Changing the River of Time

Uzushio

Ino and Choji died on the same mission- a supposedly simple recon mission. Shikamaru wasn't with them because he was stuck in a meeting too important to miss, but he blamed their deaths on himself for the better part of three months. Even then, he never truly recovered.

At that point, they were the last Ino-Shika-Cho. The last to be and to live, since no one had the time to have and raise an heir. They barely had the time to sleep a few minutes before heading back out onto the field.

No one heard their last words- none from their respective groups surviving. That didn't make their deaths easier on anyone.

Shikamaru was never the same after that.

.

.

.

Aki stood completely still, keeping an eye on Zabuza, Haku, and his team while letting his clone's memories fill his head. The threat was neutralized and Tazuna's family was safe. For the moment, at least. And a clone was sent to prepare the back-up plans in case anything fell through. "Well, look who's here."

The Uzumaki looked at the speaker, Zabuza, and only let an easy smile overtake his face.

The only things he noted as different? Naruto immediately got stuck in the ice dome with Sasuke and Sakura wasn't shaking as much. Zabuza wasn't fully healed and was way warier than before. Aki stood lazily, posture relaxed, as he surveyed the area, setting up a protective barrier around Sakura and Tazuna without so much as a blink. The others on the bridge didn't notice- otherwise, Zabuza would've started attacking him.

He grinned as Sasuke awakened his Sharingan, deciding it's been long enough. "Ready for our rematch, Zabuza?"

The missing-nin didn't react outside of the "You arrogant little-"

"lAnGuAgE! There are tiny small ones present!"

In a blink, Aki was behind Zabuza and Kakashi was sending some jutsu at the ice dome, trying to help his kids. Once Aki and Zabuza parted, the red-head switched places with the Hatake, a simple, "I have more chakra," taking the place of an explanation. The red-head released some of his limiting seals, his chakra radiating off him in powerful, intimidating waves. Waves that mostly focused around the mirrors instead of spreading.

The mirrors cracked, just from his chakra. He's dangerous. They aren't reforming at all. Who is this man? I can see how he challenged Zabuza-sama like that...

Without moving, Aki made the wind around them slice through the mirrors, turning them into a fine hail. Luckily for Haku, the only mirror left was the one he was in, and even that was destroyed after he had just enough time to leave it. The boy crouched low, tense as a spring.

"You have a special someone to protect, Aki-san."

Aki only let a brief glance of grief fly across his face, his smile never leaving. "Now? Yes. A few. But the ones I got strong for are all dead. Have been for a long time now. I never would've gotten here without the friends I had at my back."

"You idiot! You'll get yourself killed!"

"Naruto, you moron! Don't talk to the Hokage like that! Have some respect!"

"Maa... That's our number one unpredictable knuckleheaded ninja, Naruto Uzumaki."

"Mother wants your blood. Who are you?"

"Don't call me Pervy Sage!"

"I'm not a Granny, brat!"

"Troublesome."