I think the guilty feeling of not updating is fueling me now. :p

Here is a list of the ages of the characters:

- Hashirama/Madara: 12 years old

- Tobirama/Izuna: 10 years old

- Naruto: 9 years old

- Itama: 7 years old

Asura's Will

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By Angelbloodlover

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~ "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."

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Albert Einstein

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Chapter 7: Desire to Protect

"There's no advantage to hurrying through life."

- Nara Shikamaru

Madara had found her in one of the joined rooms within the barracks, which was served for the orphaned Uchihas. Along with those who were incapable of supporting themselves. After some quick sensing he had found her bright -too bright- chakra signature. Her chakra felt so smooth, warm and for some odd reason caring. He pinched his nose in irritation and scowled at her peaceful form. How could a tiny girl like her be so troublesome?

Thinking back on the conversation he had with his father, he shivered in fear, teeth clicking against each other.

"Madara, I have never seen the likes of this girl. She was cloaked in golden chakra. Her powers were truly terrifying." His eyes became cold and calculated, "If she becomes unstable then it will be your duty as the clan heir to finish her off. Am I clear?" He wasn't asking, a clan head never asks. As a clan head they expect absolute loyalty from the clan, no questions asked. "Try to find out her weaknesses and skills alike. Don't be too suspicious."

Twelve years and he was already dreading the outcome of his life, "Hai, otou-sama."

"I want a weekly update on everything that she does. Don't disappoint me, son."

Madara bowed in respect towards his father and turned around. He felt sick for accepting this mission. Hurrying up, he walked swiftly towards one of the empty training grounds before he emptied his breakfast and lunch altogether. He gagged at the disgusting smell and ignored the slight sting in his eyes. Why did she have to come here? Why did she have to complicate things? Couldn't she have stayed in that goddamned hut of hers?

He gritted his teeth, the gnarling sound aggravating his ears but he didn't care. How was he going to protect her when she was the one depicted as a potential spy? Madara couldn't believe that a mere little girl could make him feel so many emotions at once. Emotions were something that his father disliked greatly, only good for distracting shinobis from their goal. Why was he inclined to protect Naruto so fiercely? He hadn't known her that long.

Squinting his eyes, he leaned forward observing the way Naruto slept peacefully, her strange whisker marks crinkling upwards. He scrunched his nose in disgust when he saw a line of drool trickling down her chin. Ew. She was anything but lady-like. Maybe that was one of the reasons he liked Naruto? She didn't act like an overbearing gushing girl-most of the time. She did have her moments where she was the bane of everyone's existence. His eyes flickered to her long and feminine eyelashes, her high cheekbones and small nose.

Uchiha. Naruto. Strange, he mused, to combine those two words. He didn't know how to describe it...it was still so unreal.

There were so many questions left unanswered before he could decipher the enigma that was called Naruto. But deep down he knew that he, in fact, didn't mind Naruto's presence in the compound. Unknown to him, a smile lit up his face, something that had been observed by a pair of onyx black eyes.

First thing she noticed were two black orbs staring at her with such an intensity it made her feel self-conscious and slightly amused. Arching an elegant eyebrow, she waited until Madara would step out her personal bubble. She giggled softly when he squeaked in embarrassment for being caught white-handed, cheeks flushed up.

He flailed his arms like a wild goose, screeching, "It's not what it looks like!"

"What did it look like then?" She chuckled when his face became even redder, bringing shame to the color red. To think this teenager in front of her would become a legendary man feared throughout all the Shinobi Nations.

Madara opened his mouth and closed it, only to open it again, giving the impression of a gaping fish. "..."

Naruto stretched her limbs and eyed the Uchiha curiously, an evil idea popping up in her head, "You were worried about me. Ne, Madara-kun, do you like me?" Her eyes glinting darkly, she smirked when she saw Madara spluttering like a headless chicken. She couldn't hold it in anymore-she burst out, laughing like an idiot. "I'm kidding, don't get your panties in a twist." She waved him off, standing up and ignoring Madara's indignant expression, jaws slacked open. "Close your mouth, it's not a very endearing sight."

Something inside of Madara snapped and before he knew it, he was shouting many profanities that would make a sailor blush like a virgin. His nerves were frazzled and all Naruto was doing was making it worse. He aimed a punch at her face, only to have it redirected towards the wall. He ignored the crack in the wall and glared ferociously at the girl that wouldn't leave his mind alone. All he did was worry for her safety, for her life, for her presence in the Uchiha compound.

"How dare you act so careless?!" He shouted at the unfairness of the situation he was forced into. Didn't she see that he had been worried sick for her safety, thinking that she had been killed off, tortured or heaven forbid anything worse. He knew what many shinobis did to pretty girls- the act so vulgar and inhumane he felt sick just thinking of it. "How dare you act like nothing matters?!" He continued fighting her, punches and kicks aimed at her with the intent to hurt her badly. Like he was hurting inside. He didn't think he might be able to stop himself- so many bottled-up frustrations, all because of an idiotic blonde girl that barely reached his shoulders. "How dare you act like everything is a game?!" He yelled at her, voice hoarse and scratchy.

Naruto felt warmth blossom in her chest at hearing Madara's declarations, albeit he could have done so without the punches. She twirled around his precise attacks, blocking and dodging them expertly. She could see that Madara was being reckless, leaving many openings behind, something that was leaving him vulnerable and open for any attack. Combined with this cramped room, it was very difficult to move but somehow they managed.

One blow from his bony elbow managed to hit her in the stomach and she gasped loudly, ducking from another punch aimed at her head. She knew why he was acting this way- he looked pale, way paler than usual, sweat matting his forehead and spiky hair and lips set in a firm and displeased line. But looking closer, she noticed the slight shaking of his fingers, the way his eyes widened, his unfocused manner. Really, this boy was an open book at times- he wore his emotions on his sleeve. It was something she would have to tell him gently, she wouldn't want anyone misusing his apparent weakness.

Her head hit the wall hard whens he avoided another blind attack and she cursed. Loudly. Before she knew it, she was tackled to the ground, Madara straddling her and keeping her in place. She braced herself for the incoming punch and closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable. She felt a rush of wind hit her face and then ...nothing.

Utterly confused, she peeked one eye open and found to her shock the great Madara staring at her with teary eyes, small droplets rolling down his cheeks and hitting her square in the face. She inhaled sharply not believing what her eyes were perceiving. Her eyes widened even more when she realized that he had really been worried sick. He really did care about her well-being.

Her deeply-buried motherly instincts kicked in, her eyes softened, and without another word, she embraced her arch nemesis from another time and place. She felt him stiffen int the embrace as she murmured softly in his ear, "Thank you for worrying about me." She tightened her arms around his lithe and muscled body, "I promised to fight for peace, didn't I?"

Madara went rigid at the mention of peace and when she finished her sentence, he became unresponsive, eyes wide in shock and fear.

"Starting by severing the ancient hatred between the Uchiha and the Senju."

Eyes wide as saucers, Izuna couldn't believe what he was hearing or seeing. This strange girl was beyond crazy, there was no way that he had heard that. What was this girl spewing about?! His brother openly associated himself with her-had he completely lost his mind? This entire day was tiring and taxing on his body and mind alike.

Sighing quietly, he was about to step in when he heard his brother's muffled reply. His entire body froze at his honest declaration and willingness to help the blonde-haired Uchiha bastard. When the two started to get comfortable, all happy smiling faces, they acted like nothing had ever happened. The following conversation continued and became much more ridiculous than it was in the beginning.

...yet somewhere deep within his mind, he wondered about those bright words. He couldn't deny the certain charisma this girl had, her entire sunny disposition a complete different personality trait from the many Uchihas in the clan. Was that also the reason that his brother befriended her in the first place? He had heard from some people that at times the opposite attracts- did it mean that this was the case for his brother and the blonde-haired enigma?

He shook his head and walked away, pondering about those honeyed words. He frowned in clear displeasure and was about to turn back to demand answers, only to be greeted by nothingness. He raised his archaic eyebrow and scowled in irritation when he felt left out. His brother barely looked at him when that girl had appeared two days ago. He really really really didn't like her one bit.

Naruto observed Madara's brother from her point of view and couldn't shake off the feeling that she was looking at a Sasuke look-a-like. It was unnerving her tot the point where she was breathing heavily, something that didn't go unnoticed from the sharp Uchiha sitting opposite of her. Something within her wanted to reach out to the boy and cradle him safely in her arms, protecting him from any harm.

"...to-Naruto!" He shook the foxy girl, wondering what was happening to make her so spaced out.

When the small boy disappeared so did the spell that affected her. Without any warnings towards Madara, she grabbed him by his collar and vanished in a swirl of burning leaves, leaving nothing but ash behind.

Three weeks had passed, three weeks of hell. She didn't think the Uchiha clan could be even more arrogant that Sasuke-teme but apparently it could. And here she thought that Sasuke was insufferable-seems than his ancestors were even worse. The arrogance and bastardy must have been diluted by the time it reached Sasuke.

Shaking her head from her weird thoughts about genetics and Uchihas, she grinned wildly when her eyes locked with identical onyx black eyes.

"Prepare to bow down for the amazing, incredible, beautiful Namikaze Naruto!" She shouted melodramatically, eyes twinkling vibrantly.

Madara rolled his eyes at her antics, scoffing at the way she looked, "You look ridiculous."

She glared at him, dashing forward and aiming a punch at his jaw but he blocked her. Her scowl deepened even more and she poured more chakra towards her fists, ignoring the squeak that left Madara's lips as he ducked down, mindful of her next knee attack. Cursing he rolled away from her famous axe-kick that could shatter the ground and trees alike. Her inhumane strength was something that many Uchihas feared about her.

Madara grinned in pure excitement, shifting in another fighting stance before he charged towards her. "Naruto, today will be the day that I'll beat your ass!"

"Bring it on, she-male!"

Ignoring her remark about his gender-he was a perfectly normal healthy growing boy, thank you very much- he evaded her left swing and aimed a punch at her rib cage, only to have it blocked by her steady hand. He ignored the way she squeezed his wrist, eyeing him in a predatory manner. Using his other hand, he punched her cheek swiftly, feeling triumphant over the fact that he got a hit on her. Normally, it was nearly impossible to hit her but this meant that he was steadily getting stronger, he thought in glee. He couldn't believe how much Naruto's harsh training was helping him to get stronger.

He smirked in triumph when she looked at him, eyes twinkling with so much life. But that feeling quickly evaporated when he saw her next sudden attack. If there was one thing he had learned from training and sparring with Naruto, it was her unpredictability. She never ceased to amaze him with her unorthodox way of handling life. His eyes widened considerably when she head-butted him. Hard and so very painful.

Yet again, he saw black dots in front of him.

He ignored his surroundings and promptly fell over, fainting.

Naruto blinked her eyes and peered down at the different Madara from her own timeline. At times, she still couldn't believe that she was living, sparring, eating with the legendary Madara without opting to stick a kunai in his gut. Sitting down next to his unconscious form, she chuckled when she remembered his expression before he was knocked out. The first thing she had taught Madara was the fact that a ninja fought dirty, using everything in his or her arsenal to win. There was no honor, no glory to being a ninja, les so during these times.

She fought to win. And slowly on, she could see that Madara was improving so quickly, she was left impressed. Madara really was the genius of the Uchiha clan, a prodigy and one of a kind. She had heard stories about him where he had killed adults twice his size and age. If that wasn't an indicator for his legendary growth then she didn't know what was.

Groaning in slight annoyance, she felt her eyebrows twitch at the sudden appearance of Izuna, hidden behind a bush closest to the Sakura tree. Ever since that day where she had proved her point of severing the ancient hatred between the Uchiha and the Senju, Izuna had opted to scowl at her in fierce disgust, finding her absolutely revolting that she had such unholy plans. Worst of all, he thought that she had bewitched his brother, the one he idolized and respected. She had tried to knock some sense into the brat but he was as stubborn as a mule. Madara had told her that he would have a change of heart but that it was too early to force him into her beliefs. No one could be forced, she knew that as well, but the least one could do was respecting someone's decision. She was reminded of bratty Inari from her first dangerous mission outside of Konoha.

She would wait until he would understand her. No, she would never force someone.

Her eyes moved back to the unconscious form of Madara and she couldn't help but smile softly. Today they had been granted permission to train outside the compound, near the river where she had met Hashirama and Madara for the first time. She had sneaked many times outside the compound, Madara following her to meet up with Hashirama. Of course, she had left behind clones transformed into themselves so they wouldn't alarm the rest of the clan.

Hashirama had been pleased to see that she had been granted clan protection, even more pleased when he had heard that Madara was in the same clan as well.

But what made her even more ecstatic was the fact that Hashirama started to take Itama with him. She didn't know why but she felt a special bond with Itama and she certainly didn't shy out from showing it. She knew that Madara and Hashirama were a tad-bit jealous from her blatant favoritism but she couldn't help it. She had officially taken him as her pupil, teaching and training him in the different aspects of being a ninja. She didn't want her efforts of saving him to go to waste.

Her relationship with the future Shodai Hokage and his little brother, along with Madara was improving in heaps.

Ever since she had taken the title of sensei, the future legendary shinobis opted to regard her in a new light, coming to her when they were stuck with a certain jutsu or when they had questions which no one was able to answer for them. She was steadily on becoming their mother, their friend, their teacher, their confidante, their motivation and so much more.

They were steadily on becoming her precious people.

As for the Uchiha clan. Well, things were progressing very slowly. Many Uchiha disliked the fact that she was a half-blooded Uchiha but still had been able to acquire the power of their famed Sharingan. Jealousy was a very ugly thing. But she knew for a fact that they did respect her skills as a kunoichi since she had been able to bring down an adult Uchiha. She still had a long way to go before they acknowledged her as one of their own but Naruto wasn't one to give up. She would earn their respect and make them acknowledge her, just like she had done so many decades ago. The fact that their heir was always hanging around her was boosting her popularity, not that she would ever tell Madara. Heaven forbid his ego from growing even more.

The clan head was still not warming up to her but he had admitted that she was very useful as a sparring partner for Madara. His increase in power was something that had made him truly pleased and so he had continuously demanded that she would train with him more. She knew that he was still suspicious of her but it was starting to dwindle down. Tajima was starting to look at the bigger picture. He didn't see the half-blooded Uchiha bastard-spy but the blonde-haired Namikaze-Uchiha with a very powerful Dojutsu.

The sacred stone tablet hadn't been found but she was getting close. She knew it was somewhere within Madara's house, specifically Tajima's room. But where precisely was still an unknown factor.

As for Zetsu-that damned walking vegetable was still nowhere to be found. How much that annoyed her, she couldn't afford to leave the Uchiha clan. Not now, she would focus her attention on finding the stone tablet and protecting Madara from any form of evil manipulation. Strangely, this Madara reminded her of Obito. Their paths were truly intertwined. Destiny had a funny way of plotting humanity's demise.

Her search for the Kurama from this timeline was still not progressing as fast as she had imagined it to be. Whenever she would send clones, they would almost reach him and then lose him altogether. It was annoyingly aggravating and slightly unnerving. Her Kurama didn't even know why it was happening since it didn't happen in his timeline. He didn't remember vanishing without a trace only to appear somewhere else. It was a mystery that she craved to decipher, no matter how much it disturbed her.

She used Madara as a pillow, lying down on the ground while ignoring the heated gaze of Izuna. Madara's reaction to her Sharingan was worth a million Ryos. Really priceless. He still sulked at moments when she flashed him the Sharingan, just to spite him. At times, he really was easy to tease.

"You can come out Izuna, I know you've been there for a long time. Peeping on a girl, what would your aniki say?" She teased the younger brother, blood-red lips curling upwards.

Izuna's form appeared, eyebrows twitching in obvious annoyance, "I still don't get what aniki sees in you."

She sighed and stood up, dusting her shorts and being mindful of the unconscious body behind her, "Well, let me prove it to you. If I kick your ass, you can stop being such a brat."

He glowered at her, his dark expression unsettling her. "Fine. If I beat your ass," he started, "...not that you have any to begin with." He smirked in vicious pleasure when he noticed the slight twitch of her eyebrow, "Then you'll leave my aniki alone!"

"Deal, brat."

He glared at her, "Bring it on, orange-loving freak."

She guffawed at that nickname. This would certainly prove to be very interesting.