Sakura couldn't believe the scene before her.

Her home, the one she cherished and fought proudly for, was deserted. War had tragic consequences and she felt like this one was the universe's way of laughing at her. Not because the desolate village before her felt wrong, but because it felt entirely right.

After all, without hope and goodness, what chance did Konoha stand?

None. Not without Naruto.

Sakura jumped down from the wall, landing soundlessly atop a roof. She didn't bother rushing forward. What was she even here for? Why did she ride all her energy on a stupid rumor? One she wasn't even sure existed.

But. . . The person who told her of this, the one that set her down this path, she was sure he wasn't leading her astray.

Because, in all it's irony, considering she thought him the biggest traitor besides Orochimaru to Konoha, Uchiha Itachi was the one who apprehended her just before he went to stop the reanimation jutsu. There was no use for it anymore.

"You're Haruno Sakura, correct?" He had greeted, completely ignoring the way she tensed at his appearance. Sure, Itachi was a reanimation, but that didn't make him any less dangerous. In fact, it made him more so.

Sakura nodded numbly anyway, regarding him, but never making eye contact, as she forced herself to stand up. The war had gone on for months at this point-- to the point where civilians suited up for battle. Shinobi were all but destroyed when the second round of reanimations came onto the battle field. Well, up until. . . Up until it happened and the world essentially stopped existing.

The former Konoha 11 were reunited. Neji had risen, just like the other fallen warriors and was forced to engage in battle with them. While they had all grown respectively, Neji had no limit to his chakra and easily disabled half of their group within minutes. She had sent Naruto ahead; if anyone were to survive this, it was her best friend.

"Uchiha Itachi," She stated curtly, still trying to assess whether or not he was an enemy. Surely, he was supposed to be, right? This was the man who traumatized Sasuke and murdered his entire clan. He tried to take Naruto.

So why was she oddly calm? It was the same when she saw him all those years ago, when they went to save Gaara. He didn't seem hostile, but everyone knew he possessed a power that exceeded any expectation set.

"You were one of Sasuke's teammates, correct?" He inquired, continuing when she nodded. "The Godaime's apprentice, as well."

"Why are you here?" She asked, her hand over her weapons pouch. She wouldn't stand a chance against him, but she would be damned if she didn't try at the very least.

"I am in need of your. . . assistance." He told her slowly, gazing up at the clouds. "Sasuke and Naruto-kun have both fallen. I presume you know this already."

Of course she knew it. She was the one who tried to save them. But her chakra was all but depleted, even the reserves that helped her achieve the purple diamond adorning her forehead. And they were both in such critical states.

Naruto died first. He was without his tailed beast and she knew she didn't have enough chakra herself to even trade her life for his. If she did, she would have done so in a heartbeat.

Sasuke, on the other hand, lasted much longer than Naruto. She tried to heal his wounds but the fact of the matter was that there was too much damaged sustained.

She had just gotten him back. He joined them in this battle, overly vague with his reasons but nonetheless had their backs. They all fought by each other's sides for months, the only reason the war had any hope of being won was because the three of them were still standing together.

They lost Sai about a month into the war. Ino not long after. Hinata, Kiba, Kankuro, and Karin all died as well. It was once Shikamaru died in an effort to save Temari that Sakura doubted their chances to survive.

But they still had each other. Until the day they didn't.

Sakura was beside herself as the realization dawned on her. Kakashi disappeared with Obito a day or two into the war and Yamato was no where to be seen. The five Kage were also missing and HQ was destroyed. And she was kneeling on the ground, completely overwhelmed with an onslaught of tears as she watched her best friend die in her arms. And Sasuke, the boy she loved so dearly, just as ready to leave this horrible world.

That's when the air around them began to shine brightly, only to be completely shut out by a large purple figure.

Sasuke had cried out in pain as he summoned his Susanoo, but the massive figure never faltered. Sakura had no idea how he was sustaining it, especially so close to death, and adamantly begged him to stop.

And he did, minutes later and when the purple peeled away to reveal an equally depressing world around her, she turned on him to yell and scream for being an idiot.

But Sasuke, Sasuke was smiling. He coughed up more blood but nonetheless turned his gentle expression to her. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" She asked through her tears, sensing his death before it had the chance to grip his soul.

"Everything," He responded with a wheeze. "It was always you."

"Me?" She repeated, desperate to keep him talking and delay his fate.

"Always so annoying," He said, a weak chuckle causing him to choke on the air in his lungs. "Thank you, Sakura."

She didn't get the chance to respond, much like the night when he first left her. All he saw was her tears, and he probably didn't feel her hands gripping his so tightly, like she could personally tether him to this world with her. But she couldn't and she saw the life leave his eyes.

"Damn you, you idiot," She managed to get out, finally breaking down as she looked at her two teammates, the two boys she loved most in this world. And they were gone. It didn't matter that Sakura had no more light in her life-- their deaths meant there was no hope in beating Madara. The war was over.

Sakura placed shaking hands onto Sasuke's eyelids, gently guiding them down so she could give the illusion that they were both just sleeping.

"Sasuke's the reason you're still awake," Itachi stated, regaining her attention, though his stare was still on the sky above them. "He used his Susanoo to protect you from its reach. It's the only way you'd still be awake."

"He did," She confirmed, though she had been livid when she found out. She was the only one left, besides reanimations and Madara.

"Sasuke's last act in this world was to protect you," Itachi concluded, finally looking back to her. When she averted her eyes, he sighed. "I'm not here to harm you, Sakura-san. As I said, I need your assistance."

She looked at the older Uchiha, both curious and exhausted. "Assistance."

"Yes, it is my belief that you can prevent this all from happening," He answered, the ghost of a smile evident as her eyes widened and a gasp escaped her lips. "Let's sit down. You should be resting."

"Not too many people to take first watch," She joked in a dry tone, but sat down anyway. Itachi actually smiled at her words, as he settled across from her.

"I wish I could have gotten to you sooner," He said, then gestured around them. "But for the only truly living person in the world, you keep your tracks well hidden."

"Can't have Madara on my trail," She told him honestly.

"Careful and smart," Itachi noted. "I can see why Sasuke ensured your survival."

Sakura gave a weak smile, not trusting her voice at this point. She could barely think about her boys without breaking down. And talking about them? She was surprised she's lasted this long without bursting into tears.

"There are hidden shrines under the Uchiha compound," Itachi explained, watching her as she sat up straight. "Most pertain to our Sharingan, but others describe jutsus and such that have been lost to the ninja world for some time now. One of these grants the user the ability to travel through time. A one way ticket to the past."

"I can see why it was lost to the ninja world," She commented.

Itachi smiled and nodded. "It's indeed incredibly dangerous. Not so much to the user, but rather the fabric of time. Altering the past could lead to unforeseen consequences in the future. And because it is a one way ticket-"

"You have to ensure the world you create doesn't end up worse than the one you left," Sakura finished, letting Itachi confirm before continuing. "But what future could be worse than this?"

"I find it's bad practice to ask questions one might not be prepared to have answered for them," Itachi told her wisely. "But I agree. At the very least, you may be able to stop the world from being put under the genjustu."

"What do I have to do?"

And that's how she ended back at her home. The place devoid of life, though she was sure it would be even if it's villagers weren't rotting on the battlefield or strung up in cocoons. Without Naruto as their future, Konoha never really stood a chance.

And though she's been to the Uchiha district a handful of times before, she was utterly unnerved by the atmosphere around her. It felt stifling and unwelcoming, as though the place wanted her gone.

But she continued on, careful in masking her chakra and stealthily moving about the district to the building Itachi described. She could never be too careful, considering Madara was one of Konoha's founders and she was currently sneaking through the past homes of his kin.

And she reached the underground room, careful in doing everything Itachi told her to do before making her way down the stairs. She memorized what was apparently written on the stone carving and carefully went about fulfilling the jutsu requirements. She released her seal and slowly did the signs Itachi taught her.

Finally, she brought her thumb up to her mouth and smeared the blood on her other palm. With upmost delicacy, she placed it onto the stone and whispered its title.

She knew she was falling but she never remembered hitting the ground.