A love in time 12

"You want me to believe all of that," Madara was sceptical about the blonde's story. Despite all the signs that were telling him that she was telling him the truth. Her blue eyes never wavered in her tale and she stood firm. "That these new Gods have slighted you,"

"Not just me," Naruto pointed out, finally breaking her gaze to look at the setting sun. "You're also mixed up in their games." Looking back at the Uchiha, his sleepwear looked awfully comfortable and made from fine material. The way he carried himself told Naruto that he was an important figure. A wealthy important figure. "But you believe me," Yet for the life of her, she couldn't figure out who he was in history.

"I never said that," Madara frowned, wondering where her confident assumption came from.

"You don't have to. The fact you're still around listening is more than enough." Naruto approached Madara, his gaze turning wary with her steps, "I can prove it even more to you. It took me a while but I can willingly move to your time with a bit of concentration and if my theory is correct, I will appear near your body,"

Madara activated his sharingan, "Do you not hear yourself? You sound absolutely crazy," Her soft smile didn't help her cause. If anything, it made his senses sharpen.

"Exactly." Naruto didn't deny it, "It's why the only people that know about my condition are dead," she held her hand out towards him, "You want more proof right? Then let me show you. There's nothing here besides a ruined village and broken seals."

Standing up, Madara straightened his back, "The second you try something I will not hesitate to find a way to kill you," As soon as she nodded, Madara reached his hand out to her. Halting himself from touching her to ask, "What do you mean by theory?"

Naruto tilted her head, her heart thumping hard as she replied, "That our fates are tied together," Without giving him a chance to respond, Naruto grabbed his hand tightly and focused her attention on his soul. As soon as she located his fiery soul, Naruto saw her vision distort and felt her stomach churn. With a suffocating gasp, Naruto clung onto Madara's hand desperately and felt him squeeze her hand back. Just as quick as the distortion occurred, it quickly passed and left Naruto gasping for breath as she tried to gain her bearings. "Fuck," Naruto's legs gave in, releasing Madara's hand to gather herself. Looking around the new environment, she found herself in a well-presented room with Madara, who was once laying down, sitting up in his futon looking around.

Madara saw the blonde next to him. Her confident appearance was nowhere to be seen but the gaze stayed true. It was strong. With an arched brow, Madara called out to the guard that stood outside his room.

"Master, is everything okay?"

Madara gestured the young man into his room, "Activate your sharingan," He kept his wits as he noted his guard couldn't see or sense the blonde woman. As soon as the guard activated his bloodline, Madara gestured for him to walk over Naruto and kept his lips tight when the guard seemingly walked straight through her. "That's enough. Get out."

"Yes, Master?" The guard, although confused, left the room without question.

"No," Madara had a new order, "Leave your post. I wish to rest in peace,"

"Yes Master," The guard bowed respectfully before closing the shoji.

Madara waited until he couldn't sense anybody nearby before swiftly pinning the blonde woman down. She didn't resist him as he questioned, "What is this sick joke? First, you show me the future of Uzushiogakure and now you're playing a ghost. Is this some new kekkei genkai? Perhaps you want me to save your homeland. That's why you have roped me into this mad scheme,"

"I don't want you to save Uzushiogakure," Naruto admitted bitterly, "Even though it means the chance of me having a family I cannot allow Uzushio to be saved," She felt his grip slacken on her wrists. "All I want is to smack the New Gods from behind and find out why they have done this to me,"

Madara heard the unspoken words. He didn't need to know more. "Who are you?"

"Naruto Uzumaki,"

"Who are you?" He tightened his grip on her, his eyes flashing dangerously, noticing his eyes change in her reflection. Hearing her sigh, he let loose but not enough to be unable to handle her.

"I'm not lying. My mother was an Uzumaki and my father was a powerful shinobi. Only being a newborn with no protection it was deemed for my safety that I take my mother's name." Naruto briefly recited what she heard from Jiraiya once he knew she was strong enough to either defend herself or run from stronger power figures. "My father is a Namikaze,"

"Namikaze," Madara rolled the name between his lips, "I have not heard of that family name before."

"From what I've gathered, around this time, they're a nomadic group in Kaminari no kuni."

There was a lot in what she did and didn't say. "How exactly are our fates tied? As you have said, explain that to me," releasing her wrists, he ignored the angry red marks he left and sat up on her hips, holding her down with his entire weight.

Naruto clenched her teeth from the weight. It was a strange feeling. "I've been dealing with this since I was a child. Over a decade of this messed up life," Naruto didn't feel good, it had been so long since she last discussed, out loud, the past and its interference in her life. "I have been around many people from around Hi no Kuni however no one could hear, see and touch me," even the ceiling looked luxurious. It annoyed the blonde for some reason. "I've collected as much information as I could over the years to figure out why this was happening," her thoughts felt muddled as she glossed over the long hours she spent gathering, "I've hit so many dead ends and wondered when this was going to end," She scoffed, "I told myself that if I just get a little bit stronger maybe the New Gods will finally give me a hint as to what to do,"

Madara couldn't relate to her story but he understood her frustrations. He too was constantly hitting deadends after deadends that were slowly driving him numb with anger. When she looked at him, her eyes looked clear. As if she found a new path.

"Until I happened to see you," Naruto spoke honestly. Well, she only chose to speak honestly with this man. Naruto felt that the second she lied to this man she would lose that foothold she so longed for. Yet, that didn't mean Naruto would tell him the entire truth. "Imagine my surprise, just as I was about to give up and leave Uzushio, you appear out of the ruins...untouched and unharmed by the blood seals,"

"Blood seals?" Madara frowned, getting off the blonde to sit comfortably. "If you've been around for years then you know there is a war currently happening," The blonde nodded as she got up. He wasn't phased about having an oddly dressed woman in his room. Madara found this situation interesting and although he did believe her story, he wouldn't tell her. Fixing his yukata, Madara continued, "I can't help you. I'm a busy man,"

With a sigh, Naruto stood and stretched. "I'm not surprised." Looking around his room properly, she found it unnecessarily large like Tobirama's room. She often wondered how he was doing but she couldn't keep dropping into his life. "There's a large town called Hanaka. They specialise in soba dishes," Madara shooed her away, planning to go back to bed. Whatever she chose to do didn't concern him since she was a ghost to everyone else. "There is a 3-story inn with blue roof tiles and dragon accents. A female server named Momo with a beauty mark under her left eye does laundry alone every Friday morning in the yard between 7 am until 10 am. That is the only time she is alone. Unless...you want to purchase a night with her."

"Stop spouting nonsense. I need to rest," Madara climbed under his blankets, taken off guard when Naruto appeared before his face. Scowling, he was quick to adjust to her movement and pushed her face away.

Although surprised by his motions, it didn't deter Naruto from her goal. Seemingly a rich young master, Naruto had a feeling this man was bored in his personal life. "You're surprisingly aggressive for a man in this age," She muttered, "Momo has the same condition as us. I can't contact her but I have reason to believe that when she sleeps her soul goes further back."

Madara heard her and opted to roll over, pulling the blanket and making Naruto fall over.

Getting up and looking over at the unbothered man, Naruto huffed and added one more piece of information to tempt him. "She has the largest breasts in the town," her face was suddenly met with his pillow.

"What is wrong with you?" Madara hissed, completely thrown away by her comment. "Do you have no shame? Wait," He rubbed his face tiredly, "Don't answer that. Judging by your attire I wouldn't be surprised,"

Naruto didn't flinch as the pillow phased right threw her and hit the wall. Rubbing her chin, she thought deeply, "I thought men like big breasts." she clicked her tongue when she realised, "That's right! You oldies like petite breasts. Ladies with conservative bodies," she shook her head, realising it was the males in her time that gushed over women's bountiful chests. "That explains why Momo isn't popular in the store."

Madara sighed, rolling over once more to ignore her. He thought she was intelligent but her carefree mouth bitterly reminded him of an old friend. Madara could hear her moving around his room and once her movements stopped, he felt at ease to go to sleep peacefully…..the ease didn't last long. With a quiet curse, Madara got up and searched the room for the odd one out in his clan. He spotted her at a window and just as he was going to curse to go away he stopped. She had an air of melancholy that didn't suit her. The moonlight made her hair look almost platinum and shone softly in the night. She looked unreal as her sullen eyes reflected the bitterness of this world. "Namikaze," He saw her light up instantly as if the cold melted before his eyes and she looked at him happily. "Don't go anywhere within the compound without me," although she knew his identity, the years of war told him that she wasn't going to betray him. It was an unsettling feeling for someone he just met and the cheerful laugh that followed from her didn't help.

"Don't worry. I'm not interested in the Uchiha secrets." Her next words were left to interpretation, "Just you,"

Tobirama:

"Brother," Tobirama, as best as he could, gently placed down the mission scroll given to him. Hashirama smiled awkwardly. "I will ask this once, what is this?" he pointed to the scroll smoothly, glad that the anger he felt inside didn't make his finger tremble.

"I wouldn't be giving you this mission if I had another option, Tobirama," Hashirama nervously played with his fingers. The room felt awfully cold for midday. "It came directly from the Feudal Lord and it'll be no more than a month. Two weeks should everything run smoothly," He gulped when he saw a vein appear on Tobirama's forehead.

"We're in the middle of a war, brother, and you want me to go to the capital to guard the Feudal Lord's daughter," He spat out sarcastically, "We both know what guarding means. Since when did shinobi clans become a buffet for the Feudal Lord's offspring to sample?"

"Tobi," Hashirama said softly, "It's not just our clan. The Yamanaka clan is sending a couple of their men too."

"That's not the issue," Tobirama tapped the mission scroll, "By the sounds of the letter the young lady has a fetish," He ignored his blushing brother, "To send only men with light hair to guard the young lady in exchange for support from the Feudal Lord. You're asking me to sleep with this woman for power,"

"I'm not asking you to share a bed," Hashirama quickly denied, "Just don't get caught doing anything suspicious to avoid the young lady's orders," He gave Tobirama a look, "Tobi, you're the only man in the clan that fits the criteria and the Yamanaka are allies of the Senju clan." seeing Tobirama's bitter look, Hashirama asked, "Don't tell me...you resent inheriting mother's hair?"

"Don't start with me!" Tobirama barked, making Hashirama curl upon himself, "I won't be able to deny an order from the young lady should she ask to warm a bed together! Brother, I know Mito-onee-sama talks to you. I have yet to lay with a woman," Hashirama was grown bright red by the second, "At least before I leave for the capital allow me to chose whom I share my first time with,"

With a flushed face, Hashirama muttered, "You're surprisingly a romantic man," Flinching at his glare, Hashirama nodded, "Very well. You depart next week. I'll give you free time until your departure."

Tobirama was quick to flash out of the office and found himself in his office. "Damn it to hell!" slamming his hands on his desk, he marched over to the mirror and stared at his reflection. His eyes were burning in anger. He didn't want to go but he knew his position well. "Is there nothing I can do?!" he tugged at his hair in frustration, "What should I do?" He tensed up as the mirror distorted, making him laugh, "Ha! So now you want to work! For how many months have you made me stand here like an idiot–" his mind blanked at the image before him, "H-how?" He covered his mouth, staring at his long time friend. Yet she looked much older than he expected. "A woman," He was in awe that she had grown so much from the last time he saw her. She was definitely a woman.

The baby fat from her cheeks was gone, leaving her with a slim jaw and sharp eyes. The look in her eyes seemed mature and knew more about the world yet the soft smile retained her bright attitude. She was near a water source, her blonde hair shone brightly as it fell over her shoulder, almost falling into the water. She had grown up.

"Perhaps this is what she felt like seeing me each time," Tobirama muttered as the reflection zoomed out. "What are you trying to show me?" As soon as he saw the large boulder by Naruto, Tobirama froze. There was a fresh cut mark on the boulder. A mark so fresh and recognisable to Tobirama since he was the one who put it there just yesterday while training. Tobirama was quick to reach out to a nearby mark and flashed over to his training ground.

He could see the boulder in the distance and called out, "Naruto!" Hearing a scream followed by a splash, Tobirama rushed over to where he knew she was. He knew just beyond the tree line, he'd see his blonde friend again. "Naruto!"

"S-stop!"

Tobirama halted at her voice. It was different yet the same. Calming his nerves, he called out, "Naruto, is everything okay?"

"D-don't come!"

"Don't be silly. We haven't seen each other in a while," Tobirama tried to convince her to let them meet. Although he could just move by the tree, he didn't want to disrespect her wishes. For Naruto, the last time she saw him was when her grandfather died, so Tobirama decided to wait.

"I'm naked!"

Tobirama was frozen. It was silent in the forest for almost half a minute before he slapped his forehead and scolded the blonde. "Have you no shame! A young and unmarried woman shouldn't be bathing in the river! Especially while the sun is up!" Just as he was going to scold her more, Tobirama heard her laugh.

Behind the tree, Naruto was clutching onto her heart, leaning against the tree fully clothed. She didn't mean to lie to Tobirama but this was honestly the worst timing. She looked bashfully at the irritated fox that climbed out of the water. Holding a finger to her lip, Naruto said, "I couldn't help it. I can only feel nature when I focus and the water was too tempting,"

"I'm going to grill you," Kurama hissed quietly, making his way towards Naruto. "What bad timing," Her seal was activating, enabling her to interact with this world but as promised with the Kyuubi, Naruto was only allowed a physical form to learn. The second Tobirama or anyone from this time figured out what was happening Kyuubi threatened to set the entire Fire country ablaze. "Get rid of him,"

"I'm trying," Naruto lightly kicked Kurama, "Can't you release the seal?"

Kurama shook his head, "That brat will feel a surge of chakra. Just be thankful that I was here to catch your slip in masking your chakra. You would've been fucked over,"

"You're too carefree," Tobirama sat with his back to the tree. "Just because no one can see you means you can do what you want freely. Naruto," He heard her hum in response, "How old are you now? You sound different,"

"Huh?" Naruto was surprised, "Ah that's right, I'm 17 now." She laughed lightly yet the glare Kurama gave her made her nervous. "You must be an old pops now."

"I resent that," Tobirama felt his anger subside, "We're almost similar in age."

Naruto could hear it in his voice. Although Kurama was eyeing her to leave the area she felt his heart give in. "A-are you okay, Tobi?" Resting her head against the tree, she could feel his chakra. Although it had been years and was corrupted, his chakra felt the same from back then. It was cool and strong like a refreshing current. "You sound stressed,"

Tobirama snorted, "Stressed is a good word for it," a soft smile touched his lips, "Just another shinobi sacrifice. As you've said, some roles are to be expected in this line of work,"

Naruto came to two conclusions from his words. Assassination or seduction. Her heart lurched terribly, "That sucks ass," when he didn't scold her for her language, she knew it was weighing a lot on her mind. "You'll be okay, Tobi,"

"You don't know that," He was quick to deny her words.

"I do," She recalled the stories the Sandaime used to tell her. His bright grin as he recalled memories soothed her momentarily. "You're a wonderful shinobi, Tobi. Your hard work isn't for nothing," He was still silent. "And what other noble can say that they're open to learning about undiscussed topics or even listen about them for that matter. If it's you, I know you'll be able to overcome anything,"

Hiding his face between his knees, he was embarrassed by her words.

Naruto glanced at Kurama. Giving him a pleading pout.

Kurama wanted to snarl yet when she battered her eyes he felt his control slip. With a huff, Kurama turned his head away from her, opting to not see anything as two of his tails covered his ears.

Naruto grinned, calling out to Tobirama, "Hey, can you close your eyes for a second?"

"Don't even think about it," Tobirama's ears flushed red, "I don't care how casual it is where you live but I will not play along with your weird games,"

"Oh come on," Naruto chuckled, "Just promise you won't open your eyes," She heard him groan and knew that he would listen. "Are they closed?" Naruto waited patiently before Tobirama grunted a reply. With a deep breath, she pushed away from the tree and moved around until she saw a tuft of white hair. She felt her lips curl up softly as she saw the man sitting with his eyes closed. "You seem nervous," She teased, Tobirama fidgeting every so often.

Tobirama scowled, "I don't see why I'm playing this pointless game with you," Although he complained, he kept his eyes tightly closed. He couldn't hear her movements or catch a scent so it made him more nervous than he should be.

He was dressed comfortably in his blue attire. Naruto felt comforted just by seeing him. Kneeling between his legs, she noticed the dark shading at the corner of her eyes. "Tobi," She called his name gently, watching as the corner of his eyes trembled. Tobirama didn't expect her to be so close. "I've been working on a new jutsu for a few years now," Naruto spoke slowly, trying her best to create a relaxing environment to release the tension in his body. "It's a combination of fuinjutsu, ninjutsu and genjutsu,"

"Ambitious for someone who's terrible at even breaking genjutsu," He grinned when he heard her click her tongue.

"Shut up. It's going to be a super cool jutsu once I've mastered it," Naruto boasted, "It consumes a lot of chakra but I know this will be perfect once I'm done with it." The wind brushed his hair gently and he finally seemed relaxed. "I know who my parents are," his brows rose in surprise, "One had a strong wind affinity and the other water."

"Are you suggesting you have both?"

"I'm suggesting," She cheerfully replied, "That the jutsu I'm working on will blow your mind,"

"That's a lot of work for someone without a bloodline," Tobirama shook his head, "But I'm not surprised you're trying the impossible," Feeling something shift in front of him, he muttered, "Naruto?"

"Shh," Naruto hushed him, moving closer to his face. The sunlight that passed through the tree line lit up the hard features on Tobirama's face. She understood that Kyuubi wanted to protect her. The fluttering feelings in her heart resurface, never once diminishing after avoiding him for years. "I'm going to figure this out. I have a feeling that I'm so close,"

"You're talking about combining three forms of jutsu. That's a lifetime of work,"

Naruto, unaware of her sad look, only hummed in response. It wasn't what she meant and she wasn't going to correct him. "Yeah," leaning closer to him, she whispered, "Tobi, no matter what you do, remember, I will never judge you,"

"What's that supposed–" Tobirama went silent as he felt a gentle pressure on his lips. It was a warm and pleasant sensation that made him gasp. Before he could comprehend what happened, the pressure disappeared along with the gentle wind. Tobirama couldn't help but open his eyes and before him was the empty forest. Touching his lips curiously, Tobirama couldn't help but laugh in disbelief before burying his face in his hands. "You really don't make this easy for me,"

Naruto:

"Shut up," A flushed Naruto, deep within the deadman's zone, crouched behind a bush in embarrassment.

"I haven't said anything," Kurama licked his paws, his host's bottom sticking out in the open as she squealed. She was indeed still young. "Come here so I can release the seal before your dumbass gets caught," Kurama waited until she crawled out of the bush, still unable to meet his eyes. With a quick flick of his tail to her back, Naruto groaned pitifully before her physical body no longer existed in the past. "I can't believe you kissed him,"

"You promised not to look!" Naruto pointed at Kurama. Even her neck was bright red.

Kurama's toothy grin only made her more flushed. I won't say anymore. However, you do look refreshed." Sitting on his hind legs, Kurama observed his host. It was true that she had grown stronger and wiser over the years under Jiraiya's guidance and Kyuubi and his tutelage but she was currently at a dead end. "Oi," Naruto looked at him, "Let's have a chat around Madara,"

Naruto felt her spine chill whenever Kurama tried to bring up Madara, "I don't want to,"

"You've avoided this conversation for too long,"

"Yeah because you sound scary every time you mention his name," Naruto pointed out, taking a seat next to the fox. They could both hear fighting going on around them but now it didn't bother them. "What makes that man so important that even you get on edge?"

"Fool," Kurama whacked the back of her head with one of his tails, "In all of shinobi history it has been only that man. That man is the only one capable to completely control me and take away my will,"

"What the–'' Naruto was shocked, "Then why the hell am I paired up with that man?! Doesn't that make him crazy powerful enough to control a biju?"

Kurama, without shame, moved into her lap and got comfortable. "He's not as powerful at the moment. However, in the future, he will be a force to be reckoned with. Although I do not like this union I see why the New Gods have paired the two of you together," Naruto wasn't convinced, "I prefer that tree-hugger but this Uchiha also shaped the future." Kurama didn't bother to look at Naruto. He already knew she had a stupid look on her face. "Along with the Senju, the Uchiha helped found the Konoha you know,"

"Look I know I'm not book smart but wouldn't his name be in the history books since he had a hand in building Konoha,"

"He fought against the Shodai to take his position as Hokage," Naruto nervously played with one of Kurama's tails, "And he used me in battle. Of course, after days of battle, he lost and the Shodai took me,"

"Woah woah woah," Naruto was shocked, "Again, why isn't this taught in history?"

"Nobody wants a stain to remain,"

Naruto cursed. "I'll either have to ask Ero-sennin about this or break into the Uchiha compound when I get back for more information."

"Naruto, he is a dangerous and powerful man. He may not be there yet but it will be soon. That man has always been greedy for power,"

Naruto knew not to mess with the past. It could change everything she knew in the present. "Power?" Naruto thought about the new information around Madara. For now, she decided to observe the man while still gathering information about the New Gods. Pushing Kurama off her lap, she was prepared to return to the temple when she asked, "How did the Senju and Uchiha agree to a truce? They killed Tobirama's brother when he was just a child,"

"That I cannot answer. Humans can be unpredictable,"

Walking through the forest that will soon enough be Konoha, Naruto prepared herself for the long hike when she came across a familiar face. "I'm not even surprised anymore," She grumbled as glaring red eyes drilled into her head. It was Madara, leaning over what seemed to be his teammate, doing his best to staunch the deep wound on their chest. Looking around, Naruto noticed that the rest of his team were dead.

"Get lost," Gritting his teeth, Madara brought his attention back to his surviving comrade.

"Oi," Kurama called out, "He can't see or hear me,"

Naruto noticed that fact too. Nudging Kurama to not do anything stupid. "He's going to die,"

"I'm well aware of that!" Madara's fingers trembled as the cloth he used to apply pressure started to get soaked with blood.

Naruto looked at the face of the dying shinobi. Her eyes trembled. "Sasuke?" Her voice was quiet, Madara unable to hear her reaction as he focused elsewhere. Kneeling on the opposite side of Madara, Naruto placed her hands above Madara's hand, firmly saying, "Focus on my chakra and guide what I'm sending you to his wounds. Only focus on passing on my chakra through to this person,"

Madara wanted to snap at her but it was too late. The warmth from her hand grew when a holy white flame erupted from her hands before it was controlled and condensed. His hands didn't feel hot. Once he felt Naruto squeeze his hands, Madara went to work focusing on her chakra and restructuring her chakra to be able to flow through his hands and into the wound. His sharingan couldn't break down the jutsu but he could see the wound slowly closing and the haggard breaths of his comrade easing.

"You're an idiot," Kurama grumbled watching Naruto calmly heal the enemy, "No, perhaps I'm the idiot,"

As soon as the wound healed, Naruto released the kitsune flame and checked over the person's face again. He looked scarily similar to Sasuke and it creeped her out. "He's not in the clear yet. He will need to rest for a few weeks," About to stand up, Naruto looked at the hand that was held onto her wrist.

"Are you also a priestess?" Madara asked. He let go of her when she narrowed her gaze at him, "I apologise, I'm deeply grateful for your help." Just as he was about to bow his head, he felt his forehead meet some resistance. Looking back at Naruto, she was crouched before him with a difficult look in her eye.

"Don't bow to me. For some reason I find that annoying coming from you," Naruto reached over, moving the bangs out of Madara's face. He looked extremely tired for a young man. It reminded Naruto once more that these shinobi were a product of their time. She felt the familiar tingle through her body and said, "There's a hole, behind a blueberry bush with the bottom dead and dry, approximately 500 paces southeast from your current location." The exhausted face of Madara was quickly replaced with the cloudless skies of Uzushiogakure.

Sitting up with a groan, Naruto stretched her body feeling another weight on her shoulders. "This is getting more annoying," clicking her tongue, Naruto got up and headed towards the centre of town where she was training. With a low whistle, she was surprised to still see slabs of ice littering the area. "I feel so close to completing 'Ice Palace'."

Kurama hummed in the back of her mind. "As a follower of Inari-sama it will be more difficult for you to master jutsu of the opposing elements."

Naruto nodded, "I was born with water and wind. I'm not going to rely just on your teachings." her hands easily lit up with a deep red flame that eased into white and back to red. "I've been thinking about it for a while,"

"What is it?"

"I've gathered all the information I could without destroying anything," She could feel Kurama getting excited, "How does burning a few temples sound to you?"