Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto


Chapter Two

Minato Namikaze blinked as he stared at the gaping pink kunoichi a few feet away from him. He had been expecting someone a lot more bigger and well, more male-ish. Not a painfully obvious feminine female; especially not one with pink hair and large green eyes. Man she's pretty, he thought for a minute before trying to remember what he was doing here. Oh yeah.

He had been on a mission to Suna earlier, having completed it in record time. His comrades had gone ahead to the village, eager to reunite with their newly acquired girlfriends (a story Minato did not want to recount at the moment), when he had sensed an unfamiliar chakra signature and gone to investigate it. Minato had been suspicious at first, thinking that maybe it had been a rock ninja doing some espionage work. It came as a great shock when he discovered that the ninja currently tied up was actually a rogue criminal according to his bingo book. Now that he saw the culprit responsible for capturing the criminal was actually this girl, the numbers refused to add up.

Minato was damn sure he'd never seen this girl in his life. He definitely would have remembered her if he had too. "No ma'am," he replied after quickly recollecting his thoughts. He hoped he didn't sound like an idiot. "I'm most certainly not this Naruto person. But can I just ask: who are you? And are you really a Konoha shinobi?"

The girl huffed indignantly, apparently her pride having been insulted, he mused. "Of course I'm a Konoha shinobi! But the real question is: who are you? I've certainly never seen you in the village. You look like an older replica of Naruto."

Again with the Naruto, he noted. He was about to reply when he heard an oath behind him. He turned and found the tied up criminal looking at him in disbelief. His gaze shifted to the pink haired kunoichi and he paled suddenly.

"Oh no. I'm dead now," he muttered. Minato walked over to him, catching his attention.

"Gorton Torono, missing ninja from the Hidden Cloud village, you're under arrest for several crimes committed against several nations and for almost assassinating the current Hokage. You will be brought in for interrogation by the Konoha authorities," said Minato firmly. Gorton cursed, blood spilling from his mouth.

"Is that his name?" The girl asked as she came closer.

Minato nodded. "He's an elusive one, disappearing for years on end and suddenly appearing out of nowhere. He's known to have an expert hand at poisons that were used to kill numerous important people. We suspect that he's working for someone, but that's never been proved."

"And it won't," stated Gorton, grinning. "Now you're stuck here you pink haired bitch. That Chigasu brat may have brought you here, but they'll come for you and kill you before you and the prince of Konoha here can ruin the ultimate plan."

"What—" Minato started, but was interrupted by an upset pink kunoichi.

"You mentioned Himiko! Where is she? What have you done with her?"

"She's safe in her time unfortunately. No matter though, they'll still come after her."

The girl looked she was ready to beat the crap of Gorton again. "Stop being so cryptic and just say what you mean!"

Gorton sneered. "Why don't you ask Prince Konoha for his name? In fact take a stroll through your village; I'm sure you'll understand why you're in no position to make demands. You're out of your time and element."

Minato grabbed the girl before the annoying Gorton could suffer any more injuries. She struggled with fire in her eyes, but he held her tight. He glanced back at the smirking ninja and narrowed his gaze. "Shut up Gorton. You'll have plenty to say when once the interrogation starts."

"I'm afraid my time has come, but it's been a pleasure to see you alive because soon, you won't be."

It happened so fast both Sakura and Minato didn't have a chance to blink. The crossbow had reverted itself back into a sword and was lodged deep into Gorton's throat. Blood was sprayed into the air and ran down to stain his torso, his eyes were empty and his skin pale.

Sakura sucked in her breath. Though she was use to bloody situations in the hospital and even bloodier combat on some missions, Sakura would have rather lived her life not seeing the last few seconds of Gorton's demise. Above her the blond ninja cursed. It was then that Sakura realized that he was still holding her. She jumped away as soon as the realization became known to her.

The man looked confused as she catapulted out of his arms. "Keep your hands to yourself!" she exclaimed, blushing furiously. If Sakura could count the times she's ever been held, it would be zero; even when she had briefly dated Sasuke, Sakura hadn't been held or touched anywhere other than her hands. Just remembering her inexperience depressed; to think she was still chaste at this age. Not that she was eager to lose it or anything. Sakura wished that her mother and Ino would stop bugging her about "getting a man"; she may have ninja smarts, but picking up guys was painfully obviously not her forte (most of the guys in the village knew about her volatile temper and knew too well to stay away from her in case they did something to warrant a punch).

Wait…why was she even thinking about this now? Sakura blushed again as she looked away. Who cares about all that stuff? She still had her brains and that had to count for something.

"Oh, uh, sorry," the blond man apologized. He cleared his throat as he directed his attention to the gruesome scene before him. "That's a mess. I'm gonna have to inform the Hokage about this. I know for a fact that he'll be upset at Gorton's suicide."

Sakura stopped her thoughts when she noted the keywords the blond man spoke. "Did you say he?"

The blond man looked up. "Of course."

"You mean she?"

"She?"

"Of course," Sakura quoted as she turned around to walk away. She took one steady step before she felt it. Her left arm was like lead, heavy and stiff. She tried moving it but found that she couldn't. She gasped, confused as to what was happening. With her other arm she used her chakra to sense what the damage was. It didn't take long before she noticed that poison had entered her system. And it wasn't your average poison too.

She made a little gasp as she tried to slow down the flow. That Gorton must have coated the bow tip with some sort of special poison undetectable to the naked eye. Behind her, Sakura felt the blond man approach her.

"Hey are you alright? You look kind of pale,"

"Gorton's…poison," she said gasping, feeling the effects despite her best effort. "It's starting…to…affect me." It was obvious that the poison attacked her motor skills first (seeing as she stopped moving), next was her eyesight (there went the light) and lastly would be consciousness…


Minato caught the female kunoichi in his arms before she could collapse on the ground. He felt her forehead and found it unusually hot. She looked flushed and little short breaths were escaping her lips as sweat beads formed. If the situation wasn't so bad Minato would have wondered if this is how she looked after a good romp in bed.

Oh gosh, did he really just think that? Jiraya was obviously getting to him. The poor girl was slowly dying and he had to get her to a hospital fast. Minato managed to carry the girl on his back without much difficulty. Surprisingly, she was pretty light weight. Using his special technique that had earned him the name the Yellow Flash, he was gone in no time.

It took him only fifteen minutes to arrive at Konoha, during which time he horridly raced towards the Konoha hospital. Of course, Minato, in rushing to save the girl, didn't notice the stares of everyone that knew him carry of what seemed like an unconscious girl on his back. And thus, seeing as it was a slow new day, began to gossip.

Minato on the other hand managed to get the mysterious girl safely in the care of poison experts. Femi, a friend of his that was going out with one of his other friends, smiled as Minato sat down and took a second to rest.

"Well you looked like you ran a marathon for days."

Minato huffed. "I had to be quick. I wasn't sure if she was gonna make it in time."

"It'll take some time to remove the poison from her system, but she'll be fine. My people are examining her now. By the way, who is she?"

Minato stopped himself from answering. One, he didn't know her name; second, he was pretty sure that he should be talking about all this to the Third Hokage first. He got up and patted Femi on the shoulder.

"Don't worry about it. Anyways, I'll be back." With that he was gone. It didn't take Minato long to find the Third Hokage. The Third liked walking on the roof top of the Hokage Tower around mid-afternoons, claimed that the setting sun gave the best light to the Hokage Mountain. Minato approached and the Hokage turned to him.

"It's good to see you return. What kept you?"

"Several things," he admitted. It didn't take long for Minato to finish his report. His team members had already given the Hokage most of the information and all he needed now was a confirmation.

"I also suggest we get the ANBUs to retrieve Gorton's body. We may be able to glean something from it."

"Indeed we can," stated the Hokage. "And what was this about the young woman you found? The strange one?"

"Oh well…she didn't give her name but Gorton was talking about the Chigusa clan and apparently the girl knew something about it too."

The Hokage glanced at the mountain in silence, before murmuring something indistinguishable. Minato strained to hear but it was useless. It wasn't until the Hokage turned to him and smiled. "I think this will turn out interesting."

Minato looked puzzled. "What will?"

The Hokage just chuckled. "Come, lets inform the ANBU and later meet the girl once she recovers."


"Whaaa!" cried Himiko as she leaned her forehead on Naruto's back as they approached their destination. "I'm a failure! I don't deserve the Chigusa name! And now I've sent Sakura chan into some time abyss."

"Time abyss?" Naruto echoed.

"Relax," said Sai. "I'm sure the Chigusa elders will know what to do. Won't they Himiko sama?"

Himiko looked over with tear filled eyes and nodded. "Obaasan will know what to do. She's the head of the Chigusa clan and she knows stuff about time travelling. I'm sure she can figure out where Sakura went and how to get her back."

"Time traveling," Naruto echoed again. "Ow, my brain hurts just thinking about it."

Himiko sighed. "That's how I felt during my lessons too. It's basically like a circle or something. Oh look! There it is!"

Naruto and Sai approached a giant dwelling with small houses clustered together, surrounding the old style Japanese structure with grace and dignity. A tall, handsome stranger with dark hair and blue eyes approached the group. Himiko got off Naruto's back and happily greeted him.

"Ryuuji kun! You're back from your mission," stated the excited girl.

"It's nice to see you return safely from Konoha, Himiko sama," greeted the man. Himiko turned around towards Naruto and Sai and introduced them.

"Guys, this is Ryuuji Hateyo. He' s a dedicated follower of the Chigusa clan and an old friend of my late grandfather's."

"Nice to meet you," muttered Naruto. Sai did the same. Himiko turned to Ryuuji but this time her solemn expression returned.

"Um, do you know where Obaasa is?"

"Lady Chigusa? Why I believe she's in the temple meditating. Why do you ask?"

"Because it's very important," she said before she ran past him. Naruto and Sai followed. Ryuuji stared at their retreating backs with an unreadable expression before following. When Himiko, Naruto and Sai found the temple with the attendees waiting patiently outside, Himiko huffed.

"Great. Now we'll never get inside," she said gloomily.

"Why? Are the old stooges gonna say something?" Naruto replied, glancing at the elderly attendees who looked as if they were more asleep then awake. "They look kind of sleepy."

"They may be old, but they're as sharp as a tack," informed Himiko.

Sai walked a away for a few feet before saying, "We can always sneak in."

"And what exactly do you need from Lady Chigusa that you have to sneak in?" inquired Ryuuji from behind.

Naruto and Himiko shushed him before she quietly explained. "On our way here we were sort of ambushed."

"What?" exclaimed Ryuuji. "How dare they? Who was it? If there's enough time I can catch these criminals and deal with swift justice."

"They're dead," Naruto informed the older man. "We finished the group up pretty quickly, but by the time I looked up, I realized Sakura and Himiko weren't with us. And when I found Himiko, my friend Sakura was nowhere to be seen."

Ryuuji raised a brow, still not understanding until Himiko cried hysterically, "I sent Sakura chan back in time by accident and I have NO IDEA how to bring her back!"

Ryuuji stilled. "You did what?"

"So is this where my little Himiko has been?" A smooth and alluring voice from behind made the group slowly turn around. A tall woman dressed in a white and red kimono with a head dressing smiled excitedly at Himiko. Before Himiko could say anything she glomped on the poor girl and began to squeal,"Oh I'm so glad you're back! You don't know how lonely I've been without seeing my precious little Himiko around!"

Himiko's response was muffled by the fabric of the kimono. The woman then turned eyes on Sai and Naruto and grinned. "And who could these dashing boys be? Are they the handsome ninja who escorted you safely back home?"

Sai remained silent while Naruto looked as if Haruhi Haruno had appeared in the flesh. After Himiko broke away from the woman's grasp, she turned towards the boys with a shy smile.

"Sai-san, Naruto-kun, this is—"

"Lady Chigusa!" cried one of the attendees when they spotted the woman across the courtyard. "What are you doing out of the temple?"

"Oh sod it!" pouted the woman. "I already know what I need to see and seeing more then I should will only give me headaches."

"But they do have a point," interjected Ryuuji. "You should just follow protocol as is firmly written within Chigusa tradition."

"How dull," Lady Chigusa remarked. "Now Himiko! Come with me and I'll get you and your friends something yummy to eat! I can't wait to hear how you're first mission went."

"Wait! You're telling me this woman is your grandma?" Naruto exclaimed incredulously. Sai looked equally shocked, but kept his emotion hidden. Himiko flushed.

"I'm sorry. Obaasan likes to pretend she's twenty."

"Hmpf!" sniffed Lady Chigusa. "I feel like a twenty year old and there's nothing wrong with that. Why my dear friend Tsunade taught me this youth trick. Far more effective then cosmetics or aging creams."

"Lady Tsunade?" Sai said in surprise. "If you're acquainted with the Hokage, then—"

"Can you help us get our friend Sakura back?" demanded Naruto.

"Who?"

That was when Himiko began to wail again. "I'm sorry! It's all my fault! I did something horrible and I don't know how I did it, but I did and now Sakura chan is somewhere lost in time and—"

"Wait, did you say Sakura? As in Sakura Haruno?" questioned Lady Chigusa in shock. "Oh dear me, has the time come already?"

"Time?" echoed Naruto in confusion.

Lady Chigusa sighed. "Come with me boys, you too my little Himiko. Ryuuji you're dismissed."

Ryuuji looked surprised. "But are you sure?"

"Yes," she stated firmly. "Now do as I say."

Ryuuji hesitated, a look flashing through his blue eyes before he bowed and acquiesced. Lady Chigusa turned to her surrounding attendees. "You be sure to wait outside the temple."

They nodded. "Come children! There is much to discuss I'm afraid. You did send a message to the Hokage about your friend?"

Naruto nodded. "She'll probably be furious when she hears of this. Sakura's her prized apprentice you know."

Lady Chigusa frowned. "I didn't think the time would come so soon. Come along now, time waits for no man, or woman."


When Sakura regained consciousness, she groaned. The first thing she noticed was the bright light. Oh how she abhorred mornings. She was a nocturnal being by birth and everyone, including the hyperactive Naruto knew not to disturb her. Of course that didn't mean the boy always listened.

The second thing Sakura noticed was that she was at the hospital, the cracks on the ceiling as familiar as the back of her hand. Did they finish the mission? Where was Naruto and Sai? Sakura tried getting up but she found her body much too heavy for her. She sighed. This is what malnourishment did to people. If only she wasn't interrupted during her meals and maybe she wouldn't have passed out. Still…what happened? Why was she on a hospital bed?

"Oh, you're awake!" said a non-familiar voice. Sakura's green eyes flickered next to her and she found a somewhat familiar face. Naruto? "No, sorry, but I'm not this Naruto person. Whoever he is."

Wait, she said that out loud? That's when the memories came flooding back and Sakura literally jumped out of the bed, tearing the tubes injected in her arm.

"W-Wha-Who are you?" she gasped in shock. She backed away towards the window as the non-Naruto person kept slowly walking towards.

"Actually that's a question you need to be answering. Who are you and why were you wearing a Konoha headband? I've never seen you this village before."

Sakura huffed angrily. "Excuse me? Just who do you…," she trailed off she spotted the Hokage Mountain from out the window. What she saw left her jaw dropping. What the hell was going on? What in the hell happened to the Hokage Mountain? Where was the fourth and fifth Hokage's faces? Sakura pointed out the window.

"Please tell me that's a joke,"

"I'm afraid it's not," came a voice from behind the blond man and Sakura. Sakura gasped when she saw the figure walk in.

"This can't be happening," she murmured. "This is just a dream. Any minute I'm going to wake up and find myself sprawled on Tsunade shishou's office floor, having tripped over an empty stray sake bottle and have her spouting off non-sense about having tested my reflexes."

The blond man cocked his head to the side. "Wait, Tsunade –sama does that?"

The man that eerily resembled a slightly younger version of the Third Hokage chuckled, "I feared this day would come. I was warned, but I had selfishly wished it hadn't."

Sakura frowned. "Okay, so where am I, exactly? And why do you look like the Third Hokage?"

"That's because I am the Third Hokage and you, my dear, stumbled back in time."