An:/ I want to thank everyone who reviewed. It really means a lot to me and I'm incredibly grateful for all your kind words.

Anyway, it's a bit confusing on what's going on in this chapter but you'll pick it up, because you've already been through confusing chapters that I've posted before, this is no different.

There. She could see a shift in the water behind the boulder. The ripples in the water stopped moving the minute she caught the movement.

"Naruto?"

She walked cautiously around the rock formation to see the one person she'd been searching for. He looked so small. Like a child, vulnerable, crouched with his head buried in his hands. She could hear the sound of him sobbing with shallow breaths.

"Naruto, are you okay?"

He didn't move and as she approached she suddenly heard him muttering under his breath.

"Go away. Please. No more. I don't- I don't remember. Please stop. It hurts."

Sakura flinched and her outreached hand retracted like she had just touched a hot stove.

"Naruto…"

Between the gaps of his fingers Sakura could see Naruto's eyes widened, glazed over and unseeing. The hot tears rolled down his face and Sakura felt a pang in her heart.

He couldn't remember anything. His brain was throbbing in pain. The girl's voice began to muffle around him as he vaguely hears her calls.

It was cold.

I'm cold.

All these questions. There were no answers. Think, think, think! What's going on. There's-there's a girl and-and...nothing...there was nothing. What's your name? I don't know. Think! What's your name!

Blank.

White.

Lilies.

He could hear a faint sound in the distance. A gurgle and then a giggle.

A little girl giggling, no older than one. He could see her. He could see her so clearly now. She looked beautiful. Her hair, oh, her hair was gorgeous. Thin red locks that were already growing long. Her eyes were slanted and narrow but a soft stormy grey. It was so familiar. So nostalgic. She looked familiar. His heart was aching, his hands began to reach out.

Sayuri.

A tear rolled down his face. Sayuri. He repeated the name again, listening as the it rolled off his tongue like honey. He repeated it again. And again. It was his lifeline, a straw he was grasping. Sayuri.

There was a flash and suddenly he could see her, wrapped in a blanket staring up at him. Hands were holding her protectively against his chest. The image moved up and he could see a woman with red hair resting in a hospital bed. Her hair was identical to Sayuri's. There was a man next to her, his blond locks no different from his own, slumped in a chair next to the bed.

His parents.

The image looked back down at Sayuri.

'See you later, little one.' Onii-san will be back soon. I promise.

He could hear his voice echo in the void.

The image melted away and all he could do was collapse to his knees, letting the tears shed.

His little sister.

Sayuri.

He remembered something.

Sakura could hear Naruto continue his mumbling but her eyes locked instantly on her previous opponent struggling against a mass of water. She was snarling like a savage animal, her eyes were feral and her teeth were bared.

"You disgusting filthy creatures- GET OFF ME! IT BURNS!" she shrieked. Sakura remained hidden as she watched Akarii arch against her bindings. Akarii started to glow red until the water vaporized into steam, finally releasing her. Ripping off the remaining tendrils of water, Akarii snarled as her eyes darted around for her new assailant.

And then that's when that traitor arrived.

Sai.

He had suddenly flickered in front of the exhausted Akarii. Sakura's teeth clenched. Where was that little snake when the fight started? Was this his purpose all along? She watched as Sai talk about something from afar, Akarii only listening raptly before she nodded, straightening her back.

And then they both headed off towards the opposite side of the ravine away from her and Naruto. In the corner of her eye, Sakura noticed a golden glow and when she turned to look at the source, she gasped.

Pitiful human. What are you seeking.

He flinched. That voice.

Who's there. What do you want.

...I am your prayer.

His eyebrows furrowed as he stepped back, the void never changing from its blank white.

Prayer? Like a miracle?

…

I...I want to remember.

...Remember what, human.

Everything. I want to go back. I want to see Sayuri.

…

Be careful what you wish for, human. A wrong decision could cost you your life, or worse, your sister's.

What are you saying…

Namikaze-Uzumaki Naruto...listen to my words…

Listen to what-

Do not spare the enemy when there is nothing left to spare. Do not seek revenge when there was no reason to seek such in the first place. Return the actions and you will be no different from your tormentors. You are the catalyst to your own future. Do nothing and you will achieve nothing. Reach too far, and you will fall. Defend what is yours and protect those who cannot protect themselves.

These are my terms.

What-

In exchange for the return of your memories and the life of your sister, you will remember these words. This is your prophecy. This is your prayer.

Before he could do anything there was a blinding white light that enveloped him.

Yamato hopped down with Konohamaru in tow to where Sakura was. She was a few meters away from where Naruto had propped himself. Yamato had made a second clone that began to track the girl and the traitor. But his original joined Sakura and joined her in the expression of pure awe as Naruto's body was encased in a golden glow.

"Sakura, what's going on?"

"I-I don't know…"

Soon enough, Naruto's clothes began to change into a traditional violent red hakama and a mask materialized over his face. Two ears flickered to life from his hair and several tails extended from behind him. 'Naruto' lifted himself up and unsheathed his sword which was glowing red.

"Naruto-"

"We must pursue the traitors immediately."

Sakura and Yamato flinched at the unnaturally deep voice that reverberated from Naruto. It almost sounded disembodied as the mask showed no signs that the voice actually came from Naruto.

Naruto walked passed the two and stepped on the bank. The minute his geta touched the dirt, small sprouts sprung from the ground and died a second after his foot left. The gold glow began to seep into the ground and a circle of small fungi grew around him, leaving a ring by the bank.

With barely the sound of a breeze, Naruto's body disappeared in almost a flicker. Sakura staggered before she caught her footing and chased after Naruto's chakra signature. Konohamaru groaned as he began to rise.

"Y-Yamato-taichou?"

"Konohamaru. You need to get up immediately. Sai has taken off with Akarii and Sakura left with Naruto-"

"Naruto?!" Konohamaru shot up straight only to cringe as he clutched his forehead.

"Yes, Naruto-sama was found. There's...There's something wrong with him. I would remain cautious around Naruto-sama."

Konohamaru frowned but got up, noticing his healed injuries.

"Yamato-taichou...where to?"

Yamato grabbed a scroll from his vest and unraveled it before activating the seal. With a quick nod to Konohamaru, Yamato focused on his clone and jerked his head to the direction the other pairs went before the two took off.

An:/very very short chapter for short reasons (only 1.3k words compared to the usual 2-4k). If you watched the anime...guess what happens next chapter which is why I chose to cut it off here :D

Also as you can see I watched princess mononoke recently hence the incredibly familiar moment there with Naruto and the river bank…

Unimportant quick poll: Should Minato die at some point in this story? Why?

Predicted Update: 4/14

Aerotyl, over and out.