This chapter took a while to finish, but it's simply hard to find time to sit down and focus on writing with everything else going on in life right now. I'm still very committed to this fic though, so thanks for bearing with me. Considering how impactful the conclusion of this arc is in my mind, I hope I do it justice with this chapter.


Bathed in the fading daylight, Ōtsu-shi was the perfect scene to be immortalized in a splendid painting. Yurine leaned heavily against the balcony railing with a breathy sigh. Maybe instead of a painting, it was also the backdrop to the swashbuckling tale of intrigue and an unlikely love story.

She never dreamed she would actually visit the capital. Most Yuhi had never ventured close, but starry-eyed and young, when her mother returned from missions, Yurine would listen eagerly, soaking in every story.

She had once asked if they could ever travel to the Fire Country's biggest city, but her father had explained the daimyo was very mistrustful of shinobi, no matter their purpose in Ōtsu-shi.

When Kureno teased her to the point of tears for her overactive imagination and romantic fantasies, it only took their mother's gentle scolding to settle them down. Yurine loved the way she would stroke her head and tell her that kunoichi or princess, one day she would bloom vibrantly. "My little lily won't be a bulb forever," she would say, tapping her on the nose.

By the time the Kaguya had come along, both their parents were gone, which turned out to be a small blessing. She couldn't bear to see her father or mother being run through or beheaded like their grandfather. It pained her that instead of enjoying his golden years, his final moments were spent trying to futilely plead for mercy from those monsters.

Yoshiro had sneered and commanded someone to silence the "sniveling old man". She and Kureno had only been spared because the ruthless warlord took a fleeting interest. The rage burning in her brother's eyes as he was subdued while trying to lunge at Yoshiro amused the man.

Yurine was "passably pretty" as he'd stated, and so she was also taken as a slave while what was left of the only home they had ever known burned to nothing. The way the oranges and reds of the horizon cloaked the city, it kind of appeared to be burning too.

"I know that dejected look, but I have to say, it doesn't suit you good lady." Yurine glanced up, where a tall figure clad in black with a hooded mask covering half his face hung from the shingled overhang above her head.

Yurine squinted into his mostly covered face. "Have we…met?"

"Our encounter was fleeting, but yes, I'd say so." Peeling away his covering revealed a roguish face and tawny hair. The kunoichi backed away as Guren Kuranoshin flipped to the ground, brushing his shoulder off. "Lady Yurine," he bowed.

"Kuranoshin-san," Yurine greeted.

Averting his eyes, the samurai rubbed at his neck almost shyly. "I'm not much for formal address when it comes to me…"

"Yet you call me by a title." Yurine pointed out. "I still don't know how you even know my name. I didn't tell you when we met."

She wouldn't have thought it was possible, given his chiseled cheekbones, but the broad smile softened his face into something boyish. "I'd prefer to keep my secrets. Ninja aren't the only ones capable of mystery." he winked, placing a finger over his lips.

The blonde tossed some of her hair aside, "Do you generally maintain that mystery by spying from the roof on unsuspecting people during private moments?"

"Apologies for intruding." Kuranoshin sounded oddly sincere. "I'll be on my way."

He'd already adhered his feet to the castle wall with chakra and was climbing up. Yurine bit her lip, making a split second decision. "Wait!" she waved her hand. His head popped back down into view. "Why were you there?" she sighed. "I know I'm not that interesting."

Kuranoshin considered her, easing himself back down to stand across from her on the balcony. "I was assigned to patrol the perimeter. Ishikawa's bound to strike soon, after all. It's up to the castle guard to be on the lookout for suspicious activity."

"I see," Yurine worried the inside of her cheek. "I wasn't told, but then I guess there's no reason why I would be. I haven't even been able to find out why Lord Azusa's truly being targeted, or much about Ishikawa."

Guren rubbed his chin, nodding as she spoke. "Well, I'm curious, if anything."

"Curious?" she parroted.

The samurai shrugged. "The rumor is that Ishikawa only targets the truly corrupt. Far be it from me to doubt the man who pays me handsomely to guard his family and home, but," His eyes peered left and right. Yurine reflexively mimicked him, but they were truly alone. "Why do you think it's the daimyo this time?" he whispered.

"That's what we've been trying to understand."

"Ah, hard to understand why anyone would want to ruin such a magnanimous man." Guren drawled, "I wonder if you'll really make headway the way you're going about it."

She flushed. Why did he feel the need to rub in just how hopeless the mission was starting to feel? The reputation of Leaf Village shinobi was on the line, and here she was, making small talk with some guard. "The daimyo is here, and Toka believes Goemon Ishikawa is too." Yurine huffed, wondering what he thought he was getting at. "Somewhere."

"Are those the only people to consider? It's not really my place, but I'd ask some of the merchants. The ones who do a lot of traveling in and out of the village may have interesting things to say."

Each evening, Toka asked what part of the capital they had canvased and who they had spoken to. Thus far, none of them had tried the merchant district, though it wasn't a bad idea.

"That…actually might help. Thank you."

Kuranoshin gave a grandiose bow. "Happy to lend a helping hand, milady."

"You know," Yurine began, playing with her hair, "none of the other guards are half as willing to talk to us. If they were, it might have made investigation easier from the start." she mumbled.

"Hm…let's just say I know what it's like to have everyone get quiet when you walk in the room. From one outsider to another, I hope your mission is successful."

Against her better judgement, Yurine felt her heart give a flutter as Kuranoshin flipped, balancing on the railing. He did a one-armed hand stand, readjusting his hood. Waving once, he flipped a second time, vaulting himself high into the air and onto the roof, out of sight.

The blonde kunoichi stood there with her hands clenched to her chest, watching where he'd gone. She raced back inside, intent on finding the others to share the suggestion.


Sakura took off in a sprint, quick to bring the glistening axe high over her head with every intention of bringing it down over Erika's. The small girl gaped, cheeks puffing as she blew a stream of black powder out to intercept. The kunoichi twisted away with nimble footwork. "Move, Erika!" she shouted, axe swinging out at the shinigami.

Sneering, Erika remained firm-footed, collapsing into a pile of fluttering blights before reforming as two identical little terrors. "You humans plod along like ants in the rain." Sakura swung out in a wide arc, aiming to simply bisect her, but the shinigami's tiny body allowed her to jump to balance on the weapon's head momentarily. "But it's not as though you could help it. After all, marching endlessly forward without respite is the plight of your species."

The pinkette felt the familiar heat rising up her throat as she released the signature green flames that melted nearly anything in their path. Erika back-flipped from the axe to avoid them as her doppleganger materialized under Sakura's guard, brandishing a menacing black katana.

"As it should be." The second Erika nodded. "And you can all go fooling yourselves about the importance of which path you take—right, wrong, or somewhere in between. It doesn't change the truth: it all leads to the end."

The clone that had escaped sprang at her, burbling as if barely holding its human form together. Its eyes were pitch black and the chubby hands ended in crooked, demonic fingers ready to slice through her. Switching her weapon to one hand, the pinkette drove a fist through its throat with a battle cry, ignoring the wet squelch as she punted the twitching body away.

The remaining Erika screeched in rage. Seething equally, Sakura parried the sword aimed at her jugular. "I…said…move!" Hanabusa thrummed with power as she slashed through the blade, landing a diagonal strike to Erika's chest. The shinigami went down on one knee, staring at the horrible wound that nearly tore her in two. If the kunoichi had to take a guess, it was only thanks to her immortal durability that she hadn't been completely cleaved.

Unable to stop herself from pausing to watch, Sakura took in the stems bursting through the entire length of her enemy's injury, white flowers blooming at an accelerated speed until they dotted her torso. Coughing, the shinigami brought a hand up as if to touch one, only for the gentle, pure blooms to stain red. Erika hissed as the crimson progressed to black, petals falling off and scattering through the air.

They drifted like dandelion fuzz, floating toward Hanabusa and falling on the shining curve of the axe. Sakura watched them dissolve, a deep, guttural hum coming from the weapon as if it had just been well-fed.

The petals were sustenance, powering up the already fearsome battle axe. Yet an innate connection told the amazed pinkette that was far from the weapon's only capability. "This is the First Blossoming." she told it, eyes flickering to the staggering girl picking herself up.

"What…was that? What did you do?!" Erika panted. Her head whipped around, turning to the other side of the battlefield. "Kanayago! Are you really going to let me fend for myself after I brought those brats back to life for you?!"

Caught up in besting Erika, it was easy to forget they were far from alone. Tobirama was doing battle with Sanna, and thankfully appeared to be holding his own.

The other two younger brothers were fighting against…people? More people? She couldn't make out much about them, except that there were more humans in the clearing now and they were definitely going toe to toe with Kamin and Koya using surprising nimbleness.

Then one lifted an arm that transformed itself into a large mallet and shock pierced through her breast. 'Are those mujina?! They've had human forms this entire time!'

Sakura didn't have much more opportunity to take in the sight before the beavers erected a giant dirt wall that cut right down the field. The otters blasted at it with their powerful water jutsu, creating an instant mudslide.

It didn't stop the irritated voice of the armored goddess from shrieking clearly through the valley. "Did you not say you didn't need my help to subdue her?!"

Erika brought her hand away from her wound and looked down, scowling. "She's gotten stronger!"

"Stupid shinigami!" Kanayago cried, "We are trying to destroy her. It would be in her own interest to become strong enough to put up a fight."

Erika spat at the ground as she got down on all fours. "You owe me!"

Sakura had enough of their bickering, preparing to strike again. The ground trembling violently temporarily threw her sense of equilibrium off.

"Fine!" The goddess conceded. "Make no mistake I will not hesitate to abandon you if you prove to be a nuisance going forward."

The kunoichi was quick to roll onto her knees and snatch up Hanabusa as the loud crackle reached her ears. The giant suit of armor flew through the sky, propelled by the streams of flames coming from its back. "I'll show you the proper way to bring this creature to heel!" Not waiting for Kanayago to land, Sakura leapt up to meet her in a clash that rained sparks down over the land. Taking advantage of her temporary state of suspension, the kunoichi landed a punishing spinning kick, following up with a close-range strike from Hanabusa.

"First Blosso—" Kanayago caught both edges of the blade in her gauntlets, although it must have caused at least some strain, grunts echoing out of her mouth plate. Sakura dangled by the handle of her own weapon as the goddess of iron took her time to examine it.

"I loathe to admit, but Hitotsu's craftsmanship hasn't suffered from his time in exile." The pink-haired godslayer glowered into the glowing eyeholes of the faceplate. If there was one deity she wanted to try out Hanabusa's full capabilities on, it would be Kanayago. Unconcerned by the mortal plotting her demise, the goddess continued musing, "Such an exquisite weapon has allied itself with such an unfit, unattractive wench."

"That's funny," Sakura spat, "You're the one who feels so threatened you won't show your face. Mizuchi told me that your blacksmithing is all you have to brag about, and even then you're second-rate to Ippon-Datara."

She knew the consequences of baiting Kanayago's fragile ego before she felt them. The malicious kick driven into her ribcage didn't tickle. They descended back to earth with the goddess's heavy foot planted on her broken ribcage, crashing like a fallen meteor that plowed up the damaged, smoking earth.

Sakura blinked hazy eyes, knowing that one wrong move would puncture right through her lung. The Byakugo was already doing its job to mend her body, Kanayago and an entirely too gleeful Erika peering down at her from the edges of the crater her fall made. "Well?" she heard the goddess say. "I've done the hard work and incapacitated her. What are you waiting for? Snuff her out quickly. We only need part of her as proof that she's been exterminated."

Erika's eerie giggling echoed down to the pinkette as the child shinigami leaned herself further into the crater and jumped. "Don't mind if I do~" Not being fully healed made it hard to drag herself away, and it certainly didn't help to have knees digging into her sides as the girl made herself comfortable over her. Sakura might have been in pain, Hanabusa further away than her fingertips, but she wasn't by any means defeated. She rushed to knee the shinigami in the gut and dislodge her, but sharp nails pierced right through her skin to block it.

"You might view me as the one in the wrong. I'm standing in the way of your heroic quest, right?" Erika scoffed, lips thinning. Any commitment to her guise as a bubbly little girl fell away as her eyes narrowed sternly. As the kunoichi turned her face away, the shinigami pressed herself nearly flat on top of her, whispering, "But the truth is, your view is warped by your perception of reality. Shinigami are naturally very accommodating."

"Is that what you think this is?" The pinkette questioned hotly. "You claim to be so devoted to Yama, but does he even know you're doing this? Didn't you lecture me about maintaining balance the last time we fought?"

The nails already lodged in her leg felt like they were digging deep enough to scrape bone, and Sakura's heart gave an involuntary jump. "Never question my love for my master. Lord Yama means everything to me." Just as quickly as Erika had shown her true colors as an ancient, black-hearted agent of death, she was pouting and tearing up like a petulant, overwhelmed child. "He's busy wiping up messes that have nothing to do with the underworld. All because the Heaven's have made stopping you and that insane dragon goddess a top priority."

Feeling the realignment of her ribs was nearly complete, Sakura considered biding her time, catching enemy off guard while she was feeling chatty and thought she was pinned. "Is this the part where I'm supposed to be moved enough to let you kill me?"

Erika reared back and gave an ugly snort. "Well it'd benefit the world a lot more than you think, but…let me tell you something, Sakura. I'm not so bad. I'm just fulfilling my duty. Out of love. Have you ever been in love?" Little fingers crawled their way up her chest to tap at her heart, making Sakura shudder uncomfortably. "It's such a funny, fascinating, powerful emotions for you humans, isn't it? That's what I've observed, at least."

The pinkette really couldn't place where this was all going, but she was ready to defend herself at a moment's notice, so there was no harm in continuing the talk. "You have to know what a person loves most in order to properly manipulate their emotions. You're good at that." Fluttering her lashes coyly, she parroted Erika's words back at her. "That's what I've observed, at least."

A wide, bright smile that only served to disturb her lit up the shinigami's small face. "People have a tendency to accept my Kiss when it comes from someone they care about and trust. No matter what's right in front of them, humans are always ready and happy to accept what best fits their own interpretation of the truth. That makes my job somewhat easier…"

Right in front of her eyes, the immature features of Erika became older, stronger, more masculine. And Sakura started, her heart bouncing off rhythm. The familiar face of a certain man stared back at her, a perfect imitation right down to the devilish smirk on his lips and the smolder in his eyes. "Is this better?" Madara's voice chuckled. Strong fingers reached to squeeze at her jaw just tightly enough to be a warning. "I have to say, you're someone that gets a surprising amount of attention considering how plain you are."

A shocked laugh slipped out before Sakura could contain it. "You think Madara's—" Well, truth be told she and the Uchiha clan head had started off at each other's throats, their relationship nothing short of contentious. Now, it was…different, but no less complicated. Something Sakura refused to define by any measure other than he was a persistent, infuriating man who occasionally could present himself as darkly alluring.

"I don't know," The deep rumble of the borrowed voice vibrated through her, they were so close. Erika bracketed one arm above the kunoichi's head, looking for all the world as if she would try to lean down and completely close the gap between them while wearing Madara's face. "Maybe you're more attached to someone else?"

Erika's next disguise bore sensitive eyes and a gentle frown of concern. Sakura groaned. "If I were you, I think this would be my preference." The brat of a shinigami contemplated, rubbing a thumb over the plump flesh of Izuna's lips. "He had the kind of loyalty that would have made him easy reaping, if I put you in enough danger. The kind of fool that's willing to die for who he loves. But, neither one of them are here with you now, are they? You abandoned them for…" It didn't take much to predict who Erika would become next, and Sakura was absolutely sick of the trick. "…this." Tobirama's deep, calculative gaze gave her a once over, like a particularly unpredictable strain of bacterium in the lab.

"You really think a few cheap imitations are supposed to make me fall apart?" Sakura shoved 'Tobirama' away, punching 'him' in the face with enough force to cave in someone's forehead for good measure.

Allowing the by now familiar cloak of the Dragon State to descend over her, the kunoichi got to her feet. Hanabusa sliced through the air to find its home in her outstretched hand. "You're not that lucky, Erika."

"Maybe not…" Erika admitted, Tobirama's body reshaping into something less tangible, wispier. Purple and black mist with only the large opaque eyes glaring out at her. "But you are. Because it's been a long time since I've had to take this form. Consider this to be my admission of your strength."


Through the ongoing chaos of battle, Tobirama noticed Sakura get herself kicked through multiple layers of earth by the wrathful goddess in behemoth armor. He would have assisted, had Sanna not been so persistent in giving him absolutely no room to look away.

The otters and beavers focused on altering the terrain with their jutsu, and a good portion of the field was covered in mud that would be waist deep if he wasn't using chakra to stand on it. Unfortunately, it didn't really slow Sanna down either, as he mimicked the use of chakra to the soles of his feet.

Every strike they traded was charged with frustration and lethality, the Senju refusing to allow himself to become distracted and complacent as he was before. It wouldn't help anyone for him to die. He could only hope that as per usual, Sakura had an unconventional plan waiting in the wings.

Sanna cast out his sword, the unique blade separating into its segments, coiling behind him. Drawing forth Nuke-maru, Tobirama swung down expertly, repelling Oboro with his own blade's heavy burst of wind.

The Uchiha across from him planted his feet into the ground to avoid getting blown away, arms coming up to shield his face from debris, the short braid of his brown hair whipping wildly.

Tobirama blitzed to the godslayer's side, grateful for the fact that no matter how much the twins tried to interfere, the mujina were keeping them well occupied and away from the one on one fight.

Although, his blood burned with irritation over the revelation that the deceptive pests from The Under could assume human forms at will. That sort of cooperation and a few extra human hands might have been a nice asset when they were trapped in the dark and twisted pocket dimension.

"This can't go on forever," Tobirama spoke over the high winds. "One of us has to concede, or the cycle that feeds this sort of hatred will only continue."

"Since when is that a concern of yours?" Sanna tossed his sword high into the air, much to Tobirama's confusion. That was, until his fingers began flying through the hand signs for a jutsu he knew too well.

Oxygenized by the blustering winds of Nuke-maru, the intensity of the fireball that passed from the Uchiha's lips scorched the very air around them. Sweat poured down the back of Tobirama's neck and he wouldn't have been surprised if the hairs there were singed off.

He was appreciative of his years of practice countering enemy jutsu one-handed, conjuring a roaring water dragon that crashed down onto the flames in a hiss of steam.

"Are you really hoping false sentiments are enough to make me lower my guard now?" Sanna shouted, catching Oboro as gravity brought the sword back to earth, and deftly flicking it in the next moment.

The white-haired shinobi used Kogarasumaru to protect himself, but as expected, neither blade bested the other. "War is a melody sung in blood." the younger man mumbled, Sharingan blazing. "Both sides know the tune, but the one who carries it better are the winners. …You were the one who taught me that." The tomoe in his eyes began to spin, forcing Tobirama to look away or risk been drawn into a deadly genjutsu. The unexpected right hook he caught to the jaw snapped his head right back in Sanna's direction.

"I have to hand it to you, you at least have moves worth copying." The original said as the shadow clone tried to sweep his legs from under him.

Thrusting Kogarasumaru into the copy's gut, the enchanted sword barely had time to corrode the doppleganger before it left existence in a plume of smoke.

"And you've improved since our last fight." he noted, unable to stop himself from being mildly impressed. An Uchiha bent on revenge was a very motivated one.

Sanna hopped back a few paces, his countenance stoic. "That's because I want things to end here. No more close calls you manage to scrape through."

Remembering Sakura's words about how it might not have been too late to reason with the Uchiha, Tobirama cleared his throat, sighing in exasperation. He had strong doubts an apology was going to erase the amount of hatred simmering in Sanna's heart. But after she had renewed his will to fight on, he supposed he owed it to Sakura to try the path with less bloodshed first. "I can't imagine the depths of the anger brewing inside you right now. Admittedly, given what I did to you in the past it was probably justified."

The admission seemed to catch Sanna off guard enough that he wasn't charging in ready to skewer Tobirama for a change. "…What?" he gruffed.

Nodding once shallowly, the Senju continued speaking, "I'm…a different man than the person I was that day. I can't restore the time you've lost, but, hard as it may be for you to believe, I'd prefer for this to not end in one of us dying."

Readjusting his slackened grip on the hilt of his sword, Sanna shook his head as if coming out of a fog. "What kind of mind game is this supposed to be? Why do you keep pretending you're remorseful?!"

For just the briefest second, it felt like the young man was radiating more bewilderment than rage. Of course, it was a short-lived reprieve from the onslaught of verbal and physical attacks, a defiant cry reaching them both over the sounds of fighting.

"No nii-san, don't listen to that!"

Having found a way to successfully breach the mujina's barrier, Koya materialized from a sudden black rift. 'Is this some new teleportation jutsu?! I've never seen one that could counter the speed of the Hiraishiin.' Tobirama batted away the deadly point of a spear that went flying back into the hands of Kamin, the twin who didn't speak much.

Several of the mujina in their human forms dashed over, clawed hands and brutal teeth belying their true natures. "Sorry, sorry! They got slippery all of a sudden." A blonde young man with a curving scar on his cheek gnashed his teeth. "We'll catch 'em for you."

Kamin hefted his weapon, a shining ornament of a silver and blue staff, banded in gold near its head. The spearhead itself was the length of the average katana, but thick and flat like a foreign broadsword.

Etched in golden characters across the shaft was a name: Hanpa. Even if he'd had no knowledge that it was indeed a weapon of divine origin, Tobirama would've had to admit it was glorious.

Just as the blond mujina leading the charge barreled toward the Uchiha with his lips peeled back to reveal the teeth that still didn't fit or look normal in a human mouth, Hanpa was spun in the offensive. Tobirama watched the spearhead's transfiguration, tip of the weapon splitting like a peeled fruit, a small, sparking ball of blue light left exposed.

Eyes wide, the small band of mujina dug their heels into the muddy ground, but Kamin was quicker. He thrust his spear hard into the forehead of the first, and it was as if the building blocks of the creature's existence had become literal, tangible cubes.

The black square blocks spread across the mujina's stunned face and down his body, until only a small slot of his panicked eyes were visible. "Fragment," Kamin whispered, and the many tiny cubes that formed a walled prison shrunk into a single square that flew into the light of his spear. Outraged, the fallen mujina's companions attacked Kamin together, but he fended each off and dispatched them without his blank face ever changing.

When the last one had been sucked into the light at the end of his spear, it closed, becoming the form Tobirama had first seen once again. Without breaking a sweat, in what had to be under two minutes, Kamin had single-handedly captured or maybe killed (Tobirama couldn't decide if a divine weapon could stop a beast of The Under permanently) half a dozen mujina.

"That was an annoying interruption," Koya scoffed. Neither of his brothers had lifted a finger to help, probably correctly assessing that Kamin didn't need it. "Now, where were we?"

Suddenly he was surrounded by three Uchiha encroaching quickly to pin him in. "You don't have a whole lot of shame, even for a Senju." Koya glared, twirling one of the daggers he never seemed to be without. "We could never make peace with the man capable of brutally slaughtering our clan down to the last child."

Stunned but unwilling to allow it to make him freeze, Tobirama narrowed his eyes. Wielding both swords, the shinobi cautiously circled as the trio moved counter-clockwise around him. "You can't be serious. The Uchiha clan isn't decimated."

"Lies," Kamin's voice was a solemn bass, onyx gaze briefly pooling with apparent anguish. "You may have had help from your clan and its allies, but I'll never forget the sight of heads on spikes or the violation of women that were captured. It was you leading them, commanding your forces not to show any mercy."

"Without a doubt." Koya agreed, pointing one of his daggers in the Senju's direction. "So you see, that's why all your calls for putting away this blood feud are always going to fall on deaf ears. That's impossible."

They were right. All the words they spoke with such conviction, if true, would have been more than enough reason not to stop until the very last drop of spilt innocent blood was avenged.

However, Tobirama knew something was incredibly wrong. Aside from the fact that all three of them had met untimely demises years earlier, there was no lapse in memory great enough to make him forget participating in a full blown massacre. Under the direction of his father, it might have happened.

Eradicating the Uchiha from the face of the earth was Butsuma's greatest ambition never fulfilled. Even when they had decimated smaller rival clans, in the head of the minds of the adults, they were doing what was right to ensure survival. No matter how gory it often was, taking pleasure in such activities would have been heavily frowned upon.

Mounting heads on spikes and dishonoring women were the barbaric practices of rogues. No clan with any honor would go that far. It was unnecessary, and spoke of a revelry in the discordant world that had victimized them all from birth.

Tobirama would have never followed a command to participate in such things, nor would either of his younger brothers. Hashirama would have turned against the clan using the full might of the Mokuton before he stood by and allowed the Senju to stoop that low.

It was the behavior of a true monster. Tobirama knew his hands were stained in blood that would never come clean. He was teetering the edge of monster for his childhood deeds alone, but not ever for those reasons. He never wanted to be that.

"Those deities are in your heads." he concluded. "The Uchiha clan lives on, over a hundred strong. The Senju and Uchiha have put aside their fighting to form a village. It's been over half a year since we've come to blows."

"That's the most unbelievable claim you've made so far." Sanna sneered. "Our clan is gone, with only us three to see its legacy live on after you snuffed it out. Beyond that, the Senju and Uchiha cohabitating a village?" he shook his head.

"I've personally heard enough." Koya glanced at his brothers. "A sane man or a mad man, you're the man responsible for us ending up like this. You're going to answer for it."

A sword, a spear and two daggers were all aimed at him, the face of each weapon's owner layered in impenetrable ice. "Have we ever seen what would happen if we used all our weapon's abilities on the same target?" Sanna mused.

All of them had their Sharingans blazing. From so close there weren't many illusory tricks that could get past their doujutsu. 'Damn it! How'd I let myself get pinned in so carelessly?'

As far as the eye could see, what had once been a peaceful valley was a damaged wreck of a landscape. Beavers, otters and remaining mujina were doing their best to stop the might of the rampaging Kanayago, who battered them away in near boredom.

Sakura and the mouthy little shinigami were nowhere to be—up above the crater the pinkette had been buried in, something rocketed into the smoky sky. The sight seized his attention so effectively, Tobirama knew he would have been in danger of dying if the Uchiha trio wasn't also taken by what they saw.

Levitating high above the ground was a woman holding a small figure by the throat. In the other hand, the mighty Hanabusa. The thick, waving reptilian tail tufted in red fur along its middle and at the tip was alarming enough. That didn't even factor in the ethereal glow encasing her in light like a second skin.

Nor did it explain the hard, protective red scales clearly traveling up her arms and legs, topped only by the full set of horns growing from either side of her head. Long, pink hair waved like a defiant banner of war, making her identity unmistakable.

Sanna stiffened. "That godslayer…she's—"

"Something else," Koya whistled, taking a minute to tilt his head in consideration. "I can't be the only one thinking that's working for her, eh?"

"I think nii-san was going to say she's still alive and powered up, which is a problem." Kamin corrected flatly.

That proved to be a fair observation when Sakura flung Erika so fast and far, she burst into flame on the descent, landing somewhere over the mountain range with a solid thud that toppled them over on one side.

Kanayago charged her, withdrawing a huge sword from the forge in the middle of her suit. The strong, flexible tail made quick work of that too. Spinning, the kunoichi caught it in her new prehensile appendage and yanked it away from the goddess.

They clashed in midair, zipping around each other to meet blows. And just like that, the tide of the battle shifted once again.

Tobirama's head snapped to the one Uchiha the other two clearly looked to for direction. Sure enough, Sanna was staring back thoughtfully. "I'll give you one thing. You have changed a lot since the last time I fought you. Back then, more than just having us outnumbered, you didn't have any discernable weaknesses."

He didn't like the way Sanna's eyes lingered on Sakura. Nodding his chin over at the two fighting women, he smirked lazily. "I've noticed you're pretty fond of your traveling companion. I don't remember her from the massacre, so I have to assume she wasn't involved."

Gritting his teeth, Tobirama glared, his blood rushing venomously. "This blood feud you're intent on ending with me doesn't concern her."

"It could, though," Koya licked his lips, gleaming eyes hooded. "You took what we loved and ripped it apart in front of us. It's only fair we help Kanayago return the favor. One godslayer can't beat three and a goddess, with or without you."

Kamin threw his spear without a word, and another rift opened that the brothers utilized in an instant. Tobirama attempted to follow, stumbling into the mud as it closed the second they were safely through.

He raised his head in time to see the three pop up through another portal on the other end of the field, right beneath the raging battle of goddess and godslayer.


The longer their fight raged on, the more Sakura could see Kanayago getting worked up. "Mizuchi's power shouldn't be a match for me!" she asserted. "You will fall by my hands today, godslayer, and your little pink head will be my prize!"

The goddess blasted flames strong enough to vaporize from her gauntlets. Sakura was confident that they were of little consequence to her as long as she was given the resistance of the Dragon State, but she quickly retaliated by spewing green fire of her own. Kanayago reached a hand into her suit—the center acting much like a storage scroll—and brought out a flail.

Swinging it around broadly, the cackling goddess fended off the worst of the attack, tossing the weapon last minutely as a distraction.

Seeing through the cheap trick, Sakura knocked it away with Hanabusa, wrapping her tail around one of Kanayago's arms and jerking her close to deliver a chakra-laded kick to her ribs.

Despite all her bluster, there was no doubt it had hurt, the armor denting around the site of impact as a deep groan echoed from under the goddess's helmet. A snarl of satisfaction curled Sakura's lips, the primordial nature of the beast that awakened in the Dragon State well fed by the small act of vengeance.

"Hey!" someone yelled from down below. "You're not doing so well, so let us lend a hand!" Blinking, the pinkette was able to make out the three figures that had been engaging Tobirama and the mujina.

Concern stabbed through her chest, sharp eyes scanning the battlefield until she found a muddied shinobi staggering back onto his feet.

A scattering of mujina (back in their original forms) were approaching him, presumably to assist, and an imperceptible hiccup of relief left her throat. She'd lost sight of Ubagabi and Tsubute, but she was sure they were somewhere close, waiting for their time.

Kanyago twisted away from her in that moment of distraction. "Don't!" she screamed, "I need no interference to handle a single godslayer. I am a true goddess with access to every weapon imaginable!"

"I wouldn't announce that so confidently when you're still clearly being bested!" A second voice mocked. "We want to go toe to toe with the pretty godslayer too. You're not the only one with a stake in all this."

Sakura prepared herself, sensing the flow of what she now knew to be musubi ready to erupt. Sanna transformed first, his body contorting and then growing larger and larger, metal morphing him into something otherworldly not unlike a creature that could be found in The Under.

Flesh had become impenetrable—and no doubt enchanted—rock hard skin. The beast that had been Sanna shook itself with a mighty roar, revealing three rows of gleaming teeth roped in hot saliva. He stamped his new, thickly muscled legs, reptilian feet tearing apart the soft earth and the thick, lashing tail behind him sending tremors along the ground as he smacked it around.

The gleaming row of spiked protrusions running up and down his spine were so impossibly sharp, Sakura could imagine them tearing through the skin of a Biju. His appearance was overall that of a huge, gray, eyeless lizard.

Of course, that hypothetical reptile had undergone a unique metamorphosis to adapt to a hostile environment, and gotten some DNA from The Under's Pale Neck injected into it by an experiment gone wrong. 'This must be Sanna's Battle Avatar state.' she surmised. Powered as she now was, dealing with the Uchiha's new potential for mass destruction could prove a challenge.

His brothers shared a nod, each of them also growing and morphing into monstrous creatures. The first, the one tall and quiet with a guarded aura who wielded the spear, turned into something with a craggy hide resembling a boulder-like monkey, a long section of rock curling up behind him in a tail, meaty fists pummeling the ground as he jumped around.

The last, the twin with the flirtatious air about him, became something of a combination of unholy animals. His long neck and bird head stared around through beady eyes, the front paws under his scaly, winged torso resembling the legs of a jungle cat. The back feet were hooved, feathers sprouting out of his backside in the elegant plumage of a peacock.

Kanayago hovered silently, assessing each of them as a dark mist came to settle beside her, the big, vindictive eyes peering out of it familiar. "Sakura!" Erika hissed. "Did you think you'd escape me that easily?!" The malevolence poured from the shinigami and poisoned the air, making it hard to breathe.

"Mizuchi hasn't prepared you enough for this." Kanayago taunted. "It's written all over your face." Blocking out the spiteful words, Sakura instead focused on channeling the power that had allowed her to go beyond her limits in the Under. The feeling that had changed her in a form fearsome enough to match the Uchiha's.

Murmurs of surprise came from her enemies, letting her know she had succeeded. "Outnumbered or not, I'm not down and out yet!" Trilling, Koya flapped his wings, taking to the air and coming at her with massive paws extended.

The chain of Chuya's nunchucks wrapping around his neck caught everyone, including the Uchiha, off guard. He squawked weakly, crashing to the ground as the otter pulled at the chain with all her strength. As the patchwork beast struggled and snapped, Hatsuko joined her otter counterpart, using doton jutsu to erect hardened mud restraints while she pummeled him with her heavy tail.

Kamin attempted to help his brother, throwing a rocky fist the beaver's way. Enmei protected her with a growl, holding his club in front of them as a shield. Hisoki snatched Kamin by the tail and dragged him back, distracting him with a blow to the face when he looked back.

"Sakura!" The head otter's voice boomed across the battlefield. "Leave them to us!"

If the odds were more in their favor, Sakura would have protested. Before the start of the battle, the plan had been for the otters and beavers to focus on altering the terrain with their jutsu, keep it unpredictable to throw off their adversaries. Then, they would fall back, hopefully reducing the chances of mass casualties.

As much help as they were in a normal fight, mortal animals were no match for the might of godslayers and goddesses in a head to head matchup. They didn't have the preternatural durability the mujina did, and she and Tobirama both agreed there was no need to see the animals slaughtered.

Their talking, semiaquatic allies understood and appreciated the consideration taken. But, with the way things were going, the kunoichi wasn't about to turn down the much needed help.

"That still leaves you all alone to deal with—" Erika's prideful boast was quieted by the catastrophic blast of wind that sent her crashing into Kanayago, both of them momentarily losing their ability to float.

Sanna lowered his broad head and charged, the earth bouncing as he galloped. A second even stronger concussion of controlled wind toppled him off his feet, lighting striking solidly to the godslayer's metal scaled chest as he tried to rise. Although it didn't damage him, the current working its way from his snout to the tip of his tail did seem to slow him down.

Tobirama arrived on the shoulder of Sakura's Avatar in a flicker of blue, sword extended, and expression undaunted by the trial in front of them. "We need to capture the shinigami." he explained calmly. "She's responsible for resurrecting the Uchiha, and there are some things I want clarified."

"She's slippery, and she's not going to make it easy on us. I hope you're ready!" Sakura replied, half wondering how he appeared unharmed by the flames that comprised the body of the Avatar.

"Oh good," Kanayago cupped her hands in front of the furnace in her armor, the heat glowing so bright if not for her Avatar, Sakura would have been forced to look away. "A new one to incenerate." Molten heat blasted at them as Sanna opened his maw, releasing a spiral of spikes.

Her Avatar's tail protected them from harm as Erika's misted form descended, Tobirama's sword stabbing through her hand just as she partially solidified. Wither activated, and the shinigami only smirked as her limb began to crumble. "I could do that too." she declared. "Would you like a demonstration?"

Sakura grabbed for Erika, careful to avoid smacking Tobirama as her Avatar's fiery green fist closed around the reaper. The Senju was already raising down the length of the dragon's arm, ready to close in before their foe could get her bearings.

Sanna's paw hammering down on her Avatar's head rattled her enough to lose focus, and the minute her giant fist was loosened, the shinigami darted free. "Nice try, but there's just too much going on, isn't there?" Kanayago feigned concern.

She held a naginata in one gauntlet and a yari in the other, flying at them with the help of her flames and twirling twice before releasing her weapons.

Tobirama threw one of his swords, and its wither ability disintegrated the yari before it could find its mark. Erika resurfacing yet again, managing to touch his wrist, caused him to drop his second one. His knees buckled underneath his, the shinigami watching smugly as her own decaying touch took effect.

"You're going to lose that arm, I'm afraid." she explained smugly as the skin started to gray. "But you won't be alive long enough to miss it."

Sakura roared angrily, Kanyago sending another blast to her Avatar's face as Sanna headbutted her from behind. The world began to shift as she tripped, losing sight of both Erika and Tobirama.

The hard press of a leg crushing into her Avatar's midsection brought her focus back on Sanna. Still transformed into a giant, murderous reptile, he dripped thick ropes of saliva that evaporated as soon as they touched her flame coating. Undeterred, the Uchiha opened his jaws wide, forked tongue flickering as he prepared for a kill bite. Sakura wrestled for control, using her giant dragon paws to keep his mouth open while slamming his head into the ground.

Determined not to be dislodged, Sanna ignored the undoubtedly painful heat he was coming in contact with, continuing to fight for a grip with his claws. Growing frustrated, Sakura kicked him so hard he flew back, landing hard in a heap. Not wanting to give him the chance to recuperate, the pinkette was already prepared to deliver a truly incapacitating blow.

She got as close as getting a solid grip on his tail and spinning him around while he flailed and hissed. The minute she was ready to let go, an awful, splitting ring made Sakura let go too early.

Sanna still went flying, but not nearly as far as she had intended to send him. Disoriented, she had only to look up, finding the unsurprising sight of Kanayago slamming her fist into a dotaku bell. The attack hadn't just thrown her off, though. Sanna was stumbling dizzily around on wobbly legs, hissing and groaning. In fact, everyone on the battlefield was effected by the noise but Kanayago herself.

'Tobirama...' Fighting through the piercing headache, Sakura used her enhanced vision to scan for any signs of him. He was tough, easily one of the strongest shinobi in Konoha's history, which had rightfully earned him the position of Nidaime. Or would, in time. But Erika was malevolence personified. Evil, crafty and full of endless trickery.

The pinkette's sharp vision caught said shinigami, now back in her human child form, hovering over someone with white hair. Forcing her painful body to transform again, Sakura blasted back into the air, intent on flying her way over as fast as possible.

A swift chop to the back of her neck sent her falling back to earth.

"Where are you going?! Your life is mine!" the goddess boasted, tossing the large bell aside. Lifting her face toward the blackening sky, she spread her arms wide, the impressive suit of armor folding away. The pain of the bell had been so great, Sakura had shed her Avatar form in favor of protecting her bleeding ears. Sanna lay panting heavily on his side, and she couldn't puzzle out why Kanayago would use an attack that weakened her own godslayer. "This is my final gambit!"

She bounced the compact metal cube around from palm to palm like a mega-sized die. "There likely won't be very much left of you, but I'll have Erika resurrect you later and then carve into you." The metal in her hands steadily grew brighter with heat, concerningly orange as Kanayago held it high for all to see. "Goodbye." As if it were nothing more than a roll of the dice in a gambling parlor, she tossed the cube, and it tumbled to the ground.

Understanding washed over Sakura coiled in cold terror, the maddening cackle of Kanayago the last sound she heard before the ground lit up in a supernova.


Tobirama knew he was dying. One vile touch from the shinigami was all it took to lay him low. His arm was already gone, all the way up past his elbow, and if the shock and blood loss didn't kill him, the 'child' dancing on his chest just might. "You wanted to know why the Uchiha are alive again?" Erika asked, momentarily relieving pressure from his ribcage. "I brought them back to torment their brothers. The ones that helped Sakura humiliate me before."

She giggled so sweetly, and nothing but disgust and contempt filled his head. "Impressed?"

Using some of his remaining strength, Tobirama lifted his head to spit blood into her eye. She backhanded him without a second thought. "That's not nice."

"Says the sadistic bitch." he retorted. If the shinigami expected him to die groveling instead of cursing her name, she was sorely mistaken. "I didn't know Sanna had such a past with you." Kneeling, she cupped Tobirama's face in her hands and squeezed. "But, I'm so glad he does. When I realized, I took him down to the Well of Desire and convinced him that in order to understand his true purpose, he needed to look through his memories."

Tobirama bared his teeth, the strong taste of blood on his tongue. "Those memories...y-you fabricated them."

"Fabricated? No, no." Erika waved her little hand. "Give yourself more credit! There are countless realities and countless versions of you. You humans aren't nearly as unique as you believe." she sniffed, thumbing her nose at him. "It didn't take much digging to locate a version of the timeline where the Uchiha clan is eradicated by a black-hearted warlord named Tobirama Senju."

The loss of blood and the severity of his wounds made her words hard to comprehend. The soul-splitting ring of a bell could have also been making it hard for him to focus. "That signal...what's she thinking?!" Erika suddenly jolted away from him, getting back on her feet. "Is she going to blow away everything I worked for?"

The ground felt hot, sweat plastering his bruised skin to the dirt. The Senju wasn't capable of much movement, but he could see the way everyone froze in sync. The explosion fanning over everything too rapidly to comprehend. The next stretch of time would forever be lost to him, a mystery.

By all accounts, he should have been blasted away on a molecular level, but instead...

If anyone were to make Tobirama count just how many times in recent memory Sakura Haruno had reminded him of a goddess descending from her heavenly perch, he would never have been able to say.

The ends of her hair shone in the dark, actually aflame and golden orange, melding harmoniously with the natural pink on the rest of her head. She leaned on Hanabusa, the axe's lustrous shine visible from a distance, the handle gripped by scaled hands.

The muscular tail sat curled around her feet on the ground, eyes completely overtaken by the yellow glow spilling from them. She breathed, and his heart beat in time, endless streams of butterflies fluttering by. Sakura blew them out as if it were nothing, each one a miraculous, luminous white. Erika gasped loudly, a wheeze of pure terror Tobirama took total glee in.

"What's that? What's that?!" the shinigami quaked, tripping over her feet and scooting back along the ground. One of the butterflies landed in the middle of Tobirama's chest, and the elusive bliss of serenity washed over him. Breathing became easier, the pain of his missing limb rapidly diminishing in seconds. Finding new strength, he rolled to his stomach, leaning up on both arms. Erika got up, trying to run as Kogarasumaru flew past his head, a meaty squelch and hard cough preceding a thud.

Nuke-maru floated blissfully into his grip, its twin content to remained impaled through the abdonmen of a defeated shinigami. Tobirama held it at the tip of her nose, and she gulped pitifully. "Where's all your big talk now?"


Sanna came to shrouded in a cradle of light. Despite tasting dirt on his lips, and knowing he and his brothers had engaged in the battle of their lives, he couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so at peace. Something that normally would not bode well in his situation. His Avatar was unlocked through the blinding rage and sorrow he and his brothers channeled all their powers from. As long as he was in such a state of total relaxation, Sanna knew he wasn't going to be able to defeat Tobirama or that pink-haired godslayer.

'Wait... that godslayer!' She floated high above them all, her silhouette more eye-catching than the bloated moon hanging behind her. It only served to enhance her radiance, but she stood unparalleled as nature's centerpiece.

Her hair burned from the ends, as if she had become one with her inner flames. The expressive green eyes the Uchiha knew from their very first fight were now unmatched gold, divine battle axe raised high above her head. White butterflies circled her from head to tail, scattering when she nodded. 'Is she...doing this? She's in my head right now?'

Kamin! Koya! They had to be alright. Sanna's head whipped in all directions, more concerned for his only remaining family than the godslayer's pretty tricks.

Although, he didn't have to look far. Both the twins were on their knees, dopey expressions of awe overtaking their faces in much the same state he had been. The otters, the beavers, even the abominations from The Under all watched and genuflected before the rise of this godslayer who had transcended her mortality in the moment.

Kanayago was on her feet and panted roughly, face twisting into an ugly, wavering snarl. She was the goddess who had granted him power, and yet Sanna felt no particularly strong attachment. She used him and his brothers as tools to achieve her end, much like they only relied on her out of necessity. Any alliance beyond that ended there.

When the ground shook, thundering with the force of multiple paws, and a pack of wild, black dogs went headed straight for the goddess of iron, Sanna knew he should have felt at least a sliver of concern, pity, something. All he could do was watch blankly as Kanayago screamed for her life, seemingly forgetting she was a goddess and running around like a cornered pheasant, trapped by hunting hounds. The biggest of the dogs howled, its tail wagging and a spiteful gleam on its face.

"Foul, putrid beasts!" screeched the goddess. "Back away!" A lunging canine snapped her sword with its abnormal teeth, which should have been the first indication that they were no ordinary dogs. The second, really, if Sanna wanted to take into consideration how suddenly they appeared.

"What was that about us being abominations?" One asked, biting into her arm and swinging his head savagely. The pop was sickening, and through the flying blood and screams, the "dog" didn't stop. The rest of the pack came together, snapping and lunging, pulling at her hair, her arms, her legs, biting into her torso. No one attempted to intervene, whether from fear or morbid fascination.

Kanayago was mauled as the battlefield calmed, her screams lessening until she remained silent. A twitching, bloody lump of flesh and resentment. "Ah, I can't really say it's a loss to the rose garden." Kamin and Koya materialized at his side, Koya having been the one to speak. "She was one woman I found to be mostly thorns."

"Should we still help, though?" Kamin asked. "We'll need to be godslayers to get our revenge."

It was just then that the female godslayer alighted, her hair no longer burning. Heaving a tired sigh, she leaned on her axe for support. "She's drained." Koya remarked.

"Clearly." Kamin droned.

"Then why aren't we making a move to take her down?"

"I don't know. Ask Sanna."

Sanna barely spared his brother's a second glance, his eyes meeting with those of the godslayer limping their way. "You two didn't feel what I did?"

"Oh...that calmness." At least Kamin still had a brain to think with.

"That was her. She also protected us, her enemies." Sanna had come to the conclusion shortly after seeing how she levitated. At her full potential, they were no match for her. If she turned her might on them now, with their connection to the goddess of iron dwindling, the Uchiha knew who would prevail. But she should have finished them off while she could. "Kanayago's final attack likely would have destroyed everyone, us included." His brothers gaped in disbelief. "I have a feeling she absorbed it and blanketed everyone in a cloak of protection. I want to know why."

Exhausted, the pinkette began to fall just as Tobirama made it to her side, a swarm of mujina blocking the path.

"She also released all those mujina I captured in my spear." Kamin held Hanpa up to examine.

"Intriguing." Koya grinned, all swagger and charm again. "Any particular reason you lent us a hand, sweetheart? We weren't exactly pulling any punches with you."

"I don't want you three to die." she replied. "It's that simple." Contrary to her words, she pushed away from Tobirama's chest and lifted her axe. Sanna summoned Oboro, but she ran right past them all. "First Blossoming!" Hanabusa glinted as it drove through Kanayago. White flowers rose from the blood, turning crimson as the petals fell away. Each of them could feel the connection sever. This time, the goddess of iron was truly dead. "There was no reason to spare her." This time she spoke vehemently.

Koya hummed, wiggling his eyebrows. "I like your style~" Kamin slammed a hand over his mouth before he could say more.

"I...I did it. I killed my first deity." Falling to her knees, she placed her weapon down. "I think that was all the energy I had left."

The mujina that had ripped into Kanayago still kept the trio at bay as the Senju placed her arm around his shoulder, helping her stand.

"We're not godslayers anymore. And he's still alive..." Kamin murmured.

Instead of taking up a battle stance, the Senju stared them down. "You may not believe me, but you were deceived. Your memories were tampered with by the shinigami, and your clan is very much alive."

"It's true," The kunoichi's head was practically resting on his shoulder, her voice soft with weariness. "Madara and Izuna are fine."

"What?" The Uchiha responded simultaneously.

"We saw them killed with our own eyes." Sanna shook his head. "At the hands of the Senju clan."

"You calling Sakura a liar?!" hissed one of the many mujina guarding her.

Sanna was growing annoyed by the nonsensical back and forth. Someone was lying. He felt more comfortable trusting his own memories than the words or his enemies. When the earth began to split apart, hellish red light coming up through the giant fissure, he wasn't sure how much more he could take.

"What is it now?" he asked himself.

The voice that answered was impossibly deep, ancient and reverent. "Perhaps I would be able to shed some light on the matter."

Out of the ground rose an imposing figure with four arms and blue skin. Sanna had never seen him, but there was no doubt this was a god, not a man. He was built like a mountain, shirtless, with tusks poking past his lips and hellfire eyes.

"Lord Yama!" Erika, long forgotten, cried out. Extending one large hand, they watched the shinigami dissolve into mist, rematerializing in this Lord Yama's firm grip as her child self.

"Hello, Sakura." he greeted. "I take it time has passed on the earthly plane since we last met." In sharp contrast to Kanayago's corrosive attitude, he exhibited exemplary politeness, which made him all the more disconcerting. "For anyone in the vicinity who may not know, I'm ruler of the underworld, and God of Death."

"Yama?" Sanna tried out the name.

"Lord Yama!" Erika protested.

"Enough." The blue god dropped her to the ground, and she instantly fell to her knees, face kissing the dirt. "Tell me, Erika, what exactly is the meaning of this? These three were souls in the underworld, and now I find them alive and under the employ of Kanayago..." Their eyes all fell to the scrap of meat that had once been the blustering goddess. Some of the mujina had muzzles painted in fresh blood which they licked away quickly. "...who I see has met an untimely demise."

"I...I can explain my lord. I know what I did was..."

"A gross showing of insubordination. You went behind my back." He spat. "You abused your power as a shinigami and bartered souls as if they were yours to trade for personal gain. What did you think I would say when I found out about your deception?"

Erika shook, muffled sobs trembling through her. "I'm sorry! I only wanted to please you. I thought...I thought if..."

"No." Yama waved two of his arms, and a glimmering golden staff appeared. "You didn't think of me, but of yourself. It gives me no pleasure in what I'm about to do."

Sanna motioned for his brothers to step back. Erika begged, tears streaming down her face as the orb on the end of the ornamental staff touched her. A flake of skin chipped from her cheek like peeling paints. The cracks worsened, the bawling echoing in all their ears the entire time as the being that had been Erika fell away to a pile of dust. "I'm sorry." Yama's shoulders sagged, as if he had smote his own child. "I simply can't tolerate this sort of betrayal." Lowering himself to a knee, he scooped up the dusty remains, cupping them in two hands.

A small wispy ball of black and purple was the result.

"Is that...Erika?" asked the stunned pink-haired woman.

"The key components I used to create her, yes. Shinigami are my harbingers of death. They have no true souls to speak of. I deconstructed everything that made up this particular shinigami, and I'll hold onto it for safe keeping. Touching the wisping ball to his staff, the 'soul' of Erika was sucked in, gone in an instant. "Now. As for you three boys. I apologize for the disruption to the peace of your afterlives my shinigami brought by resurrecting you. If you join me, I'll be sure you can rest eternally once more."

"They're going with you?" Tobirama whispered.

"Wait, wait." Koya, ever the mouthy one, laughed as he carded a hand through his hair. "I'm not sure I follow. We were resurrected? All of us, including Sanna?"

"Yes." Yama nodded. "Sakura and her companion, Tobirama-san, were telling you the truth. It seems Erika and Kanayago selectively exposed you to memories from the Well of Desire. You all died young in this reality. Madara and Izuna lived on. But time is a complex matter. There are many intersecting branches of fate." Stroking at his nicely trimmed facial hair, Yama began gesticulating. "In other timelines, you survive your older brothers. I imagine the memories you hold are...unpleasant and a driving source of pain. When we return to the underworld, you'll all revert back to the blissful ignorance I grant innocent souls who reside in my realm."

"You...what you're saying...if it's true, we spent our second chance pointlessly seeking revenge for brothers that think we're dead." Sanna had never felt so small, foolish and sick to his stomach. Not any time recently. He hated that even his revenge had been manipulated, and the pitying expressions worn by Tobirama and the girl, Sakura.

"Yama, please," Sakura turned to him with such a look of hope in her eyes. "What if you at least let them say goodbye to their brothers properly before you took them back with you?"

The God of Death crossed all four of his arms and closed his eyes. "Hm..."

"Nii-san and aniki are...alive." Poor Kamin was completely shell-shocked, and not even Koya had a smart retort. "They've always been alive."

"You should know...I'm still to blame for taking you from them, Sanna. In this reality, I killed you when we were children." Tobirama confessed.

Compared to the overwhelming surge of woe and rage that had driven him, he couldn't muster half as much wrath toward the Senju on his own behalf. "And did you slay my brothers too?"

"N-No..."

"Then, this no longer interests me. Chasing and punishing you was only ever done with my fallen clan in mind. The same could be said for wanting to capture and use you to hurt him." he explained to Sakura. "But, just knowing you're not the Tobirama that I'm after doesn't mean I trust you, or want anything to do with an alliance."

"Very well," Yama extended a hand. "I can grant Sakura's request, and allow you a day to see your brothers and bid them farewell. Then, we can set this all to rights."

"I didn't say I wanted any part of your plans, either." Sanna knew what he wanted, and it wasn't to waste away in the underworld in melancholy.

Yama dropped his hand. "Then...what?"

"Make me your godslayer." He pointed a thumb at his quiet brothers. "Make all three of us your godslayer."

"Pardon, but I don't believe you understand your position. You have no room to demand anything from me." The blue god had been congenial, but Sanna could tell his patience was wearing thin.

"You just lost one of your shinigami, and we've just lost the goddess we were bound to. It seems pretty reasonable to me."

"I haven't needed a godslayer, ever, why would I now?"

"We're not blind. There's a war coming. That's why we were drafted in the first place." For this, Yama had no denial. "We're willing to retrain under you. Kanayago's instructions weren't the best anyway. And inevitably, you'd be keeping us close in the underworld as your soldiers."

"Hmph,"

"That's not a definite no then." Kamin mentioned.

"I have no need for three godslayers." Yama grumbled. "Even two is a bit unorthodox in most cases."

"We're not going to be separated again." Sanna couldn't let his little brothers go. They needed each other.

"Return to the underworld with me, and we'll discuss this further." The god commanded.

"Fine."

Yama tapped his staff to the ground twice, and the portal he had come through reopened. "Mind your step. There's quite a plummet. And Sakura, Kanayago was still an agent of the Heavens. Do not be surprised if some seek retribution for her death, no matter how justifiable."

"Wait!" Sakura reached for them, shaking her head. "What about your clan?"

He and the twins shared a look, almost having walked through Yama's portal. "I don't think any of us are ready to face our brothers, or the clan. We barely know ourselves."

Koya nodded. "One day we'll be back. Tell our big brothers to look forward to it."

The pinkette looked so troubled on their behalf, and he just couldn't imagine why. Just how much did she care for Madara and Izuna? "I..." Suddenly, her eyes rolled back in her head, body going limp. The last glimpse of her he caught before following Yama and his brothers, was Tobirama lifting her into his arms.


The flame of the candle swayed gently, offering its silent warmth in the nearly still room. Steadying the parchment, Tobirama focused on penning a very to-the-point message to precede their return to Konoha. He was aware that he might've caused Hashirama some concern.

While he wasn't known for frequent correspondence when away on missions, he would have checked in at least once more than he had. Pausing, he heard the steady breaths occupying the space hitch, and his quill was placed down.

But if he was hoping to see any sign of a true awakening from Sakura, it wouldn't be just yet. Following the dramatic conclusion of their confrontation with the Uchiha and deities, she had remained almost comatose.

Casting light from her body in the form of dainty miracles, she collapsed into his arms immediately after. The cryptic goddess Mizuchi had made a cheeky remark about leaving the vulnerable woman in his care, and then vanished.

Three days on, the Senju found himself keeping watch, the way he once did for his younger brothers when they feel ill. Of course, now was different in many ways. He patted Sakura's face and neck down with a cool cloth whenever her temperature felt elevated. And the meals brought by the nosy but well-meaning innkeeper he fed her himself, bite by bite.

When it came time for Sakura to be changed and relieve herself, he would go and fetch the chatty Etsudo for the tasks. Technically, the pinkette was awake for those moments, but nowhere close to lucid, and she slipped back into unconsciousness too quickly to converse with.

Tobirama finished his missive and began to read it over to confirm clarity. It was about the time of day when they would come by with a meal…Feeling the same chakra signatures he always did on the other side of the door, he sighed. "Come in," he beckoned before either could knock.

The door slid open without preamble, a humming Etsudo bustling her way in with a tray, while her reserved son marched in dutifully afterwards. The boy wasn't one for unnecessary words, in sharp contrast to his mother and much like the shinobi himself. Today he carried Sakura's naughty cat under its armpits and deposited on the floor.

"Your little friend is such a charming character," his mother chuckled, already kneeling next to Sakura and arranging the tray. Tobirama got up from his writing station, eying Usamaro, who slunk off to innocently lick his paw in a corner.

"But he can't come and do what he pleases in the dining hall." The sullen teenager tacked on. "He's stealing food right off people's plates and aggravating guests."

To that, the feline chirped as if to declare his innocence, then smacked his lips pointedly.

"It's alright," Etsudo reached back and patted her son on the hand. "I'll have it handled."

"I'll see to it that he stays put." Tobirama huffed. "He shouldn't be sneaking off in case his owner wakes up anyway."

The crafty cat at least had the decency to look abashed, coming closer to them with a pitiful little mewl. Ignoring him for the moment, Tobirama slipped Etsudo her tip, as always. And, as always, she flushed and tried to insist she hadn't earned any extra compensation for running the inn the way she should be. He, on the other hand, had to disagree.

She tended to her inn and its guests with a disposition full of sunshine, it was true. But the last three days they had burdened her; having her bathe, change and help Sakura to relieve herself went above and beyond what duties she would normally perform for a guest.

It only took one solemn, silent stare to silence her half-hearted complaining. She stuffed the golden coins in her apron with a wane smile, bowing. Tobirama shook Sakura carefully by the shoulder.

The bruises and cuts had healed after a day and a half, but with a battle of that magnitude, there was no being too careful. He ran a check with his chakra twice daily, always when she was sound asleep and they were alone. Nothing concerning, as far as he could tell.

If anything, her condition was similar to symptoms of severe chakra depletion. Except what she'd almost managed to extinguish was the musubi coursing through her body, something that, according to Mizuchi could prove fatal in some cases. Remembering Sakura's screams, and her limp, sickly pale body at the forge didn't make him keen to relive anything like that scenario again any time soon.

Would she forever keep throwing herself into endless danger for what she saw as the good of the many? Tobirama had the sneaking suspicion he knew the answer to that, and it was vexing him. He never truly thought the day would come when he'd find someone as hell-bent on self-sacrifice as Hashirama, and yet…

A short groan pulled him out of his thoughts. The white-haired ninja hadn't realized he had continued to steadily shake at Sakura's shoulder. Clearly groggy, her jade eyes fluttered open, a small gasp whispering past her lips.

"Oh, welcome back," Estudo smiled kindly. "It's time to eat again." She always took the time to talk gently to Sakura, whether she was staying to help her bathe or dropping off their meal. The innkeeper never minded she didn't receive much answer.

Today, however, the pinkette turned her head to the side, one arm sliding out of her futon. "I'm…" Initially, her voice was low, cracked from lack of use and hard to hear. "I'm not on the battlefield anymore?"

Tobirama leaned forward on his knees from her other side. Could she finally be fully coming to? "No. The battle's over. Three days behind us."

"T-Tobi…rama?" she rolled onto her back, eyes to the ceiling and a hand coming up to massage her forehead. They waited silently around her, Usamaro happy to settle into her side and begin purring. "Wait," Sensing she would need it, the shinobi poured water from the fresh pitcher into a cup.

One hand slid behind her head, leveraging into a more comfortable position to drink. Whatever hesitation to touch her casually following their foray through The Under was erased in the last several days. Nursing someone back to health was next to impossible without physically helping them. Sakura didn't give any indication that she minded him helping her now, either. Her usual independence placed to the side in her vulnerable state.

She sucked the liquid down greedily, finishing it off in big gulps. Panting slightly, Sakura wiped at her lips with the back of her hand, weary eyes quizzically taking in his face and the scene around them. "This is your room at the inn."

Tobirama nodded, removing his hand from her hair.

The minute it registered, Sakura was shifting to try and sit higher in the futon. "I've been here…this whole time? Wait, you said the battle was three days ago?!"

"When he dragged you in, you were barely more than a corpse, if it helps." Eito told her. Etsudo elbowed him hard in the ribs, and the boy fell silent.

"Oh, darling, we're glad to see you've regained some of your strength." The older woman comforted, patting Sakura's back. "Tobirama-kun's looked after you so well while you rested."

The ninja side-eyed the pushy woman's sweet face. It was often hard to tell exactly what she meant when she said things like that. She had played an equally important role in looking after Sakura, but insisted on pretending he had done it all alone.

Sakura's glazed eyes grew wide. Sparing her outfit a glance, her cheeks warmed considerably fast. "T-These aren't the clothes I was wearing when—"

Frustrated, Tobirama ran a hand down his face. "I didn't change or bathe you."

"Yes, he's been very respectful of your modesty. I've been handling those things." Etsudo volunteered with a wink.

"We should go." Eito tugged on her sleeve, motioning at the door. "We have other guests."

"We wouldn't to trouble our Goddess of the Valley." The woman squeaked, clapping her hands. The pair bowed at the pinkette, who watched them go in bemusement.

"What did she mean by that?" Sakura stammered. "Goddess of the Valley?"

Tobirama sighed, shifting the food onto her lap and handing her a pair of chopsticks. "That deserves an explanation, but first, eat this."

Sakura relaxed, breaking off a small piece of buttered bread and looking up at him imploringly. "You look fine, but what about the mujina?"

"Somewhere sniffing out mischief if I had to guess." He crossed his arms. "But perfectly fine. You managed to reverse the power of Kamin's staff and set the ones who were absorbed free."

Sakura squinted thoughtfully. "Okay, then the otters and beavers?"

"Licking their wounds in safety. They send their thanks for restoring their numbers with your miracle inducement."

Fiddling with the edge of the blanket, she gave a soft murmur. "Erika?"

"Dead."

"Kanayago?"

Deciding to go with the simplest answer for the time being, he shrugged. "Dead."

Sakura allowed herself a slight smile, sipping at the miso in front of her. "I honestly wasn't sure if I really finished her off. She's a goddess so resurrection isn't impossible…" Jolting suddenly, the cat jumped up with a hiss and Tobirama had to steady the tray to keep the food from flipping over.

"What about Sanna!" she asked, before he could scold her. "A-And the twins?" So some of what happened really did slip away from her. Unsurprising, given what she put herself through.

"Gone," he murmured.

"Gone?" she repeated, one hand fisting tightly into the blanket. "Gone where?"

The Senju recalled Sanna's words perfectly. He would return, eventually…but it was too soon to say if it would be as friend or foe. "His contractual obligation to the goddess of iron ended with her death. Given the manipulations of the shinigami, he chose to become a godslayer in service of the God of Death until he found the answers he wanted. His brothers followed him."

Sakura nodded slowly, but her eyes told him she wasn't as relieved as he was expecting. "So they're alright, but they're not coming home."

"Does that truly surprise you?" he asked without inflection. "The home they all knew was the Uchiha settlement, not Konoha. They've lived two lifetimes, both painful. Accepting this as their new reality may not happen anytime soon."

Sakura pushed aside her barely touched meal, brows creased. Usamaro trotted forward to inspect the abandoned food, but neither of them paid him any mind. "I know. I just wanted things to be different. At least for Izuna and Madara."

Madara and Izuna. Thinking about the aforementioned Uchiha brothers wasn't something he'd done a great deal of, even as of late. After confirming it truly was Sanna, alive and bent on vengeance, all Tobirama had been able to focus on was the 'why' aspect.

Sakura's hope was of course to reach the wayward trio and guide them back to the light, and their older brothers. It was valiant and altruistic, but not so simple in their complex scenario.

"Maybe in time." He gave her shoulder a single pat in an attempt at comfort. "Regardless, when they feel ready to inform us about their decision, I doubt we'll have trouble finding them again."


He woke up hungry and cotton-mouthed, but as far as he could tell, in one piece. Time was a hard thing to grasp with the room so dark. The fading light of a flickering candle drew Madara's attention to the sprawled body asleep on the hard floor, a closed book clasped in loose fingers.

Of course, his ever dutiful younger brother would keep vigil over him, for who knew how long. Trying not to rouse him, the elder Uchiha shirked off the weight of the futon, bones popping at the sudden movement.

Standing up on his toes, Madara yawned wordlessly, stretching out the rest of the stiffness from his body. Yes, it was nice to have finally returned from…whatever transient place his mind had gone to in slumber. Tapping one bare foot down on the solid floor, he nodded in satisfaction.

He was fairly certain it was all real.

Though his movements were light, Izuna still stirred, rolling over slowly as he began to wake up. "Hm…I fell asleep so quickly…" he muttered to himself, rubbing his eyes with his shirt sleeve.

"I'm sure it was a well-earned rest."

Izuna sat upright immediately, the shadows playing across his face by the dying candlelight accentuating the bags beneath his eyes. Pieces of his hair stuck up at odd angles. "Madara!" he cried, getting to his own feet. "You're awake."

"Yes," he stretched one hand out and flexed his numb fingers. "At last. How long?"

His little brother hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "Six days today."

"I see."

Blinking as if waiting for him to elaborate, Izuna cleared his throat when no further explanation came. "You…you're coping pretty well. I thought you'd be upset."

Placing his hands at his hips, he smirked, walking to the room's only window. It appeared to be the middle of the night, or the earliest hours of the morning, given the darkness outside. "There's no need for anything like that. My mind is whole again."

"I knew something wasn't right!" Izuna's tone was partially triumphant and partially accusatory. "Care to share how you managed that?"

Turning away from the window, he raised a brow, arms folded in front of him. "Do you not simply believe my memories returned on their own?"

Unamused, Izuna glared. "Given the suspicious timeline of you making off into the woods with an offering, then collapsing, now waking up days later and claiming you recall everything? No, I'm sorry to say I have doubts."

Growing bored with the view (or lack thereof), the Uchiha head spun on his heel, joining his brother on the floor where they sat and watched the candle for a second. "You turned out so sharp, given that I nearly dropped you on your head as an infant."

Dark eyes flickered up to meet his own, handsome features souring. Their mother had told them the story a time or two over the years. Madara was wholly unimpressed with baby Izuna for another month before gradually warming up to him. However, he wasn't allowed to try holding his brother again until the baby was older, sturdier and almost walking.

Izuna huffed, scowl softening. "Your memories really are back."

"I thought we just went over that."

Ignoring his flippant attitude, his brother shook his head. "As glad as I am that you've returned to your old self, I have to point out that your methods were incredibly reckless and stupid,"

Madara didn't bother fighting the lopsided grin, positive he looked like a madman. "It worked, Izuna."

"At what cost?" The younger Uchiha fired back. The stubborn frown of his plush lips promised that this about to be a lengthy conversation. "We've been dealing with these higher beings, these deities for months now. If there should be one take away from that, it's that there's always an end goal." Clearly getting further worked up, his little brother leaned over and jabbed his index finger into Madara's sternum. "What did they make you promise for those memories back? Your undying soul or the blood of your firstborn son?"

Brushing the offensive finger away, Madara leaned back on his heels and scoffed. "You raise a valid point about the untrustworthiness of the gods. But I can assure you I promised them nothing. I retrieved my memories from the Well of Desire." he explained. "The overseer of the well is the God of Wisdom, a truly neutral party."

"You pulled your memories from a well?" When the words were parroted back at him with such an acerbic tone, Madara had to admit it sounded like foolishness. "Memories are intangible and unique to each person. How would yours have been stored there in the first place?"

He was too tired to deal with the attitude he was being presented with. "It's not too late to do what I failed to do all those years ago and drop you on your head," he threatened. "Don't patronize me, little brother."

Rolling his eyes, Izuna made a shooing motion for him to continue. "The name is reflective of the nature of the well. It can contain whatever you most desire, as long as you approach it without doubts in your heart."

Having elaborated, Izuna seemed more inclined to believe. "In your case, all your missing memories. Understood. But are you sure there were no…unintended consequences to that?" he ventured. "What happens if you did have doubts at any point?"

The words were a sharp reminder of all the strange memories that didn't add up. Omoikane had given an explanation that was rather cryptic in retrospect. "There are parts to a soul that even the owner is sometimes unaware of. Memories the current you has yet to make, still exist in some version of you, be it from this world or another."

Memories from not only another point in his life, but another world? That caused him to recall his brief encounter with those children that treated him with familiarity.

Aside from the boy's eyes, Madara was positive he was an Uchiha. The girl could've been too, for all he was aware. They appeared roughly the same age, and the gene for twins ran strong…

Getting into all that with Izuna now was bound to lead to more lecturing, more inquiries. All Madara wanted just then was to quench his thirst and have something more substantial than the light meals he had probably been surviving on. "It doesn't matter now." he concluded. "I never doubted, which is why I'm here, mentally intact."

The gaze his brother cast upon him plainly stated that the discussion would be tabled, but not discarded. The only compromise that could be made, it seemed. "When you're up to it, we should announce your recovery to the clan. Some of them have been…restless."

"Maro." Madara guessed. "I told you the swiftest way to deal with him—"

"Would also be the bloodiest," Izuna shook his head. "It should be a last resort, and you know that. The last thing we need are for his co-conspirators to be galvanized by him becoming a martyr in death."

It helped to have a brother so level-headed at times. At others, Madara did wonder where they'd be if Izuna was the kind of second-in-command who never challenged his less thorough ideas. "You know I'm not the kind of man that cares to sit on my hands until the enemy's kunai is already poised at my jugular."

"We won't." the younger man promised. "But exposing him can only be done when the proof that he's causing a disruption is irrefutable. So for now…"

"For now, we sit on our hands." he emphasized, unhappily. Outside, the sky was lightening gradually, but it was still too early to call it a true sunrise. Madara wondered what fresh air would taste like. "Has Haruno come back yet?"

The sudden shift in conversation definitely caught Izuna off guard. He blinked, absorbing the words as if they were spoken in another language. When the question processed, he sighed tellingly.

"No…"

Haruno was no doubt outside the village chasing adventure at the behest of her goddess. Capable though she may have been, Madara couldn't deny that deep inside, it chafed to know he wasn't there to banter with her and provide back up when needed. Hiding that thought behind another smirk—preventing Izuna from thinking he'd gone soft—he spoke with confidence, "It's just as well. Since I've been incapacitated, this places us on more equal footing preparation-wise."

"What?" Izuna deadpanned.

"Have you forgotten so quickly, little brother?" Madara goaded. "When Haruno returns, we'll see which of us succeeds at capturing her full attention."

The candle had gone out, and Izuna collected his book, brushing off the cover with a frown. The earliest rays of light were beginning to come through the uncovered window, signaling in a new day approaching. "I never agreed to that in the first place. Not in the sense you described."

Madara raised a brow, urging his brother to keep speaking. "Oh?"

The younger Uchiha nodded. "Sakura is…intelligent, strong, reliable, kind, and beautiful." Izuna took a breath, as if he could go on but needed to make himself pause. "It isn't like seeing who can down the most pheasants in the woods. Reducing her to the outcome of a competition doesn't…it's not how I want to go about things."

Considering his brother's declaration, Madara began to reevaluate the angle from which he planned to approach it. Haruno was also willful. Any attempts to simply outright stake a claim would be rebuked and, definitely draw her ire as well. While her inner fire was one of the things Madara personally found highly attractive, what he wanted was something a little more than to get under her skin this time.

Chuckling, he studied his brother fondly. "You always have been a romantic at heart, haven't you?"

Blushing, Izuna turned away. "Our lives haven't left much room for earnest courtship. It's always been expected that one or both of us would marry for the good of the clan. I'm sure plenty of council members still want it that way, and that's why so many young women came bearing food and wishing you well."

Madara froze.

A mirthful twinkle entered Izuna's eyes. "One of them mentioned a reasonable trade, so I did consider the arrangement—"

Descending on his brother, the Uchiha head seized a fistful of his shirt and shook. "If I set foot outside this house and learn I'm engaged to the daughter of some scheming crone, I'll—"

His rant was interrupted by Izuna's unbothered titters. Still laughing, he managed to pry his shirt away from Madara and wipe at his watering eyes.

"This is my whole point, Madara. Courtship shouldn't be frivolous, and it shouldn't be without the full consent of everyone involved. I want to do this right." he explained. "When Sakura returns, I want her to understand the seriousness of my intentions first. I don't really mind if you're also interested, but, you should consider the seriousness of your own before approaching her. For your sake."

After having spoken that providence, Izuna slid around him with a pat to his shoulder, leaving Madara to think.


It was a bright, calm day in the valley. Sakura had since fully recovered and they had both agreed it was time to move on. More accurately, it was time to go home. Leaving was a bit difficult with the blockade of otters and mujina standing in wait for them as soon as they reached the road that would set them on the path to Konoha.

"This is really goodbye then? I'd hoped I could cook you just one more meal." Chuya sighed, paw against her cheek.

"You've helped us tremendously." Enmei held her free paw with his own. "Without your aid, we would have been wiped from the face of the earth. But now we've signed a true peace treaty with the beavers, and I can already see things are different this time. I predict brighter days ahead for everyone."

"Thank you for everything." Sakura bowed, her cat twining around her ankles. "The hospitality, and putting your lives on the line to help us."

Tobirama felt strangely endeared to the animals. He wasn't sure if it was the tense battles they'd fought in together, or the way they were motivated to protect their territory, each other and live in peace. Regardless, the shinobi found a great deal of respect for Enmei and Chuya.

There was a firm tug at the leg of his pants, and when he looked down, Tobirama was only a little surprised by the rust-colored otter pup. The little thing had inexplicably taken a serious liking to him, and now seemed distraught at the idea of him leaving. With all eyes on him, he squatted to be closer to her small body, extending a hand in assistance. Squeaking happily, she quickly placed her tiny paws in his palm, and lifting herself up to cling to his arm.

"Pwaa…" she chirped, snuggling her furry face against his skin, "pwaa…papa,"

Numerous gasps came from the otters, the Senju flushing lightly.

"Oh, oh she talked!" Chuya exclaimed. "Her very first word!"

"Papa!" Arisu repeated, proudly.

Loud bawling came from somewhere in the congregation, a voice that sounded very much like Tsubute screeching in admonishment. "Ubagabi, let me go! You're getting my fur nasty!"

"I…I c-can't help it!" came the sniveling reply. "It's so…ngh…so c-cute!"

Sakura giggled, bending down next to Tobirama and stroking the baby otter's head. Usamaro sniffed curiously at the cub, their little noses meeting briefly. "I don't think she's going to let you go that easily, papa."

Tobirama grit his teeth, the heat on his skin traveling down his neck. "You're enjoying this."

The kunoichi smiled innocently.

"Ridiculous!" Noboru scoffed. "This is precisely why we don't usually mix with humans. The poor pup is confused. He can't be her—" One quick look from Enmei and the straight-laced otter shut up.

"Little Arisu has decided you're now a part of the family, and I must say, I agree."

Waving a giant paw, the crowd of animals and mujina began to part, as two muscular otters carrying a large clam shell moved forward.

It was shut tight and a bit battered, but when it was sat down right in front of them and pried open, Tobirama couldn't care less about the state of the mollusk. What was inside it made him do a double take. Cushioned there in its depths was a scroll.

"Noboru, if you would." Chuya instructed kindly.

"Very well," The dark furred otter took the scroll, which stood nearly the same height as he was, walking on two feet and unfurling it in faces of the two ninja. "After careful thought, the Otters of Choshu's Neck would like to offer you our most sacred possession."

"It's a Summoning scroll." Sakura gasped, her finger tracing over the waxy paper faintly. Usamaro began to climb into the shell, his bushy tail wiggling. One of the otters unceremoniously smacked his rear end and sent him scampering behind his mistress.

"Yes. So what we're asking should be clear." Noboru lifted his twitching snout in the air.

Tobirama considered that it must be a rarity for the otters to bind themselves to humans. Enmei hinted at the fact that they hadn't had regular human contact in quite some time before Sanna and the twins made an appearance in the valley.

"We understand if it's too forward, but Enmei and I discussed it with the clan, and well, there aren't any other humans we'd trust as much with this."

The pinkette gently nudged him, nodding in encouragement. "Tobirama, I think it should be you." she said.

The mujina had been blessedly pretty well-behaved before that moment, but of course, no good thing could last.

"Exactly!" A blurry streak of fur barreled through the assembly and right into Sakura's arms. "You don't need these guys when you've already got us!" Ubagabi announced.

"Hmph," Noboru shook his head, inching away from the excitable mujina. "Every manner of riffraff has moved into the valley in such a short time." Snapping his head back to Tobirama, he motioned impatiently to the contract scroll. "Well? Are you in or not? I assure you this offer won't be made again."

Arisu had scooted up his arm and to his shoulder, snuggling her head against his. Everyone was looking on anxiously, and Tobirama had all but made up his mind. Quickly biting his thumb, he placed the bloody digit against the empty spot on the scroll and signed his name.

The blood on the scroll pulsed, sealing the deal as Noboru snapped it shut.

"We haven't had a human hold our scroll in generations, and not one from outside the valley in even longer." Enmei mused. "Let this be the start of a prosperous new beginning."

"Yeah, yeah, prosperous…" Another mujina had picked her way through the crowd, flipping back her long fur. "Someone mind explaining why everyone's in such an uproar. What's happening here?" Komugi muttered.

"I wondered that too, actually," Ubagabi whined.

Holding the clingy mujina out in front of her with a noise of surprise, Sakura tilted her head. "You've never heard of a Summoning contract?"

"Are we supposed to get news from topside by raven down in The Under?" Tsubute asked, exasperated. "We've been down there in that moldy pit for millennia, remember?"

Sakura sat Ubagabi down and stood up. "It's an agreement between shinobi and different animals. The otters have decided to fight at Tobirama's side and he's decided to take them on as his Summons."

"Huh, so if we formed one of these contracts with you, we could be together longer?" Tobirama didn't trust the guileless look in the mujina's eyes. It might have fooled anyone who hadn't seen them transform into a burning ghost or savagely rip a goddess apart.

"I…guess so."

Why? Tobirama wondered. Why didn't she immediately shoot them down? "Sakura, you can't seriously be considering…"

She was already nodding before he could finish. "Actually, this is perfect." Addressing the mujina, she placed her hands on her hips in an authoritative stance. "You want to become my Summons?"

Loud cheers briefly deafened Tobirama.

"Alright. But that means you have to be on your best behavior. You can't start running amok and bothering the otters when we're gone. Or the beavers, for that matter. Leave the villages alone too."

Tsubute deflated, throwing his paws up, jaw dropping. "So we'll just sit around in the woods and do what? Wait for you to need us?"

Sakura rolled her eyes, "I bet if you tried you could find things a lot more productive than causing mischief to do. Anyway, you vowing to swear off trouble is the only way I'll consider it." Ignoring Ubagabi, who was reaching up to her in the hopes of being held, she crossed her arms in finality.

And not for the first time, Tobirama found himself impressed with how the pinkette was able to bring menaces like the mujina to a heel. Her ultimatum wasn't a bad one, if they were going to remain living on earth.

"Tsubute, please!" Ubagabi cried, eyes impossibly round and pathetic.

"I'm pretty partial to this particular human." Komugi said. "We've had a long time to reign terror down on anyone who crossed our paths. I want to give this 'summon' thing a try now."

"So that's how it is, huh?" Tsubute muttered, sitting down on all fours and shaking his head. "That's how the rest of you feel too?"

The resounding and overwhelming chatter of agreement made the mujina leader place paws over his round little ears. "Fine. Fine! We'll agree to the terms. No more chaos. We'll be good little…"

"Summons!" Ubagabi cheered.

"That," Tsubute pointed, "…until you need us."

Now that she had gotten what she wanted, Tobirama watched Sakura's face light up, and she opened her arms. Ubagabi sprang into them with a near sob. Usamaro hissed, but quieted down when Sakura bent to rub between his ears.

"I'll hold you to that." she stated.


Usamaro crept through the grass, his stomach tickled by the soft blades. The perfect opportunity had finally presented itself, and he was all too eager to take it. His target was feet away and unaware of his presence, her back turned as she knelt beside the lazily flowing stream. Steadying his breathing down to a crawl, the feline's eyes dilated, and he pounced.

But, it occurred to him too late he'd underestimated. His mistress was just as perceptive as he was—one of the traits he liked most about her. Sakura spun around with a playful grin, splashing him with water as soon as he was close enough.

"Mwrar!" he yelped, rolling dramatically onto his back and kicking his legs. She'd gotten him, the cold water chilling through his fur.

"You fall into streams all the time!" she laughed. "Why's it so much different when I splash you?"

Flipping onto his belly, Usamaro shook off thoroughly, managing to get her back.

"Is this supposed to make us even?" she mumbled. Satisfied, the cat trotted over, placing his front paws on her leg and stretching his body to offer his head with a purr.

Getting the message, gentle fingers stroked between his ears and down his spine to the short puff of his tail, just the way he liked.

Finally, he thought, finally he had Sakura's undivided attention! The mission hadn't been what he was expecting. Talking animals he'd never encountered before (otters and beavers, he'd found out) were running around.

Also, another being like the powerful woman who often visited Sakura, except he wore a helmet, smelled like metal, and was grumpy.

The cat had been confined "safely" to a room for days while his mistress was off in danger without him. Then, she returned with loud, odd smelling creatures who tried to steal her away from him. Sakura was also closer to the Senju than he remembered her being before.

They were comfortable around each other now, something Usamaro didn't necessarily mind, so long as Tobirama didn't think he was going to stroll in and replace him. He was the one who slept curled up on Sakura, and he was fluffier. "Feeling needy today?" she crooned. Usamaro hopped fully into her lap and rubbed himself against her stomach.

Those weird creatures had done something. One of them actually scratched his Sakura, and declared they had a blood contract. Like the brilliant human she was, the kunoichi healed the wound, but Usamaro knew he wasn't going to be able to settle down until the noxious smell of mujina was completely gone.

The young cat was so focused on fussing over the scent, and the long overdue attention, he barely caught Sakura beginning to speak. "I was thinking we could make it back by tomorrow afternoon, even if we stopped and rested."

Usamaro opened his eyes and looked over at Tobirama, who was leaning against a nearby tree. Was he really so wrapped up in the warmth of Sakura's arms he hadn't noticed sooner? He pressed his ears flat against his head and ran his tongue over his lips unhappily. Later, he would work on being more vigilant.

"I was thinking the same," the shinobi revealed.

Sakura shook her head, petting his back gently. "Another mission, another report that sounds unbelievable."

"Yes, well," Tobirama cleared his throat and straightened up from his light slouch. Usamaro also sat up as he walked closer, stopping just beside them. When the cat looked up into the human's slender crimson eyes, he had to agree that they did resemble the shape of a cat's. Usamaro snuggled harder into Sakura's lap. He was still fluffier though.

The man sat himself down, folding his legs up neatly, as if he were about to begin meditation. His eyes never closed. Instead they studied the gentle flow of the stream. "Being on the other side of it this time, I admit I better understand your frustration before. I've always tried to ground myself in logic, and I couldn't get over the implausibility."

"It's alright," Sakura gave a short, breezy laugh. "Most people would have found it just as difficult to wrap their heads around."

"I…shouldn't have tried to have you imprisoned." he said quietly.

Usamaro growled. He'd tried to do what?! Not appreciating his desire to defend her, his mistress bopped his head lightly with her knuckles.

"No," Sakura agreed, smirking. "But you'd have to lock yourself up too this time around."

Tobirama crossed his arms, huffing. A shadow of amusement passed over his face, but Usamaro still eyed him warily. "To avoid any of the…misunderstandings…from before, I think we should plan what to say now."

"Okay…" Sakura raised a brow. "A lot did happen. Again."

Tobirama squeezed his eyes closed, clicking his teeth underneath his breath. "I have a weighty request. One I can't see you going along with and not raising objections to."

Usamaro felt his ears twitch, first one, and then the other. If he had a lengthier tail, it would be swaying in contemplation. Wasn't Tobirama typically more direct? Something had him dodgy, something he had just expressed he expected Sakura not to like.

"I don't like the sound of that."

"We should keep the appearance of Sanna, Kamin and Koya to ourselves for the time-being." he said without inflection. "Telling even Hashirama won't go over well."

Sakura froze, her hand no longer stroking through his fur. Usamaro peeked up at her worriedly, nudging her hand to let her know he was still there.

Her verdant eyes were suddenly stormy, and sensing the shift, Usamaro slid from her lap. Sakura would never hurt him; he knew that much like he knew the length of each whisker. But, if the Senju said anything else to upset her and he needed to attack his ankles, he wanted a decent head start.

"For who?" she challenged icily. "I thought you learned you can't bury the past. In this case, your past has a heartbeat again. What if Sanna and the twins decide to reunite with their clan one day? What—"

"I've thought about all that already," the white-haired ninja rebuffed. "As far as we know now, that's a hypothetical. Stop letting your sympathy get the best of you for a minute, Sakura."

Clenching her firsts, Usamaro sat back and watched her green eyes sharpen with ire. "Enlighten me."

"Have you started doubting me already?" Tobirama asked, his voice lowering somberly. "Do think it's simply a matter of me not wanting to take responsibility?"

Sakura started to open her mouth, but Tobirama wasn't finished. "Let's say we reveal Sanna, Kamin and Koya have been resurrected. Izuna and Madara wouldn't sit idly by, knowing their younger brothers are alive. They'd charge headlong into finding them."

Usamaro had to admit, the surly human had a point. He happened to like Izuna quite a bit. Madara he might consider not trying to bite, if he ever learned to fall in line and treat cats with respect.

Either way, Uchiha seemed to be an emotional sort, for better or worse. Recalling his first weeks in the world, the feline thought back to what he'd witnessed. They lived closely and loved greatly…their kinship was highly valued. It wouldn't be hard to see the Uchiha facing down deities in a quest to reach their brothers.

"Part of the events that happened were set into motion because Sanna wanted revenge. How are we going to give the Hokage an accurate picture of the rising threat out there without bringing up that key detail?"

Usamaro wiggled his tail, trilling in agreement with his human.

"We can explain that we encountered more godslayers without getting into their identities." Tobirama insisted. Sakura didn't look too convinced. "You're still thinking emotionally. A reunion isn't possible right now. They've chosen to go off to the underworld indefinitely. And their actual sentiments about accepting the structure of the village are unknown. They might understand that they were manipulated, but rest assured, they're still grieving the destruction of their clan, even if it's in another reality."

Sakura stared down helplessly at her lap, fingers wrapped into her yukata. Usamaro inched back over to her, meowing quietly. She gave him a small, thankful smile, but didn't reach for him. "I feel like I'd be lying. Sanna and the twins might not be ready to come home, but they're alive out there. We know more about what's happened to them than their own brothers do. It feels…wrong."

In a move the feline wasn't expecting, Tobirama reached over to place a hand on her arm. "The alternative is instilling a false hope that they'll return. No one knows if that will ever occur aside from them. Izuna and Madara would pursue the matter doggedly, and then there's the rest of the Uchiha to consider."

The tinge of inner conflict was starting to emanate from Sakura, and Usamaro didn't like it. Wanting to show her he was there, in whatever way he could be, the cat began purring loudly. Bunting at her hands until she picked him up and set him in her lap again, he blinked owlishly over at Tobirama. "I…think I understand. I still don't like this." Sakura pressed her lips into a thin line. "Promise me we'll tell them before it gets out of hand."

Tobirama nodded. "You have my word."

Usamaro glared from his owner's lap, hissing a warning at the man. Whatever happened, it had better not hurt Sakura.


The arc is finally finished. Thanks to everyone who came along for the ride. Next stop is back to Konoha for Tobirama and Sakura. The decision to keep Sanna, Koya and Kamin being alive a secret for now sounds kind of shady, I realize. I promise Tobirama isn't a bad guy but I must admit I have a few more dramatic plot twists planned, so this kind of tension was needed.

Sakura also didn't actually become a goddess, but, the minute she powered up again and used miracles (bet you guys thought I forgot I gave her that ages ago, eh?) everyone touched by them, which included any living or non-living thing for miles and miles, was directly linked to her in that moment. They all got a vision of this pink-haired angel from above.

Madara is now conscious, memories and all! Once the gang's all back together the real fun and drama can begin. The Uchiha, the Senju and Sakura. How's it going to go?

Yurine means "lily bulb" to anyone wondering. Some people have found some parallels between her and the younger, less confident Sakura who always felt inadequate compared to her teammates. Ino once declared that Sakura would bloom more beautifully than the cosmos. Similarly, Yurine's mother believed in time she would "bloom" into her own too.

And what's this? Another Usamaro POV? His first one was far more popular than I anticipated and got a lot of interesting theories going about him. I decided this in particular was a good opportunity to have another one.

If you're interested in further explanation about some of the hidden or overt symbolism in this chapter/arc, and also want to see fan art of transformed Sakura, feel free to find the notes on my AO3 account and the fan art on my tumblr account respectively. Ocean_inthe_Sun with the same title for the fic over there and "anoceaninthesun" on tumblr. Thanks for reading. It would make my whole holiday season if you enjoyed this chapter and want to share your gushing with me, or give some speculation on what you're expecting next.