Chapter 5: The Feared Paradox

Just as the laughter died down in the restaurant, Kushina thought of something horrible. "Oh crap!" she yelled. Sakura looked at her, "What?" "The future is at a paradox right now, I know it. The minute Sasuke came here, my present…your future…changed." Sakura's eyes widened, "Oh my God!!!" Naruto looked confused, "What do you mean, Kushina?" She hit him on the shoulder and said, "DON'T BE SUCH A BAKA DAD!!!" She then calmed down, "I am trying to say that this "paradox" has occurred in which now with Sasuke's arrival here and absorbing Madara and fusing with his past self, so much is going to change. Also when I arrived and you found out I was your daughter…that may have changed time all together. I am uncertain right now, but now that you found about me…both of you…I may or may not exist in the future as your daughter."

Naruto nodded and held Kushina close, "I can only imagine what you are going through right now. But wait, do you think if we defeat Sasuke here, we can reverse the possible effects of the paradox?" Kushina looked in his eyes, "I don't know…" Sakura looked at Naruto and said, "What do you think Naruto?" Naruto looked between Sakura and Kushina and said, "I'm not sure…time travel is not something I'm used to hearing about."

MEANWHILE IN THE FUTURE

The 33 year old Hokage, Naruto Namikaze, is looking outside his office window at Hokage Tower. "Things are starting to change…damn time paradox." His wife of 12 years, Sakura, then walked into the room. "Naruto…something's kinda bothering me." Naruto looked at her confused. "What is it Sakura-chan?" Sakura looked back at him and said, "Not that I am complaining, but how come we aren't that affected by this paradox? All I keep getting are memories of being 16 and talking to Kushina." Naruto said, "Me too. Hey Sakura…do you love me? Be honest. Do you?" Sakura nodded, "Yes I do. I truly do. Why are you asking that?" Naruto looked at her, "This damned paradox is on my head. For all we know, due to Kushina's time travel to battle Sasuke, a lot is being affected, I fear our relationship is something that will be affected, and I mean negatively."

Sakura smiled and said, "I know one way to prevent it." Naruto looked at her and said, "You don't mean that we go…" Sakura nodded, "Yes I do." Naruto then said, "But that could make things worse for our time." Sakura said, "Maybe, but it's a risk I will take. I know we can help out and possibly fix this paradox."

"Maybe your right Sakura," Naruto said. "Besides, Kushina is too weak to face him alone. She is one of the village's top ninja, but not strong enough to take down Sasuke. Even with the combined strength of us at 16 it's going to be hard. Did you get that memory of our Sasuke taking control of that time period's Sasuke's body and then absorbing Madara?" Sakura nodded, "Yeah, and if Sasuke wins in that time period…this one is going to be completely rewritten. We could be headed for an early war and an early defeat. At the time period he's at, Konoha is still rebuilding from Pain's Invasion. The village is weak enough to take down." Naruto nodded with a sad look on his face, "I know…"

Sakura then said, "How come we can tell the paradox's that are occurring. Its kinda odd don't you think." Naruto said, "Yeah…I don't know why. Maybe it has to do with the emotional bond we have with Kushina." Sakura said, "Whatever it is, I'm glad. I just hope I'm right and we can help her."

BACK IN THE "PRESENT"

(4 hours from previous point)

Kushina is sitting on the log her father was tied to during the bell test as a genin. Both Naruto and Sakura went to their respective. Both offered to have Kushina stay with them, but she opted not to. She is by herself at the Team 7 Training Field.

"I'm so weak, If only I was able to stop him in my time, the paradox could be avoided," Kushina said to herself, "I mean Sasuke defeated and murdered a majority of our ANBU forces and top Jonin, how did I think that I could stop him. I'm just a lowly Chunin, and he is an S-Rank Missing Nin. The people of my time call me the most talented kunoichi the village has seen in a long time, but those are just words…I'm not strong at all. I'm just as weak as mom was at this age. Damn. I feel so f'ing useless!"

"I'm just some stupid little girl. I can't even do the rasengan right, and I've been practicing with dad since I was 8 years old. He told me I have it mastered, but I don't think so. I'm no good at this. None of my jutsus I perform properly. Damn it. Now because of me the future changed…most likely for the worst. I just wonder if we are headed for a war that Konoha and the rest of the world can't win. Shit…Sasuke is too damn powerful…there are no ninja now or in my time that can stop him. We are so screwed."

She then heard a voice saying, "Kushina. Have more faith. There is always a way." She lifted her head to see who called her.

"What the…"

Who called for Kushina? How bad is this paradox? What about Sasuke? Find out soon!

Next Up: "Chapter 6: The Sasuke Paradox- The Start of Chaos"