Hey guys, some good news - I'm on holidays soon, which means no school... Which means a tremendously greater amount of time to write some more chapters for this.

I feel guilty because to begin with I originally said this would only be ten chapters long... Then I got carried away and I'm starting to realise it's going to be a fair bit more. I'm going to say it will finish around 17 chapters... Sorry if I mislead anyone! Well heres a bit of action for everyone and probably something lots of people were hoping to see happen!

Enjoy.

Timeless

By ferriswheel95

Naruto sat in the shade at the foot of a large oak tree trunk, like the ones that surrounded the outskirts of Konoha. Breathing in, he felt his body ache as he finally began to relax. He had been so tense since he found out the truth, every muscle in his body tight with uneasiness and anxiety -moreover, grief. He had darted from his team once they were outside in the fresh air of the hot afternoon, rather than the stuffy confinements of that room, smothered by the truth. Only now, when his team had just finally found him and approached him, was he feeling more peaceful. Maybe it was all just a bad dream and he was going to wake up at any second, then he'd realise he and Sasuke would be a team forever and would always be friends – maybe even something more. His eyes clenched shut to repress the blush at the thought.

"Of course you'd come here, idiot…" Sasuke breathed carefully as he bent down in front of the obviously uncomfortable blonde. Naruto glanced around; spotting the three stumps a fair way across from him in the middle of the clearing. He shrugged.

"I guess I just want to keep all the good memories… Before I have to live the bad" He whispered as Sasuke made himself comfortable beside him. Sakura stood, leaning against the trunk and gazing to the sky through the lush tops of the trees that surrounded. A hawk flew above, circling them and always being one of the wiser members of the team; she knew it was the Hokage keeping an eye on them. She sighed and slid down the trunk to sit like Naruto.

"I can't believe this is real…" She pressed her chin into her knees and wrapped her arms around them. Naruto's eyes slid closed again, this time gentler, as he thought of the look in the older Sasuke's eyes. He could see past the hate of the Uchiha (although he always felt he could, even now) and saw the soft expression that lay in the onyx depths, Sasuke wanted forgiveness, Naruto could tell. After all, his older self could handle Sasuke so well.

"Who thought the idiot would ever be strong enough to make such a powerful enemy…" Sasuke chimed, trying to lighten the situation. He was entirely uncomfortable with Naruto's unusual gloomy mood and he wasn't going to simply put up with it. When an Uchiha didn't want to feel something, then he damn well wouldn't. Sakura giggled, feeling light at the joke but her mood even better because Sasuke cared enough to make it.

"He's right you know Naruto" She smiled and stood, standing in front of the blonde and Sasuke did the same. Naruto lifted his head, blue eyes gazing expectedly at the figures above him. Sakura had a warm smile and while Sasuke wasn't comfortable with that much affection just yet, his emotionless features were lighter and that was enough to comfort Naruto. The blonde pushed himself up, his usual wide grin gracing and lifting his face.

"Shut up! I'm super strong, even now! I'm gonna ace the Chunin Exam!" Suddenly Naruto stopped, his features froze and Sasuke's brows knitted together in worry.

"Naruto?" Sakura mumbled, voicing Sasuke's concern.

"What if we don't make it to the Chunin Exam?" He whispered and suddenly the mood was low again, each looking to the ground or anywhere other than their teammate's dejected expressions. Sakura kicked the dirt nervously and offered a small smile.

"I'm sure we will…" She muttered and Sasuke could only roll his eyes at her optimism, he was starting to realise that any hopes they had for their future were dismal and insignificant. The hawk that flew above squawked once loudly, it's screech echoing amongst the clouds before it flapped it's strong wings and headed back for the Hokage's tower. Naruto gazed up longingly at the care free creature as it disappeared over then below the tree tops towards the village.

"What's with the long faces?" A rough voice called and team 7 turned to the approaching friend. Kiba grinned with Hinata and Shino either side of him, Akamaru tucked away safely in his jacket. Naruto puffed out his cheeks; the blonde was defensive around this guy, probably because their flashy personalities clashed so easily. Both teams stepped forward so they were closer; Sasuke and Kiba being the heads between two teams though neither were entirely bothered by the other's presence.

"No reason" Sakura sighed from the side, suddenly crestfallen again as she looked to the ground but it was Naruto's pained expression that worried the ever soft voiced Hinata. She twiddled her fingers and blushed as she tried to will herself to comfort Naruto or at least ask what was bothering him in hopes to talk about it. Kiba scratched the back of his head and shrugged, if they didn't want to talk about it, he wasn't going to press it.

"What're you guys doing here anyway?" Naruto grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest and Kiba glared.

"Hey! It's a public training ground!" The brunette bit back.

"We were told to come here…" Shino added more level headedly and Sasuke's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"By who?" The young Uchiha pressed as his eyes started to dart around the field warily. Kiba shuffled a little because of Sasuke's sudden on edge attitude.

"That Sai guy" He supplied and the team went still, their eyes wide.

"Us too, what a drag…" Another lazy voice mumbled from the side and the two teams looked to see an approaching Ino, Shikamaru and chip eating Chouji. Naruto stumbled over his words for a few moments, mostly because he was at a loss for them.

"Why?!" Sakura shouted and made everyone but her teammates flinch, probably because they didn't see a need for the sudden alertness. Shikamaru shrugged and so did Kiba, they weren't told why only to come and too be honest, neither team had thought to do so.

"Well I assumed it was for training" Chouji munched casually, his team and Kiba's not seeing a reason for team 7's sudden uneasiness.

"If it's for training then I don't see a reason for us to be here with you brats…" Sasuke growled low in his throat when he heard a third voice and turned seeing another oncoming team and not one he particularly wanted to see again outside of the arena. Temari, Gaara and Kankuro stood, each looking bored.

"He told you to come to?" Naruto grit out through his teeth and his trembling fists clenched. Gaara looked angry, as if he had been deceived.

"Yeah…" Temari inspected her nails, uninterested. "We thought it was some sort of challenge but instead it's some sort of boring gathering" she sighed disappointedly.

How the hell do I know these people in the future?! Naruto's thoughts bounced loudly inside his head, instantly giving him a head ache. He looked to the ground, his blue hues desperate for an answer.

"Naruto…" Sakura sensed Naruto's agitation, reaching out for the blonde's shoulder but he instantly flinched away and stumbled back. Sasuke frowned and stepped forward towards Naruto but he wasn't sure if the look in Naruto's eyes was anxiety or composure.

"Why are you guys so jumpy?" Ino scowled at the very obviously nervous team. The three looked up and to those around them, every single expression prying for answers and Sasuke's stomach twisted – was it his place to give those answers?

"Sai is me!" Nope, apparently it was Naruto's.

"Naruto! Shut up!" Sakura scolded, she took a livid step forward but the shaky blonde only stumbled back from her and further away from away from everyone.

"What're you going on about? God you're so weird!" Ino's voice was a rough as Sakura's and laced with irritation but then Sasuke stepped forward, taking the blonde's shoulders and staring intently into his eyes. His lips pursed in thought and his brows were knitted together, but despite the serious expression Naruto couldn't help but blush.

"Calm down idiot…" He whispered only for Naruto. The trembling stopped and Naruto's shoulders slumped under Sasuke's grip.

"Sasuke-kun?" Ino called softly from behind him and he turned to the others but keeping one hand securely on Naruto's shoulder. He took in a deep breath and readied himself for the biggest and most absurd explanation of his life.

"I knew it! I fucking knew it!"

"Oh come on Kiba! Are you seriously beliving this!?" Ino snapped at the pacing dog boy who was glaring at the ground, Akamaru yapping at him every time he stepped past the puppy. Sasuke's enlightenment of the situation had gone down well – at first. First there was laughter, next denial and now currently in the all-out irrational stage.

"I could smell it… The scents, they were a little different – like they were kind of off… But I knew they were the same!" He stopped and glared at Sasuke and Naruto. Kankuro stepped forward now, having enough of listening to these brat's outrageous stories.

"Look, you guys can all sit around and be… Whatever it is you're being but we're leaving. Right guys?" He turned to him teammates, an approving nod from Temari but unexpectedly an impassive glare from his younger brother and Kankuro knew that meant one thing. This insane story interested the red head. "Okay… Maybe not?" He scratched the back of his neck nervously.

"I knew…" Shikamaru grumbled from the side line. Everyone turned to the secret genius and he suddenly felt small and nervous under their stares. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and sighed dejectedly. "Well that's to say, I knew something was up with those other two" He offered and Sasuke frowned.

How did he catch on so easily when even I took my time to figure it out? He wondered but couldn't think any more of it when Ino stepped in again.

"Okay! Hang on! Say we believe this whole… Future thing –" She rolled her eyes, "why on the hell would Naruto call us all here? And same with these guys! We don't even know them and sorry to break it to you Naruto but we aren't exactly close." She crossed her arms and Naruto shifted a little nervously, he didn't know either. His elder self felt like an entirely different person and completely unattainable.

"Because he's protecting us and these guys might end up being our friends!" Sakura was defensive now, this was her teammate and future Ino was talking about.

"Doubt that" Temari clipped and earned herself a glare from the pinkette.

"Your chakras were the same, but not identical…" Gaara's deep voice finally made itself known and he naturally captured every one's full attention. Sasuke was instantly on edge, so was Naruto.

"So?" The blonde grit out through his teeth and Gaara glared.

"So he's saying that I'm way stronger!" A foreign rough voice called and for a moment no one could see the culprit, but that was until an elder Naruto emerged from the trees, face still covered by the fox mask but clad in his usual orange jumpsuit.

"You…" Sasuke breathed and the older Naruto chuckled, scratching the back of his head.

"Hey, I thought we made it clear not to tell anyone?" He grinned at the young raven from behind the mask and Sasuke scoffed.

"Wrong Uchiha, the older me blew it with the idiot… Ah – well you…" Naruto looked around at everyone, sighing contently when he saw that they all came. This meant he could keep an eye on them for a little while. He glanced to Gaara and smiled sadly; he was going to be tricky to deal with.

"Wait… Is it really you Naruto?" Sakura ran towards the elder and gazed up at him expectedly and then the younger Naruto ran to join her; he wanted to see how handsome his future self was after all. Then before Naruto knew it, the whole group was crowded around him, eyes sparkling with curiosity (well all except the sand siblings who Naruto was sure were content with seeing from afar).

"Yeah…" He breathed, reaching up and untying the mask before slipping it off. "It's me" he grinned and each of the Genin's eyes widened at the revelation. His grin became sheepish and he scratched the back of his neck nervously again out of habit.

"You all look so surprised…" He grunted and Sakura blushed before glancing away.

"Well you look so grown up…" Both blondes blushed at her shy words and the elder stepped away from the group.

"Why did you bring us all here?" Gaara called from behind the group and Naruto's features softened sadly. It hurt to see the angry Gaara again but it reminded him of how far the red head has come to be the incredible person he is today. Naruto stepped through the others and stood in front of Gaara.

"Because you're all my important people and I have to protect you no matter what" He smiled lightly and Gaara's glare only hardened.

"Sasuke said you were gone, going after that guy! What happened!?" Younger Naruto pressed and the elder stiffened.

"I didn't find him…" He whispered, glaring at the ground before looking up to everyone. "But I know he won't take much longer to seek me out, so I just need to keep an eye on you guys for a while" he said but there was a disapproving sneer.

"Look, personally I think you're either all nuts or this is a bad dream" Temari snapped and Kankuro nodded in agreement, even Gaara's eyes shone with approval. "So if you don't mind, we're just going to head…" The three turned and started to leave but Naruto hurried to block their path.

"You can't! You don't understand the severity of the situation!" He pleaded but they just side stepped him.

"I'll make you stay!" At that, everyone froze. Suddenly the entire group was on edge to see just how Naruto was going to back up his threat; they'd all see some of Sasuke's moves but none of Naruto's – except the idiot fall out of a tree.

Temari glanced back over her shoulder, "oh yeah? Like you could!" She pulled at the top of her fan and flung it over her shoulder, imbedding it into the ground.

"Temari, we still have the Chunin exams, don't go giving yourself away…" Gaara was calm as usual but the chill in his voice made Temari shiver.

"But –"

"Yeah that's right, so just put it away and be good little Genin and stay right here" Naruto grinned cockily and Gaara's glared settled on the blonde making him stop grinning.

"You're annoying" he bit out and Naruto only laughed loudly.

"Yeah, yeah, alright! Now can you please not put up a fight?" He asked what he thought was ever so politely but the red head just ignored him, turning again and heading off with the other two.

"Hey! Gaara! I don't want to fight you!" He called but they didn't stop this time. Naruto balled his fists by his sides before finally he decided to take action. No one was taking him seriously but he was sure they probably all thought Sasuke was like a powerful god.

Don't let jealousy make you get carried away… His mind soothed and Naruto nodded. Just a little action, not much… Not a lot of flaunting – just a little.

"Hey!" He yelled again but this time a spark of chakra pulsed suddenly from the blonde's body and even the others (who weren't exactly capable of reading chakra yet) could feel the energy. This made the team stop and the two elder siblings glanced over their shoulders worriedly.

"Look –" Naruto's voice was lower now, less friendly. "Even if you did try to fight me I know all your moves perfectly so I'd already have an advantage. So can you just stay!.. Please, Gaara" his voice softened at the end and it alarmed Gaara, the red head turned and stared at the blonde; his previous chakra outburst was completely gone now and instead of the expected determined expression his features were sad and pleading. The red head voiced no opinion but he didn't move any further, a good sign that he would stay. Naruto let out a shaky breathe before grinning.

"Awesome, now guys I need you too – Ah!" Naruto stumbled to the ground when he felt a great force assault him from behind and straight into the small of his back. He fell to his hands and knees but pushed himself up to flip and face the attacker – he was fully prepared to fight Tobi but he didn't expect him to come so soo –

"You idiot!" Okay, no Tobi. Something worse – a very angry looking older Sasuke. He stood there in his usual attire as well, open shirt and strapped Katana, his face was red and his eyes looked as though they wanted to be.

"Holy shit… Is that..?" Kiba muttered from the side, eyes wide like the others and mouth agape.

"It really is you two" Ino breathed, completely taken by the even cooler looking older Sasuke. The young one rolled his eyes, not even the slightest bit impressed.

"We told you!" Young Naruto snapped to the other blonde before looking back to the elder two.

"Hey, come on Sasuke. No need for names…" Naruto put his hands up defensively, trying to laughing but apparently the Uchiha was finding absolutely nothing amusing about the situation.

"Shut up! You have no idea do you!? I thought you were dead because these idiots –" he motioned to their younger selves, "went and changed the future!" Naruto blinked for a few moments and glanced to his counterpart before turning back to Sasuke, a serious expression on his face.

"I know, I felt it and by the looks of it, you have too" Naruto whispered looking down. "Your summon mark things are gone" Sasuke nodded and he felt his mouth open to ask what had happened to Naruto but it clicked shut, he wouldn't let his curiosity get the better of him and he wouldn't give Naruto the chance to mistake it for compassion.

"Kurama won't talk to me…" The blonde whispered finally. When he first realised that the demon was silent he had put it off to the fox having a headache or being in a bad mood or something. Then it went on longer and longer and Naruto knew something was up, it was like his friend wasn't even there anymore. Sasuke stiffened and he started pacing.

"That means…"

"We're in trouble… Yeah…" Naruto finished for him but Sasuke stopped and glared.

"Don't act like you're the only one who can fight him…" Sasuke bit out defensively and Naruto's shoulders squared.

"Sasuke…" He tried but was interrupted when his younger self stepped forward.

"We'll all fight him! Together!" The elder Sasuke scoffed and Naruto spun around to glare at him. "Don't laugh! We can! He can't possibly be strong enough to take us all on at once!" He yelled.

"What makes you think we'll fight with you?" Temari grumbled from the side and Naruto glared at her as well.

"Because this is your future on the line as well!" He snapped.

"Listen, you don't understand how strong this guy is…" Sasuke grunted and ran a frustrated hand through his hair and younger Naruto turned to look at him, eyes shimmering with hope. It was disgusting.

"But he couldn't possibly…" He started to whisper but was cut short when the ground beneath him began crumbling and giving away right out from underneath him. He fell over the way ward pieces of Earth and stumbled to find flat and stable land. Finally everything stopped rumbling and he looked up to see the culprit. Naruto stood there, hunched over and fist to the ground.

"What the…" Sakura breathed as the elder blonde straightened himself up.

"Naruto! What are you doing?!" The older Sasuke snapped as he stormed over to the blonde but stopped when Naruto looked up, eyes yellow and features strong.

"What are you…" He breathed before Naruto directed his intense gaze to those around him, each flinching every time the blonde looked their way.

"They're not going to believe the strength of that guy until we show them. So I'm going to show them, all of you against me." He grinned and elder Sasuke glared.

"Naruto, what are you thinking?" He grit out and took another angry step forward. Naruto glimpsed to him, the grin fading and replaced with a hard determined stare.

"I'm thinking that you should watch your back…" He muttered and instantly Sasuke spun, countering a kunai attack from a shadow clone that stood behind.

"Hey!" He snapped when all the weapons fell to the ground after being countered, clinking together as they did so. He turned back to glare at the real Naruto but there was no point; the idiot was too smug and pleased with himself to even begin thinking about dismissing this ridiculous idea. The raven sighed.

"Well… You heard the guy" He grunted and stepped back. He wasn't getting involved in this; it would definitely escalade to something far out of this time's capability to control. The younger members all looked to each other, some looking sickly nervous while others were more than excited to start. Even Gaara had a glint to his jade eyes that could only be described as expectancy.

"Go!"

Hope you enjoyed! Stay tuned! Please R&R!