Second Chances

By: FlameXFullmetal

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I never have and I never will.

A/N: Hey there I am back! I do not know exactly how this chapter will turn out as I am typing it out on my new desktop as opposed to my laptop. I hope that the formatting stays. Although in all honesty I have yet to find a way to keep my indents at the beginning of new paragraphs to stay. Oh well. I am finishing the Uzu arc and entering the Wave arc! I want to thank everyone for the support that I have received on the story and just want to say that you make continuing this worth it. I have one more thing that I want to go over and then we can get to the story.

To the person leaving these behind as reviews:

Guest: Kill yourself, virgin.

Guest: Kill yourself, delulu virgin f**

Guest: SasuSaku or bust. But I see you are nothing but a pathetic virgin so just kill yourself.

If you do not like the pairing that much then why are you wasting my time by constantly sending these reviews? I am quite honestly getting sick and tired of these reviews and to be perfectly honest I have no idea why you are leaving them in the first place. If you have nothing better to do with your time either than to harass the author of a work of fiction in a story who's pairing is clearly listed repeatedly then please kindly go fuck yourself. If you do have other things that you could be doing with your time then please go do them. I have little sympathy or pity for people who make themselves feel better by tearing down other people. Finally, why are you obsessed with my sex life? I am not interested in bullies who can't spell or form coherent sentences. Sorry. Onward to the story!

"hello" people (bijuu in human form) speaking

'hello' people (bijuu in human form) thinking/coded hand signals

"HELLO" bijuu (full demon form)/summoning/deity yelling

"hello" bijuu (full demon form)/summoning/deity talking

'hello' bijuu (full demon form)/summoning/deity thinking

hello jutsu

************A Lost Era and Second Change****************

The light that blinded the four shinobi was finally fading and the sight that it left behind was one that would forever remain in the mind of the young shinobi witnessing the events. Uzu had undergone a transformation as a result of the seal matrix, Naruto's blood and the chakra mixing at the center of the village. What was once ruined buildings and scorched ground littered with long forgotten skeletons was now a bustling marketplace. People moved in every which direction eager to finish their daily routine and get home to their family. It seemed as if the ninja had somehow traveled back to before the village had been destroyed.

"What the hell...?!" Naruto finally exclaimed. The knowledge that he and Kyuubi had sorted from the mess that had been implanted never said anything about this. Were they really in the past or was this merely an illusion? Why was it here and how long had it taken to set up?

"Where? How? What?" Was the only thing that Kakashi could say coherently. He had not expected this either. Despite having a world renowned master of fuinjutsu for a teacher he knew that even this was beyond what the Yondaime had been capable of. None of it made sense. The sealing matrix alone would have taken years to draw and the natural elements wouldn't just let it be. Parts would have to be redrawn continuously. So how had the seal survived the elements let alone the invasion?

"Naruto-kun where are we?" Hinata asked in awe. It was almost as if she had stepped into another world and she wasn't sure how to react. Should she scan the are to check if this was all an elaborate genjutsu or should she refrain from chakra usage in this place? Was she merely glimpsing into another time and place or was she truly there?

"Dobe...your relatives were both absolutely insane and yet complete geniuses." Sasuke said out loud as he stared at the masterpiece in front of him. He was even aware that the work necessary for this kind of elaborate setup would have been nearly impossible without a very large team working on it. Add in the maintenance to account for the natural elements and the information that would have to be updated and stored into the matrix itself...that was at least thirty shinobi working on preserving the seal on a skeleton crew.

"I...have no idea what just happened. There was nothing about this in the information I gained. Is this a genjutsu?" He finally squeaked. Just seeing the people that had been nothing more than the skeletal remains of who they had been mere moments before now walking and enjoying life as if nothing happened was wrecking havoc on his emotions. He had already been confused over how he should feel about seeing the remains of people that he had never met before and yet now they were right before his eyes as if they had never died. Shaking his head Kakashi managed to snap out of his shock and quickly did the release. When the visage didn't even waver he groaned.

"It seems to be a projection of Uzu's last moments meant to show a returning survivor what had happened and perhaps tell them something that was to dangerous to leave in a written message." He said out loud. Naruto gulped as a group of children ran by innocent and blissfully unaware that their life was about to be turned on its head. The group watched in marvel as shinobi moved about in their daily routine fully trusting the natural barriers to the island to give them forewarning of the attack. Perhaps the hardest thing to watch was the people discussing their future plans and making plans for dinner dates and weddings that would never come. The idle chatter seemed to diminish the threat that was approaching and all to soon the once peaceful marketplace erupted into screams as an explosion from the port rocked the island. Civilians quickly turned and fled towards the largest building on the island seeking safety and perhaps shelter. Many never making it more than a foot or two before they were cut down by enemy shinobi flooding into the streets.

Ships seemingly materialized in the ports the signs of an invasion becoming apparent as the cloaking genjutsu wore off. Shinobi raced forward trying to buy time for the civilians to make their way to the emergency shelter only to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of enemies flooding into the village. Then as quickly as the invaders attacked they were repelled by a barrier that sprang up between the residents and the aggressors. Seeing that time had been bought the evacuation began in a more orderly fashion while the shinobi of Uzu began to methodically kill the invaders using long distance jutsu. The living having no choice but to leave the fallen behind. Team seven followed the group as they raced into the a building that could only be described as a castle. Inside was yet another world as it seemed that the events outside barely reached the entrance way as many shinobi calmly directed the fleeing people into different areas and assisting the injured to doctors.

"Uzukage-sama! The invaders are still reaching the island. There are hundreds if not a thousand enemy shinobi. There are hundreds dead already and many more injured. The barrier corp has activated the defense system but they will not be able to hold it for very long." A shinobi reported off to their right. As the group turned they were met with the sight of a tall red-headed woman that could easily be mistaken for Kushina if not for the age and seriousness in her eyes and the calm way she approached the situation.

"Has a message been sent to Konoha for assistance?"

"We just sent it out. Hopefully they will get here in time. The barrier corp can only hold the barrier for just so long. Two and a half days safely, four if they use every ounce of chakra they have and then convert their life force." The woman sighed as she looked at the terrified faces around them.

"Where do the invaders come from?"

"Iwa, Kumo, Kiri and a handful of smaller nations. I don't understand. Didn't Kiri take a vow to never attack Uzu when they were gifted the seven blades of honor?"

"They did. So either they have betrayed us or they have been split into two factions. One that refuses to honor the agreement and one that still holds true. If that is indeed the case then the loyal faction is unaware of the attack. However, there is no time to question Kiri's loyalty at the moment. With the port damaged and occupied by the enemy we have no way to evacuate safely or quickly." She said in anger. How had they not seen the attack? How had the enemy safely navigated the whirlpools? How could this happen without any forewarning from their spies in the countries? There were to many questions and no time to seek the answers.

"Send out some scouts to ensure that the secret passages are safe. Take note of how many boats we have down there in good condition. I do not believe that are has been inspected in some time. Then begin leading the women and children through the secret passage if it is safe. Try to get as many out as you can. Until then begin recording everything starting fifteen minutes ago in the transcendence seal. Some one will return should we not make it and I want the truth to be available to whomever does. I have a feeling that Kiri's betrayal will not be the last. Seal off the library and the armory. Try to move the injured in the hospital out of harm's way. Take out as many of the invaders as you can. I don't care if they call it the coward's way to attack while behind the barrier. They started the fight the coward's way and we will end it one way or another." She commanded. Taking a breath she steeled herself.

"If we do not receive a response or reinforcements from Konoha in thirty-six hours prepare for a code black. I will not let them leave alive if I can help it." The shinobi stared at her in shock but hurried to do as instructed. The woman then turned and headed down the hallway her destination already mapped in her mind. Naruto followed after certain that this woman, the Uzukage, was his grandmother. The hallways became decidedly more deserted as she went and though it seemed to take an eternity she unsealed a set of doors and entered the room. It was dark at first but then candles began to light themselves as she walked illuminating the hallway. It was empty with not a soul or decoration to be seen. Like the trip to the room that they headed down, it seemed to take an eternity to reach their destination, but they soon watched as the room opened to a large circular space that had a lone person sitting in the center.

"So we have been betrayed finally. I expected as much." The figure said, the voice decidedly female. Despite sounding quite old it still held and air of authority to it.

"That is correct, hime-sama." The Uzu-kage replied kneeling in front of the woman.

"A tragedy for sure however not unexpected. Have the preparations been made, Yume-chan?"

"Yes they have. I have little faith that Konoha will honor the treaty that was made with Hashirama-san. As such I have made arrangements to use that seal should it come to it."

"Very good. A shame really that none of them figured it out." The voice seemed to have an air of sadness to it.

"Figured what out?" Yume sounded genuinely curious as to what the older woman spoke of.

"The key to peace. Had my father or even my grandmother figured it out we would not be here at this moment watching as our very lives collapsed down around us. Power and compassion alone can not bring about the end result that they sought. However, they can not just be combined into one with no balance. That is what they both missed. A hidden code that Tobirama was so close to deciphering. How he deciphered the secret behind the sharingan is beyond me. However, he did and it changed the way that the sharingan was perceived by those that took the time to read his research." The old woman turned to look at the kage and smiled in reassurance.

"Not all is lost yet my dear. Kushina is not in Uzu and as such our last moments will not be lost forever. There will come the day when the Uzumaki return and when that happens the world will change. I can feel it. The child of prophecy will be born into this world soon and when that happens nothing will be the stay the same."

"While my daughter may not be in Uzu she is still in the hands of those that have betrayed us. Therefore I can not rest easy. I still fear for her safety."

"Understandable. You should leave and command the troops as is your responsibility. Yume stay strong and no matter what happens the Uzumaki will survive."

"As you wish, Ryoko-hime." As the quartet moved to follow the woman they were stopped as a voice called out.

"So you have come, Naruto." Spinning around as fast as he did caused the blonde to slightly lose his balance as he stared wide eyed at the woman.

"How?"

"I am not like most others I could feel your presence. It is as I told Yume. The Uzumaki have not died out and you have returned for the truth. I will give you the answers that you seek, all you have to do is ask." The silence reigned as Naruto attempted to sort out his mind so that the right questions were the ones that he asked. Some questions that he had would not have cleared up anything and in the end would have only created more confusion. Finally, as one question settled in the forefront of his mind he steeled himself and looked the woman in the eyes.

"Who are you and what really happened here?" The dice had been cast and there was no going back. However, the answer that they received changed everything for the group as they had not prepared for their knowledge of the world to be thrown on its head.

****Meanwhile in Konoha********

"Hiruzen are you sure that it was a wise decision to allow Uzumaki to go to Uzushiokagure?" The Sandaime's adviser, teammate and close friend asked him.

"It may or may not have been. However, Kakashi had a point. Naruto has been pulling away lately and if he drifts to far then we may have a rogue on our hands with unknown abilities. His performance in the exam feels like the tip of the iceberg to me. Kakashi has had very little luck in getting the blonde to open up to him and I fear that he and Sasuke know more than they let on. As it is Sasuke is already classified as a flight risk due to the mental trauma sustained from the massacre." The aged man replied. He had spent nearly two days straight arguing with Kakashi over the man's insistence at taking the jinchuriki to his homeland. However, in the end he had run out of reasons and Kakashi argued that Naruto may open up more if he was allowed a small piece of his past to be gained.

Despite that he wasn't about to let this chance go to waste. The Uzumaki clan's mastery of fuinjutsu was unrivaled in the world and despite his own talents in the field, Minato never even came close to being on par with an intermediate Uzumaki. He was not going to let the secrets of the Uzumaki clan remain hidden on the island. So when he realized that he had been fighting a losing battle he consented on the condition that nay scrolls found were to be handed over immediately to him. If Naruto demanded that he be allowed to keep the scrolls, he would merely argue that the genin was not ready to wield that the knowledge that was written in the scroll. That he was afraid that the genin would be far to reckless with the technique and hurt himself or others in the process. Granted the plan could backfire but it was his best course of action.

"I see. Well if you feel that is the best course I will say nothing more. However, are you sure that it was wise to assign Team eight to a C-rank mission given their difficulties in working as a cohesive unit?"

"I see it as a reality check for the group. Kurenai will learn how best to handle the genin and the genin would learn that the best way to survive their missions will be to act as a cohesive unit. I honestly wasn't going to give it to them however, I feel that it was for the best. Besides what is the worst that could happen? It is a simple escort mission. It's not like they will run into shinobi on it." The Sandaime replied turning his attention back to his never-ending paperwork.

*****Back with Naruto*******

The group was silent as they started the long trek back home to the hidden leaf. Despite the fact that it wasn't far, it felt as if it would take an eternity to get there, the knowledge that they had received from Ryoko weighing heavily on their minds. None of them knew how to handle it and each one was struggling with their own doubts and fears as a result.

Kakashi for one was silent as he learned that not only had the Sandaime refused to send back-up to the Uzumaki, one of their strongest and most loyal allies, he had lied to everyone in the village about how the attack happened and that he had not received a request for aid from them. A whole country had been destroyed over one man's foolishness. He was honestly rethinking his loyalty to the hidden leaf. The Hatake clan took many traits of wolves and one of the strongest was loyalty to the pack. Granted he had ignored those instincts for as long as he could after his father died however, that had resulted in one of his friend's dying. He hadn't ignored them since. However, he now knew that the hidden leaf village was not against turning on their own even if it was only because of the decision of one senile old fool.

Sasuke was also contemplating what he had learned but for different reasons. The Sandaime had been responsible for the deaths of not only his clan but also for that of a whole nation out of pure greed. That would be the only reason that the man would have for requesting the Uzumaki clan scrolls to be brought back and handed over to the village. However now he had something else to worry about. He had never thought to check the clan's library for anything that may have gone missing. Had the greedy thief looted his clan's library after they died? Had they truly been buried properly? He knew that most had not been intact as Danzo had many sharingan implanted onto his body. However, was that the only desecration of their bodies that had taken place?

Hinata was running over everything that she knew about the hidden leaf and the more she thought about things the clearer it became that the Sandaime had caused many of the problems that had caused Naruto the need to time travel in order to save his friends and home. However, if he was willing to kill off an entire nation how many others had he been willing to sacrifice to his greed? Had her uncle been one of his many victims? Also how many of the Uzumaki had been able to escape from the village during the attack? Were any of them still alive? Would Naruto ever be able to meet them? There were far to many questions and not nearly enough answers.

For his part Naruto was rethinking how he would have to go about saving the village and if he even wanted to. Was there enough to save or would the village be doomed to the same fate? 'Fate huh? I am starting to sound like Neji now.' He thought to his tenant who merely chuckled in response. He desperately wanted to abandon the hidden leaf and resurrect the Uzu. Then he would track down what remained of his family and bring them home. Afterwards he would leave Konoha to it's fate. However, if he did that then he would be a hypocrite for telling Sasuke that revenge wasn't the answer. While he wouldn't be physically attacking the village he would still be acting out with revenge as the motivation.

'No. I can't do that. I promised the kids that I would make the hidden leaf a better place that they could live with their mother in. I can't abandon that promise. I will just have to work harder to make Hokage faster so that I can clean up the rot that has begun to spread in the village. I will remold the hidden leaf into the village that Madara and Hashirama envisioned it to be. A place that encouraged peace.' he decided. The shinobi were so deep in thought that they nearly missed the fact that they were almost back at the village and the fact that a messenger kite had been heading for the copy ninja.

Taking the message and reading it Kakashi felt like crying. The Sandaime had made yet another stupid decision and as a result he had to go and fix it. He knew that the genin needed to rest to take in what they had learned but at the same time this may just give them a reason to focus on something else.

"The Sandaime wants us to go and give backup to team eight. He sent them on a C-rank and they have encountered a problem and are requesting back-up so that they may continue the mission." He declared to the genin. After a few minutes of thinking Sasuke's eyes nearly came out of his head. Had the timeline changed that much that the mission to Nami had come a month earlier than normal? Or had the Sandaime actually sat on that mission for a whole month before the dobe had demanded a better mission? The wave mission had been the only one that a genin squad had needed back-up for that he knew about.

"Where are we headed?" He nearly yelled. His reaction triggered something in Naruto as he to became antsy. They needed to save Zabuza and Haku there was no way around it. They needed their strength for the war that was coming.

"Nami no kuni." came the reply that they had hoped wasn't the answer. The team turned and headed in the direction that would take them to the mission where everything would indeed start, the test of whether or not they would succeed in their mission had officially begun.

***************T.B.C************

A/N: Hey there! I know I am evil ending it on that note and not explaining what they had learned. Don't worry though the information that they gained from Ryoko as well as who she really is will come out later. I decided that I would send team eight to Nami for reasons that will become clear later on in the story. With that being said I will update the story with Sasuke's pairing when the next chapter goes up. Thanks to everyone who read this and I will see you in the next chapter! Ja ne!