Flaming Heart

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto!

Author's Note:

Yatta! Another chapter!

First, I bow to JiraiyaGirl for her wonderful job and her kindness and for the time she put up "betaing" this chapter.

Secondly, I bow to all of my wonderful readers, those who have added this story to their communities thingies and their favourites and of course those who have reviewed so far! You people bring a smile to my face! (Yay go go me, vote Creidhe for president lol)

All that said, here it is, the newest chapter.

I hope you like it!

Sakura could not hide the soft smile that claimed her pale, exhausted features. Her emerald eyes almost brightened up at the sight of the huffing blonde-haired medic-nin. She felt the Uchiha become stiff by her side as Tsunade's scrutinizing look landed on him.

"Tsunade-Sama," Sakura started, one of her hands held onto Sasuke's sleeve, "We need to talk," she added after receiving an icy glare.

Sasuke ignored the weight on his sleeve. His murky eyes gazed at Tsunade's for a brief moment before he directed his gaze towards the others that quietly stood behind the blonde medic-nin. He recognized the white-haired man, Jiraiya. Tsunade raised an impetuous eyebrow at the Uchiha, who seemed to be immune to her fierce glare, and then with a heavy loud sigh she jerked her head towards the pink-haired girl, "Heh, of all the people to bring with, why did you have to drag along an Uchiha?"

Sakura offered her a tired smile, "Please Tsunade-Sama…" she whispered quietly.

Sasuke, willed himself to look at the older woman's eyes, "We travelled a long way, Sakura is tired," his tone of voice clearly indicated that he had no intentions to leave.

Tsunade snorted, "I believe she can speak for herself, Uchiha," she said, looking straight into his crimson eyes, letting him know that she was not intimidated one bit by them.

"Sakura!" Jiraiya exclaimed cheerfully as he approached her. He smiled widely, "You must be tired, ne? Come inside, we'll have tea!" Tsunade shot him a wondering look.

Sakura nodded, "Hai," she stared at Sasuke and smiled weakly. He merely stared back at her with his big, crimson eyes; he could see how different the pink-haired girl was. Sakura was no longer the silly, weak kunoichi he once knew. Sasuke's eyes darted away from Sakura and stopped on the two strangers that were standing at the door to the house. He was not the only one.

The pink-haired kunoichi bowed slightly in respect, "You must be Hanabusa-Sama," she said with a reserved smile, a grim shadow crossed her features for a mere second, replaced then with a serene expression.

Hanabusa's wrinkled features softened at the sight of the girl in front of him, "Welcome to my humble home, Sakura," he said nodding his head, "You are a very brave kunoichi,"

Sakura ignored the knot in her stomach; she did not know how to answer.

"Please, come in," the tall man next to Hanabusa said. His voice was deep and everyone could feel the bitterness in his voice. Sakura stared at him for the first time.

"We have tea!" said Jiraiya as he passed through them; "This way!" he added walking down the hallway as if he owned the place.

Sasuke allowed Sakura to step inside right after the cheerful white-haired man. He could feel Tsunade's eyes burn holes on his back. Tsunade stared at the Uchiha, her blonde brows furrowed like two ominous storms. She didn't know what, but something about him was ticking her off. His mighty attitude and his activated Sharingan only drove her madness further. Who does that little cockroach think he is?

Behind her, a quiet and musing Hanabusa walked with the help of Hitori. The pink-haired girl was nothing as he imagined her to be. She was still a child, albeit one with a heavy burden on her shoulders. He noticed the acceptance in her green orbs, but he had also seen the tinge of hope that she tried to bury inside her, but that faint sparkle was still there in the depths of her soul.

He sighed, but at the same time, his dried lips formed a smile as he stared at the other guest she had brought with her. An Uchiha… he sure was going to make things a lot more interesting.

The kitchen was so small that Sakura wondered how on earth everyone managed to fit in. Six mugs of tea sat on the round table; none of them had drunk anything yet. Sakura could feel their eyes on her, the only ones who were not staring at her, were having a staring contest. Sasuke deactivated his Sharingan, crimson bloody eyes disappeared, and dark ones took their place. Tsunade snorted and finally darted her eyes away from the Uchiha. She stared at Sakura who was quietly looking at her lap.

"First of all, I…" Sakura paused to stare at the old man. She smiled tenderly as a wave of a welcoming peace invaded her spirit, "I want to thank you Hanabusa-Sama for agreeing to help us,"

Hanabusa said nothing, his lips pressed together, hiding his amused smile. Hitori, who was sitting next to the old man, scowled.

Jiraiya glanced sideways and gazed at the old man. There was something about the old man that didn't quite make sense. The fact that he knew about the Kyuubi was one thing, the fact that he possessed an ancient book that belongs to the Uchiha clan was somewhat beyond suspicious. Just who was this old man?

Sakura sighed softly at the lump on her throat. Her emerald eyes stopped on the two Sannin, "I have bad news,"

Tsunade shot a quick glance at the Uchiha before she stared at the pink-haired kunoichi. Jiraiya simply nodded, telling Sakura that he was ready for the bad news.

Sasuke straightened himself on the chair, adapting a more comfortable position. His hand reached for the tea mug.

"R-Rin… she…" Sakura stopped, her both hands covered her face as tears prickled her eyes. Sasuke took a sip of his tea and placed it down, completely unperturbed. Tsunade's lips parted, her honey eyes softened. Somehow she knew what Sakura wanted to say and shot a nervous glance at Jiraiya. The white-haired man looked straight back at the pink-haired girl, "What happened?"

Sakura, suppressed a sob, her trembling hands refused to reveal her face. She didn't want anyone to see her tears.

Hanabusa stared at the pink-haired girl; something unreadable crossed his wrinkled features. Tsunade sighed softly and Jiraiya remained quietly in his seat, waiting for the medic-nin to calm down. Hitori simply rolled his eyes at the sight of the sobbing girl.

It was Sasuke who broke the silence. He placed his mug down and cleared his throat, "Sakura was ambushed by a group of ANBU," Sasuke ignored Tsunade's shocked features, "They were acting upon Danzou's orders,"

Sakura's sobs ceased at once, her hands dropped to her lap and she stared at Sasuke in surprise. How did he know who the ANBU were working for?

"While Sakura was facing the ANBU… this other girl came to assist her," Sasuke's voice had no hint of emotion present in it, "She died while trying to protect Sakura," Sasuke stared at the distraught medic, "I was delayed and didn't arrive in time. Rin's death is not your fault despite what Kakashi said,"

"Of course it was not your fault!" Tsunade interceded quickly, "Kakashi didn't mean it. He was just as shocked as you were,"

Sakura nodded quietly, her emerald eyes found her mug of tea. She decided to fix her gaze on it.

Jiraiya's clenched jaw relaxed as he directed his gaze at the Uchiha, "You say you didn't arrive in time. How did you know he was going to attack her?"

Sasuke blinked as if Jiraiya was stupid, "I have been targeting Danzou for a while. I knew his every move. He was after Sakura after his minions overheard an interesting conversation between you three,"

Jiraiya abruptly stood up. He looked down at the blonde-haired woman who stared at him with soft, sad eyes, "Go," she whispered softly. Jiraiya nodded quietly.

Hitori's eyes followed everyone's expressions. He narrowed his eyes at the information that the Uchiha had provided them with.

Sakura stared at the toad Sannin in surprise, "Y-you're leaving?" she asked softly.

"Minato is going to need me," Jiraiya replied not taking his eyes away from Tsunade.

"Then… then you could…" Sakura paused; a sick feeling took over her stomach. She wanted him to give Kakashi a message, "could you tell him… that...?" Sakura could not find the courage to say it aloud.

Sasuke arched a curious and yet amused eyebrow.

Jiraiya sighed; he knew what Sakura wanted him to tell Kakashi. Slowly he nodded grimly. He hated that he had to leave, especially leaving Tsunade and Sakura with the old man. Leaning forward Tsunade stiffened at how close he was. His lips touched her hair and almost reached her ear, "Don't trust in the old man, something's not right,"

Tsunade nodded softly, fighting the urge to push him away from her. Jiraiya straightened up, stared at Sakura and then at the Uchiha, "You both be careful," he then stared at the old man, "Make sure to send news,"

Hanabusa smiled widely as Jiraiya turned his back on them.

"Now, now," Hanabusa started, "Can tell us why you have brought the Uchiha with you?"

Sakura nodded quietly, her emerald eyes stared at Tsunade's worried ones.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the old man while Sakura proceeded to tell him what really happened. Sakura began to tell him Sasuke's plan to return back in time, that's when Sasuke noticed the shocked look on the old man's face right after Sakura mentioned Madara's name. He had also seen the nervous look on the other man's expression. Pressing his lips tightly; the onyx eyed man realized that there was something that the old man was hiding.

Tsunade stared at both of them, Sakura and Sasuke, an incredulous look stamped on her face. To… to even think that such a powerful Uchiha was still alive… it was ridiculous. But then again, travelling in time was just as ridiculous.

After Sakura was done, Hanabusa nodded taking in everything that the pink-haired girl had told them.

"What you did," Hanabusa turned towards Sasuke, "was reckless," if he expected Sasuke to agree or apologize, he was wrong. Sasuke merely stared at the old man with a bored look gracing his pale features, "changing history… it has already started… changing history is like gathering pieces of a broken puzzle, no matter how hard you try to complete the broken puzzle, the puzzle will never be completed the way you want it to be,"

Sakura lowered her head; guilt consumed every part of her. Sasuke arched an eyebrow, "A broken puzzle is better than a burned one. I made a promise… I am going to keep it,"

Sakura eyes widened, she looked up at Sasuke, her emerald eyes brightened up. She… she was proud of him.

Hanabusa took a deep breathe through his nose, "I see… even if it means that the future that awaits you is like a blank map," Sasuke did not answer, "Remember that everything has a price… the price of playing with the hands of time is cruel,"

"Hn,"

Tsunade coughed lightly. She didn't like to think about it. She stared at the young nins in front of her. She admired them, even though what the Uchiha did was wrong and selfish, she admired them. She asked herself if she would have the courage to do the same. She wondered if she had the courage to change the future, for the sake of her team; for Jiraiya's and Orochimaru's sake.

The air inside the Hokage's office was strangling him; painfully and slowly. He wasn't still over the fact that she was gone. They were both gone, even if under different circumstances, they were gone and nothing could refill the void inside his heart. The world around him seemed to go on without him. He felt motionless, his feet glued to the floor as if he was doomed to live with the excruciating pain of feeling so… lost and alone.

There was a soft knock on the door and he almost jumped off his seat, excitement and at the same time an implacable fear rushed through his entire body.

He heard Minato's chair move backwards and his footsteps towards the door, but he couldn't see him. Kakashi felt as if he was under powerful drugs, allhe could see was the door, he waited impatiently for the old man to step inside and spill out everything that he knew.

"Sarutobi," greeted Minato solemnly, "Please come in,"

The third offered Kakashi a short nod as he stepped inside the office. Sarutobi stared at the enormous amount of paperwork on Minato's usually empty desk.

"Take a seat," Minato offered as he sat back on his seat, his deep curious blue eyes stared at the old man.

"Thank you," Sarutobi took the chair next to Kakashi. He arched his bushy eyebrow as he felt the intent look that the copy-nin was giving him, "I suppose I have an idea of what you require of me," the third said, a soft and knowing smile decorated his sober expression.

Minato merely nodded, too tired to say anything at all.

"Hmm," Sarutobi mused, wondering how much did they really know, "Where do I start?" the man asked, ignoring Kakashi's intent gaze. It was somehow distressing and he never used to feel disconcerted.

"Why don't you start from the beginning?" Kakashi said gritting his teeth. He realized how rude he had sounded; he simply did not care at the moment.

Minato shot him a warning look but he completely ignored or simply missed it. He was too focused on the old man, who had all the answers.

"Very well," Sarutobi nodded shortly, "right from the beginning. It started with the arrival of a strange kunoichi who quickly gained everyone's trust," he noticed the piercing look Kakashi gave him, Sarutobi felt faintly amused.

"Sarutobi… just go straight to the point," said Minato, running a hand through his messy blonde hair.

Sarutobi stared at the Hokage, his successor and nodded, "Alright. Now tell me Minato, you really did not notice anything strange about Sakura?"

Minato arched his eyebrows, "Of course I have, the fact that she lied about her past, where she came from while in fact she possessed the leaf headband-"

"Yes," Sarutobi said interrupting the blonde-haired man, "That is not the point," Sarutobi said waving a hand, "Who else on the village possesses that same bright pink-hair and those big emerald eyes of hers?" the third smiled expectantly.

Minato lips parted softly, he stared at the old man in front of him as if he was looking at him for the very first time, "Are you… are you saying that-"Minato's eyes widened, he leaned forward, one of his hands slapped his forehead, "Sayuri…"

"Indeed," Sarutobi nodded, glad that Minato got there, "Amazing isn't it?"

"It's amazing how I… I never even…-" Minato stuttered, feeling completely dumbfounded.

Not as flabbergasted as Kakashi. He had no idea who was this Sayuri they were speaking of.

"Sakura is Sayuri's granddaughter," said Sarutobi watching Kakashi shift uncomfortably in his seat.

The Hokage blinked, "That is impossible," he whispered after a while, "her daughter only got married last year,"

"Impossible," Sarutobi repeated with his dark eyes sparkling.

"Then what are you trying to say?" Kakashi asked at last, his voice was low and dark, "You are not making any sense," he pointed out, his hands curved into fists.

"Kakashi," said Minato sparing him a warning look.

"Tell me Kakashi," Sarutobi started, turning his head to stare at the young jounin, "Was there anything that Sakura told you that made you feel confused? Suspicious even?" the old man asked, raising his eyebrows expectantly, "Anything… even if it might seem meaningless to you… it might be a clue,"

Kakashi furrowed his eyebrows in deep thought.

Now that he thought about her, everything about Sakura had seemed weird at the beginning. Now that he inspected it closer, the first moment he looked at her… that day at the hospital, he had seen it, the look in her green eyes; it was as if she wasn't there, but thousands of miles away. It was as if she was staring at a ghost.

There was that time… Kakashi face twisted in absolute confusion as the images played in his mind. He could see a crying Rin and Sakura. That day in the forest, their first mission as a team, he could have sworn that Sakura had called him…

"When he died that day… he didn't want to be forgotten Rin. He wished for you to smile whenever you thought of him, he wanted you to always remember as the boy who always got late and infuriated Kakashi-sensei-"

"Kakashi-sensei," he said it out-loud as he heard her sweet musical voice say it in his head.

Sarutobi let out a soft chuckle surprising Minato and Kakashi.

"What's so funny?" asked Kakashi, he didn't know why but he could feel his cheeks burn.

"Sensei," Sarutobi answered as he stared at the silver-haired jounin, "Sakura is from the future,"

Minato deep blue eyes widened, "Sarutobi," his voice was raspy, "You're not the-"

"What?!" Kakashi interrupted Minato, his uncovered eye widened in astonishment, "Don't be ridiculous,"

"Sarutobi, you are not the fir-"

"How can it be?" Kakashi interrupted him again, now standing up, "Is this is a joke?" He sure as hell hoped so.

Sarutobi amusing face vanished and a serious one replaced it instantaneously, "I would not joke about something this serious, Hatake,"

The third's firm voice seemed to have brought Kakashi back to reality. Kakashi nodded shortly, feeling rather dizzy as he sat back down.

Minato glared at his student one last time before he opened his mouth to speak; "As I was saying…" he said quietly, "You are not the first one to claim it,"

Sarutobi eyed the blonde-haired man with interest, "Oh?"

Minato nodded, "Two days ago when we found Danzou," Sarutobi's eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of Danzou's name, "he said… pink-haired girl… future,"

Kakashi jaw clenched as he stared at the other men. How could they actually believe that something so absurd like this was actually true? Sakura… is from the future? Kakashi repeated the question in his head and shook it away.

"It can't be!" said Kakashi, "She can't be from the future… unless her team mate is also from the future," Kakashi said feeling the most idiotic person on the whole word for even saying Sakura and future in the same sentence.

Sarutobi jerked his head towards the jounin, "What team mate?" he quickly asked.

"Sasuke… or whatever his name is," Kakashi answered sulkily. He knew her teammate name.

"I see," Sarutobi answered, "The chief of Konoha's police," Kakashi blinked not sure why would the third mention the Uchihas, "I heard that's what he's going to name his son,"

Kakashi stood up, he could even cry of how angry, confused and broken he felt.

"Kakashi…" Minato started, feeling as much confused as his student, "sit down,"

"I'm not staying here and listen to a bunch of nonsense," Kakashi snapped walking towards the door, not noticing the taller form in front of him.

"I think you should, kid," Kakashi swallowed dry as he looked up at the white-haired man, "I have a message from Sakura," Jiraiya finished as he placed a comforting hand on the silver-haired jounin shoulder.

He walked graciously, accepting with no fear the light of the perfect spherical moon. The wind seemed to whisper to the trees, the trees leaves seemed to whisper back as they elegantly danced along. The man's feet were surrounded with blue chakra as he walked through the muddy path; he smiled in satisfaction as he concluded that no footprint was being left behind. His heartbeat was racing with the expectation that flooded through his veins.

A few moments later he stopped walking. His eyes widened and his lips curved in to a malicious smile as he stared at the two great statues.

He spotted him; a tall figure standing at the top, staring at the full moon.

"Hitori," the figure spoke, his voice was silky, soft and god-like.

Hitori shivered as the man's voice reached his ears. He gulped and walked forward, his knees almost gave in as he stopped a few feet away from the tall man.

"It's not the first day of the new moon," the tall man said not turning around.

"I know my lord," Hitori answered, his voice above a whisper. He bowed his head and kneeled down, "I have… some interesting news, my Lord,"

The man chuckled, "It better be good news," there was no threat or warning in his voice but that didn't stop Hitori to coil.

"Y-yes, the b-best news," Hitori said, gasping slightly as the man in front of him turned around. Hitori quickly glanced to the floor.

"Well? What is it?"

"A group of leaf arrived to Hanabusa's place, my Lord," Hitori paused, after receiving no answer, he carried on, "They know… they know of the Kyuubi," Hitori paused once more, he closed his eyes tightly expecting something bad, but nothing happened, "There is… this girl and a boy, they claim to be from the f-future,"

"Future?" the man asked. His question sounded as if he was asking for directions or something of the sorts. There was no surprise or intrigue present in it.