Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Naruto or the world. It's just my playground right now.
Author's Note: This story will not be very long I do not think. Just a writing idea/story to fill in the gaps. As well as to escape the grip DC has on my writing soul.
Uzumaki Yamato was many things to many people in this time. The son of Uzumaki Ashina and the hair apparent to his father. Being such a small clan in a big world the Uzumaki did two things very well. The first was, unsurprisingly, their skill in Fuinjutsu. The second was how to keep the peace with the bigger clans. A mix of an open demeanor and a power in sealing left them respected if a little underestimated. The Uzumaki loved openly and greatly anyone that won their regard. Their extent of cunning and craftiness was disregarded because of their status. They were well known as open and agreeable people much like the Akimichi. Uzumaki Yamato was blessed by the Kami with two daughters.
While most clans preferred sons to carry on their legacy Yamato had been happy. His red haired wife from another branch of the Uzumaki Clan had given him Mito as a first born. Beautiful and graceful like his wife with a skill in their art. A couple years later his second child was on the way. She had been named Sayuri and unlike her sister she inherited the purple eyes of her mother. That was when Yamato had come across the most beautifully ingenious idea to assure the Uzumaki clan would survive. Mito had already been chosen to be the wife of the heir of the Senju clan.
They had cross married many times in the past to strengthen their relationship. The times were changing though and the Uchiha clan was gaining a vast amount of power. Their eye doujutsu were unquestioned and they were a powerful clan. "I cannot help but notice that the Uzumaki are more in alliance with the Senju," the gruff voice of Uchiha Tajima broke the silence. This was his genius idea. "Why come to us for an alliance?" His dark eyes were blank as they rested in this tent for the meeting. Four Uchiha and four Uzumaki to discuss terms of a treaty. One of the Uchiha was the seven year old heir to the Uchiha Clan, Madara.
Even at this age Yamato could see a strength in his eyes and a body meant to be a shinobi. "The Senju have historically been our allies," Yamato said with a smile. An Uzumaki always smiled which felt odd in front of the emotionally reserved Uchiha Clan. "Though we have maintained a neutrality from any of their battles with it. I wish to offer the same hand in peace with the Uchiha Clan." It was an odd play for the Uzumaki but cunning in a way. To ensure peace for their clan no matter which way the hurricane blew. And it would be a hurricane. The clash of the Senju and the Uchiha was becoming the thing to talk about. A hurricane that met the strength of a mountain.
Tajima's eyes narrowed as he looked at the two of the clan elders brought with him. The lines on his face increasing as he rubbed his chin pensive and considering of the offer. "And what do you propose to offer to seal such a pact?" Tajima asked and the grin widened. He saw his brother, Haru, roll his eyes at the giddiness he exuded. The Uzumaki were not built for backstabbing and cunning moves.
"The Kami blessed me with only two daughters," he stated proudly with a voice thick with the love for his children. "My youngest has turned four just like your second born son. I offer her as a bride to seal our relationship." The silence was the silence before the storm and he found it beautiful. As if a thunderstorm was about to hit their clan house hidden in the currents of the ocean. The Uzumaki were a clan to hit as much as a storm. The seven year old heir glared at him in surprise.
"Father?!" Madara called in surprise and Tajima held up a pale hand to his son. The whispered conversations of the two elders was not meant for their ears. Haru was scowling next to him wrapped in the dark kimonos they wore. The bright red spiral on their backs signifying their clan. "Izuna is-" Madara added and the black eyes glared at his eldest son.
"You offer your second born for my second born," Tajima said finally as he met his own dark eyes. "Yet I hear your eldest daughter is skilled. Why not offer her instead?" His hand motioned to his seven year old heir and Yamato grinned sheepishly at the Clan leader.
"No offense," he answered with a chuckle. "But my father already promised Mito to the future clan leader of the Senju. I wish to ensure peace for my clan whether you win or the Senju." A play that could be considered cold and underhanded. He was also not idiotic enough to offer his youngest daughter to marry the clan heir. That would signify an alliance he could not afford to pay. Tajima and the two elders both paused as the meaning became clear. As they also understood his reasoning. One day he hoped that children would not be used as negotiating tools. That was not today.
"I am almost impressed, Uzumaki Yamato," one of the elders said with their hands resting in their sleeves. A small smirk on a time worn face. To make it to the elder years showed a resistance and cunning. A strength that left them revered much like his father, Ashina. "I had heard your clan was not one to make such cunning moves," the Uchiha elder muttered with a voice similar to a dust storm from the Land of Air.
"Times are changing," he stated with another toothy smile. "The Uzumaki need to change with them. A pact of non-agression but peace between us. And, of course, access to our sealing arts when the pact is fulfilled." If peace could not tempt them he knew the power on offer would. The Uchiha respected strength and power and their clan had that on offer. The power of Fuinjutsu was a useful one. The two elders looked at each other in obvious greed. Tajima's lips moved into a small smile. He took that as a victory. "So are we agreed?" He asked and the seven year old heir's look turned mutinous.
"Yes, we are agreed," he answered with a smile. "At eighteen we will set the marriage." His pale hand was reflected by the darkened sky and torch light. All of those at the table stood. Uzumaki behind him and Uchiha behind Tajima. Madara all but glared at him in distaste but he would let that slide. Mito may feel the same for the tough position he was going to put his children in. Both married to clans at war.
"Perfect," Yamato said as he shook the man's hand. "Now I must explain it to my wife." He meant it in jest and he was proud Tajima released a small chuckle in response. Haru stood next to him with a roll to his eyes.
"Do not forget you have to explain this to father as well," he whispered in his ear and Yamato flinched. That was also a problem but the Uzumaki would persevere and so would his youngest daughter. The Uchiha left and the Uzumaki pushed chakra to their feet to also leave.
"Do not worry, brother," Yamato answered with a chuckle. "They will come to my way of thinking."
Uzumaki Clan House
The sweeping ocean and the giant manor was home to their clan. Small compared to others but they rested over a hundred strong. Both civilian and shinobi clan branches. All signified by bright red hair and excitable energy. Civilians fished while the shinobi trained and defended their people. A simple system and with their skill in seals they were hired by many. Unlike many other clans they did not move around as much. They enjoyed their fish and their talents. Yamato looked down at the four year old who sat in his lap toying with his sleeve. "Do you know what marriage is, Sayuri?" He asked her and she looked up at his dark eyes.
He loved the fact she had purple eyes. The red hair always stayed dominant in most Uzumaki but the eye color could change. He knew his wife's mother was from outside the clan and born in the Land of Water. Her purple eyes narrowed on the red imprint on his cheek that throbbed violently. His goofy smile never left his face. "It is..um what you and momma have," she answered sweetly. Her voice still thick of childlike innocence. When she turned seven she would begin her training to be a Kunoichi. He cursed that he could not do it now but her chakra coils were still developing to hold her massive supply.
He cursed the Uzumaki bloodline for that but he would train her to be a monster. A skilled Kunoichi that the Uchiha would love to have as a bride. "Indeed it is, Little flower," he said with a chuckle and cuddled her close. Her giggle making his heart swell to bursting. "I love your momma very much. Times are hard Sayuri. As they are everywhere in this continuous war. I found you a husband." He feared the explosion but her face full of baby fat only pouted as she thought. Most Uzumaki could not control their energy or their emotions.
"For...the clan," she answered shakily. "Right, Papa?" Yamato almost felt his swollen heart rend itself into tiny pieces. He cursed himself for having to do this. A hand went through her short cut red hair and pet her head as he nodded. "Like Mito?" She asked him as she leaned back against his heart.
"Yes, like Mito," he answered with a sad smile as he watched the seagulls call and dip. One was eating a fish as the nets were cast into the ocean. "But also different. I will train you to be strong." Sayuri nodded and she giggled as she watched a fish drop from the seagull's mouth. Yamato smiled and relaxed as he tried not to think of it too much. He had time to teach his daughter to be a powerful Kunoichi. A power to win the love of Uchiha Izuna and his clan.
"I see the talk went well," the sarcastic quip of his little brother broke the silence as he sat down. His long red hair pulled into a clip as he looked at Sayuri who squealed happily.
"Uncle Haru!" She called and motioned to be picked up. "Did you hear? Papa said I have a husband." Haru picked up and cuddled his adorably pudgy little girl. One day she would grow into a great beauty like her mother. He might have been biased.
"I was there," Haru said with a laugh. "We will need to get you trained up to marry said husband. His name is Izuna." Sayuri nodded with a look of seriousness etched on her pudgy face. It was adorable and both of them laughed. Though Ashina hated his plan he understood his reasoning and allowed it. Uzumaki Yamato would find a way to control the bloodthirsty conflict if he could. If not than at least his clan was secured.
"Izuna," Sayuri whispered with a nod and Yamato truly hoped she would not buck against the command when she became a teenager. A shudder left him at the resulting explosion his adorable daughter would become then.