Chapter 1

Yes, a SasuHina story. If you do not like the pairing, don't read it. It's simple. Especially when I have a SasuSaku story ongoing. This one goes out to all of my SasuHina fans that want something new from me! And I'm braving it by having two WIP going on… I just hope I don't regret it. I haven't decided if I'm going to do the cliche thing of making it NaruSaku or not, but I'll update things when I get to that point! Want to add that I read the reviews from my last story with ideas and I have them under advisement and will utilize them once I'm done with this one.

This was a request early on in my other story, so I hope I do it justice. This story will be an alternate universe - think of it like NuTrek where something happens and creates a new timeline that separates from the canon version we know. Because it's FanFiction and something I seem to enjoy doing. Unlike my last story, this will take place right after the War, but include something that changes things within the war. As established above, this is a SasuHina story, so read at your own risk. And, while I feel I shouldn't have to say this but find I apparently do, I don't bash the main characters. Just because they end up with someone else doesn't mean that their entire character is flung into fiery pits while I laugh maniacally. FanFiction is here to either expand on canon or to merely toss characters into different situations and see how they handle it. In this case, they are being tossed into a new situation that will end up with new pairings and a new story.

And of course, I don't own Naruto. I don't even own my sanity, so…

It takes one small difference to change the future, and, in this instance, what changed everything was someone who decided to use a forbidden jutsu. Several generations in the future, one lone shinobi decided to go back in time to save someone who died during the Fourth Great Ninja War. His grandmother's father, who died too young when she was just a small child, someone who was working on a cure for a poison that was now sweeping across the Great Nations. He was quick, having learned from those before him and improving on their techniques. So, what he didn't count on was crossing paths with someone well known in history, Sasuke Uchiha. While he was faster than the Uchiha who would start a new and stronger clan, he needed to run a bit faster to outrun the Sharingan user. So, when they came into the battlefield, which he did not expect to be running into, he avoided the attacks tossed his way. He could hear many yelling, whether at him or Sasuke, he wasn't so sure. All he knew is that Sasuke had seen him kill a shinobi, who had been undercover, and a fight started.

He was thankful for the large number of people around them, as now Sasuke had stopped hurling objects at him, one nearly hitting his arm had he not moved it at the very last second. The kunai had flown past him and embedded itself in a tree. While normally something like this would cause someone to give up, obviously Sasuke had no plans to do so as they ran closer toward the front of the group facing the ten-tailed beast. And then he saw a figure he didn't think he would ever see, someone who's name, and story was told to every student graduating. To kids who were uncertain, they would look up to the seventh face on the Konoha monument with a new determination to become stronger. It was none other than Naruto Uzumaki, who appeared to be distracted just as yells could be heard. He paused, looking up to see wooden pillars in the air, all targeted at Naruto and those around him.

He then saw something purple run past him, barely taking in what was happening before he ran in a different direction. As he managed to make his way behind the crowd, screams were heard and cries of those who witnessed death right before their very eyes. Distraction was all he needed as he opened a portal, brown eyes now a solid black as he dived in, not realizing that he had changed the future in that one moment. Not realizing that he saved yet another life that night or changed the future of four different clans. At that moment, Sasuke stood between wooden pillars that were to kill Neji Hyuga, the pillars having just cracked his Susanoo before falling to the ground with a solid thud. This moment and what would transpire due to one more person being kept alive tonight, would change everything.

To Sasuke, he had seen someone he needed to tie loose ends with on the verge of death, so he did the only thing he could at that very moment. However, it appeared that the person right behind him, long brown hair swaying in the breeze and pale, pupilless orbs glaring at him didn't seem to care what just happened. Sasuke had simply saved this man's life, yet Neji seemed ready to punch him in the face. It merely showcased that all of his crimes followed him more than any good intentioned actions he had made ever would. However, the voice of Obito Uchiha rang behind him, causing Sasuke to turn and stare up at the figures of clan members that should be long gone. However, as Madara Uchiha looked on, Obito's voice rang out, directed as Naruto Uzumaki, the smirk on his face was evident in his voice.

"Naruto! Imagine my surprise after everything you told me that you needed an Uchiha to save your friends! Yet, you couldn't save the others!"

11 months later…

While one life was saved that night, it was merely the only change any would see for several more months to come. At this point, Sasuke had been imprisoned for several months, his arms strapped around him by a strait jacket. His eyes had been temporarily sealed; an eye mask filled with chakra over his eyes that was never removed. He was walked to the bathroom, fed by a guard who was not kind, and roughly tousled around when moved in any sort of fashion or when his jacket was loosened to allow him a moment for his bathroom breaks. He could feel the rough cement under his bare feet, both touching as they were forced together. His hair tickled his face, yet he couldn't do anything about it. He could tell it had gotten longer in the time he had been imprisoned, but he didn't give it much thought. At that moment, the sound of several footsteps caught his attention, his head slightly moving toward the sound. They paused at what he had long since established was a desk, and it was the voice that presented itself first that caught his immediate attention.

"Bring him to the interrogation room." Kakashi Hatake stated to a guard, three pairs of feet turning and leaving the prison.

A moment passed before the guard spoke up, his voice filled with disdain, "alright Uchiha, looks like you get a break. Try anything funny and we will resort to more extreme measures."

He heard the lock click and then rough hands grabbed him, fingers digging in as much as they could through the fabric of his jacket. While they didn't resort to hitting him, they made sure he felt their hatred in other ways. He was dragged forward toward the interrogation room. A few mumbles from what he assumed to be guards standing by the door were heard before the door opened and he was shoved inside, though in a gentler way. He knew that the guard would not try to upset Kakashi at that moment, being set down on a chair. The footsteps disappeared behind the sound of a door being closed. He heard shifting and then heard another pair of footsteps coming toward him, a hand grasping at the mask around his eyes as it was pulled up. The light from above, even slightly dimmer, was bright and Sasuke squinted as his eyes attempted to adjust to the first light he had seen in months. The room was pure white, so the lights from above reflected off the walls, giving off a stronger glare than needed, but he was able to focus a few minutes later. He looked up to see Ibiki Morino standing above him, his harsh glare didn't bother Sasuke in the slightest, the man turning to walk back to Kakashi's side. He then turned his head to see Shikamaru Nara standing to Kakashi's left, hands in his pockets with a look of boredom on his face. Sasuke then looked at Kakashi and while he had heard about his promotion to Hokage, it was a slight surprise to see him in a Hokage robe and hat, looking regal. Yet, his face held the same amused expression as their eyes met, the mask still covering the bottom part of his face. He didn't need to see underneath it to know that the crinkling of Kakashi's eyes meant he was smiling toward his previous student.

"Sasuke, it's been a while." Kakashi said, his forearms resting on the table in front of him. "I'm sorry it's taken this long for us to talk."

Sasuke didn't say anything, his dry throat warning him that he would have a difficult time doing so. Kakashi seemed to take the hint as he leaned slightly forward to continue. "Well, the council has made a decision on what they plan to do about your crimes. I suppose you have Naruto to thank as they have decided to pardon all of your crimes due to your part in the war and helping to end the Infinite Tsukuyomi. I could say that was everything, but Naruto made valid points on why that wasn't all you had done, but I won't bore you with the details. While I will say I believe his new hero status has helped them to make the decision they did, I do feel he made very strong points. So, as of this point, you are free. We can discuss this more in my office in a few days when you've adjusted to things. I have provided a temporary apartment for you in the meantime."

Sasuke's eyes widened as everything set in, focusing on the fact that he was no longer to be imprisoned, yet he had considered that he would be put to death. Now he was being told that he was pardoned entirely and had a place to go. After everything he had done, Naruto had once again come through, showing his unwavering loyalty for someone who didn't deserve it. Before he could consider it further, he felt someone behind him begin to loosen the jacket that strapped him in place. Looking up, he realized it must have been Shikamaru, as he was the only one, he couldn't see from his spot in the interrogation room. The jacket fell from his shoulders as he saw Shikamaru bending down to loosen the straps around his legs and feet. Sasuke moved his shoulders, feeling the stiff joints loosen slightly, unable to contain the sigh of relief to filter through his lips. Then the entire jacket fell to the concrete floor, Sasuke shifting his legs slightly and feeling the muscles groan in protest. It was like this every time, but this time he knew they wouldn't go back to their confines.

A few hours later he was standing in a pretty bare apartment, though it came with a couch, stocked refrigerator and a bed inside the lone bedroom with its connecting bathroom. Someone had stocked the bathroom with anything he would need, Sasuke sending a silent thank you to the person who had done so. He had been concealed as he was taken toward his apartment, which he didn't mind as he knew many in the village would see him for the criminal he had become. In two days, he could leave to visit Kakashi in the Hokage Tower, otherwise he was to remain here until that time. Heaving a sigh, he made his way into the bedroom, his bare feet barely making any sound against the hardwood floor. Opening the closet, he took in the basic shinobi attire, none containing any symbols against the black fabric. He was about to close it when he noticed one shoved a little further back, as though it had been there before the new clothing had been placed in, being shoved aside. Reaching out, he grabbed it with his only hand, pulling it towards him and seeing that this black shirt did contain a symbol, his clan symbol. The Uchiha clan emblem is large and proud on the back, red and white a stark contrast to the black material it lay against. He felt his lips tug slightly in a very faint smile as he took it in, realizing that someone had taken the time to stitch it on. He was curious if Sakura Haruno had learned to stitch during his time away.

Just as the hanger clinked lightly against the metal bar in his closet, a loud knock at his door echoed across the apartment. Making his way over, he instantly knew who stood behind it and wasn't the least bit surprised that both of his former teammates stood on the other side. He opened the door, looking over both Naruto and Sakura as they looked back at him, joy on their faces. He opened the wooden door wider, stepping to the side so that they could come in. He owed them both so much, so while he didn't want company at the moment, he didn't feel he earned the right to deny them a moment of his time. Closing the door behind him once they had set their shoes to the side, he turned to see Sakura setting a basket down, the contents covered by a lavender covered towel. A color he didn't really see either one choosing, but didn't question it, however it appeared that his face gave away his thoughts as Sakura gave a warm smile.

"Hinata-chan made you a gift basket and asked us to bring it when we came to visit."

Sasuke nodded, deciding he would look at it later and looked between his two friends. "I wasn't expecting company so soon."

He grimaced as his voice was still a bit weaker and hoarser from a lack of use, but it had been an improvement from earlier after he had a few glasses of water. Sakura gave a slight frown and Naruto's grin faltered slightly, both of them realizing just what Sasuke had gone through, neither one being allowed to visit, but having a vague idea of what he was dealing with. It was then that he realized he was also rubbing what remained of his left arm, massaging the muscles a few inches above where it ended, feeling the slight rough texture. Seeing that they noticed his unconscious movement, he dropped his right hand, sinking it into his pocket to keep from repeating the unconscious thought further. Glancing at Naruto and his own lack of an arm, he felt immense guilt for being the reason that both of them lacked the limb. It was then that watched Sakura step forward, reaching a hand up and lightly tugging on strands of his hair that fell around his face, a frown evident.

"You look so thin, Sasuke-kun." Sakura murmured, eyeing him. "I suppose that it was unavoidable. And you need a haircut."

"I plan to grow it out a bit more. I'd like to cover up my Rinnegan eye if possible." He responded, his eyes flickering to the hair she had touched just a moment before.

"I can help a bit to start training your hair to cover it up, if you want." She offered, her green eyes looking slightly shiny as they looked up at him hopefully. "If that's okay…"

"Yeah. That would be fine. However, as much as I enjoy seeing the two of you, I need a moment to get situated here. You are welcome to stop by tomorrow." Sasuke stated, looking between his two friends.

"Oh, of course! We can drop by tomorrow. I can bring some ramen for us to eat." Naruto gave a cheeky grin as Sakura groaned at the mention of ramen.

"Sure. That would be fine." Sasuke said, giving a smirk as the two made their leave, Sakura giving him a rush hug before he could protest, the door closing behind her.

Sighing, the sound slightly audible, he looked around the apartment. The walls were white, the floor an orange-brown color. He knew these were recently built to help those still living in tents to have a place. Most clans at this time had built most, if not all, of their compounds back up. Leaving those in small families to scramble to build a home or to merely wait for assistance from the village. Kakashi had stated to him that he made sure to save a room for him as the Uchiha district was in ruins and with the war still being fresh, no one wanted to touch it. He couldn't blame them, yet the knowledge that the last bit of memory that stood tall after the massacre was gone. Kakashi had said after their talk, he was allowed to enter the district and locate anything he could find to keep. He had hoped to find some of his parent's belongings, as most of Itachi's things he had thrown away in a fit of rage when he was younger. Frowning, he looked around more and came across the brown basket still covered by the lavender cloth. He walked forward, only to have the scent that matched the cloth make him pause, the lavender fragrance helping him to feel calm. Lifting the cloth and setting it down beside the basket, he only then realized how large this basket was, the entire thing filled to the brim with various things.

One area stood out to him, however, a brow raising at the idea that someone he didn't know leaving something he loved. Tomatoes. Their red hue was vibrant, which meant that these were fresh, possibly fragrant, which was his favorite. Reaching out to grasp his favorite food, he lifted it, his fingers giving it a squeeze to confirm his suspicions. This tomato was perfect. Without a thought, he sunk his teeth into the fruit, the skin breaking to allow the juice and flavor to envelop his mouth. A sigh of pleasure was audible through his nostrils as he chewed on the fruit a moment before taking another bite. It took him no time to finish the delicious tomato, stopping himself from grabbing another to continue looking at the contents. He noticed a few instant ramen cups which caused him to snort, no doubt a recommendation from Naruto. A few packages of noodles, rice, and beans. He then noticed something wrapped in a brown bag and realized it was meat, still very cold which meant that had he not looked over it immediately, it wouldn't have spoiled. Raising a brow, he took the package to his refrigerator, placing it inside and noting he would make a meal with it tomorrow. Looking back, he noticed a lavender envelope with the Hyuga seal on it, which intrigued him. He reached out, grabbing the paper and after a moment, finally managing to open it. Frowning, he realized he had not been able to get truly used to one arm, which meant he would need to start training immediately.

Uchiha-san,

I hope you don't mind that I sent a basket with Naruto-kun and Sakura-chan. I wanted to thank you for not just your assistance in the war, but saving the life of Neji-kun and myself. Sakura-chan told me you liked tomatoes and it's something I grow in my garden, so I made sure to send some of my best ones. Please let me know if I can do more now that you are free.

Hinata Hyuga

Her handwriting was neat and perfected, he noted as he set the letter down, looking back over the basket to see something at the very bottom under what appeared to be plastic. Pulling most of the contents out and putting them away, he went back and lifted the plastic. Inside was black fabric, which felt extremely soft to the touch. Lifting it out, he noticed red and white, which meant that it was his clan symbol. Walking over to his bedroom, he laid it out on the bed and noted that the same fabric used on his shirt was used on this blanket. Glancing at his closet, he gave a soft snort of amusement as he realized Hinata had been the one to take the time to do something so small that meant a lot more than he'd ever admit. Sasuke could only assume that she wasn't scared of him as he was who saved her life, as stated in her letter, and that meant she wasn't bothered to be sewing on the symbol many feared and despised. However, seeing the symbol managed to create a warm sensation in his chest as he spread it out more, the blanket taking up his bed. Even with it being near the end of summer, he knew that he wouldn't get overheated in it, yet it would help him remain warm in the winter. He didn't know this woman at all but based on what he was learning at that moment, she was a little too caring to be a kunoichi.

"Are you sure that's what you want to do?" Kakashi asked a few days later, looking at Sasuke from across his desk.

"I feel it would be best at this time. Many here are either scared, angry, or both. I have many reasons why I feel it's best if I take my leave at this time." Sasuke's eyes never left Kakashi's, making sure he knew that his resolve was solid.

"Alright. When do you want to leave?" Kakashi asked, leaning back in his chair.

"Today, if possible. Unless the council would have issues with this."

"Well, the council pardoned you, so therefore they would have no say. I understand your reasoning, Sasuke, so I will approve your request. Let me send out a message to both Sakura and Naruto to let them know to meet us at the gates this afternoon." Kakashi nodded, standing up and looking over at Shikamaru who nodded in understanding and left the room immediately.

A few hours later, Sasuke stood at the gates with both Kakashi and Sakura, his focus on her as she looked close to tears. He had just denied her request to go with him, so he knew he needed to explain his reasoning more. "I need to see the world through my eyes and atone for my sins. It's why I have declined a new arm as this is my punishment for what I have done."

"I understand, Sasuke-kun." Sakura said, looking up at him with determination. "Please write often."

Sasuke stepped forward so that there was but a mere foot between them, watching her emerald eyes widen in surprise as he lifted his hand, lightly tapping her forehead in the way that Itachi used to do to him when he was younger. "I'll see you soon."

He looked up at Kakashi, giving him a nod and wave before he began to head outside of the gates and toward the beginning of his new journey. A moment later, he paused as he sensed the one person, he wanted to see the most standing beside a tree, leaning up against it. Naruto stepped away from the tree and stood before Sasuke, the two exchanging a few words before they shook hands. Sasuke looked at the man before him, seeing just how much Naruto had changed in the time he had been away. A breeze blew through, their hair and clothes shifting with the gust as they stared at each other, words simply not needed. They parted and Sasuke started his journey, feeling that he would eventually find peace within himself. He planned to help not just Konoha, but the other Kage to show that he would be an asset and in hopes that they would begin to trust him. He had a feeling that the first one to give him any sort of acceptance would be Gaara, the Kazekage of Suna. He decided to head there first, making sure that he started there before making his way to the other great nations.

A/N: Unlike before, I won't be able to update as frequently (either of my works) as much as I was able to. Started working again and will be off and on as I don't have a set schedule at this time. However, I will update as much as I can, when I can! I will have several chapters ready before posting a new one that way if I'm not able to for some reason, I have something I can push out anyways! I hope you enjoy this new SasuHina story and as stated above, if you are a SasuSaku person, I have a WIP with that pairing. However, this crack pairing is my passion and therefore I'm writing about them once again. :)