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Beta'd by astro.


Water Kingdom

Sakura rose and looked at Yagura's feet, not daring to look him in the eyes. She didn't speak for she wasn't given permission to. Being in the same room as him made her blood boil.

She calmed herself, not wanting him to know what would happen when she was enraged.

"Do you know why I called you here?" Yagura asked her. He leaned back in his throne, crossing his feet. He was dressed in white robes and a golden crown sat upon his head, sapphire stones molded into the glittering symbol of his royal status.

"No, your majesty," Sakura spoke clearly, not wanting to offend him.

"The Fire king is sending his adviser to my kingdom," Yagura sneered, "I want you to watch over him. Report anything out of the ordinary."

"Yes, your majesty." Heart quickening at his words, Sakura bowed again.

"Oh, and Sakura," Yagura started, "I normally wouldn't assign you something like this, but since you originated from the Fire Kingdom, I thought you'd enjoy this. Do not mess this up."

Yagura waved his hand, dismissing her.

Sakura bowed again, keeping low to the ground as she walked backwards towards the door.

Once Sakura was a good distance from the throne room, she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She forced down her anger now that she was away from the tyrant. Sakura wanted nothing more than to drown the man, if she could even could call him a man anymore.

As Sakura left the main palace and made her way back towards the clinic, her thoughts swirled in her head. She couldn't understand why her husband had sent Izuna to the Water Kingdom. What was going on in his head? It had been three years since she went undercover as the court healer. Was Madara getting restless with her gone? She couldn't place her finger on it. She would just have to wait for Izuna to arrive.

Even more frustrating, Sakura had gotten no closer to getting clues to Tsunade's whereabouts. Every time she felt that she was getting closer to finding anything, she would be disappointed. Nothing she found gave her new information.

When the clinic came into view, Sakura pushed her jumbled thoughts down. She had a job to do. She couldn't let these thoughts distract her from her healing.

XX

Izuna arrived shortly after her morning shift at the clinic had ended. After a long afternoon under the watchful eyes of the guards and councilors, Izuna and Sakura were finally alone. Sakura had guided Izuna towards her modest home located near the palace.

She had just shut the door when she turned and gave Izuna the biggest hug she could muster, the water in her canteen swirling in her happiness. Izuna and her shared a smile at finally seeing each other again after what seemed like forever.

"I'm so happy to see you, brother!" Sakura squealed as she hugged him even tighter, "How is my baby girl? Is she keeping to her studies? What about your wife? Is Madara eating? I told him to keep to his diet."

"Mei is good," Izuna smiled, stepping back as Sakura released him from her hug, "Rena is well and she is keeping to her studies. Madara is eating and no, I know what you're thinking, he hasn't burned anything down yet. He has gotten a few grey hairs since he decided to go to one of those meetings."

Sakura frowned at her brother's words.

"Wait, Madara actually went to one of the meetings?" Sakura asked worriedly.

Sakura gestured towards her dining table that she had shoved into the corner of the room. They both sat to continue their conversation.

"Yes, ever since he got a letter from Queen Mito." Izuna rested his arms on the surface of the table.

"The Wind Queen?"

"Yes, it seems like they have been in contact lately," Izuna shrugged.

Sakura sat in silence, processing his words. She clenched her fists as she struggled to overcome her worry to think of something to say. Things must be getting pretty bad over in Earth for Madara to go any type of meeting.

"Things must be getting pretty bad over there," Sakura whispered.

Izuna nodded, his face sullen.

Sakura thought for a moment before speaking, "We need to do something."

Izuna raised an eyebrow at his sister-in-law as a smile made its way onto her face. "What do you suggest?"

Sakura leaned forward onto the table, the smile vanished from her face, eyes serious.

"Simple, brother," Sakura slammed her balled fists onto the table, "We take Yagura down."


Hashirama sighed, already dreading the impending meeting for the ruling factions. He was not looking forward to it. The only thing he was looking forward to was seeing the Wind Queen. The fire that burned in her eyes when she would speak drew him in. He was a goner for her and they haven't even had a proper conversation.

He knew he should step up to his father and demand change but he just couldn't. His father was known to be cruel, even to his sons. That wasn't the only thing that was stopping him; he feared that he wouldn't be capable of ruling a nation. His heart ached at the thought of failing his people, but he also knew he was failing them now.

Not wanting to ruin his time of peace, Hashirama shook the thoughts from his head. If he continued to allow the thoughts to plague him, he would never get any peace. He would think of such things when it was time to return, or when his brother came to find him.

He let the cool wind wash over him, letting himself drown in the grass of the field he was currently laying in. The sun was bright in the sky, warming the air around him. The grass tickled his skin, causing him to let out a sigh of relief. Patches of brightly colored flowers surrounded him. Hashirama smiled and released some of his magic, new flowers bloomed in the field. The bulbs on the trees bloomed beautifully.

Out in nature, Hashirama felt at home. Here he was not the crowned prince, he was just Hashirama. He could be himself, without the watchful eye of his father, or his brother. He closed his eyes and let the sensation of joy fill him to the brim.

He was happy.

"So this is where you hide."

Hashirama cracked one eye open and peered at the intruder. Tobirama stood above him, one eyebrow cocked, and his arms crossed. Knowing he had been caught, Hashirama let a smile make its way onto his face. He let out a booming laugh.

"Tobi!"

Hashirama who had yet to get up from his relaxed position, watched as his brother's expression morph into a scowl.

"I thought I would tell you this personally," Tobirama sighed before continuing, "We got a reply from the Fire Kingdom on whether they would be joining us for this meeting."

"Yes!" Hashirama suddenly sat up, he held out his hand for the letter.

Tobirama groaned and dropped the letter in his brother's outstretched hand.

Hashirama didn't waste any time reading the letter, his face lighting up in joy at the contents. Flowers popped up around Hashirama, the once wilting flowers now bright and beautiful. Brown leaves turned green again, life drifting back into them.

"Madara is attending!" Hashirama got to his feet and started to jump in circles.

"Happy days," Tobirama rolled his eyes, his expression sullen, "Just don't destroy anything this time."

The last time those two got together, a bar was burned to the ground, and earthquakes shook the land.

"It was an accident and Madara paid for the damages," Hashirama giggled.

"You had part in the damage and he paid for it all?" Tobirama snorted.

Hashirama hummed in his joy, he fought the urge to hug his brother. He was just so overjoyed, he hadn't seen Madara in what felt like years.

He looked up at the sky, taking notice of the sun setting in the sky. He had been out in this field for most of the afternoon now and some of the evening. He knew he should let his brother drag him back to the palace but he really didn't want to go back.

Hashirama watched as Tobirama narrowed his eyes, an accusation in his gaze. He could tell he was at war with himself over whether or not to run, a skill his little brother had instinctively picked up since they were children. He was too perceptive for his own good.

"We need to get back to the palace. Father is probably emptying the fire wine stores as we speak." Tobirama crossed his arms as he spoke, raising an eyebrow at his brother's sullen expression.

"You're right," Hashirama sighed as he watched the sun finally fall below the horizon.


Hashirama wanted to bash his head against the table in front of him. The meeting had been going on for only thirty minutes and it was already a near war zone. Mito had arrived in a flurry of silken, white robes. The moment she entered the room Butsuma and Yagura had gotten into a heated debate with her.

From his seat next to the right of the king, Hashirama let his eyes wander around the room. His father, Butsuma, sat with perfect posture in his seat at the head of the table. A crown of rocks and gems floated gently around his head. To Butsuma's left sat Tobirama, dressed in blue and white robes.

To Hashirama's right sat Madara, who was sitting relaxed, elbow resting on the arm of the chair, his fist propped against his face, a crown of crackling fire sat upon his head. He was dressed in his nations colors, black and gold with red stitching throughout.

Small balls of blue fire flit about Madara's shoulders in loose circles. Hashirama had witnessed Madara use them as weapons, the fires burning so hot that a single touch could be devastating. Hashirama considered them will-o-wisps, and have even named them; Chi for the right and Yato for the left. Not that Madara needed to know that.

Hashirama had always wondered how Madara could keep the fire from burning his hair off. Just how much control did his friend have over the element?

Hashirama continued to scan each of the royals. Across from Madara sat Mito in all her glory. He felt like he could stare at her for days. Some of her hair was pulled into a small bun at the back of her head, the rest hung around her face, framing it. Loose braids were pulled back into the bun, with silver decorative cuffs intertwined into her hair. Surrounding her head was a crown of wind and fire. Her control over wind was extraordinary.

Hashirama couldn't keep his eyes off her. Mito was a beacon of beauty and power. He could feel her power filling the room, brushing against his skin gently. The way she walked even held power. When she would look at him and catch his gaze, he could see an unknown future in her eyes.

Next to Mito sat Yagura in all his smug glory. He would throw in his comments and Butsuma would agree with him. On Yagura's head sat his signature crown. He was dressed in royal blue robes and behind him sat his staff.

XX

The air pressure in the room would increase with Mito's annoyance at the two tyrant kings. She wanted nothing more than to crush their organs and be done with it. It was a back and forth argument with them on their currents law regarding women. Butsuma and Yagura saw nothing wrong with how they were running things.

"I fail to see anything wrong with the laws I have set," Butsuma sneered, "In fact, I am amazed your country is still running."

"I agree with Butsuma on this matter," Yagura laughed, "It is simply amazing how you're still Queen. Women should stick to what they do best; listening to their husbands and doing housework. Not learning to fight."

"We all know your views on women," Mito growled out, "My gender does not affect my ability to rule."

Mito wanted to grind her teeth, she was getting nowhere with them. At the rate she would have to resort to her other plan. Her gaze wandered towards Tobirama and, when she caught his eye, they shared a knowing look. Then Mito looked over towards Madara, catching his eye as well. They shared a nod.

Butsuma opened his mouth to speak.

"I've heard enough of your childish speech," Mito interrupted as she lifted her palm towards Butsuma.

A blast of wind flared from her fingertips, hitting Butsuma square in the chest. He was knocked from his seat and into the wall cracks spider webbing in the wall from the force of the impact. The room shook from the collision, plaster falling from the ceiling and littering the floor. The breath was forced from his lungs.

Mito sent another blast of wind towards him, making him smash through the wall and into the hallway. She stood with a fluffy of robes, her chair toppling over. Madara stood as well, fire dancing from his fingers, the will-o-wisps dancing madly with Madara's magic. The crown of crackling fire burned hotter, turning a lightning blue. He stared down Yagura, warning in his eyes.

"Move and you die." Madara sneered, his expression cold.

XX

As Madara stared at the worm in front of him, he noticed Yagura's form go still. He could see the wheels turning behind Yagura's eyes. He knew that Yagura was thinking of a way out of the situation. He observed Yagura's gaze following Mito as she sauntered out of the room and into the hallway.

"Your focus should be on me, not her," Madara chuckled, gaining Yagura's attention once more.

"What is your gain from this, Madara?" Yagura inquired.

Madara ignored his question, as he instead thought of killing the worm in front of him. He was shaken from his murderous thoughts when the form of Tobirama approached.

He kept his attention on Yagura when Tobirama stopped next to Yagura. Madara raised a questioning brow at Tobirama, who in turned just smirked.

"Tobirama, let's talk rationally," Yagura started.

"Save your words," Tobirama laughed at him, "Just sit tight, you don't want to make our friend here mad."

Madara chuckled at Tobirama's words.

"Were you three in this together? Tobi, why didn't you say anything to me?" Hashirama pouted.

Madara coughed lightly - he had forgotten that Hashirama was still in the room. His usual loud self had been very quiet since Butsuma had been blasted through a wall. In front of him, Tobirama's cheeks had a stain of red on them. Obviously he had forgotten his brother's being there also.

"Actually, I don't think I'll like the answer." Hashirama pouted again.

Madara narrowed his eyes when he heard a scream coming from the hallway. Hashirama and Tobirama tensed up at hearing their father scream.

Things just got interesting.


"You will tell me where Tsunade is," Mito snarled as she increased the wind pressure on Butsuma.

Cracks formed in the tile floor underneath Butsuma's crumpled form.

Mito had purposely blasted him out of the room to avoid injuring anyone else with the pressure of the wind. To avoid him using his magic, she kept a constant pressure of air on Butsuma. She couldn't risk him using the rocks and gems of his crowns as weapons. She increased the pressure more, the only sound being made being Butsuma as he gasped for air.

From his spot on the floor, Butsuma wheezed. He opened his mouth to speak, but instead of speaking, he spit in her direction.

Enraged, Mito lifted her palm, sending a ball of dancing flame at his chest, causing him to scream in pain. The smell of burning flesh filled her nostrils, causing her to see red.

"Speak," Mito commanded.

"T-Taka Island," Butsuma gasped out, "T-that's where I sent her."

Mito screamed in rage, she clenched her right fist, sending a crushing wave of wind his direction. Before he could even blink, his body crumpled on itself, his organs crushed. Butsuma's body stilled, blood pouring from every orifice of his body. The tyrant was no more.

Face flushed in anger, Mito turned on her heel, making her way back towards the meeting room.