chapter one
Everything had been going so well. Where did it all go wrong?
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I remember standing in front of Tsunade in Hokage's office. I think I showed her my new seal. The seal comes from one of the fourth ancient time-space seals. With some restoration, it was more secure and effective compared to the original.
I don't know how long I've been walking in this forest. It felt like weeks since I saw a human. But at least the trees were alive, and I heard birds singing and chirping in the trees. My mouth felt like sandpaper from not drinking water for days. I'm walking through somewhere in this vast forested area. It all looks familiar and fresh. My chakras are also almost depleted, which makes me wonder how I'm still alive. My body hurts too much to continue. I sat down beside a big tree to rest.
I was awakened by a rumbling sound. Startled I sit up and look around me to find the source. Darkness enveloped the forest, and nothing could be seen. I heard ninjas fighting in the distance. In my current state, I am no match for anyone. If they find me, they might kill me. They might think I am a clone of Zetsu.
With the chakra I recovered during my rest I got up and ran in the opposite direction. I wasn't going to fight in my condition it would kill me. Avoiding the fight was the smartest option.
Several kunai flew to my side and hit a tree to my left. I quickly changed direction and ran to the right without looking back. I sped up and tried to get out of the fight fast. I sprinted for a few minutes and ended up at a dead end. I turned around and saw one ninja. By looking at his headband, he was a rouge from Iwa.
I could feel my heart in my ears and my legs sore from the sudden activity. With all the strain my body has gone through, I felt like my body to falling apart.
I carefully look behind me to find a way out. I looked around but the only way was down a waterfall. Falling there would probably kill me it was the largest waterfall I've ever seen. Leading me to believe I was not in the fire country.
I looked up at the rouge nin again only to find him bent down with his hand down on the ground. The next thing I know, a loud explosion breaks the cliff under me and I fall towards the water below me.
When I hit the water a sharp rock pierce me from behind. Blood dye the water around me and I use it to my advantage to hide from my pursuer.
I swim to hide in some bushes by the shore. I look up to see the rouge but the dark must've hidden him. the fall and all the blood must have convinced him I died and left me in the water.
At times like this, I'm thankful for Kurumas's healing. The wound closes up pretty quickly. Even though I can't see my pursuer, I'm still not safe and have to continue moving to stay out of sight.
After a few hours, I was positive that the rouge thought I was dead. I stopped for a drink by the river I was following. When I looked at myself in the reflection, I found myself in a mess, with dirt rubbed onto my cheeks. I just noticed that my familiar yellow hair was dyed a rich red, just like my mom's. Even my eyes are more like my mother's. The whisker marks on my cheeks had faded and now looked like thin tan lines. I look like someone I barely recognize myself.
I studied my face for a long time and absorbed all the new features. My face is chubby and small and looks like a child. I started thinking about theories about how this happened. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest when I started thinking about what happened.
I took a deep breath to calm myself and focused on Kuruma, weak but there. He looked at me with tired eyes. He was small, much smaller than I remembered.
"What happened and where are we? My chakras are too drained to know and my mind is all fussy" I told him, my tone full of fear. I am scared and lost. What happened on the day of the war.
"Somehow, we went back in time. I can feel my chakra strong in the south," he replied wearily. "After using the seal, my chakra was severely weakened"
"What!! No, no, how, why. I don't understand, the seal was perfect. I tested was tested for faulty several times. We have to go back, they can't beat Madara without my strength!" I panicked, tears welling up in my eyes.
"I'm sorry Kit, our old timeline is lost when we entered a new timeline. Even if we find a way, we may go back to the wrong time, or get further lost." The pain in his voice was evident.
I had a large lump formed in my throat preventing me from speaking. Tears streamed down my face, my legs lost all strength and I fell into the water under my feet. My brain went blank and my whole body felt heavy and unable to move. I slowly raised my head to look at Kuruma, His fur was dispersing into thin air.
Was Kuruma dying?
"What's wrong with you? I don't understand." My voice was hoarse, forcing me to speak to Kuruma. It echoes in the sewers all around me. I cannot lose him I won't make it without him here. This unknown timeline and now kuruma disappearing is too much. Reaching for Kuruma I grabbed his fur and felt it with my fingers. Crying into his soft fur.
"one timeline cannot handle two begin of the same existence. My chakra is merging with yours." his tried voice made me even cry more. "I believe in you naruto, I always have even if didn't get a good start."
"I don't know if I can do this alone-" A harsh cough broke my dialogue. My throat was still dry and crying did not help.
"It's ok naruto, I know you'll make it. I believe in you" kuruma uttered his last words. My body fell into the water from the lack of support. I looked around still feeling some of his chakra lingering.
My head was hurting and my breath was fast as black spots filled my vision. My mind couldn't handle it anymore and I passed out.
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Another boring scouting mission. I hate going to Iwa for recon. The civilians are mostly harsh and impolite. The country isn't even pretty, it could be the aftermath of the war. Before entering the fire country, my team finally stopped for a short break before continuing. Just as we learned of the whirlpool's fall, we were recalled in an emergency. Hiruzen wants us to return and continue the search for survivors. I have many friends and relatives there. Hearing this news broke my heart.
I shook my head at our supplies, we needed more water for the rest of the trip. I turned to my teammates and said, "We're running out of water, I'll look for it. I think I heard water before I stopped here."
Jiraiya looked at me and nodded. "Be quick about it we will leave soon. I don't want to stay long in enemy territory." Instead of answering, I turned and looked for the creek in a dense forest.
It was very near and far from our makeshift camp. I quickly scanned the area before heading out. In the distance, I saw a red speck on the water. On closer inspection, it looks like a small child. I scanned the surrounding for traps before getting close, but it was so peaceful.
I approached the unconscious and injured child cautiously. Looking at that long red hair reminded me of an Uzumaki. Before I realized what I was doing, I went back to camp with the kid. My teammates haven't seen the kid yet. I carefully placed the kid on the cold ground. The child is a six-year-old girl.
"What have you done! You can kidnap a child, she might be an enemy." I turned and saw Orochimaru looking straight into my eyes. He didn't look happy.
"What are you doing! We have to leave quickly." Jiraiya's voice sounded. "Shit?! Where did the child come from?" I looked at Jiraiya and then at the kid on the ground.
"I found her by the water. I- couldn't leave her she reminds me of my cousins from uzushio." The shattering of my voice made me realize how painful it actually was. "She would have died if I've had left her there"
"Sure, but even if we took her with us what will you do when she awakens" Orochimaru was always good at making snide comments.
"I'm with Tsunade on this we can not leave a child in Iwa. There is a possibility she could be an Uzumaki, I'm defiantly not taking that chance in leaving a potential ally" Jiraiya quickly said. his voice full of sympathy.
I gave Jiraiya a grateful glance, then turned to face the young girl. She looked in pain and quickly shifted. Before any of us could do anything she open her eyes. Panik could be seen behind those Safire's eyes.