Disclaimer: I neither own Naruto nor do I get paid for it, that goes to Kishimoto.

Prologue

Uchiha Izuna sat at his brothers' side, fearful for what had happened…yet oddly calm for what would need to happen.

Madara was dead, he had voiced the fact that his vision was dimming. The medics had said that his older brothers' body would give out shortly after his sight left him.

What he had not expected was the desperate attempt his older brother just made.

This scared the younger Uchiha, mainly because his older brother was always there for him. They trained together and fought together. They delved into the darkest practices they could in the attempt to gain power.

And now it all seemed to be for nothing, taking the life of his closest friend had taken Madara's life it seemed. The power was fleeting, and now the price seemed far too steep.

A single bloody tear cascaded down Izuna's cheek, his eye was hurting him. Not a moment ago the younger Uchiha had frozen. His brother had reached up, expressed his sorrow for what he had to do, and tried to wrest his right eye form his head.

Izuna was not sure what happened then, he acted on pure instinct, and the next thing he knew…his brother was dead.

This would happen to him too, and soon, he just knew it. Given the amount that he and his brother used that cursed eye, he would soon experience what his brother did. He would soon feel the pain, and the desperation that drove his older brother to attempt to pluck out his younger brothers' eyes…simply to better himself.

Izuna shook his head, he would not have it. While he was still thinking clearly, he would do what was necessary.

He bent low over his brothers cooling body, he fingers slowly reached Madara's eyes…and he shut the lids. Pressing his lips to his Brothers forehead, he whispered softly, almost inaudibly, "I am sorry brother…but this is not a power that people should have. I understand that now, I was so eager to keep up with you…so willing to do what it took."

He sighed and straightened up, "this…gift, this power…it is wreathed in blood and fire. We sacrificed much to get it, I…we killed our closest friends to get it." He shook his head, "and we still are unworthy of it. We can't handle it, and it has killed us."

He stood and walked to the door, "I will not allow others to follow this path, better this way be lost. Perhaps someday, a worthy Uchiha will find a better way."

He had everything planed now; he would make sure that there was no hint left on how the brothers obtained that power.

OoOoO

In the days that followed some of the others were at a loss to explain Izuna's actions. Many of the remaining Uchiha felt that Madara had requested that his younger brother end his life, so as to avoid that slow, painful death that was soon to take him.

They also felt that Izuna's choice of Seppuku was his right, to take his own life after killing his brother; they did not begrudge him that.

None of them noticed however, the journals the two keep were destroyed. There was no evidence that they ever existed.

It did leave the clan in a difficult situation for a while, their leaders were gone and they wondered what they were to do now.

The answer came to them in the form of the rival clan of the Senju came to them with a proposition.

The current leader of the Uchiha wondered how Madara and Izuna would respond to such a request, but since the two strongest were now gone…there was little debate. They would need more allies, and what better way to protect their people then joining this new village?

OoOoO

Chapter One: Expectant Father

Seventy years later

"Kid, I still think that you should run for it."

Minato looked over his sake cup at the man sitting across from him, he was out with his friends celebrating…or 'toasting the loss of a good man to fatherhood', as Jiraiya called it.

He had just found out that his firstborn child was to be a son, and wanted to tell his closest friends the good news. They had yet to officially decide a name; he'd have to run the idea he had past Kushina first before his sensei.

Sadly Hiashi couldn't make it, he has been seeing less and less of his friend lately, and yet he still marveled that he could get more time off as Hokage than the Hyuuga could as the new clan leader. But he had Jiriaya, Inoichi, Shikaku and Chouza there.

Minato scoffed, "you may have taught me much, but I am not about to take advise on marriage and parent hood from a man who has spent his whole life pining after a woman who abuses him. Oh, and I wouldn't let Kushina hear what you just said."

The inoshikacho trio laughed at this, Jiraiya choked on his drink, "that was a low blow kid."

Chouza clapped his hand on Minato's back, leaving a hand print that covered most of it. "That's right Minato, having a kid is great…though Chouji can be quite a handful sometimes," he chortled.

Shikaku gave a non-committal shrug, "as for myself, I'm just happy that Shikamaru likes to sleep, not sure how much I'd like two screaming voices in the house."

Inoichi gave a wave to something behind his lazy friend, and with a smile shouted, "Hey there, Yoshino."

Shikaku went bug eyed, and turned slowly to see…nothing. He blinked a few times as the gears fell into place, then turned back to his blonde friend grinding his teeth, "damn it Inoichi I almost pissed myself."

Inoichi laughed, "yeah, and it took you a full five seconds to figure out it was a joke," he took a sip of sake. "You must be slipping."

"Teme," Shikaku muttered, then smirked at his friend. "Least we have sons though," he addressed the other two, "right guys? Can't imagine having to deal with two princesses."

Minato and Chouza both sucked in a sharp breath through their teeth.

Inoichi narrowed his eyes, and then smiled widely. "Hey there Yoshino!"

Shikaku laughed, "Right, like I'm going to fall for that one again, you just tried it…looks like your mind is slipping."

He felt a sudden sharp pain, as something clamped down on his left ear with a vice-like grip and twisted his head around, to look into the eyes of a very angry brunette holding an infant. "Hey there honey…"

She glared, "don't give me that crap," she said in a deadly hiss. "You were supposed to be home an hour ago, and here I find you still drinking with your friends." She suddenly gave a warm smile at Minato, "congratulations," She said sweetly, before dragging her husband to his feet and continuing in her low voice, which faded as they left. "It doesn't matter that I am alone all day with Shikamaru, or that I would like to go out with my friends sometimes…" her voice faded in the distance.

Minato drained the rest of his drink; he stood and took out his wallet, and paid for his drinks. "And on that awkward note, time to get going."

A short while later he was sliding off his shoes, and closing his bedroom door. He sat on the bed beside Kushina, she was half-asleep, and her drowsy voice mumbled, "Have a good night?"

Minato shrugged, "pretty good I guess. Sorry I'm late though."

He red-haired goddess turned to him and gave him a half smile; he kissed her cheek knowing full well the dislike she had for the taste of Sake. "Goodnight Kushina."

"Hmm, 'night."

He lowered his head to her swollen belly, pressed his lips to it and murmured, "Goodnight kiddo…Naruto-chan."

He looked up to see his wife's emerald eyes half lidded, "Naruto?" she questioned tiredly.

Minato chuckled, "we can talk about it when you're awake."

She shook her head and responded before passing out, "no…I like it."

Authors note: short chapter I know but another idea that has been on the back-burner. Hope you like. Please review.