Rebirth [MADASAKU FIC]

Yet Another Beginning

After every death the memories of Sakura's previous lives only returned around the age of three. They came in fleeting flashbacks that slowly increased in length and frequency starting from her first life all the way to her most recent death until, at the age of five, she (fortunately or unfortunately) was an aged veteran once more.

That is how a dull eyed five year old ended up at the library. Brushing a small finger along the worn spines of the various history books she stopped and pulled one with a recently patched cover. The History, Accomplishments, and Mysteries of Konohagakure's Founders.

Ignoring the strange look she got from the librarian, Sakura tucked the large book under her arm with a small crinkle between her brows. This same book had originally been titled The History and Accomplishments of Konohagakure's Founders.

Things were different now. She had gone to search for an orphaned Naruto as soon as she had regained the memories of her first life only to find him happily playing with Sasuke and some other village children in the playground. His parents—both alive and well—were friends with Sasuke's parents and by the age of three the two of them were already inseparable.

As Sakura regained the remainder of her memories over the coming years she came to suspect the difference lay with Madara. Evidently she had remained in the same timeline as her Madara, rather than being reborn into her original timeline.

In her timeline Madara had been alive at this point—albeit very old and weak, however that had only been due to his plans for the fall of Konoha.

Sakura wished that he had lived a good life. Perhaps growing old with Izuna and Hashirama, enjoying the growth of Konoha, marrying someone he loved—having kids maybe.

Some part of her wished that he was still alive somewhere.

But that wasn't possible. She was here, therefore he was dead.

That morning, exactly two weeks after her fifth birthday, she had her final flashback: her thirty fourth death. A combination of his barely patched up injuries, an accidental strike from Izuna, and an unfortunately placed rock, Madara had likely cracked his head open and died.

At least it was quick. Sakura didn't recall much pain in this death.

Tears pricked her eyes and she squeezed them shut before any could escape. Regardless of the untimely death Sakura had indirectly caused through her meddling, she had saved countless lives by changing Madara's path in life, she refused to allow herself to regret it.

Swiping at her eyes, Sakura opened the history book to its table of contents. She was still curious about what had come of Hashi. Her eyes had only begun to scan down the page when one subtitle caught her eye:

Page 74 — The disappearance of Madara Uchiha

The disappearance?

Sakura frowned. Madara hadn't disappeared, he died.

Hadn't he?

She backtracked.

Page 32 — Konoha's establishment
Page 37 — Attack on the Hokage Tower
Page 41 — Izuna Uchiha

She flipped to page thirty seven and scanned its contents, heart thumping as if it wished to escape her chest.

It was filled with information that she could confirm as relatively accurate.

"Founding day celebration ... explosions at Hokage tower ... tag barrier surrounding building."

She flipped the page.