Here it is. The shame. A friend made me write this, and ship it, so I'll slap her for it eventually. 

The rareness alone makes me scream. Little note, the ending of the chap is a bit sloppy because I was just trying to get this finished up and forced myself to rush. A 1st person really isn't my normal playground so I may switch to a 3rd person after this.  Or just try out Sakumo's POV -I doubt this- just a warning.

Time-travel fic with dates, so I did the math for everyone while writing it -and for my own sake. 

Kakashi (prologue): 30 - X81 = Kakashi (When Naruto Arrives): 3 - X48

Sakumo: 28 - X48

---------------

Having stolen myself from mind, I now wandered aimlessly through the streets, backways, forest even. Nothing registering short of a direct greeting calling away the numbness.

However, as consciousness came back, and reality began to settle unpleasantly, my own recognition of the village in non-meaning revery put me at the graveyard unexpectedly. I could only take this as morbid self-torture, circumstances circling around in my head brutally as I looked down to my own feet and felt a well of anger at their cruel ironic humour.

The moon shone high, I couldn't find surprise, even if I hadn't left Tsunade's office at sundown, time was absent to my own clock of awhile while stuck in myself. Glancing around with a choking throat, I spotted a dull silver glimmer from a figure by a shining grave -recently polished by the looks of it. It doesn't take much thought to recognize the covered and masked sensei dressed in all black. Clearly, he was mourning someone, body not moving. Should myself and Kakashi be anywhere but Konoha I would have assumed he was planning on ambushing someone for an assassination. A strange contrast of vulnerability and shinobi deadly silence.

Instinct told me, loudly, to leave out of respect, however, my own mood nailed at the back of my mind, something crushing in my chest. Empathy I assumed, and maybe even want for familiarity. So, instead of removing myself, I walked up, naturally as were the copy-nin's senses I couldn't remain unnoticed and a single grey-black eye met mine peered around a black-clad shoulder. Unreadable as always, maintaining mysterious air. I almost considered smiling, before it was blocked by memory of everything blandly said, and I felt spite crawl upwards. Any muscle that contributed to smiling suddenly left me, feeling so familiar to the loneliness of childhood that it was discomforting. Still, I could not force anything this time, as opposed to then. I had only a numb, dulling sense of uselessness.

My teacher gave me no greeting, and normally it would have annoyed me, but any feeling I had remained behind the blockade of no. Giving I'd known him at least five years now, it was strangely kind to be left in one of his odd silences. Even so, my consciousness wanted to pin everything that welled up in misery on those who'd known. Serving no purpose, of course, I knew that Kakashi-sensei remained wholly innocent to Tsunade's decision. Maybe it was because he'd walked me to the room, that why my grudge built. Making no sense.

He was still, as he'd been when I'd first spotted him, if he hadn't looked to me I would've thought nothing had changed. There was a frown on his face, I recognized from having memorized the contorting of his mask as a kid. Revealed eye cautiously unravelling as normal, though slanted slightly more then usual. And I declared it was sad compassion, already resigned to this person's death. I had to look, maybe a sparkle of my own curiosity had returned.

The grave read:

Hatake, Sakumo

X20 - X51

Devout Father

Underneath the sordid plain stated words was another line less warn. Scraped into the stone at least a few years after the previous line. Perhaps a late honour.

White Fang of Konoha, Hero

Judging only by my own inclination, I gave into the guess that this was indeed Kakashi-sensei's father, which made a jolt of sympathy shock through me.

I couldn't imagine loving a parent. As I'd never experienced it, but losing someone so precious was painful regardless of affiliation unto oneself. I'd lost Jiraiya, and while this pain was fresh, still stinging and causing havoc, Kakashi's loss was different in age, both were just as wrecking.

Through Iruka-sensei, all I knew was that Kakashi's father had been a victim of suicide, and after learning that I hadn't pried further. Some things were not meant to be found, nevermind spoken of directly. To drive a shinobi to that point was no hard feat, but agony usually had to be involved for even the consideration to be made. Often torture, or banishment, helplessness, as any person.

Confusing, however, was that there was no indication of Kakashi's mother, no neighbouring grave or respectful marker. It was common for couples, especially those with a child, to rest with their spouse after death. Yet another thing I couldn't ask about, especially as this was a time of mourning for him. As it was for me.

Many minutes past, but it was not a time when I felt frozen to the spot I stood, merely calming as my thoughts settled down. Turbulent to my emotions, nothing was truly gone an engraved sadness still clung on. Less containing, however, and while I felt the dryness of tear tracks down my face, the memories of Jiraiya did not seem as tarnished with his death as they had previously. Midnight must have struck, the moon far further across now then when I'd found myself here. Noticing this as well, Kakashi finally moved, shocking my mind for a moment as it remembered that I had not been next to a statue.

While I could barely see in the shadow of night, I could find the outline of the flower he placed on Sakumo-san's grave. Merely by what I could see, a thin stem with pointed leaves and a long body shape. I can only guess it to be a lily, not that it really mattered. But bouquets were more common then a single flower, so it caught my attention. My teacher turned to leave, but I couldn't bother myself to, I was comfortable and hopefully this way of staring into the sky and reminiscing I could stop drowning myself and actually remember Ero-sannin for who I knew. A hand fell onto my shoulder, the warmth was brief before he walked away.

"Ma, don't spend to much time here Naruto." He called to me, I didn't really want to listen to that, even if it was sound advice.

--------

Hours later didn't change much, other then bringing the dawn. A loom of mist or fog -I'd never figured out the difference- creeping over the gravestones, and a crisp freshness enriched the air. Condensation made my feet cold while standing on the grass, but it was a nice morning overall so I couldn't complain really.

My eyelids were heavy from so long being forced open and my body felt both weighted from fatigue, my headlight for the same reason. Yet my senses as a shinobi remained, and the glint of metal had me tensing and flinching backwards fast. Though it wasn't an attack, realizing this my heart settled down and a forced myself out of a panicking state. Indeed it was a piece of metal, this it was stationary and not in the treetops, an enemy would not have infiltrated the village and made such a mistake. No, this was on the ground by a different grave. Deluded a little by my sudden adrenaline and slumbering mind, I walked to it. Finding a long dagger of some sort, dirty and sticking out of the soil further from the edging grave then I'd thought, dug in where a piece of the surrounding fencing had fallen away.

The blade was broken and in two halves, one part -blade only- dug in underneath the grave, intentionally placed. Not cared for, rust tainting the metal and it was worn along with the marker of death. While the handle and remainder of the blade were far off from the stone, obviously not given a thought, although it looked to have originally buried within the earth as it was far better preserved then its other half, and lain half-in-half-out of the soil. Looking closer, it was difficult for me to distinguish it, but I did realize it to be a tanto and not a dagger as I'd thought; which is merely a miniature katana and often double-edged with a deadly tip. Needless to say, it was a strange place to stumble across one.

Jiraiya could use one, he didn't enjoy it however, for a man renowned for his ability on the battlefield, he was unusually against the use of deadly force -therefore weapons. Never lacking the pacifistic nature so misplaced for a shinobi, teaching unto me. Though, now I can count myself as one of the few active shinobi of the leaf with the same idealizations as he. Not many could fathom a place of peace in this life. Its easy to imagine him smiling while dying. Morbidly, that's how I hope he passed.

Despite it being none of my business, I felt the need to reunite the weapon with itself. Bending to the grave with its other piece harshly jutting from the ground. Reading the lines absently.

Horonigai

X14 - X50

Devout Mother

A name I never before heard, nor seen before it seemed. While a chorkle stuttered my breathing for a moment at the misfortune of her name: I cruelly wondered if this mystery person could have been part of the ANBU-Yu with such a name, it sound like something a seductress would use under a guise. Dismissing it immediately at the judgemental and discourteous thought. Seeming to momentarily forget I do in fact have a vindictive side; saved often only for the villagers continuously throwing stones. I should not place it on someone long since passed and in no position for my scornful thoughts.

Still, it made me giggle slightly. Poor woman.

A flash caught my eye as I had the thought. To my right where I'd put the rest of the tanto while I dug a hole in the dirt. Of all possibilities, a trick of the light in my vision was the most likely so I pretended ignorance and continued. The next one I couldn't dismiss, and with the white flash, I looked around me. No one visible and no shimmering metal, reaching out my chakra just in case, but I was the only one in the vicinity.

A shiver mellowed my breathing. A ghost? Obaa-san, Sakura-chan, and even Iruka-sensei had decreed them unreal, still, my fear had never left me as they'd hoped. Probably why I'd always subconsciously tried to avoid the cemetery. I gripped at the kunai I had unwittingly withdrawn, no matter how ineffective it may be against spirits; I had to give myself comfort somehow. Moments slowed before I noticed the dim white flashing wasn't from a corporal, but from the two pieces of the tanto, I was trying to secure in the ground. Slow originally, and now increasing in frequency until it was merely a continuous glow emanating from the metal, it was so different to anything I'd ever seen that it captured my attention.

It started to brighten. The shine eventually beginning to hurt my retinas. A buzzing sound gaining volume in my head until it exploded into a loud buzzing that I couldn't block out. My limbs felt stretched out and my lungs couldn't take oxygen, everything turning a bright all-encompassing white before I felt myself crashing into sleep without want too. Perceiving with what sight remained the illusion of shadows dancing across my vision, a silhouette I'd seen before became smothered together into one, then whatever I had been mentally fighting grasped me firmly and I was being dragged down and away.

---------

Banging explosive ruptures shattered in my eardrums ripping me from whatever trip I had taken. Sitting up with a pounding headache, and spinning eyesight, trying to regain myself by merely standing. Little cleared, but I could see somewhat clearly, given the pain in my head I'd been hit with something heavy or had some brain damage. The blood pooling on my hand from where I'd grasped it did not help me figure out which. Neverminding injures unidentified, I knew without looking about me that I was in the middle of an extremely dangerous situation. Screams cracked the air, and explosions from tags were setting off every few seconds. I couldn't move, I knew this, my head nor eyes were in any fit state to recognize an enemy trap along the trees, and should an ambush occur I wouldn't be able to fight nary at all.

Minor injury or not, I was incapacitated, and by all shinobi law, I would have to wait wherever I was for some sort of back up or medical team. In considering the situation, I can only think that my options and chances are slim.

Where I am is unknown, how I travelled to this location is unknown, my condition is unknown: Not much to go on.

There is something else nagging at my head, making it pound harshly in my skull. I recount something the academy had taught when dealing with a possible amnesiac or amnesia. Simple questions that could help center and calm the mind, while also gaining details of that person or self if necessary. Though it was preferable to have someone else present to help actually recount details, a self-examination would have to do until I could get aid.

Name? I could remember mine well enough, I shouted it enough times. Uzumaki -of the clan- Naruto. That was comfort at least.

Village? I couldn't think about it, remembrance insignificant, a pain lapsed over my head when even attempting to think about it. I would check my headband, but while there were potential allies and enemies fighting around me I couldn't risk taking it off. That is if I even found recognition of the village symbols engraved.

Team? Seven, that was all though. Just the number, no details of who they were, or even what they looked like peeked through my conscious. No clan names, no mission statements, nothing but where I'd been assigned. Though thinking about my team made a bell come to mind. Nothing I could use as relation at the moment, unfortunately.

I felt a pull in myself as I thought. There weren't many questions to my recollection, all of them were simple and based solely around the person themselves, not family or anything that wouldn't be ingrained.

Age? This was difficult, I couldn't remember that along with my village, but there was a sense -unlike my affiliation. I could recall some numbers that I wasn't. Six, eleven, fifteen, each ones I know I had passed, which was comforting in a way and irritating for the most part. I am older then fifteen, but that could mean a lot and there was no way of knowing until I had a mirror, or maybe a really good medic-nin.

Judging the by the age I am not, I can assume myself to be around Genin or Chunin, though that was more dependent on a village bases, and I have no clues as to where I come from, so its a bit haphazard even for a guess. The assumption would say that my amnesia was brought on from the wound in my head, or perhaps a jutsu from a combatant.

A rustling brushing sound, shrubbery, caught my attention. Making me glimpse cautiously away as to not make whoever aware of my senses picking up their presence. If they were planning on an ambush or assassination I would be able to catch them off guard if I played myself correctly. However, instead of attacking a large figure -male?- stepped out rather uncaring, in his hands were two kunai, wary, but oddly trusting. He wore a green vest and a headband with a swirl on it, placed over his forehead, sweeping away his silver hair.

I had no other indication, and it was deadly to assume, but I would surmise he was only approaching me this way because we were from the same village. I hope that remains true, because I couldn't afford to be wrong with this.

So, playing my only remaining card, I backed up slowly, showing the nervousness I felt -not something a shinobi was supposed to do, but this was slightly different.- His eyes twitched, a cramp developed in my chest, if I was mistaken then I would die here and now! Another figure emerged with alongside his, in the same type of uniformity, though he had long blond hair down the majority of his back, and even in the gloom of the forest, I could make out bright ice like blue eyes. Unlike the other figure, something in me found something in him familiar, though nothing made itself bold or outcrying to my frazzled mind.

"Who are you?" The one with silver hair said, speaking hushed. I knew I had to answer him otherwise I would simply be killed. So, I followed his lead and kept my voice quiet.

"I- don't really know... I remember my name." I clamped my mouth shut, an old rule settling over my mind as information, I couldn't just spout out everything I knew! Even if I was remarkably short of options right now. The shorter, blond man, raised his kunai. My head began to hurt further as I made myself ready for defence, not certain of where I could possibly run, or even if I could manage too. Though while he seemed ready to kill me out of caution, his companion clamped his hand around his comrade's wrists, and I felt briefly spared.

"Wait! He has a Konoha headband, we cannot merely kill him. It may very well be a hoax, but we have an obligation to check. Please Hatsuhana-kun, use your Mind Transference Technique. Find out his intentions, if we can establish that then we need not..." This gave me hope, though I did not enjoy what was implied. Hatsuhana-san paused, making a grand show of being conflicted before nodding, my breathing became a little easier.

I was only given this brief time of relief before I felt something far stronger then my own migraine against my brain.

Sudden immobility, along with the gruesome pain getting more intense with each second. Sight remained, but that didn't seem to matter as any attempt I tried to make in movement was mute and I was left only staring while something squirmed against my thoughts. Being touched in a way that vastly discomforted me, I would go as far as to say violated. Though in my sight I could clearly make out Hatsuhana-san's form slouched over, though nothing came to mind as to why. An interrogation technique? This, given by how the other man had said 'mind transfer.'

Much too long passed with the pain banging in my head and the slimy presence of something, not myself intermingled with my own thoughts before finally, the sensation relented. Withdrawing completely as the blond man roused once more, stretching his muscles and giving a nod to his comrade. Both of them easing their posture after that, and I traded positions with -who I assume had just been in my head- slumping over on the forest floor. For me, it was pure relief.

"Definite amnesia, a lot of his memories are simply blank, which is odd, but not uncommon for amnesia victims that I've studied. He is from Konoha, around his mid-teens, nothing on his family, unfortunately. Most memories are strained and distorted. From what I can tell, he hasn't been manipulated in any fashion. No genjutsu or ninjutsu shaping his mind, by my analysis I would say he's of sound mind, excluding the memory loss. I managed to get some names, none I recognize personally though, Iruka, Sakura, Sai, and Sasuke. Any others are completely out of reach, just unintelligible blurring kanji." All of this was probably more imperative unto me then those who have saved me. Though, it did spare me my life, which was liberating.

One of my newfound companions helped me up. A kind smile resting on his face, predominantly created by his eye, warming something in my chest as something else in me said to trust him.

The ash black and grey eyes were more then nice, rather, they made a recollection simmer underneath my thoughts, unreachable. I found that even with all my confusion that didn't bother me. I considered it merely a product of not caring about what I didn't know, even if, mere minutes ago, the uncertainty of myself had near gotten me killed. "You said you remembered your name?" The guy helping me half-asked, under a deep voice was an impassioned tone, actual curiosity, the lack of blank expressionless visage was strange but not unwelcome.

"Uzumaki Naruto." He tilted his head and gave a low 'hmm' sound.

"Related to Uzumaki Mito? Maybe that Kushina kid, I wonder?" The question didn't seem to be directed, only speculative, even still, it made me think. I couldn't remember no matter how hard I wanted to bring some memory. The word family only made me think of warm brown, but there were no faces to match. I couldn't say anything to him in response, maybe I was related to the women he spoke of, but even so, the thought didn't bring any feeling to me.

"I dunno."

"Ah of course." Came the quick response, the man now appearing nervous for having even mentioned it. Before I could give it much more then a blink, the blond in front of us set off with a wide step on the tree-tops and I was being held helped along by my companion. "I'm Hatake Sakumo, only fair that I give you my name. Just don't go spreading it around, I haven't got the nicest reputation." I almost laughed, he was either scatterbrained or a joker, maybe carefree in general.

"Spread it to who?" We were only heading to Konoha -I imagine-, seen as I was injured. Therefore, my -but couldn't recall, it sounded correct though- village. Meaning his, so everyone there had to know who he was. My logic almost confusing myself as dizzy nausea began to set over me. Getting lost within my own strain of thought isn't a pleasant experience, no matter the excuses available for the embarrassment.

He actually snickered, though it was slight, and his eyes darted, we weren't safe yet. Although I suppose we were in enough of familiar territory to retain a slight humorous nature. "Point taken Naruto-kun. Ah, that man who invaded your mind was Yamanaka Hatsuhana by the by. He's honestly a good man, mind-probing aside." That's a name. I felt a chuckle in my chest -that didn't escape, prevented by my head screaming-. Still, the clan name brought me to think of 'minds' merely the word 'mind,' and that was all. Naturally, I had to assume I'd known the man or someone of his clan, so my subconscious had made a connection unto him.

The leaves began blurring in a jumbled mass, and though I tried to keep myself together, I was more then aware I could not keep myself awake long: due to my head and my fatigue catching up to me. I think that Sakumo took note that I wasn't travelling well in any sense of the term, my feet stumbling along the branches rather then gliding overtop. For he fell back with my position slightly, moving faster then I could readily track, his arms swept under my knees and across my shoulder-blades along my neck. A carry that made my face burn. All the extra blood to my head must've done something because my vision lapsed on me at that point.

-------

I woke with a creaking neck, aching shoulder-blades and a numb leg. Blinking found my headache mostly gone, the lightness of the room was not overwhelming, nor was moving my head.

Looking about I saw I was in a large room with a middle-aged man fronting it. Brown-greying hair and harsh set eyes with a ratty beard flipping wildly through scrolls laying about him. There were several jonin around him staring as he made a larger mess then already there, some with exasperation. The man in question had the expression of someone entirely put out, even while his hands moved fast, I got the impression he'd rather be anywhere else.

Not far from him were the two I'd confronted in the forest, except better defined in good lighting, bowed over in respectful conduct, I could only hear a faint murmuring sound from one of them as they stood once more.

Though it's merely a guess, I would have to assume this to be the leader of the village, I hadn't thought I'd be brought directly to him. I considered -briefly- before falling unconscious that could be taken to the interrogation unit upon entry: having been fooled by Sakumo-san and Hatsuhana-san in a fake act of trust.

However, the back of my knees and shoulders were warmed from the carry Sakumo-san had held me in, and that was enough to brush aside that suspicion. It simply didn't make sense to treat an enemy that way.

Still, my mind reasoned, why bring me to the leader -what was the title?- of Konoha, directly?

"Naruto-kun." The greeting came as I'd been glancing around the room, nearly startling me high into the sky, which was unfair, because just moments previously I'd been paying attention. To address me only mere seconds after staying my gaze felt like some type of cheat. Finding the grizzled voice to be that of the man sitting on the large pillow with a sympathetic, unmeaning smile resting on his face. I tried not to be unsettled by his demeanour but to me, he was merely a stranger. A loud wailing of a child broke the room's silence and my own unease.

I always felt comforted by children, I have no clue how I made this as fact into my head, but it simply was. The child I noted was right beside the Leader -and man I was so disquieted by, crying over some knocked over blocks and drink nearby. Small, and unassuming, I couldn't possibly picture him to ever becoming a shinobi or a man.

"Asuma-chan quiet down. Please." One of the jonin nearby picked him up, though the child -toddler?- began throwing a fit soon afterwards squealing and wriggling about indication enough that the effort wasn't appreciated. I want to comfort the poor kid, he seems so displeased with being taken away, something clenched in my chest to see it.

There was a cold recognition with the absent way the adults in the room ignored him.

Pillow-man spoke: "I find it rather odd how Hatsuhana-san confirmed you are from the Village, yet we cannot find any of your paperwork." I want to scream at the inconvenience of it all, whatever had happened I couldn't recall, I had no explanation to give, and now the very files of my existence were missing. Nothing popped into my head as to why, and it seemed the leader was absent of answers too. The men who'd found me in the forest looked both flummoxed and uncertain of themselves which did not help sooth my mind.

Worst of all, there was no escape from my circumstances. No quick exit, or simple solution, nothing to convince them I wasn't a threat.

"Although it is possible your information could have been lost in the last raid. Even so, no one can recognize you, unfortunately, you remain quite the mystery to all of our jonin and chunin.." A dejected sigh escaped him, in understanding the situation. I could sympathize in the most basic sense, thinking 'I should know this,' and merely drawing a blank in response was incredibly frustrating. Never Minding the fact that I had the strong and dominating urge to scream in my own lacking knowledge. "Due to this, I have no choice but to have one of our Sealing Jutsu artists bind your chakra, for the sake of caution. We are at war, I cannot afford to be extensively courteous, unfortunately." Giving into the new situation I only let myself nod, I can hardly remember what to do with my chakra, so binding it is rather precautionary then anything necessary as I am.

"Hokage-sama if I may." Sakumo-san walked forward nervous energy encompassing him as he rubbed at his neck. "I feel rather uncomfortable leaving an amnesic stricken comrade to simply wander about, maybe it would be best to have someone help him around? At least for a few days." The Hokage gave him a tilted gaze, something unspoken there that I could not distinguish as an outsider.

"I assume you're volunteering?" While continuously expressing himself with a lighthearted expression, there was a serious disposition even with a smile resting on his face now.

"I don't mind. I feel it'd be irresponsible of me to leave an injured comrade to himself when barely coherent." I had the urge to jump in as my own defensive, but there would be no point, he was right. My mind was far too scrambled to even remember what the name of the Hokage was, I doubt I could buy any essentials or find a place to sleep without aid.

Turning, he gave me a closed-eye smile. 

----------------------------

Okay so, the name on the grave that Naru was giggling over means Bittersweet just thought some of you would want to know that. 

Also, Hatsuhana's name made me laugh. 

The name Yamanaka Hatsuhana translates  -roughly- into First flower among the mountains.