Chapter 7

Sasuke walked into his empty apartment alone that evening, feeling dejected and discouraged by the day's events. He reflected on his actions thus far to pursue the blonde wonder that brought him so much light and love. He realized he was far too aggressive to be taken seriously by the vixen he loved.

"I wonder how I can be subtle enough to still get attention without making her uncomfortable" he wondered to himself out loud. And he sat at his table to further ponder the challenge, not noticing the person watching him next to the front door he just walked through.

The silent figure lingering in the shadows watched intently wondering to themselves how to make the boy notice him without scaring him too much and realized there wasn't much of a choice. Stepping from the shadows of the room the now visible man cleared him throat gently to gain the young Uchiha's attention. Sasuke was startled but didn't show it and monitored the threat level before deeming the person must not have meant any harm before turning to face the now identified Hatake. He was very surprised at the man in his room.

"What brings you here Hatake?" Sasuke asked in a neutral voice, unsure of how to act to his once sensei.

"Just here to offer my assistance in any way I can help a budding shinobi!" the cyclops chirped in a happy tone with his "famous" eye smile on the only part of his uncovered face.

Sasuke stared at the man for minute as if trying to decipher the meaning of his words. On one hand he could try to grill Kakashi for any info regarding the blonde, but on the other he could also play it as if he was still bent on vengeance of his brother. The boy couldn't decide which would look less suspicious to the man. In the end he decided to ask the Silver haired scarecrow about the Naruto and see what information he could glean from secretive pervert.

"If you truly want to help me, you could start by telling me Naruto's favorite things aside from her ramen obsession." The boy said confidently. Hoping it would work.

"Maa…her favorite things…hmmm…" Kakashi took blatant delight in pretending to think about it.

Sasuke knew that Kakashi knew almost everything about Naruto, it was obvious the man looked to her as his little sister. Given his connection to her parents, he would be an idiot to not look after and care for her in her parents' stead. That man made Sasuke's life a living hell when he found out the two rivals were dating in past- future? time travel was confusing! -Sasuke was threatened and grilled about his intentions endlessly before Naruto put Kakashi in his place. Even now Sasuke chuckled internally at the image of the great Sharingan Kakashi cowering at his lovely then girlfriend going on a tirade. Even if Sasuke didn't need her defending him, he never once stopped her. It was how she showed she loved him as much as he loved her. They never cared for giving each other trinkets outside of special occasions but they both defended each other against any enemy. They were also the first to tell each other congratulations and words of pride for the other's achievements. This was typically followed by wonderfully great adult things.

Sasuke greatly missed how close they became in the future- past? Ugh -and vowed to never do something like this again once he righted all the wrongs that were done to them both as young shinobi. With his goal clear in his mind, he decided to be honest with the Hatake man and the Hokage.

"Kakashi, I would like to speak with you and Lord Hokage now if possible. It pertains to something serious" Sasuke stated in no nonsense tone, his shoulder squared and his back straight.

"Oh? And what is this about young man? It is late now, I would Lord Third is back home by this time. Kakashi said knowing he was bluffing.

"Even so I need to speak to you both pertaining to the future of the village and Naruto's safety." Sasuke knew the last thing would catch his attention and as expected it did. Kakashi lost his playful demeanor and snatched Sasuke in his arms. Throwing him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes he shushined them to Hokage tower. Jumping in Hiruzen's office threw the window he dumped Sasuke on to a chair.

"Talk you little shit! What is going with Naruto!" Kakashi growled at the boy.

"Sasuke! Kakashi! What is the matter? And what is this about Naruto? Has something happened?" The elder asked with worry etched in his face.

"What am I about to say is not to leave the room Lord Hokage. It is of the utmost importance that it doesn't reach the wrong people. After all, one can't be certain about the ROOTs that may be ROTTEN from under the great tree" Sasuke spoke a code only the Hokage would know in reference to Danzo's past.

Hiruzen inhaled sharply and sealed the room so no one outside the room could spy on them. Sasuke quickly flicked his kunai at the two hidden agents in the room and watched emotionlessly as they fell to the ground dead. Both men were surprised at the now dead obvious ROOT shinobi on the ground and looked at Sasuke in shock.

"Danzo has many secrets as do many others that need to be exposed for the village and for Naruto above all." Sasuke gave them both a soft and rare smile at the mention of his beloved.

He knew what was doing could put in a bad light, but he was more concerned about Naruto and how much she suffered due to the past and the deaths that occurred. She always regretted being unable to save her precious people in the past. Starting with the old man in front of him, he was going to change things this time. He refused to see her cry over anyone again, it was too painful for him, she was far too precious to shed tears for any reason.

"I, currently, am not the Sasuke you once knew. I'm come from twenty years in the future, one that was is now peaceful but only because of un-needed bloodshed." He paused to take a shaky breath as nerves got the best of him. Damn this was harder than he thought. "I used a jutsu to travel back to right some the wrongs committed for Her sake and partially for mine. Starting with the ROOT infestation."

"How are we supposed to believe you aren't a spy taking Sasuke's place to destroy the village from within?" Kakashi demanded feeling skeptical of the boy's claims.

"Because I know some of your secrets, Kakashi." Sasuke stated looking at Kakashi's natural eye. "I know you were in ANBU and your code name was Dog. I know your father committed suicide and you blamed him for his actions during THAT mission. I know you believed that rules were more important than your teammate's lives before you were on a dangerous mission and lost someone you greatly cared about. I know how you acquired your Sharingan eye that you cover with your head band. And I know Naruto's father, the Fourth Hokage, was your sensei."

Kakashi's eye widen before he snarled and moved to attack the young boy. Hiruzen seeing the man about to attack tried to order Kakashi to stand down, but he moved before the words were spoken. Kakashi brandished his kunai and lurched towards the boy, who was sitting calmly in his chair. Reaching out to wrap his arm around the blackette's shoulders one moment, he was instead surprised to find himself on his back staring at the floor the next. Sasuke on the hand had just demonstrated a perfect shoulder throw without using as much energy as an academy student should have. He also managed to disarm Kakashi in the same moment, furthering impressing the men in the room. The Third Hokage was many things, but an idiot was not of them. He knew based on the little speech, the perfect maneuver and how easily he unarmed one of his top shinobi; he knew that Sasuke Uchiha was not lying when he said he was from the future.

He had heard his sensei, the Second Hokage, mention time- travel jutsu before. He just suspected that someone would actually do it, it had merit sure, but the draw back was dangerous. Messing with one's timeline was tricky business if you weren't aware of the consequences of your actions in the past. Sasuke could very well end up erasing the future he came from! They had to tread carefully if they wanted to preserve the integrity of the timeline. Hiruzen was often tempted by the fantasy of changing the death of his sensei, or the deaths of his predecessor and both of their wives. It was just too dangerous to do so and hope for a good future that had Konoha still standing as the great village it was today.

"Sasuke, do you realize the danger you've out yourself in? you could very well change the future you came from. This is hardly something you could've done on a mere whim. Tell me, what was your plan?" The old and questioned seriously.

"First, we must get rid of the ROOT problem. I can tell you where all of Danzo's hideouts are, but I can't say for certain where he'll be or how many operatives he has currently. After that we must get rid of Orochimaru. That snake is planning to come after you and the village in the near future. He wants me to be his next vessel, so that he can obtain my Sharingan and use it for his own goals." Sasuke straightened his shirt and spoke as concisely as he could without giving too much away. "You should also call Lady Tsunade and Lord Jiraiya back soon. They both need be involved with the next pieces of my plan."

The old man sighed and nodded realizing the man turned boy in front of him had most likely thought of almost everything and was determined to see this through. The best he could is help the young Uchiha with his plans to prevent any serious damage to the village. "And what of Naruto? How does she fall into this?" he asked softly.

"She and I are married in the future, we have children. I realize my tampering with the past could cause things to change but I couldn't handle her tears or my regrets anymore. If she and I end up unmarried this time around, I'll accept that. I just want her happy and healthy, and I want to live with regretting anything this time. I caused her and too many others pain before, I refuse to make her cry again." Sasuke said sadly.

Sasuke Uchiha hated to admit that the knuckle head wormed her way so deep in his walled off heart in the past, but he came to find comfort in it when he came back after his defection. He wouldn't make her cry again, no matter how was offered to him this time around. He would never leave his sunshine blonde alone like he did when he was younger. It brought so much pain to his heart as he remembered fighting her and leaving her in that valley. She loved him even when he was too stubborn to admit he felt the same. The Third Hokage nodded as Kakashi stood up, finally over his shock. The scarecrow looked at the time traveler and could practically feel the regret and self-loathing rolling off him. Sighing, he gently knocked the boy-man on the head to get his attention.

Smiling softly, he ruffled his hair "I'll help you kid, just don't hurt Naruto. You'll regret it."

All three of them chuckled and imaged the girl getting her prankful revenge for being hurt. They all shuddered and vowed not to get on her bad side. Settling down they all shared a look as the Kakashi and Sasuke sat down. "What's the plan kid? What do you need done and how do we protect the little Hime?"