Chapter 3

Madara felt the exhaustion through his body. He knew Hashirama felt it too. They'd been at it for days straight. Only breaking long enough for Tobirama and Izuna to take their place.

Iwa, Kumo, and Suna were pains in their asses. They just kept coming.

"Madara." Hashirama huffed as they stood back to back during the short lull in the battle.

"We'll survive. We've come too far." Madara snarled even as more Kumo and Iwa nin came at them from either side.

The legendary figures straightened and prepared for another long battle.

Instead a bright yellow flash filled the clearing. There in the middle stood a blonde Kunoichi. Naginata in hand, hair up in a high tail, but multiple braids twisting down her back, shimmering with hidden weapons. Her battle Yukata dress was a burnt orange accented by her black pants and obi.

But that's not what had Madara and Hashirama's attention. Or that of the other enemies on the grassy plain.

No, it was the ten golden fox like tails swishing lazily behind her back, low to the ground.

She turned and whiskered cheeks were in a foxy smirk as slittled blue eyes landed on Madara and Hashirama.

"Hello boys." she grinned.

Hashirama and Madara startled at the familiar voice.

"You're getting old if you're exhausted already." She teased.

"Juko." Hashirama whispered amazed. Tobirama was suddenly at his side in a flash with Izuna.

She smirked at the newcomers.

But Madara was too busy like them to care as the feeling of her chakra washes over them. It was warm, bright, and so loving. They all felt the battle weariness leave them.

Her chakra suddenly covered the entire field.

"It's about time we ended this, ne?" she smiled and turned to her opponents. Shinobi and few Kunoichi alike that were wide eyed at the massive chakra signature before them.

"Enough blood has been shed." she called out firmly. "Return home now, or face me."

When no one moved, the air shifted and the warm feeling was gone. Instead Killing Intent slammed onto the shinobi. Madara trembled and struggled to stay on his feet. Hashirama right with him as they paled. This amount of Killing intent was unreal.

When it lifted, enemy shinobi fled, but the stupid ones charged. Juko, moved. Even with their Mangekyou Madara and Izuna couldn't follow her movements.

Within minutes, the entire Iwa, Kumo and Suna armies were down.

Hashirama and Tobirama just looked at her.

"They're alive." Tobirama stated surprised.

Blue slitted eyes looked back to him with a raised brow.

Hashirama chuckled. "Of course. She never said she'd kill them. Just that they would face her."

Izuna snorted and shook his head. "Alright, now you have to marry me." he called out even as the Kunoichi walked back to them, tails following behind lazily. A foxy smirk on her lips as she walked right up to Izuna.

"As beautiful of a man you are Izuna, you remind me too much of a dear friend I lost. I can only see you as a brother as he once was to me."

Izuna pouted. "Aw. Not fair."

Juko snorted and stepped back to face her other three boys. "You two are like brothers as well." She said looking at Madara and Tobirama. "So don't even think about it."

Hashirama snorted at Tobirama and Madara's glares. Glaring was better than admitting that they too were pouting.

"So you going to tell us how you have tails?" Hashirama asked grinning even as his wood clones, Tobirama's Clones and Juko's Clones went to work tying up the enemies.

Juko tapped a finger on her Naginata as she held his deep brown eyes.

"Not today. When you call for the Other Kage's to meet and have peace talks to end this stupid war, then I'll speak and provide my aide." She looked around before looking back at them. "Gentlemen, I leave the rest to you."

With a flash she was gone.

They all stared at where she had just left.

"So~" Izuna broke the silence first. "That's really not too surprising. She's always been a bit of a vixen."

To everyone's surprise, Tobirama snorted and shook his head even as he gave one of his rare smiles.

"Ah. Vixen indeed. Konoha's unpredictable Vixen."

Hashirama grinned. "That's perfect brother!"

Madara sighed but felt his lips lifting in their own smile. To know that his brother and chosen brothers were protected by their sister would always soothe his heart.

A few months later, the two Senju and two Uchiha sat at the head table in the meeting hall. The Kazekage, Mizukage, Raikage, and Tsuchikage and their heirs sat at their own separate tables in a haphazard circle. Tables behind them sat either their commanders or bodyguards.

Only two sat behind the four of Konoha.

Mito and a cloaked Juko.

Hashirama wore his Hokage robe and hat, but sat on even grounds with his Uchiha and Senju brothers to show their united fronts.

Once tea and food was finished, the peace talks began. What began as talking quickly rose to shouting. Mostly at Konoha and their Uzumaki allies for harboring the unknown female that had tails. They spoke about the information found on tailed beasts. How after digging that the famed beasts were missing. Had been apparently for years.

Juko finally goes to the middle of the room and the uncovering her form brings silence to the meeting hall. When the Tsuchikage stood up to shout at her for stealing the tailed beasts,he was silenced with one look and a concentrated burst of Killer Intent from Juko.

"We are gathered here to broker peace." she said calmly, releasing the grey haired man from her gaze and looked at the other leaders around her. "Not to continue war."

"Do you have one of the tailed beasts?" The surprisingly young Raikage asked.

Juko glanced at the dark haired and dark skinned young man. "You could say that, yes."

"So you stole the beasts for you own power." The Kazekage snarled. "Why does that not surprise me coming from an Uzumaki." He sneered.

Sharp blue eyes snapped to the hazel of the Kazekage. A kind smile lifted Juko's lips, but a shiver went down Mito's spine. She knew that smile. Juko was pissed. Hey eyes were always the windows to her emotions.

"Kazekage-dono, you're stubborn nature and foolish ways of speaking will get you killed one day." Juko said in the sweetest voice, with the sweetest smile, but her eyes were of ice and warning of death.

The Kazekage paled a bit but smartly kept his mouth shut.

"Now if everyone would stop making assumptions, and let me speak, I can inform you as a neutral party of how these peace talks will go."

The room was silent and Juko relaxed.

"I do not hold just one tailed beast. I hold all Nine-"

Shouts of outrage came from all directions except from behind here where five sets of eyes bore into her back.

Juko hummed and wiggled a finger in her ear, effectively ignored the men in the room.

She let the malice of Kurama lash out and they all choked on their words.

Hard blues scanned the Kages and their heirs.

"Stop-" she warned low. "Interrupting me."

A few swallowed nervously. She rolled her eyes.

"I hold all Nine tailed beasts as I am the chosen successor to the Sage of the Six Paths."

A few whispers, but no one interrupted her again as she took a breath.

"I am not willing to part with my friends completely, but if the villages are willing to come to peaceful agreements, then I will split my friends chakra in two and gift it to nine individuals who I believe will treat my friends as they should be."

"You speak of the beasts like they are human." The Mizukage narrows his strange lazy eyes at her.

Juko raised a brow at him. "I've lived with at least one tailed beast in me since I was born. When the rest joined after I made friends with the first one, I learned much about them. They are not Humans, but they still feel. They still have emotions. They hated humanity when humanity forgot that the Bijuu were their protectors. Humanity has sought to destroy what is there to protect them. While they are beasts, they are not mindless. Each has their own personality. Each sees the other as a brother or sister."

She looks around the room. "Normally, being able to hold all nine in a single body is impossible. It would either destroy the Jinchuriki or it would create the Juubi."

Frowns filled the faces of the Kage. "I've seen the Juubi." Juko speaks again. "I've face it head on. That- is a mindless beast bent on destruction of the world. I never want to face it again. So I protect the nine. To ensure peace, I am willing to part with half of their chakra to individuals that are not only willing to take on the duty to protect the Bijuu, but ones that are both physically and mentally compatible with the Bijuu. If you Kages are able to come to an agreement and present children between six and twelve, I will take them away for training to become a Bijuu host. If they pass, they will have half of the Chosen Bijuu chakra sealed into them. If they don't, another will have to go through the same tests and training."

Silence reigned. "Is that acceptable? Or do you wish to see children's bodies litter the battlefield once more with your pettiness?" she snarled.

The young Raikage cleared his throat. "Kumo is willing to discuss peacefully of ending this war and possible treaties in exchange for the Bijuu's protection."

"Iwa will also take a beast." The Tsuchikage grunted. Blue eyes snapped to him.

"Be warned." Juko said firmly. "We are not weapons. Bijuu are our protectors. Their hosts are their partners and protectors in return. As hosts, we are not weapons or tools. We will protect what we treasure. We will not protect because we are ordered to. That will be strongly tested and beaten into the minds of the Host Candidates. There will be consequences if this is not how my friends and their hosts are seen."

The Tsuchikage swallowed and nodded. "We would like to have the aid of the Bijuu." he corrected.

Juko hummed and looked around. Soon everyone was in agreeance to aim for peace. She knew underneath they wanted a weapon, but she was pretty sure she could scare them into following her rules. Snorts filled her head in amusement of playing with the puny humans. Her lips twitched as she retook her seat and listened to the men bicker for the next few days on peace talks. Treaties, alliances, the works. At the end she took the floor once more and gave the Assembled Kages, a month to bring their candidates to Konoha. There she would take them away for training.

Juko walked around Konoha with her tails pulled back into her person for the next month. People put the pieces together and show her the respect they had already given. The clan heads invited her for dinners. The children sought her to play ninja with. The Clan heirs sought her hand. The latter was always driven away by her protective brothers who had taken their roles with ease.

A month flew before her eyes. Soon she stood outside Konoha gates with Shinobi ranging from six to mid teens. All from every other nation but Konoha.

She took them to an island just off the coast of Uzushio. An island Juko had created herself. A sister to Uzushio, but not as alive. Still powerful and protected, but covered in only the life of nature.

With her clones, she trained the children, teens and young adults. She tested them daily. She taught them daily on what Bijuu were, what they were to the Bijuu. She created clones and each Bijuu, minus Kurama, took possession over the special clones and Henged into smaller forms of their bodies.

They interacted with the Shinobi and Kunoichi.

Some learned that they were more than beasts. The ones that couldn't were sent away, memories sealed of what they had learned, and exchanged for someone more compatible.

The months passed as the training and tested continued to fail the Shinobi and Kunoichi.

Matatabi was first to find a suitable hosts.

Matatabi smiled sadly and said she reminded her of Yugito. The blonde Kunoichi from Kumo smiled happily up at the pretty blue cat when she was asked if she wanted to share chakra.

Juko tested the girl once more but knew she didn't need to. She could see the admiration and wonder in the nine year old's eyes at the 'pretty kitty'. Juko smiled. She was an innocent one. The first Innocent one she had been sent. The others had been war torn children.

Matatabi and her new host followed Juko to the underground sealing chamber. Putting the girl under a sleeping seal, she began to work. Carefully, methodically, she sealed her first beast into a child. Matatabi sighed in Juko head at the loss of half her strength. But there was a smile on her face. She had a feeling that this was her Yugito's grandmother. The chakra was so similar to her Yugito's.

Juko smiled happily for her friend. Bringing the girl back to the surface she left a clone with her in one of the few cabins to rest. The real training would begin next. Teamwork. Chakra control.

More candidates were failed and sent back with sealed memories. New Candidates were sent in return.

Slowly but surely hosts were found for the bijuu. Each having their own opinions added in so they would get along better with their hosts. It didn't surprise her after word of Matatabi and Yumi's successful sealing, and Yumi's personality, reached the other nations. She had agreed to keep the Kages updated on the sealing and training.

The next batch of candidates after that news, had been the last.

While some were still teens and had the reserves to hold and adjust to a bijuu with Juko's special sealing, they had kind hearts.

Shukaku found himself getting along with a stubborn, bullheaded, but quiet auburn haired boy.

Sweet Isobu found a kind blue haired teen to make friends with. They were both kind souls, but Rina was also overly protective of her new turtle friend. She found Isobu adorable and when one mouthy Teen had called him ugly, she'd attacked him until Juko could seal his memories and send him home.

Son Goku had been hovering near Juko with Kokuo for most of the time.

It was when two Iwa nin replaced two bad eggs on the last batch that the two Bijuu perked up.

Two children barely six walked with one of Juko's clones. Fear evident in their eyes, but curiosity shining almost as bright.

"Roshi." Son whispered as Kokuo let out a joyful noise. "Han."

They dashed off before Juko could fully comprehend what had just happened. When the two children were tackled by the mini-for them- Bijuu. They'd yelped in fear before the Bijuu had nuzzled them and got giggling instead.

Juko smiled happily. Things would be alright.

Chomei found a sweet teenage boy with a playful personality. He was completely on board when he learned he'd be able to fly. He'd always wanted to.

Saiken found a quiet shy older teenager that reminded the slug of her own Utakata. Noboru was just more inclined to mild teasing of his new friends than Utakata ever had been.

Gyuki was last to find a partner. She knew he missed B. But they all knew they'd see their hosts again one day. Juko had promised and she never broke her promises.

Gyuki finally found an older boy with a kind smile and wicked sense of humor to partner with.

When all eight were sealed, Juko sent for Mito.

Mito joined her on her hidden island with wonder and annoyance. She knew her friend had a secret spot. This just confirmed it.

When Mito only saw Eight children with headbands from everywhere but Konoha she looked at Juko curiously.

"Kurama has been with me the longest." she explained while the other are off working on chakra control exercises with their new partners and Juko's clones. "He's a stubborn old fox. But past his gruff exterior, he can be a sweetheart. As I've told all the other Hosts, he just needs a bit of love."

Mito stared at her friend already understanding where she was going with this. "Why me? I thought only children could take them."

Juko smiled. "You are an Uzumaki. Our chakra is almost made to hold one at any young age. Also, If you ask nicely, Kurama might tell you my story. Or show you my memories. It's up to him. I'm okay with you knowing. Things are already looking bright." Juko smiled. "Now, would you like to meet the grumpy fox before the sealing?"

Mito swallows still confused, but nods. A clone pops up before it changes into a henge of a ninken sized fox with nine red tails. Red slitted eyes look Mito up and down before glancing at Juko.

She raises a brow at him. "It will be okay." she says softly. "Mito will treat you right." This time. Is only spoken between their connection. Like with all the Bijuu she will keep mental links with them even as they are in their new hosts. She is and always will be the bridge between Humans and Bijuu.

Kurama nodded and Juko walked away to allow the fox and Uzumaki Princess their privacy.

Another month passes. Making it a full year for her to find hosts, seal them with half of the Bijuu chakra (both a quarter Yin, a quarter Yang), and train them in chakra control and teamwork. By the end of it, they are all at least able to sync enough with their Bijuu friends to meet in the Shared Bijuu mindscape, if they needed further help.

Juko's clones escort them all home. Mito believes that the Juko with her is real as well. She isn't.

Standing before Hashirama she smiled warmly at him as Mito engulfs her children and him in hugs.

Hashirama sees her look though. Tobirama, Madara and Izuna see it as well.

They are all sitting on top the Hokage Mountain later, enjoying the setting sun when Izuna speaks. He's always been the one brave enough to break the silence.

"You're leaving." He states.

Juko smiles at him sadly. "Hai."

"Why?" Madara asks.

"I've been around Konoha for years, soon to be a decade, yet I've not aged, even for an Uzumaki. I should be showing some change, yet I'm not. I love my people, both of Konoha and of Uzushio. They are both my homes. But I can no longer work in the sunlight. It's time for me to slip into the shadows."

Hashirama laid a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you. I know your past is still not something to be spoken about, but wherever you came from, I'm glad you did. You have saved so many. I can never express what that means to me. What it means to us." He says meeting Madara's gaze.

"When." Juko whispers into the wind. All four men pause. "I am leaving to disappear into the shadows, and Kurama will tell Mito soon." She pauses and closes her eyes. "It's not where. It's when."

Tobirama's jaw drops. "That's impossible."

Juko snorted. "Fuuinjutsu is crazy shit. Mix that with the chakra I had access to, and anything was possible." She looks at the stunned men around her. "Actually, Tobirama, you were one of the ones to teach me Fuuinjutsu with my father."

Tobirama jerked surprised. "What? How?"

Juko smiled sadly. "Edo Tensai is a horrible Jutsu. A forbidden one I know you are already secretly working on but have put aside since the village comes first. But you'll complete it. It's actually what saved us a few times. Without the strength of the previous Kages, we would have been wiped out much sooner."

They all paled.

Cool blue eyes slipped to Madara. "You were actually a very evil man in my time. You were one of the madmen that had been manipulated into reviving the Rabbit Goddess." she looked over to Izuna. "Izuna's death was one of the last straws. Hashirama kept you sane for a few decades, but then the clan turned against you." Her almost glowing blue eyes looked back to Madara. "You are not the madman from my time. You are a stubborn man, but you have a kind heart. One thing I've learned about Uchiha is that you are not cursed like some believe. It's because you feel too much. When you love, you love with everything you have. When you lose that, you break. Your hearts are fragile. That's why you all act out or hide behind clan pride." her smile turned gentle. "It's okay to let more people in. You have brothers by blood and choice to pick you back up."

She looked Madara and Hashirama's gazes. "Work very hard to bring the clans together. Don't let old hurt, old laws, block the clans from merging. They are stronger together than apart."

"Why are you telling us now?" Izuna looked at her so confused and amazed.

Juko smiled. "Because the future has already changed. The only thing that could ruin it is a bastard third child of the Rabbit Goddess. Her Will incarnated. It's a manipulative little shit that I've been hunting. He's slipped away every time. But I'll find him. I'll seal him away. Then no one will be able to hurt my precious people ever again." She smiled sweetly, but ice was in her eyes. Ice and old pain.

"The Bijuu?" Hashirama questioned.

"Kurama was sealed into me the day I was born, by my father. An Uchiha, my time's Madara twisted into a ball of hatred, controlled the fox to attack Konoha. My parents gave up their lives to protect me, to seal the fox, and to protect the village. With that last act, I was the last Uzumaki in Konoha. I learned later that a few others had escaped Uzushio's destruction, but it wasn't enough."

Hashirama paled once more. "Mito's home?"

Juko's eyes hardened. "I will not allow that to repeat, damn the consequences. I've already changed history as it is."

Juko let out a breath and felt the breeze of Konoha brush against her skin. While it was quiet, it wasn't the same as when she'd left her time. She could feel each and every Chakra signature beneath them. She smiled as she remembered sitting here in her future hating the silence. Hating not feeling anyone. Now there were many, and she knew they would grow.

"I want to stay." she admitted. "I do. I love Konoha. It was my home before Uzushio was. But it's time for me to take a step back and see how my changes play out." She glanced to her boys and smiled sadly. "I will miss you all."

"Will you visit?" Madara was surprisingly the one to ask.

Juko smirked. "Of course. I can't forget to tease my brothers. I'll need a vacation from the shadows every once in a while."

Hashirama grinned. "Then all we can do is wish you safe travels Juko-chan!"

Juko spluttered. "Chan?" her eyes narrowed. "Who says I'm a chan?" she glared and Hashirama backed up from the irritated kunoichi.

"But you're so adorable-."

"Run." Madara, Tobirama, and Izuna all say at the same time. They'd learned much about their sister. She was one to be feared. And not because she held all the Bijuu, but she was an Uzumaki through and through. She had a legendary temper.

Hashirama yelped and jumped off the mountain.

Juko snarled as she watched him sprint off. "GET BACK HERE HASHIBAKA!" she shouted into the wind all while grinning. She paused before leaping off and looking at her smirking boys. "By the way, we've never gotten to spar. Once I catch Hashibaka, let's have a four against one and see who buys the sake for my going away party." She gave a foxy grin. All three perked up. They've always been thwarted when wanting to spar the mysterious Uzumaki.

"Sounds fun." Izuna grinned.

"This will be a true test of our skills and a fitting farewell." Tobirama smirked and crossed his arms.

"Bring back that tree hugger so we can kick your ass." Madara gave a grin that was part snarl, part glee.

With a lazy salute, Juko disappeared with a flash.

Three heartbeats later, Hashirama's scream filled the air outside of Konoha just before an explosion shook the earth.

Madara burst out laughing before racing after them. The fight beginning. Tobirama and Izuna following behind.

The scarred land left behind from the two day spar would renamed to Vixen Valley. All four main founders had agreed to never speak of it again as they lay bruised, bloodied, and completely beaten while their chakra exhaustion pulled them unconscious. They would never speak again on how they had been beaten by her Clone. A clone that only had a fraction of her chakra.

Mito found her husband, brother-in-law, and surrogate brothers passed out in the new valley and just shook her head at them. She was able to get from them though that her friend had already disappeared. Mito was sad, but understood. Kurama had explained to her what was going on. She'd miss her surrogate sister and friend, but Juko was right.