exertions to get here why her sense of smell was heightened to lead her to food. Perhaps it was because she had lived so long on a farm why she went to the nearest grocers. Perhaps it was because of some massive coincidence why she saw her 'assigned target' walk out of some kind of play-store on the other side of the street.

She neglected buying any sort of food after all, and began walking on her side of the street, tailing him in a most covert way. The streets were fairly crowded here, as it was mostly a practical street of stores, emporiums, shops, mercantiles and the general like.

He seemed to momentarily pause, and she halted as well. During this time, she noted how he stared at his watch. He must've had a slight obsession over time, but during this time, she wondered why people strafed around him, as if he had some kind of contagious illness and they didn't wish it on themselves.

'Huh. Weird. Wh-…why am I even following him?! This guy's dangerous!' She yelled in thought so loud she could swear that everyone around her must've heard it. For a brief moment, she wondered if she was caught in the act of following him, and busied herself by gazing at the wares of an open-air stall. Why it had to be a fruit-stall, she had no idea. Even worse, just as she eyed the apples, it made her stomach growl in yearning for it. Regrettably, she saw him move off again, this time in a turn off. She would lose sight of him around the bend, and-

'Damn it! This is an easy choice! Then why the hell would I pick the wrong one?' In her frustration, she tore herself from the suddenly very-appealing stall and walked after him, wondering if she would get to see him train.

=X=X=

'Hmm…it's four p.m.' He gazed at the watch before continuing to gaze ahead of him. He felt more paranoid than he normally would, and already knew why. The Kunoichi behind him to his 'seven 'o' clock' in direction. Why he wasn't doing something serious about it rather than just wandering around, the answer didn't come to him yet. That wasn't unusual. Sometimes, the fore-experience took a while with some knowledge, but he felt this to be important.

'Well, it'd better hurry up,' he mused in the privacy of his head. 'I've got to be in bed at six.'

He turned at the next sharp right, and knew that this street led to commercial. It was almost amusing to him, walking through some woeful areas while she seemingly followed him with a nervous air. He might as well enjoy the situation. He was bored, and perhaps he was just whiling away the time at this point.

And sooner, rather than later, found himself in front of Ichiraku's. Apparently, he had taken the long way. And to top it off, just as he was about to walk in, he turned to her and beckoned to her with a gesture of the head, and a small wave.

He himself could practically feel the doubt rolling off of the Kunoichi, when he himself still hadn't even seen her properly yet…only a few glimpses from his peripherals.

"Hey, Ayame-nee!" He hailed from his place on his stool. She wasn't in sight, hence why the necessity for his shout.

He turned his attention to the approaching Ayame with tears on her face. "Um…you okay?" Instantly, he now felt like he had regained control. Perhaps now was the time to do some micromanaging, seeing that this wasn't too significant.

"No. Naruto-nii. Hey, um…my favorite horse just broke a leg in the four 'o' clock race. And I'm out a thousand ryo. I was saving that up for two months!"

He grunted before he leaned over to her, and her over to him to whisper. "I'll tell you tomorrow in the morning. Currently, this is practice, if you know what I mean."

"Kami, this feels messed up." Ayame complained. "I feel real. That loss feels real…"

"Now you know how I felt about Haku." Naruto griped. "Anyway, which horse won?"

"'Shinigami's Judgment', number 136. Kami, I hate that stallion. But…when you're telling me the right info, can you lend me four thousand ryo?"

"Now you're being hypocritical. The answer's no; I hate seeing you gamble. You're just fortunate I hate seeing you lose. Damn, if I tell you what to bet on, it could mess up my whole day. There's this girl following me, and she's a ninja. I need to know what to do in case there's conflict. You know the drill. Act normal. In the morrows, I'll just send a clone out to tell you not to gamble. That sounds fair and clean to me." He now leaned back unto his stool.

"Glad I have such an understanding big brother." She wiped her face and resumed her cheery illustration. "What'll it be?" As she said this, he felt his own body leave his control and he settled fully unto his seat. It must be in some sort of preparation.

Kin finally stepped inside after a number of hesitations. It was mostly her stomach that had made up her mind, as the smells that had emanated from the homely stand had gotten her stomach working…working to digest its own lining. As she sat down, she only slightly felt the waitress's gaze as she waited.

"Hai?" Kin asked, feeling irritated.

"Don't you want to order?" The boy next to her asked. "Anyway, I would like the chicken ramen, for a change. And I suppose that Ms. Stalker I led to get a meal here would like what she wants as well."

"Don't patronize me. I'd like…hmm…" She glanced at the price-sheet on the wall next to her and noted that the ramen was cheap. Cheap food was never good news, in terms of health and quality. Hoping that it wouldn't backfire on her, she ordered the chicken one as well.

As soon as Ayame left, both teens were left in the fair quietness of the stand, and they sat with only one stool between them.

And Naruto felt himself speak. He had no control, as usual in the fore-experience, as it ' forcefully dictated' the plan to him.

"So…do you have a name?" 'Kuso! Why did I say that? Is it trying to make me sound aloof and 'cool' or something?!'

"Sure I do. You don't have to know it," she retorted haughtily.

"I would like to know the name of my stalker. You-" More knowledge came. "…You're a foreign ninja, no doubt here for the exams. Almost certainly after your arrival, you decided to follow me."

She started to sweat a bit, wondering how she even got into this situation. Furthermore, she was wondering how the hell he knew that, when she was the first to see him. Wasn't she? "That's…true. I did follow you. It was purely on a whim." She felt sickened as she did this, 'sucking' up to him in an effort to receive clemency and leniency. It had already been established in her mind that he was dangerous, and felt it necessary. Although she hated when things weren't in her control. She was a bit of an egotistical controller herself, and once she had control, enjoyed letting other people know that she did. It was probably a nature she had developed from her less-than-entirely-kind past when things weren't in her power.

Currently, she was on her own, practically next to someone who could kill her because she could be some kind of threat to him, and no backup in case things went awry.

She…was not in control.

"I suppose I'll forgive it…this time," he said it all evenly, so it was a bit difficult to figure out if it actually were a threat. "What's your name?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"In case something like this happens again…you wouldn't want to end up in an unmarked grave." He was dismayed at the things coming out of his own mouth, and wished for a 'moment' to be given to him. Out of his peripherals, he could see her eyes widen and finally, he regained control. To his surprise, his watch started to beep.

'I've got ten minutes, or I'll risk not knowing what to do when this happens for real. I…I'll take the chance for two minutes more to find out more of her character, although it won't really affect things. Then I'll have to get the hell out of here.' He turned off the alarm, and turned to her. In a brief second, he took in her appearance very appreciatively, without being perverse.

Besides a hitai ate that held a sound symbol, she wore a June-plum green damage-negation vest, armbands that spanned almost from her wrist to her elbow, and a pair of grey, snake-like camouflage pants that had a double overlay in the form of a mini skirt. Further down, she wore shin-high shinobi sandals, and from where she stood, he saw something…unusual.

'Is that her…hair tied at the end with a purple ribbon?'

Indeed it was. That had to be the longest head of hair he had ever seen, and the only thing he could say that could easily rival that was her well-favored face, had it not been for her bonny inky orbs emanating fright.

Fright? Oh yeah, he did just come off as a very grim and austere person. 'Hmm…she must know about me already, for a foreign ninja curious to find out about someone who could kill Zabuza. She's scared. Definitely. Maybe the experience decided that I have to make her scared of me to keep her from wanting to excite conflict. I'll do it tomorrow, but nothing's stopping me from apologizing now, and later when it happens for real.'

"Hey, hey, that was…just a joke." He tried to play it off with a good natured grin, but she wasn't entirely convinced. "But seriously, did you expect me to just welcome the fact that you were stalking me?"

She seemed to accept this fact to some extent, and calmed a bit. "Yeah. Gomen. I…I should go." She was about to get up and leave, but he grabbed her by the arm.

"Don't. You look famished, and I was about to leave anyway."

She slipped back unto her stool after allowing herself to be handled and watched him get up, hand on her shoulder still before coming closer to stand next to her. He was practically looking down over her shoulder now as she kept staring ahead, trying to keep composed.

"Really. Sorry about the whole-"

"It's fine. Didn't you say that you have to be somewhere?" Her tone came off as half-harsh, and yet still a bit hinting of trepidation. He grunted at this, before he yelled to Ayame at the back that she needn't bother anymore, telling her that it was 'almost six'. All of a sudden, all the noise in the back ceased, as if the young woman had stopped cooking. This made Kin confused, as she could tell the difference, being well-versed in the ways of sound.

He leaned down a bit, almost speaking directly in her ear while she stiffened in fright. "I'll see you later for real, whoever you are."

And then he was out of the stand like a free-running bullet, sprinting on his journey back home. At the last, he made it home, and without hesitation, slipped underneath the covers, right as six 'o' clock struck.

In the morning (Next moment)

His alarm rung and woke him up. He yawned once, let himself off of the bed and stretched. As he groaned, he recalled all he had experienced during his slumber, and prepared for the day.

"Well, today's going to be interesting. At least the last part of it, anyway. Oh… I better send a clone over to Ayame-nee to warn her. I want everything to be guaranteed, but at the very least, maybe now that I'm in full control, I can find out that girl's name."

And that's a wrap.

1- Yup, I love the word 'Tenacity'. It's obvious in all of my works.

5150 words. Woo-hoo. Before you all turn into an angry mob to lynch me, let me try to rid you of any and confusion. Be warned, this note will be lengthy but it will explain everything. I suggest you read it. It'll make you (most of you, anyway) face-fist yourself at how the answer was mooning you in the face. Yes, just so you don't have to read the whole story again, I'll bring up specific evidence from previous chapters to show you all.

-The Fore-Experience: This is the name I've given his 'clairvoyant' ability. Yes, he sees (read: experiences the future) so he's not time traveling. (Several items prove this. One, his lack of abilities to do some things when required of him, like learning jutsus. Example 1- Bunshin no jutsu in chapter two, example 2- Daitoppa in chapter twelve.) So he's not from the distant future, he's not time traveling or any of that.

-Fundamental: He's experiencing the future, but if you want to get technical, he's 'seeing' it. That's true, but keep in mind that everything he knows is garnered from his perspective. All you just read from Kin's perspective is for the most part, filler for the chapter, as well as develop her character a tiny bit. Besides, how was I supposed to fill Naruto's day when he wasn't training? Well, a whole chapter on his day would have been filler too. But this chapter on a whole…chapter 13 was not filler. All he knows from other people and about other people is garnered from them during the experience, although for the most part, his body is not his to control.

Example 1- Asuma's name was a bit technical, but Naruto learnt his name in an introduction from the experience. Also, he would've learnt Kakashi's during his introduction on their first day. Chapter three.

Example 2- Zabuza's name was learnt during the experience by Kakashi's answer. Chapter six.

-How it works: First, imagine someone telling you what to do. You do as you're told, and you get all you're supposed to do correctly. That's how it works. During the fore-experience, his body is not under his control (For the most part) and basically, like an instruction…

(A deity telling you what to do.)

(A teacher telling you the answers to your test.)

(A fighting game teaching you the moves via the 'moves list'.)

It makes him do what he's supposed to do. To be blunt, it 'knows' what happens for the whole entirety of its duration, and forces his body on all functions (except for thought) to act on the best outcome. Very simple, and easy. Right? Problem is, as I revealed today, is that sometimes the 'best outcome' is for himself. Naruto's still the guy he really is at heart, but the 'curse' of what he has just clouded over that. Hence…

Example 1-…and the result was a half-broken piece of shit…one that barely saved Sakura's life, and kept his intact because it the experience was always trying to preserve his own life…all else that happened could be spontaneous at times, and he had to resolute himself to never do it again since that time.

If he were less concerned for the welfare of others, this wouldn't be a problem, but…

This means that the fighting for his own conflict was the only thing unchanged at that particular time, but could alter the 'plan' in other areas at that specific time.

When he diverts from that plan, other things can happen. The experience would have made Sasuke die, and he (Naruto) would live to return home. However, what happened during some events of Wave is not expounded here. Scroll further.

-Criticality: This is what everything boils down to. I basically told you today, but it all depends on sleep.

SLEEP!

Feel free to slap yourselves.

Example 1- …always went to sleep early. Chapter 1.

Example 2- Naruto had bags under his eyes, indicating a lack of sleep. He had probably spent most of his night studying and training, neglecting to rest his body. Hence why he did not get to foresee Mizuki's betrayal, and all events circling that. Chapter 1.

Example 3- He slept for an hour…The test started as he woke up, and lasted for half-an-hour. I supposed that the taijutsu portion lasted for the second half too. This is how he knew all about the test and how to beat the anbu at taijutsu. Chapter 1 and chapter 2.

Example 4- The boy was seated on a wooden bench and napped with his head in his lap. Chapter 6.

Example 5- "Great." Naruto yawned. "Now leave me the hell alone. I'm tired."
"About that…it's only six."
"Your point is? More sleep, more rest, more productivity." Chapter 8.

Example 6- This one was vague, but I did tell you where and how to find it.

'Wonderword': ASLEEP- As…Sun…Landscape…Eternal…Ethereal…Positive… (These are the only words with capital letters.) Chapter 8. [At the end of the chapter. Note: He did not know what to expect in the beginning of the experience.]

'Wonderword': AWAKE- As…Where…All…Knew…Ending…(These are the only words with capital letters.) Chapter 9. [At the start of the chapter. Note: He now knew what to expect as he was now awake and finished with the experience.]

Example 7- Because there was a plan. The Universe did not gamble its fate. It's all being controlled. But perhaps at present, Naruto was God. Knowledge was valuable. But by having the necessary increased reaction time, his ability to perform on the fly should increase exponentially. He would be invincible.

Pity that it depended on his body's basic needs. Truly a pity. Chapter 8.

Example 8- "You were…(sniff) supposed to wake me up…" Chapter 9.

These are all the clues that were to tell you that his ability relied on sleep. Now for the more convoluted details.

If he experiences the next day, how much is the maximum that he can know? Eight hours of sleep for the experience? NO! By his own weird biology, he had developed the habit of sleeping 12 hours a day. He sleeps from six p.m. to six a.m., and experiences six a.m. to six p.m. the next day.

That's not entirely shocking. Now that you knew it relied on sleep, doesn't this make sense? This is basically how he's been 'living twice'. Another critical point is that the experience begins at the point when he's…'destined' to wake up. I'm using the word 'destiny' so everyone's on the same page.

So if he sleeps from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., he pre-experiences 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. This is not a questionable plot hole. This is TIME we're talking about. In fact, I'm still hoping that I'm sane.

The time references were ALL over the fic. Believe me. Even if you don't count today's chapter.

Example 1- Oh sweet divine mercies, the cover image is one. The '6' is a damn question mark. Upside down, that is, but I was hoping that it would make people pay more attention to the time.

Example 2- …and he was in bed, promptly at six p.m. Chapter 1.

Example 3- He slept for an hour…when the boy woke up with a deep gasp and grabbed her hand at the wrist. "One hour!" Chapter 1.

Example 4- He had not slept all of the previous night, and it would not have mattered, for he did not foresee Mizuki's betrayal that night and was not prepared for it. Also, he did not know if he would pass the genin exams or not. 'I should have tried to find out if I would pass or not.' Chapter 2.

Example 5- …as was his habit everyday to awaken at this time. Chapter 3.

Example 6- …before going to bed at six, just as usual. Chapter 3.

Example 7- His eyes snapped open suddenly…A second later, his clock changed to 6:00 am. (BTW, the time was in bold. [HINT!]) Chapter 4.

Example 8- …falling asleep at six pm in their assigned room. Chapter 7.

Example 9- "Great." Naruto yawned. "Now leave me the hell alone. I'm tired."
"About that…it's only six."
"Your point is? More sleep, more rest, more productivity." Chapter 8.

Example 10- Author's note- I finished the chapter with exactly six thousand words. Chapter 8.

Maybe I missed a few. I don't know. Point is, it all came back to that time, which should have hinted to his sleeping abnormalities.

-Technicalities: I addressed the ones pertaining to the genin exams, like the Mizuki clash. He did not foresee it, blah blah blah.

But let's move on to Wave. This was very controversial for me and numerous others. I'll be as clear as possible, and laugh at you as I recount how careful I've been.

When he indirectly saved Sasuke's life by saving Sakura's, he altered the plan, which was for Sasuke to die and all else to return to Konoha. Nice and safe Konoha.

But with that said and done, the 'predicted' future was changed drastically from that point on, as they weren't to meet Zabuza. They continued the mission, and Naruto was…a worrywart, as well as trying to make the best decisions based on choices given to him.

Naruto glanced at Sakura. 'She's alive. At least that I was able to ensure that but I don't know the consequences of what I did. Not knowing, is dangerous. Ignorance nearly killed me when I stole the scroll of kinjutsu and it cost Iruka his life. Just when he promised that he would look out for me the week before. He didn't deserve to die. He died trying to save me. This…knowledge. Is it a blessing…or a curse?'

He stared out in front of him, his eyebrows furrowing.

'In all that happens, and will happen, I'll try to make the most of it. History will be kind as errors are fixed…'

Get it? Moving on to the fight with Zabuza.

Huh? He didn't foresee that fight if he was supposed to go back home when Sasuke died-?

Wrong.

He slept on the ferry ride. Plot hole filled. But wait a minute? He didn't expect Haku to-?

Just stop. Think about it. How long could he have slept on the ferry for? It just so happened that he slept enough to know how to fight Zabuza, but he woke up just before he experienced Haku's intervention. Let's call that plot hole half-filled, but half is better than none. Besides, if I specified the time he slept and then fought for, that hint would have been too damn huge.

"Well…shit. Didn't see that coming."

And that's how he didn't expect anything else for the rest of the day. In fact, I recommend that you even skim that chapter briefly. It's chapter seven. He didn't expect questions, he didn't answer in his usual manner, Kakashi startled him, unforeseen variables pertaining to Haku thieving back the sword, getting stoned badly, so on and so forth. In fact, it was for that reason why he resolved to train his reflexes for things he won't or didn't expect. Character development.

Now…let's move on to the meeting with Haku.

You know what happened in 'real life' in chapter nine when she got killed violently, and what happened (what should've) in chapter ten. This is not confusing. Trust me.

-The thing is, 'what should have happened' was basically an extension of him beating himself unconscious by accident. Maybe Haku saw the anime-style bump swell or something. He got knocked out, and they were amicable with each other. The plan from the night before told him what to do

-What actually happened that morning was that he wussed out instead of being willing to get himself knocked out with a two-by-four plank of wood and decided to just nap a bit, hoping for the same effect. Maybe Haku did NOT see the anime-style bump or something. He slept and was shown a new plan; one in which they fought. Keep in mind that he did NOT have a head to heal, if you know what I mean. He was fine, weapons were secure on his person, no signs of struggle that she could see. Big future change.

(Also, bear in mind that he cannot wake up before when he's destined to. That is, when the plan starts. So if he 'wakes' up in the plan at seven, he can't intentionally wake himself at six. So all the smartasses who think he should have woken up and bugged out before the conflict, don't even try to tell me.)

-By not following the 'plan' which would have, without a doubt the best for his health, he fell asleep and foresaw the fight. In the experience, he did try to talk down Haku and leave, but control's not entirely his, so all of that fell into place. He was very grief-stricken, but he killed her regardless, because if he deviated, it's possible that he would have been the one to perish. Character development.

"Time must run its course. Two things happened. We either talked about the idealism of having a precious person to fight for, to protect."

"…"

"And after that, we both walked away. In a second format," He continued in all seriousness. "We fight, and I killed you."

"Who's to say that I won't kill you, instead of me perishing?"

"There's no one to say that. But I hope that you'll still just do as I instruct."

…

"I was afraid of this. I hoped…I prayed…I begged…" Chapter nine.

…

'Was it because I was a coward? Because I didn't want to knock myself out? Is it because I decided to just take a half hour's worth of sleep hoping for the same effect? Is it my fault why I bonded with her without her even knowing of it, and then killing her?'

…

"…" More tears ran freely. They clouded and blurred his vision, but he had the knowledge necessary to dodge the elder man's strikes with his eyes closed. "Did I poison time against myself?!" He yelled at the man.

…

"Is it your fault? Or mine? I forwent one step. ONE STEP! And she's DEAD! Is it my fault?! OR IS IT HER LOYATY TO YOU?!

"… I'm avenging her, not you!"

"Pull yourself together, Naruto." The boy muttered, as he visibly flinched from the nuke nin's accusation. "Damn-it-all; I don't know anymore. I just wanted to be her friend, you know? We met, and we became friends. But just before that actually happened, I bitched things up. Because after all my training to inflict self-injury, it turns out that I didn't have the balls to knock myself out to meet her in the end. I just took a nap. Does that make sense?" Chapter 10.

-And so, the final puzzle piece falls into place. Everything has been explained. For those who read Breaking Limits, this is going to be the way I'll explain things too when it ends. Hah.

-Ayame knows all the details surrounding his ability. Someone had to know, and I made it to be her. Hence her 'strange' behavior shown today.

-Why I'm finally spilling my guts? Does anyone remember anything funny pertaining to a certain…jutsu?

-It was fun holding this tidbit of info over your heads, but at the risk of confusing the hell out of you later, I did it now. You're welcome.

Miscellaneous:

I don't want to see any reviews about people saying that they 'had a feeling', 'had a hunch', 'knew but didn't feel like saying anything', forget it. I don't wanna see or hear it. You could have said something a long time ago, but you didn't say anything. Phooey on you.

You can argue that he cannot really fight at night then…whatever. I did mention that he was training besides, and he still beat Mizuki with no chakra. He is stronger than canon without the fore-experience, but it's just that it's a decisive advantage.

Inspiration: I got some inspiration from Video-game instruction. (Move's list. What, you're gonna fumble with it when the list is basically telling you how to kick ass?) The second source is 'refresh'. I think I told some people about that a crucial part of his ability relies on something located on every internet page, and it's a part of your browser. REFRESH. If he was from the distant future from say, five years from now and changes events in year one…year two could get him killed from things you won't foresee. This type of situation happens in time stories/movies/shows all the time. See? He needed a 'refresh' when he slept on the ferry to Wave, since he had changed events. So, not like 'Groundhog Day', but it's more like 'Next'. He's always caught up to speed about the next day, so he's always prepared…when he sleeps, that is.

Also, kudos to the guy who came closest to the complete answer.

Colshan chapter 6 . Dec 5, 2015

Ok imma take a wild guess here...he sees what gonna happen the day before...include perfect recall, which would explain why he knows exactly when something is going to happen. They would also explain why when he does something different the changes surprise him. That's just my theory.

Yeah, I edited it so you get the right answer.

This ability that he's got was actually a recycled ability meant for Breaking Limits. I had quite a few abilities, but I scrapped some as being too damn overpowered. This was one of them, and I decided to create a time story. I was torn between doing one with either Kin or Tayuya, but Illuminated advised me to ship Kin instead. (I appreciate it, and I don't regret the choice.) You have him to thank. But if you preferred Tayuya, then you know who to lynch.

That's all. 8221 words. Steep. 8224, 8225, 8226…

Valete omnes,

MRAY 4TW.