Hey everyone here's the next chapter! I addressed a lot of different things in my last author's note. One other thing I will address is that almost this story will be following Naruto and Naruto Shippuden. The only difference is, like every person, Kabocha has other stuff going on in her life. Last, I uh….got my nails done for my first mother's day...typing has been nothing short of a bitch. That was all, nothing major!

Thank you to the new followers and favorites: ArtemisFullmoon, Mellberry, Deviliciouskitty, and Afrodity

Personal thank you to Devilicious for favoriting and following me as an author. You are the first to do so!

Elaine302: Thank you for the review! If you loved the drama now just wait until we get into Shippuden!

Crazy Devil Girl: Thanks for the review! If you think he's power hungry now...your going to hope he dies on the spot in the near future. Stay tuned! (;

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*Tsuyoi POV*

"Tsuyoi-san…" My gaze wandered over to a traumatized Sasuke. I put my mask back on and held my index finger up to my lips.

"I p-promise I won't tell! Y-y-you s-saved me…." His eyes rolled into the back of his head. My head whipped around to the entrance of the Uchiha compound. I could hear about two dozen ninjas entering the compound.

I turned on my heel and left out the way I came.

Phase one of our plan has been a success.

*Present Day*

*Normal POV*

Jun stared down at his oldest, shackled son with contempt and slight indifference. A teenager that wasn't even his to begin with. He turned his gaze away from the raven haired teen, who had his mother's hair color and eyes. He looked down at his late wife's will, wanting to laugh at her demands. He knew she thought he wouldn't find it, but he was the leader of his village for more reasons than just his strength.

The shackles shifted drawing his attention back to his would be murderer. He would have succeeded if not for Kiriena's quick gaze when he was behind him. Tsuyoi was going to murder him with his late mother-in-law's blades from behind, but in the midst of killing Kiriena her eyes darted to him not knowing it would be his downfall.

Tsuyoi looked up with dead eyes at the man that was supposed to be his father. His mother was dead, his tamer was gone and being blamed for something Danzo put him up to, he was going to be executed, and now his siblings were going to be without his protection. Tsuyoi and Itachi's plan was now null and void with his unsuccessful assassination. He had been lost to his emotions and did not think the murder through...no one would if they witnessed their mother's rape and murder. He had no intentions of dying...his intentions stayed murderous towards his father.

"You won't be having a trial. Your execution is set a week from today." Jun said turning away from the bars, he left the dungeon without another sound. He stopped right outside in the morning air. He looked down at the will one last time before incinerating it in his hand. He flicked the ashes to the ground and left to Kiriena's funeral at the Shi volcano. If she wasn't pregnant again by Gorudo then maybe she could have continued to live.

To the love of my life and beautiful children,

If this letter is found then my death has been untimely…

I know my heart, Gorudo, is hurting, but do not be sad. I could not be with you in this life the way we had hoped, but in the next life...I have the utmost confidence that we will be together again. I love you, see you soon.

I know my soul is hurting, my perfect children, I am so sorry I wasn't strong enough to fight this fate...I left you all too soon. I wanted to hold my grandchildren and sit at your weddings. I wanted to console you with your first heartbreaks, but I won't be able to do those things, so be wise and ask your father and uncle for advice. Please forgive me, but I never meant for you to find out this way...Gorduo is your real father. Yes, even you Shosha. You look exactly like him. That is why your name literally means 'copy'. Do not be angry. Accept it...accept him. Now, is not the time to fight him or each other.

My first request is that Hikari is to choose Kabocha's future husband at her fifteenth birthday celebration. I know you will choose well for her little brother. I know you are also hurt by my death, but now is the time to be strong in my stead. Do as we discussed. I trust you.

My second request is that all of my children are to become official citizens of Konohagakure, and never return to the hidden lava village. You three are to live and grow with your real father, Gorudo.

My last request is that Kabocha is not to take my place as general. She is to become a regular kunoichi of Konohagakure with Tsuyoi and Shosha.

Once again I am sorry for leaving you all so soon. Just know I am happy. Be safe. Protect each other. Goodbye my loves.

Love,

Your loving mother, lover, and sister

*With Kabocha*

Kabocha stared at herself in the long mirror. The dress she wore, she felt, was too elaborate for her mother's funeral. If it was up to her she would just go back to Shikamaru's room and hid like she had been doing for the last two days. She appreciated that Yoshino and Shikaku had let her stay with them without saying what she was doing was inappropriate. Yoshino had been almost as unconsolable as Kabocha. Her best friend of seven years was brutally murdered. A fact on the Nara family, the coroner, and everyone who was in the hall two days ago knew. Jun made sure to keep her cause of death a secret from the public. Kabocha was to tell everyone at the funeral that Kireina's cause of death was a suicide.

Kabocha had let her thoughts wander to the loving brunette woman who held her for an unknown amount of hours. Yoshino had been nothing but a second mother for Kabocha. She gently shook her head, eyes darting up to the elaborate braided bun at the crown of her head. Dragon lilies were placed throughout the bun. She was dressed in an off the shoulder, sleeveless black dress. It stopped mid thigh in the front, but went all the way down and into a pretty long train behind her. The heels on her feet were annoying her, especially since they were four inches high. This elaborate get up was supposed to make her look older so that her announcement as the next general wouldn't make the older lava shinobis laugh in her face because of her age.

The blank faced pre-teen looked at the rectangle paper that was supposed to tell her what to say in her eulogy at the funeral. She was trying her best to steal her emotions so she wouldn't get scolded or worse at the funeral.

A knock sounded at her bedroom door. She didn't even turn to acknowledge the sound, to consumed by the words of her cue card. The door opened and revealed a wary brunette.

"Kabocha…you look..." Her golden eyes turned to her shimmering, purple door.

"Thank you...you can come in, Maru-kun." She shook her head with a smile at his lack of speech at her appearance. This was also the first time he had ever been in her room. Well, one of her many rooms since she was constantly switching between homes. She turned fully to him, small smile still in place. She was two inches taller than him in the heels. Her smile turned into a smirk at the revelation. His embarrassed face turned into a scowl as he realized that she was taller than him as well.

"Why...are you wearing those troublesome heels…" He was scowling at her feet and she couldn't stay sad with him around, no matter how hard she tried to fight her giggles.

"It is mandatory I wear them for today's speech. I am also giving a eulogy today." She explained simply. She motioned for him to have a seat on her four poster bed. He did so without complaint, but with a heavy sigh.

Shikamaru looked briefly around her room to see it filled with pictures. Many pictures from her time in the leaf village covered her lilac walls. The picture that stood out to him was a picture that he didn't know she had.

"When was this taken? Who took it?" He asked looking at the framed photo on her nightstand right next to her pillow. Kabocha's face turned beet red, she turned away to look into the mirror on her vanity. "I-It was t-taken a month a-ago...by my m-m-momma…" She stuttered as her mother's death hit her full force once again in her heart.

"Hm.." Shikamaru hummed, but Kabocha wouldn't look at his face as tears gathered in her eyes at the memory. It was a picture of the two of them lying in their usual spot. Her mother had been using her kekkei genkai to spy on them. The only exception was, she had been caught in the photo looking at him while he was sleeping. It sounded creepier than she would like to admit, but Shikamaru continued to stare at the photo.

He was captivated on the how she was looking at him instead of the why. She looked completely content...and so happy. There was a slight blush on her face and her lips were brushing his cheek. Her eyes were half lidded as if to watch him to make sure he wouldn't wake up at the action. This picture was definitely worth a thousand words, indeed.

"I'll be keeping this." He said nonchalant, pocketing the photo as he stood to his feet. "W-What! Y-You c-can't" Kabocha whipped around to look at the first boy she ever kissed. He was slouching with a smirk, and a gleam in his brown eyes.

"Don't worry. I'll take good care of it. Besides..I don't have any pictures of us together…" Shikamaru trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck. His gaze stayed on her shoes as a blush creeped up his neck.

"Okay, you can have it." He snapped up to look at her face. He had noticed that she had tears in her eyes earlier, now, she was smiling softly at him with a blush of her own. She was too beautiful and he couldn't resist...not with a smile like that…

"Maru-kun..?" Kabocha trailed off in confusion as he closed the distance between them. He moved faster than she had ever seen him move. She was amazed, impressed, but confused as to what made him want to move this close to her so fast.

He cupped her face without another thought. The blush on her face worsened tenfold at his half lidded gaze. "I'm going to kiss you.." He said it so nonchalant, but with an obvious blush. Kabocha nodded quickly not wanting to waste anymore time. He leaned in, brushing his lips against her painted ones. He was about to apply more pressure when her door flung open.

"Kabo-niisan, we're here for yo-" Naruto stopped screaming as watched his honorary sister and friend jumped apart. Naruto was just a tad smarter than everyone gave him credit for. "Uh...did you guys…"

"Shut up, Naruto." Shikamaru shook his head in irritation. "What a drag. Don't you know how to knock?" Kabocha rolled her eyes at both Naruto and Shikamaru.

"N-Naruto-kun, I-I s-said w-we should h-have k-knocked f-first." Hinata said finally catching up to the hyperactive blonde. "Yeah! What if she was changing!?" Everyone blushed at Kiba's frankness except, of course, Kiba.

"He's an idiot! He doesn't understand privacy!: Ino screamed pushing past everyone while dragging Choji behind her. "You have a great house Kabocha! Your room is really nice too!" Choji complimented making Kabocha's small smile return. She appreciated his compliments even though this was her uncle Hikari's house.

Shikamaru sighed once again, wondering would there ever be a time where they didn't get interrupted. He just wanted to kiss her without interruptions, much like their first kiss. Granted, the first time was extremely important. The second time was simply because of Naruto…

"Alright, alright! Shut up! It's time." Hikari said walking in with Gorudo, Kina, and Shosha on his heels. Everyone became silent and the tiny smile Kabocha wore fell off of her face. Reality popped her little happy bubble filled with her friends. She knew they were trying to cheer her up and it had worked for the most part.

"Come on." Hikari motioned for everyone to file and make their way to the funeral service. Everyone left her room with Kabocha being the last one to trail after everyone. She stopped when a hand gently touched her elbow. She turned to meet soft, obsidian eyes.

"I'm sorry." Sasuke Uchiha told her softly. Kabocha met his gaze head on. She could tell by looking at him that he was sincere. He knew the pain she felt that came with losing a parent. "Thank you." She whispered, touching his hand gently. She walked away with him right behind her. Sasuke Uchiha had gained a special friendship with her.

The walk to the Shi volcano was a long one due to the heat. It was only getting worse with how close they were to the volcano. A storm sat at the very top of the active volcano. Multiple shadows of dragons could be seen flying over head. The leaf shinobis and officials looked up in astonishment and amazement at just the shadows of the large reptiles.

Every citizen in the lava village stood at the funeral. A good number of leaf villagers were also in attendance, having known the raven haired beauty or just coming to pay their respect. The area was filled with slight chatter and greetings. Many condolences being given to Kabocha and Shosha. Some looked at them with judgement because of Tsuyoi's actions being made known to the public.

The chatter died down as Jun stood at the front on a stand. Shosha, Kina, Kabocha, Gorudo, and Hikari stood at the forefront of the crowd. Those closest to the family and both village officials stood right behind them. Kabocha felt Shikamaru brushing the back of her hand discreetly. She closed her eyes with a watery smile at his unwavering support...all of her friends were standing at her back unknowingly giving her strength.

"My people!" Jun's voice boomed over the large crowd furthering the silence. "We are here today to honor the memory of my late wife: Kiriena Kasai. She left three children as her legacy: Tsuyoi, Shosha, and Kabocha. Along with that legacy she took the title as the greatest general, military leader, and kunoichi this village has ever seen. She was a doting wife, sister, and most of all, mother. She was fearless and will forever be known as the greatest in our memory and in our hearts." Jun finished his speech, turning his cold gaze to Kabocha, whose eyes were lined with unshed tears.

"Our only daughter will be taking her rightful place as general this time next year right after the official chunin exams in Konohagakure. She will also be saying a few words today." Jun raised his hand to her and she took it as he helped her up onto the stand. Jun leaned over to her as she prepared to give her speech. "Do not deviate from what was written Kabocha." Kabocha flinched at Jun's passive aggressive statement. He walked down and stood in between Gorudo and Hikari.

Kabocha looked down at her cue card. She cleared her throat and slowly looked at the crowd. Her eyes met Hikari's. He tilted his head up and she returned the gesture. "My villagers, visitors from Konohagakure, and to all shinobi I am honored to take my mother's place as g-general…" She stuttered looking at what she had to say afterwards. 'Her suicide was untimely…' the card read...

Kabocha squeezed her eyes shut as tears burned behind her eyelids. She was NOT going to disgrace her mother in such a way. Her eyes snapped open and she held out the paper in front of her. "Ninja art: lava style...fingers…" She extended the lava to the papers and flicked the remains of the burning, melting paper onto the ground. A new look of determination set in her eyes and jaw.

"As the dragons are my witness...I will find my mother and sibling's murderer." The crowd gasped in horror. "My mother was brutally raped and murdered in her own home…she was pregnant..." The gasps turned into cries of outrage. Jun's face turned blood red in anger, teeth baring at her. Kabocha did not flinch nor did she falter. "My mother's murder will not go unpunished. I will find them and either end their life where they stand or bring them forth for their crimes! Bring them to YOU, the villagers, so judgement can rain down!" Kabocha roared baring her teeth right back. The crowd cried and screamed for her.

Jun made a move to go to Kabocha, but was stopped by Gorudo and Hikari. Kabocha took a calming breath as a dragon's roar could be heard just above them. The sound shaking the earth and scaring many. "I am your general now. I will lead and protect this village using the power of our shinobi. I will listen to advice and I promise to uphold the same values my mother instilled into her shinobi. We will make this murderer pay...together..Lava villagers." She turned her back on the crowd, facing the volcano and her mother's casket. She raised her hand in salute and gave the go ahead.

Her casket lowered into the lava around the volcano The steam alone blowing the train on her dress backwards. A hand grasped her own startling her. She turned to look at a crying Shosha. The dam finally broke inside of her. Tears, like a river, flowed down her face at her older brother crying. Kina stood on his other side holding his free hand. Kabocha used her free hand to pull a dragon lily from her hair, tossing it into the lava.

Another hand grasped her own, she turned to look at Gorudo's pale, tear stained face. A hand clasped her shoulder. She looked over her shoulder to see Hikari with his eyes closed. She turned back to look at her mother's burning casket. One more hand touched her, a gentle touch at the small of her back. She didn't have to turn around to see who was touching her. She closed her eyes and gave a sad smile as she made a promise to her mother. She promised to be the best general she could be in her place...and to avenge her death. Unknowing to Kabocha that her mother's murderer stood seething behind her.

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I'm so sorry this took so long! Just gonna wait for these nails to fall off lol. Anywho, chunin exams in the next chapter! So excited. Also...enter Gaara of the Desert! He will have a significant role in this story so...stay tuned!