Team 7 were currently returning back to home. They completed their mission although they had to take a few detours to cover their tracks. The time-traveller wasn't really good at covering their traces so he let Kakashi do all that work.

It was embarrassing to say the least but Teruya was glad Kakashi was more considerate this time around. Maybe being around Teruya made him like that.

'But that ain't the case Naruto. If the future is changing because of you, then you have to be prepared.' Kurama's voice rang through his head.

'I know Kurama.'

"Teruya-san, I don't know why but I have a feeling that we're being followed for some reason." Obito said randomly as he as running along his teammates from tree to tree.

"So even you can sense them huh?" the blond teen replied.

"Wait then that means they've been following us for a while?" he asked again but this time in a forced whisper. The captain nodded.

Obito gave a dejected sigh. "Why am I always left out." he mumbled. 

Rin gave Obito and apologetic smile. Just how the hell did he get to chunin?

'Whoever it is, I'm hundred percent sure that they're doing this on purpose. But why? This mission was never supposed to have even happened.' Teruya thought as he jumped onto a another tree.

The branch snapped. 

Startled by the loss of footing, he immediately let go of the nins in his hands before grabbing onto the remaining branch. The men dropped down with a loud thud while the other three sweat-dropped at his antiques.

"Hehehe, uhh sorry?"

The youngest sighed. "Just get on with the mission. We're already so late with those extra loads." He looked to the faint nins that had fallen down. They would've most probably broken a bone or two.

Oh well.

Teruya picked them up back again before they began on their way to Konoha. But he still couldn't get rid of that lingering feeling of someone watching over them.

No one could.

***

"Good work Team 7. We'll have to make do with this."

"Thank you Hokage-sama."

"Take a 2-day break. Your captain would arrive by then."

"Thank goodness Minato-sensei is coming back!"

"Hey Obito! Shush or else you'll make Teruya-san feel bad."

"Shit. I hope he didn't hear that..."

'I can hear all of that'dattebayo." the said teen sweat dropped while the fox in him snickered at the cliché scene that was unfolding right before them. Teruya stole a few glances to the younger nins before heading out. It was time to get to business.

       The wind blew with a new scent. It was pleasant like the fields of grass. The sun hidden behind the clouds, but not so much as to hide it entirely. A few rays was slipped by, shining on the trees. The chattering of the villagers, the laughter of children, vendors trying to sell of their wares, people alive.

It was like a dream.

A dream which he could not achieve in his time.

             He was so naive. Why did he think that everything would go smoothly after that attack? Just why did he think that believing was the only thing that mattered? So what if it was noble? So what if it was the right thing to do?

They all died. Everyone. Did believing in them work?

No.

They were too weak.

Unprepared.

Dependent.

Lost.

He had to make them stronger. If this generation was strong, then would the future events have unfolded?

Maybe, maybe not.

Who knows?

Nothing was going to be predictable in this hate-filled world. If this Uchiha Obito was saved, then another Obito could just pop up.

If Orochimaru hadn't left, another Orochimaru would leave.

If Yahiko was saved, then another Pain would appear for the lose of their "Yahiko".

Why was this so difficult? Why couldn't he just let go of everything? 

No

He can't. Because the future of Konoha depends on him.

He walked away. It was troublesome, quoting Shikamaru, but he had no choice. Come on he's just a 17 year old kid who doesn't even know the difference between a family love and a love love.

But that isn't an excuse.

His head filled with the endless possibilities of him failing his comrades, the ones who he fought with.

"Why does things have to be so difficult?"

"Is something the matter?"

Surprised by the awfully familiar voice, he froze. Not being able to move from his spot. Strands of red tickled his face, irritating him a bit. It was too long to be his.

Blue eyes met purple. His eyes widened.

Uzumaki Kushina.

"O-Oh..." He could already feel the tears threatening to spill infront of her. As if meeting his dead father wasn't enough. As if meeting Jiraiya-sensei wasn't enough. As if seeing all of Konoha alive and well wasn't enough.

He looked away from her, a huge lump forming in his throat.

"Is something the matter, Teruya-san- right? I've always wanted to meet you!" she said looking at him excitedly. Her eyes seemed to shine in the sunlight and her red hair like was like the flames of a great fire.

She was definitely an Uzumaki.

"Kushina-san..." he said hesitantly looking away from those eyes of hers. They seemed full of curiosity.

"So you are Teruya-san! I haven't really seen any other Uzumaki other than me in my whole life'dattebane!" She brought her hands over her mouth suddenly surprising the teen a bit.

"Oh, I'm sorry but I usually do that when I get really excited..." she said looking flustered. Teruya didn't mind. 

Was this a dream or was it reality?

"I-I um don't really mind that Kushina-san! Besides, even I do that sometimes when I get excited!" he replied shaking his head while offering her a smile. 

It hurts.

He took a step back. She looked at his reaction. The expression on her face softened down a bit. 

"Did I scare you?"

His head immediately flipped to her. "No! No you didn't!!" he exclaimed a bit louder than he thought he would which made him immediately close his mouth, trying not to pay attention to the stares he was getting from the on-lookers.

Kushina chuckled. "You're a really funny person." 

Teruya could feel himself slipping away from the reality infront of him. His mother, father, godfather, his teacher, everyone precious to him not knowing who he was hurt. It was painful.

        There were days when he just sometimes wished that he could just spill the beans to Minato or Jiraiya but there was this small tug at his heart that gave him a firm answer.

No. You can't.

"I've gotten that a lot." he replied back loosening the stiffness on his shoulders. It should be alright...right?

"This is really exciting for me. Why don't we go and sit somewhere in a better place?" she suggested jabbing a thumb to the benches behind them. Teruya nodded.

He sat beside her, not too close, not too far.

"So, introductions?"

"Um yeah. My name is Uzumaki Teruya."

"As you know, I'm Uzumaki Kushina." 

Was she really standing infront of him?

"I'm going to be 18 this year on October." Wasn't Kushina supposed to be pregnant

"Ah you're so young! I'm 23."

From there the small talk started. Whether it be origins, jutsus or even about their acquaintances, they talked and talked to no end. An endless chatter. Was this an Uzumaki thing or was it just a family thing?

Wait- aren't they the same?

***

"...wow! So my husband is really famous out there!" she exclaimed after hearing from Teruya-san's opinion on Minato, the Yellow Flash of Konoha.

Teruya just looked away. It was embarrassing to say the least. He's never talked for this long to any woman, and this was not your regular woman either.

Deciding to change the topic, he looked up to the sky. "It's getting quiet late Kushina-san."

The red head looked up and repeated. "Whoa I never even realized it had gotten so late!" she said.

She got up and dusted her clothes. "Well then Teruya-san, it was really fun meeting ya!"

"Yes...Kushina-san." Teruya smiled at her figure slowly walking away towards the sun set. As soon as her figure disappeared, he frowned.

"Something's really wrong."

Minato becoming Hokage too soon? Orochimaru actually not betraying Konoha or whatever shit. Some little things he had learned from their odd conversation earlier.

These, days Kurama has been silent, only speaking in the most urgent of situations. Although he was being a bitch about it, speaking only in the urgent situations meant, speaking in the most awkward situations.

Why just the other day he suddenly barked up about Teruya's terrible sense of fashion and the next day when they were facing some high level shinobi, he was as silent as a rock.

What the fuck?

No but seriously, Kurama staying silent was scaring the teen a bit.

         Snapping out of his trance, he walked to the only place he'd find refuge at during the war. The Yondaime's head. And ironically, it was the only face remaining of what was called the Hokage rocks. The war pretty much destroyed the houses, trees, parks, people. Oh the horrors of that terrible war.

         Blood was a common sight. You'd see stains of dried up blood or even a few pools on the ground and you'd look at it as if it was the grass of the earth. Totally natural and not disturbing whatsoever.

        Teruya swore that he'd get back at them for this. But get back at what? Why was nothing ever serious? The fights weren't serious, his lines weren't serious dammit even the PTSD he was supposed to be having like every other person who's been in war for such a long time was not making its appearance.

Why?

Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?

Things were not progressing as he thought he would. Time here just seemed to...

slow.

A certain image flashed through his mind.

A snake.

 That snake. Snakes could usually mean one thing.

Orochimaru

But it could be some other snake.

But still, it makes no sense. Definitely makes no sense. But what if he knew...? Wouldn't that make things much more easier? 

No.

            What if he's still the same person who wants to gain immortality? But that's not possible. He still hasn't left Konoha. But Minato was a Hokage candidate Hiruzen just announced during their mission. Considering the fact that Orochimaru hasn't left because Minato was going to become Hokage, then something must've changed with Orochimaru.

What if he came back to the past just like himself? But didn't Kurama just used it for him? No rather, wasn't Teruya the only person alive?

"Dammit where are you when I need you?"

***

Another petal stained with blood.

***

Yeahhhokaysonevermindthisstupidauthor.Don'tevencallmeanauthourcuzIfu*kingsukatthisbusiness.IonlygotinspirationforthelastparagraphssoIamsofrickingsorry.NowmyheadisfilledwithotherthingstowritebutIdecidedtoendithere.

I AM SO SORRY ;-;

As an apology, please take my humble offering of these memes.

Disclaimer, I don't hate Sakura but this is just for the memes.

Gosh I just love Gordon Ramsay XDXDXDXDXDDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXD