Play: Rewriting History

by A-Lysdove63

*This is a 2nd installment of a series and CANNOT be read as a Stand Alone. Please read Rewind: Reversing History, First. Thank You! Uzumaki-Namikaze Minashi has spent ten years waiting for the history she grew up in to arrive. Grow up a second time in the Third war; she now faces times of peace even as the shadows grow and plot the Fourth War once more.

8. Chapter 8

Season 2 Chapter 8

The Hokage cracked his neck as the latest team left after reporting how their training had been going. It was one of the Jounin/Chuunin teams that an Uzumaki had been assigned, well, two in their case. Yoshio and Riko were previous teammates and worked best together rather than separate. Yoshio had a talent above most in shurikenjutsu, paired with Riko's love for explosions, they were an ambush team's dream pair. Sakumo had been approached by such a Captain that volunteered to take the two friends on.

Let's just say the Uchiha Captain that had taken them under his wing had an almost manic look on his face after reporting that another training ground would need to be repaired.

It was only two weeks since the Uzumakis had been unleashed on Konoha and already eight grounds had needed repairs. Oh, the Uzumaki coffers were footing the bill, but still. The amount of invillage C-ranks for ground repairs had spiked.

Honestly, Sakumo knew he should have seen this coming. He grew up with two half Uzumakis and was practically raised by one. Not to mention he'd taken one as a student feeling like only he'd be able to handle her…Uzumakiness. Then he'd gone and practically adopted another one as not only a daughter but a part-time sister. And the cherry on top? He was going to marry one and gain an Uzumaki daughter.

Yeah…he really should have seen this coming. The Hokage let out a long groan and rubbed his temples.

"Hm, well that doesn't sound like it's going to be a good meeting." Sakumo didn't even look up at Nagisa as she walked in with his other advisors. Kami, he had a meeting with them, didn't he?

"Everything alright Sakumo?" Kazou asked innocently.

The Hokage looked up with a sharp glare at the Elder. "Uchiha pyromatics Jounin Captains adopting teenage Uzumakis with a penchant for traps and explosions."

Michi chuckled as he trailed in last, Nagisa shutting the door and not bothering with activating the seals yet. "Well, you are practically an adopted Uzumaki Sakumo-dono, you should have known what would happen when my people got settled."

"Yes well, your clan is hard to age. So until we redid all their paperwork, we didn't realize how many bloody teenagers were with you. Hell, there are only six of you that are over thirty."

Michi just smiled innocently.

"Hm, and we are barely into Minashi's teenage years and reign of pranking chaos." Hiruzen hummed while Kazou coughed to cover his laugh. Orochimaru just openly snickered behind his Haori sleeve. Nagisa rolled her eyes at them all.

Sakumo's eyes went dead at that reminder. "I hate you so very much right now."

Hiruzen just grinned around his pipe.

"You called for an early meeting?" Nagisa interrupted, already knowing what Sakumo would announce. The others did too, but still, it was proper.

"Hai." Sakumo turned to Michi. "I asked you in private and you accepted. Thus, i'd like to formally introduce you to the Advisor's council Uzumaki Michi. As the eldest Uzumaki and former strategist and Grand Seal Master of Uzushio, I formally welcome you to the Hokage's personal Advisors."

Michi hummed and gave a shallow bow. "I am Honored to be of assistance to Konoha after everything she has done to get justice for our people and given us a place to feel safe."

"The honor is ours. Konoha would not be as it is today without Uzushio. With that, let us begin." Sakumo nodded at Nagisa who activated the seals and their meeting began.

"Hiruzen how is the daimyo taking the news?"

The Sandaime's face turned complicated. "Well, he's pleased that konoha has the potential to 'absorb' the Uzumakis along with their financial wealth, military strength, and knowledge."

Michi's face went cold. Kazou's sharingan flickered for a moment.

Sakumo hummed deeply. "I see. So his attitude hasn't improved?"

"Hai. He still looks more at the money brought in than the lives it costs." Hiruzen said, eyes closed with disappointment. He'd tried for many years to change the point of view of their daimyo, but the man couldn't be moved.

"And his son Masato?"

Hiruzen's eyes slowly opened an eye before pulling two small scrolls out of his sleeves. Sakumo took them and looked over both quickly. The Hokage didn't react before shutting them and looking at his predecessor.

"This is accurate?"

"I met with Masato-dono personally. I've shown him everything planned for the village and even the recently updated plans with the Uzumaki Clan. He agrees with the possible outcomes our strategists have predicted and then handed me those two scrolls personally."

Sakumo held both up. "If these missions were found out, Masato would be dead before sunset."

Hiruzen hummed once more as he nodded solemnly. "He is aware of the risks, but he also knows his father's plans. The man has only gotten more and more greedy. Oda-sama may have accepted our alliance with Suna, but he's not once met or allied with the Kaze Daimyo in return. He'd rather the man go back to underfunding his village and taking the missions and clients into Fire instead."

Sakumo frowned as he looked at them. "And the second one?"

"Is having his heinous actions against civilian women, noble daughters, and even kunoichis covered up. Masato has also hidden the three attempts on his life his cousin Bunko had attempted."

"Assassination orders," Orochimaru guessed correctly. "Of the current Daimyo and the older Nephew."

"Hai." Sakumo sighed sitting back. "What changed Masato's mind? I thought he was going to wait a bit more until he had further support."

"Princess Gina was almost raped by Bunko. If Masato hadn't ordered his personal Guardian Ninja assigned to himself to check on her, she would have been…" Hiruzen paused as Sakumo's chakra flickered with murder.

"Gina-hime is TEN." The hokage snarled. "Where was her own Guardian?"

"Called away by Oda-dono at Bunko's manipulations to get her alone."

"Then that settles it, yes?" Kazou hummed, but no one was fooled by his calm facade. His mouth was literally leaking smoke, ready to burn a pedophile.

"Hm, if you would like," Michi added with a pleasant look on his face, but death in his violet stormy eyes. "I know a set of siblings that would be just perfect for such a mission. Their talents would also not lead back to Konoha, even with the Clan's return. We did not always show off all our talents. Thus why we were feared so much. We Always had something hidden up our sleeves."

"They can get in and out without a trace? Can make it look natural to not impose Masato-dono?" Sakumo confirmed.

"Of course!" Michi beamed. "They did learn from the best."

"Who?" Sakumo asked even as he pulled out one of the black scrolls used for such missions that 'Konoha wasn't involved in'.

"Why, you're future brother-in-laws!" Michi beamed. "They were once named the Demonic Ghosts of Uzushio by our clients. A nice little play on a title I once held as the Ghost of Uzushio."

Hiruzen choked. "You were the Ghost of Uzushio?"

Michi just smiled serenely at the Sandaime. "Well of course. No one ever suspected little old me to be the one behind the scenes to all of my Ane-samas' schemes. I was just the young innocent little brother that loved to research and be doted on by my four older sisters. They were super protective of me, so of course they would never send me on any such missions but protect me at home." The Uzumaki said with such a sarcastic inflection, Nagisa could hardly hold it back.

Hiruzen's jaw was dropped, Kazou was looking impressed, and Orochimaru was just staring like he'd met his idol. Sakumo's own jaw had dropped, despite the mixed emotions in his scent regarding the twins.

Nagisa couldn't hold it back after seeing their reactions. She threw her head back and cackled until she started to cramp up. She slid to the floor wheezing, and still cackling.

Sakumo ignored her but reluctantly wrote their names down in the ninja assigned section.

"Alright, they will be called soon." Sakumo paused and gave Michi a quick brief on the type of scroll he was filling out and the Uzumaki was a little impressed with how they accepted and adapted to create such a mission rank.

"Kazou, how is village security looking?"

"Good. The new village seals have been tested at the gates and proved to work when subtly questioning leaving visitors. I did get a report from Fugaku that an Uzumaki woman came to the station and put in an application for work instead of the shinobi system."

Sakumo narrowed his eyes as he went through the Uzumaki list. "Uzumaki Kaede." he didn't even twitch at the name, thankfully spelled differently. "She's Mari-san's wife."

"Hai. She's also retired due to an Fuuinjutsu experiment gone wrong, but she's a hell of an investigator though according to Fugaku."

"If that is where she feels she can work best and be happy, then she's more than welcome."

"I'm just surprised Fugaku is accepting an Uzumaki." Nagisa chuckled smirking. "I thought he wasn't fond of them because of Kushina's chaos and later Minashi's."

"Apparently, and I quote 'she's on a manageable level of crazy'." Kazou said with a straight face.

The room went quiet as they looked between the two actual Uzumakis. Michi raised a brow. "Hm? I know I'm nutty, I have to be, to be a Grand Master."

The eyes moved to Nagisa who was slightly twitching. "It has come to my attention that I may not be completely right in the head. However, only those I care about may get away with calling me the 'C' word without punishment."

"Additionally, the longer we live, the more easily we accept our innate insanity." Michi smirked. "There was a reason my siblings and I adored Tobirama."

"Yes. Well, moving on." Sakumo literally shook himself a bit to rid himself of that fact. "I'm happy to see our newest citizens settling in more and more. I understand that it must be difficult, and Konoha will do our best to make this transition as easy as possible. Orochimaru, how is the Senju-Uzumaki compound fairing with the increased residents?"

"We had hired teams to clean out the old buildings and contracted out for repairs and updates. Everyone so far has picked a home of their own or bunked together in larger homes. Mari-san and Kaede-san are pleased with their home. They have taken Kimi and Aoi in their care, especially with Aoi being the youngest of the survivors. Saburo and his brother Shiro have their own place as well. Noboru-san has taken in Hotaka-kun as his roommate. Lastly, Sakiko has taken Riko and Yoshio into her care. This means that at least one Uzumaki over the age or near thirty has taken guardianship over the teenagers."

Sakumo relaxed at the news. "Michi-dono, I assume that your family is settling in well?"

"Hai. We've chosen a home large enough to fit the five of us, my brother-in-law staying with us as well."

"And Mariko has informed me that Kaiya is staying with her."

Orochimaru tilted his head. "If she would like, there is an open house near the Senju Mansion. This way she would be close, but she wouldn't have to be in the Main house where the memories were."

"I will pass that on, but she seemed pretty set in staying with Mariko and Karin-chan. Continuing on, we all know what time of the year is approaching."

Hiruzen grunted, Kazou sighed, Orochimaru scrunched his nose, and Nagisa moved from the splayed out position she'd been lazing in to sit up with a childish pout.

"Already?" She whined.

Sakumo nodded. "Now we declined the first invitation due to the fact that Konoha was still recovering, even if we didn't tell Kumo as such. However, Iwa is hosting this time, and in a show of goodwill, I've accepted Oonoki's invitation. We won't be sending any rookies, period, or our only Uzumaki Genin." He tacked on. "With this, Konoha will soon be having an ambassador and their guard squad from Iwa arriving to finish cementing the details and which teams will be going and what Jounin guards will be attending. The Tsuchikage has graciously allowed us an additional guard for each team and two Shinobi ambassadors to act as representatives from Konoha."

"Chunin exams?" Michi's brows disappeared into his hair. "Never thought i'd see the day they were brought back to an inter-village competition."

Sakumo nodded and rubbed his temple. "It wasn't easy. Thankfully Nagisa's ability to sway stubborn shinobi is infectious. Anyways, we need to sort out which teams we think are ready, and make sure they are prepared to enter Iwa. While it's not hostile territory, they will probably need to act like it to avoid sabotaging from other teams."

With that, the Hokage pulled out the stack of Genin team folders with a grimace. "Let's get to it shall we?"

Takeshi smiled at the two chuunins he remembered were named Izumo and Kotetsu. "Hello Gluttons, how are you this fine day?"

Now, the Jounin Commander knew that the Chuunin he was escorting and the two other Jounins were giving him flabbergasted looks. But he couldn't really help it (some were a hilarious riot while also being sources of free information). He'd made friends in Konoha and was actually excited to be back and see how they were doing. Especially one time traveler. Oh, he knew she was still probably off limits, but all this time away had just made him want to keep trying. She was mentally older…he could probably get away with flirting with her again when her younger alias was sixteen…maybe eighteen. She was almost to a legal age.

"Ah!" Kotetsu pointed. "You're back!"

Takeshi nodded and handed over their paperwork and permission from the Hokage for their visit. "Hai~. Chuunin exams are coming up. We're here for the paperwork."

Izumo shuttered. "I hate paperwork."

"You and every other normal nin." Kotetsu chuckled even as he looked over the paperwork. "Everything looks fine so far. Hokage-sama already had a hotel suite prepared for your party. Yutopia. Do you remember the way?"

Takeshi hummed as he tried to place the name. "I believe so. We have an ANBU escort anyways correct?"

"Hai~" Izumo smirked. "Flare your chakra if you get lost. Things have changed a lot since you were last stuck here."

Takeshi frowned at the mischievous twinkle in their eyes. It reminded him uncomfortably like one raven turned redhead (who was really a blonde).

"One day…karma is going to come for you two." He grunted before walking off, leading his stunned team to follow. He really didn't expect them to be so quiet-

"You got real chummy with the Treehuggers." Takeshi spoke too soon. He ignored his subordinate and the heir to one of their lords turned jounin shinobis.

"Need i remind you that I'm still your commanding officer Shoba Ichirou?" A single gray eye looked over board shoulders at the shorter man. "You are not the Captain of this mission nor are you Honda-san, the Ambassador for Iwa. Thus, you will keep your mouth shut-" Takeshi finished abruptly as he spotted a bright flash of familiar red. "And behave. Stay here a second." The Jounin jogged a few paces away to catch his friend.

"Yo, i know you're a sensor, so not even a greet-...ing…"Takeshi trailed off after he'd grabbed the slender wrist and spun the redhead around. He'd…he had sworn it was Nagisa. Instead of the beautiful blues he was looking forward to seeing, there were bright violet eyes like storm clouds staring at him. Yet…this wasn't the other two Uzumakis in konoha…who..who was this?

"Um…can i help you?" She asked head tilting, spilling her long hair over her shoulder, even as her eyes glanced up to his headband. "Iwa? What in the world are you doing in Konoha?"

"Umm…" Takeshi found himself at a loss for words. Well until he was suddenly caught in a clothesline and simultaneously tackled to the ground and held in a lock.

"What do you think you are doing staring at my baby cousin with such starry eyes, Ta~Ke~Shi~!" Nagisa's voice growled beside his head where she effectively had him pinned despite both of them being on their backs. Thankfully his subordinates remembered that Kitsune turned Nasiga was his friend and didn't attack.

"Thought it was you!" He choked out before he was released and scrambled up to throw a punch at his friend. Nagisa just smirked as she deflected it with ease of a Sage practitioner.

"Do you really think i'd just walk by you without greeting you Takeshi? I'm hurt. I thought we were friends? Best friends even with how ya saved my life and all."

Takeshi stopped abruptly as the feeling of warm blood coated his hands once more. Before that horrible night could take hold, his forehead was flicked hard. He cursed and glared at Nagisa who was looking at him with a friendly smile.

"Welcome back to Konoha Takeshi."

The Commander huffed and clasped forearms with Nagisa. She grinned and squeezed back.

"Things look back to normal. I'm glad."

"Yep! So, you could have written that you were the one coming. I could have a guest room set up for you at the Senju-Uzumaki compound."

The brunette chuckled. "Thanks, but I have to keep these youngin's in line so they don't screw shit up."

"Poor you~" She smirked teasingly.

Takashi rolled his eyes and glanced to the redhead just watching them with calm violet eyes. "So, who is this? I know what Kushina and Mariko look like, but did you find another stray?"

Nagisa's face lost its cheer. "Well….not really. And unfortunately this is one secret that won't be leaving me or Konoha willingly."

Takeshi's brows shot up. "What-" He was cut off again as Nagisa was the one tackled this time. The only one not to flinch was the other redhead woman he still didn't know the name of.

Nagisa however was literally in a wrestling match with two young redheaded men that looked identical. Were they clones? No..no, that one had a cut on his cheek and the other just had his nose broken with a yelp. Nagisa slammed a gravity seal on the back of the one she hadn't broken the nose of.

"What the hell do you think PAUSE means?!" She snarled.

"There's no pause in battle!" The broken nose one yowled nasally before wincing. "Fuck Nagi, i think ya broke it!"

"You deserved it!" She snapped back and then growled at the one squirming under her straining arms. "And you Riku! I know you encouraged him! I said I would be right back! Five minutes. Couldn't you fuckers just wait five minutes for me to say 'hi' to a friend and then we'd get back to our impromptu spar."

"But Sakumo is gonna steal ya for another meeting!" The broken nose one whined again.

"Yeah! Between him and Ma, we don't get good long spars!" The one under Nagisa continued pouting. "It's our right as your Anikis to keep you in top shape for ambush scenarios!" they chorused.

Takeshi processed that, even as he found that the other redhead woman was just shaking her head with a small roll of her eyes. Nagisa however just sniffed unimpressed.

"You two are just too scared of Sakumo to approach when he's near me." There was a mean little smirk on her lips.

Both men paled. "He's gotten fucking strong Nagi-chan!" they whined together. "He's as terrifying as Miho-oba-sama!"

"I've actually heard that it was Miku-oba-sama that was the scariest of the sisters." The other redhead woman added in moving to look at the two men. "Have you two still not gotten Sakumo to approve of your engagement to Mako-chan?"

The twins pouted once more, but it was much deeper and more sulkily. "No." The grunted.

Nagisa snorted and let Riku up. "Seriously Ren-nii, Riku-nii. Let me escort my friend to his hotel and the Tower and then when I'm done i'll find ya two for a proper spar."

"Promise?" they chorused grinning, Ren holding a green glowing hand over his nose.

"Yeah, yeah, now get out of here." They twins shared looks before smirking at Nagisa. "And our adorable little niece? Can we ambush her instead?"

Nagisa twitched and tilted her head, eyes out of focus. "Minashi is…." She paused and blinked. "Eating Ramen with Mashai-san…Her teammates seem to be closing in, so if you time it right, you might still get her for an ambush and even test their teamwork. Kenji has been especially wound up recently for no reason according to Minashi. So he should put up a good fight before ya reach the squirt."

The twins shared devious smirks before launching in red blurs across the roof tops. The other redhead moved to her fellow Kunoichi.

"Did…Did you really just sick your brothers known for their chaos and destruction that follows their pranks, on your own niece?"

Nagisa sniffed and shrugged unaffected. "The twins are actually really good at ambushing. It would be a good refresher for Team Ro. It's been a while since they were in such a situation with tough opponents."

"And this wouldn't be because your niece got Ramen without you?"

Nagisa didn't answer her and instead turned to the just silently staring Iwa nins, and the expectantly waiting Takeshi.

"Takeshi! Let me introduce you to my First cousin once removed! Uzumaki-Senju Kaiya."

Kaiya just stared at her older 'cousin' and huffed an amused sound before turning to the very handsome foreign nin. She held out her hand. "Uzumaki Kaiya." the half Uzumaki introduced with the courtly smile she was taught by her ba-sama.

The tall man gave a shallow bow and took her hand to shake. "Kuramochi Takeshi, Jounin of Iwa. Apologies for earlier. There aren't many redheads around, and I accidentally mistook you for my friend here. It's obvious now that you are vastly different from her."

Kaiya's brows rose before a small smirk lifted her lips. "Oh, i don't know. We're both Mainblood, so the Uzumaki runs thick. Ba-sama just taught me how to hide it better."

"Oi, Kaiya, you're not supposed to give them warnings!" Nagisa chuckled good naturedly.

"Hm, well if he can put up with you and still come to Konoha willingly, then he's got some good character there. A rare find."

Nagisa stared, felt the interest in kaiya's chakra, and the almost similar flow to Takeshi's chakra, and felt something in her chest ease. This definitely wasn't what she had planned, but it seemed like it would be good for them both.

"Ne, Kaiya, want to show them to their hotel and then to Sakumo?" Nagisa offered innocently.

Takeshi's head whipped to her. "Weren't you going to?"

Nagisa shrugged carelessly. Takeshi noticed how different his friend was…she seemed…more relaxed than the last time he saw her. Had finding three more Uzumakis really settled her down and taken away some of that constant seriousness from her eyes?

"Sure, but i also feel like watching Team Ro get their asses handed to them. There's also something i've got to ask a certain wolf."

Takeshi's spine went to steel while Kaiya's brows rose. "Is this about how Mashai's been hanging around Minashi-chan?" Something about that name was familiar to Takeshi but he couldn't pinpoint it.

Nagisa nodded arms crossed now as her brows furrowed. "Yep. Sakumo's been busy keeping the twins off of Mako, so he's missed Mashai going after Minashi. Minashi told me about him hanging around her more often. I know things with the ages are still being worked on, but it's just…unexpected. Even Minato hasn't noticed Minashi's stalker."

"He's not a stalker…yet." Kaiya teased. "And hey, it might be the only chance she's got. Minato and Sakumo sure aren't going to let her date any boys her age. The boys are too terrified of her father figures. Then add on her grandfather that's a bloody GM!" Kaiya snickered.

Nagisa stared at her cousin incredulously. "What are you? Like some sort of matchmaker?"

Kaiya just hummed. "Just calling them as i see them." She turned to Takeshi. "So, Kuramochi-san, which hotel are you and your team staying at?"

"Yu-topia." he said carefully. That…that was a lot to unload, and he knows Nagisa did part of it on purpose.

"Hm, I know where it is. So, I can escort you if you don't mind the company."

Takeshi cleared his throat and regained part of his equilibrium. Damn uzumakis always know how to throw a wrench into his thoughts.

"I don't mind. I do have one last inquiry if I won't be seeing Nagisa here until later."

Said redhead raised an inquisitive brow.

"For my peace of mind, may i see it?" he asked frowning concerned.

Nagisa's face softened. "Nightmares?"

The jounin twitched. "I consider you a good friend Nagisa, if not for your own twin, you would have died in my arms."

Kaiya's eyes bugged out as her head snapped to her fellow kunoichi.

Nagisa sighed. Damn. She'd been hoping her family had missed that part of her retelling of recent events. It seemed they had, but he just had to bring it up. Nagisa nodded at her friend and pulled off her training shirt to reveal a tight ANBU top beneath. She rolled it up to just under her breasts. Turning she showed off the entry wound scar to Takeshi, ignoring Kaiya's shocked gasp and the choking from the Iwa nins.

The brunette himself stepped forward and touched the scar. A scar he knew she shouldn't have as a Jinchuriki host. He knew this was proof that she'd come too close to death. Takeshi gently turned her to show off the slightly smaller exit wound and touched the scars there.

"Any lingering aches?" he asked fingers trembling.

Nagisa hummed. "Tsunade is the best, plus you know how my twin saved me. All she had left was some internal bleeding and scarring around my heart and lungs."

"Any trace of our attacker? I know the Hokage promised to keep me in the loop-" Nagisa grabbed his hand and pulled it away from her side. Gray met Blue eyes and while he felt his heart leap, it wasn't as strong as it once was.

He was realizing very quickly that maybe he didn't come here to try again…but maybe…for acceptance and closure that she would always just be a dear friend that he'd share a dream of peace with. Someone he wanted to follow to save the elemental nations from the history she knows.

"When I find the fucker that tried to slice me in half, you will be the first to know. While we both know you don't stand a chance if I didn't, It will be nice to have a friend to have my back."

Takeshi huffed and took a step back. "You know it. Now, to keep our bosses on that same page."

Nagisa barked a laugh and put her shirt back on. "Ain't that true. Well, have fun. Kaiya is really nice and knowledgeable. Don't let the princess attitude fool ya though, her tongue is as sharp as my katana."

"Noted." Takeshi smirked. "Later Nagisa."

The redhead saluted and disappeared in a swirl. The Commander turned back to Kaiya who was watching him with a calculated look.

"Hmmm….Takeshi-san…just how close are you to my precious cousin?"

Takeshi paused as he heard the emphasis on one of her words and wondered if it was….

"Nagisa showed me what happened to her home village. I've been her ally for peace since."

Like he suspected Kaiya's eyes flashed before her face softened. "Then shall we? I'd love to know more about this mission if you are allowed to speak of it?"

"Hm, Well, Nagisa was free with information, so i'm assuming it won't matter if my subordinates hear?"

"Of course not!" Kaiya grinned, and there was something innately feline about it. "But it seems that since we came to Konoha, Nagisa has been keeping some secrets from us too. So i'd love to hear how my precious cousin came close to death and we're just learning that she wasn't exaggerating when she mentioned it. Because obviously, it's hard to kill an uzumaki, and anyone that powerful and skilled is a threat for more than just Konoha."

"Agreed." Takeshi's voice darkened before he went into telling her about his disastrous return home with his friend, one of his best friends. How he got to witness the battle of bijuu and summons. Then weird Uzumaki sealing and souls and getting to see Nagisa's twin save her life with his own lifeforce before disappearing for good.

Kaiya's face was troubled the entire time, but still listening.

It was as his comrades entered the room to unpack that Kaiya-san spoke in whispers to him.

"You like her." The uzumaki said easily.

"I do…did…" Takeshi stumbled over it before sighing. "Yes, i like her, and had all intentions of still trying to persuade her during my time here. If only to get the heartbroken look out of her eyes. I know she's still in love with her mate, but…She said she didn't mind the spoiling."

Kaiya hummed as she looked at him storing that nugget of information away. "You've since changed your mind."

The commander nodded looking for his comrades before seeing the coast was clear.

"I'm starting to realize that i really don't have a chance with her. Age notwithstanding. Konoha is her home, she'd never leave it, and i'd never ask her too. Thus, i think things have quickly moved from persuasion, to acceptance of defeat, and closure. She'll always be a good friend, and a close friend, but I'll take those steps back and let her be. Someone else out there will pick up her broken heart and hold the pieces for her until she heals. That person will be the one to earn the heart she has repaired on her own."

"You're a total sap." Kaiya grinned. Takeshi felt his ears burn. "It's cute. Want to get dinner after your meeting?"

Takeshi stared at the redhead and had a brief memory of his early shinobi years of a warning about uzumakis. 'They are crazy son. If you ever meet one alone on a mission, don't hesitate. Run and don't look back. You'll live longer.'

This woman who he'd practically just confessed his unrequited love turned rejection for her cousin, in turn asked him out for a date…or he was sure it was a date.

"Will it be a date?" he asked head tilted as he observed her stormy violets crinkle at the corners despite her keeping that courty smile.

"Hm, maybe. Everyone ready?" She asked looking over his shoulder to his four comrades. They didn't answer, too busy with their Uzumaki whiplash. "Good!" Kaiya chirped and took Takeshi's arm, leading him and his comrades to the Hokage tower.

It was twenty minutes later that they were leaving his comrades in the lobby outside the Hokage's office under the watch of his assistant and the ANBU. Takeshi thought Kaiya-san was going to knock, but her knuckles stopped a hair before touching the door. Her head tilted before she smirked and instead pushed the doors open.

Takeshi was about to question what did she think she was doing, but instead a deep, deep snarl filled the air. The Commander's head snapped to the source, and found the Hokage glaring daggers at them and puffed up like he was gonna attack. Takeshi was frozen like a deer before a wild wolf, pale as snow. Kami, he understood why the man was Hokage. He was fucking very intimidating when serious.

Abruptly the snarl stopped, and the Hokage's metaphorical hackles lowered. "Damn it Kaiya! Do none of you knock?"

The redhead sent the Hokage a feline smile, not caring in the least that they had an audience.

"Hm? I did. I flared my chakra in announcement, but you seemed pretty preoccupied Sakumo~" Her voice was absolutely sugary.

The Hatake let out a long sigh. "What do you want this time for your silence?"

"Oh, nothing, I personally think you two should just suck it up and tell the rest of the family."

"No, because it will give those no good twin assholes more reason to chase after my baby sister!" He growled.

Kaiya raised a brow. "Then you can start expecting our family to start retaliating. I'm sure Konoha would just love to see what motivated Uzumakis in our numbers and skills could do."

Snickering came from behind the hokage, and a woman with shorter hair, but still past her shoulders, stepped out from behind his back.

"Sakumo, you know what Minashi can do alone." Mariko smirked. "Do you really want to give her family reason to assist her?"

The Hokage twitched before crossing his arms and staring at nothing with a blank face. "I have no choice do I?"

"Nope." Kaiya chirped clapping her hands together by her jaw. "Now, can you point me in the direction of Yamanaka Mei? I heard from Tsuna-nee that she did such a fabulous job for her and her husbands' wedding. Since you are Hokage and Mariko is still Mainblood, then this is going to be done right. Mashai also may have informed me that you've been a busy little shinobi and only expanded the Hatake coffers. Thus, with your status and Mariko's own technical status, this will end up being bigger than Tsuna-nee's wedding."

"Does it have to be?" Mariko frowned. "I would rather keep it just family."

"Unfortunately being Hokage means that politically we should make sure the Daimyo is invited." Sakumo sighed. "Not to mention the Leaders of our allies."

Mariko pouted up at him and the Hokage sent her a sympathetic look. The Uzumaki sighed, kissed his cheek and walked out. "I'm going back to work. Seems like you have a guest anyways. Takeshi-san, good to see you again."

"You as well Mariko-san." the brunette nodded a greeting in return. Mariko in the process grabbed her cousin's arm on her way out.

"Come little cousin, I'll show you to Mei-san. She will unfortunately adore you."

"Excuse you! i'm older than you!" Kaiya snapped.

Mariko sent her a wolfish smirk that she most definitely had learned from her former not-boyfriend-boyfriend but presently fiance. "Not anymore Little cousin."

Kaiya glared even as Mariko hummed a pleased tune all while dragging her cousin out to the watching eyes of the other iwa nins and the snickering Asuka.

Sakumo sighed as he held out his hand for his guest. "Takeshi-san, I was wondering if you were going to be the lead on this."

The Jounin mentally shook himself and sent a crooked smile back to the Hokage. "Well, Konoha always has something entertaining going on. I wouldn't miss witnessing what other crazy things you all are up to."

Sakumo snorted. "True. Well, you actually caught me at a good time. I don't have any meetings scheduled for the rest of the day. So i can take your meeting today or we can find time tomorrow if your team needs rest."

Takeshi glanced out to the three others waiting and ignored Ichirou's permanent disgruntled face. Honda-san nodded at him, confirming that he was good to go. Ryuu just shrugged, a smirk playing on the Jounin's lips. He was starting to see why Takeshi volunteered to escort.

"Since you are free, we'll take that opportunity." Takeshi confirmed for the Hokage.

Sakumo smiled and waved the others in. "Come on in then. Go ahead and get things set up and i'll summon our coordinators."

The men walked in and took the offered seats even as the assistant walked in with a tray of refreshments.

It was a matter of fifteen minutes that a body flew in through the window and popped up with a smile.

"Yo! Sakumo!" The Uchiha beamed before he spotted Asuka walking in with paperwork and shot her a grin. "Asuka-cha-ek!" The Uchiha yelped as he ducked a senbon. "Oi! I didn't even say anything!"

The Yamanaka just held up another senbon ignoring the tensing of three of the four Iwa nins. Takeshi was just sipping at the coffee the blonde had gotten. He wished he could steal her because she made the best cup of dark roast. He'd learned during his previous time to just accept and ignore the nutty Konoha Nins. It was either that or sit back and just enjoy the show.

"That, Kagami, was for your devil of a son that stole a kiss from my sweet Godsdaughter."

The Uchiha paused, tilted his head and hummed. "Inoko-chan? Shisui was looking especially smug after academy the other day. Is that what he did this time? I thought he was chasing Hana-chan since Tsume only thought it was cute puppy love and found it hilarious. And he was only going after Hana-chan" Kagami eyed the two additional Senbon appearing in his agemate's hand with wariness "Because Fugaku about bit his head off for flirting with Itachi-kun."

Asuka paused and frowned. "Aren't…aren't they like first cousins?"

Kagami twitched and looked away. "Well…."

"And Shisui's only Seven Kagami. Itachi is SIX!" Her voice got louder. "Just what in the world are you teaching your son!?" Ki flickered around the assistant before a hand landed on her shoulder, turning her anger off and into a pout.

"Hm, troublesome Uchiha." Shikaku yawned walking in. The Jounin Commander moved to the Hokage's side. "Don't rile up Kunoichis. You know better."

Kagami twitched. "She's making a big deal out of Shisui just being a kid."

Asuka made a disagreeing noise in her throat before throwing her hands up. "I'm done with you. When some poor innocent girl gets pregnant because of your son and their furious father comes calling, I'm just going to laugh my head off." With that she turned and stormed out, pausing to smile at the bearded young man that was walking in. His eyes were wide on her, but he just sucked a hair harder on his cigarette and walked into the meeting he was called for.

Sarutobi Ayumu paused to bow at his Hokage. "Reporting, Hokage-sama."

"Ah, Ayumu, thank you for getting here quickly." Sakumo waved him to the seating opposite of the Iwa Jounins. "Sit. Kagami, park it before you get yourself in further trouble."

The Uchiha opened his mouth, but shut it at the narrowed gaze of the Hokage. Instead he pouted and sat down to silently sulk. Shikaku sighed and sat down as well. The Hokage moved to sit at his own desk to get the meeting started.

"Hokage-sama, will Nagisa not be joining us? I thought she had a hand in organizing this too." Shikaku drawled looking half asleep already.

"No. She's supposed to be taking it easy today. She got into a Fuuinjutsu experiment explosion with Michi-dono."

Takeshi's brows shot to his hairline. "She looked perfectly fine when I ran into her. Or well, when she tackled me away from Kaiya-san."

Sakumo snorted and shook his head. "Of course she didn't greet you normally. I think some of her summon's protective traits are being dragged out with recent events."

"She did look…lighter since I last saw her." Takeshi agreed.

The Hokage smiled at their ally. "True. Now, let's get started." He waved and an ANBU popped out to shut the door before the Hokage activated one of the lower privacy seals, just out of habit.

Michi looked over his gathered family. Even their extended family on the branch side. Between Sakiko and Kaede, the two eldest of the survivors, Kaede had taken the role of the Head of the Branch side with her spouse to support her. Even the Hatake siblings had been called to attend and were waiting patiently and curiously.

Thankfully because of the home they had chosen, there was just about plenty of seating for their family to sit.

"Kaiya." Namika, at his side, called to the one that had called this emergency family meeting "What information did you find to call this?"

The information specialist was twisting around one of her favorite fans, grip practically white over it.

"I had dinner with an Iwa nin named Kuramochi Takeshi. He's one of Minashi's allies that know of her travel." She spoke without worry, all their homes were sealed to prevent conversations leaking. The Half senju's jaw clenched. "Before the dinner when I was escorting him to the tower, he told me about the night Konoha was attacked."

"When the Kyuubi got out?" Kaede called. "I've heard of the gossip of that day too. Apparently the Kyuubi just appeared with some weird collar around it's neck and destroyed the village. The Hokage had gotten a warning before it would happen, thus most of the village had gotten evacuated in time. People were just grateful that while the damage was massive, very few lives had been lost."

"Everyone also praised Nagisa for coming to the aid by summoning up her Boss summons to get the Kyuubi out of the village. Fighting fire with fire." Mari hummed calmly. "It wasn't soon after that even the Sannin had also summoned up their Boss summons to aid and the kyuubi was freed from it's captor to be resealed away."

"People aren't blaming the kyuubi surprisingly." Sakiko added even as she braided Kimi's hair for the teen. "While they aren't happy with the Bijuu, it was spread carefully that while a rouge Uchiha did control the fox, as soon as both the genjutsu and collar were broken, the fox stopped attacking and went willingly to it's new host."

Michi had been watching Kaiya fidget with her fan, her normally calm face breaking into a frustrated frown.

"Do you all remember Minashi mentioning almost dying that night? And how we sort of just ignored it for Uzumaki dramatics?" She grit out.

Michi froze, as did the rest of his family.

Kaiya lifted her face and showed them the tears she was barely holding back. "Jinchurikis don't scar." She choked out. "Their healing is too fast for that. Especially Uzumaki Jinchurikis. Mina…Minashi has an eight inch scar, on her left side at her ribs. Matching on her right side is a five inch scar. Both…both are at the level of her heart. She was practically cut in half and killed. Takeshi said that her heart stopped long before he returned to Konoha with her body. He still has nightmares of the blood that soaked his front."

They were all pale as Kaiya continued. "After learning of that, i went to Kushina to see what happened to her 'sister'. Minashi's blood clone had multiple seizures that just got worse until the Sannin and Hokage poured chakra into her system to attempt to stabilize it. Kushina didn't like talking about it but she said Minashi and Nagisa's seals were connected thus the reaction Minashi had and why she was able to warn the village."

"When Takeshi and I were alone for dinner he told me in depth of what happened before Minashi 'survived.'" Kaiya swallowed as her tears fell. "Her twin brother's soul tagged along with her to the past. Safely tucked away into their once shared seals. When Minashi was practically dead, he led her back to the world of the living with the power of Ashura and assisted her for one hour in fighting the kyuubi back. He didn't know what happened next."

Kaiya wiped away her tears. "When i couldn't force Kushina to tell me more, Minato stepped in and told me what happened at the sealing site. They met her twin brother Naruto, the young man their son is named after. Minato recalled Nagisa being covered in her own blood, could see the wounds but knew sealing the kyuubi was more important. With the aid of her twin, Nagisa and Naruto sealed the kyuubi in the unborn Naruto within kushina. This at the sacrifice of the older Naruto's soul because of the brilliant seal they used. However it called on the power of the Shinigami, thus a soul needed to pay the price. Naruto paid that for his unborn counterpart."

The silence reigned amongst their family for long minutes.

Ren and Riku were clutching each others' hands. Namika was not only clutching at her husband's hand, but her own twin's wrist. Shouta's hand covered her own with the same grip.

"We've…"Ren choked out. "We've been wondering how Mina has been so," Riku whispered

"Stable." They chorus.

"Her brother's soul must have kept her stable enough." Michi theorized.

Kaiya twitched and glanced at her cousins Mashai and Mako. The two Hatakes had gone a few shades pale. "There…there was something interesting Takeshi said about Nagisa and Minashi. A reason he said he'd finally realized he should give up pursuing her."

"Hm?" Shouta vocalized, not quite ready to speak. He couldn't fathom a life without his twin sister's soul resting beside his own. He could feel her feelings echoed right back.

"It must have been why she was so stable right after she lost Naruto." Kaiya looked to Michi and Shouta. "Minashi…Minashi had a mate she was bonded with."

Eyes all around went wide as they looked at the two Hatake siblings. They all knew that only two clans of Konoha called their spouses that, but one more than the other.

"She bonded to a Hatake." Mako breathed out in realization before her own tears fell. "Kami…he..he must have been one of the sacrifices to send her back too. Her own twin gone, her bonded mate gone…oh…oh that poor girl." She choked out.

Mashai was a slab of marble. Face blank, eyes closed off. He'd already heard details of what would have happened to Sakumo if not for Minashi. How Kakashi would have been left alone to a corrupt village, losing not only his birth pack, but found pack…

"Kakashi." Mashai said evenly as pieces clicked together, and how he'd been finding Minashi always around her two teammates, but it was because kakashi was on it. He'd pegged the Uchiha as the competition by the looks he'd been sending the blonde and the scents of desire for her. But it was Kakashi that had held Minashi's heart. He'd been wondering why she'd been feigning ignorance to the purpose of his flirting. He hasn't been quite subtle about it, yet she hadn't rejected him…yet neither accepted him.

"She has to live daily beside the mate she was once bonded to yet not have him?" Namika concluded having also seen how the youngest hatake only saw Minashi as a pack sister. The woman felt her own tears fall. "Kami…just how much does she have to suffer to protect and save the people she loves?"

Michi's own fists were clenched even as his face was settled into a cool facade. "No further." He grunted out, standing and meeting each of his family's eyes. "No further will she fight alone. Minashi is our Hime. She is my granddaughter and formerly Miku's great granddaughter. No matter what, she is blood! She's faught longer than anyone to bring peace to this world. She's built allies where she can, but no longer will she have to worry about fighting the coming war alone. We will Always be there to support her. And if Konoha can't appreciate the precious jewel they have when all is said and done, then we will take her back home where she belongs."

"Dear." Namika called softly. "Mina loves Konoha. She wouldn't just abandon it."

"No, she wouldn't. However, If i need to make her Uzushio's Queen like in the old days, to protect her? I shall without hesitation. She is the truest Leader i've ever seen before. Minashi will lead us all into a new era. I will not see anyone snuff out her potential."

"We need to get the rest of her story." Shouta said firmly. "I know it will hurt her, but…we can't let her hide anything from us. If we are going to help, she needs to be honest with us. No more skimping over things she doesn't want to burden us with."

"Agreed." Kaede grunted.

Michi nodded and sat back down. "I will catch Nagisa or Minashi when she has another free day and we will have a family meeting with her."

The tension wasn't exactly gone from the nineteen Uzumakis, but it was better to know that soon they would get the full story of what they'd left their poor Hime to by just giving up in the end.

Michi himself was internally beating himself up. He should have thought about Kushina, about her future children, about any other survivors out there. They should have set some sort of timer on the seal to release them when everything was safe. They could have brought their people home or gotten Justice instead of leaving it to a time traveler who had to come back because everything got fucked over.

"Love." Namika's voice pulled Michi from his spiraling thoughts. He gazed into those Cyan eyes that he adored and let out the breath he'd been unintentionally holding.

"Think not of what regrets we hold, but of the future we can shape." She hummed playing with his short ponytail. "All will be well as long as Family sticks together, just as we always have."

The eldest Uzumaki let out a long sigh and kissed his wife's cheeks. "I'd be lost without you. Thank you, my sun." Namika's cheeks pinkened but she leaned against him as they listened to their children and family further gossip in groups about what they've learned about their Hime. The air got lighter as their twin boys boasted about Minashi's pranks from this life and promised to learn more about what their fellow twins did in their first life.

"Are you sure you don't need help, shishou?" Obito asked at the doorway, eyes looking at the largest storage scrolls he'd ever seen.

"No." Nagisa huffed. "Look, go train with your friends. You guys have a joint mission soon right?" She watched the Senju nod with a grimace.

"Yeah, we're going to Suna to report before heading further west." He shivered at the thought of sand everywhere.

"Then you guys need to make sure you're prepared for those conditions." Nagisa ruffled his curly spikes. "Plus, isn't this your first Mission with Minashi as Captain?"

"Hai~" Obito beamed. "I'm excited. Bakashi is also assigned with Kenji-nii and Ryouta-san."

Nagisa chuckled. "There are more people on the team then that Obito."

"I know, but Suzume is hard to talk to…and…I'm not really excited to see Rin-chan so soon."

"Just do your best and listen to your team captain. Rin is a good medic and if she's grown up any she will keep her personal issues out of the mission." Nagisa gently placed her hand on the seal at the back of his neck. "This is also much stronger now, so if you have any doubts about not going on a mission with me there, then worry not. Trust yourself. Trust the power of an Uzumaki's seal."

The tension in Obito's shoulders dropped as his smile turned more true up at his shishou. "Thanks Shishou. Have fun with all…" He waved at the pile of large scrolls. "Whatever that is."

Nagisa snorted. "Go you brat." She shoved him out the door. "Show them how hard you've worked."

"Hai~" He cheered and took off for the trees. Nagisa followed his chakra until it was out of the compound. Turning back to her house, she sent a longing thought to her Blood Clone. She'd much rather be with them training and preparing for their joint mission, but she knew she needed to be herself.

Putting her furniture away in separate storage scrolls so she'd have more room to work with, she then splayed out the largest scroll. It was the one with all of the Uzumaki archives. Her finger followed the separate seals that herself and her clones had separated the documents out into.

Thankfully with the Chuunin exams being over in Iwa, Nagisa had a few weeks to finally hash out this puzzle of Aika Uzumaki's life before she'd be required to follow her Hokage to Iwa. What was frustrating was that despite her attempts, she couldn't remember anything further in Aika's life than the beginning of that meeting of the three clans and neutral Naras.

Nagisa had even searched in her head and Kurama's cave for Aika's memories, but it was like it was hidden. Kami, had it figured out how Naruto had hidden in her soul? She still didn't know how the knucklehead had done that.

Shaking the thoughts away, she focused on figuring out the answers to her questions the long way. Despite all of her clones, she hadn't had time to go through all the information she'd sorted. Just separate them, store them, and prepare them for transport.

Thus, when she once more found the section labeled Water War Era, she was quick to push chakra into the seal to unleash the books and scrolls. A little whine of a groan left the Uzumaki as she saw just how much she would need to read. It looked like she would be holed up in her house for a while and leaving a kage bushin up to her duties. Her Blood Clone was plenty prepared for an extended mission. It would be a bitch to recover from with all the mother-hens around now, but hopefully the information would be fruitful.

Royal Mistress Marriage Contract of King Tatsuya Uzumaki to Masumi Yuki— 48WW

Birth Certificate of First Born Princess Aika Uzumaki, Mistress Masumi Uzumaki— 52WW

Royal Marriage of King Tatsuya Uzumaki to Sachiko Uzumaki— 60WW

Birth Certificate of First Born Prince Taro Uzumaki, Queen Consort Sachiko Uzumaki— 62WW

Birth Certificate of Second Born Princess Emi Uzumaki, Queen Consort Sachiko Uzumaki— 67WW

Death Certificate of Royal Mistress Masumi Uzumaki— 77WW

Death Certificate of Queen Consort Sachiko Uzumaki— 77WW

Death Certificate of King Tatsuya Uzumaki— 77WW

Council Decree of Princess Aika Uzumaki to Crown Princess—77WW

Council Decree of the Crowning of Queen Aika Uzumaki—77WW

Nagisa sat back as ten old scrolls were carefully spread out and put in order with paperweights holding them open. This didn't tell her everything, but it set the stage to that life. Her dream was correct that Aika-hime had lost her mother, father, and queen mother to the war…or at least all at once. There were other death certificates in a pile. The Dukes and other Princes and Princesses were separated from the rest of them, but it was still a staggering amount of death for an island village with a controlled population.

Uzushio had lost even half of its elder council to the war over time, but it was a final battle that was the most devastating to the Uzumaki numbers.

The redhead pulled the next pile of scrolls into her lap to unlock and sort. She still had a lot to go through, and being back in Konoha meant she couldn't sacrifice Clones to do this task. Not with her Blood Clone on a mission now, and her Shadow Clone popping daily to update her on village happenings….Speaking of. She turned to see that another day had already passed. Michi had approached her about joining a family meeting of the survivors. He had had a serious look in his eyes, and knew then that they would be grilling her about not only her life this time, but her first life as well. She didn't know how she felt about that….and wondered if they would get upset with a shadow clone…because she really wanted to get this figured out.

Pushing the thought to the side for now, Nagisa delved into the next scroll and froze when she unraveled it to see what seals she needed to break into this time.

But…But she knew these seals. She had…she had very vague memories of creating and locking them herself. It had only been a few glimpses between the stronger memories, but these were Aika's Journals!

Nagisa couldn't tear through the security seals fast enough. There, stacks of old fashion bound journals that all were marked with the same calligraphy. Now, while Uzumaki calligraphy looked similar due to the strict practice each needed to do to be able to give their seals life, each handwriting still ended up with their own little quirk to a few symbols. This one, Nagisa recognized in even her own handwriting today.

With her special gloves for handling all these old documents, the Redhead forgot about anything but what was in the journal.

59WW

Mother and I had a relaxing day at our special cove. She said it is a special time for just us as a reward for all my hard work in our training. The elders still don't like that mother is training me outside of my tutors. Mother's training 'isn't proper of an Uzumaki princess'. I am not just a princess, I am a kunoichi of Uzushio. Father understands and allows it.

Mother's chakra has been so sad recently. I know she doesn't want me pointing it out. This was supposed to be a day of fun. Yet I couldn't help but worry about mother. I know why she is so sad. The adults don't like talking about it, but I'm almost ten!

Father…Father is marrying one of the granddaughters of the Council. The stupid elders said that Mother couldn't be Queen. She's not of Uzumaki blood or even half Uzumaki. She is a runaway bastard child from water. I know they dislike mother because of this. But mother is so strong and kind and caring and she has the biggest heart! All people see is her black hair and Red eyes and feel the ice in her chakra. They don't see that it's not just ice. It's soft fluffy fresh snow. It's refreshing and cleansing. Water and wind moving under her skin in such perfect harmony.

Emiko-nee just calls me biased because she's my mom. There are times I wish I was more like mom and could call upon ice and snow. Father laughed when I told him that, but I could feel that he wasn't laughing at me, just fondly. Father told me that there was already plenty of my mother in my blood. He touched just beneath my eyes and said that I would always have my mother's eyes. Mother had the Yuki bloodline, but she still looked like her own Yuhi mother. Grandmother had apparently been a war prize, but mother didn't like talking about it and father said I would understand when I was older.

….

60WW

Father got married a few months ago. Mother was worried that the new Queen Consort would bully us. However it seems her worrying has been for naught. Sachiko-sama was nothing like her grandfather. She's just turned twenty five and has been looking at mother like she's the best older sister. I'd of course been wary, but there was nothing in her chakra that said she was lying. Sachiko-sama was just a very kind young woman. Oh, she was not a Kunoichi but was the perfect Lady. She'd been raised to be a queen, but yearned for adventure. She'd never even left the island before!

Mother took Sachiko-sama under her wing and together they were able to put the council of elders in their place! It was glorious! The old windbags were retired and younger ones took their place. Well, I say younger, but we all know how Uzumakis are. These ones didn't have the dropping faces of the old ones. Their faces and hair still had color and they supported father and mother and Sachiko-ka-sama.

….

61WW

Sachiko-ka-sama said I'm going to be a big sister! She felt scared and nervous. Mother hugged and congratulated her. Sachiko-ka-sama let me touch her still flat belly and say hello to my baby sibling.

….

62WW

Taro. Taro. Taro. Taro!

He's so tiny! So cute! (even if he did look a little gross when he came out. Mother let me help with Taro's birth….Women are so strong. No one will ever be stronger than a mother in my eyes ever again.)

Father cried when he got to hold Taro once he was clean and dressed. Mother said it was just proper and more comfortable for the new mother to be presentable for their husbands before the men got to meet the baby.

Aunt Haru had said that of course the new mothers deserved the private bonding before the men returned. They hadn't just carried and pushed out a human from their body. (I don't think I was supposed to hear all the bad words she'd also said. Mother had scolded her with a look and a few words, but mother's chakra had been bubbling with mirth. So I knew she agreed. I think it's another thing I won't understand until I'm older.)(There are alot of those things. I'm thinking of making a list.)

….

63WW

T-...The hoshigaki clan sent assassins for mother….I had been too tired to realize what had woken me. I went to mother for her chakra to help me go back to sleep. I know I'm getting a little old for such a thing, but I always sleep better with mother.

Mother…mother tucked me into bed with her and we'd gone back to sleep….but…

Mother's chakra had suddenly lashed out like never before. I sat up to find myself in a clear box of ice. Mother was fighting with two men that looked like walking sharks! Their skin was blue! They had gills and fins! And….and.. Mother was getting hurt! Where were the guards?!

I…I don't remember too much of what happened when mother was sent to her knees. All I could see was how those jagged swords had mother's blood….how..how…they were going to kill mother!

My chakra exploded out of me….i remembered just wanting to stop them. I'd been screaming for mother, my throat had been sore with how hard I'd been screaming, but I couldn't be heard outside of the ice. But, the ice had dropped and the men were no longer moving.

There were golden chains stabbed through their bodies. Two…two…in each. Mother hadn't wasted the opportunity. Their heads rolled across her bedroom from her two swords not even a moment later. The chains had shattered into golden particles of chakra and…i'd been so tired.

I remember mother hugging me before passing out. I woke up clean and in father's bed, mother father and even Sachiko-ka-sama were wrapped around me and mother. Father…father had been shaking, whispering promises to mother that she would never be out of his sight. Sachiko-ka-sama agreeing.

I learned that night that love was something that couldn't be put in a simple box of man and woman.

Father and Sachiko-ka-sama loved my mother even as they loved each other. Mother loved them both just as much.

Mother never slept alone again. Mother, Father, and Sachiko-ka-chan shared a room. Only the servants knew and they were ordered to keep the change from the Council. While the elders supported father, this wasn't something the people were used to.

I asked father why not. Why couldn't someone love more than one person? Why couldn't a woman love another woman? Why couldn't a man love a man?

Father said it just wasn't done…I want to change that. I can see it now. When i visit the central market, the docks, everywhere. It's hidden, but i'm starting to understand what i'm feeling from people to the actions and looks in their bodies and eyes. Longing.

I don't know if I'll ever lead the island with Taro-otouto being the heir, but no matter what, I'll make sure that one day, it was normal to love whoever one wished. Gender notwithstanding! Even if I had to take the crown for myself. Who knows? Maybe it would even be good for Taro to not have all those responsibilities. He might even find a nice boy to love instead of a girl!

….

65WW

The war with the Hoshigaki is still going on…Father says I'm still too young to fight. Great great aunt Hisoka says she'll be taking over my lessons. Mother is busy helping our people train. Sachiko-ka-chan is always busy too helping at the hospital, keeping order in the House. Father is the busiest of all. Leading our people, our shinobi, aiding in the fighting as was his duty as not only Leader but one of the strongest of his generation.

….

67WW

Sachiko-ka-chan had another baby! Emi-chan is so cute! And she was even smaller than Taro-kun!

Taro is very jealous of Emi since Sachiko-ka-chan's free time is given to Emi, but Emi needs it. She was born a month early, and had everyone worried.

I've been trying to help Ka-chan with Taro between my own training and missions. I'm still not allowed off the island with the others of my age, but soon. Soon I'll get out there and protect my people.

….

68WW

I completed my first mission off the island. It was just a delivery to one of our vassal islands, but it was a step. I can't wait to see what else the world has to offer.

….

69WW

I need to talk with Hisoka-oba-sama. I need to find a way to hide my mission injuries from my father. He wouldn't understand. Mother knows and helps me mend them whenever she can. Praises me even after I've told her how the other guy wasn't as lucky. Mother knows i'm pushing harder than father expects and knows about.

….

Mother finally told me about her mother, my grandmother. I know the world outside of our island isn't perfect. I can't stop everything, but I can do my best to help those who I can.

….

70WW

Mother as the Head of the Kunoichi forces has been letting me go on more and more dangerous missions. Enough that even the Commander of the forces under father has noticed.

I thought I was in trouble. I didn't want my father to ban me from taking missions. It's not like I'm the Heir.

….

The Commander promoted me to Captain!

….

Training with my team is the first real friends i've made outside of family! I've gotten to know about the normal people of my village. Sure, If you look far back enough we're all apparently related, but it gets too complicated after five generations.

I learned today how our citizens rank themselves unofficially. It was sad and quite informative as well. All my teammates were from the Standard Uzumakis. They are below Lower Noble Uzumakis. Above them were the Noble Uzumakis, and then there were the Royal Uzumakis, but at the very top was the actual Royalty.

My friends and comrades broke it to me like this. The Royalty were apparently those of the Immediate family of the Former King, and the Current King. Thus my Aunt and Uncle were considered royalty along with their children. Royal Uzumakis is a broader category. They were the ones married into Royalty, the still living Royalty from two generations back of the current King, and any of their immediate family. In other words, the entire Elder Council and their immediate children were Royal Uzumakis. Noble Uzumakis were those of the branch lines. Lower nobles were those that came from the branch line after two generations, but didn't have the power as those currently in charge or set to be in charge of their line. Lastly, everyone else was then ranks as a Standard Uzumaki.

One of my teammates said that a Royal uzumaki once said that the Standard Uzumaki should be renamed Peasant. I quickly shut that down. There was no such thing in our home. We were all family. Rank shouldn't matter. We all shared blood, no matter how distant it was.

I got a few looks for that comment. Despite being their Captain…I'm too scared to tell them that I'm also their First Princess. Would they treat me any different? Especially with that silly ranking system. Sure, the Royalty needed to be respected for everything we do to protect and provide for our people, and to put on a show for outsider Lords….but…There's times to be a princess and times to be a kunoichi.

….

72WW

I turned twenty today. Instead of throwing a party like Ka-chan had wanted, I took on an important mission for supplies. The Hozuki clan has been trying to cut off our supply routes. I will not let my people starve.

….

73WW

Taro has been taking lessons under our great granduncles again. It's…changing him. He's been acting like such a brat! He reminds me of that spoiled Lord's son I had to escort in the Land of Noodles!

I need to nip this in the bud before it gets out of control.

….

Taro is getting training from Uncle Sotan and Washi-nii-san. I can't stop the lessons completely with our other great granduncles, but at least the brat has had some respect beaten into him now.

….

74WW

Taro's attitude hasn't changed as much as I hoped. He doesn't care about the people. He doesn't care about free love. He doesn't care about the War. He doesn't care about building allies. He thinks he can get away with some training, a mission here and there where people must do as he says as the Prince.

I…I cannot allow my otouto to become King with such an unsuitable mind frame. I need to see if there is a way as First born daughter, that I can claim father's title and position with honor.

75WW

I found it. Finally, now I can prepare everything just in case Taro doesn't grow up into a Good Prince.

I pray Taro will change by his own coming of age, but I fear he's been manipulated by my great granduncles too much. They are greedy and power hungry men. They've never been able to manipulate my father to get what they wanted. Especially with my mother having his back.

(I'm collecting the evidence that they were the ones that let those Hoshigakis in twelve years ago. Father will gut them if it's true.)

Please, little brother…don't force my hand. Change for our people. Change for yourself. I love you so dearly.

76WW

One year. One year until I'm of age. Father sat me down today and showed me potential husbands. Distant cousins that would make a good husband and had the smarts to aid the Royal family.

I….I don't want to get married yet. Not an arranged marriage. I want what father had with mother. While they got lucky with Ka-chan fitting right into their relationship despite Sachiko-ka-chan's higher status, I am old enough now to realize that they were so damn lucky.

I want love. I want someone to make me their whole world. I want a soul deep bond with my partner. Why must it be someone from our home? Why couldn't I look outside of it?

….

Father said I have five years after my coming of age to choose a husband of my own from our people or he would choose one for me and I would have no further say.

….

77WW

Being on medical leave is a pain! I ache everywhere and sitting through stupid meetings with the Council about their nitpicking at father's decisions, was not how I wanted to spend my recovery!

Ka-san realized i was hurt again when Mother pointed it out to her. The scolding i got afterwards was long, but thankfully they made excuses for father that i'd had a training accident and needed rest.

….

Mother left with father for a political meeting with our sister clan in Fire. Because of my injury I couldn't go. I didn't understand why it made me ill at ease, but it did. They were going with a strong escort. I trusted my comrades and people to protect their King and Royal Lady.

….

*tear stained pages* blood spots*

….

Father and Mother are dead. Washi-nii is dead. Emiko-nee is dead. Haru-oba, Sotan-oji…my friends…so…so much blood….

Father's convoy was ambushed. He called for backup through the alert seals. Our strongest squads left.

They left, and it left Uzu vulnerable. She howled when the Yano, Fujita, and Nagashima Clans got through the whirlpools with their prisoners. Prisoners that were disposed of once the entirety of their clans were past the eddies.

My…my people fought with honor, with justice, with the raging heart of eddies.

Taro holed up with our sister and the others under age behind protective barriers.

I heard Uzushio howl. I didn't hesitate. I picked up the swords mother made for me, made sure my ka-chan was safe with Emi and Taro. I protect my people's backs. There was so much blood.

The Yano had the skies under their control with their Pelican summons. I took at least their giant ass birds with my chains. If their riders fell to their death…they deserved it.

The Fujita were fast. They were the only clan to have the Swift release. They couldn't outrun furious Uzumakis.

Nagashima shinobi were the ones that took the most of my people out. Their Ink manipulation bloodline stopped all the young fuuinjutsu practitioners from using their seals. It was left to their other skills and the masters that didn't need ink.

Hours. Hours we fought…I fought.

In the end, the Uzumakis…we…won. But at too great of a price.

….

Reports didn't stop. The squads that went out had taken on the ambushing Clan attacking the King and his guard. The Homura Clan, boil release holders.

There…there were no survivors of the envoy or rescue squads. Boiled alive, killed, or suicide to take the remains of the enemy out with them.

I had to sit in on the council and listen as they did, as my poor Ka-chan did as the numbers were counted. Sachiko-ka-chan sobbed until she fainted when word finally came back that both father and mother's bodies were found dead.

I sat as Royal Family Representative until everything settled down. I saw the council ignoring my own torn remains of my Kimono during the meeting. The handmaids were ghosts as they cleaned up the blood from my skin, face, hands and hair.

I kept my face blank, ignoring the reactions of the few of my comrades that had survived, seeing me as the Royal representative they were reporting too. I was still too numb to the news. Yet, i did my duty as the Eldest Royal child of King Tatsuya Uzumaki. I listened to my people, i approved of Council orders for the remaining Captains and gave out temporary orders during the chaos and loss surrounding my people.

….

Emi won't stop sobbing.

Taro's gone quiet.

Sachiko-ka-chan cried herself ill.

….

Mourning week has only just ended and Taro has been going around like he's going to be crowned King right away. The teen hasn't even made Squad Captain officially let alone the physical requirements for such rank.

No… Taro is not ready to lead.

I didn't want to do this. But I must. I will take my evidence and support to the Council. Not only get rid of those that tried to kill Mother, but take my father's Crown.

….

I won against the Elder Councilors! Great-great Aunt Hisoka started the movement to have their titles stripped and confined to house arrest and monitored. There would be a later judgment for their actions against the Royal Lady of the Former King Tatsuya when an Heir had been Crowned.

….

I brought my case to the Council the day after the other elders had been removed.

They were harsh, cruel, and belittling.

I sucked it up and fought back the way i'd been taught by both mother and great Aunt Hisoka. Like a true Royal claiming my birthright.

And it was. Uzumaki's were originally Matriarcal. Not patriarchal! Uzushio was strongest when a female was leading.

….

Taro is furious. His chakra is boiling with hatred. It aches, but he is just not ready.

….

I'm officially Crowned Princess. It's…amazing. I've promised mother, father and Ka-chan to be a good Leader.

Sachiko-ka-sama didn't respond to the news. She just laid there, pale, withering away. I talk to her as much as I can. But i can sense it in her chakra. She's not fighting. Ka-chan wants to be with her loves.

….

My Crowning ceremony was massive. Everyone came to witness it. I think Emi planning it was a good distraction. Taro took a mission away so he wouldn't have to watch. It hurt.

I'm Queen…the first Queen in many generations. I swear to do my people right. I will get stronger so that I can protect my people, my land, my family.

….

I told Ka-chan that it was okay to go to father and mother last night. I was Queen now. I would protect Taro and Emi in their places.

Ka-chan…Ka-chan died in her sleep last night. I know in my heart that Mother and father welcomed her warmly into their arms.

….

82WW

We need allies. Mainland allies. The barrier I created to protect Uzu is strong, but that only protects us so much. There are improvements I still need to create and add onto it.

Thus, I need to find worthy and Good allies. Father was hesitant about the Senju, but Uzushio is in a time of crisis. The remains of my people have been happy about the birth restriction being lifted. But it will still take years to replenish the numbers we lost.

I haven't seen so many babies and toddlers running around Uzushio ever. My people have started to recover. Now, we need to prepare for the future.

….

I've written the Senju, Nara, and Hatake. I've written a few of our other Vassals and allies in Sea Country. It seems we will be going on a family trip.

Kami I hope Taro behaves when he learns that he'll need to marry.

….

Emi is hesitant about an arranged marriage, but she'll do what she can to assist me. Taro was complacent. I'm worried about when he and his supporters are cooking up. Does he think i can't feel his chakra darkening with his hatred?

It hurts. I love my baby brother, my only brother so much.

(Please don't make me hurt you.)

….

A month traveling around the Islands of Sea Country was worth it! We secured a trade alliance with the larger nation. Waters between Whirlpool and Sea Country were now protected by both of our people.

….

Meeting Senju Isamu and his children was interesting. I could feel the man was an okay leader. But his chakra was tainted with revenge.

Taro was selected to marry the eldest Senju daughter Shizuka. Since neither were of age, they were only bound in betrothal ceremonies. Shizuka would return to Uzushio until she was eighteen when she would wed Taro. Taro would still be underage for an Uzumaki…but it would have to do. Isamu wouldn't budge any higher. We needed their strength and mission income.

Mokuton bloodline children were senju. The rest were Uzumaki. I never want to sit with that bastard for more than necessary. He practically sold Shizuka to us for some of out Medical Seals.

His children are another story. Madoka and Minoru were good young men, despite being practical babies. Blooded already in war, but so protective of their family. Mizuki was a little Hime and I just wanted to wrap her up in blankets and feed her cookies. Shuji is a hoot. That child is so free spirited. Even his stern father can't keep him grounded for long before he's lost in the cloud or off talking to trees.

….

Nara Shikajin, Clan Head of the Naras…. I wouldn't mind visiting the mainland more often for more philosophy conversations. Plus, the man could play a mean game of Shogi.

His second son Shikamako was the only available candidate for marriage. But that boy is one bold little thing.

He walked right up to Emi after being introduced to her as his future possible spouse, a girl seven years his senior, and said right to her face that she was the sunrise incarnate and he wouldn't mind being married to her. She didn't seem boring. Maybe troublesome, but that wasn't too much of a drag.

It took every lesson in edicate, every shinobi skill in my bones to not crack up laughing! Good Kami, that boy was practically an Uzumaki already!

Emi is no delicate flower though. She's MY baby sister. She may not have any mission experience yet, but I'm her sensei. This doesn't include that she's pure Uzumaki.

She took that boy's Kimono in hand, yanked him forward and planted a chaste kiss on his lips. Emi released him and sat back in seiza, returned to her Hime picture perfect form once more.

That meeting hall was dead silent. Even when sending her inquiring questions through our fans, a secret language of their own for the women of Uzu, Emi just innocently sad she liked him. She liked his filterless mouth and wondered if he'd be so bold after losing his first kiss to her instead of the other way around.

I looked right back at that boy and sure enough, whatever composure the child had was gone out the Shoji doors. His face was red as our hair, and eyes wide as a startled deer.

Shikajin couldn't hold it back anymore and burst into laughter. Even his heir Shikaren couldn't hold it back anymore.

I had to hide my own smile behind my fan as the poor boy started pouting at his laughing family. Emi then presented her new fiance with the first gift as tradition of the Naras. The boy's blush still hadn't faded, but he was less sulky when he was presented with Emi's own personal lesson scrolls. He'd need to learn Sealing to be a proper Uzumaki spouse. Emi said she was looking forward to what his new point of view could bring to their craft.

Shikamako regained his composure and passed along his own gift. A hand carved medallion made from antlers. It held the Nara symbol, the Uzumaki symbol, and both their names. Also carved on it was a blessing of harmony and understanding. It had been threaded on the finest red silk and edged with white deer fur.

Emi had squealed and happily put it on. I couldn't help the snickers that escaped as the poor boy got a front row seat to Emi's real smile, not just her court smile. The Nara looked absolutely smitten. I'm so very pleased that their match would work despite the larger and reversed age gap.

….

Hatake Raiden….My hunted and won prize through Hatake traditions. My wolf.

I never knew…I never knew I would actually find the one I could bond myself to. He's the epitome of an Alpha wolf. A walking predator of lethal grace, and long muscled lines.

He's twelve years younger, but so very skilled to have evaded so many of my traps as I hunted him. We agreed to wait until he was at least Eighteen…but if he keeps looking at me like that, I don't think I'll be able to wait.

It's nice to have someone to not only have my back, but is able to stand with me at my side. To know my strength and to practically match it.

I can definitely say that on the way home, I may have fallen in love already with my wolf. That tricky hound is also testing my patience. Picking me up all the time to show off his strength. Holding me with just his arms and flashing that cheeky grin….Having no sense of shame after bathing in the streams on the way home….all those abs….*water marks*

….

83WW

I lasted the six months it took to plan and organize the wedding. Emi laughed at me every time she caught me daydreaming in my office when Raiden wasn't there, but especially when he was. The bratty little guppy learned her lesson by way of my Chains and a dunk in the ocean!

However, Raiden took to his permission and authority to…distract me…like a starving wolf. Pun intended. I'm starting to get behind on paperwork because of him!

(doesn't mean i'm going to stop him. This is the most relaxed i've felt since Father and mother died.)

84WW

Shizuka was beautiful on her wedding day. Even her father looked to have softened as he walked her to her new husband.

I need to keep a close eye on Shizuka. Not because i don't trust her. In fact it's the opposite. Shizuka is a good girl, an epitome princess with hidden skills in senbon. It's Taro's words and actions behind close doors with her that worries me.

I don't think he'd hit a woman, but despite everything i've tried, the darkness isn't leaving his chakra. Raiden never leaves me alone in a room with Taro. My protective wolf says he doesn't trust the snake. (i can't refute him.)

….

86WW

Isamu and the senju elders won't get off my case about Shizuka's fertility. Why isn't she pregnant yet? Is Taro sterile?

I've had to burn so many letters from them yet still send reassurances that Shizuka is still acclimating to Uzushio and when both her and my brother are ready, they will have children. They are both young and have plenty of time together. A relationship takes time in their cases.

Which wasn't that true. Their relationship was not instant interest like Emi and her intended. Nor was it an instant bonding like mine and Raiden's. Isamu's just an impatient bastard. At the rate he was going, he'd lose his sons to his blood war with the Uchiha.

….

89WW

Shikamako, the cheeky little shit was now fifteen and decided that he'd waited long enough to join his fiance in her homeland. Brat sent a letter of his impending arrival when he had hit the COAST. Not when he left his clan!

I could Hear Shikajin's laughter in the letter I received back about his son's stunt. Emi was ecstatic.

….

Shizuka confided to me that her father and elders would annul the marriage and alliance if she wasn't pregnant soon. Shizuka wasn't in love with Taro. She barely tolerated him and his attitude behind closed doors.

Shizuka said she's also scared that he's going to try to hurt Me once he has an heir.

I had to sit down after that….I…I hated what I knew needed to be done.

I'm a coward….I couldn't even help Shizuka myself. The thought of practically forcing my brother to lay with a woman unwillingly made my stomach turn still today.

I sent her to Great-great Aunt Hisoka. The elder would aid my sister-in-law in calming and possibly even drugging my brother enough to lay with his wife without a risk to her health.

….

Aunt Hisoka met with me for tea. She told me it was done. Taro and Shizuka were laying together.

I ordered a personal guard for Shizuka to attend to her from tomorrow on. My brother was somewhat predictable, but I would not risk Shizuka's health.

….

Shizuka missed her monthly bleed. Further examination by the family doctor confirmed. That she was pregnant.

Taro's attitude changed almost drastically to kind and pleasant. When asked, he said it was because he couldn't wait to be a father. Shizuka reported to me that he was even being nice to her.

I'm wary of what Taro is plotting.

(Please don't make me brother. Please just live a happy leisure filled life with your family living as Royalty.)

….

90WW

Shizuka gave birth two weeks ago. The Senju Main family came to celebrate the first grandchild of their family.

Shizuka had a hard time holding back her tears at the sight of only Shuji kneeling beside their father. I personally had to hold back from gutting the man that was already talking about how he would be a strong senju heir and warrior one day supporting Shuji.

Shizuka and Shuji both were gritting their teeth so hard I could almost hear it.

We'd received the news five years ago about Minoru's death on a mission. Three years ago about Madoka's death on the battlefield. And just two years ago of Mizuki's death at Sixteen from Childbirth! She was a practical baby herself! Sold to a dirty old man by her own father to his own second or third cousin!

Thank Kami Shuji has the mokuton. It made him practically indestructible and Prized by his father.

….

The senju were so close to leaving. One last meal with them and they'd leave. Shuji would have one of her personal summons to keep in contact with outside of his father's eyes.

The last meal was when my baby brother thought it brilliant to poison my tea. Raiden would have attacked him right then if I didn't need help.

I knew there wouldn't be any evidence of his involvement. Our Great Granduncles trained him too well in ording dirty work, but having clean hands.

….

92WW

Emi and Shikamako finally married. I couldn't have been happier to be the one to marry them. Emi had jumped her husband for their first kiss as a married couple. Enticing hoots from the crowd of some of the Akimichi that had come as guards for the Nara convoy.

….

1 NE

With the power of the Senju, the backing of the Triad alliance, and the trading alliance of Sea country, we finally entered a New Era. I pray that this one will be peaceful unlike the still continuing Warring Era the Mainland is suffering.

It's been almost twenty years since my parents died. It's amazing to see how my people have grown. I've had to start restricting the birthing numbers again so the new generations doesn't overrun Uzushio. Thankfully my people understood this and have started distancing their children once more.

Speaking of children….Raiden and I discussed our own. He's almost thirty. I've loved having him to myself and he told me the same. I know why he hesitated to bring a pup into our lives, and I can't blame him.

Taro has tried everything to discredit me amongst our people. Thank kami that my people knew me better than that. That and Emi's own sources along my own were more in power and number than my brother's.

Yet Taro has been nothing but a good husband. I am not sure if this is just an act, or if he does enjoy fatherhood. He seems to have finally matured a little. However he's still acting like a spoiled child on missions. Using his status as Prince to control any Captains he works with. Thank kami those captains trust me enough to tell me of his behavior in a secondary verbal report. Taro's missions are very limited anyways because he doesn't train often.

While there were a few family lines that did not like a woman in power and supported Taro, they were vastly out-powered as more and more of my law changes have passed and the equality between man and woman has leveled out. No longer could only a son inherit a line, but a first born daughter or even a second born daughter if the son is incompitant or lost early.

Love is love. I've passed a law with council approval, that who someone wanted to marry didn't need to rely on what reproductive organs they had anymore. Love who you wish my people, love and be happy. If you are a man that loves another man, do so. If you are a woman that loved another woman, do so.

In addition to this law were two more. A person could marry more than one spouse as long as all parties were willing and approving of the other. For example a man could not take two wives if they hated each other. Surprisingly, that wasn't the most popular combination I've seen in the reports. It's been my people that are gay couples that have chosen a woman that was willing to enter a relationship with them as a wife. (with this, Emi and I designed a new program instead. Women that were willing to carry children for same sex marriages, and men willing to donate for the opposite sex. No marriage required. The lines still need to be tracked so children don't cross, but Surrogates and Sperm Donors were a rising hot topic on Uzushio rather quickly.)

The secondary law to pass was for those few that felt they were born in the wrong body. I remember my friend lost in the Water Ware. Born as Gekko, but he confided in me when we were just teens that he felt more like a she. He'd never told anyone before but as one of the first female friends he'd made, he hoped I'd help him learn how to be more feminine behind closed doors. I remember taking him shopping after renting out the shop for just us. Gekko, later renamed as Yachi when it was just us, had been the first of my friends to learn that I was her princess. Yachi had been so embarrassed and scared….

I reminded my friend that she was one of the people that gave me cause to one day fight to be her crown princess. So our people stopped looking at each other with ranks outside the immediate Royalty. Uzumaki was Uzumaki. Love was Love. I did and still do want my people happy and happy with who they are. Thus, the shopping spree I had arranged for my friend.

It still hurts today that I couldn't save Yachi-chan. She'd been a fierce Kunoichi that had even been comfortable enough by our twenties to tell our teammates. They'd accepted her and cheered that she could be their wing woman when they went drinking on the mainland. Yachi had chased them around with her tanto for such jokes.

Thus, the Gekko-Yachi Law was born for those that didn't feel they were born in the right body or switched between genders.

My people are happy and thriving. As a Queen I feel relief to see and feel their happiness. Even Uzushio feels happy.

….

Emi is pregnant! Shikamako is walking around like a smug bastard. Kami that brat is adorable. He's lucky I love him or all this strutting would meet the other side of some of my traps.

Emi is practically glowing with her pregnancy. I cannot wait to be an aunt again.

….

Shizuka is pregnant with her second child! There wasn't even any drugs needed! Taro asked her for a second child and Shizuka agreed.

Shizuka has confided in me that Taro is most of the time a good husband, but she's still wary about him being along with her son. Seiichi is a good boy and the Uzumaki is strong in him. I absolutely adore him and watch him in my office as often as Shizuka allows.

However, the first time Brother recently asked Seiichi's lessons to be private and done by one of the Branch lines I know support Taro, I put my foot down. He was to take lessons under a Great Aunt that I trusted instead.

I felt and saw the hatred in my brother's eyes that he still harbored for me once more before he stormed out.

….

I should have seen it coming.

Restricting who his son was taught by. Shizuka birthing a daughter that with the new laws could also rule.

I had just wanted to tell Shikajin in person about his son's first born child and pass over the details of when Emi was due.

Uchiha, Shimura, and a couple of Aburame. Little brother was getting serious. He didn't want me to return home.

Unfortunately for him, he only set the stage for a new Triad alliance now planned for the future.

Shuji had grown up so much. I know this from his letters, but the brat had forgotten to inform me of his adorable little Uchiha friend.

Tetsuo will be a good Clan Head.

(I'm sorry brother. I never meant for my Crowning to be the beginning of your downfall. I've only ever wanted to protect you. Give you the life of Royal leisure that you wanted. I'm sorry…I'm sorry)

….

Raiden approves of Shuji and Tetsuo's plans. He held me as I sobbed my grief and guilt into his chest.

….

2 NE

The Senju messenger hawk arrived today. Taro was smug that he was personally requested by a Senju Client.

It was hard to hide my shaking hands from Taro's sharp gaze as I sent him on a mission set to fail. The true purpose of the mission was to give two men honorable deaths. Despite their dishonorable pasts.

T-Taro's….and one of Isamu's loyalists.

….

Shuji…returned today with a body scroll….Taro's body scroll. *tear stains*

Why Otouto? Why couldn't you see I only wanted to protect you? I was just trying to keep my promises to Father, mother, and Ka-chan. Why did you force my hand? Why couldn't you see the beauty of father hood. Why couldn't you see that if you gave Shizuka the time of day, she would have loved you? Why couldn't you see that being King wasn't everything! Ruling our people isn't playing house!

Raiden held me once more as I cried myself to sleep. Emi was no better in her own husband's arms. Shikamako knows what I ordered, Emi does not. It was with his help and Raiden's own that this alliance would go through.

….

Shuji sent word that his father was killed by Shin Uchiha on the battlefield. He requested support of the Uzumaki in their time of need until a new general could be trained as Shuji was without one.

In a private sealed letter, Shuji confirmed that the Hagoromo had come through on the Uchiha side and between the poison and the hidden seal I provided, Isamu had been weakened enough to change the tide of battle.

The Hatake Clan was already on Uzushio for their standard summer encampment. The Nomadic clan was always nice to have around during the summer. My people loved their enthusiasm with feasts and festivals. The Hatake loved the Uzumaki summer festivals in return.

Because of this, it was 'coincidental' timing for our Nomadic allies to be living on Uzu when the Senju call came.

Raiden's now Alpha sister accepted to take a squad with the squad of Uzumaki that volunteered to assist the Senju.

In private the Hatakes were given specially acquired swatches of fabric. Each one had a different scent on them.

Under my orders they were to make sure these scents didn't leave the next battlefields. They were curious about my request, but understood something more was going on. Especially when I ordered that the other Uchiha were not to be killed. Maimed a little, but not killed.

However they were there when I looked my husband dead in the eyes and made a clear order. I've never ordered my lovely wolf to do anything outside of our bedroom. Then he normally had already given his consen—

I ordered Raiden to take everything he's bottled up against my baby brother and take it out on Uchiha Shin. That would be his only target. Raiden would be acting General for the Senju until he personally trained one for Shuji to acceptable levels.

Raiden had lowered to a knee, bared his neck, and kissed my hand in front of his birth pack and accepted my order as his personal alpha, Queen, and Mate. He knew how hard it had been to send my brother to his death. How it would be a pain and guilt I carried for the rest of my life.

I miss him already and he's only been gone for a few hours.

….

Shuji and Raiden confirmed Uchiha Shin's death, and the retreat Tetsuo called.

….

3 NE

Shikajin and Shikaren's faces were Priceless when I arrived to the Alliance meeting today. I could see those minds whirling as Tetsuo greeted my husband, the former Senju general, without malice or hatred.

The uchiha were also quick to realize that…something was going on. Their new Clan Head wasn't the least bit shocked at my presence.

Thankfully no one spoke of the elephant in the room, and instead focused on the peace between the two most influential clans of Fire and the ruling and only clan of the small but powerful Whirlpool Country.

Tetsuo and his elders were more than willing to trade metals and glass for Senju fabrics and Uzumaki healing seals. There were many other additional benefits as well with the Hatake and Nara allied with the Uzumakis. Hatake trading resources and lines. Additional access to the Nara and their triad alliance.

Uchiha trading routes and Senju trading routes. So much potential.

Raiden was once more a distraction however as he was practically glued to my side the entire trip. I know he'd only recently returned two months prior, but it was abnormal for him to cling in front of strangers.

….

The meeting went on for a full month. A long month, but a month of great progress.

I…I realized why Raiden has been clingy. He scented my hormonal change before my handmaids inquired about my monthly bleed.

Sure I know I stopped wearing the contraception seal when Raiden was to return…but so quickly?

I'm terrified.

….

Tetsuo-kun found me last night by the Nara's pond. I'd needed some time away from Raiden who was so very excited and practically strutting around smug.

The young man is very insightful and didn't push. Yet, I found myself telling him about my guilt, my fears. How could I be a good mother when I couldn't even raise my brother right? When I couldn't even protect him, how could i protect my own child?

Tetsuo sat there and listened.

"A hatchling does not know how to fly right after emerging from it's egg. It must be nurtured by it's parents first. Fed, protected, kept warm, and supported when it is time to take that first leap. The Parents teach the chick how to fly. There are many failures before the chick becomes a fledgling. You, Aika-sama, did not have your parents from your Chick to Fledging stage. It was not your responsibility to nurture the nestling and hatchling behind you. Other adults should have stepped up to teach them right. Instead snakes entered your nest and coiled around your Nestling brother until when he took that first leap to fly, he'd only fall. No matter how many times he'd try to fly again, he would try again and again on wings that long ago stopped working."

I had just stared at the Uchiha for long minutes before commenting on his bird references being adorable. He flushed so red, it was cute. But I thanked him. While I don't think I'll ever forget my regrets of not being able to help my brother more, I can only treat his two children and wife left behind with the love they deserve.

….

4 NE

She's Beautiful. My little Kimiko. My precious daughter. I've never known instant love. Not in this way. I cherished Raiden because our bonding had been instant due to his clan traditions, but it had still taken a month for that love to grow and settle into something lasting.

But with our first born daughter? I love her so damn much. Kami rest the soul that dares to lay a hand on her. I'll gleefully tear them apart with my chains if my katanas don't get to them first.

….

The Senju and Uchiha arrived today to Celebrate the new Princess of Uzushio. Shuji has been bouncing off the walls. His fiance Iyona Hatake just smiled fondly at her 'Adorable Nymph'.

Tetsuo arrived with his own guard and looked relieved to not have to keep Shuji's personality contained. He greeted Raiden and I with respect and familiarity. He was a very good conversationalist and we both enjoyed his company when the alliance had met since the final signing. This was the Uchihas' first time on Uzushio however.

….

5 NE

Shuji's daughter was born two weeks ago. Hana is a perfect mix of her parents. Senju coloring, but her mother's eyes.

Tetsuo didn't get out of dealing with Shuji's personality and ended up wrestling in the private courtyard of the Senju main family with the treehead. It was good to see my little brother living happily and freely.

Tetsuo chakra however was feeling stressed. Raiden stayed home with Kimiko while Shizuka and I visited the Senju. Thus, i didn't have my lovely wolf to help me scent out what was wrong with my young friend.

….

The Uchiha elders are forcing Tetsuo into an arranged marriage. Tetsuo told me about how Uchiha don't do arranged marriages. They love to deeply to be forced into such a loveless relationship.

That was the first time i saw Tetsuo cry. I did what I could to be a silent comfort to my friend that evening before sending him back to his guest room in the Senju compound.

That same night I sent a message to my husband.

….

Raiden agreed. He was fond of the young Hawk. My cheeky wolf even had the gaul to say he apparently had a thing for Bird summoners! I would get him back for that Sass! Honestly! Making me blush when he isn't even beside me, my sly wolf.

….

Tetsuo accepted the invitation to our summer solstice celebration on Uzushio. Thankfully, his wedding would be in winter so he had time to slip away without an escort. I'd made the invitation private anyways.

….

Tetsuo's chakra smoothed out during his two week stay before the festival. (We did still have a few political items to address.)

Being a personal guest of mine, he stayed in the Royal mansion.

Kimiko absolutely adores Tetsuo and his mess of long hair. I couldn't stop my cackling when she literally made herself a nest in it to take a nap. Tetsuo looked so lost and frozen on what to do with the toddler now napping on his back.

Raiden had ruffled the top of his head before laying down and joining our daughter in napping with his head against the younger man's back and hair. A deep rumble ("I do not PUR!" My sweet wolf always denies) left my relaxed husband.

Tetsuo was flushed red, his sharingan on to take in the sight of Raiden relaxed and vulnerable. I smirked at the lust that flowed through Tetsuo's chakra.

Telling said Uchiha that Raiden was very pretty to his face, only made the uchiha aborted flail and go slack. Yet he didn't deny it.

Hmm…

….

Tetsuo was gorgeous as he was dressed in traditional Uzushio festival wear. All that fluffy hair pulled back out of his face, showing off his handsome Uchiha features. Raiden didn't stop letting out low growls of warning to any of his cousins that dared to near the uchiha as we showed him the festival stalls.

Tetsuo hardly noticed, having so much fun. I loved how his chakra shined like a burning star the longer he was safe on Uzushio, free to relax knowing we had his back.

The way Tetsuo's eyes lit up when the firework seals were set off at midnight was the tipping point. I could sense Raiden felt the same through our bond.

Tetsuo had looked away to comment about the fireworks, but instead found both Raiden and I staring at him. I watched those sharingan eyes snap on as his cheeks flushed. The hawk had quickly understood how we were looking at him. When i moved into his space, he didn't retreat, he didn't look away. My Ruby eyes met his Sharingan vermillion. I gently pulled his head down and kissed him.

Tetsuo had whimpered so cutely but had only pulled me closer.

I made it clear when we pulled apart that if he accepted us, it wouldn't be a one night thing. Uzushio approved of polymagus relationships. So if Tetsuo accepted me, he accepted Raiden.

I promised we would love him all he needed despite his impending marriage.

Tetsuo had looked at Raiden for confirmation that he agreed. My lovely wolf had only grinned and pulled the younger man into a heated kiss that turned his knees so weak that Raiden had to hold him close.

It was obvious that our little hawk accepted.

….

Waking to the smells of warmed cloves was new. It mixed perfectly with the earthy scent of Raiden and the Ocean air.

Waking up to a body aching in ways that i haven't felt since Raiden lost control on our wedding night, was glorious.

Waking up to a naked Tetsuo between me and my wolf was a very lovely treat.

….

Tetsuo was married on winter solstice. He was handsome as ever. It hurt watching our brighthawk married off to a woman he barely tolerated. However as guests, we could only stay for so long. Shuji was ecstatic for his friend to be married. It took Iyona sitting her husband down at the reception feast to explain what we had learned. Shuji wasn't so ecstatic anymore.

Lady Nanase hardly looked at her Husband the entire time of the wedding and reception. Letting Tetsuo go to his wedding bed had been one of the hardest things Raiden and i had ever done.

I could hardly sleep that night, wondering how Tetsuo was doing. If Lady Nanase was at least being respectful of Tetsuo. Consummation was necessary for most mainland clans still, unlike my clan.

To say I was shocked when Raiden opened our door to see a freshly showered Tetsuo was shocking.

Apparently the dead was done and his wife had returned to her own rooms. Our poor brighthawk didn't want to sleep in his own room anymore. Not with her perfume stinking it up around the scent of sex.

Raiden confirmed that he hadn't been followed or seen, and I pulled our hurt bird into our bed for cuddles and loving. The tension in Tetsuo's shoulders was eased under our touch. The feel of another was erased from his current memory as he laid with us, connecting to our bodies once more.

I wish I could sweep him away to Uzushio forever. But he was a good leader. The Uchiha needed a good leader or else the blood war would just restart.

We talked early into the morning with our brighthawk. We could continue this affair, but no children of Uchiha blood could come from it. Much to Tetsuo and Raiden's disappointment.

(Raiden had made a comment about a raven haired child with Red eyes, or a redhead with Uchiha eyes. Tetsuo had flushed so hard, it was adorable. Sadly none could be born. Tetsuo was duty bound to produce Uchiha children with his wife.)

….

6 NE

Emi gave birth to her First daughter Haruka today, named in memory of our aunt Haru. Little five year old Shikatsuo is proud to be a big brother.

….

The Nara convoy just left, but the hawk we just received from Tetsuo was one carrying conflicting news.

Lady Nanase is pregnant. Tetsuo invited us to celebrate with him and Shuji of the good news.

Raiden could see the hidden message. He needed our support now more than ever.

We didn't hesitate to go to his side.

….

Uchiha Akihiro, Tetsuo's firstborn son was born during the fall harvest. Being there to see our young lover light up with fatherhood was a gift. Shuji wouldn't shut up though. Their children were only a year apart and could be good friends apparently.

I could only snort at my baby brother's enthusiasm. Tetsuo, happy with fatherhood just accepted the tree's excitement. Doesn't mean he got to hold the Uchiha Heir. I smirked smugly at my little brother when Tetsuo allowed me to hold little Akihiro. Kimiko had joined us for the trip being my heir. She was happy to make friends with her new little brothers as she was calling them. She especially loved giving Tetsuo hugs when i refused to hand the infant back to his father.

Lady Nanase wasn't in attendance at the meeting even though she should have been since it was all of the Clan Heads and their wives of the Newest Triad alliance. The most powerful one of Fire nation. Apparently she was in seclusion until it was 'proper' of her to return.

Tetsuo told us that she just didn't want to be seen until her belly went away.

Iyano had snorted. "That's something to be proud of!" She had barked loudly. I agreed. Kimiko had given me stretch marks and Raiden adored them. Said they were proof of my strength.

Tetsuo just hummed in agreement all while holding his daughter. Apparently Nanase didn't even want to breastfeed. The Uchiha head had to hire a wet nurse for his son.

….

8 NE

Tetsuo just arrived the other day with his children. Akihiro's eyes had been so wide at all the water and sand. The two year old's giggles were sweet. Tetsuo was proudly carrying his three month old second son Haruki.

The Uchiha had come to uzushio once more. Unfortunately the Senju could not as Iyona was in her last stages of her own pregnancy. However, Lady Nanase ended up joining the Uchiha convoy.

I put Emi in charge of entertaining the woman with some of our other female relatives.

….

No one was impressed with Nanase's lack of involvement in her two sons' lives.

However, I was slightly startled to see one of my handmaids had caught the eyes of Uchiha Eisuke. Tetsuo's youngest brother that had been his only surviving sibling.

….

Tetsuo was so happy to see my second born daughter Ayano, only two weeks old and Emi's own third child Chihiro, three weeks old. (It was very interesting to be pregnant at the same time as my baby sister.)

I didn't hesitate to let our young lover hold her as Kimiko kept Akihiro occupied and I got to hold little Haruki.

….

Haruki's wet nurse became ill during the Uchiha's stay. Tetsuo didn't know what to do until Raiden cuffed his head and pointed to me. Our sweet brighthawk had blushed as he asked if I wouldn't mind providing for Haruki as well as Ayano-chan.

Of course I didn't refuse. Haruki felt curious about me, but didn't reject my milk. However, it was Tetsuo's look that made my heart jump. That smile was soft and full of so much adoration, love, and longing.

I wish I could bear him a child. Complete our family with a child made us of. Raiden made sure to hold our brighthawk a little tighter as Haruki fed from me.

….

Uchiha Eisuke asked for permission to court my handmaid Miyako. I happily gave my blessing. Tetsuo also gave his blessing despite the spluttering of his advisor that had joined the envoy.

….

10 NE

I never knew peace could be so nice. The other Clans of Fire Nation had even lessened in their own Wars without the Senju and Uchiha feeding the fires of anger and blood.

I look down at the face of my newborn son Yumiko and can only feel pride. My baby brother Shuji didn't feel the need to have more than a daughter and son. There wasn't a 'need' for spares anymore. Not after all these years of peace between their clans. There were some that still didn't like certain senju or uchiha, but for the happiness of their children, they stayed quiet.

Shuji and Tetsuo visited Uzushio often as did myself and Raiden return the favor to celebrate every birthday with each of our children.

Tetsuo visited Uzushio the most, or went on 'missions' to be with Raiden and I. He absolutely spoiled Kimiko and Ayano. Granted Raiden and I did the same with his sons.

Seeing Tetsuo holding my silver haired Yumiko was something i'd never forget. He looked so amazed to see that the Hatake had beat out the Uzumaki genes.

….

14 NE

I accomplished nothing in office today. I was just so shocked by Tetsuo's letter. He and Shuji had spent an evening together toasting to my four child's birth only days ago. They would be visiting soon to celebrate with me. But they had sent what they had come up with during their drinking night.

A village! A village that both the Uchiha and Senju would be working together. Together they could take missions, share merchants, clients, unite trade routes, and strengthen their shinobi squads!

Tetsuo had been learning from how I ran Uzushio and knew the Senju and Uchiha could do the same. Leadership could be shared. But it would make patrols easier, combining their lands, their income, their forces!

Shuji and Tetsuo sounded like the had the village halfway together already.

It was revolutionary.

….

I sent a formal letter to both Shuji and Tetsuo that if such a thing was approved by their elders, they would have the backing of the Uzumaki and the whole of Uzushio.

Even the Nara approved and would ally with the Senju-Uchiha village.

….

16 NE

Meeting with Tetsuo and Shuji at the river we first met at, was the sight where I watched history unfold with the Nara as neutral. Even the Hatake had attended to watch the Peace treaty and Clan alliances updated and changed to begin the first steps to a village made up of two of the strongest Clans of Fire.

….

Tetsuo sent confirmation letters to Shuji and I about the perfect place for the village. It wasn't far from where the clans were currently settled and it wasn't far to travel to Uzushio either.

Tetsuo would be going to the capital to get permission from the Daimyo since the Uchiha were technically a Noble Clan of Fire, unlike the Senju.

….

Tetsuo is missing. Shuji's gone to look for him.

….

*tear stains*

Tetsuo was murdered. Shuji said it looks like Mokuton injuries. Tetsuo's cousins recognize those types of wounds. They are blaming Shuji.

Shuji loves Tetsuo like his own brother! How dare they!

Kami…it hurts! Tetsuo!

I…I just don't understand. Shuji is the only one able to develop the Mokuton. None of the other Senju feel like he does. Shuji is too pure of heart to have murdered his best friend in cold blood. Not after everything they've gone through together.

Raiden and I cried ourselves to sleep. Our little brighthawk…gone.

….

The village has been put off. The Uchiha aren't comfortable with the idea of living in the same place as the Senju anymore. Not without their strongest Warrior. Tetsuo was the only one that could ever stand toe to toe with Shuji's mokuton.

….

Miyako-chan is my only source inside the Uchiha. Eisuke is protecting her during these troubling times but I fear it may not be enough. She's such a kind girl. She'd taken up so many duties for the Uchiha since Nanase hardly did much but socialize or gossip. She wasn't a kunoichi like Miyako was. It was something Eisuke said he loved about his wife. Now..now with a child of their own, they were stuck in a clan that was teetering on a dangerous tipping point.

….

Miyako tells me that Akihiro is still heir, but Eisuke is temporary Clan Head until he is of age. However the Elders will revoke his right if he doesn't divorce Miyako and marry an Uchiha woman instead. They do not trust her anymore. Not with how the Uzumaki were a Senju ally first.

Miyako agreed to it, but would be lowered to mistress status. She promised she would stay to raise her son who needed her most now. Him and Akihiro.

….

20 NE

I…I received a letter from Hana-chan.

Shuji was ambushed and in result assassinated. He'd been on his way back from a tiring mission. He was poisoned with something they couldn't identify.

The elders were saying that it was the Uchiha. They were the ones with connections to the Mizuchi and Hagaromo Clans. Two poison specialist Clans, and their Vassal clans.

My last baby brother is gone.

The tension between the Senju and Uchiha are getting worse. Iyona and Eisuke are doing their best as Clan Heads.

….

21 NE

Nothing I do is salvaging the peace. The Senju and Uchiha squads are skirmishing and putting blame on the other.

Miyako fears for her son who is getting bullied for being a halfblood.

….

22 NE

Miyako's son died on a mission. She doesn't believe it. She could feel the satisfaction of the squad captain's chakra.

I ordered her to come home. Eisuke sent a thank you letter back. He would not witness the love of his life lost too.

23 NE

The Nara returned to Neutral status between the Uchiha and Senju. They were neither allies nor enemies. They remained trading partners with Uzushio.

….

Eisuke was killed by a senju squad.

Akihiro is Clan Head at seventeen. He's so young. Akihiro won't answer any of my letters.

Haruki sent one final letter….revoking my godmother status over him and his brother, as ordered by their Elders. In a storage seal with the letter were two additional ones.

One from Akihiro and Haruki. Thanking me….thanking me for being the mother Nanase never was to them. Thanking me and Raiden for loving their father. They were never happier than when they were on Uzushio. But they must protect their clan now.

24 NE

Iyona was lost on a mission. An Uchiha squad had been assigned as well. They didn't hesitate to take the chance to weaken the Senjus.

Raiden howled at the loss of his cousin.

Ichiro, freshly sixteen took his position as Clan Head. Despite her older age, Hana was a woman and once Iyona was gone, lost her position as heir. Instead she wrote to me that she was going to be sold to the Sarutobi as a bride.

Raiden's sister refused. Hana was Hatake. They called a blood claim on her and she left the Senju.

25 NE

Today, the Great Triad Alliance came to an official end. An official decree from the Fire Daimyo ordered that all records of the Triad alliance would be wiped from history. He would wipe the shame from such a failed idea from the records.

How! How dare that stuck up fat pig dare to ORDER ME! I am QUEEN of my lands, my country, my people! He has NO POWER over our histories! Go suck a dick!

All communication with the Senju and Uchiha have been cut off when I refused to follow the decree. Even the Nara were ordered to cut us off. (Shikaren was smarter than that. He kept in contact with his brother, not the Uzumakis.)

Thankfully we didn't necessarily need the mainland clans anymore. My people and land have long since recovered. Alliances with the clans of Sea country have only grown stronger. Noodle and even Tea Country are our allies. Their Lords still respect the power of the Uzumakis.

….

Kimiko is furious with her practical brothers. Ichiro, Akihiro and Haruki were her baby brothers and now they were fighting and hurting each other. She was only slightly relieved that Hana was safe with the Hatake.

She demanded that I train her in everything I knew.

It was then that i realized…my first baby girl was already only four years away from her own coming of age ceremony. She was growing into a strong young woman. She was already very skilled, just like her younger siblings, but she had a storm brewing in her now. A storm I could help grow so one day she could take over for me and rule as Uzushio's next queen.

She can learn from my mistakes and be a better Queen. And as I look at my wolf and see the age lines around his eyes, I know i need to work quickly.

Despite the long lives of Uzumakis, my wolf is already fifty….I don't have much more time with him.

….

19 WC

Raiden…my wolf joined the ancestors today. Fifty three years of marriage. The poisonous illness in his bones took him away after ten years of fighting it down.

He lived long enough to see our sixth Grandchild born. Four granddaughters and two grandsons. All proud Uzumakis with brilliant red hair and either her father's violet eyes, Sachiko-ka-chan's Blue eyes, or my own red eyes. The Hatake coloring didn't survive against another uzumaki mother, thus our second grandson, Yakumo's son, was uzumaki through and through.

I think it's time for me to step down. I'm eight-four years old. I've long since stopped taking missions. Maybe i'll take over our Sealing Corps. I am still one of the best Grand Masters still alive. Proof in the barrier still protecting Uzushio from another invasion.

I trust Seiichi, Risu, Shikatsuo, Haruko, and Chihiro to lead the branch lines fair and justly.

Shizuka has already passed a few years ago from illness. Her children miss her as do I miss my sister, but she deserves the rest.

Emi is doing well in the Nara Compound. Shikamako and her had moved back to the mainland once their children were all of age. I miss my sister. I miss that little shit of a baby brother that Shikamako long was to me.

I miss my wolf. I miss my bright hawk. I wish i could join them, but i can feel that i still have many more years to give. I will see my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and hopefully even my great grandchildren born and if i'm lucky, married.

….

XX

There is a benefit to living so long. You begin to see patterns.

One of my granddaughters married a Senju heir that dreamed of peace. She wrote me letters of his dreams for peace, of a friend he thought shared the same dream until the war tore them apart. Of how her husband and his friend dominated the field of battle.

This time there was no one to buffer them, to bring them together.

….

XX

Taro-otouto's line is down to one last daughter. It's ironic. He was greedy for power of the crown and scorned me for my non-uzumaki mother. Yet his grandson married a mainlander kunoichi, a runaway. She was very pretty too with all that Golden hair. Apparently her older twin brother tried to sell her off to a slave ring.

Of course she was welcomed into the family with open arms. She made my great grandson happy. That was all that mattered.

They had a beautiful blonde daughter Aimi.

Risu and her husband chose to not have any children, and i supported her when the other elders tried to force her. Kimiko made sure to put her own foot down that Risu did not need to have children if she did not wish to.

….

XX

Tragedy once more for my people. A fuuinjutsu experiment took out not only the fuuin lab and research center but part of the surrounding area. So many of my great grandchildren and great grand nieces and nephews were lost.

….

XX

It's been agreed to merge Taro's line into my line of descendants. Great grandson Arashi will marry Aimi and take over as lead of the Branch lines.

….

Aimi and Arashi had a daughter. Even as a newborn she has been betrothed to the ten year old Ashina, my first great-great grandson.

….

XX

My time is nearing. Ashina is my favorite grandchild. He's always visited me and took lessons from how I ran our people. He listened when I told him how to cherish his wife despite their non-traditional arranged marriage. Communication would be key for them.

….

I watched Ashina get married despite my failed eyesight. Long gone blind. Living so long from stubbornness alone.

I felt Ashina and Sara's chakras entangling as they celebrated their marriage together. Best Friends since childhood, survived through awkward teenage years, and married as soon as they were both of age.

Yes…yes, it is time.

….

….

XXX

Hello descendant, If you are reading this journal, then you must be very special. These journals were keyed for only one special person.

Myself.

Or should I say, my next life.

I do not know how long my soul has been in this cycle, but my theory that it is back to our originator. Otsutsuki Kamera.

In my research of the patterns of history, it seemed too coincidental that whenever the Mokuton showed up, so did a powerful Uchiha to match and an Uzumaki woman of similar strength or intelligence.

Thus, I did what any respected Grand Master of sealing would do. I created a Jutsu that would allow me to look at the history of my soul. And what do you know…it had pieces of other souls surrounding the core soul. Now, this doesn't mean i had the ability to access these memories.

(I never could quite figure out the Mind Palace the Yamanaka talked about)

However, it did prove my theory. History is repeating time after time. Something is Making it repeat. Something ALWAYS puts a rift between the uchiha and senju. Targeting the Uchiha. Making them unstable.

I found the proof I was looking for not too long ago. (I had nothing better to do and needed a distraction from Raiden's death. Kimiko was a good Queen.)

The seal on the next page can only be opened by those with a piece of my soul. Thus, as the base of all Uzumaki sealing; Blood and Chakra. What our first life based our craft on. Her blood, Her chakra.

With that, the seal will release a very very ancient book I found hidden deep in our archives. I do hope you will be able to use it and understand it better than I ever could in your new era.

Kamera found this book personally and preserved it. Use it wisely.

On a final note: With my research I have found that in this reincarnation cycle we are stuck in, Ashura and Indra's own reincarnations are there as well. We are all linked in this cursed cycle. However, if one soul lives longer than the other, the others are affected.

Thus why the reincarnation after Shuji and Tetsuo died so young. I still lived, throwing off the cycle.

I also found proof that if only one of the reincarnations are born twenty years apart from the other two, they will not survive long. Unfortunately Kamera's soul seems to be the one affected the most in that area. Ashura and Indra are always born within five years of the other. However, It is right to assume that if Ashura or Indra's souls lived past the other two, the effect would be the same as my extended life had on their own. Early deaths.

So I implore you, Kamera's next reincarnation, find a way to END this curse set upon us and our brothers. Use the book I provided to find a way to do as such.

Nagisa turned the final page, cut her finger with a nail. A drop of blood and push of chakra into the seal.

In a pop of smoke, a very old, but well preserved children's book plopped into her lap.

Tired Cerulean eyes scanned the artful cover that…that was Covered in renditions of the Nine Bijuu. But they were Baby bijuu.

Her fingers traced the title of old but beautiful calligraphy.

'Bijuu Bedtime stories' Written by Otsutsuki Indra. Opening it up, Nagisa didn't even need to skim much before she realized what she was reading.

A warning. A warning Indra had written about Zetsu.

The redhead let her head bang back against the wall, eyes shut from exhaustion and frustration.

"Son of a bitch." she sighed out tiredly, unaware that closing her eyes was a mistake. Nagisa passed out cold sitting up with an old Children's book and journal in her lap and the other dozens of journals of Aika Uzumaki's life surrounding her.