This Time, Try Harder

Synopsis:

A time-travel story of Sakura to the time when she was still five years old. Her memory of the past life was suspended, but an encounter with someone made her slowly remember all of those nightmares again. This time, she'd try harder to protect her precious people. [SasuSaku]

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto

Chapter 1

It was still dark outside. Little Sakura woke up from her sleep feeling confused and disoriented. She was sure she had a very tiring and weird dream because her body ached badly as if someone had beaten her up. But, could a dream affect her like this? She wasn't sure. She was still a five years old after all; her knowledge was still very limited.

She tried to look around the room and just realized that her parents were sleeping next to her.

Oh, right. We are going back to Konoha.

Her parents were traveling outside Konoha to meet an old friend of her father who was willing to invest some money in a bakery that her parents were about to open. They were shinobi of genin level who were trying to make a living off something else other than village missions, and hopefully retired soon after the bakery was open.

Sakura on the other hand, was going to the academy to start her shinobi career. This journey outside the village would be the last one before the academy started. She smiled when she remembered that she'd get to spend time with Ino in the academy soon. Ino was her first friend; the one who extended her hand to help Sakura fought off bullies and boosted her confidence.

I can't wait. Next Monday the class will start. Should I prepare some-

A sudden headache came to Sakura. She winced and tried to massage her head. After some time the headache slowly went away and she started to feel sleepy again. She closed her eyes and let sleep overtook her.

"...wake up."

"Hnnh…"

"Sakura, sweetheart. Wake up. We're going back to Konoha."

"Five more minutes, mommy." Little Sakura tried to cover her head with the blanket.

"It's alright, Mebuki. I can just carry her on my back." Kizashi, Sakura's father, said while closing the door to their room.

"You spoil her too much, you know."

Kizashi laughed heartily. "Well, she's just a kid."

Soon after they were out on the road, walking back to Konoha. Little Sakura was finally stirring in her sleep; slowly opening her eyes and yawning.

"You're up." Her mother noticed. "Are you hungry Sakura?"

"I am, mommy. And I need to pee too."

"Well, there's a little eatery up ahead. Let's stop there and have a late breakfast." Her father said while pointing to a distance.

Sakura nodded and wiggled herself out of her father's back. Together, they all walked towards the little eatery. The place was full of people eating and talking. This little eatery was in a strategic location after all, so all travellers that were going to or from Konoha would pass this little establishment and most would take their rest here.

After they got their seats, they ordered some food and Sakura went to the toilet while running. Just around the corner she ran into someone.

"Ouch!" Sakura fell down on her bottom. She looked up and saw someone with black robe and funny-looking mask looked down on her.

That person stayed silent and went away.

Not even an "I'm sorry"... Huh, whatever. I need to pee anyway.

She did her business in the toilet, washed her hands, and walked back to her seat. While walking back she noticed that it became eerily silent. Not a single sound was heard, saved for the sound of wind hitting the windows.

The moment she passed the corner where she ran into that weird someone, her life changed forever.