Introduction: Hello Everyone! I know that I haven't written in a long time, and this is my first Naruto fanfic, I hope that you are patient with me. The last year I binged watched Naruto and started Shippuden as well, still haven't finished yet, I think I am on episode 380 or something! So, that is partially why I have the plot line the way it is, because I do not know how Shippuden ends. Regardless, there is no big plot that is important to this story. As some of you know from my earlier stories, or can see from my story list, I lean more towards having an OC as a main character. When I first watched Naruto when I was younger, I was obsessed with dark and brooding Gaara LOL Is that when you know you have daddy issues? LOL KIDDING!

Anyways, I did not include any honorifics and I am sorry if that is not to anyones liking. I can start writing in that style if you wish, depending on the feed back, I'm not too sure if that's a deal breaker or not. I am not familiar with it, however doing some research will not prove to be a big obstacle. Everything is pretty much cannon, as I will explain below.

Plot Line:The major plot line is quite loose and simple in this story; no major battles or events will happen. I would say that this story line would be the same up until Sasuke kills Danzo, disappearing afterword to do some soul searching or just being a sad boy LOL The Akatsuki were a thing and were taken down before the Fourth Great Ninja War. This setting takes place five years after that, all is well in the ninja world and there is peace in the five great nations. Naruto and his class are 20 years old, give or take. All doing various things that you will see in this Fanfic. The one thing that is different is Ichika Senju.

Back Story:As everyone knows the leaf village was created by union of the Senju and Uchiha clans. While the Uchiha's were close knit and still had remained a proper clan, albeit small for a time. The Senju's had merged with other clans and kind of fizzled out in that regard. Tsunade is the remaining known descendent of the Senju's. In this world, Ichika a descendant of the Senju's, mostly likely from a bastard child of the First Hokage, no one's perfect right?

Well Ichika was an exceptional shinobi and had a part in many of the major battles Naruto and the rest of the cannon. She possessed a strong water style with earth has well, however as she didn't seem to have a Kekkei Genkai, no one seemed to suspect much, even though it was rare to have those traits. She wielded the power of wood style, power awakening when she was 15 years old. In attempt to save her mothers life, which she was unable to do. Her mother was from Suna and her father from Konoha, rare but not unheard of to have two people from different lands wed. Her mother was Yui Takahashi, and her father Yuto Tanaka. They had genuine love, crossing paths at this time the sand and leaf were still on rocky terms, but remained at peace. Her father was elder Joseki Takahashi of the Suna Council, since he knew he could not stop his stubborn daughter, he decided to bless the union, which came with a certain contract. Deeper reasons will be explained as the story progresses.

Her mother moved to Konoha, as was customary if wedding outside the village, to move to where the husband resided. Elder Joseki Takahashi set a contract with his daughter, part of which was that a few months out of the year, while she was still a child, Ichika would come to Suna and experience life there. As she got older with other things, such as her Anbu career and helping defend and rebuild the leaf, she did not see Suna as often.

She took the last name Senju after her heroic efforts alongside the other leaf shinobi, as well as after her father passed away. If it wasn't for her ability of the wood style Kekkei Genkai, and the trace back to confirm her lineage of the First Hokage, she was deemed that name.

Personality: She was bright and friendly when she was a child, always open and unafraid of the world. Growing into her Anbu role like her father, she become more reserved and focused solely on her protection and pride for her village. Her mother's death at 15 years old it was quite a turning point for her. Trying to save her mother from an assault awakened her dormant powers of the wood style. She become more hardened and calloused. Dedicating herself to getting stronger and training under Yamato, the only other person to wield the wood style. being able to protect and provide. Overtime she started to get closer with her subordinates, you know how Naruto brings out the best in people, ya know? LOL So, her friendly disposition was getting back to her as she opened more to the world.

Last Note: I hope you all enjoy this; I do not own Naruto.

Chapter One:

Temari stood on the immense canyon entrance of her village, looking across the vast expanse of sand before her. She felt giddiness rise in her chest as she saw two white dots over the horizon of the setting sun. Internally convincing herself that the feeling had more to do with her seeing her closest friend, and not that lazy good for nothing shinobi that always seemed to get under her skin. She gave an irritated sigh and shook her head.

"Nervous to see your boyfriend?" Came a voice from behind, making her scoff.

"Yeah, and you're one to talk baka" she spat at him, then added with a smirk "You've been pining after Ichika for years and still haven't plucked up the courage to ask her out yet. So don't go lecturing me brother."

"I don't know that you're talking about" Kankuro drawled, trying to appear unfazed, with a slight redness to his complexion.

Temari rolled her and they bickered back and forth for a little while. She didn't blame him for his affection for this half Suna prodigy, she was strong willed with an aggressive and challenging personality. Ichika also possessed a deep kindness and fairness to her; yet her hard exterior came off stronger of the two. However, getting to know her, she knew she was a caring individual. It had taken some time for the Senju to loosen up a bit, the past five years she had slowly become more relaxed and outgoing. Bringing her attention to back to the scene below she realized she did not spot the two shinobi anymore. However, her confusion was short lived as two large beasts shot over the edge and landed powerfully before them. Two beautiful large white wolves with golden eyes seemed to be snickering at something, carrying the two shinobi they had been waiting for.

"Temari!" the female nin boomed, jumping from her large beast that hadn't finished walking toward them. The young Senju had been looking forward to their excursion to Suna for months now, she was excited to whip these Suna shinobi into shape.

"Ichika" she smiled back and embraced her "You look great as ever!"

Ichika beamed; she had missed her dear sister even though she had seen her but months ago. Not blood of course, but Ichika had considered Temari just that. Not only were they similar in their extrovert personality, but they looked like they could be sisters as well. Ichika had inherited the tan skin that was common amount the Suna people, but she had more of an olive undertone than a red one. Both girls had blonde hair with a sharpness to their eyes. Ichika somewhat resembled her Senju kin Tsunade, with her light amber eyes and sandy blonde hair. Ichika was proud of her hair, it was one of her favorite features, which was kept in a tight French braid down her back that reached her almost to her waist. Her headband on her forehead with two shorter pieces of bang on either side of her face that was loose. Essentially Temari and her looked more like siblings than she did to her two younger brothers.

Ichika had been visiting Suna since she was a little girl and being the granddaughter of one of the elders, she was around the children of the 4th Kazekage often. She of course had a good relationship was Kankuro as well, seeing him in a slightly different light as they both got older. He was fine shinobi who she didn't mind playfully flirting with and giving him a hard time in the process. Speaking of which Kankuro, had greeted Shikamaru, who had grown a few shades paler due to the sudden vertical trajectory up the canyon walls.

"Thanks for the warning, Ichika, I nearly fell off that beast of yours on the way up" the nin grumbled "great way to end the long journey here, such a drag."

Temari eyes flashed at him "Don't tell me the accomplished shinobi can't handle a little rock climbing?" She teased "I swear I don't know how you came this far".

Shikamaru would have had a clever comeback, but he just rolled his eyes and clutched his stomach, one hand on his knee trying to keep steady. Ichika stifled a laugh; she honestly didn't think it would have been that big of a deal. She looked at her two summonses, Taiyo and Tsuki.

"Taiyo, Tsuki, thank you for your time, I know it must have worn you out to get here as fast as you did with the packs as well." Ichika spoke with a bow "I can release you as soon as we get inside the gates and unload our stuff."

"It is our pleasure, Lady Ichika" Taiyo responded with a deep voice, and an equally deeper bow.

"Yes, we are lucky to serve one such as yourself' his brother responded.

She could see Kankuro roll his eyes, her eyes narrowed on his and she flashed him a grin "Don't think I forgot about you Kankuro."

Ichika walked over to him with her arms extended, genuinely happy to see the tall shinobi. He welcomed her hug awkwardly as she pulled back to look at him, hard to tell, but under his face paint she could see a blush tinge his cheeks. Which only grew deeper as she winked at him and pulled away.

"Alright" She stated, "Now it's time to drink!"

After arriving in the village and having their things taken to their respective rooms, she released the summons on Taiyo and Tsuki. Of course, she released them after the villagers came over and admired the two great beasts, small children petting them and playing around their feet.

Ichika was well known in the village, coming here as a little girl to spend time with extended family. However, it wasn't until her Kekkei Genkai had been unlocked that her name was well known. Their respected Elder's grandchild was also the descendent of the great first Hokage, they had never had such an impressive shinobi to have ties to the Sand Village. Well, besides their current Kazekage, who was an incredible shinobi of great strength.

Yes, Gaara.

She had never managed to really get close to that Suna sibling. Being five years older than him was always a barrier, not to mention that up until recently he was regarded as a monster. As a child, she was not allowed any near him, her grandfather made sure of that. Elder Joseki Takahashi of the Suna Council had never thought of Gaara as anything more as the vessel of the beast Shukaku. He was surely not happy that Gaara had ascended to be the Fifth Kazekage, however he had to do his duty to protect and serve the village. This never dissuaded her to chat with him as they were both older, or rather chat at him, ignoring his slight disdained and irritated demeanor.

"We can't start drinking just yet, we have to stop by Gaara's office." Kankuro stated, bringing her back into reality.

"Ahhh yes, of course. Gaara." Ichika spoke fondly "I cannot wait to see how long until I annoy him"

With a giggle they started to walk to the Kazekage tower.

Kankuro give her a look and rolled his eyes, no doubt he was a bit jealous at that comment. Temari snickered along as well, having the same thought as Ichika. They both linked arms and basically skipped up the steps in the tower. Shikamaru had already retired to his room, as the last bit of the trip had made him feel extremely queasy. So, it was just the three of them. They had a tradition every time they met up, whether in Suna or Konoha, they celebrated and drank excessively that first night. It usually ended in a drinking competition between the three of them, which usually resulted in the win of either Ichika or Temari. Unfortunately, Kankuro was never able to keep up with them, not because he couldn't handle his liquor; but because the two kunoichi had an absurd tolerance for liquor.

Gaara tilted his ear toward the window, he heard commotion below, no doubt the arrival of the two leaf shinobi. He set down his pen and leaned back in his chair, already sensing the rumblings of Shukaku. The last memorable time he saw the Senju woman was they day the Akatsuki attacked. He would have been whisked away by the blonde clay idiot if it hadn't been for her. Her impressive strength and mastery of the wood style had saved him at the last minute. Not only that, but she was able to suppress Shukaku when he lashed out while he was in that weakened state. Her presence had threatened Shukaku immensely, it was the power that she held. Even though he knew she was an ally, the tailed beast went into survival mode. Only barely though, Shukaku was able to take hold of half of his upper body. Ultimately Ichika had managed to subdue him, which was of great shame to Shukaku, resulting in his great distaste of the woman. Yet, Gaara could feel that the beast was only embarrassed that he was bested, he could sense a feeling of respect coming from Shukaku whenever Ichika was around.

Knocking at the door.

"Enter." Gaara commanded, sitting forward.

The blonde Senju entered first, per usual he commented dryly. He had noticed that her confident demeanor did not shrink in his presence, it was steady yet not overbearing. It as a confidence that was backed by her skill and tactic as a shinobi, he respected that. He noticed that the second shinobi wasn't present.

"Lord Kazekage," Ichika nodded curtly "A great pleasure to see you again, I appreciate this opportunity to train your shinobi. I apologize my comrade was not able to greet you, the last part of the trip had drained him, and he need rest"

"Ichika Senju." He addressed evenly "You both have my thanks; these next few months will be beneficial."

He had only seen the Senju a handful of times in the last five years since that incident. She has usually closely worked with Temari or Kankuro when she did dealings with Suna, whether it was social visiting, or mission based. She was called on to help train the Sands shinobi force, after the unification to deal with Akatsuki, the nations were close in helping each other grow. This was more frequent of the Leaf and Sand, as they had more history and closer relations. The Senju was an appropriate pick of course, she was a decorated shinobi with familial ties to Suna, the only logical pick. The Nara was an excellent pick as well, he had been surprised that the Hokage was able to spare him for two months. Shikamaru Nara was an excellent strategist, Gaara could not deny that, as he was here to work with his higher shinobi strategists to mentor as well.

She better keep her distance, her voice and air of superiority is irritating Shukaku growled, making him wince.

Ichika noticed this immediately, her golden hawk eyes seemed to not miss anything it seemed. The proud blonde walked closer to his desk; arms folded across her chest with a grin. Gaara shifted in his chair slightly, glancing down at his papers as if in brief thought. Gaara loathed to admit it, but as he got older, his body seemed to betray him at times. Gaara slightly understood his brother's silly infatuation will the woman standing in front of him, physically she was pleasing to the eyes. He was not sure that he would have understood that five years ago, however puberty was something no man could avoid. Gaara did not want to admit how the crossing of her arms accentuated the…generous chest she already possessed.

"You are dismissed." Gaara bit out, getting back to his paperwork, not allowing her to make a comment.

She heard her sigh.

"Of course, Kazekage," the Senju replied, "have a goodnight."

.

.

.

.

"You too Shukaku" a giggle followed her out of his office.

Insolent Shukaku growled.

Gaara massaged his temples as the door closed, how was he going to survive two months of this?

EN FIN!

THANK YOUUU! Like I said before this is a loosey goosey type of plot. I hope that the background I explained above made sense, this is fanfic for a reason, I do not know all the rules the world of Naruto would have. Please let me know what you think. I love to hear opinions and thoughts if they are well intentioned and respectful. Do you like the name of her beast summons? Meaning Moon and Sun? I wrote this in a span of a day, I was way too excited since I had been formulating this plot in my head for a while! Please R&R, would you like to see a second chapter? I know this was on the shorter side but I was too excited! MWAHAHA TOO BAD IT WILL COME REGARDLESS! I am hyped up on coffee gradually leading into wine, so I am quite unstoppable. THANK YOU!