A/N: This story begins around the time the coup by the Uchiha clan was about to happen. In this story the Kazekage is named Taimu and he isn't nearly as hard on himself or his kids as he is in the anime. So there's no crazy Gaara here, but he is still a jinchuriki.
The title comes from the idea that many people in the story betray, or feel like they betray, someone or something, including themselves.
This is just a prologue so I hope it interests you. The story will focus on Itachi, Shisui, Hana, and Temari. It will involve some adult themes much later in the story. I'll give you a warning when that happens.
"Kazekage, there's finally news from Konoha. Would you like me to call an emergency council meeting?" Ritsuka gave two scrolls to the Fourth Kazekage.
"Yes, please do that." The Kazekage didn't even notice Ritsuka leaving the room. He was not expecting two scrolls. One scroll had Hiruzen Sarutobi's seal. The other had two seals. One was the official seal of the Hokage; the other was the Uchiha crest.
Taimu chose to read Hiruzen's first. It was simple and yet complicated. He read it twice before moving on to the more troubling scroll. He twirled it around eyeing the red Uchiha seal before breaking it open to read. The Uchiha scroll was brief but nowhere near the point. The Kazekage had never been so thankful to not have clans in Suna.
"Sir, everyone's ready." Taimu nodded and walked with Ritsuka to the large conference room. There was a loud murmur that hushed as the Kazekage took his seat.
Taimu began, "We've received official news from Konoha. I'll just be blunt. Sarutobi Hiruzen is dead. We received two scrolls: one from Sarutobi and one from Uchiha Fugaku, the former head of the Konoha Police Force.
"Sarutobi stated that he was near death and was appointing Uchiha Fugaku to the Hokage position. Apparently he informed all Konoha shinobi that if they considered themselves loyal to the leaf then they would now follow Fugaku. That it was for the best of Konoha.
"He goes on to state some nonsense about the 'will of fire' and then he says that he hopes that we will continue to ally with Konoha as we have in the past. He assumes that this does not change our agreement.
"The Uchiha scroll basically confirms what Sarutobi says. According to Uchiha, everything has been settled for at least a week. Konoha is officially under new administration."
"Is this all we know? Is this even true?" asked Jakobe, an older council member.
Atsushi, the head of Suna's intelligence, cleared his throat, "We have two long term agents in Konoha, and they have reported many times that the Uchiha seemed more distant from the village. I'm surprised Sarutobi would have chosen an Uchiha as the next Hokage.
"I've just been able to get their most recent report right before our meeting. They both confirm that Sarutobi instructed everyone to cooperate with the Uchiha. They say that whatever afflicted Sarutobi also caused the deaths of Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu. Some members of their Black Ops teams were also mysteriously killed."
"Thank you, Astushi. I want you to continue working our assets in Konoha and elsewhere. I also want to know what the other lands think about this. What about the civilians?"
"One of our agents thinks that the civilians will be supportive relatively quickly however the other shinobi are a different story."
"Is there any news about Hiruzen being poisoned?" asked Jakobe.
"No. It seems like they were just elderly and died naturally. Nevertheless, all three elders ruling Konoha dying naturally at the same time appears incredibly unnatural. But there is nothing that can be proven."
The Kazekage let out a long deep breath, "This is going to be very hard for us to hear, but I have to say it. I do not really like Konoha, but they are our biggest ally. Our neighbors in Iwa may take this opportunity to attack us. They might figure that Konoha is no longer concerned with us, and they might be right. I doubt the new Hokage and his new government will resemble anything like what we've seen before. "
"Sir, I don't think we have to worry about Iwa any time soon. I think most nations will be wary of Konoha until they have a clear idea of their intentions. They are going to be too worried about Konoha to begin a campaign against us." Atsushi was usually spot on when it came to foreign relations and the Kazekage agreed with his assessment.
"Yes, I believe you're right." Taimu wanted to make sure that everyone was clear on their situation. "Before this incident more of our jobs were beginning to go to Konoha. I'm almost positive this trend is only going to continue. They've made everything seem so peaceful that it probably won't even put a dimple in their economy. With more Uchiha actually taking missions outside of the village, I'm positive their power and wealth will grow while ours shrinks. Sooner or later they are going to try to subjugate us. We need to start diversifying our economy now in preparation for this." There were mutterings of agreements throughout the room.
"Should we try to align ourselves with another nation?" asked Kazuhiro.
The Kazekage answered him quickly, "Absolutely not, they would just turn us over to the Uchiha in order to gain favor. Now more than ever, we need to quietly prepare and wait to see their next move. We may not have to wait that long."
Thanks for taking the time to read this.