Author's notes

Hiya! This one will be quite dark and heavy so I'm giving you a warning now. This is all taking place post Madara with most of this chapter being a flashback to the actual fight. Later chapters won't be as wordy as this one is but a prologue is a prologue. Hope you enjoy!

I do not own Naruto. Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto.

(Naruto POV)

They always say that people can always change; and, whoever they are either disillusioned or dishonest, and I was one of them. I guess the idea is just too intoxicating to give up. People lie. Lovers cheat. Friends betray. The idea that people, sometimes people that you truly care about, can do such hateful things and have no desire to make reparations, is just too awful admit. The world can't be that unfair, right?

All this heavy thinking is giving me a headache. The bottle, only half full, sloshed as I set it on the ground. The sky wasn't bright red as it was a few hours ago. It had settled to a dull orange. I gave an exasperated chuckle. If Madara knew me better, I'd say he did it on purpose, but he was just as surprised as I was when his grand plan worked better than he thought.

/Flashback/

Pain was the only thing that resonated within me, as I clawed for air. My vision was covered in dark spots that threatened to take me under. Why? Why was he so strong? I glared as Madara floated above our heads. Sakura was barely standing and Kakashi just looked, exhausted. Sasuke was unreadable intently listening to Madara's claims.

"A world where no one has to die. Is what I offer so bad young Naruto?" Madara grandly motioned to my hobbled state, "Is it such an abhorrent idea that you would rather die—would rather your teammates die than allow my plans to come to fruition? Noble deaths only work when the cause that your die for is noble. If not it simply becomes a pointless death, like so many before you."

I bared my teeth and snapped out, "A life that's an illusion is nothing more than a lie. It doesn't solve anything! You are a coward clinging to life, scared that you might have to pay for your crimes in the afterlife!" I coughed out the last statement and attempted to flare my chakra.

"My crimes….Like the crimes Sasuke committed."

"How dare yo-" I felt rage seep into my every fiber, "Sasuke is nothing like you!"

"Oh really now? I knew you were lacking in the intelligence department, but I didn't think you were a complete fool. Sasuke has betrayed you and your team multiple times even for nothing more than his own personal gain. There is nothing saying he won't do it again once all this is over. Then who is living a life full of lies?" Madara smirked at my face contorted in anger.

"He would never! Right, Sasuke?" I turned towards my best friend desperately hoping to see some flicker of comradery, and only seeing a mask of apathy with a hint of..guilt? My eyes widened. No, no, no. Not again.

"Please.."I whispered barely audible over the wind crashing through the battlefield.

Sasuke turned away. I blocked it out. I could compartmentalize. I always have. I felt a few tears stream down my face but wiped them harshly away. Now is not the time. Plus Sasuke wasn't in his right mind…right?

"That,,,,That doesn't matter right now! What matters is defeating you!" I screamed trying to block out the added pain. I can't doubt myself not right now. Madara couldn't possible know Sasuke better than me.

Madara gave a look that could only be described as condescending, "You actually believe that once this is all over, you'll have everything you've ever wanted? You would return powerful, a goddess among men. Do you think that will finally breed respect, or will it do what it's always been proven to do breed fear?"

"Talk is cheap!" I retorted but I couldn't help but glance over my shoulder at the two people behind me. Was that pity in their eyes? Would they fear me too or is it just Madara's mind tricks?

"In my world you can have whatever it is you've truly desired Respect, appreciation, a change to do things differently." He turned to Sasuke, "A chance to live a life with ones long past. A chance to apologize."

My chakra flickered as memories flooded my mind. Flickers of loneliness, frustration, and resignation all vied for my attention as I attempted to hold my eyes level with his gaze. My life was of little consequence, if it meant the happiness of others even if it was a life of fear and neglect.

In the time it took for me to recollect my thoughts Madara had set his plan into motion. The moon flashed an even deeper red and as I looked to Sasuke for a plan I saw that Madara's words hadn't only affected me. Sasuke just stared back.

"What are you doing teme?! We need to think of a plan or is a fantasy world good enough for you!? What about what everyones done for you? What I've done for you? "
Sasuke opened his mouth and shut it again a number of emotions crossings his normally empty eyes for a split second. He refocused and attempted to bring forth Susuno'o but then he fell to the ground like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

No. I thought as the illusion pulled everyone in. I could feel it tugging at my mind offering my perfect world. As it took over I could feel my muscles give in to my exhaustion. My knees hit the ground as I tried to focus on anything other than the overwhelming presence trying to take over.

The new world came into focus. It was a Konoha filled with life and vibrant colors. Minato and Kushina were conversing by the front steps of the Hokage tower, Kushina yelling about something Mikoto said and wildly flailing as she retold the tale to her doting husband, who was carrying a bouquet of flowers. Jiraiya hung back in a nearby doorway, without a doubt, waiting for his student to be free from his hot headed wife in order to interact with him. A silent smile was on his face as he wrote down some idea that would no doubt become a best seller. Kakashi came around the corner walking his pack of dogs while carrying a fresh set of flowers similar to the one Minato had. He looked nonplussed with the situation and interrupted the lovebirds not being nearly accommodating as Jiraiya was trying to be. Once Kushina scolded Kakashi on his manners, they all four went along the same path towards the outskirts of the village.

Is this my ideal world? So far it looks it. They breathe, laugh, smile, and love, unburdened by guilt or shame. I was pulled along their path, but no one seemed to notice me.

The group picked up a few more members along the way. Mikoto called out to Kushina with a small Sasuke at her side and a young Itachi holding three flowers, one for the each of them I suppose. A somewhat sober Tsunade came silently behind the rest, in a mood so somber not even Jiraiya struck up a conversation. Hiruzen and his young grandson met the group at their destination. A large field.
The field was nothing special or extraordinary. It had decent foliage and a good view of the village but it was nothing group worthy. The group all conversed telling jokes and sharing ideas, until it quieted down and a melancholy fog swept over the small crowd. Kushina bit her lip as tears threatened to fall out of her eyes. The collective sent a look of empathy and looked to Minato. Minato put his arm around Kushina as I took notice of a small face plate of stone set into the field.

Kushina cried into Minato's shirt, wailing like a wounded animal. She continued crying unabashedly while the others looked on, obviously not wanting to intrude on such a personal moment.

As she slowly collected herself and her shoulders went from heaving to only shaking, she shakily whispered into Minato's chest, "She would have been seven today."

I looked at the stone and read Naruto Namikaze Born and Deceased October 13. She brightened the world if only for a minute. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Everything was laid out but I didn't see it. My ideal world was a world, in which I had never existed. My parents would mourn on days such as this but they would move one, far beyond the pair their deaths would have caused. Minato would rule as a just Hokage. He would have settled the Uchiha dispute. They would have…been better off without me.

As I came to that realization the world began to shatter. What's going on? Wasn't I supposed to be trapped here? As a ghost or something. Couldn't he at least have the decency to play fair in victory. I felt my entire body, or what was left of it be hurled out of the world as their faces faded out for the last time.

When I awoke, I was back in my world. Everyone else was gone, no they were simply locked away in that strange tree. What even happened?

"Did I break it?" I blearily asked myself.

"In a way, I suppose."

I gasped and watched as Madara hovered in front of me. "You BASTARD! You are scum! You deserve to rot! And plus you look like you're wearing a dress!"

"It's a robe"

"I don't care."

"You are a lot more vindictive without your friends." He chortled while he resumed a relaxed position.

"And you seem awfully calm for someone about to die." I snarled as I summoned my chakra, blue flames licking around me.

"Am I? If I remember correctly you couldn't defeat me without your friends, and now I am feeding off of their power as well as my own" He chided as if I were a dumb puppy, "I have won. Things went according to plan but I didn't account for" he motioned "you. Naruto Uzumaki the world's most unpredictable kunoichi. A name you live up to rather spectacularly."

I calmed at his statement. I at the very least needed to buy time. "I would hate to disappoint."

Madara's eyes glinted with amusement, "Perhaps. But this time it has worked against you."

"I don't see how. I broke your thingamajig." I smirked as I returned his amused look.

He didn't waver, "Yes, but now what? Your friends are forever trapped in their perfect world. You were incompatible with the Infinite Tsukiyomi because your ideal world was one where you didn't exist. But you see, this makes it all the better." He smiled maliciously.

"You are now alone. No one else in the world had the conviction you did. Most people superficially think that way but don't fully encompass their ideals on that. No one is that altruistic. Maybe that's why you were so willing to sacrifice yourself." He contemplated as I reached up to perform a jutsu.

In my weakened state he easily grabbed my hand and snapped it back. He lightly whispered in my ear "You wouldn't accept my dream, so now you'll live in a nightmare."

/End Flashback/

I kicked the bottle I had set down and listened to the glass echo as it fell down the cliff side. I had never appreciated all the noise of Konoha, even the fearful whispers. Now it was just silent. Everyone was gone. Would they even want me to save them? Bring them into this hell? I don't even know anymore. I can't defeat Madara without Kurama and the others. He won't even come and kill me himself. Coward. I hiccupped

I slowly looked up and glared at the sky. I cant give up. Not yet. I have all the time in the world now. I can find some sort of technique to fix all this. I have heard of ones that turn back time, all of them forbidden of course but who was around to tell me to not use them perhaps one to cross dimensions to get Kurama back. They were long shots, but all my ideas right now are feeling like long shots. No one was around to help. No one was around to save. This was my only purpose feeble as it was. But dammit if it wasn't something.

"I just wish I knew someone who would know where to start." I said to myself as I bit the end of my thumb. As I sank deeper in though I heard a rustling in the trees to my back and turned in attention to face the creature. Madara? No he wants to see me suffer why would he interact with me? A creature? No it felt…human. As the person came into view I felt all hope sink to the unforgiving bottom of the sea.

"No…"I mouthed as he approached.

"Do you have any idea what happened? Where is everyone?" He questioned looking honestly perplexed though it was hard to tell under his hard suspicious gaze. He seemed irritated by his lack of knowledge more than anything and I couldn't hold in my laughter. It was impossible. Life truly hates me. I felt myself going from uncontrollable laughter to hyperventilating ( at least that's what Sakura called it).

He appeared unamused and getting more frustrated. There might have been a bit of mild concern but I couldn't care less.

"I know ninja work breeds insanity but normally it's not portrayed in this way. A sad case truly but I have no time for this." he began to turn away as I controlled my breathing and faced him head on.

"I guess you would know all about insanity." The one person who might be able to know where to start is the one person that's here in front of me. I should be happy, but I cant feel happy over all the other emotions I feel towards this man.

Orochimaru sucked at his teeth and raised an eyebrow as he quipped, "It doesn't take someone as observant as me to see when someone has completely come unhinged, as you have."

"What do you mean?!" I stumbled, still slightly tipsy, "I figured you of all people would understand!" I pointed at him with a cheeky smile with some of my hair in my other hand.

Orochimaru furrowed his brows and looked more confused than anger. That's odd. He appeared to be examining me head to toe and then after a moment of assessing that a. I wasn't a threat and b. maybe knew something he didn't.

He looked at me with a cold contemplating look and asked in a strained tone, "Have we met?"

Well, that sobered me up pretty quickly.