A child:
He's become accustomed to walking through these sterile halls. That familiarity does not stop his chest from tightening, and his lungs from constricting.
These walls that enclose these corridors at one point felt as if they were enclosing around him, but now they lead to the promise of reprieve.
His escort left him at the hospital entrance, and now he walks to through these halls, to a familiar waiting room. He tells the nurse of his arrival, and takes a seat, stiff back, with hands folded neatly in his lap.
The wait isn't long, but he takes in the usual surroundings, and sees that new children's art dots the walls. It's a sight that reminds him that he is not an anomaly, that there are other children who too have endured traumatic events; and for a moment that realization helps him breathe easier.
There have been disputes over whether or not the Uchiha heir should attend therapy. Rikudo forbid an Uchiha seeking outside help, the clan reputation will be in tethers! It matters not, they did not awaken in the midst of the night screaming for his father, calling for him to come back, wishing he could have done more. These night terrors made his mother overrule the objections and stand indomitable before them.
The office door opens and the mind medic appears—specializing in children psyches, with emphasis in the stage of prepubescent children, particularly those who become genin at a young age. A Dr. Yamanaka Isamu, who uses his clan's techniques to understand the human mind. He is the best of the best, and has been enlisted to help the Uchiha heir. His influence has done wonders, for the first few weeks Itachi was near catatonic. The long term goal is to eventually accept that his father's death, the events surrounding it, and his perceived guilt are not his fault. Twice a week they meet, progress is in the works.
"Itachi-san, welcome!" Dr. Yamanaka says brightly in greeting. He holds the door ajar, Itachi enters and says solemnly in return, "Hello, Dr. Yamanaka."
The door closes behind them, the sign attached to its surface shifts to "in session."
A King:
For a moment he sits behind the wooden desk, and takes in the view of the round office with awed eyes. He feels humbled, he has been singled out amongst the many great shinobi in Konoha's ranks to become the fire shadow.
Minato gives a sardonic laugh, he—unofficially—is the third Senju to take the Hokage mantle. What a great lark!
(It's not his supposed lineage that got him here, its by his own skill and his own merit. He'd been informed dryly by the Sandaime that it's not just his 1,000 man slaughter that had earned him the flee on site warning in the bingo book. It was rather the way he brought hope to the overwhelmed Konoha forces. He had brought the scattered ninja together, and gave them words of encouragement, and reminded them that the will of fire burned through them all. Where Leaf nin were outnumbered three to one, Minato had come along and handed out his strange three prong kunai, and turned the odds upon its head. Afterwards, he'd sheepishly smiled in the shocked silence that followed Iwa's sound defeat. The masses of Leaf went wild and his infamy remained ever since.)
The curious question is how does a clanless orphan become Hokage?
Through sheer determination, a great deal of talent, a dash of genius and a lot pragmatism. Having one of the legendary Sannin as a sensei didn't hurt much either.
(And so it began:
Minato had been a bookish child, with a love for climbing the great trees of the village, and running wild with his fellow counterparts. For all accounts his childhood had been a happy one, if only due to him making it so.
Orphans grow up earlier than children with guardians, they learn life lessons early on, and whether they are better for is entirely up to them.
Minato did what he had to do.
As a child Minato learned early on that the only person he could depend on is his self. Like any orphan he dreamed of getting adopted or having one of his parents appear and take him away from the orphanage. But as he watched children left and right get adopted, and how as he got older the less appealing he became to potential parents. His bright blue eyes and blond hair were not indigenous to Konoha, so perhaps people were deterred by his foreign appearance, he knew not.
Eventually reality reared its ugly head and Minato realized no one was coming to "save" him. And so he had to save himself. At the age of five schooling became mandatory, he and his fellow orphans were presented with options: attend the civilian schools, and eventually go on to take a trade/apprenticeship, or enter the Ninja Academy and prove their mettle against clan heirs/members, and the children of established shinobi.
Like any child he had read the comics—donated to the children's home—telling tales of super heroes, or of ninja saving the princess and her country from the evil overlord.
So of course he went with the later choice. He wanted to make a name for himself, be recognized amongst the villagers and shinobi. The ninja academy held his attention like no book did, the archives available within the Academy and village libraries fascinated him. Minato spent plenty of time with his face buried in a book, but he did not let them encompass his world.
Minato was a smart kid, those books had there uses, and well knowledge is power.
Time went on, and outside of practicing the physical aspects of training to become a ninja, and playing with friends, Minato did odd jobs. He had every intention of gaining autonomy before he graduated from the Academy. Already he had filled out the forms for receiving the monthly stipend provided for orphans that leave the children's home. Taking odd jobs by working under the table would reinforce the stipend, he wanted a foundation. Once he became a genin, he would become a legal adult and the stipend would stop. He assumed D-ranked missions would not provide enough funds to sustain him, he'd have to wait until his first B-rank mission and from there he would save, and perhaps invest.
His tenth year brought about several changes; his tenth year was a watershed that rocked the foundation of his life.
He met the future love of his life, a plump, pretty girl, with hair the color of fire. He thought he may have found his first crush, he found his cheeks flushing, his palms damp, and his heart stuttering as she stood before the class and was introduced…. Then she opened her mouth, and he wondered what village had lost their idiot.
He graduated as Rookie of the Year, with the words genius and prodigy thrown in with his name. Minato didn't consider himself either, he had above average intelligence, yes understood the ninja arts when demonstrated once or twice. But he considered himself a hard worker, who simply wanted to be acknowledge by his fellow tree huggers. Whether that was accomplished by becoming a splendid ninja, or an infamous shinobi, gracing the bingo books and inspiring fear amongst the masses. It did not matter.
And then he met Jiraiya, and his life took on one hell of a ride. Life kind of titled on its axis; Jiraiya simply had that effect on people.
Upon their introduction to each other, Minato had his face buried in a book on sealing. He'd hardly paid attention to what his fellow teammates said, he'd played with them both at some point in their time at the Academy. He knew their names, and vaguely remembered some pertinent details about them, but overall they were not as exciting as the level three seals he was unveiling.
The book had promptly been snatched from his hands, and he looked up in surprise to find his new sensei eyeing him in annoyance. He'd flushed in embarrassment.
"Look kid I enjoy fuinjutsu, but now ain't the time and place for it. Show some courtesy to your teammates, hell show some to me, I'm your freaking new sensei; introduce yourself."
Minato rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "I'm Namikaze Minato, I like learning new ninja techniques, eating ramen, and reading. My dream is to become a great ninja, one acknowledged by the villagers and shinobi alike."
Jiraiya simply raised a brow and queried, "Have you thought about making that the goal of becoming Hokage?"
And then and there the idea had cemented itself. He would become Hokage, it'd been a whimsical ideal at first…but here he is….)
He raises his hands above his head to stretch, and knocks over a stack of paper work.
His musings come to a momentary standstill.
He looks down at the paperwork on his desk with an expression of vague disgust. And then at the paperwork scattered to the floor.
He then looks at his detailed list of things he must accomplish by the sun down, and runs his hands through his hair wearily. A few weeks in office and one would think he'd be used to this by now.
He gets up and sets about the tedious task of putting these files back into working orders.
On the edge of the desk he catches sight of a new photo, knowing Kushina must have dropped it off. Already on his desk there are a few pictures taken from the Naruto shrine, next to them are photos of his genin team, his sensei and his self, and his and Kushina's wedding picture.
These people he will move heaven and earth for, being in the ultimate position of power in the village helps matters.
(At a young age he developed what Jiraiya fondly/exasperatedly calls his hero complex.
It goes deeper than that.
At the age of 12, he witnessed the death of one of his teammates. In the midst of the chunin exams, his teammate Hiro was struck down. Hiro told them to leave him behind, that he would only slow them down…Minato had carried him until the last sluggish breathe left his body.
Perhaps it was selfish on his part, but he could not leave Hiro to die alone in a foreign land so far from Leaf. As time trickled away for Hiro, Minato spoke of home, of returning there, seeing the sunset up top the Hokage monument, of his teammate's family.
Minato could not help but feel crushing guilt, if only he head double checked, triple checked their medical supplies, perhaps Hiro would have lived.
Thus came an obsession with making lists, and always being prepared for the unexpected.)
His thoughts take a curious turn:
Often times he wonders what his life would have been life if his father had claimed him, or if his mother had lived to raise him.
He wonders what his father would have thought of him, he wonders what his mother would have thought of him. Would they have been proud? Happy that he accomplished a lifelong goal? And then he remembers that it matters not, the philandering clan head had died a few years ago, and his mother had not had the resolve to resist his father's charms, nor live to see the end result of their affair.
Besides he has a parent.
(At the age of ten Jiraiya came along and filled in that missing void.
The man practically raised Minato, and helped shape the character he is today.
Upon gaining his chunin rank, he and his former teammate went their separate ways. Six months in as a chunin the toad sage offered him an apprenticeship, essentially picking up where they left off. And yet with Jiraiya's attention focused solely upon Minato, he flourished.
Fuinjutsu became a realm of infinite possibility, and he exploited it for all it's worth.
And so he traveled the continent with Jiraiya, and learned of the complex spy network the toad sage wielded. Gama-sennin had always contained some wanderlust, even when he trained his genin team, they had spent more time outside the village than in. Minato had no complaints, the world outside Hi no Kini is fascinating. He learned why Jiraiya is considered the greatest of the Sannin, the knowledge, the care, the paternal pride the toad sage imparted on him is something Minato will forever be grateful for.
When Gama-sennin found out about the shift of the Hokage mantle… he'd been quite flummoxed.
A few weeks ago a conversation ensued between them:
Why? He queried, and Minato had been quite confused by his response. Jiraiya could not understand why anyone would give up their relative freedom as ninja to stay inside an office, and deal with the whinging of high ranking officials that represent the population at large.
Minato had simply laughed, and reminded him it was he who suggested Minato become Hokage.
Jiraiya had looked at him incredulously and asked if he had actually taken the suggestion to heart…which apparently he did. From there Gama-sennin went on to lament about where he went wrong, how he thought Minato had inherited his desire to travel, et cetera.
Minato calmly pointed out that wondering the continent and beyond had become an possible endeavor once he settled down and had a family.
Jiraiya had dramatically frowned and told him to stop raining on his parade. And since Minato was useless to him, now he would have to pass on his spy network to Naruto.
Minato evenly pointed out, once more that he'd have to get that pass Kushina first. She had plans for the future and that includes grandchildren, and not everyone wanted a life of a bachelor.
Gama-sennin had then dramatically bemoaned the loss of his legacy, and staunchly defended the bachelorhood life—his love of debauchery included.)
The memory of this conversation makes Minato chuckle.
Other matters however, require his attention.
His secretary—the current on duty chunin—calls in and reminds him of his afternoon appointments, and of rescheduling the ones he canceled.
That alone completely burst his good mood.
Minato sighs heavily.
His mood shifts to one of solemnity.
The Hokage hat is a heavy burden.
There is much work to be done.
This first year will mark rest of his reign as a success or failure, but unlike his predecessor he will step down once he leaves his prime, but within that time limit he has much to accomplish.
The inauguration of the Yondaime happened quicker than expected, but the simple fact is this, Sarutobi Hiruzen is weary and Minato is eager.
So why not switch places? Hiruzen will still mentor him, the power will shift, but his predecessor's guidance will remain a boon.
Many problems have to be addressed, and yet it's the solutions to them that's difficult to come by. In the end the ones the benefit the village overall are the ones that shall be chosen.
He looks up at the clock and sees that it's almost two, he hasn't had any lunch. He can imagine Kushina telling him to get his head out of the clouds and stop being so absentminded.
(It's not on purpose, on rare occasions he becomes so caught up in his head that he forgets the world around him. Nonetheless one too many occasions were enough to seal him with the characteristic of flakiness in the eyes of his wife.
He'd forgotten their first date, he'd been so wrapped up in creating a new seal that counters the effects of subtle genjutsu… well, he ended standing her up for nearly four hours.)
And so he summons a shadow clone to start on that thrice cursed paperwork.
He unseals Kushina cooking, she's made his favorite. Minato gives a moan of bliss.
His eyes happen to catch that thrice cursed paperwork again, and decisively he turns in his seat, leaving his clone to start sorting through the bullshit and bring about order.
He sighs.
Kushina always says that gray hair is in his immediate future.
He's definitely going to take advantage of the trade contracts with Ta no Kuni; they have some the best liquor in the elemental nations.
A Matriarch:
Her strides are not as graceful as they once were, ankles swollen, gait more of a waddle, but that does not impede her purposeful strides.
She rest elegant hands upon her extended middle. She's 31 weeks along and this pregnancy is much different than her first, one would think she is pregnant two babes into of one. With Itachi she had remained lithe, even with the many sweets she had consumed over her gestation period. With Itachi the pregnancy had been easy, she'd had support every which way she turned, she had Fugaku…. Her fists clench as she remembers his awe at first feeling the fluttering of life in her womb.
And while she has the unwavering support of her friends, and her family, it is not the same, this experience feels incomplete.
With this pregnancy, a new era is beginning, one filled with strife within her home district. The district, nay the clan she rules by proxy until her son comes of age to fulfill his role.
As she walks through the district, a frown etches her lips.
There has been a population boom within the Uchiha district. What was once the clan compound is not a small village within the Village of Leaf.
(Twenty years ago when she was a girl of seven this was not so. Many members of the clan resided outside the clan compound, employed as teachers at the ninja academy, at the civilian school of trades, medics at the hospital, store clerks in the merchant districts, et cetera.
Slowly, but surely they all migrated back to the clan compound.
She and Fugaku always encouraged their fellow family members to live outside the clan compound. Her reasons were because she did before her brother went and got himself blasted to kingdom come. Fugaku more so because that meant less family members, less drama and headaches. The bitching a clan head experiences due to bickering clan members over stupid disputes, and asinine complaints left him with his head buried in Mikoto's lap as she rubbed his aching temples.
Now they sequester themselves into their own little village. A village that breeds loyalty to themselves and not to the one that houses them.
And here she thought the clan is the village and the village is the clan.)
Hmm, how curious.
She is not blind to the seeds of discord that have manifested in the Uchiha clan since Konoha's founding.
It is a combination of alienation and arrogance.
Some high ranking members of Konoha hold the Uchiha in comtempt. Senju Tobirama is a figure that comes to mind, Uchiha Kagami had spoken of the Nidaime in respectful tones, but that can be expected if that someone was one's jonin-sensei. Tobirama did not hide his distrust of the Uchiha clan, and as a leader, a shepherd, his sheep were bound to follow his example.
The Uchiha have always put the clan first, the village as an afterthought. She would think that after founding the first ninja village with the Senju, that they would have more pride in the home they endeavored to create.
However, she remembers the Uchiha thrived in the warring clans' era. Their past is remembered in blood, even for a ninja clan their history is a grisly one.
And it appears some of her family members wish for those halcyon days.
But she is not infallible, she has as much clan pride as any other Uchiha, enough that she is blinded.
She let herself thoughtlessly believe her clan would never turn their backs against Konoha. She has Uchiha arrogance, and pride in being a ninja of the greatest of the hidden villages. They are the best for a reason.
However, the Hokage came and ripped the tatami mat from under her feet.
(Two months ago Minato had summoned her before him, fresh in his rule—flint sparked over his back, the well wishes and support of Leaf's denizen uplifting him. As he stood behind his desk, she found nothing of that flighty boy that would sometimes drift in and out of the midst of conversation or become so enraptured by his work, he'd forget the world around. Nor did she see the man that could make Kushina blush until she surpassed the flaming hue of her hair, or the doting father that held a crying Naruto when she scraped her hands and knees after tripping and falling.
No before her stands the leader that inspired the citizens of Konoha, thanking them for a welcoming reception upon his appointment as Hokage. The man that stood before great adversary in the Third Shinobi War, and told the downtrodden ninja of Konoha to not worry, he had it from here, and then proceeded to show them what a one man army was capable of.
Minato's enlightenment did not come in the form of a friend, it came in hardened tones of a leader dealing with potential mutiny. His exacts continue to resonate in her head:
"I've have heard strange tidings that could be mistaken for as treason. Konoha is our home Uchiha-dono…. I will not tolerate betrayal within my own home. Nor will I show any favoritism amongst the clans, or high ranking officials… My hand will be forced and no one will like the consequences they have to suffer.")
She is still quite surprised the shock didn't send her into premature labor. Her blindness in not acknowledging the seeds of discord. Her confidence that the clan would not destroy the legacy of their forefathers had been for naught.
Because apparently they would.
That kind of arrogance will be the undoing of her and her family.
(Minato went on to inform her:
In the aftermath and upheaval of the Kasai fort massacre, the Uchiha clan elders and their supporters think they have the right to demand compensation. They feel as if not enough man power has been extended to find orchestrator behind it. That the matter has been brushed aside in favor of a new topic... so little they know. This perceived slight is enough to fan the flames of discord. To bring about a more ardent discussion of future mutiny. Even if they received what they believe the clan is due would not be enough. They are like greedy children, wanting more and more, and never satisfied by what they receive.
Beneath her very nose the clan had divided into two factions. And if they did not take a course of action now, one of the factions would become a wave submerging all into chaos.
And so an ultimatum presented itself. Minato did not mince words, and in the end they agreed on one solution—kill the flame before it can spread to the wood work-the elders, their alleged supporters, and families.)
It's a ruthless, bloody affair, but necessity to save the majority, a few and their compatriots must die—87 members out of 243.
She thinks perhaps if Fugaku had lived, none of this madness would not have appeared. She can almost delude herself into thinking that with Fugaku's strong convictions, the clan leaders would not have been able to strong arm him. He had held firm in his six years as clan head, his people would have followed his example, every decisions he made held little bias…. Then she remembers that this discontent has always simmered and bubbled beneath the surface. This would have been inevitable and eventually overwhelmed her husband.
And where would she be with no choice but to support her husband, they both would be dragged down with their clan's madness.
The task set out before her gives her a sense of duty. For the last few months, she has been sluggishly wading through a sea of emotions, simply going about the motions: seeing about Itachi's wellbeing, remaining healthy enough to satisfy her doctor for the pregnancy, and leading an apparently fracturing clan.
She's been blind, oh so blind.
The sense of being lost slowly becomes anger, this anger cements her, plants her feet firmly to the earth. She's angry at her clan's audacity; that they would choose to rise up against the very home that shelters them, simply for control, simply for power, but then again as history of the clan shows, the Uchiha are a bloody, greedy lot.
Her fists clench once more, teeth grit and her jaw clenches. She forces herself to calm down, more so than ever she needs to remain calm.
The Naka shrine comes into view, she takes careful steps up it and slides back the wooden door. She proceeds down the main hall, carefully she falls to her knees and moves the seventh tatami mat. The climb down is somewhat steep with her added girth, but a smile graces her face… it appears she interrupted some interesting proceedings.
"Gentlemen, ladies," She announces without preamble, "It appears I am late."
The clan elders look up, all seven have varying expressions only told through the minute telltale twitches of their faces. Amongst them she can read contempt.
She sits upon an empty cushion, the clan head's cushion, Fugaku's position. The significance is not lost on them. She smiles brightly, "What have I missed?"
"You should not have come," One of the two token female elders—Ayaka—tells her, "to traverse the distance from your home to the shrine is a burden in your condition, and so close to your confinement… you must think of the child. A messenger would have brought you news of the proceedings."
One of the male elders—Isao—looks at her in distaste, and then looks pointedly at her stomach as he informs her, "Certain impediments should be avoided, regardless of clan business. We are here to look after clan affairs."
Mikoto gives a bland smile in response, "Inuzuka Tsume is an acquaintance of mine. I admire her dedication she gives to her clan, regardless of certain impediments. I find admiration in her leadership, and have chosen to emulate her effective methods."
Elder Nobu-san sneers, "Do not compare an Uchiha to those dog fuckers. A women's place is within the home, especially when she is with child. The Inuzuka bitch is an anomaly, one who—"
Mikoto tsked, "Such language Nobu-san. We must respect Tsume-dono, she is a notable leader of Konoha. You will respect her as you must respect me."
Nobu scoffs, and says scathingly, "You as Clan head!? That is a great lark, you are nothing but a broodmare, meant to give the clan strong Uchiha sons as every clan head's wife has before. Your purpose does not extend beyond that. Any preconceived notions you have should die here. Certainly you must have learned your place as a child, it appears I will have to re-enlighten you. You have no purpose here. These women though," He gestures to his fellow female elders, "have done their duty to the clan. You will have fulfilled yours once Itachi reaches his majority. In the mean time we will see to the clan affairs. Fugaku may be dead, but we will continue to see about the betterment of Uchiha clan."
Two of his counterparts nod sagaciously or make noises of agreement.
Throughout this tirade Mikoto had continued to smile blandly, once he finishes one of her hands that was demurely folded over her middle rises in a vague gesture.
The lights subtlety flicker, the shadows ominously elongate, from its recesses a succession of senbon sing as they cut through air. Their targets hit true, sharp poisoned ends piercing those dreaded pressure points, the touch of death.
As those three collapse upon themselves, Mikoto airily remarks, "I think he's made his point, now onto more pressing matters."
As former shinobi their shell shock does not last long, she's quite surprised they did not move into defensive positions earlier. Perhaps they have gone soft in their old age as veteran shinobi, or they are too shocked in being attacked within their own domain.
Kunai are in their hands, sharingan spinning death, they certainly recognize that a genjustu has been spun around them, it's weaving is subtle, they look for their would be death dealers.
"I would not do that if I were you, suspicious movements will result in lethal force, please sit," Mikoto invites civilly.
A warning set of senbon come from the shadows and land in various locations, all inches from vital pressure points in warning. They decide to take heed to her invitation, but not without protest:
"How dare you! You cannot do this—"
"Stupid girl, you will rue this day—"
"Sure I can, I just did, and I shall do so again if need be," Mikoto replies pleasantly, she steeples her fingers and begins, "Now onto business," She uses Minato's words, "I've heard strange tidings, whispers that could be mistaken as treason. Decrees that you all have suggested and I've overturned have somehow been sanctioned. Such as a school within the district. Why would we need one? Konoha has plenty of schools for the clan's children. Or the gate surrounding the district, why has it become fortified? There are seals reinforcing the stone. What is taking place within the Uchiha clan? Are we becoming autonomous? Are we going to war?"
More than once in her diatribe the elders opened their mouths to refute her claims, and warning senbon are sent their way. However, one or two of them simply look at her wearily. That last question cements the tangible tension.
"Ah, is that guilt I sense? It does not have to be confirmed by any of you. I have birds the whisper to me, and tell me your secrets. You all have grown bold in the months since Fugaku's death. These surreptitious susurrations that speak of future mutiny to the village that houses them, they will not come to pass. Heed my words, all traitors will die."
She raises her hand again and this time the ninja come to light, the elite of the elite, the Uchiha's pride and glory wield gleaming kunai, the metal becomes tainted with red as the elders' throats are slit.
Their blood will not be the first blood she spills of her family. If any of the Uchiha have aspirations of greater grandeur, she will not hesitate to cut them down.
The Uchiha clan will not suffer the shame that will follow a failed mutiny. They are a founding clan of Konoha, their blood helps nourish this land, and it will continue to flourish in the next generations.
She will not allow her sons to live through a civil war.
Mikoto rises from her seat, and speaks to the Uchiha ANBU and jonin, "Burn the bodies. I will not have their corpses and bloodline limit desecrated for experimentation. Inform the Hokage that the traitors have been purged."
Two of the elite ninja shadow her as leaves the shrine, outside she is met with the sight of Uchiha Kagami, he falls into step with her.
Kagami does not let them idle in silence, "It's a beautiful night, is it not?"
Mikoto gives a wry smile in response. Kagami has a weird sense of humor.
(Shisui's father settled down later in life, having fallen in love with a girl more than a decade his junior and had a hellion that contributes she, Kushina, Hizashi, and Minato headaches, along with their own spawn. However, what makes him a person of significance is his new elevation in the clan, as a new elder.
As a veteran shinobi, he's taken the rare route in retirement, instead of seeking a new domain to conquer—politics—he settled for a peaceful existence after dedicating more than twenty years in the shinobi forces, a tool that rose to the occasion every time duty called. But that does not mean his strategic mind has dulled in his years of hiatus. The man is perceptive, his blunt statements always throw people off guard…a fact he finds hilarious.)
"Was it taken care of?" Mikoto asked tiredly, she wants to soak her feet, she craves those fresh tomatoes she purchased this morning, but most of all she wants to sleep.
"Hai, the sheep have gone off to slaughter," Kagami informs her.
"Then the Hokage has already been informed," Mikoto concludes wearily. "And Itachi?"
"He's fine, tucked away with Shisui and Naruto, under the watchful eyes of the Red Menace."
Mikoto laughs at that last quip. They continue to walk, a companionable silence falling over them, the main house is the destination. Kagami studies her briefly, and discerns a truth, "You regret your actions, but they were not really your decisions to make, were they?"
It's a rhetorical question, thus she shall not answer. He continues, "I organized the assassinations of their families and allies, and after care of cremation. Yondaime-sama ordered the mission to take place, and you took take care the puppet masters. The blame does not lie on your shoulders, we did what was necessary."
"When did our family become our enemies?" Mikoto's eyesight becomes blurry, she sniffles. "I can't help but wish Fugaku was here, this is a heavy burden to carry." And then she burst into tears.
Beside her Kagami shifts uncomfortably, and pats her back awkwardly. Typical emotionally stunted Uchiha.
Mikoto gives a deprecating laugh, and tries to pull herself together. "I'm sorry, pregnancy hormones, I'm just a mess sometimes. Oh! Look here we are, this is my stop," She stop before the main house and turns to bow to Kagami, he returns it. "Good night Kagami-san."
She has put up a strong front for her son, for the clan dependent upon her, and as a leader dealing with politics. She and Fugaku had spent most of their marriage bickering, putting on a united front in public, while their relationship was actually strained. Of course there was a fondness between them that only extended to their one common factor, the wonder they created called Itachi. In their eyes, perfection had never been achieved until his birth.
Nonetheless, every olive branch Fugaku extended to her was revoked. Fugaku made the effort, she on the other hand carried on like some fucking martyr, using her brother death as an excuse to remain aloof, and her father's rejection of her to spite her husband the position that should have "rightfully" been hers.
What a fool she'd been.
More times than not she has fallen asleep weeping, she grieves and blames the hormones when friends and family asked her why her eyes are red rimmed, and smudged with evidence of Morpheus' neglect.
She falls asleep with a damp pillow clutching her steadily growing stomach. The worst nights were when Itachi climbed into bed beside her, and tried his best to hug her, proclaiming now that father was gone he would now protect her and his baby brother. Honestly that made her cry harder.
One of her greatest regrets is not attempting to reconcile with Fugaku, not attempting to make their arranged marriage into a love match. The potential was there, she simply spurned him and in reaction to avoid getting hurt, he'd reacted with harsh words—his of fire, hers of ice.
And her biggest regret of all is not realizing how much she actually loved her husband until he was dead, and their son laying in a hospital bed in the aftermath.
The only consolation prize to come out of this is the impending birth of their second son. The last part of Fugaku she will ever have. She will cherish both their sons in his memory.
He lives on in them.
A Spy:
He's been in Konoha for two days.
Usually this would not bother him, he'd visit his old haunts, gallivant with friends he seldom sees due to his travels. However, none of these are an option.
(He'd been officially been called back to Konoha via urgent toad summon by his former student…er Hokage. He had assumed the worst. Of course he hurried by to Leaf with speeds that befitted his rank as a sannin. He had returned to Konoha find it neither suffering from a foreign invasion, nor destroyed with the tell tales signs of an escaped biju reigning hell upon his surroundings. He'd spent five minutes gaping at the picturesque scene of a thriving Konoha.
When he had stalked to the Hokage tower, frothing at the mouth, ready to spits words of fire at Minato. Only to find himself restricted from accessing the Hokage's office by the obstinate chunin/secretary. The ANBU on duty ignored him when he tried wrenching the doors open, but failed, and then called chakra to his hand and watched as the seal matrix appeared. It was an intricate if not convoluted piece of work. The dimensions of couse were completely changed, and when he squinted at a section he saw that there's a compulsion jutsu. A bastardized version of the Yamanka clan techniques.
It was really impressive, and when he finished appraising the genius of his former apprentice, his irritation returned.
His intent was to commit harm, this is the first matrix of the seal, he would not be able to bypass it, or the other plethora of safeguards in place. So from outside he yelled a series of obscenities that made the chunin on desk duty blush.
If the little fucker wanted to evade him then so be it, it's only right he crashed at the Uzumaki-Namikaze residence and mooch for all his worth. {Disregarding he has a seldom used apartment.}
When he had arrived, he found Kushina preparing to leave on a mission. Her first one in months, she'd been hesitant, particularly after the events surrounding the mission that left her on bed rest, and her toddler distraught. Minato had given her plenty of leeway, he himself worried about the target on her back. Though not widely known-her status as the wife of the Kiiroi Senko and newly titled Yondaime Hokage-her status as an Uzumaki is enough to put her in danger. But her sealing skills are highly demanded, she has ignored the past requests for her, but this one has beckoned her to come out of her hiatus prematurely.
He had entered the flat to find the household in an atypical state of disarray. Kushina and Naruto in the midst of the chaos, yelling to and fro across the hall. Apparently Minato could not be counted on to look over Naruto while Kushina was away, and she was currently on her to Hyuuga Hizashi's—he pitied the man for dealing with the hellion that is Naruto.
Once he had made his presence known, it was all downhill from there.
A complete change of plans took place, and somehow he ended up getting roped into watching the little shit. He didn't mind per say, where ever his goddaughter is involved, hilarity and chaos was bound to ensue.)
So now here he is…
Two days later only catching brief glimpses of Minato—if he'd ever rued a jutsu being created, it's definitely the Hirashin, the jutsu of evasion.
He finds his presence in the flat superfluous, Naruto is ridiculously independent. Right now he surreptitiously watches as she does her laundry, struggling to reach the dial above the dryer, perhaps he should help, but he rather see what she does. She looks around her, and he knows she must sense his presence nearby, and yet she still proceeds to fly through hand seals, quietly murmuring "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu".
He gapes, he hadn't expected that, particularly from a five year old. But then that logic is soundly rejected, she's the jinchuriki of nine tails, is the progeny of Minato, and wields the special chakra of her mother's lineage. Besides with Naruto its best to expect the unexpected.
Gama-sennin rises from his perch, and calls out to the midget, "Gaki are you ready yet!? The cinema begins in ten."
"Ero-sennin, I'm coming," Naruto looks at the clock, "Hey! The movie doesn't start for another twenty minutes…" Naruto looks back at him with sudden suspicion, "did you seal away the snacks?"
Jiraiya snorts, "You mean the care packages for a small army? Yes, I did."
Naruto squints at him suspiciously, and then declares, "I don't believe you!"
She proceeds to run off to the kitchen to make sure, but is caught before she can reach her destination. Jiraiya hauls her up, and gets a good hold on her wriggling torso. "Oh no you don't, we're leaving now."
Naruto makes a sound of the upmost indignation as he opens the nearby window and climbs through. She tries to bite at the hand holding her, and yet her god father maneuvers her expertly.
"You just want to flirt with the ticket receptionist!" Naruto protests when escape seems futile.
Jiraiya jumps to the next roof top and gives a smirk, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"I hope you know you're robbing the cradle, she's barely legal," Naruto taunts.
Gama-sennin sputters, "You are too young to talk that way. I ought to wash your mouth out with soap for speaking of adult affairs…" Here Jiraiya gives a sly smile, "But the most important part of your sentence is 'legal.'"
I've got a plan (I've got an atlas in my hand)
Upon their return Minato sees fit to grace them with his presence. Naruto briefly hugs his leg in greeting, yawning widely as she heads to bed.
Jiraiya is fully prepared to tear him a new one, until he sees the grim expression etched on his face. And so he puts teasing aside and gets down to business, "What's this I hear about countering a rebellion within the Uchiha clan?'
The backlash of the simmering Uchiha rebellion had reached Jiraiya through deplorable channels that heard beyond the propaganda given to the village at large. The public knew this: in the aftermath of clan head Uchiha Fugaku's death there had been outrage, which lead to inner clan conflict that resulted in necessary manslaughter.
Minato grimaces, he believes that the villagers deserve to know what takes place within Konoha, but a veil of deceit is a necessary evil. So he lies but as close to the truth as possible, and omits pertinent details. "I've got it under control sensei."
Which is an understatement.
Minato has as much control as someone in a leadership position can have over public opinion, but what's said behind closed doors is another story. The villagers have mixed views towards the Uchiha clan, and rumors of traitors amongst them.
And Danzo circles over the Uchiha clan like a vulture looking for any sign of weakness in the herd. His spies on the ground, in shadows ready to tear asunder the stragglers.
Eventually he too will be dealt with. Even if he has to personally assassinate the man who attempted to train Kushina into a weapon, and then set his sights upon Naruto. He whispered into the ear of Minato's predecessor who simply indulged him without merit, but with Minato he will find his attempts stonewalled.
Minato's birds whisper and tell him stories of Ne, he gifts them with counterseals, and makes the mute auditory once more.
But as of now, that is neither here nor there.
There are more important matters to attend to.
And so Minato asks a question that leaves Jiraiya poleaxed.
"Are you still in touch with the leaders of Akatsuki?"
A Refugee:
The mission parameters gives her the allotted time of three weeks.
She finishes with a week, plenty of time to spare.
She takes a detour in Kaze no Kuni and heads south.
There are great ruins in the dunes of Kaze, many lost to the weathering of sand storms that little by little wear away at once great structures, and returns the stones to the earth where they once belonged. Some she passes by and remembers playing within their decaying midst.
She dodges the migrating flock of giant flying hawks as they canvas the landscape high and low. She stops at sparring oasis that dot the desert sea, occasionally coming across settlements established around the oasis' perimeters.
It's here that she undergoes a transformation, she has never been able to perform genjutsu, it's a ninja art that alludes her as perfect chakra control alludes those gifted with the Uzumaki clan's large chakra reserves. And so she makes a temporary change. Dies her hair a dull brown and dons glasses that dulls the vibrant hue of her eyes. She seals away the presence of her ninja attire, and dons the clothing of a civilian.
She avoids larger settlements, and by the time she reaches the location of the small shipping town, she has grown to hate the feel of sand in her sandals and the unrelenting heat of Kaze no Kuni.
She takes a ship to one of the many islands of Mizu no Kuni.
In the Southwest quadrant of Mizu, the Aoi Sea gives way to mist and shifting waters. Twirling and swirling this way and that, undulating in maelstroms, difficult to navigate. The layer of mist disappears, giving way to larger whirlpools, above them a storm brews with the claps of thunder and spears of lighting. The stench of ozone lingers here, and grows as the center comes into reach.
In the eye of the storm lies the ruins of a land disseminated by the actions of men given god like powers. The fear of three nations culminated in the destruction of a country. And the skeletons of great structures now wait to be swallowed up by the ocean below. Time will eventually see that come true.
She lands on one of the islands the used to be a central station of trade between the two countries. The population has been majorly reduce due to the loss source of income that came with importing and exporting goods.
She stands at the water's edge and looks to the west, out yonder the storm brews, out yonder is a home she barely knew, and yet still mourned.
Into town she heads, from the local florist she purchases a bouquet of flowers. She heads back to the water's edge, slipping off her sandals to sink her feet into the damp sand.
Eventually she reaches her destination, she walks carefully into the hidden glade amongst the mangroves. There's a multi-layered seal in place here, one that utilizes nature chakra, using it as a source of energy to fuel the subtle illusion that laces the glade.
She does not disable it, rather she manipulates it, allowing herself passage. Within the glade is a memorial monument. The stone is chakra conducting, recognizing her as a descendent of the Uzumaki clan. A source of light glows as she enters the monument.
Amongst what appears to be thousands of names, she searches for two familiar names, when she finds them she trace their name engravings with a touch of reverence.
Before them she places the flowers, she falls gracelessly to her knees and dull ache from when she was a child, throbs with renewed loss. She allows herself to weep with old mourning coloring her tears.
(Uzu no Kuni was a decade or so gone by the time she was born. Survivors scattered to the winds, some of them daring to settle and reside on the outskirts of Mizu, lingering on the boundaries that once made up Whirlpool.
Inconspicuously they lived the life of civilians. Distancing themselves from the ninja arts, for it was those very skills that led to their decimation. Here, her parents dwelled. There was momentary peace… until the civil wars broke out.
And with those bloody battle came the purges. The Sandaime Mizukage called for the extinction of clans with kekkei genkai. Civilians or not, suspected parentage or direct lineages, none of that mattered. The Uzumaki were known for their seals, but also for the special chakra that coursed through their veins, granting them longevity, and in some cases chakra manipulation—i.e. the ability to create shields, or chakra chains.
Fitting this criteria put targets on their backs once more. Their distinctive red hair made them easier targets to distinguish.
Many clans were wiped out, those few Uzumaki that dared to stay close to the familiar, close to their roots died along with them.
But they are a people that does not know when to die, the stubborn ones that survived fought tooth and nail, escaping the madness that descended upon the once peaceful lands of Mizu. They became nomadic.
She was but a babe when she left her home, she does not remember much, but vibrant red hair, crimson and slate eyes, the lulling base of her father singing to her, and the bright laughter of her mother.
Thus her grandmother raised her, in a caravan they traveled with their fellow refugees. She grew up sleeping beneath the stars, upon the open road, traveling the continent and sometimes beyond. She came to know this flimsy peace from her parents' sacrifice of defending her against their death dealers. Her grandmother stole her away and she emerged to this life. As they traveled with their fellow expats, their numbers slowly trickled downward as some individuals settled into the small villages or big cities they journeyed through.
This existence was all that she knew, aside from the stories her Obaasan told her and the training she was given. Until a hawk came, almost like an omen as it soared down, and presented her grandmother with a letter.
Her grandmother's favorite cousin Uzumaki-Senju Mito beckoned them forth to journey to Konoha. And they were off to visit Uzu's once great ally.
Here a water shed took place.
Several events came about that marked the second stage of her life. She became the jinchuriki of the Kyuubi no Kitsune, she met a boy with pretty eyes, pretty hair, and an even prettier smile, and his presence became a constant in her life, one she would be forever thankful for. She donned the hitai-ate of Leaf, met her lifelong friends Hyuuga Hizashi and Uchiha Mikoto—pissed them off, eventually earned their respect, and pulled the sticks out of their noble asses. She found a role model in the lackadaisical Hatake Sakumo—he encouraged his team's hell raising qualities, having watched on in amusement as they caused mayhem.
A tragic moment occurred when she was 13 summers old, her Obaasan passed away. The woman was well into her nineties, and she died smiling.
Thus with the third stage of her life, she comes full circle.)
Eventually the water works dry, and she pulls herself together. She looks about herself and finds there are fresh flowers aside from her own placed upon the memorial. The smoking trails of incense have been lit, she is not the only one who has visited. She follows their example, before leaving to join her family members at the traditional bathhouse and hotel a distant cousin of hers owns.
(It's a memorial tradition held every year since the destruction of Whirlpool. Occasionally she comes, and sees family that she has not seen in years. The last time she ventured here had been two years before she married Minato and had Naruto. The dynamic between she and Minato was still novel, but the devotion they displayed to one another belayed their relationship as long term.
At the time she wanted to share something that's pivotal to her identity with him. In Konoha the presence of Uzu no Kuni manifested itself in the most curious of ways, but she had lived in leaf, became a citizen and donned its head band declaring her willingness to die for its causes. She'd been immersed in Minato's culture for a decade—at time she dared to think that she'd eventually marry Minato and whimsically she looked upon herself as a foreign bride adopting her husband's culture as her own and eventually bearing him children that too would be immersed in it.
And so she invited him along, and immediately regretted it. She left herself open as a target, complete cannon fodder for the individuals who grew up with her, those who babysat her, and who helped raise her. Add in a boyfriend and the scales escalated to childish teasing.)
As Kushina leaves the mangrove glade, the layered seal resets itself, she travels along the sand, lost in thought. Eventually she'll bring Naruto along, though the Leaf is her daughter's home, if Naruto ever expresses interest in Kushina's origins, she'll gladly expose her daughter to her family's insanity.
In the distance her name is called:
"Kushina!"
"Tomato-chan!"
"Hell spawn!"
A vein appears at the nick name, but she smiles nonetheless at the familiar approaching faces.
A God:
A parcel with the Leaf's emblem.
How curious.
Absently he hands the toad the package of mochi he keeps on hand. The young messenger toads prefer snacks over measly gratitude. He keeps a package of mochi on him always, even though he and his teammates seldom use the summoning contract Gama-sennin honored them by allowing them to sign it.
But the parcel is curious.
Very curious.
Usually when their former sensei wishes to catch up, they meet in neutral territory. For they are the leaders of the rebellion group Akatsuki, seeking to overthrow Kouukage of Amegakure. But perhaps that should be spoken of in pass tense for Hanzo is now a relic of the past.
Encountering their former sensei happens once or twice a year, and the reunions are always enlightening. However, the last time he'd seen Jiraiya was six months ago, just a short time after Yahiko's funeral procession.
Now as he scans this parcel, his eyebrows rising with every passing word, it appears he will be seeing seeing Gama-sennin more frequently in the next coming months. But this time on more formal grounds, and he would be meeting another one of Jiraiya's students… idly, he wonders how the toad sage must feel about having two former pupils as Kages.
The irony is that Nagato never wanted to wear a shadow's hat. And yet upon his and Konan's shoulders they carry Yahiko's dream. And for that alone he carries the burden willingly.
His mussing come to a halt, there's a tug on his robe, he looks down, and the toad looks up at him imploringly. He raises both brows, and queries, "More?"
"For the road," The pink and green toad replies.
He sighs long-sufferingly, but he hands over the mochi, "You and your brothers will completely devour Ame's supply of candy." He pauses on a more serious note, "Tell Jiraiya I'll will think on it."
The toad smiles, "Sayonara Nagato."
"Ja ne, Gamanatsu," He replies.
He looks upon the parcel again, memorizes the contents of it, and then burns it. Still so very curious. The Leaf seeks an alliance, the surface reasoning from the Yondaime Hokage states as former students of a Sannin, why should they not seek to become friends? Nagato finds that to be hilarious.
This is political posturing at its finest.
Leaf ninja killed his parents, but one of his great idols is a ninja of Konoha.
Conflict of interest indeed.
He had once found he held all ninja in contempt, all harbingers of violence and hatred were subjects of his loathing. But what does he do? Go and become the very thing he hates, and now he leads a village full of killing machines. All tools waiting for him to point in a direction to attack, and they shall do so without question.
Will he pull that trigger? ….No, no, not unless provoked.
One thing Jiraiya did for certain for all his students is cement the dream for peace. Handing them the tools and teaching them the skills to combat violence with violence. This is an endless cycle of hate, but Uzumaki Nagato does not look for peace on an international scale. He simply seeks to keep Kou no Kuni out of the cross fire of the five major ninja villages. Perhaps he can bring peace and prosperity to his adopted home, and do his parents and ancestors proud—protect his home, where they failed to protect Uzu no Kuni.
There is much to be done.
Hanzo left Amegakure and Kouu no Kuni in such a state of disrepair.
Kouu no Kuni is made up of a series of city states. Once they were united under Hanzo's banner, all city rulers swearing fealty to Amegakure's Kouukage for protection. But with Hanzo's fall at Nagato's hand, the city-states disintegrated and have fallen back into the traditions before Amegakure's Kage pressed his rule upon them.
They forge alliances, autonomous to each other, and trade amongst each other to keep a steady balance of power. Enlisting their ninja village for missions, but never again bowing before the Kouukage.
But therein lies the problem, missions have not been petitioned with Ame, the city states have been seeking out foreign ninja for tasks that should rightfully go to Kouu's ninja village.
And that must be rectified.
In the wake of Hanzo's defeat, those with knowledge of the Rikuo-sennin look upon his eyes and spread the word. The legend spreads throughout Kouu, rumors of the Sage of Six Paths being reborn once more.
A god walks amongst men.
Konan finds this to be hilarious, if Yahiko were here, he too would find mirth in his friend's plight. Nagato is simply resigned to it, but that does not mean he is not clever enough to take advantage of it.
Now he travels through Kouu no Kuni—he could send Akatsuki members as diplomats amongst the city rulers, but he would not disrespect these wary leaders. He will give the illusion of a god humbling himself, willing to negotiate with mere mortals.
So far it has worked with astounding results.
And now the Leaf wishes to align itself with a burgeoning power, but they are not the only ones. Another potential ally whispers tantalizing visions of peace, and the means of getting there tempt Nagato, but his friend's vision of peace clashes with it.
Nagato will keep his cards close to his chest and see what the others present first.