Hello everyone! Yes, this is the final chapter. However, I do have a Maito Gai love story outlined and the idea for a Kakashi/Rin one-shot. Unfortunately, I won't get to actually write on them, so it could be until December/January before you see anything new out of me. A big thanks to monster420, the Composcreator, and Starsaphire for reviewing! Keep them coming and, please, enjoy the final chapter!

Epilogue

In two weeks time, Mito and Hashirama exchanged vows, binding them to one another forever in love. Their wedding was perfect and their reception went off without any issues. Everyone was just so excited to be having a celebration without the fear of war lingering over their heads.

That evening, in the same home they had always stayed in but truly alone now that Tobirama had moved in with Toka, they sorted through their gifts together. Mito picked up the last of the items, a thin box that was nearly a foot long. Curious, she quickly removed the wrapping and opened it to reveal a beautifully gilded silver handle of a fan.

"It must be from a nobleman of Uzushiogakure who attended the theatre frequently," Mito thought aloud, drawing Hashirama's attention from writing a brief "thank you" note.

The redhead picked up the fan and delicately opened it before gasping and nearly screaming in shock as she dropped it to the floor. Mito moved quickly to Hashirama's arms, which held her close as she shuddered and held back tears. For the fan that had been in the box, was a black fan with multiple slashes through it and especially through the Uchiha symbol on the center; the same fan on Madara's wall that she had seen the night she had tried to plead for Tobirama's freedom.

"He is alive, Hashi…. He is alive…" Mito murmured as she began to cry.

Hashirama rubbed her back as he replied softly, "He'll never take you from me, Mito. I will protect you."

The woman nodded and prayed that it would be true.

This proved to be true as the years rolled by and no sightings of Madara had ever been reported. A little over a year after their wedding, Mito gave birth to a healthy son with the only complication being the near breaking of the seal. Fortunately, Hashirama had been quick to react after Mito's suspicions since she could feel the seal weakening as the child developed. They named him Tsuyo to reflect the strength and power the union of the two clans within him possessed.

Hashirama's reign as Hokage was filled with construction of many new buildings and monuments. Construction began on the memorial to commemorate his battle with Madara at the newly named, "Valley of the End." After a village wide vote, the cliff face, where Mito and Hashirama shared their first kiss, was to become a memorial to each Kage that would lead the village and named "Hokage Mountain".

During the course of his reign, Mito had the great fortune to watch Tobirama and Hashirama train a new student, Hiruzen Sarutobi and, although the boy couldn't see it, Mito knew that he would one day take his sensei's place as Hokage. Along side her son, Mito watched as Hiruzen and Tsuyo, who looked just like Hashirama, grew into powerful shinobi that would one day lead the village.

On Tsuyo's twenty-first birthday, he asked for permission to wed his only love, Kandaina, and, in three month's time, they were wed. A year and a half later, Mito and Hashirama's first granddaughter, Tsunade, was born. On that day, the village had never celebrated more loudly and four years later, they celebrated again as a son, Nawaki, was born to Tsuyo and Kandaina. However, this joy and happiness was only temporary for a mere three months later, the First Shinobi World War broke out amongst the villages.

The morning before a large force from Konoha was to set out, Mito and Hashirama, along with Toka and another advisor, met with Tobirama.

"You called for me, brother?" The white-haired man asked.

Hashirama sighed, "I won't take long with this, for forces are moving against us. If I die today or tomorrow or any time during this war, you shall take over as the Nidaime Hokage."

"And if I die as well?" Tobirama asked, knowing all too well that neither of them was as young as they used to be.

"Then I am to be the Nidaime Hokage," Mito replied, "Don't worry, Tobi, we've accounted for everything."

The man nodded, "All right then. If it's all settled, then I suppose I have nothing to say aside from that I approve."

With that, the assembly left to meet the gathering forces by the gate.

When they arrived, Mito picked up a young Tsunade and held her on her hip as her daughter-in-law soothed a crying Nawaki. Hashirama stepped towards his wife and granddaughter before petting the latter on the head and stating:

"You be a brave young woman and watch after your grandmother, mother, and brother for me. Can you do that, my beautiful Tsunade?"

The girl giggled and blushed while reaching for her grandfather, who gave her a small hug before hugging his wife, the best he could, and kissing her quickly.

"I love you, Mito," he whispered.

She smiled, masking her worry, "I love you too, Hashirama."

Mito and Kandaina watched as the men, led by Hashirama, Tobirama, and Tsuyo, headed off to battle.

"Sobo? Will they be okay?" Tsunade asked as she looked at Mito.

The, now, older woman sighed, "I hope so, Tsunade-chan, but war is not always so nice."

The party was out for two weeks before the sentries spotted them returning. Mito stood at the front of the gate with the rest of the village several paces behind her, awaiting the group's return. Finally, she saw Tobirama break over the small hill that the path cross and began descending into the village with the small army behind him. She could already see the makeshift stretchers carrying the dead.

Her brother-in-law stopped before her with his head bowed low and Mito already felt her throat catching. Finally finding her voice, she asked softly:

"Hashirama? ... Tsuyo?"

Before he could respond, two sets of shinobi approached her and she looked upon the cold bodies of her husband and son.

"We were ambushed two days ago… It was a fluke…Tsuyo died trying to protect Hashirama…we were separated before I could do anything…" Tobirama replied, finally looking at her.

Mito bit back her tears to show strength to her citizens before she turned to face them before stating:

"Citizens of Konoha, by orders of the Shodai Hokage, I present to you Tobirama, the Nidaime Hokage."

Wails of grief reached her ears as citizens began to mourn the loss of the first Hokage as well as their own family members as the carriers of the dead entered the village.

"Mito, why did you announce it now?" Tobirama asked lowly to her.

She looked at him and replied, "Because the village needs to be reassured that we will always be strong even in the face of death. Now, Lord Daimyo needs to be notified. I will send a letter at once."

The daimyo approved of the choice, however, it wasn't as if he had much of a choice anyway. The next few years of Tobirama's reign were war torn. He did oversee the expansion of the Shinobi Academy and the creation of the Konoha Police Force that was staffed by the members of the Uchiha clan to quell the beginnings of unrest. Despite the war and many battles, the village continued to grow and flourish, becoming more organized as infrastructure was updated and buildings were remodeled. Mito, hoping for a long reign for her brother-in-law, withdrew any claim to the title of Hokage that Hashirama left her.

Unfortunately, her wishes that Tobirama's reign would last long did not come true. Four years after Hashirama's death and three days before the war's end, Tobirama sacrificed himself for his team in a move that was one of many that ended the war. Mito was relieved to find that, before his sacrifice, he named Hiruzen his successor and, upon his return home, she was proud to stand amongst his new council when he was given the title of Sandaime Hokage. Mito was, also, proud to be in attendance for her granddaughter's graduation from the Academy and overjoyed to learn that Hiruzen would train her and her teammates himself. He called it "A thank you to Hashirama and Tobirama for all they taught him" and "A way to train Tsunade in a way that would make Hashirama and Tsuyo proud." Mito thanked him greatly for that.

In the years that followed, Mito was there for her grandchildren as their mother died from an unknown illness. She was also there for Tsunade as first her brother and, then, her lover died in the Second Shinobi World War. She had grown old and tired of war and tired of the fact that fate had not been kind to her or her family, at least for very long, that is.

Mito passed on the secrets of the diamond shaped chakra seal on her forehead and even supervised Tsunade's modifications of it that allowed her to combine her grandfather's healing techniques in with the seal. Mito knew that Hashirama was smiling down on the talents his granddaughter possessed.

The young Uzumaki woman who had shaped history in more ways than many knew was now an elderly woman. She still retained her grace and charm, but the red hair she loved had turned into a dark chestnut color. The arthritis in her knuckles prevented her from putting all of it up into two buns, being that it was longer than it had ever been now, so she settled for two smaller buns a top her head while the rest was flowing down her back. In her old age came wisdom and she knew it would be time to transfer the Kyuubi to a new, younger host. Although she knew she could live for much longer, the strain the Kyuubi had on her body had shortened her life span. When she had heard the new host had arrived in the village, she summoned the child to her.

She smiled softly as the young girl entered her room and called her over to her.

"Kushina is your name, yes?" She asked in a voice that held a slight warble.

The girl nodded, tears forming in her bright blue eyes. Mito sighed and opened her arms to the small girl, who immediately fell into them as she cried softly. The elderly Uzumaki sighed as she stroked the red hair, which she has so wanted to see in her child and grandchildren, in a soothing action.

"Come now, child," Mito began to speak softly, "You mustn't fear what is to come for there are ways to tame the beast. You will be a strong kunoichi through what you are about to receive, but you yourself must be ready."

"But how? How, Lady Mito?" Kushina sniffled as she looked up into the woman's pupil-less eyes.

The woman smiled, "We came here to be the vessels for the Kyuubi, but before that, we must find love and fill the vessel with it. Love will tame his hatred. You are a beautiful young woman; don't let anyone tell you otherwise. There will be someone out there who will love you for who you are and you will love them in return. They won't fear the Kyuubi because their love for you will overcome that fear."

The young girl nodded but remained in Mito's company as they continued to talk about being the Kyuubi jinchuriki before entering into a casual conversation that soothed the girl even more.

Finally, two weeks later, the time came. The sealing transfer, a process written by Lady Mito herself, was conducted by four Uzumaki's and overseen by Hiruzen, Koharu, Homura, and Biwako, who served as the medical shinobi on hand. The ceremony occurred without issue and, for the first time in decades, Mito could feel at peace in her own mind without the Kyuubi's presence filling it. The vitality of the Uzumaki kept her alive for three weeks and, during that time, Hiruzen visited her frequently to make sure she was comfortable. For, although she was alive, she was fading. She called Kushina back once during that time to help her through any initial problems she was encountering and to give a few last pieces of advice to her. With all of her business settled, she passed away in an evening, looking out at a sunset that was a beautiful as the one she witnessed with Hashirama atop, what would be, Hokage Mountain.

In heaven, she found that she was reunited with her family, all those she had lost in her life, but most of all, Hashirama. Both were as young as they were as the day they had met and both were has happy and in love as ever.

The End

Author's Note: So, yes, I do know that during the invasion of Konoha, Hashirama is revived then his soul is sealed inside the death god. However, I like stories to end on a happy note, which is why I chose to end it that way. To monster 420, I'm not sure what you mean in your review. To Starsaphire, I would love to read your story once you post it! And if you want to PM me about pre-Konoha characters, that's fine too. I love talking about them since there is so little we know about them. Also, I was hoping Sasshi's death would be a shock because I wanted to show Madara's full descent into madness. However, if I do ever find the time, I might go back and add in some of the things you have mentioned seeing over the course of the story. Thank you all for reviewing and keep a look out for new stories!