i. the beginning

They came from the future.

At least, that's what they said.

They have returned to the past to prevent a series of events that will result in total annihilation and chaos in the shinobi world.

Heh, Naruto thought, they talked as if the Fourth Shinobi World War wasn't annihilation and chaos enough.

And what ill timing.

Konoha was still in the beginnings of renovation.

(this village which stands upon blood-soaked earth)

Sasuke was still bitter towards Konoha.

(take away his chakra, can never take away his hate, but still he stays)

Sakura was still distrustful of Sasuke.

(loved with all her heart, still loves, will always love, but trust is a different thing)

And Naruto…

Naruto, after everything, was still optimistic—

(but grew more realistic; one would, after so many battles to the death)

—but he'd never expected he'd come face to face with his 28-year old self.

"You just have to listen to us and everything will turn out alright," the older version of him had said, beaming. Behind him, one face smiled kindly while the other remained passively grim.

Naruto knew his teammates mirrored the latter's expression.

Sakura would be uncertain, her brows furrowed in concern, already trying to figure out the problem and the possible solutions and obstacles in her head. Also possibly trying to wake herself up and pull away from this nightmare.

Sasuke would be seething (when has he never?), glaring at the older mirror images sitting across them, rejection already at the tip of his tongue. He would not want to take part in saving something he'd rather burn to the ground if he could.

Naruto smiled wryly.

Sakura will try to run away and Sasuke had never been one to listen to his elders. Never mind that one of them is his older self.

Naruto sighed.

Annihilation and chaos indeed.

Author's Notes: inspired by a fanfic I've read, this will be a series of connected drabbles
Disclaimer: I wish I owned Sasu-kun and Sakura-chan but I don't =w=