It was just a passing thought on one of the afternoons that Sasuke's mind traveled back to wonder how things were going in the village. Sometimes the melancholic feelings he had whenever he considered Konoha prompted him to write to either Naruto or Sakura, but the thought stuck and no matter how many days and weeks passed, it wouldn't leave. Sasuke had seen enough and been through enough to know that it had to be possible. Nothing in their shinobi world was impossible - it just took figuring out the right formula, the right jutsu, the right power source. So he contemplated the idea more seriously, casting off theories that he knew wouldn't work, and playing with ones that might.
It wasn't until his travels brought him to the ruins of Uzushiogakure that his idea sudden became a very possible reality. He found himself shaking his head at the thought that Naruto still had so much untapped potential in his Uzumaki genes. The Uzushiogakure ruins were a minefield of seals and traps, but Sasuke had studied under Orochimaru who had been obsessed with all jutsu, including the sealing techniques of the Uzumaki. He couldn't believe that the snake hadn't managed to find his way deeper inside, but at the same time, he was indescribably relieved and happy that it wasn't Orochimaru that discovered the chamber hidden deep on the island.
Sasuke weighed the scrolls in his hand. After reading through the extensive research the Uzumaki had done, he knew he could do it. It wouldn't take as much effort as he thought, actually, it was surprisingly simple since he had the aide of the Rinnegan. His hesitation was whether or not it was right to do. He deliberated for six days before he made his decision. In the end, he decided that he would go ahead and make his passing idea a reality. Sasuke had made many, many mistakes in his life and those choices he'd made had shaped who he was. Part of him whispered that he was selfish, a cheater. The path to redemption was supposed to be long and hard and unending, not something to be jumped out of just because he could. Another part of himself argued that what he was doing was redemption, the chance to wipe the slate clean - not just for himself, but for those he loved.
So, on the sixth night, Sasuke slept well, resolved and determined. He waited until is chakra was completely replenished, and then prepared the seals. If his calculations were correct, he'd arrive there before things spiralled out of control in his life. Opening a portal, he applied the seals to it and felt the shift in its shape and form. The space dimension transformed into a time portal. His chakra was draining quickly and grimaced as he completed the seals with his own blood. Sensing it was complete, Sasuke took a deep breath and walked into the swirling darkness.
Sasuke Uchiha was going back in time, and he was going to fix everything.
•••
After stepping through the portal, Sasuke walked the time-road. He saw his life go passed him in reverse, faster than he could blink but so slow he could relive almost every moment. The road pushed and pulled against him, fighting against the unnatural reversal of time. He remained steadfastly on course, walking forwards ever deeper as he saw flashes of the most important moments and people in his life, all the way until his academy days when he felt the change around him. Things slowed and stretched, and he reached out, looking for something solid, something in the seemingly unending void. He found nothing but blinked in shock as he saw his hand was much smaller than it should be. He looked down at his body and saw that he was regressing. He was growing younger. His arm tingled as it regrew from his stump, and he stared at it with unease. He flexed his new, small fingers and then Sasuke was suddenly falling. He cast his arms out for something to grab onto, but there was nothing but infinite darkness. Panic raced through his heart, and he thought he had failed until he was suddenly jerked upwards and -
Sasuke's eyes shot open and he sat up quickly, clutching at his chest. He groaned in pain, his body hurt. All his bones and muscles felt like they were on fire. His heart pumped hard and fast, and he scrunched his eyes shut, gasping for air from his burning lungs.
"Sasuke?"
He flinched, hearing a familiar voice, but that movement caused an agonising pain to ripple through his entire body. He grunted, refusing to scream although he wanted to.
"Sasuke, are you all right?"
Itachi walked over to him and kneeled beside his bed, putting his hand comfortingly on Sasuke's back. Sasuke's teeth hurt. He groaned again, unable to speak, but through the haze of pain, all he could think was Itachi was there, Itachi was alive. His brother rubbed circles on his back and Sasuke almost laughed in hysterics, but he managed to keep it down. He wasn't sure how long it took, but it had to have been at least ten minutes before the pain subsided. He managed to deepen his breathing and his body began to relax. He looked at Itachi, who had such a tender look of concern on his face that Sasuke's heart tugged painfully and he threw his arms around his brother's neck and hugged him tightly. Itachi was surprised at first, but then chuckled softly and hugged him back.
"Sorry," Sasuke muttered. "I'm 'kay."
He breathed deeply, taking in Itachi's familiar, nostalgic scent and slowly let him go.
"Are you sure?" Itachi asked him, looking at him with a frown. "You looked like you were in a lot of pain. Are you sick? Do you want me to call for mother?"
Sasuke shook his head. He felt a lot lighter than he remembered himself being.
"No. I'm okay, I promise. I'm not sick. It's just... growing pains?"
Itachi raised an eyebrow. He didn't believe it, but he gave a slow nod.
"If you're sure..." he trailed off.
Sasuke nodded, studying Itachi. In the darkness, he couldn't see so well, but his brother looked to be about eight or nine, which meant he was about four or five. In a small voice, Sasuke asked if Itachi would stay with him. After Itachi's eyes widened almost imperceptibly he gave a small, fond smile and nodded.
"Let me wash my face first. I just got back from a mission," he said.
Sasuke blinked and then saw Itachi's clothes. "Okay," he said. "Promise you'll come back?"
Itachi poked him on the forehead and Sasuke felt a rush of heat to his cheeks and eyes.
"I promise," he replied and then left the room.
Sasuke watched him go and then let the threatening tears fall. It had worked. The jutsu had worked, albeit very painfully. Growing pains, he mentally scoffed. Reverse growing pains, maybe. He lay back down and waited for Itachi to return. He would be able to confirm everything he needed to in the morning, but for now, he was tired, he had succeeded, and his brother was here. His family was alive. Itachi quietly came back into the room and Sasuke scooted over in his bed to make room. Itachi slipped in beside him.
"Good night, Tachi," Sasuke whispered, unable to stop the happy smile on his face.
"Good night, Sasuke," Itachi replied quietly.
Sasuke drifted off to sleep; a dreamless, restful sleep.
•••
When Sasuke woke in the morning, he was disoriented. He felt off. He blinked a few times sleepily, faintly noticing that Itachi was gone. Then he frowned, wondering why and how that would have been possible, and a moment later, Sasuke remembered. He'd traveled back in time. He let out a heavy but happy sigh and glanced over at the clock, eyes widening when he realised it was almost lunchtime. He shot up out of bed and then stumbled, immediately falling on his face, not used to the lightness and smallness of his frame. Sasuke groaned and flushed red with embarrassment. He heard a feminine giggle come from his doorway and his heart thumped when he pushed himself up to sit and saw his mother standing in the doorway. She was beautiful, smiling at him behind her hand. Her hair was long and dark he knew it was soft, he remembered the way it felt. Her eyes were looking at him with a mix of concern and amusement.
