A Twist in Time

Summary: Life couldn’t be worse for Sakura Haruno. She was heart-broken, betrayed and at the brink of committing suicide. At times, she even wished that she could start fresh from a new beginning… A TIME-TRAVEL FIC. Sasusaku no duh! Aren’t all my stories?!

Hey there guys! As you can see, I’m back with another story (I think it might be my best on yet! At least, I hope!) This chapter is the prologue, but don’t get me wrong: it’s still quite essential if you want to understand the plot.

Oh, and I just thought I should say: ninja99k and I are starting a shared account. I haven’t actually done anything for it yet, but she’s started our first story. Our pen-name is ninjawolf98.

Well, I know that no one likes long, boring author notes so I’d better get on with the story.

Declaimer: I do not own any of the Naruto characters (although I sometimes wish I did…). Right Lee?

Lee: Right!

Lee is temporarily helping me back-stage

Let the story BEGIN!

---

Chapter 1: Prologue

In the midst of a dark, soundless night, the moon above was shining; a faint beacon of hope. Through a forest of trees, there was a village. A quiet, eerie village. From the highest peak to the dankest ally, not a soul stirred. All but one that is.

The soft patting of her feet as they made contact with the soft, dirt road echoed through the night. There was no wind to tug at her hair or light to brighten her features. The climate was cold, the sky was black, and the fog was grey. Her heart felt quite similar.

She approached a flock of stairs and began to climb them. Her hand glided across the metal rail, her legs quivering as they met the icy air. Her stomach clenched with anticipation. After hesitating for a moment, she disappeared behind a set of doors.

---

“You summon me?” she asked as she entered the Hokage’s office. The room was vast but crammed with books and a variety of other oddities and objects. At the largest desk in the center of the room sat a beautiful, blonde woman; her back straight, her head held high.

“Ah, Sakura. That I did,” Tsunade replied quietly. “Do sit down.” Sakura obeyed and took a seat facing the Hokage. Despite her fatigue and tired appearance, Sakura was alert and ready for a command. “You were probably wondering why I summoned you in the middle of the night, were you not?” Tsunade asked. Sakura nodded vigorously. “Well then, I guess I have no other option but to explain my reasoning,” she said, sipping tea from the cup placed on her desk.

Sakura eased into her chair. She figured that if Tsunade, one of the laziest people in the world, had a good enough reason to wake up in the middle of the night, then the situation must be of great importance.

“Sakura Haruno. You have been my student for four years and are a person in whom I can confide in. I trust you to do this successfully.” Tsunade drew a breath. Sakura shifted uncomfortably. What on earth could this be about?

“Before I give you instructions, I will explain to you the situation: Orochimaru is planning to launch another attack on our village,” she said seriously.

Sakura stood abruptly. “Another attack?”

Tsunade nodded and motioned for Sakura to sit down again. “Yes. He has somehow been informed that our defences have been weakened. Even I may not be able to withstand his forwardness... After all, I am growing old.”

Sakura’s eyes widened and she held back tears. “A-and… what am I supposed to do?”

Tsunade ignored her for the time being. ‘And, I believe, you have lost someone dear to you?”

Sakura froze. Why did Tsunade have to bring him up? Could he have something to do with this war? It didn’t make any sense! “Y-yes I have, Tsunade-sama,” she replied, her head hanging.

“Excellent,” Tsunade said simply. “This mission is definitely a go.”

Sakura’s head snapped up. “What is this mission?!”

“It will last a life-time, and I see that you are fit to do it. I am much too old, and you have the ability to surpass me.”

Sakura stood again. “A life-time?! I don’t understand! Am I expected to die?!” she said, fighting the urge to raise her voice.

Tsunade’s eyes softened at this. “Oh no! I don’t want you to die! It’s the opposite! Oh- I don’t know how to explain it to you! It’ll all make sense once you get there though… yes… You will figure it out soon enough…”

Sakura was flabbergasted. What on earth was she planning? How could this mission be hard to explain? How would she figure it out? Her head was filled with so many questions that she felt ready to burst, but instead she was silent. “T-Tsunade-sama…”

“Your mission is to kill Orochimaru, Itachi-,”

“Wait! How the-,”

“Listen to me, Sakura!” Tsunade yelled. Sakura frowned. “You are to travel west into the forest surrounding Konoha. Eventually you will come across a pool of frozen water. Enter it and your mission will begin.”

“What do you-...? Right away? Now?” Sakura asked, infuriated that she didn’t understand the situation.

“Yes! Get going, Sakura! Orochimaru will not hold off much longer! He is on the way!” Tsunade said, standing up and waving Sakura out the door.

“M-must I bring anything?” Sakura asked quickly.

“No, you won’t have to! Hurry! You are the village’s last hope!”

“I-,”

Tsunade guided Sakura to the door forcefully so that she was not able to escape. “Goodbye Sakura,” she said before closing the door, leaving Sakura at the head of the staircase.

Sakura felt tears well up in her eyes. Goodbye-? This was it? She was leaving the village forever? Sakura was about to open the door and demand for answers, but then she heard an explosion from somewhere behind her.

Sakura spun around and was shocked to see giant snakes smashing through the villages surrounding walls. Orochimaru was attacking so soon? This still didn’t make sense!

Then a thought occurred to her.

If Orochimaru was there, then did that mean that Sasuke-...?

No. She couldn’t disobey her Hokage’s orders. Without realizing quite what she was doing, Sakura started running west through the trees.

---

She ran for fifteen minutes and at last found the icy pool in which Tsunade had mentioned. It looked like solid ice! This made no sense! With plenty of hesitation, Sakura at last took a deep breath and plunged into the waters icy depths.

The screams of her villagers echoed in the back of her mind.

She was then consumed by darkness.

---

There’s the prologue! I’m sorry if it sounded too serious, but I’m going to be putting in a bit of humour and fluffiness eventually. Don’t worry; it’ll all come in good time. Is it good? Bad? Continue?

I personally can’t wait to write the rest, but my updates will end up being a little slower than “Mission Accomplished” because of school and sports. Sorry. Well, that’s enough chit-chat! Say it, Lee!

Lee: Review and tell wolf08 what you think! Just please don’t give her any major flames! Otherwise, she’s all for it!

Well-said, Lee! You heard him! REVIEW!