Disclaimer: Naruto and All It's Characters Are Owned By Masashi Kishimoto

(An Era Of Hatred)

"Michio ... my throats a little dry, do you mind?" Asks a raven haired man.

Michio a boy of six years, quickly nods his head and stands up. "Yes father." Michio quickly bows and exits the room and into the central clearing of the large estate. Michio taking a quick gaze up at the moon, feels the pleasant breeze of the fall on his back. Michio then snaps out of his daze and steps off the porch and stops in front of a well. Grabbing a heavy oak bucket, he pours a hefty amount of water from the bucket into a handled clay vase. After filling the vase of clear and cold water, he briskly walks back to the porch and sees a shaggy haired boy standing patiently in front of his father's room. Michio then quickly bows his head before the boy. "My Lord Uchiha."

The shaggy haired heir smirks and beckons Michio back up. "I've told you that you don't need to do that when it's just us."

Michio nods. "Sorry ..."

"You don't need to apologize either." The shaggy haired boy states firmly. Looking down at the container of water, the older boy steps aside. "Go and give him the water ... we can talk after." The boy then sits down on the porch and lets his legs hang over freely.

Michio cautiously nods and enters his father's room. Michio entering the room, walks over to his father's side and kneels down. "I'm back." Michio setting the vase aside helps his father to a sitting position and holds him their.

"Thank you." The older man states before he begins sipping the clear and cold liquid. After getting his fill he gently pushes the vase away and allows his son to help him lay back down on the futon. "I'm sorry I'm such a burden."

Michio quickly shakes his head and pulls the blankets up over his father's arm. "It's no burden father." Michio picking the vase up, walks over to the far wall and places it gently on a table before returning to his father's side. "Can I do anything else?"

The older man shakes his head and closes his eyes. "You've already done more than enough I just need some rest now."

Michio nods. "Do you mind if I step out for a few minutes?"

"No I'll be fine, go on." The older man replies. Michio standing up from his father's side walks towards the door until he hears his father asks. "Did you forget something?" Michio gasps and briskly kneels down next to his father and places his forehead close to his fathers. The older man places a kiss on Michio's head. "I love you ... you know that right?" Michio nods quickly and then wipes his forehead. His father chuckles and winks at his son. "Go on now and keep your chin up ... it always annoys me when I see you hang your head. You're a Uchiha just remember that."

Michio bows his head and says in a low tone. "I'll try."

"Good." The older man states as Michio quickly exits the room, closing the door behind him.

Michio looking around sees the shaggy haired boy still sitting in the same place as earlier. Michio walking over to the boy takes a seat beside him. "Is there something you wanted to talk about Lord- ... I mean Madara."

Madara turns to Michio as the former sees the former's mouth threatening to turn into a smile. "Hows your father doing?"

Michio unable to hide the sadness in his heart, remarks. "He still has no feeling in his legs and the mornings are always difficult, but he still can move his arms."

"Good ... he's a hero to me, our clan, and especially my father."

"He still thinks that he was just doing his duty and that it was his honor to fulfill his role as protector." Michio states.

Madara seeing Michio drop his gaze to the fading grass below, asks. "But ..."

Michio sigh's and looks up at Madara. "But he feels useless and like he has no purpose now that he can't fight anymore."

"How do you feel about all this then?" Madara asks the younger boy.

"It makes me feel like trash ... but I wish I didn't have to always take care of him." Michio states, clearly hating himself for his true feelings.

"We're young ... of course you feel like that I would too. No one wants to see their father in that state and it only makes it harder when you have to take care of him." Madara states and places a reassuring hand on Michio's shoulder. "You've been invited to training tomorrow right?"

Michio quickly drops his head, but still feels Madara's piercing gaze lingering on him. "I understand ... I don't blame them either I mean why would they I'm-"

"You're my cousin ... that's what you are our fathers are brothers." Madara states plainly before spitting out in disgust and anger. "How dare they ... how dare they try to do that to you and to your father!"

"Please don't make a fuss over me. I can train anytime, I don't need to be given any special privileges." Michio points out, trying to calm Madara.

Madara quickly turns to Michio and asks in a fierce tone. "Why? Why not? Why shouldn't you be given every advantage me and Izuna are given?!"

Michio bows his head and squeaks out. "Because I'm a bastard." Michio swallowing down any tears before they form, continues and locks eyes with Madara. "And because my mother was lowborn."

Madara raises his eyebrow in confusion and asks. "And what makes you different from me? We both are Uchiha. We both have the Uchiha looks. And one day we will both unlock our Sharingan." Madara hopping off the porch turns to Michio and continues. "Who cares what you're mother was? The only thing that matters is that you are a Uchiha and more than that you are my friend and I won't let anyone dismiss your birthrights so you will be at the training grounds tomorrow along with everyone other Uchiha."

"I don't want you to make a fuss over me though." Michio whines.

"Shut up and just obey me. I expect you to be there tomorrow so you just listen to me and do as I say!" Madara states. "I also expect you to hold nothing back and to show them just how strong you really are."

"I'll try." Michio states and peers up at the moon before adopting a content look on his face. It's so pretty tonight ... We haven't had a night this nice in a really long time. Michio ponders with a slight smile on his lips.

Madara following Michio's gaze, looks up at the large moon lighting up the courtyard. "It really is pleasant tonight ... makes you dread this coming winter and the cold that comes with it."

"I've heard we got an excellent harvest this year though." Michio states quietly.

Madara shaking his head sigh's at Michio's response and replies. "That wasn't what I really meant. What I meant was ... was sometimes change is intimidating and that the quiet moments are nice."

"Michio are you out there!" Shouts Michio's father from within his room.

Michio sighs deeply and stands up. "Yes father, I'm coming." Michio replies through the door.

"Well seems our talk is at its end." Madara states and hops back onto the porch. "Goodnight cousin." Madara says to the younger boy before turning on his heels and walking away, leaving Michio by himself.

Well no reason to stand around. Michio remarks and then enters his father's room.

XxX

(Uchiha Training Grounds)

"These will be free for all fights so everything is legal and you don't stop until we tell you to. So first up is Michio vs Kijuro so both of you step forward." A bull looking man orders as the two boys step forward into the circle.

Madara watching from a perch along with the clan elders and his father hears several of the old man whispering to themselves. "That's Hideki's boy right?"

"Ya that's the bastard alright. How long do you think he'll last?"

One of the old men chuckles and says back. "A tainted Uchiha like him will be lucky to last half a minute against a full-blooded Uchiha."

Madara unable to hide his loathing spits at them. "What makes you think he's any less than any of those boys? Because his mother wasn't a ninja and didn't have any fancy bloodline!"

Madara's father drops a hand on his boy's shoulder and says sternly. "Remember your manners Madara."

One of the older men chuckles. "It's quite alright my Lord. He simply just needs us to explain it for him."

Madara clenching his fists hard spits out. "Please do ... tell me why he is any less than any of those others down there."

"His blood is tainted my young Lord. His mother was a whore for heaven's sake. We recommended to Hideki that he simply drop the boy off at some orphanage and simply forget about him, but he ignored our wise council." States the shorter of the two elders.

"All of us have some prestigious bloodline in our veins, but Michio ... Michio has whore's blood in his veins and you will see for yourself what separates him from a real Uchiha."

Madara then swallowing down his anger nods and turns to the fighting circle below and states under his breath. "Oh we will."

The bull like man looks at both boys and then screams. "Fight!" Then at the drop of his hand, Kijuro charges at Michio and hops into the air and catches Michio across the face with a spin kick. Michio falling on his back quickly rolls away from an axe kick.

"It's already started. Didn't I tell you my young Lord." States the shorter elder with an air of arrogance.

You're only digging your own grave old man. Madara then turns to the shorter elder with a smirk and asks. "How old were you when you learned Genjutsu?"

Suddenly a collective gasp is heard as Michio catches Kijuro by the throat with his left hand. Then Kijuro suddenly lets out a loud scream of terror before falling limp. Michio giving Kijuro a shake and watches as the boy's head bob's back and forth motionlessly before dropping him to the ground. The bullish like Uchiha shouts in an obviously shocked voice. "The winner is Michio."

Madara smirks in amusement and tells the two elders. "Because Michio is six and he's already proficient in Genjutsu. So what did you say about tainted blood?"

Suddenly Tajima Uchiha rests a calming hand on Madara's shoulder and says just below a whisper. "Enough ... you've already proven your point." Tajima then scanning the room from left to right, asks Madara. "Where is your brother?"

Madara then scans the room in turn and shrugs his shoulders after failing to find Izuna. "I don't know ... I saw him at breakfast."

Tajima showing his displeasure at his youngest sons disappearance, snaps his fingers signaling several of his personal guard to enter the room. "Go find Izuna and bring him here ... I would like to have a word with him."

"Right away my lord." Politely states the armored Uchiha before backing out of the room.

Tajima lowering his voice again, asks Madara. "So tell me ... are you training Michio on the side?"

Madara shakes his head and explains. "I didn't teach him Genjutsu ... but I will admit that I'm teaching him Ninjutsu."

"I must admit I've never really thought much on his potential before ... but if you think he's worth it then I can arrange for some real training."

Madara slowly nods his head. "I think that would be right father." Madara then averts his gaze. "After all he is our flesh and blood and deserves all the advantages we can offer for him ... and among other things." Tajima furrowing his brow in annoyance, looks back down to the fights and ignores his son's comments with a grunt.

XxX

"So do you solemnly swear that for as long as you live you will always protect and serve the clan of Uchiha?" Asks Tajima in a harsh and cold voice while looming over the small and kneeling Michio.

Michio without saying a word picks up a sharp and ornate looking blade and squeezes the blade. "I Michio Uchiha, son of Hideki Uchiha, second son to Sachio Uchiha-" As the raven haired boy continues, bright red blood begins flowing from his closed fist and onto the floor, but without any hesitation he continues. "Do swear that for as long as I live I will always remain true and loyal to the head of clan Uchiha." Michio opening his bloody palm, holds it up for the assembled group of elders to see. "And on this day I swear to protect the head family during this life and to the next."

Tajima not losing any of the harshness in his face commands in a steel like voice. "Then rise now ... Michio Uchiha of the black guard and personal protector of Aiko Uchiha." The harsh and cold leader watches as the small and seemingly frail boy holds back tears of pain. "Now starting tomorrow you will be immediately entered into training and at the end of every month until I say differently, you will be tested and judged for proficiency and if you pass and excel then you will be given the status of B-rank and will begin guarding Aiko at all times."

Michio not backing down from Tajima's iron laced words, nods and replies. "Thank you my Lord. I will not fail you or this clan ... I promise."

"Good ... now dismissed." States Tajima as the young raven haired boy bows quickly and exits the sacred chamber, leaving Tajima along with the clan of elders.

After Michio exits the room and the doors are shut a decrepit looking old woman stands up and calls for attention. "Now that that business is over I would like to discuss the recent state of affairs."

Tajima walking to the back of the room plops down with a heavy sigh into a large oaken throne embroidered with the Uchiha crest on the back. "Go ahead Satomi."

Satomi bows her head and continues. "With the recent state of affairs and due to the recent and severe thunderstorms the lands of the Kurama clan have severely suffered-"

"Yes I'm very aware of that ... their damn delegates have been begging at my door for scraps like stray dogs for awhile now." Tajima spits out with a rare touch of humor which creates a slight chuckle amongst some of the more gregarious elders.

Satomi ignoring Tajima's comments simply continues with. "Yes and as such this creates a very rare opportunity for us."

"And what is that?" Tajima asks.

Satomi quickly peers around the room to be sure she has the entire rooms attention before continuing. "The head of the Kurama clan has many daughters and I think that this would serve as a perfect time to solidify an alliance." Satomi pauses as several whispers and hushed voices break out amongst the elders. "As some of you know first hand we are unparalleled in our Genjutsu skills when compared to every clan ... except one."

Tajima now being fully engrossed and intrigued by the idea, answers. "Except by the Kurama clan ... I'm very aware of that, but what good would they make as allies if they cannot even clothe or feed themselves?"

Before Satomi can respond the assembled elders again break out into discussion amongst themselves. "And that is what will make it so perfect ... what better allies to have then the ones who we feed and protected? Because after they get back on their feet who will they have to thank, but the Uchiha. So I would recommend that your first born son Madara marries a daughter of the Kurama clan to seal our clans in matrimony and even after Madara dies his son will have Kurama blood in his veins to still secure the alliance."

Before the elders can again break into loud discussions, Tajima speaks up and silences them. "Do we have the resources this winter to actually follow through on this plan?"

On the far end of the room a bespeckled and red headed man stands up with a heavy and old looking book, held closely to his chest. "May I approach my Lord?"

"Come forward Naoki." Tajima commands.

Naoki with his refined and meticulously slow pace stops a mere four feet from Tajima before loudly clearing his throat. "Based on our recent harvests and the speculations and evidence of the severity of this coming winter I believe ... I believe we can afford to support the Kurama clan until at least february."

Tajima after hearing his stewards advice slowly leans back in his throne and rubs at his chin. "And after february?"

Naoki closing his eyes in a elegant fashion then slowly adjusts his glasses. "We would be not able to support them without taking from ourselves ... but our finances are in a excellent position so I believe it would be fully acceptable to take a few loans out from a willing Daimyo. So as to buy the remaining food these ... Kurama's will need."

Tajima after hearing Naoki's words of wisdom, sits up straight in the throne and turns his head to Satomi. "I agree to your proposition ... and I will also ask that Madara be given his choice of the available daughters and I would also ask that we be given a ... a guest from the immediate family to ensure their loyalty. Also because it was your original idea I believe it would be prudent and appropriate for you to inform them ... do you have any objections?"

Satomi obviously quite proud of herself, shakes her head and responds to her overlord. "I would be honored my Lord ... and I'm sure the Kurama Clan will be overjoyed to learn about this generous offer."

Tajima nods to the old and wise advisor showing her his favor. Then turning back to Naoki his bespeckled steward, Tajima asks. "If it is not to much to ask I would like these loans to be made as soon as possible."

Naoki after giving Tajima a toothy grin, states. "I will start on it at this moment my Lord." Then Naoki straightens his back and bows at the hips to Tajima before exiting the room.

Tajima still reflecting on the new alliance rubs at his nose before calling upon the next subject.

Hey readers this was sort of test run for a story I've been kicking around in my head for a more mature and dark story for the Warring States Period. This won't be a main thing I write for a while so if you're a fan of my 'A Song of Sorrow' don't worry because that is still the main focus, but I definitely think this time period will give me a lot more creative freedom with the characters and harshness of the ninja world. I've really just started mapping out the story, but I was just kinda playing around with the idea and was hoping to get some feedback on it.

Also kind of weird but why does this site think the word daze, council, and whine is incorrect or not real at all?

This is just some background knowledge that I jotted down that I just thought I'd share

Michio is the first cousin of Madara and Izuna and his father is the younger brother of the Clan Head who is of course Madara's dad. Michio fathers name is Hideki and he saved his brother the Clan's Head in a battle which resulted in the severing of his spine and paralysing him. A couple of years earlier, Hideki slept with a whore and she became pregnant with his baby unbeknownst to him and then Michio's mother died in birth and the owner of the brothel had no need of a boy so Michio was sent to Hideki who immediately welcomed the boy as his son. But many of the clan's purists thought he wasn't worth the name of Uchiha due to his baseborn and peasant mother, but Hideki would hear none of it.