Summary: Naruto sought for peace, for equality and for those not rare but many moments that could be cherished forever. The world he knew was chaotic, war torn and endless political strife. How could he ever hope to change the world when he was only a farm boy? Is Naruto willing to sacrifice his adoptive family and most of all, love in order to achieve peace for the greater good?
Naru/Sasu pairing
AU ish? The first chapter is really a prologue before the real story actually happens, a set up I suppose. So that it will be easier for the readers to understand what's actually happening. Also this story is "loosely" based on the history of Feudal Japan, so please don't read too much into the timeline vs actual Naruto universe.
starts from Teen to Mature content, to be honest I'm not sure how much fluff I want to add but this story is mostly plot driven!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, just this little fanfic.
"Papa, tell me the story of our ancestors!" a little boy with bright blond hair begged as he pulled up his blankets to his chin as he mustered the most innocent face he could.
"But I've told the story many many times already, little one. You could retell the story better than I can by now!" Minato ruffled the little boy's hair and planted a kiss on his forehead, smiling.
"but..but! I like papa's voice!" He beamed, pouting.
"Ok, ok." The blond man settled into the bed next to the little boy, he put his arm around the small shoulders into a half embrace. "A long time ago… our ancestors the Uzumaki Clan ruled the Land of Fire at the seat of the imperial court…however; peace did not last as long as we would have hoped…"
The 5 great nations, Land of Fire, Earth, Wind, Lightning, and Water ruled independently of each other, each nation co-existed with each other in peace; however, peace or turmoil within each nation was a complete different story. In the Land of Fire, Senju and Uchiha clans held the major influence over the Imperial court and the military. The Senju, held almost complete control because of marriage ties to the Imperial family, the Uzumaki clan. Each Prince and Emperors were born of Senju women. The Senju served as imperial regents, often times, to the people of the land, their words were the words of the Emperor.
Uchiha were deemed ruthless, dangerous and filled with greed, thus closely monitored by the Senju. The Uchiha Rebellion arose resulted of dissatisfaction and decades of oppression by the imperial court and the Senju clan. The rebellion was fought to dispute the succession of the imperial court and to dissolve Senju's grip on the throne. No longer shall a Senju born Emperor will sit on the throne, they vowed.
—
"Madara, we sought for peace didn't we!?" Harashima Senju's voice cried out harshly as his sword clashed against Madara's, metal screeching, and sparks flying.
"What peace?! There's no such thing as peace, only the weak desire peace!" Madara countered, teeth clenched in anger, pain and madness.
Harashima's heart clenched in his chest, he let out a scream and pushed the other man backward with all his strength, his mind racing. The raven jumped back a distance, knees bent, ready to counter.
"No, you're wrong!" Harashima said, he straightened up with his sword at his side.
"You and your childish ideals." Madara said, a twisted smile creeped onto his lips, his eyes dark and hooded.
"It was OUR ideals." Harashima's grip on the hilt of his sword tighten, he drew his sword and point it toward the other man who was once his best friend despite being at the opposite side of the rebellion.
"Yes, was. Prepare yourself!"
Grains of dust propelled itself off the ground, swirled around Madara's feet as he charged toward Harashima, sword in hand, eyes filled with nothing but the rage he felt when his last brother had died. His dreams, his hopes, what were it all for?
Swords clashed once more, only then, the rebellion was no longer just the two of them. Screams of death, pain and agony echoed the terrain as both sides fought for dominance.
—
A year had past, with the defeat of the Uzumaki, only a few surviving Imperial members fled to neighboring countries, scattered among the 5 nations seeking refuge and avoiding death. The worn and exhausted Senju clan retreated to the background while the power of Hyuga and Akatsuki clan slowly risen to the foreground. Madara Uchiha was appointed the Hokage of the Land of Fire to rule the day to day operations of the government while the new Imperial family, an Akatsuki clan member, served only as a figurehead with no real military power. With Madara's rule, the feudal structure shaped the next 200 hundred years of the Land of Fire's society. During this time, arose the warrior or samurai class, whom owe military service and loyalty to the Emperor and the Hokage, the samurai thus require peasants who rented land from them and served them.
The reign of Madara Uchiha was not a peaceful one, samurai warfare between clans occurred often resulted from greed, jealousy and the fear of take over.
"Only the strong will prevail." Madara had said, "there's no such thing as peace, only the weak desire peace."
—
160 years had past since then.
Fugaku Uchiha ruled as Hokage of the Land of Fire, with Danzo Shimura as his counselor. He was criticized for not appointing an Uchiha on the seat of counselor, but he required an outsider that he could trust who could negotiate with all clans and neighboring countries without receiving heavy bias or animosity. Fugaku knew how much of a cunning man Danzo was, as long he did not challenge the Hokage's orders Danzo will serve by his side. Fugaku pulled a scroll from the pile in front of him and with a quick glance at the request, he made a small huff in his throat and pushed it aside. The scroll was an request from the Sarutobi clan to lower taxes during early fall and winter months, which in turn reduce the burden on farmers during the upcoming winter to procure enough rations for their families. As the Hokage reached for a new scroll in the pile, Danzo cleared his throat to speak.
"May I make a suggestion Hokage-sama?" Danzo said behind the Hokage, he leaned over slightly, moved the pushed aside scroll back toward the Hokage.
Fugaku withdrew his hand, "You may." he said, despite that he did not like being interrupted.
"As I recall, the Sarutobi clan have close connections with the Haruno clan, a clan of healers. We can use this…favor…to our advantage, as the Haruno are not directly under our thumb. Of course…negotiations have to be done…" He rubbed his stubble chin snidely, he paused for a moment.
"Hmm." the Hokage pondered at the thought. His finger tapped on the scroll, in contemplation.
To drive the suggestion home, Danzo added, "This is also a perfect opportunity for the young Lord to exercise his knowledge and skills as the future second in command to Itachi-Sama…." His un-bandaged eye flickered of wickedness. "If he shall succeed…by taking the Haruno's heiress into the Uchiha clan as his bride is also not a bad proposition as well…this shall unite the strength of clans under Uchiha even further!"
Fugaku closed his eyes and leaned back against his chair, thinking. "You are just full of suggestions today." He opened his eyes and glanced at the man beside him.
"All are in the best of Uchiha's interest, Hokage-Sama." He bowed, his lips quirked upward into a smirk.
"Then I shall count on you to draw up a negotiation plan hmm?" Fugaku closed the scroll and handed to Danzo, "and summon Sasuke to me when are you done."
The cunning man received the scroll, still bowed, with his back toward the door, he took a few steps back, turn and swept out the double shoji doors held open by a female servant in kimono.
—-
Sasuke Uchiha, sat cross legged on the silk woven tatami mat behind a finely polished dark wooden table. A single candle rested on top of the smooth table, the flame's shadow danced across his pale handsome face, his onyx eyes focused on the pages of the book in front of him. He reached a slim finger onto a page and flipped it, his eyes followed the flipped page to the other side. He reached his other hand to brush aside a few strands of ebony hair that fell over his left eye. His lips moved silently as he recited each line and etched them into his memory.
"Studying so diligently, my young Lord." a shadow appeared on the other side of the brown double shoji doors, waiting. Danzo could see the young Lord's shadow outlined from outside.
"Danzo-Sama requests an audience, young Lord-Sama." the servant girl at the door announced.
"Come in." Sasuke called, he closed his eyes and let out a small sigh. He closed his book shut, and laced his fingers together propped against his chin. The silk cream sleeves of his kimono slid down his wrist slightly revealing skin.
The double shoji doors slid open, Danzo stepped in, head slightly bowed. "Hokage-Sama summons you, my young Lord." He said.
Sasuke's onyx eye fixed on the older man's expression, scrutinizing him. He knew, whenever Danzo made his presence known, it was always something calculative, luring his prey in his trap.
"For?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow.
"That you will have to speak with the Hokage-Sama about." He replied.
"I see." The raven unlaced his hands, placed his hand on the table and pushed himself up. His kimono was made of 100% of the finest silk, beautiful pattern of falling leaves stitched black onto the right shoulder drifting all the way down his chest and disappearing into the belt on his waist. That was the only design visible on his simple and pure kimono.
—
The early night was brisk with a slight breeze, tousling Sasuke's hair as he walked behind Danzo headed toward Hokage's chamber. The raven, tucked his hands into his kimono sleeves, followed silently, did not care for conversation during the short walk. He knew it must had been an assignment for him, his father finally was going to test his worthiness to bare the Uchiha's name. Unlike his prodigy brother, he did not master the military warfare tactics, swordplay and archery at the age of 10. His brother, outstanding in every way and blessed with the looks that sparked jealousy and envy from every man. Sasuke closed his eyes for a brief moment, he remembered as a child, he wanted just to be like his older brother. But no longer, he wished to be the prodigy Itachi Uchiha, he was no other but Sasuke Uchiha.
They've arrived at the Hokage's chamber, Danzo nodded toward the servant girl outside of the door.
"Hokage-Sama, Counselor Danzo and young Lord Sasuke-Sama have arrived." She announced, head bowed.
"Let them in." Fugaku said as he rest the writing brush down on the ebony ink dish. Two lines of haiku still wet, unfinished read, "Blowing from the west. Fallen leaves gather…." *
The servant girl pulled the shoji door open to let the two man enter. Danzo stepped aside to let the young Lord enter first, he then followed closely behind. Sasuke, slipped off his shoes and stepped inside with his waist bent and head bowed. The shoji door clicked shut as Danzo stepped beside Sasuke, "Hokage-Sama, you have summoned me?" he said, his eyes on the floor.
Fukagu studied his son for a brief moment, he acknowledged his presence with a slight nod and gestured for the men to sit. "You way sit."
"I understand that you are doing well on your studies and training?" The Hokage inquired.
"Yes, Hokage-Sama." Sasuke answered and lift his head slightly to glance at his father's face.
Fugaku nodded, face passive. "You are not your brother, but I believe it is time for you to earn the name of Uchiha and prove your worthiness to bear the symbol of our great clan."
'I am not my brother, never will become him.' Sasuke wanted to say with defiance, instead he said, "Yes, Hokage-Sama, I will succeed whatever the challenge that may be."
"Very good." Fugaku, nodded with approval, eyes glanced at Danzo and back to Sasuke again.
Danzo received the cue and procured a scroll from his sleeve pocket and presented to Sasuke. The young Lord took the scroll from him with two hands and unraveled it. His eyes scanned the kanji neatly written on the parchment, he closed it and then tucked it into his silk sleeved pocket.
"It shall be done." he said.
Danzo's lips upturned into a smirk, he exchanged an glance of approval with the Hokage.
"You shall pick a samurai from the Nara, Inuzuka, and the Hyuga clan, as well as two other samurai of your choice to accompany you." The Hokage reached under the table for a green scroll and extended it to Sasuke. "You have two weeks to complete this assignment, this should be more than enough time for negotiation. Do not fail me."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"You may go." Fugaku picked up the brush and wrote the last line of the haiku in quick three words…In the East.
The meaning of this mission weighted heavily on Sasuke's mind as he made the brisk walk back to his home. This mission was a perfect opportunity to step out of Itachi Uchiha's shadow. While the objective was simple on paper, underneath, this was an opportunity to expand Uchiha clan's influence over the last few clans that had somehow resisted fealty to them for the last hundred of years. In his mind, he already knew which five samurai to call on to accompany him. Shikamaru Nara, his wit and intelligence unmatched outside of the Uchiha. Kiba Inuzuka, his charisma and pure instinct made him an worthy samurai that could turn foes into allies. Neji Hyuuga, who was calculative, using reason was his forte, and a master of close range combat. There were also two others from Land of Water, he took them under his wing when traveling years ago. Jugo, and Suigetsu would do anything Sasuke commanded without question. His team of 6, was then complete.
—
To the East, the blades of green grass wet with dew shivered in the chilly dawn. A calloused hand brushed aside an stalk of wheat budding with seeds. His other hand gripped a sickle and made a swift cut at the base of the wheat with a soft crunch, he then tossed the handful into the basket at his feet. The farmer was already at work for a couple of hours under the night sky, in order to avoid the withering heat late into the afternoon he had to start early. He reached a hand up to his blond brow to wipe away the beads of sweat. His blond hair still wild under the bandana tied around his forehead.
He looked up suddenly as he thought he heard a voice in the distance. He squinted at the shadowy figure coming fast toward him and couldn't make it out on who it was. He stored the golden wheat that was already in his hand into the now full basket, he then picked it up and sling it over his broad shoulder, his alert eyes still focused on the shadow of a figure. The tip of the sun had already emerged from the horizon, its rays slowly creeped across the golden wheat field, the figure was no longer a shadow.
"Narutoooo!" A female voice shouted, louder now.
As the woman gotten closer, he could see her waving madly and bright pink hair flowing behind her.
"Sakura-chan!" He waved back with a big smile eyes crinkling standing where he was.
"Naruutooooo!" She shouted again, fast approaching.
She finally reached Naruto out of breath with her hands on her knee.
"You..*huff* have to *huff* come back * to the *huff* house now!" She wheezed.
"Sakura-chan, you didn't have to come all the way out here yourself!"
"No No, it's quite alright" She finally caught her breath, standing up straight, her expression was urgent. "Father personally requested you to come back right away, something big is happening!"
Naruto wasn't sure if it was a good or bad sign, but from Sakura's expression of excitement, the blond hoped it was good. Without another word, both of them set off back to the house quickly leaving footprints in the mud.
—
*the writing of Haiku was one of the Samurai rituals that was commonly practiced. Not only samurai was an master of arms, they must demonstrate proficiency in literature and the arts such as painting and gardening.
A/N: Thanks for reading! It has been a long time since last I've written a fanfic or any story for that matter. Hope you find this story interesting, different, sort of original? So review and let me know.