First Timeline's Naruko P.O.V

I was sick. Dying from the baby who grew within me, but I had to hold on. I had to give birth to this baby, or I would have failed my husband as a wife.

"Naruko...I think we should do what the doctors recommended..." he whispered while helping me sit up.

I shook my head, upset at the mention of a possible abortion. "We're so close, Sasuke. If I give up now, then we won't ever have a family."

His expression was pained, but he tried his hardest to stay neutral. His hands shook as he reached for the bowl of soup he had prepared for me. "I know...but you're hurting," he said softly while grabbing the spoon to feed me.

I tucked a piece of my thinning hair behind my ear. "It's a small price to pay for a lifetime of happiness," I reassured with a smile.

I could tell he was still unconvinced. We were currently in a bad situation. I was bedridden, neither of us had jobs, and we were about to be evicted from our home. 

The panic I saw on my husband's face tugged at my heart as he fed me. "Naruko, please...let's ask Jiraiya-san for help-"

"No."

"But we need it-!"

"Sasuke, I said no."

I knew we needed my grandfather's help, but I couldn't allow myself to depend on him. I was an adult, and I needed to figure this out for myself. I can't ask him for help...I've burdened my gramps enough...

Sasuke's worried look quickly turned into anger. "I don't understand. Why can't we ask for help-?!"

"Because I said no-!" I yelled back before coughing.

Sasuke quickly placed the bowl down before helping me to regain my strength. In the last few months, Sasuke had been caring for me as my body was almost unable to function.

I felt like a failure. An embarrassment even. I was unable to be a good wife or even become a mother. I couldn't help provide, do chores, or help my husband when he needed any. All I could do was lie down and hope that this time, I could actually give him the family he deserved.

I held back the tears as I felt my body start to malfunction as I wet the bed. It was humiliating. I couldn't do or control anything anymore. My body was giving up on me, but I had to stay alive long enough to give birth. 

"Sorry..." I mumbled in shame while clutching the bedsheet. 

"It's okay," he reassured with a pained smile, "The bath is already ready...I'll go grab the spray and be back to clean the mattress." 

I sighed, upset at myself and the situation I found myself in. This isn't fair...Why am I so useless...?

"Naruko," he whispered sweetly as one of his hands reached for my clenched fist and the other caressed my cheek. He tried his hardest to comfort me despite being the one who needed the most support. Over the last three months, I could see my husband's spirit breaking, and my condition made it worse. 

"I'm sorry, Sasuke," I whispered, "I didn't mean to be a burden."

He kissed my forehead before standing up. "It's okay, Naruko. That's what I'm here for," he said softly before leaving to grab the stain remover to clean the bed. 

No...this isn't how it's supposed to be...I'm supposed to be making you happy...

I clutched the ends of my shirt in frustration. Tears wanted to slip, but I couldn't allow my husband to see me cry. I had to keep smiling for our sake. Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry-

"Naruko, the doctor's on the phone," I heard my husband call from outside the room. 

I tilted my head in confusion as my husband walked in with the home phone and cleaning supplies in his hands. "Why's she calling?" I whispered while he passed me the phone. 

He shrugged his shoulders before placing the supplies on the floor, then turned to grab clean sheets from our closet.

 I anxiously placed the phone to my ear and allowed the doctor to speak. As our conversation ended, a smile crossed my face. I was filled with hope again. I quickly hung up the call, placing the phone down on the nightstand. "Sasuke," I called out happily.   

While placing the clean sheets down on his desk, he turned to look at me. A smile crossed his face as he saw mine. "You're smiling," he said sweetly while making his way to the bed. He sat down beside me with a relieved expression. "What did she say?" he asked.

I gave a mischievous smirk in response to his question. "I'll tell you tonight~"

He shook his head before grabbing the collar of my button-down shirt.

"You gonna beat me up," I joked.

He slowly began to unbutton my top with a sly smile. "Worse," he whispered as his hands began to slowly caress my bare skin, "I'll force you to tell me."

For the first time in months, my husband and I were flirting again. I missed his smile, his touches, and his soft voice that would send shivers down my spine. I missed what we were before all of these hardships.

I slowly placed my hand over his as he continued to remove my top. "Wait," I breathed heavily, "The bed..."

He closed his eyes, letting out a breath before picking me up in his arms. "As soon as I change the sheets," he started while taking me to the bathroom, "I'll come back and make sure you're cleaned thoroughly." 

I blushed at the thought of my husband being intimate with me. "Idiot," I mumbled while hiding my face in his chest.  

Just wait, Sasuke...wait a little longer, and we'll be happy again. I promise.  

***

That night, before falling asleep, I waited for my husband to come to bed. Despite all the changes in our life, we always found time to spend the last hour before bed together. He would either braid my hair as he listened to my stories and crazy theories or hold me in his arms as we talked.

Sasuke was the love of my life, and I knew it pained him to see me this weak, but I kept pushing through the pain so I could see him happy--happy with his future daughter.

When I received the call from the doctor this morning, she informed me about the gender of my baby. I had waited eight months to hear about my baby's gender, and finally, I could rest more easily. Sasuke and I feared knowing our baby's sex due to the many false hopes in the past. So, we planned to wait until a safer month to find out the gender in case they wouldn't make it, but she did. My daughter held on. 

I smiled to myself as I rubbed my belly. I wanted to tell him. I wanted to see a glimmer of hope and happiness as I told him about his daughter. However, he was taking longer than usual to get to bed. Maybe he's still cleaning up. I did cause him extra work today...

I sighed, still feeling guilty about the mess I had caused. I groaned in frustration as I covered my face in embarrassment. I know he says it's okay, but I still feel bad...I wish I could be a better wife...  

While removing my hands from my face, I caught a glance at my wedding ring. I then stared at the ring that was once my mother's and now mine. Am I a selfish person? 

I then turned my attention to our wedding photo that sat on our nightstand. Am I a bad person for not ever wanting to let you go?

I knew my condition and our situation was putting a toll on our marriage, but I never regretted meeting him. I loved every moment we shared, the good and the bad. Yet, I wish I could have been a better wife. I wish I could have given him a grand family and helped carry his dreams. But--Even though life turned out this way, I still wouldn't change anything. I wouldn't change anything because I love you. I love only you, Sasuke.

I smiled at the photo on our nightstand. He was holding me in his arms, smiling into the side of my neck as I stared directly at the camera with a smile. We had no one but each other at that time, and it remained the same even now. People were against us, and despite it all, we ended up together...

"There's no one I would have rather met than you...I just wish I could give you more," I whispered towards the photo. Because I love you, I want to give you the world...I will have this baby, even if it kills me...

***

A few hours had passed, and he was still nowhere to be found. Sasuke...what're you doing...?

My right hand clutched the empty bed sheets in longing. I'm getting tired, but I want to see him before I close my eyes...

I fought the sleepiness, but soon I found myself asleep. That night, I had a dream that my husband had left me with no explanation. I was lying on the bed, unable to move or speak.k I blamed myself for his departure. 

Was it because I wasn't good enough? Because I couldn't fulfill my role as a wife or mother? Was it because he saw me as a burden and no longer wanted to care for my broken body? Was I the reason he no longer wanted to be with me?

I had so many questions, yet I was mute and unable to fight for him to stay.

"It's all my fault," he said, "Everything that's happening to us is my fault."

I wanted to scream and tell him it was all okay. That what was happening to us was just life being a dick, but I couldn't.

The sensation of him grabbing my hand felt real, and the tears he shed felt as if they had really touched my skin.

"Because I love you..." he whispered as he planted a kiss on my forehead, "I have to let you go..."

'Let me go?! Sasuke, no!'

I couldn't protest as he removed the ring from my finger and tucked it into his bag. I watched my husband walk out of my life, and I couldn't do anything to make him stay.

I quickly woke up from the dream with tears rolling down my cheek. I covered my face as I sobbed into my hands, afraid of how real that dream had felt. Then, I quickly checked to see if my ring was still there, but it was gone. My ring was gone, and so was my husband.

"Sasuke?!" I yelled desperately while trying to sit up from the bed. The adrenaline I felt canceled out any pain I felt. I just wanted to find my husband.

"Naruko."

My panic calmed as I looked up to see the man calling me. "O-Orochimaru...?"

"Your troublesome husband has stolen something very important from me," he said while crossing his arms.

"W-what? Sasuke hasn't--what--Why are you even here, you stupid snake!" I yelled, completely flustered and confused.

He shook his head, annoyed with my immature remark. "Childish as ever, I see."

I tried to stand up, angry at the fact that he stood so high and mighty after what he did to my husband. 

"I wouldn't try to stand if I were you," he warned.

"Shut up!"

I tried my hardest to stand but quickly failed. In moments, blood began to drip down my leg. My heart stopped. This wasn't the first time I saw blood emerge from my body. Every time it appeared, the loss of my baby swiftly came after. 

I screamed, afraid to lose my baby for the fourth time. 

"I warned you."

"What have I done?! All this time, I've been doing all I can, and for what?! No wonder he left me!" I cried while holding my belly desperately. It's over. My husband left me, and now my child too...I'm all alone...!

Knowing nothing could be done, I cried, waiting for the baby to leave me again. My spirit had at last broken. Yet, in the midst of my panic, Orochimaru slowly walked up to me. 

"Stay back!" I yelled.

He raised his hand to show a small gadget. "Don't move," he warned.

A white light flashed, and before I knew it, the bleeding had stopped. "What did you-?"

"I reversed time."

My jaw dropped. "Reversed time? Like time travel?"

"Somewhat...I had created this invention to help you, but it seems Sasuke was as impatient as always and stole my time machine. Luckily, he stole the old prototype and not the new one."

My mind was unable to process everything that had just occurred. Time travel? Time reversal? My husband was time traveling?! What--none of this makes sense!

He clicked his tongue, putting the gadget away. "We don't have a lot of time. We need to go get my time machine back."

"Your time machine?! What about Sasuke?!" 

"Sasuke can wait. We need to get my invention back before someone in that timeline finds it. That invention was supposed to stay here, and now it's about to be at the bottom of a canal in Suna."

"Suna?! Why did he go to Suna? None of this makes sense! Why did he leap through time, and why did you invent something for me when you're so freaking evil?!"

"Evil?"

"Yes! You used my husband for your stupid experiments!"

"He did that voluntarily. Besides, I paid him for his services."

"That doesn't make it right!"

He clicked his tongue. "Why do you think he agreed to help me with such inhumane things?"

"I- You must have tricked him-!"

"It was for you," he replied harshly, "Everything he did was for you."

My heart sank as I thought about the many times my husband would come home sick. But the anger I felt from his disappearance overcame my heart. "If-If he really did all of that for me, why'd he leave?! Why'd he go through so many hardships just to leave me in the end?! Why?!"

Orochimaru sighed heavily before tucking a strand of his hair behind his ear. "He probably thought you would be better off without him."

His words rang in my ears. Tears flowed down my cheeks as I finally put the puzzle together. My husband had been blaming himself for all the hardships we had, but recently, he had stopped. I thought we were going back to normal, but he was just planning on leaving me the whole time.

As I broke down, I heard Orochimaru dig into his pockets. I looked in his direction and saw him take out another gadget. "Quit your crying," he commanded coldly while pointing the gadget toward my legs.

The same white light as before appeared, and in moments, my legs were functioning like normal.

He then placed the machine back into his pocket. "Unlike a time machine, this gadget reverses the state of an item. I can control how far back in time I would like it to go, but it can only be used on one physical item at a time. That is how I was able to heal your legs and reverse your uterus back to its healthier state before your miscarriage."

I was dumbfounded. Why is helping me?! I don't understand anything that's going on!

I was about to open my mouth to speak, but he quickly cut me off. "I understand you're upset, but don't blame your husband for everything...He's just doing what he believed was best for you..."

He placed the gadget back into his pocket before helping me up. "Even I could tell how much Sasuke cared for you. Your love was quite sickening to be around, but I couldn't help but want to make you two happy after all you went through. I wanted to surprise you both tomorrow morning after I finished testing it; however, that idiot stole my time machine! How did this even happen--Kabuto?!" He bit his nail anxiously before turning to activate another machine. 

In moments, a portal opened before us. "Sasuke has created a new timeline where you two no longer meet," he said while tapping his watch. 

"Timeline?"

"Yes. The universe consists of endless possible outcomes, therefore creating different timelines or multiverses. One small change can trigger a chain of events to change drastically, creating a butterfly effect and different timelines.

In this case, Sasuke has lept through time and created an abundance of different possible outcomes for you two. However, this timeline is slowly coming to an end. Soon, we would all no longer exist. That is why I need to go and retrieve my invention before someone discovers it. Who knows how many timelines will end because of it..."

My brain was still trying to comprehend all that was happening. I didn't understand anything he had said, but I did know Sasuke might have negatively impacted us by all of this.

"What's going to happen to Sasuke and me...?" 

"You two would never meet...well, at least not in the upcoming new timeline."

"Is th-there anything that we can do?" I asked desperately. 

He stayed silent, looking at the portal anxiously. He then grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the portal. "I don't know what we're about to do," he said, "But I need to get my prototype back."

As soon as we entered, the portal closed behind us. The inside of the time machine was dark, yet the path below our feet lit the way to the light at the end of the tunnel.

"Stay close," he warned, "And don't fall off the path. If you do, you'll be lost forever."

My heart began to race as I held my belly for comfort. I can't believe Sasuke walked through this on his own...He's been doing so much on his own...

 "Naruko," Orochimaru called.

"Yeah?"

"Hurry up. We don't have time to waste."

I nodded my head while following behind him. 

As we walked through the portal, Orochimaru explained how Sasuke had changed this timeline, giving it a new future. "He made sure you two never met ten years ago; however, it seems no matter what he did, you two were still attracted to each other, so he hurt you so badly that you left Konoha."

"He hurt me...?"

Orochimaru nodded his head. "Yes, but I don't think that made much of a difference," he said while looking at his watch. He narrowed his eyes and then did a mischievous smile. "You two truly are sickening."

I looked at him in suspicion. This wasn't the first time he glanced at his watch. "What? Does your watch tell you things?" I asked.

"It's none of your concern."

"Hey-!"

"When we get to the end of the portal, you need to stay behind."

"Why?"

"If you meet your current self, you will merge with her. She will then keep all of your memories, and you will then be forced to relive the life of that Naruko...A life without Sasuke."

My heart dropped in fear. "So it's either I live knowing I can no longer be with Sasuke, or just wait to disappear...?"

"Yes."

I bit my lip, conflicted with what to do. We were almost at the end of the path, and I had to make a crucial decision. If I have to disappear...then I would rather disappear seeing my husband one last time.

"Can...Can you let me see Sasuke?" 

"That would be pointless. He doesn't remember you anymore."

I clenched my fists before begging again. "Please...let me see my husband one last time..."

He sighed while rubbing his temples. "Fine; however, you only have five minutes before you disappear." 

"I'll take what I can get," I replied with determination. 

We were about to reach the end of the path when Orochimaru suddenly stopped walking and slowly turned over in my direction with a bittersweet expression. "I wish you both peace in your next life." He then pressed a button on his watch, and a path began to branch out before me. "Five minutes," he reminded with a small smile. 

I returned his smile in gratitude. "Thank you..."

As I began to walk away, I turned to face him one last time. "Hey, snake man!"

"Hm?"

"You're not as evil as I thought."

He chuckled with a smile before exiting through the main portal. 

A smile crossed my face as I walked through my very own tunnel of light. As my feet touched the roads of my childhood, I breathed in the fresh air of the outside world for the first time in months. As I looked at the sky and then at the sight before me, I smiled, knowing I had found my husband.

I began to walk as quickly as I could to catch up to him with the last bit of strength I had. As soon as I was within arm's distance, I grabbed onto the strap of his bag and pulled him towards me. "Sasuke!" As his name rolled off my tongue, joyful tears began to arise in my eyes. 

"Wha-?" As soon as his eyes met mine, tears began to slide down his cheeks. Shocked by his own reaction to me, he quickly pushed me away in fear. "Wh-who are you?!" he shouted while drying his eyes.

I laughed awkwardly while standing before him in my pajamas. My hair was loose and knotted, my large baby bump showed through my top, and my face was dirtied with dried tears. I must have looked insane to him, but I knew deep down my Sasuke was still inside of him.

A scowl replaced his shocked expression, and his lifeless eyes pierced my soul. He looked at me the same way when we first met on our class trips ten years ago. Without me...He grew to have no emotions, like the rest of his clan... 

"Did you do something to me?!" he growled, not understanding his own feelings.

Despite his sudden hatred for me, I couldn't help but look at him with loving eyes. He was still my husband, no matter how cold he was. I wanted to caress his face one last time, hoping that I could disappear and still remember the way my husband felt. 

I slowly reached out to touch his cheek the same way I had done in the last ten years of knowing each other. However, out of what seemed like fear, he backed away. I slowly brought my hand back to my chest in pain. The feeling of being rejected by my husband stung, but what else could I have expected?

What am I supposed to do-?  

I shook my head and stared at him with determination. "No," I blurted while reaching for his cheek again. He continued to try and move away, but his path was cut short the moment his back hit the wall of a nearby store. 

I caressed his cheek gently as he watched me in fear. My baby bump divided us, yet my hands connected our warmth. "I know you won't believe me...but I'm your wife from your previous present," I said while tearing up. 

"My wife...? Y-You're crazy!"

I nodded my head with a chuckle. "Yup! Crazy about you, my Uchiha Snob."

A tear slipped from his left eye as his eyes widened. 

"You asked me what I had done to you," I whispered while looking at him gently. "The only thing I ever did was love you."

As I looked into his eyes, life suddenly appeared in them. His gaze softened as his hand reached to caress my cheek. "Naruko..." he whispered with tears rolling down his face.

"Yeah," I replied softly as he placed his forehead against mine, "It's me."

"How...?" he asked while reaching to touch my baby bump. 

"Orochimaru healed me with some gadget so I could come here and beat you up for leaving me," I partially joked.

His expression dropped in instant regret. "Naruko, I'm sorry...I shouldn't have-"

"Sasuke," I called to stop his rant of apologies. "Do you want to know the gender of our baby?" I asked with a bittersweet smile.

"Y-you reached eight months...?" he stammered. 

I nodded my head. "It's a girl."

His arms embraced me as he cried into the side of my neck. "I'm sorry...I should have waited, but-"

"You were doing what you thought was best for me." I rubbed his back to comfort him. "What's done is done..."

I slowly pulled away from his embrace, knowing that I would be disappearing at any moment. I gave him one last smile as I touched his face for the last time. "I wish you happiness in your new life, Sasuke..."

We leaned in for one final kiss. "I love you," we whispered in unison.

As my vision began to fade, I prayed that we would find our way back to each other. 

I hope in my next life, I'll find you again...

***

Present Naruko P.O.V

As I stood in front of the body of water, a bright white light blinded me. What's going on?!

Once I was able to see again, I watched a pale man with long black hair exit a portal of light. He looked at me, then turned to face the canal. He then stuck out his hand before the water, and in moments, the very time machine Sasuke and I had thrown into the water appeared in his hands. 

"W-Who are you?!" I yelled in a panic.  

"A God," he replied. 

"A God? How is that even possible...?" I asked in awe. The man's presence was almost snake-like. Something about him sent chills down my spine.

The mysterious man then began to slowly approach me. 

"He-hey, what're you doing?!" 

The man took a small contraption from his pocket and pointed it at me. "I'm here to take your suffering away," He said, "It's time you forget about Sasuke..."

My eyes opened in shock at the mention of Sasuke's name. "H-how do you know Sas-?"

In seconds, my mind went blank, and the name I was trying to say completely left my head. I rubbed my temples in pain, confused as to why I was standing at the bottom of a bridge. "Why am I here...?" I whispered to myself.

"Naruko!" 

I quickly looked over to see my grandfather running towards me. 

"Naruko!" he yelled again in concern. As soon as he reached me, his arms embraced me. "It's been two hours since you were gone! Where's Sasuke?!"

"Sasuke?" I asked in confusion. "Who's Sasuke?"

The name seemed important to me, but for some reason, I had no idea who they were.

My grandfather looked at me in concern before hugging me again. "No one..."

***

Five years later

"Uzumaki-sama, the CEO is ready to see you," stated the receptionist as my brother-in-law Kankuro and I waited in the lobby of Konoha's top company, Uchiha Corp. 

I sighed as I uncrossed my legs to stand up. "Are all the files ready?" I asked.

"Yeah...Naruko...Are you sure you're ready to do a business meeting?" Kankuro questioned in concern.

I nodded my head while feeling anxious. "I think so." 

Four years ago, I married my college sweetheart, Gaara; however, he passed away almost a year ago after a long battle with cancer. With Temari raising a family in Konoha and Kankuro unable to take full responsibility for the company Gaara left behind, I became the next CEO of Kazekage Technology.

I wasn't smart like Gaara. I hated paperwork and needed a dictionary to understand the jargon used in business meetings, yet I was stuck with the position of CEO. 

I bit my lip nervously as I played with the necklace that held my old wedding ring. I heard the owner of this company is cold and ruthless...What was his name? Ah, crap...I don't even know the guy's name! What if I mess everything up?! Ugh, Gaara, what would you have done...?

"Naruko," called my brother-in-law, "It's time to go."

I gulped anxiously before walking into the meeting room. As I walked up to the desk of the CEO, he never once looked up to face me. Instead, his eyes remained glued to the paperwork before him.

I took the seat in front of his desk, waiting for him to start the meeting; however, he continued to ignore me. Stupid Uchiha jerk...They really have no respect for anyone outside their clan. 

I cleared my throat rudely to get his attention, but he didn't budge. I then did it again and twice more. Before I knew it, he slammed his fists on the table and looked up at me angrily. His mouth opened to yell curses at me, but as soon as our eyes met, it felt as if the whole world had stopped.

Tears slipped from both our eyes as we both spoke each other's names unconsciously: "Sasuke.../Naruko..."

In shock at what had come out of our mouths, we stood up in a panic. "How do you know my name?!" we both shouted in unison.

I didn't know why the name of the man I had never met before left my mouth with such sorrow or why tears left my eyes at the sight of him, but something told me I wouldn't be leaving his side anytime soon.