Altered Story

Chapter 1: Second Chances


Konohagakure

Second Part of the Chuunin Exams

Forest of Death

Sasuke screamed in agony as he absorbed his older, future counterpart. It felt like an eternity when it was only a few seconds.

When it stopped, he knelt on the tree branch panting as he caught his breath. He stayed there, stilled for a moment. Then, his eyes snapped open to reveal the lazy spinning commas of the Sharingan. His gaze met Naruto's as the influence of the Kyuubi, once again, left her leaving two stunning azure orbs to stare at him, huge with shock.

She convulsed with pain a moment later at the forceful separation of the Kyuubi's chakra as it had bypassed the Gogyo Fuin. Letting out a pain-filled groan that made Sasuke wince, she promptly passed out from the pain.

That snapped Orochimaru from his daze at the scene from before. He immediately threw her away as he had no use for her and would only slow him down when trying to fight the Uchiha.

A primal growl emanated from Sasuke's thoat and disappeared in a seal-less Shunshin. Before Naruto could make contact with the tree, Sasuke caught her in a bridal style hold.

"You really need to be more careful, Hokage-sama," Sasuke murmured. A slight teasing lilt in his tone, but his eyes made it evident that he was worried for her current welfare.

With a one-handed seal, two Kage Bunshin appeared next to him. Gently handing Naruto over to one of them who disappeared, he turned to face the Sennin. The other reached Sakura and disappeared with her as well to catch up with the other Bunshin. There was no way he was letting the two most important people in his life get caught in the crossfire of what was sure to be a dangerous battle.

Sasuke took this chance to check his body to gauge the skill level and the amount of power it could take. It was not like his younger self was not strong, but this body might strain under the weight of more powerful techniques. He would use the snake's arrogance to fight him off long enough for Anko, who was sure to have felt the seal already, to arrive. Testing him for that same seal would have Orochimaru lowering his level which would be perfect for his plan.

Using another Shunshin, he headed straight for his would-have-been master. Ninja wire already wrapped pre-maturely around his shuriken, he threw them as a distraction while already readying his breath for a Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu.

The man just smirked and cut the wires and easily dodged the fireball with a Kawarimi. Knowing that the man was nearby, the Uchiha jumped away, narrowly avoiding a pierced foot from the kunai the snake was holding.

They were locked in a taijutsu battle a moment later. As Orochimaru dodged, he noticed Sasuke's style was familiar to him. The contorted moves, the slippery jabs aimed at fatal spots, and the smooth footsteps mixed with other styles made him realize that the boy was using the Hebi Kata.

I didn't know Anko decided to train someone in our styled? That momentary lapse was enough for Sasuke to flash his Sharingan in a feint to make Orochimaru look away. It was enough time to perform a Chidori which filled the forest with the sounds of a thousand chirping birds. The man's eyes widened in shock when he pierced the jutsu through his chest, but he knew it was a clone before it melted. The blood on his hand made him smirk as that indicated he still managed to harm the Sennin before he got away.

When Orochimaru reappeared in front of him he took a look to see that his right arm was bleeding heavily and a slight frown was marring the face of the Kusa nin he had stolen it from.

"How interesting, Kabuto never mentioned you knew the Hebi Kata nor the fact that Kakashi had taught you Chidori." Eyes narrowed in glee and anticipation. "Makes me wonder what else you have up your sleeve. You have certainly exceeded my expectations and I can't wait to get my hands on that delectible body of yours." The sight of him licking his lips made Sasuke shiver in disgust.

"Dream on, freak," hissed Sasuke. Making two Bunshin, they charged towards the snake-like man for another round. Knowing which one was the real one, he threw a kick that surprisingly blew him away. A moment later, he realized why that was and hurriedly tried to dispel the Bunshin.

One managed to grab onto the arm that was pierced, which made the man wince in pain. It distracted him from finishing a Kawarimi that allowed the other Bunshin to explode upon impact with it's target.

The scorched body of the Sennin fell to the ground with wounds that threatened to slow him down from the fight. However, that was not enough for Sasuke.

Raiton: Gian

The spear-shaped lighting pinned Orochimaru to a nearby tree trunk making the old snake scream as his body convulse with lightning Chakra from within. Before Sasuke could decide whether or not to reveal the Mangekyo, the Sennin shed his skin.

Long, pale fingers stretched Orochimaru's jaw wide open and he slithered out of his ruined corpse like the snake that he was. The man was starting to get frustrated as the boy kept ruining his chances of putting the Ten no Juin on him.

Sasuke could already tell, his body was starting to falter. Those two last Kage Bunshin were hell on his reserves, but he could already tell Anko was reaching their destination.

Knowing he needed to distract him for time he yelled. "Who the hell are you? What do you want?"

Ignoring the monologue, he held the kunai from behind his body knowing that the Sennin would take this chance to bite him with the seal. As predicted, the man made a two-handed seal and his neck extended, rocketing towards Sasuke. A moment before the fangs could sink into his skin, Sasuke dropped backward allowing him to stab the lower jaw of his attacker. The kunai sparked with lightning chakra as it pierced the snake's brain.

Sasuke backed several trees away as Orochimaru shed his skin for a second time. He was now glaring at the boy. He almost got me with that last move. If I had not sensed the change in chakra I would have been done in, by kunai no less. He was torn between amusement and fury as his snake-like eyes tried to bore holes through the Uchiha. At this rate, the boy might surpass his brother in a year or so and he needed that body before it happened. The Hebi Sennin had no intention of facing another, if not more powerful, Itachi. The first one was bad enough, imagine the power of the second one. He shuddered internally at the thought.

Before he could try to mark the boy again, he felt the familiar chakra of his former student approach their location. Appearing a few feat away, the purple-haired kunoichi glared at the man.

"Ah, Anko. It's been a while." Though he was smiling, internally he was frowning. Konoha's ANBU were unlikely to be far behind and the two forced "rebirths" have taken their toll on my chakra reserves."

Taking a glance at the boy across from her former Sensei, she spoke. "So you are after the Uchiha." Glancing at the torn battlefield she felt confused. He was able to battle him and hold out for so long? She saw that the seal had not been placed yet and internally let out a sigh of relief.

"Hn," was all the man responded with.

"It's fitting that I would be the one to take you down, Orochimaru," she sneered. "You are the one who taught me everything and that will be your undoing, Sensei."

Sasuke bit back a retort as he was grateful for her intervention. He watched as the two coiled like the snakes they were, ready to attack. Then they jumped towards each other throwing techniques similar to one another. Sasuke took this chance to eat a soldier pill and set aside the dread at the after effects of it.

He returned his attention to the battle to find Anko pinning her former Sensei to a tree with her own and a kunai stabbed through both their hands. Her other was making hand signs for. . . Is that a double suicide jutsu?

"Crazy snake lady. . . " the boy muttered.

Orochimaru appeared behind the kunoichi, raising from the bark of the tree branch she was on. A look of horror passed over her face when she understood that her former mentor had Kawarimied with a Doro Bunshin.

She tore out the kunai nailing her hand to the tree trunk and whirled around, sending it on a trajectory straight between Orochimaru's eyes. He easily caught the bloodied weapon and leered at the woman.

A one handed sign later, Anko was on her knees, writhing in pain.

Sasuke grimaced. The freak had activated her mark. That thing bloody hurt.

The Sennin tsked at her. "You seem to forget that I left that on you for a reason and I'm going to give that same seal to that young man over there."

"Sounds like you want him badly," Anko forced out as she grimmaced through the pain. She did notice that the Uchiha was not there anymore and hoped he had the smarts to leave the premises and get help from the ANBU approaching.

"Oh, you're not jealous, are you, little snake? Are you angry that you were n-" a Raiton: Gian interrupted his words. It demolished the part of the tree branch he stood in before he performed a hasty Shunshin which saved him from dying for the third time that day.

Sasuke appeared in front of the kneeling kunoichi, kunai in hand poised to attack. However, it seemed that the ANBU had finally arrived as the three sensed the approach of powerful chakra of the elite.

"I guess I'll have to save my gift for you another day, Sasuke-kun." With those parting words, Orochimaru disappeared in a swirl of leaves.

"Bloody freak," Sasuke muttered. As if you could get passed Naruto the moment she wakes up. He shivered at the thought of her monstrous temper coming out. At least I didn't have to reveal the Mangekyo this early in the game. I'll have another chance to take him out later during the invasion, if it does happen.

Sasuke glanced at the kunoichi as she tried to stand, but fell back with a groan.

"I'm going after my team. ANBU should be here in a minute to help you."

"Nonsense, brat. You'll wait for them to get here and we'll take you out before Orochimaru takes another chance to get his slimy hand on you." It was all for naught as the Uchiha had already left.

I would rather die than abandon them again. Plus, Orochimaru might still send those Oto nin to get them.


A Cave in the Forest of Death

Sasuke's Bunshin deposited an exhausted Sakura on the cool ground next to an unconscious Naruto. The pinkette had questioned the pair of doppelgangers during the run, but all she got was grunts and the typical "Hn."

"You know I'm this close to hitting you." Both Bunshin winced at that. Even though this was a younger Sakura, she could still pack a punch. They had figured out that she had always subconsciously enhanced her fighting style with chakra. Tsunade practically beamed at her when she realized that as she was training her from what the pinkette told them.

The Bunshin went to do their separate jobs. One headed out to make traps, while the other checked Naruto's vitals with Sakura to see when she would wake up.

There peace was disturbed when the Bunshin dispelled from the concentrated blast of air that blew it away to a nearby tree.

The two swerved to look at each other in silent communication. The Sasuke bunshin decided to tell the original what was happening by dispelling and Sakura cracked her knuckles in anticipation for the beat down she would give those who tried to hurt her teammates.

They did not realize that their blonde teammate was stirring as she could tell her team was in danger and her body was telling her to wake up to help them.


Naruto's Mindscape

Thirteen-year-old Naruto woke to a dark ceiling. Standing up, she saw that she was in a sewer system, with ankle deep water sloshing around her feet. Rusty pipes crisscrossed the length of the corridor, walls, and ceiling.

The genin felt strange. She had never been in this place before, yet it felt as if she should know where she was. The girl reluctantly strode forward hoping to find answers and a way out of this place.

Taking a few wrong turns that led to dead ends, she eventually found a long hallway that had a light at the end of it. She reached the end and what she found made her hold her breath in awe at the enormity of the threshold she found herself in.

Torches covered the walls which led to a large cage that had bars as thick as pillars. Stopping in front of it, she finally realized she wasn't alone as there was a woman there that caught her eye. Her hair was the same color as her own which confused her as no one around had ever had her coloring. The woman had her face buried in her arms as she muttered and Naruto could hear slight sniffling as if she were crying.

". . I'm sorry. . . "

"-promised-"

"Do not be foolish, kit," a voice, soft, yet monstrous rumbled.

Naruto froze were she stood. She saw now that something enormous was sitting in the shadows of the cage and could hear it shifting. Then, giant eyes appeared having opened. It's irises the color of the deepest crimson she had ever seen and the pupil shaped into slits.

That was the indicator to tell her what she was standing in front of. Staring at the words she now noticed on the center of the bars. It said "Seal" on it. This cage held the reason everyone hated her. The being that she represented with her existence. She didn't need anyone to tell her that this was her mindscape and she stood before the representation of the seal that held back the Kyuubi no Yoko that attacked the village thirteen years before it was sealed away by the Yondaime.

"Hmm. . . This was unexpected. We have company, kit."

The woman raised her head and two identical deep azure eyes stared back at Naruto. The young kunoichi gasped at the mirror-like image the woman presented her, but an older version if that was possible.

"I guess Sasuke did it," she murmured confusing Naruto

"I'll give him this," the beast sighed with reluctance. "Though this was a bit of a snag."

The woman grimaced and tilted her head to the side, studying the girl. Then she beamed at her. "You look a bit worse for wear, Naruto-chan. Come over and please don't mind him," pointing at the cell. "Kurama's a big softie once he stops pretending to be this big bad, scary demon. Though to learn his name, you must beat the ever living snot out of him which sub-sequentially earns you his friendship. That allows you to sleep on his fluffy fur and belly rubs are asked to given before nap time!"

There was a huge huff directed at the woman and Naruto almost tumbled but held her ground.

"Don't push it, kit. I am not in the mood for your usual brand of humor," he grumbled.

"But it's true though."

The Uzumaki frowned. "What's happening?" she exclaimed turning to the ceiling as if it had the answers to the strange situation she found herself in.

"We're having a friendly chat," the woman responded cheerfully. "Besides, that's for Kurama to explain as he was part of this whole mess that's happening in your mindscape.

"Ungrateful mortals. I decide to be nice for once and this is how you repay me," in a voice that sounded a tad dramatic which made Naruto throw the thought away at that hysterical thought. "It wasn't even my idea and the blame falls to me. Well fine. I am going to take a nap, so you figure it out yourself."

"Hey! None of that. I didn't mean it." The woman jumped on her feet and started to poke the chakra construct when it did not open its eyes which made Naruto cringe. "Kurama! You're being mean," whined the woman.

A rumbling chuckle vibrated throughout the cavern as one large eye opened.

"Those puppy eyes do not work on me as well as it would on your subordinates." Especially that Uchiha. Internally rolling his eyes at their avoidance. Why do humans have to be so complicated?

Naruto twitched having reached the end of her patience. Hair rising to split into nine tendrils as a representation for her anger.

"Can someone just explain what is happening, now." The girl said with an eye smile not unlike her sensei, but the aura exuding from the tiny body made the two others comically shiver. This hadn't happened in a while and the last one was a long time ago.

Flashback

Naruto was currently hiding in the tree near the park as she watched the kids play ninja. Some were in trees like her which led to the current an accident as a genin did not see Choji. The young shinobi and the Akimichi fell to the ground from the impact.

"Hey! Watch were you're going, fatso!"

The other children had heard the commotion and came over to hear the genin's words. The parents were standing ready to interfere.

Choji was frowning and tilted his head down while Shikamaru frowned at the genin.

Before anyone could do anything, a terrifying wave of KI washed over the park. Everyone turned to see Naruto had appeared from her spot and her hair was split into nine tendrils from behind her waving ominously while she smiled at them.

Everyone from the Academy knew as she always said she would hurt anyone who messed with her friends, but they had written it off.

"What did you say to Choji?"

"U-Uh- I-," the boy could not get his words out as the KI was concentrated straight at him. He tripped in his haste to back away from the slowly advancing girl.

She picked him up easily as if he weighed nothing and brought him up to her face. Her normally bright blue eyes were darkened that spoke of the danger he was in for saying those words. He swore that he understood what older shinobi meant as his life flashed before his eyes.

"Never think you can spit out what ever you want, Genin-kun," still giving out a smile though her words were sharper than a kunai. "I have no qualms of cutting of your tongue in retribution and wouldn't care for the repercussions of my actions." The other children gasped in horror at the threat while the parents stood to take their children away. One parent stayed as the picture the little girl made, had her reminiscing about her late best friends who had the same monstrous temper. Her son stared at the girl in barely concealed awe a he had never seen gilrs act as awesome as his mom.

"Now, why don't we try this," shoving him to a kneeling position in front of Choji who had a face mixed with slight fear, but satisfaction colored it overall. "Apologize, Genin-kun and maybe, I'll let you go."

"G-go-g-g-go-me-men," the boy managed to stutter out. "P-pl-please l-let me g-go." He would regret asking that.

The Uzumaki feigned a pondering look which switched to a devilish smile. "Sure."

With strength that was disproportional to her size. She threw him across the village and turned to smile at Shikamaru and Choji.

Behind her, not noticed by anyone besides the only parent left and Naruto, the ANBU squad that normally followed the Uzumaki around snickered. They didn't bother to do much as they themselves remembered when that temper was turned on them by a very energetic red-head. Operative Inu smiled in nostalgia at the girl.

The black haired boy snorted while shaking his head at her. "Troublesome blonde, you could have let me have a piece of him," exasperation coloring his tone even though his words contradicted his peaceful stance on the situation. Choji didn't say anything, but his eyes told her all she needed to know. Thanks.

Naruto just smiled at them.

Flashback End

"Seems like you had a temper even now," the fox mumbled in amusement. "How old are you, brat? Twelve?"

Said brat glared fiercely at the strongest Bijuu.

"Thirteen."

"What were you doing before you came here?" The woman's tone made her straighten as it reminded her of her Jiji when he wants her to be serious.

"I am currently in the second part of the Chuunin Exams," she reported. "My team and I were under attack by a Kusanin who I believe to be the S-ranked nukenin, Orochimaru before I was knocked unconscious." She bit back a growl at the thought of leaving her team alone with that freak.

The older blond-red head frowned. "It's not the best place to end up in, but far from the worst," she sighed.

"It's the best we could have hoped for. You have time to change things," then the Bijuu turned to the girl. "What are we going to do with her?"

"Come here, Naruto-chan. It will be all right." Extending a hand towards the girl, who frowned at the gesture. "You already know who I am and we both know you're not as dumb as you want people to perceive."

Yeah, but that doesn't mean I won't have trouble believing it, 'ttebane. She answered anyway. "You're me, but that doesn't explain how you're here."

"Thank the fuzzball over there."

"Hey! I am the mightiest of the Bijuu! Not some kind of stuffed animal," the being argued.

The woman, this older Naruto, ignored the fox and came closer, placing a gentle hand on the girl's shoulder. She leaned forward until they were face to face.

"Sorry 'bout this kid. I hope it works."

Then, she placed there foreheads together and Naruto's world exploded in a kaleidoscope of light. Blurred images flashed before her eyes and unimaginable pain soon followed as she absorbed her older self as Sasuke had.

Kurama caught the girl before she hit the floor and gave a sad smile as her older self faded away. The girl also started to disappear as she regained consciousness into the real world.


Forest of Death

Sasuke stumbled as he received the memories of his dispelled Bunshins. Damn it. They weren't supposed to attack until tomorrow!

It's not like he didn't believe Sakura could beat them, but she was protecting Naruto who could be used to take of her reluctance to fight if she got caught in the crossfire.

He reinforced more chakra to his legs and sprinted faster towards his team, but suddenly halted at the wave of warm chakra that hit him. He knew that chakra.

She's back!


Throughout Konoha

Shikamaru and Choji tensed at the large amount of chakra that washed over them while Ino fell at the heavy chakra pressing down on her. When they realized whose it was the Ino-Shika-Cho team just sighed.

"Those poor bastards," Shikamaru muttered. Choji nodded in agreement while Ino shivered.


Kiba halted in the middle of his run when it happened. Akamaru whimpered from his position in Kiba's jacket.

"It's okay, bud," patting his companion's furry head. "It's just Naruto." Smirking in the direction the chakra was coming from.

"They will die as many have before them. Why? Because Naruto-san's chakra shows she is more angry than what happened before," Shino commented while trying to get his Kikai to settle down. Hinata gave an uncharacteristic scary smile thinking about the times Naruto had saved her which gave her slight satisfaction.


Team Gai was in the middle of a break from their constant running when they felt it.

TenTen pulled out her weapons when she recognized it and whistled.

"Man, haven't felt that in a while." Shaking her head when her green-outfitted teammate gave her a questioning look as he slid out of his stance.

Neji, however, was suddenly hit by a memory of his father telling him a story of a red-head who you should never cross or you would get castrated. It was strange that he attributed that memory to their circumstance.

They resumed their run, finishing their break.


All shinobi just shivered in remembrance of the great Red-Hotblooded Habanero. Kakashi thought that this seemed a bit more of like the cool rage that his Sensei had. Would you look at that. I guess his coloring isn't the only thing she got from him.


This is a good place to end. So how did you like it? I hope this was good.

You know what was really annoying? I forgot to save what I did so I had to redo everything! At least I was only halfway but still! Gosh it was so fudging annoying!

Well, please comment and no flames.


Edit: This was not as hard as I thought it would be. Currently, I can't make more chapters because I want to finish the editing so don't expect much from me. Also, now that school is back in session, I, again, will not have time to do much of this.

Please comment, I love hearing your thoughts. Also, no flames.

Peace! Keep Calm and Love Team 7, Dattebayo!