He waited...he waited for them to ask again.
"Are you willing to take his place? You will have the memories of this life. The future knowing of what could be. Are you willing to take such a great burden upon yourself?" Naruto nodded his bangs once more covering his eyes. "He deserve's to live his life...he deserve's to be happy for once in his life." "What of you? Have you not felt the hate for everyone? Your old teacher killed. Your father kept hidden from you. Everyone favoring the Uchiha even after he became a traitor. Do you not wish misery and agony for this...creature?" Naruto bit his tongue as the memories of his teacher came. His white hair...his toads...his prevertedness. Everything. Then memories of his father. The ones where he met him in his mind. He felt the tears spring back into his eyes as they leaked down to the floor.
"I can change the outcome. I can change everything even if I turn out different. I know. I will always know this life. I will not regret anything." Naruto looked up his eyes now filled with determination. "We have been fighting for to long. I will not have this war continue." "The likely chance that everyone will still go to war but for a different reason." Naruto knew the reason. "...to kill you." Naruto just nodded knowing this was his last chance. To save everyone. To save...Sasuke.
"Then we shall grant you this. You gave us hope in the human race and we know the choice is one of selflessness. We hope not to see you again like this Naruto...to change the outcome of everything that history has written so far is no easy feat. You know this more then anyone. We give you our faith in you. Like so many others." Soon the three figures vanished and Naruto stood up looking around him his eyes taking in the scene before him.
Everyone was fighting. All his friends...all dying trying to protect others. He held back more tears. He looked up at the sky as everything seemed to freeze. He looked down at his hand at the necklace his baba-chan had given him. He chuckled sadly before looking as everyone stopped fighting. Even their enemies. They stopped fighting and looked to Naruto. He was glowing...the clouds had opened and shined down on him. Literally.
"N-Naruto?" The blond ninja looked up this friends. His family. He held back his sobs once more. "W-What's going on? Naruto?" Iruka sounded frantic as he tried to run towards him. "I'm being sent back. Before all this happened..." Naruto stated with a broken smile on his face. "Why?" Iruka...alaways the father in his life. "To stop it. I...I'm going to make sure no one else dies...to stop this war from happening." Iruka looked so tired. So...thin and worn. He had been fighting for far to long. Naruto felt better about his choice now. "Are you just leaving us Naruto!" Kiba screamed though he had tears in his eyes. Naruto gave a soft laugh. "As if Dog-breath. I'd never leave...I'm making sure you guys never see this...destruction." Kiba rubbed his eyes with his arm but it was use less. His friend was leaving.
"Your going back in time? To do what Naruto. You can't change anything!" Sakura cried out to him. "Yes I can Sakura. I know you won't accept it but you will never remember this. I'm going back in time to start this from where it all began." Naruto saw the realization hit in everyone's eyes. Even a certain obisidan pair that had widen slightly. "S-Sasuke...are you going to kill him?" Sakura asked almost frantic. Naruto shook his head chuckling. "I could never kill him..." He felt his body starting to disappear. He was leaving now he could feel it.
"Then what? What Naruto?" It was Hinita who yelled seeing his body start to vanish. "...I'm going to take his place." Everyone gasped as Naruto told them. "W-We..." They knew what that meant. They would come after him. To kill him. "He will always be Sasuke but I'm going to change history. I love you all...but I will only be the one to remember who you guys turned out to be. I'll make sure that you guys come out just as strong." Naruto gave one more smile before he fully dissappeared causing his family to cry out his name and run to where he once stood. The necklace he was holding now lay there. But soon...everyone was frozen and everything went white. As if the whole world was stopped and had been taken years back. Before everything went to hell.
Name: Naruto Age: 9 Family: None
He woke with a start. Naruto was once more back as the young boy filled with childish hopes of a peaceful world. He looked out the window before looking at the time and date. It was the day the Uchiha Massacer was suppose to take place. Everyone would be at school still. The blond moved standing up and dressed in his usual outfit.
"I have to..." Naruto ran to the Hokage's office knowing that Itachi would be there with the Third. It took him a while to get there but he realized he still had his skills from before...before he was sent back in time. He panted softly, daming his short legs before bursting into the office door. "Stop Itachi!" Naruto dropped to his knees trying to catch his breath. Behind him a few guards went to take him but the Third raised his hand up looking at the blonde boy. "What busniess do you have here Naruto? Shouldn't you be at school?" Naruto gave him a grave look that made the Third take a step back. "N-Naruto?" He questioned. The boys eyes looking like...well they were old as he. They seemed to tierd and worn.
"The Uchiha clan." He simply stated looking to Itachi who had his mask on. The older took his mask off looking a little surprised but hid it well. "Leave Naruto here." The Third stated. Once they left Naruto stood up at last. "Don't do it. Don't order him to do this." Naruto look at the both of them. "It is for the best." The Third started. Naruto laughed bitterly before looking out the window. "If you have them do this one act...you damn the whole world into the next Great Shinobi War." This news startled both the third and Itachi.
"How do you know this Naruto?" The blond took in a soft breath. "It's complicated..." Naruto moved to stand next to the window for a few moments before turning to Itachi. "Your clan...what they are doing isn't right. But it's not right for you to leave Sasuke thinking his only hero killed his family for power. You were going to let him live...you might as well plan to kill him as well. Because once you leave him he will never be the same." At the mention of his younger brother Itachi grew stiff. "What do you know? He asked his voice hard. Naruto narrowed his eyes. He cursed his luck for being rather short since he had to look up to the two. "More then you and the third will ever know.
"Why are you telling us this?" The third asked his voice hoarse. "...because...I know the outcome. Instead of killing the Uchiha clan kill those who are directly responsible. Don't kill everyone. Itachi can't do this..." " Then who?" A moment of silence passed before Naruto looked out the window to the clouds.
"Me."
This shocked both of the men in the room. "Naruto surely you can't be serious? Your a boy!" The Third argued. "...A boy who saw what Itachi saw. I saw to much...so much destrection. So much death...to many of my friends died...the ones I loved died protecting others..." Itachi looked at Naruto analazying him and again it was the eyes. His eyes told him that it was true that he was just tierd of all the fighting. All...the hate. "You wish for peace." Itachi stated looking down at Naruto who stared at him. "If I had knew what I knew now back then...I would have never let him kill you." Naruto whispered but to many questions came with that statement causing the two to become rigid.
"You talk in riddles. Who are you and what have you done to Naruto?" The Third asked his eyes narrowing as he pulled his pipe out.
Naruto knew he had to tell them. He couldn't get his point across if he didn't. So finally...he let his eyes close before letting tears come down his face. "I am Naruto...the fucked up version." He started off before laughing bitterly.
"I actually...came back. I was eight-teen when I asked to be sent back." "Sent back where?" "...in time. I saw...I lived and felt what the future held in store for us. It isn't something you should be proud of old man. If you let this happen nothing good will ever come out of it." "Why should we believe you?" Itachi asked though his inner being was trembling. "Because I'm here. I know the details of what you are about to do. Don't do this Itachi. I'm begging you. I promised them. I promised them I wouldn't let history repeat itself." He whispered looking pleadingly to Itachi.
Itachi looked away the emotion coming into his eyes. "You remember?" The Third questioned as if astonished. "Everything." "...Naruto...have you killed?" "...I don't think you want the answer to that old man." The Third almost swelled with guilt. "You want to take Itachi's role then?"
"Itachi do you really want to do this? To your little brother?" Naruto asked looking up to the older who couldn't meet his eyes. "Then don't. We all have choices and right now...I'm giving you a second chance Itachi." Naruto said placed his now small hand on Itachi's larger one. "What happens if I go through with this?" Itachi questioned needing to know. "Sasuke grows up with hate. He grows up to hate you. He keeps himself at a distance with only one goal. To kill you. He has revenge. He kills you...but then you...show him who you are. His big brother who even in death tries to protect him. Madara Uchiha tells him the truth and Sasuke's view changes...he tries to destory the village while using your eyes. Sasuke...Sasuke..." Naruto couldn't help but start to break down once more. "I was suppose to kill him...I was suppose to set us free from our lifes." Naruto's hand fisted at his hand.
"Our fucking lives...so twisted...don't do this Itachi." Naruto looked up once more and saw unshed tears in Itachi's eyes. The third though was writing down a few things. "Then go Naruto. Here are the names. But...we are going to talk." Naruto stepped back from Itachi in a speed that neither could catch Naruto had moved and grabbed the paper. "I will make sure no one knows it was me. Itachi...go and wait for Sasuke at the Acadamey. He's going to need you the most." Naruto muttered. "What have I done?" The third whispered miserably.
"Nothing old man...you helped change the future. Now...it's up to me to make sure the war never happens. That everyone is safe." Naruto moved to jump out the window but stopped and looked back to the Third. "...There is an organization called Root. I want you to take me there after this is done." Soon the blond left and Itachi stood there with new found respect but questions still in his mind.
"Naruto...only yesterday was he up to his pranks...now he's saving us. Did the boy have to do that in the future?" "You saw his eyes Hokage." Itachi spoke slipping his mask on. "That fears me the most. Keep an eye on him Itachi. Let us not take for granted the chance he is giving us." Itachi nodded before leaving his office.
He stopped for a moment looking down to his hands. He had killed his bestfriend for the eyes he had now...but he wasn't going to blow this chance. He was going to set things right. He left the tower after changing into civilan clothing and headed to the school knowing it was almost over.
By then...he knew the deed would be done. How he moved and how he spoke the boy was...he knew what he was going to do and how. He breathed out softly trying to calm down. It still shook him that his smiling happy little brother would have turned into...a cold teen if he had killed his clan. His love for his brother was just to strong. He was innocent. He couldn't do it. Naruto was right. He would have let him live.
He heard a familiar bell ring and he saw Sasuke run to him a smile on his. Sasuke jumped into Itachi's arms smiling and talking happily about what he learned. That made Itachi stop for a milisecond before continueing his walk. Yet when the younger began to talk about the "useless boy" Itachi had to stop him causing Sasuke to huff. "He's always by himself. He's a loser big brother." Itachi shook his head slightly. "You never know until you get to know him." There were shouts though that stopped Itachi from talking. Sasuke blinked and looked up. "Big brother...isn't that..." "Yes..." Itachi moved Sasuke into his arms as he went to the Uchiha Clan compound. People were shouting and crying as the older ninja took out the bodies of those who were killed. "F-Father?" Sasuke shouted in horror as he tried to push off from Itachi. "Sasuke!" They heard their mother's voice as she went to her youngest crying and hugging him tightly.
Itachi looked up and saw Naruto looking at him a few blood stains on him but he was well hidden. Naruto give a grim smile before vanishing. Itachi felt tears come down his face as he moved to comfort his mother and little brother.
Naruto returned to his apartment. He wasn't sure how long he stayed in the shower but once he was out it was dark out. He dressed in some shorts and black shirt. He again left his head band off and went to the Hokage towers. As he walked he could hear everyone. He had fused with the fox a long time ago and he had gotten some of his senses. They suspected him already. The demon would always be a suspect. He stopped for a moment and looked at the statue heads. He saw his father and felt his eyes blur slightly and once more headed on his way.
The night was never safe for him at this time of night. He clenched his fists at the memories but conintued on. When he reached the towers he was taken to the Hokage. He wasn't surprised Itachi was there. "Tell me what you know Naruto. How could you...just how?" Naruto bit his inner cheek before sighing. "I'm so young...in this small body of mine. It will take time I know that much. I remember when I was young. When Sasuke first left...I promised Sakura I would bring him back...back to the hidden leaf...back home." He started softly. He was perhaps only ten? He wasnt' to sure...he never liked his birthdays.
"I made a promise of a lifetime old man. To bring Sasuke back for everyone and I never gave up. I just never knew...I wish I knew..." Naruto hated being so weak. Sure he had his strengths but being at his current age he was more open to his emotions. It flooded his senses and it damn well killed him. "Baba-chan gave me her necklace and I hadn't known it but over time the stone reacted to how much passion I had. The pure...faith I had and it turned into something more...it gave me a second chance." Naruto looked up with dead eyes. As if he was re-living the pain of losing his teacher again. It hurt so much when he learned about the old sage's death. It hit him so hard...it hurt so much.
"I don't know exactly how but they granted me one wish...I...I...wished to go back in time. To take Sasuke's place." For a moment time seemed to stop around them. "To be the one to go. To leave the village when I'm older. I can stop things before it happens. Change everything and makes things...better." He had to bite the word out from his mouth. "Why? Why would you do this for him. I have never met you before and now I find out the damage I would have caused and now you say what? That you will become the traitor? Not even a true traitor?" Itachi seemed so angry. He was rather young as well but tall. He was 13 and ANBU so he understood well what Naruto was saying. "Who is Sasuke to you Naruto?" The hokage asked softly and Naruto looked straight at Itachi. "He's my brother. My better half. After you left...after you lied to him he fell apart. He had me...I had him. We weren't alone anymore." Naruto let out a small smile as the memories of past mission come to mind as Team 7. "Did we really...do all this? Or had done this?" Itachi asked lightly looking off to the side.
"No...it was not just you. Sasuke's desire to believe you were evil was also at fault. His judgment clouded by others like Orichmaru. He, that snake made things much worse. I suggest you send me to kill him. He is a danger to everyone in this village and others." He narrowed his eyes at those memories. "It seems we have to do a lot of things Naruto. It will take some time..." The third spoke sitting down at his chair sighing softly. Naruto knew it was a lot to process and him being in the body of well...a todler didn't help matters. "Put me in charge. I know more then anyone. I will re-join the acadmey once everything is done. When I know everyone is safe." He stated now standing straight. "I can't put you in that danger. With the fox-" Naruto let out a hollow laugh. "Me and the fox took care of everything a long time ago old man. I have complete control." That surprised the third but he couldn't doubt him. "...I will assemble my own team. I know exactly to take. Before it becomes to late. I need Kakashi, Shikamaru's father and Pervy Sage. They are critical in this." Naruto stated looking at his hands for a moment. He remembered how scared they were. Rough and callous with the constant fighting. How dirty they were.
"When will you leave Naruto?" "...Before dawn tomorrow. By then I will have everything planned. I know what I have to do." Naruto's voiced filled with determination. "Let me be apart of it Naruto." Itachi spoke looking at the smaller boy who looked up to Itachi blankly. "No. Sasuke needs you. I just got done killing your father and his followers. He needs you the most." Itachi winced but nodded slowly.
"How will you fair Naruto? Your so young..." The third still couldn't look past that fact. "But my mind...is old." Naruto muttered before looking out to the darkened sky. "Don't worry about me old man. If things turn out the way I hope then...well we will have better life." Naruto made a silent promise to himself to make sure it turned out that way. He turned to leave but stopped looking back to the Third. "By the way your son...Asuma...he died in the future...so did you. I will not let this happen to your son again. When he died he left a child behind...before it's to late old man...if I can't fix this...spend time with him. He misses his father no matter how he act's. He still needs a father. Don't let him keep growing up with out one." That struck a cord in the third as he watched solemly as the blond boy left the room. Itachi looked to the third. "Send for Kakashi, Shikuka and Jiriya." The older male ordered and Itachi nodded soon dissapearing from the room.