I Do Not Own Naruto

The need for peace was well known for the mounting tensions were becoming unbearably heavy upon the Uzumaki Clan; who had taken in far more fearful small Clans than their lands could sustain. The lack of a daimyō was concerning for the smaller Clans who had sought out refuge at the hopes of gaining a larger protector. The Uzumaki had the largest lands, but they could no longer sustain the onslaught of refugees coming to them.

The Senju, who were located on the other side of the mountains had many lands, rich with resources, and the power needed for a solid alliance and could bring peace between the two valleys. Though the mountains would present a geographic problem for the alliance it was a solid alliance which would help keep the people fed and safe until such a time a new daimyō came to power. The Uzumaki were confident an alliance with the Hyūga or Senju would secure peace. But with the Senju being the nearer neighbor it was a safer alliance to form with Senju. Though the Hyūga would prove to be the more prosperous alliance.

Naruto found himself sitting on the roof of his home staring out at Konoha as the people were bustling about their preparations for the coming harvest, the rain was brewing on the dying summer's winds.

He understood the need for the alliance, and he felt he was obtaining a fine prize for this alliance to be had.

Haruno Sakura, the beauty of the Senju. She was said to have hair the color of sakura blossoms at first bloom, and eyes like spring itself. There rumors that she was a skilled healer who could save anyone from the brink of death, extracting poison with only water and her chakra. It was an impressive reputation. He was most eager to meet his bride who would be coming through the mountain's pass by the week's end.

"You do know you should be training," his brother mused. "Or are you fantasizing about your bride!?" Menma teased.

"Shut up! I am not!" Naruto snapped.

"Sure you're not." Menma drawled as he languidly sat beside him.

"Do you think she'll be nice?" Naruto asked.

"I think she will be a proper Senju woman," Menma said. "Hot tempered and pigheaded!"

"Shut up!" Naruto shoved his twin's shoulder.

"She can't be as bad as Karin," Menma decided.

"The rains are coming," Naruto said.

"Soon no one will be able to go anywhere, maybe tensions will dissipate over the winter," Menma said.

"That would be nice," Naruto admitted. "But I doubt it. I do not know how we will feed the people without the grain of the Senju, may be hope for a swift winter, but by the clouds I doubt it will be so," Naruto murmured.

"When did you get to being so wise?"

"Pervy sage!" Naruto grinned.

"You are going to get in trouble one of these days following his lead," Menma mused.

"No I won't!" Naruto persisted.

"What will your new bride have to say about your pervy ways?" Menma mused.

"I do not think it will matter, we will be wed, the passage and alliance will feed our people, and maybe it will dissipate the tension for war. I do not want war brought on our lands," Naruto admitted. He had heard Jiraiya's war stories and knew he would never wish it upon anyone for it was a horror which destroyed everything. The only good thing, for if there was a war, there would be no Uchiha to battle. The Uchiha were the last of the feared warriors that sought war.

Peace, peace was the answer. It was the only answer that mattered.

Shinobi were warriors, they were bound to war, but they also instruments in maintaining the peace, and peace would be maintained. To keep the peace there was a need to feed the people, to form alliances until a daimyō united them. The alliance of Senju and Uzumaki would be a powerful statement.

The Senju would provide the food for the Clan this winter, it would prevent the people who were here as refugees from starving and maintain the peace. The addition of Senju lands would ensure more farm for the people come the summer and more crop. The alliance would also bring a stronger protection between them, and isolate the Uzumaki in Konoha's valley no more. The mountains were still an untamed but full of potential. But that would be something to think about carefully if needed.

The rumors of disappearances up past the clouds and in the forests was something no one really knew what to do about. These disappearances never revealed a body, never revealed what happened, people just went up and never returned.

It was unsettling.

But the need for land was obvious as they needed to feed their people, so scouts would come in the summer, after the wedding to see what was truly up the mountains.

"Come on, quit daydreaming we have training," Menma said shoving him up.

"Naruto, Menma!" their father's voice sounded, and he smiled as he followed his brother to the ground where they would further their lessons.

"Naruto, you go to Kushina," Minato said as they neared their father.

"What? Why!?" Naruto sputtered.

"She wishes to discuss your betrothal with you," Minato said.

"Fine," Naruto groaned as he walked towards his home. He did not think he could dwell much more on his betrothal to an unknown woman, past the rumors that he had heard. He had never met a Sneju, off the battlefield that is, and most of those warriors were men, even if the Clan was currently a matriarchy.

Still, he understood this was a very important union and his conduct for the next six moons would reflect to his bride to be his character for their marriage. His behavior would also reflect upon his Clan and the success of their union.

No pressure.

He smiled as his mom greeted him at the door with a broad smile.

"Let us speak of the marriage bed," she said.

"MOM!" he groaned.


Walking back to his family home he was greeted by the sight of his grandfather sitting on the porch with tea. They said nothing as Sasuke guided his horse to the stables, the rain was falling lightly, freezing the air. Once he bedded down his horse he walked up towards the main house; his grandfather's home. He paused to stare at the rain with his grandfather.

"Your father was demanding your presence."

"I was attending to the village," he answered.

"I am aware."

"I will speak to uncle to get you down the mountain," he said.

"I am not leaving this house!" Madara snapped, then he broke into a coughing fit.

"The cold is setting in, you will be in Nara."

"For that fool to invade my home and steal mine?" Madara said.

"I will reside in your home, as will Kakashi, Fugaku will not." He stated sitting beside his grandfather. "I will get Itachi to the village as well," Sasuke stated.

"Your brother's weak," Madara sighed.

"Aa," he nodded. "It was bad this time. Yamanaka do not think he will make it through the winter," he omitted. Itachi's illness was taking it's toll on his body, and Sasuke just wished for his brother to have a swift end to the brutal assault of this disease.

"Shisui will go with you to the Garden," Madara decided.

"No," he answered.

"Yes."

"No. Kakashi will," he answered.

"We are not invalid."

"Obito and Rin will be with you in Nara, Shisui will stay with Kisame, keep an eye on Fugaku as well."

"You do not trust your father."

"No."

"Wise."

"I will take Kakashi with me to the Garden," Sasuke repeated. His foster father was as formidable as any Uchiha, and even more cunning despite his lackadaisical attitude about everything. But there would be discourse if he left Itachi alone here with their father, so he would leave Shisui to run interference.

"Hn," Madara grumpily grunted.

"Drink your tea," Sasuke ordered.

"I am your elder, have some respect, boy!" Madara snapped.

"I am your youth," Sasuke retorted.

"Such an impertinent heir I have," Madara snorted.

"Better than a swine," he pointed out.

Madara smiled a bit at that and Sasuke sat there staring out at the misty mountains and the rain. It was peaceful, it would never cease to be peaceful here, even as he just sat there. The sword was propped up on his shoulder, and the cool air was stinging his cheeks as his long hair was ruffled.

"Such a handsome heir, who has yet to provide me with great-grandchildren," Madara said after a period of silence.

"Where is this coming from!?" Sasuke sputtered.

"You are four and twenty," Madara stated.

"I am aware of my age."

"You should have a wife, heirs, children," Madara stated. "What about that Yamanaka girl? She is beautiful, and a strong kunoichi."

"I am not discussing this," Sasuke stated as he stood. "Drink your tea. I will make the arrangements with uncle for your travels, I will leave for the Garden tonight."

"Sasuke!"

He paused at the entry way as he glanced over his shoulder at his grandfather. "You will have to marry," Madara stated. "One day."

"One day," he conceded. "Until that day," he nodded as he walked into the great house of the Uchiha. It was quiet as he walked to the area where many of the Uchiha armory resided, he wanted to collect a few things for he had a feeling he would actually need them. He collected supplies for his foster father as well.

Now Sasuke could hardly remember a point in his life where he had not lived with his foster father, an honorary member of his Clan; Hatake Kakashi. His mother had died birthing him and his father's resentment and anger had manifested as such that Sasuke had no memories of being safe as a child in his family home. His grandfather's naming him the heir for patriarch upon his death had furthered his father's resentment for him. However, it was Itachi and Madara who had intervened in his life and gotten him to the safety of his foster father. Unable to live with his uncle and aunt, whose home was already full; with Shisui and Izumi, who were orphans of the Uchiha Izuna's line when their parents had died of the same mysterious illness killing his brother. Obito and Rin had insisted Hatake Kakashi foster him; Sharingan no Kakashi was a dangerous shinobi who could not only take over his training in the Sharingan but could match his father until such a time that Sasuke was old enough to stand against him on his own.

He was able to stand against his father when he was eight.

He had remained with his foster father to this day though because Kakashi was his father.

Walking into their small, quiet home he was greeted by the dogs which lounged upon the porch.

"How was town?" Kakashi drawled out.

"Busy, preparations are being made," he said.

"I see."

"We will travel to the Garden. I will speak to Shisui about moving Itachi when he is strong enough."

"What news in the village?" Kakashi asked, closing his book.

"War in the valley," he answered. "Death of the daimyō has unsettled the Clans," he answered as he put the weapons away and sat beside his father with the sword propped in his shoulder.

"I see," Kakashi sighed wearily.

"Do you miss it?"

"The valley?"

"Aa," he nodded.

"No." Kakashi answered. "The politics are selfish, every move made there is for gain or destruction, it is not about being a shinobi, it is about serving the selfish in power. Here, here is where true shinobi reside. The purpose and meaning, it is diluted down in the valley."

Sasuke said nothing to that. "If there's war there it will reach us one day."

"Until that day, we tend to the Garden."

"Aa," he nodded.

"Madara spoke to me this morning," Kakashi said after a bit.

"Hn?"

"He wishes me to speak to you about arranging a marriage," Kakashi said.

Sasuke's head snapped over to glare at his foster father; who's amusement was apparent behind his mask.

"I told him we would speak of it; I didn't say I was going to push it!" Kakashi chuckled.

"Why, why now?" Sasuke demanded in frustration at the topic.

"He's an old man who wishes to see you happy, and loved, and with Itachi dying without leaving Izumi a child, he is worried. Worried about the end of his line, and the Garden. The Ōtsutsuki will return, he would like to know we can stand against them."

Sasuke took a deep breath as he mulled it over.

"I do not wish to marry," Sasuke started carefully. "Just anyone."

"Of course not," Kakashi agreed. "I want you to be happy, Sasuke."

"Wives do not ensure happiness," Sasuke muttered.

"No. But it does ensure you do not end up like your grandfather, and that is what he worries about. You are a lot like Madara, so much so it is terrifying, we only want you happy."

Sasuke said nothing to that.

His grandfather had loved a woman, a sensual woman, a kunoichi, who had borne him a single son from their one night of passion; Fugaku, and her assassination had left Madara utterly devestated. Madara's affair with a beautiful courtesan had resulted in Madara's second son many years later; Obito. Izuna had also had a single son, and left a widow behind who had died of heartbreak. Sasuke was not sure if the Uchiha luck for love improved from here or got worse to be entirely honest.

Izuna's son, Kagami, had married a Nara and they had sired Shisui and Izumi; late in life. The Nara woman was killed in an Akatsuki raid of the mountain; protecting the village. Kagami had later perished of the same unknown disease that Itachi was suffering from. Shisui had vowed off marriage, while Izumi had married his brother; Itachi.

Fugaku had married Mikoto, a woman who had been found on the mountain; lost and left for dead. He had fallen in love with her, she was said to be very beautiful and Sasuke was said to favor her. Uchiha Mikoto died because of a placenta rupture and had died from bleeding out too quickly; he had barely survived according to Itachi who would be his main caretaker before Kakashi became his foster father.

Sasuke did not wish to love because it appeared his entire family was cursed to lose those they loved. Also, if he had to marry he did not want to marry a woman his father could bully, because Sasuke knew Fugaku would bully whoever he married. Honestly, Sasuke didn't understand why the cranky old bastard couldn't just die instead of Itachi. Besides, none of the women in his acquaintance were really interesting, so he didn't see the appeal of marrying them.

"Well, I can say we talked about it," Kakashi dismissed which had him snorting as his lips curved a bit. "I will make the arrangements with Obito for our trip to the Garden."

"Uncle will escort grandfather to the village," Sasuke stated. "Shisui will stay with Itachi and Izumi."

"And Fugaku?"

"Can go fuck himself."

Kakashi rolled his eyes, and Sasuke did not respond. He knew whatever he told Uchiha Fugaku to do, would immediately insight the elder's wrath upon his mere existence, and Sasuke did not want the conflict.


"I don't like this," Sai said as their convoy stopped at the misty edge of the forest just before the mountain. Sakura said nothing as she stared at the daunting mountains encased in forest and mist; it was said this was where the spirit and mortal worlds collided. People walked into this forest to never be seen again, and yet, despite the ominous look, it looked beautiful.

"We camp here for the night, we will not stop in the pass," Sai decided.

"I would like a horse," she said.

"No." Sai said.

"Sai, riding in that carriage, in all the layers, is ridiculous," Sakura argued.

"What would be most insulting is if we are greeted by the Uzumaki bannermen and they see the Senju bride riding astride a horse in her shinobi uniform," Sai stated.

"You sound like my grandmother," Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Good. She instructed me." Sai stated.

"Kami help me," she muttered.

"The union is important, it is of great importance that you be on your BEST behavior, and represent the Senju properly."

"I know," Sakura dismissed with a wave of her hand. She just didn't like feeling weighed down in her kimono. She had never been fond of formal wear; she was a kunoichi, and she liked being able to move freely, to be prepared for a fight, wearing a kimono was cumbersome to be being prepared for a fight. Also, she wanted to pull her hair down to just leave it loose, but that would never be proper.

She paused when a shadow caught her eye up the mountain. Tilting her head back she watched the tree line cautiously, something was amiss. Walking a way from her party she entered some of the undergrowth, her kunai in reach as she peered into the darkness of the forest.

A head came up, she gasped as she found herself staring at a stag, and his collection of doe, there was a shadow behind them which had her peering more closely at the shadows. She moved forward when a loud tear tore through the silence and the herd of deer darted swiftly up the mountain into the mist, the shadow disappeared too.

"Sakura!" Sai shouted. "You mustn't wander off like this."

"Sorry Sai, I just thought…"

"What?"

"Nothing, it was a stupid feeling." She dismissed as she turned to walk with Sai. She had a feeling of unrest churning her stomach right now. She didn't know what was amiss but she didn't want to go into the mountains to find out if she were honest with herself.