Summary: During Naruto and Sakura's final climatic battle against Sasuke something happens to send the three of them back in time. Naruto wants to use this chance to stop Sasuke from leaving. Sakura wants to rekindle the bonds they used to share. But what does Sasuke want? Team7bonding with SasuSaku in later chapters.
Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto...
(A/N: This part of the series is a little fuzzy for me. For instance, I can't remember for the life of me what Itachi and Kisame were talking about in that tea shop, so I'll just improvise. WARNING! The ending sucks. Don't lie to me, I know it does...T_T)
What Changes...
Chapter 13: Forgetfulness
''So...we're searching for that nine-tails brat, huh?''
Itachi only gave a small nod of confirmation.
They came across a guard who had only just noticed their presence as they proceeded to walk past him.
''Hey! Stop right-!'' Kisame smacked him upside the head and he fell unconscious.
Itachi only shook his head at Kisame's brutality, otherwise ignoring the display.
(Ha!)
-NARUTO-
On this bright, sunny day our courageous heroes who have faced some of the greatest evils and hardships in all the shinobi nations-
-are playing tag...
''Dammit, Naruto! How the hell did you get so fast!?'' Sakura shouted/asked, her arm stretched out trying to tag him as she chased him around. Naruto just laughed as he touched home base (a giant tree in the middle of the training grounds) where Sasuke was leaning against the tree lazily, waiting for him.
Sakura panted heavily as she stood infront of them. Kakashi dropped down from the tree, his orange book in hand.
''Okay, so here's the score. Sakura's in third, having reached base five times. Sasuke's second, having reached base six times, and Naruto's first, having reached base ten times. So that means Naruto wins and gets to take a break and eat lunch while you two go on with our new exercise.''
Naruto jumped up and down in victory while Sakura and Sasuke glared at him.
Naruto suddenly stopped dead in his tracks, a horrified expression slowly crossing his face. ''Shit! I forgot I'm supposed to meet Pervy Sage in five minutes!'' He then immediately took off running, leaving a cloud of dust behind him. ''Bye guys! See you in a week!''
The three of them stared blankly at the spot where Naruto once stood, only just processing what he'd said.
-NARUTO-
He'd been laying there for roughly around three months. Nobody seemed to notice him since he was so small and dark colored. Three months was a long time to be unconscious. How he'd managed to survive without food this long was a mystery in itself. His tired eyes opened slowly, looking blearily around the dark alleyway he was currently laying in. His tiny stomach gave a loud grumble.
At first this had scared him, for he had never felt such a sensation before. But after feeling the emptiness inside him, he realized that his body must require sustenance.
Standing shakily on small, rarely used legs, he slowly made his way out from between the two buildings. He had to squint as the unexpected sunlight hit his face. Red eyes scanned the large crowd of villagers walking briskly by him, his small size making him go unnoticed. His stomach growled again and he almost let out a small whine at the pain.
He spotted a food stall with freshly cooked ramen and quickly dodged around people, making his way over.
His nose suddenly crashed into somebody's leg and his eyes watered at the impact. He shook his head somewhat to get rid of the pain. That was when he suddenly found himself being lifted off the ground and staring straight into curious onyx eyes.
''Where did you come from, ne?'' His eyes widened as he recognized the boy currently holding him at eye level. Naruto's friend, Sasuke Uchiha.
-NARUTO-
Naruto was all smiles and laughs as he and Jiraiya were discussing Naruto's training and the like. But on the inside, he was preparing himself for the upcoming confrontation. He knew Sakura and Sasuke had forgotten but he didn't. He planned on handling this himself so Sasuke wouldn't get hurt this time.
If Sasuke could take him, Naruto was sure he could as well. Plus, he had the perverted sannin as back up if needed.
-NARUTO-
Sakura waved goodbye to Ino as she headed out the Yamanaka flower shop, a bundle of flowers in her hands. With all the craziness going on she had yet to visit Lee in the hospital and she knew how bad he must be feeling. She would heal him herself for she had perfected the procedure a while ago but that amount of medical knowledge in a genin might lead to suspicion.
Until Naruto went out to get Tsunade Sakura would just have to do with keeping a close eye on the green beast. As she continued her walk towards the hospital she wondered where Sasuke had gone to.
He'd walked with her to the flower shop but when she came back out he was nowhere in sight. She shrugged her shoulders, figuring he'd just gotten bored and went to go train or something. It was then that she thought back on the kiss she'd shared with Sasuke's illusion/recording of himself.
The way that illusion Sasuke put it made it seem like Sasuke wouldn't be aware of what happened until he decided to use the genjutsu again. That was to bad...but she could at least say that she kissed a doppelganger of Sasuke's right? She hoped that he decided to use the jutsu soon because...
...she sure as hell wasn't going to tell him about it...
......But Naruto might...
-NARUTO-
As the animal in his hands stared at him with something akin to shock, Sasuke took this time to study the creature. It seemed to be a baby fox, only a few months old at best; though it kind of resembled a kitten. It's fur was a russet, burgundy, rust type of color. It had a long tail somewhat fluffy tail that was currently swishing back and forth, showing that something about Sasuke intrigued it. Sasuke thought that was a bit strange because last time he checked that was something that dogs did.
The fox was very small with long whiskers and piercing red eyes, reminding Sasuke of Naruto's Kyuubi. Sasuke's musings were interrupted when a grumbling sound came from the fox's tummy, followed by a small, baby-like whine that the animal had unsuccessfully tried to stifle.
Sasuke raised his eyebrows in surprise, ''Oh, you must be hungry...'' He looked around at the various shops and stalls. ''I don't know what baby fox's are supposed to eat,'' he muttered to himself, wondering what he should feed the little guy since he was obviously starving and he wasn't about to leave him on his own. ''Maybe Sakura-chan would know...'' He set off towards the hospital to find his pink-haired teammate, carrying the small bundle in his arms. It seemed to cuddle up to him before falling asleep. Sasuke glanced at it before quickening his pace.
-NARUTO-
Sakura placed the flowers into the vase full of water beside the bed. Lee smiled at her kindly, ''Thankyou for visiting me, Sakura-chan. I really appreciate it.''
Sasuke was just walking into the room as Sakura smiled brightly at Lee. ''Oh it's no problem, Lee! I was happy to-''
''Oh, my beautiful cherry blossom! So considerate of others!''
'I'll kill him...' Sasuke thought, right eyebrow twitching. The small fox yawned and stretched somewhat in his arms as it awoke, causing the other two to look in his direction.
''Aww! How KAWAII!!!!!'' Sakura shouted in glee, rushing over to look at the baby fox in her crush's arms.
''Ah, hello Sasuke-san! Care for a little sparing match?'' Lee asked, a determined smile on his face. Sasuke stared at him as if he were crazy, glancing at the broken leg. Lee noticed his gaze and said reassuringly, (psychotically) ''Oh, do not worry! It is only a scratch!'' He smiled widely and Sasuke was momentarily blinded.
''Ah, Sakura-chan, I need to talk to you,'' he muttered to the girl who was still squealing over the fox in his arms. Said fox looked at her with a confused yet amused expression.
''Sure thing, Sasuke-kun! I'll come visit you later, Lee!''
''Goodbye my beautiful che-oof!'' For some reason he was just hit upside the head with his chart that was at the base of his bed while Sakura's back was turned.
Sasuke walked out stoically as if nothing happened but the the small fox was chuckling slightly.
''So what is it, Sasuke-kun, and where did you find him?'' She asked, smiling at the cute little fox who was staring back at her as if she were entertaining.
''I found him in the center of the village and he's starving. Do you know what baby fox's are supposed to eat?''
Sakura put her index finger to her cheek and thought about it for a moment, ''How old is it?''
''A few months.''
''What gender?'' Sasuke looked momentarily horrified. Sakura rolled her eyes and took the fox from his arms and unceremoniously flipped it over. The fox growled in displeasure and started squirming in her grasp. ''Awww! It's a boy!'' She shouted, hugging the fox to her chest. The fox squirmed a little, but less than before now that it's private parts weren't on display.
''So, what do we feed him?''
''Babies need milk, Sasuke-kun,'' she replied, handing the small animal back to Sasuke. The fox seemed to sniff at being called a baby. ''There's a pet store a couple blocks away. There should be milk that's safe for baby animals there.''
The fox once again made an indignant sound at being called a baby before moving to get comfortable in Sasuke's arms and closing it's eyes.
''Aww! I think he likes you, Sasuke-kun!'' The little fox open one eye lazily and glared at Sakura before huffing and turning away.
Sasuke glanced at the animal skeptically, ''...I don't think so. I think he thinks I'm just some big pillow or something...''
'Right you are, kid'
-NARUTO-
Kakashi leaned against the side of the tea shop where two suspicious cloaked figures sat as he tried to read his book.
'Something doesn't feel right. I don't know what it is about them but...'
He sighed and snapped his book shut when he saw Asuma and Kurenai headed his couldn't explain it...but he had the feeling he'd experienced this moment of doubt and worry before...
-NARUTO-
''I'll be back in a little while! I have some research to take care of!'' Jiraiya shouted as he closed the door behind him. Naruto sighed and went to lay down on he bed, staring at the ceiling. They'd be there soon, probably in only a couple hours.
His eyes narrowed and he smirked.
He'd be ready for them.
-NARUTO-
(Park)
His stomach growled and he let out a whine in pain despite trying to hide it, but still kept turning his head away. He was not going to degrade himself by drinking milk out of a bottle...
He watched as the Uchiha stood off to the side, looking on as the pinkette tried to do the impossible and feed the stubborn fox.
''Oh, c'mon sweety. Aren't you hungry?'' He was most definitely hungry but he still wasn't about to give in to her pleas, no matter how painful the stomach pains were. ''I'm sorry, I'd give you something else, but you are too young to be able to digest solid foods right now.''
He understood her logic as he grudgingly admitted to himself that he was stuck in a baby like state for the time being and his body was too small to take in solids.
He turned his head back to the nozzle and opened his mouth slightly in defeat. Sakura smiled and stuck the tip of the bottle into the fox's mouth, allowing him to suck up the milk. Once he got a rhythm going he closed his eyes and relaxed.
''I think you should keep him!'' Sakura suddenly suggested, still looking at the cute little animal in her lap.
''Why me? Why don't you keep him?''
''You found him, and he likes you!''
Sasuke shook his head stubbornly, ''No he doesn't; he just likes it when I carry him. Besides, he's letting you feed him.''
Sakura only sighed as she held the bottle in the fox's mouth. She thought it might do Sasuke's some good if he were to keep the fox. She knew he liked the fox and the fox was obviously comfortable with him. Since the bottle was half empty she took it out of the fox's mouth. She knew that you shouldn't eat or drink alot when you've gone so long without food.
The fox seemed to huff in displeasure but soon got over it and decided on simply staring at her and Sasuke, curiously. But then the fox's eyes widened and it jumped out of Sakura's arms and started running towards the village gates.
Sakura gasped in surprise before she and Sasuke started running after the stray animal.
-NARUTO-
There was a knock at the door and Naruto immediately tensed. He made a clone to go answer the door.
''We have come for you...Naruto Uzumaki,'' he heard Itachi mutter. He swung down from the ceiling with a kunai and launched himself at Itachi, but was quickly caught by the arm and thrown into the hallway. The shark-like guy chuckled.
He might have to rethink his strategy.
...Oh wait...he didn't have one.
-NARUTO-
He couldn't believe he'd forgotten! How could he have been so stupid!? He was the one who'd sent them back in time and he didn't think about the possibility that he would be cast out of the boy's body by side effect.
He raced through the streets of Konoha, nearing the front gates. He ran right out and started heading for the neighboring village. He could hear the girls shouts for him to stop but he kept going. He looked back to see see the Uchiha scowling as he spead up, an angry look on his face.
He tried to run faster but he was small, weak, young, and slow, making him no match for the ninja. But as the Uchiha reached him and scooped him up in his arms, the Uchiha kept running.
The girl was keeping a steady pace about ten feet behind them. ''Sasuke-kun!? Where are you going?''
Sasuke stopped and waited for her to catch up. He walked in front of her and knelt down, motioning for her to get on his back. She obliged quickly and they took off again.
Sasuke ran at top speed, the trees seeming to be blurs to him. ''Where are we going, Sasuke-kun?'' Sakura asked, straddling his back with her hands resting on his shoulders.
Sasuke tightened his arms somewhat around the small fox to control his anger and replied, ''To get Naruto before he does something stupid.''
''But he's with Jiraiya-san, isn't he? Why would he need our help?''
The fox in his arms tensed.
''He's going to try and fight my brother by himself.'' If that wasn't reason enough to be angry, he was also worried about Kakashi. Since he'd forgotten about Itachi infiltrating the village, he couldn't protect or warn Kakashi. What good was coming back in time if it only made things worse? He wasn't going to tell Sakura about Kakashi though. She would immediately decide to run back to Kakashi and heal him without thinking clearly.
While Kakashi was unconscious, he was still alive. But if Naruto gets kidnapped they may only have a few days to save him.
As they just made it into the village the fox started to squirm violently in his arms so he eventually lost his grip and dropped him.
The fox looked at Sasuke and motioned to a certain direction, indicating he wanted Sasuke to follow him. Sasuke let Sakura off his back and followed after the fox who took off running to Naruto's hotel.
Sasuke wasn't about to question this either...
-NARUTO-
Naruto glared up at the blue-skinned Akatsuki member who was twice his current size. Kisame wasn't letting him get anywhere near the traitorous Uchiha.
He jumped when a small baby fox came running around the corner, followed by Sasuke and Sakura. He recognized the fox's chakra instantly, though for some reason it was severely weakened.
'Kyuubi!?' Naruto asked himself, staring at the small animal, 'What the-'
''You idiot! What the hell did you think you were doing!?'' Sasuke shouted, glaring at his best friend.
''Saving your ass, that's what!''
''Your the one who needs saving!''
''Look, I can handle-''
''This is my fight, Naruto. You know that!''
''But me and Sakura can help!''
''I don't need any help!''
Kisame, Itachi, Sakura, and Kyuubi looked back and forth between them.
Suddenly, there was a big explosion as smoke filled the air, effectively blinding all non-sharingan users.
A/N: I hope that was good. I kinda got writers block towards the end which is why the end is kinda crappy. But honestly, I thought baby Kyuubi was sooo adorable! How he got that way should be thoroughly explained in the next chapter.
Anyway, my favorite part was the when Sasuke through the clipboard at Lee!
Subaki's Fav. Part:
''Oh, my beautiful cherry blossom! So considerate of others!''
'I'll kill him...' Sasuke thought, right eyebrow twitching. The small fox yawned and stretched somewhat in his arms as it awoke, causing the other two to look in his direction.
''Aww! How KAWAII!!!!!'' Sakura shouted in glee, rushing over to look at the baby fox in her crush's arms.
''Ah, hello Sasuke-san! Care for a little sparing match?'' Lee asked, a determined smile on his face. Sasuke stared at him as if he were crazy, glancing at the broken leg. Lee noticed his gaze and said reassuringly, (psychotically) ''Oh, do not worry! It is only a scratch!'' He smiled widely and Sasuke was momentarily blinded.
''Ah, Sakura-chan, I need to talk to you,'' he muttered to the girl who was still squealing over the fox in his arms. Said fox looked at her with a confused yet amused expression.
''Sure thing, Sasuke-kun! I'll come visit you later, Lee!''
''Goodbye my beautiful che-oof!'' For some reason he was just hit upside the head with his chart that was at the base of his bed while Sakura's back was turned.
Sasuke walked out stoically as if nothing happened but the the small fox was chuckling slightly.
Okay, so Weasel-chan is here, Kyuubi is still alive, though turned into a normal baby fox with only one tail, and Naruto and Sasuke are childishly bickering just like in the good old days! Find out what happens next in...
'WHAT CHANGES!'
Review plz! I needs mah daily dose of moh-tee-vay-shun! ^_^
Arigatou!
Ja ne!
Subaki no Yumo