Valley of Beginnings: I was born for you

Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto I wouldn't be writing this disclaimer. Dattebayo!

1. Bloody Wood

I was born at the worst possible time. In the days of my birth no established villages offered protection and those who couldn't fight were dead. It was a lucky child who got to keep their innocence to their teen years: I didn't have the choice. The only way to carve out a peaceful life for your family was at the point of a sword.

I was the firstborn of twins and an expected son to the clan with no daughters. I was born of Senju.

The wooden floor was covered in blood that drained into the cracks. The midwife was pushing the already exhausted woman on and her screams ripped the silent air of the forest. She panted heavily as the sweat poured down her beautiful face.

Finally she gave one last push and two tiny wails curled through the air like a wolf to a full moon. Miho had naught but hours before her husband had to leave for the front lines, and she knew every time he left she knew he might not come back. It was the reality of the settlement they lived in and shared with other allies.

She looked down at the children she had borne as Senju Yamato burst into his wife's chambers.

"Senju-sama. your firstborn is a daughter. I-it is a miracle" The raspy voice was strong and filled with wonder. She was one of the few that had reached an old age and had seen many things; but never a Senju daughter.

"What? That's not possible... not since Senju Suki in the first days of our clan"

"It has happened after many years, but your secondborn is a son" He picked up his first child and looked into ebony eyes with violet tints that were the trademark of the Senju.

"I thank you for your services. Speak of this to noone. Leave us"

"As you wish my liege" She bowed respectfully to the clan head and was gone. For a moment everything was silent as the man gazed at his child, but even knowing the history of Senju females he could not bring himself to hate what he had helped create. It was a rare peaceful moment in the tempest that was his inheritance; but of course any moment of silence was just borrowed time amidst the blood and steel of daily life.

"My lord a messenger bearing the Uchiha crest has been sighted a few miles away under a white flag"

"I will meet him. Open the gates"

Looking back to the child in his arms he knew he would protect her with any means necessary. He put the child down and brought his hands together and in a hand seal and summoned his chakra. In tha space of two seconds his daughter became a son and he altered destiny.

"I bear greetings from my lord at the birth of your sons. his own wife went into childbed but hours ago"

He looked at the young man walking a little behind him. His face was carefully blank of emotion and held himself with a strict air.

"What is the real reason for Ryu's greetings?"

"Senju-sama, these are dangerous times as you know. The govenments are weak every day another clan or village disappears. Lord Ryu needs an alliance with a well-connected clan for the survival of his own"

The Tiger of Wood sighed, suddenly weary at the implications "I will meet your lord within a fortnight. You are invited to a night's lodging and food. Tomorrow I will pen a letter to your lord"

"My lord, you are too kind"

"These are dangerous times kindness has nothing to do with it"