Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, damn it. Dx All rights go to their respective owner(s).

Author's Note: This is the revised edition of what was once known as 'Fading', but will now be known as 'Faded'. Anyways, I know that the first version wasn't that amazing. It definitely has room for improvement both plot wise and grammatically. Some things were rushed, some of the moments were awkward, and relationships were forced and not well developed. Also, Sakura seemed like a Mary-sue (an author's worst nightmare!). I appreciate all of those that reviewed the original! It meant a lot.

That being said, I would also like to say that this story will definitely be longer so that I can develop the characters at a more believable pace and add in more scenes because it's actually quite short considering what kind of plot it is.

Anywho, please read and review and tell me if this is better and if I should keep revising this story!

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REVISED EDITION

Chapter One: A Girl's Sweetest Nightmare

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Sakura had stared into his harsh eyes, her pain dwindling away into dull nothingness. Her body quivered as she forced herself to remove her hands away from his robes, both bloodied and shaking. Her hearing had become nonexistent and her vision grey. Everything around her had started becoming numb, but despite that all, she smiled as she fell to her knees. Her life in exchange for Naruto's had been a good decision. She knew that the moment her world started fading to black. When she could no longer feel the gentle breeze kissing her skin and Sasuke's blade which had impaled her heart; smell the dirt, blood, and leaves she had associated with home; hear Naruto's panicked voice; or when she could finally no longer gaze into those cold, dark opal orbs that she had familiarized herself with.

She was dead. She knew that. She could feel it. She opened her eyes and was not surprised to find herself in a bland area consumed by darkness. An abyss. She didn't dare look down at herself yet however. She wondered, was this what it was like to be dead? Was this a 'waiting room'? A place where she would be judged before passing on wholly?

And what she wondered most, was if her life was worth anything as a whole. Yes, she had died honorably. But . . . What about the rest of her life? Was it complete? That's when she realized that she had no regrets except two, in fact, she had lived a cherishing life full of love, friends, and a fair share of hardships.

One regret she did have was not reaching her full potential. She had been obsessed with Sasuke and allowed herself to fall behind, becoming a side-line fighter, using barking out harsh words that more than likely just provoked her enemies, and giving emotional and mental support instead back-up to her teammates. That had been who she was, defined as a weakling, even though hardly anyone had been rude enough to tell her that to her face.

She had been in denial about her weakness for a long while, but when she truly saw herself for what she was - she broke free of those bindings, her obsession, her needs - to set higher expectations for herself. That was when she had gained respect, honor, and was finally accepted as a true kunoichi.

She had been known as one of the most sought after medic ninja, the girl that followed in Tsunade's foot-steps - it had even been speculated that she had surpassed the blonde! - and to have the strength of twenty men. And now she would be known as the one that had sacrificed her life for Naruto's, her comrade and closest friend.

And her other regret was not being able to save Sasuke after he left the village. When he was still with Orochimaru she and Naruto both thought that their goal of bringing him back was achievable But when they had learned that he had actually killed Orochimaru and Itachi, then after being fed some lies, joined the Akatsuki - they knew their goal - their promises to each other - were unobtainable, not that they ever voiced it. Yet, they went on anyways - believing in a hope that was false. However, Naruto felt otherwise. He never gave up on Sasuke.

Sakura frowned and finally, albeit bitterly, gazed at her pale hands, the darkness that surrounded her swirling. The only thing she could see was a small speck of light in the distance. She tried to approach it, knowing very well that it would probably take her to either heaven or hell or some after life place - maybe even nothingness. She wasn't sure.

But one thing was certain: she was terrified; after all, death is an experience that no one in life can discuss with one. Even those that had claimed to have died for seconds, they didn't know what it was like after those few seconds. They had been revived, saved.

Sakura shivered, hugging herself. Her matured spiritual body appeared differently then her physical body. For one, any scars that she had received in life were gone and left her skin paler and glowing. She couldn't tell if there were any differences in her face, but her hair was flowing down to her waist in soft waves and it was even a shade lighter. Her body didn't have an ounce of muscle, instead when she pressed on her flat stomach she felt completely soft, not hardened with exercise.

One thing that was unnerving was her lack of clothing. She was completely nude and felt ashamed. Her body was hairless from the neck down, leaving her cold, nervous, and her cheeks flustered. She wanted to hide, but in the veil of darkness that seemed everywhere around her, she had no where to go. She had already become exhausted just from walking near the orb of light ahead of her, appearing just out of her grasp. It had left her with no energy to forge onward, to hunt for a place to hide. Though it seemed like her body was a source of light in the black abyss, unfazed by the darkness. She doubted she would find anywhere to hide anyways.

A moment passed and her thoughts raced. Should she give up? The thought made her nauseous. And that was her answer. She had to forge on no matter what, to at least try. Or else she may remain in the darkness, alone, nude, and forever. She couldn't allow that to happen - nor could she bear for that to happen.

She took a deep breath and forced one leg in front of her, causing what muscle she did have to tremble with fatigue, almost resulting in her to crumble to the ground beneath her. She closed her eyes and steadied herself before pushing herself into a slow paced walk. It was all she could muster up out her worn body, but it was enough, she was moving forward, toward the beauty of the light.

With each step she took, a little more of her energy was drained. It was like the light didn't want her to reach it. It was defying her efforts, pushing her back, absorbing her strength into the dark abyss surrounding her.

"Come on . . ." she moaned to herself, placing her foot down in front of her, her leg wobbling when she applied pressure to it. "You have to do this, Sakura." she said, trying to motivate herself to take another step, "If not for yourself, then for Naruto and the others that you love. Even Sasuke." she added, forcing her other foot in front of her, but that was it. She crumpled to the ground, panting. If she could sweat, her entire body would be covered in puckered up beads of the salty, clear liquid.

Sakura sniffled, reaching a hand toward the light. She felt like a failure. She wanted nothing more than to stand on her two feet and push herself onward, near the light. But no matter how much she pushed, she wasn't getting any closer. Was this her hell? Was this her punishment for the sins she had committed in life? She clenched her eyes shut tightly.

It was exhausting, draining. She was so alone and frightened. "Dammit!" she cried out, curling up into a ball. She felt like she did when she was thirteen: a weak, naive child with no real future ahead of herself. Except this time she didn't have Naruto or Sasuke to help her onto her feet like she did when she was thirteen. She was all alone to suffer through this.

She was insecure again, had no strength. This was true despair.

"Sakura, this is no time to feel self-pity."

"H-huh?" Sakura mumbled, raising her head up to face the light. It had grown three feet in diameter, shining brightly to reveal her once dark surroundings to actually be a stunning forest that eventually faded off into a white backdrop. The grass she lay on was soft as cotton and the trees around her were all cherry blossom. She stared in awe, forgetting all her shame and nudity. However, her self-loathing remained burrowed deep within her.

"Where am I . . . ?" she asked weakly as she placed her palms against the grass and tried to push herself up only to fall back down. Her strength still hadn't returned.

"A place in-between life and death," the light stated, "A place where time doesn't exist."

Sakura knotted her eyebrows together, "So, I could still be brought back to life? Or someone's trying to bring me back at the Hospital as we speak?" she had been certain she had died when all of her pain had subsided, leaving her deaf and blind. But she wasn't complaining. If there was still a chance that she could be brought back after all of that, she would be more than happy.

"Well, no you're dead in your time. There is no saving you there. However, I could bring you back," it said, a small, blue speck floating out from the orb toward her, "but you won't be in the same time."

Sakura blinked, "What do you mean?"

"You will be in the past." it said bluntly. The pinkette twitched. Then laughed. Now this was just torture. There was no way that anyone could go back in the past. It was like God or whoever was the 'higher being' was taunting her. "No one can go back in the past - no matter how badly they wish to."

The light was silent for a moment, "You will see." it finally said, "Take this gift and you will find a truth you didn't expect."

Sakura eyed the blue speck as it drifted closer to her, "I don't understand - who are you? And if this was possible, which I don't believe it is, then why would you offer someone such an offer? Wouldn't that mean that anyone could die and come back to life, in the past no less, and change certain events?"

"I am just a follower that was bestowed with the responsibility of being the guardian of time and memories." he answered, glowing brighter as if prideful of his duties, "I carry out His will; and He was the one who asked me to offer you this gift. No one else before or after - just you."

Sakura remained skeptical but decided to hear him out, "What's the catch?"

"You won't be able to come back to the present time - you will have to relive your life."

"I won't have my memories or anything?" she squeaked, not liking that idea. It would mean that she would just have to relive the same pain twice - and that was something that didn't sound all too thrilling to her.

The light chuckled softly, "You will be the only one to retain memories of this time, you will even retain your current kunoichi abilities." he said, "So, do you accept this offer?"

"I guess it won't hurt to see if it's true." Sakura replied, "And if it does, then thank you." she said. If this was all true, not a way to punish her, then she would be thankful. She would have the chance to save Sasuke and prove her worth and just make things better. And that was something to be grateful for.

"Hold your hand out." the light directed, snapping Sakura out of her reverie.

"Okay . . ." she muttered, extending her hand out in front of her from her laying position, her palm upward. Suddenly the blue speck glowed brighter and perched itself on her palm. Immediately she felt light-headed and tingly. Then, without any warning, her entire body started going numb, but she didn't panic. There was something soothing about the numbness as it took away her fatigue and eased her off into unconsciousness.

Sakura awoke when she felt a heavy pressure on her chest. She gasped, her eyelids fluttering open, and she sat up. She was panting heavily and sweating just as much. She gulped, her breathing slowing its pace as she stared at her surroundings. She was in the familiarity of her room. White walls, one window on the wall adjacent to her futon with the morning sun illuminating the room, a dresser right across from her, and a full-body length mirror beside it.

She blinked - she was really in the past! She had died at the border of the Fire Nation, not in her room - not even in Konoha! That meant that she really would get to change things - right? This wasn't some genjutsu! Just to be sure she did a hand seal and whispered, "Release!" when nothing happened, she was more than relieved.

Sakura yawned, a big grin across her face. She shouldn't have doubted His follower or Him. There was actually a higher being out there that was generous enough to give her back her life and offer her a chance to make a difference in her past. She was beyond grateful and she promised to make changes. After all, she didn't want to disappoint Him by slacking off or not doing anything. If she was successful in saving Sasuke she would save so many lives. Especially plenty of ninja and innocents in Konoha. Maybe that's why He had brought her back in the first place? An unbalance of some sort . . .

What ever His reasons were, Sakura was just thankful for what He had done for her. She wouldn't question him. Instead, she would just do what she thought was right and hope that those decisions would end with the results that she was aiming for. And the results she desired were as followed: save Sasuke, be a better ninja, treat Naruto better like she did in what use to be her present time, and prevent some other tragedies to help her fellow ninja out.

She threw her covers off of her and tossed her feet off the bed and onto the wooden floor. Once she was standing she rushed over to her mirror and stared at her reflection. What she saw instead of a mature body was that of an adolescent caught in that awkward stage in-between a child and an adult. Her body lacked curves, her breasts were nearly flat, and her hair was flowing to her mid-back. Also, she noted after scanning her body through her loose white shirt that she always slept in, was that her arms, legs, and stomach still had a little bit of baby fat - as did her face.

She didn't even realize she had lost it when she had gotten older.

"Sakura!" That was her mother. She always had called to make sure she was up. It was sweet that she crawled out of bed at early hours just make sure she was up and left the house with a warm breakfast settling in her stomach.

"Yes, mom?" she finally hollered back after a moment of silence, looking at the calender beside her mirror. It was turned to the month of May - all the days crossed out in red marker until the fifteenth. That was the same day team seven went on their mission to the Land of Waves. How could she have forgotten? She had been rather pathetic on that mission . . .

"You better hurry and get ready if you want to eat some toast and eggs before you head off to train."

"I will!" Sakura retorted, crossing her arms, a fond smile playing on her lips. Her mother and bribes of breakfast. Before she would sometimes be rude with her mother because of her 'diets'. Which usually meant her starving herself - it had been dumb really. She had taken the luxury of having a home-cooked breakfast for granted because of her obsession with Sasuke. It was pathetic. And the more she looked back at herself when she was this age before, the more she realized that simple, blunt truth.

Her actions towards Sasuke had been wanton and embarrassing. She should have been - and now was - ashamed of herself for them. It was obvious how uncomfortable he had been around her, yet she had blatantly chose to ignore it. How naive.

And not only that - they way she had treated Naruto as if he was just an nuisance when it really was her all along was just unacceptable. But the team didn't say anything. They had just pulled her weight for her without complaints and treated her like she was apart of the team, allowing her to claim half the glory and half the credit when they should have been harsh with her. Occasionally Sasuke would comment, saying how 'annoying' she was. But that was just about it.

She turned her eyes back to her reflection and glared. "First thing's first." she muttered, gazing over to her dresser that was cluttered with perfumes, lotions, hair accessories and jewelry. She picked up a black hair band from her dresser and pulled most of her hair up into a high ponytail, leaving her shoulder length bangs down to frame her face.

Sakura had always preferred herself with long hair, but it had always been more convenient to keep it a shorter length. This time around however she planned on keeping it tied up out of the way. And it definitely wasn't to please Sasuke. Before she had, had long tresses just because she had heard the girls at the Ninja Academy gossiping about the Uchiha and had stated that he adored girls with long hair.

How childish.

Instead of hiding who she really was and dumbing herself down, she should have tried to win Sasuke over the right way: being herself and fighting along side of him as a comrade. He had started to respect her (she thinks) when she started standing up for herself, fighting, and learning and having her own opinions. But before he could really see her mature and change, he had left. Her heart clenched painfully in her chest. That was still a sensitive subject.

She shook her head.

But now she wasn't trying to win Sasuke over. She was more interested in preventing him from abandoning Konoha. She would be content if they didn't get together - just as long as he stayed and was her comrade, then she would be happy.

Sakura yawned and stretched her arms high above head. If she was going for a different persona, she better start picking out her new attire. One that would be convenient for a ninja, yet appropriate for a young teen such as herself. Besides, if she wanted her teammates to think differently of her, a new look was the best place to start.

She approached her dresser and opened the top drawer where she kept her shirts. After rummaging around for a few moments she pulled out a dark navy blue long-sleeved shirt that most ninja wore underneath their green vests and laid it out on her bed. She then went back to her dresser, closed the top drawer, and opened the second drawer where she kept her pants, skirts, and shorts. She dug through the neatly folded clothing until she found a pair of black shorts. They were decently short, but they would be loose and light enough for better mobility.

She quickly changed into her new outfit, pushing her sleeves to her elbows, and put on her ninja equipment and adjusted her headband in her hair before heading down stairs. Her ninja sandals were at the front door but those would have to wait until after she had breakfast she decided.

"It's about time you got here." Mebuki, Sakura's mother, said, eyeing her daughter over with a pointed, green gaze. "What are you wearing?" she questioned, a look of surprise on her face, "It looks good - but don't you think those shorts are a little - uh - short?" she added, placing a hand on her hip, "Your father would have a cow if he saw you in them."

"Mom," Sakura laughed, descending to the foot of the stairs, "they're easier to get around in."

"I see," Mebuki muttered and arched her eyebrows before going back into the kitchen with Sakura right on her heels. "You really look more like a ninja - so I guess it's not a problem." she laughed, pulling out a wooden chair at the table and sat down.

"Thanks mom." Sakura chirped, pulling out a chair across from her mother where her food awaited and sat down. She immediately picked up a piece of toast and took a bite. The taste of strawberry jelly and toasted bread made her tongue feel like it was in heaven. She gulped down a bite and put it back down onto the china plate before grabbing her glass with faded yellow ducks on it and took a drink of apple juice.

"You're welcome! Now you better hurry off - you're running a bit behind."

Sakura nearly strangled on her apple juice, "What?" she screeched and checked the clock hanging on the wall beside her. She was already fifteen minutes behind. "Bye! Love you!" she yelped, leaving her breakfast behind. She hurried into the living room, put her sandals on, and scurried out of the house. Sasuke and Naruto were definitely going to say something. If she recalled correctly she had always bee the one hounding them (namely Naruto and especially Kakashi) when they were late.

Some hypocrite she was . . .

When Sakura arrived at their 'usual' meeting spot - a thick wooden bridge hovering over a small stream of water - she was greeted by a rather surprised looking Naruto and an annoyed Sasuke. From their opposite positions on the bridge they stared hard at her. Naruto gaped at her like a fish out of water, his mouth opening and closing over and over. She smirked; so they noticed her change in appearance. Hopefully they noticed the change in her aura as well.

"Wow, Sakura," Naruto mumbled, a blush on his face, "you look so different!"

"These are easier to move around in and they'll keep me cooler in this summer heat." Sakura explained, walking onto the bridge and standing beside Naruto, glancing at Sasuke out of the corner of her eye. His onyx orbs were still locked on her but he said nothing, which she had anticipated. She didn't mind though, she was just relieved to see him being his actual self. Not that murder lust, emotionless one.

Well . . .

He was almost emotionless now, but at least there was an arrogant and teasing glow in his eyes when they were thirteen. He would even show feelings such as surprise, anger, mischief, and sometimes even concern. But the Sasuke when they were seventeen was as cold as ice. His eyes held no emotions, his actions were only carried out swiftly with a pit of rage backing them up. It almost - no it did - scare her. Even after he teamed back up with them for a short amount of time to take down Madara and Obito, she knew something was off.

But maybe, just maybe, she could save this Sasuke. The one that had been on Team Seven with her, Naruto, and Kakashi. The one that had called her annoying, the one that had protected her, the one that had always been competing with Naruto.

Team Seven's Sasuke.

"Well you look - uh - nice." Naruto interjected, grinning in a foxy manner that was so fitting of him.

Sakura rolled her eyes, a smile on her face, "Thanks Naruto."

"Believe it!" He chimed, pleased that she didn't blow up on him for the compliment. Maybe Sakura had woke up feeling really good or something? Usually she would have nailed him right in the head for that. "You know you seem different today."

"I feel different," Sakura replied, placing the tip of her index finger against her chin, "Guess what?"

"What?" Naruto said, cocking his head to the side. Sakura never wanted to talk to him so casually before.

"I know it's kind of sudden- and completely random. But I want to show you something." she stated proudly, placing her hands on her hips. This was the perfect excuse to show off some minor medical jutsu. She knew people, namely Naruto and Kakashi, would be hounding her about how she learned such things if she did them unexpectedly later on. So, why not say she had been studying them on the side? Also she could say for her super strength that she had heard about Lady Tsunade's abilities and had decided to learn on her own as well. It sounded good enough to her.

Naruto blinked, "Really?"

"Yeah!" she answered, taking a kunai out of the back of her pouch. Naruto jumped back in surprise.

"Just what the hell do you think you're doing, Sakura-chan?!" he blared, backing away from the pinkette as she made her approach. "I know you severely dislike me but attempting to kill me off is taking it a little far, don't you think? Sasuke help!" Sakura rolled her eyes at him.

"Calm down, Naruto." she said, "I'm not going to kill you. Just let me see your hand."

"Shew," Naruto sighed, holding his hand out to her. Sakura snatched his hand in her right one, leaving it backside up. "I was seriously scared for a second - ouch!" he yelped when she made a small gash across the back of his hand. "What the hell?!"

"Before you go off on another rant, just watch." she commanded softly, biting her bottom lip when she caught Sasuke analyzing her actions curiously from his spot across from them. He stood from his leaned position against the railing and straightened his spine, his eyes never leaving hers and Naruto's hands. He was about to dub her as being useful to the team. She just knew it.

Naruto cocked his head to the side with confusion when Sakura hovered her free hand above his wound. "What are you -" he paused when a soft green light enveloped Sakura's hand - visible chakra. The blonde blinked in surprise when Sakura's chakra soothed his wound, numbing it, then sealed the skin shut.

"Very impressive."

"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto and Sakura beamed. He actually wasn't that damn late for once. Thirty minutes, a new record for him.

Kakashi's eyes scrunched up, notifying them that he was, indeed, grinning behind his mask. "So, Sakura," he began, now eyeing the female out of the group.

"Yes, sensei?" she questioned, playing innocent. On the inside she was cheering for herself. Kakashi had noticed her for once. Well, technically, it was her fault he hadn't noticed her before. She had came off as a strawberry bimbo that only had book-smarts and a huge crush on Sasuke going for her. Yeah, she had made some first impression all right.

Kakashi pulled out his Make-Out Paradise book and held it down at his waist and leaned against the railing beside Sasuke. "When did you start learning medical jutsu? It seems a little advanced for a recently made Genin."

Sakura twirled a strand of her hair between fingers, "I have been studying for a while, but I didn't have the nerve to try it until last night." she answered, "I got my inspiration from Lady Tsunade."

"Hm," he mumbled, "Interesting. That ability could come in handy once we start attending more difficult assignments."

"Yeah," she accorded, genuinely excited, "I thought so too."

"Good," Kakashi retorted then averted his attention to Sasuke then to Naruto then back to Sakura, "All right team," he said, "We have a mission."

"Hell yeah!" Naruto exclaimed, pumping his fist into the air, "Is it a real ninja mission, sensei? Will we fight deadly ninja and protect beautiful women?"

"No." Kakashi stated, causing Naruto to drop over, "Our mission is to find Torah the cat."

"What the hell?" Naruto shrieked, his eyes bulging out of socket, "That's not a ninja mission - that's - that's more of a mission for just some random hobo on the side of the street! Who would even have the nerve to go to the Hokage and pay for something so ridiculous?"

"Naruto," Kakashi said in a warning tone, "each mission, no matter how insignificant, counts."

"Actually, sensei," Sakura interjected, clasping her hands behind her back and rocking on her heels, "I think it would be best if we actually went on a mission that would give us some real experience. Rescuing a cat won't help us improve as shinobi." she stated, crossing her arms across her chest, "Besides for the past weeks all we have been doing is saving strays, picking up trash, and tending gardens for people." she then added, "That's not teaching us a thing about how to be a ninja, except maybe teamwork which is important, but still . . ."

"Yeah!" Naruto huffed, pushing out his bottom lip in a childish manner. He didn't care though, he just really wanted to go on a more challenging assignment to hone his skills. After all, the Hokage wasn't trained in cat rescuing.

"Hn." Sasuke grunted in approval, crossing his arms.

Kakashi sighed, "All alright, I guess we'll go speak with the Hokage."

That's all for now! I know she went further into her past than before, but it's a way for me to develop relationships through the story better- make it flow and be less OCC (which I'm trying my hardest to prevent by all means).

Anyways, please tell me what you think and if I should continue to revise the story ( :

Cheers;