Chapter 102. Dawn

Meeting Kaguya was surreal. She was like a tiny Hinata with a cold attitude. Though, thinking about it, wasn't Hinata more like the Hinata from 'that' world now? I frowned at the thought even as I sat with the pale princess.

She looked up at the sky with dread, waiting for her world to implode. She was waiting for the other Otsutsuki, I knew. Even till the end, she was waiting for a fight that never came. They arrived long after she was gone. I pitied her. Though it wasn't the same, I knew what it felt like to wait for something that never came.

"Hey, aren't you tired?"

She didn't spare me a glance.

"They won't come, you know." That got her attention. She looked at me with pale eyes, and I smiled at her. They won't show up until years from now," I told her. "What was his name?" I paused, trying to recall his name. "Momoshiki?"

She rose to her feet, her small form trembling.

"Don't worry so much," I waved her off. "He gets his ass handed to him by a child even after eating his partner."

Her brows furrowed in confusion.

"It shouldn't be much of a surprise since he's your direct descendant."

She blinked. The closest thing I'd get to a gasp of surprise.

"Sit," I patted my lap. "I'll tell you all about the world."

She sat back in her spot with a face of indifference.

"So cold," I whined. She was more like a Uchiha, but then again, the Hyugas were pretty cold. Did they inherit it from her?

I told the tale of "Naruto," her descendant, who went on to unite the shinobi world and bring peace. After the war, people were able to enjoy the peace Naruto created. But then the Aliens appeared. She listened intently as I told her how Naruto's son defeated Momoshiki and how Naruto defeated Kinshiki.

"It's not over," she muttered. "There will be others!"

"Stronger than Kinshiki?"

She paused at that, thinking.

"It's been a long time," she said softly, "it's possible they got stronger."

I patted her head, calming her trembling form.

"It's okay," I assured her. "I'm here now, so nothing bad will happen."

"Who are you to decide that!" she slapped away my hand. "You're just one child. A mortal! What can you do!?"

"Hahahaha!" I couldn't stop myself from laughing. She was so cute when she was frustrated.

"Your sons were half mortal and yet they managed to seal you away," she flinched at my words. "Besides, I'm not alone." Madara's form appeared before us and I chuckled. "I have friends I can rely on. Naruto, Sasuke and the rest of Rookie 12 appeared, along with their sensei. I stood too looking down at the confused girl.

"You had the right idea when you wanted to create an army of Zetsu but I have a better idea." More shinobis appeared and the tail beast stood in the distance.

"What's the point of protecting this world if you are the only one living in it?"

She looked up at me with wide eyes.

I crouched down to her eye level.

"Tell me, Hime. What are you fighting for?"

She looked down in thought, her eyes flickering.

"I wanted to protect this world that was so different from the ones I've seen before," she said finally. "It was beautiful and warm and people were living their lives. I wanted to protect that." her shoulders slumped. I think she realised her mistake. "I needed to get stronger to protect this world that's why I…" she trailed off.

She ate the fruit to end the war but caused conflict with the Clan. She was constantly on edge, unable to enjoy the peace. Then her sons betrayed her, labelled her a tyrant and sealed her way.

She clenched her tiny little fist and I sighed. I brushed a hand through her hair again. She looked at me with hatred, but I smiled warmly at her.

"Do you want to enjoy the peace?"

Her flames faltered.

"What?"

Right now, you're sealed away, but soon you will be resurrected by Black Zetsu. You're destined to be sealed away again, with no one to save you, but do you want me to save you?"

"How can I trust your words!?" she yelled. She was getting more expressive the more I spent time with her.

"I pity you," I answered her. "I feel bad that you were villainized when you're the victim here." the victim of bad writing anyway.

"I can give you that peace that you desire," I reached out a hand. "I'll give you the chance to relax and the opportunity to protect this world you hold so dear."

She looked down at my hand, conflicted.

"You must be lonely here," memories flashed. "Come on, it'll be more fun with me."

"You…" she started. "What is it you're after?"

"I want everyone to have a happy ever after," I told her.

"Aren't you wanting too much?"

"I am rather greedy aren't I," I agreed. "But If it's what everyone else wants, I don't see anything wrong with it."

"What everyone else wants?" she muttered. "What if they don't want a happy ending?"

Who doesn't want a happy ending?

"Well then I guess we'll keep writing their story until they're ready for that ending," I shrugged. They didn't have to retire right away, they could continue to slave away; I didn't mind.

"Hahahah!" her laughter was like the sound of bells. Her cheeks flushed as her body shook with laughter.

"You are the worst!" she laughed. "How did I end up meeting someone like you?"

I was starting to wonder about that myself, where was this place?

"Alright," she said, wiping away a tear. "So long as my nursery remains intact, I will do anything." She smiled at me, and I had a very uncomfortable thought. "I'll go with you, little one."

"She would look so cute as a baby."

Kaguya took my hand.

"My name is Kaguya Otsutsuki, princess of the Otsutsuki clan and partner of Kinshiki," she said, with the grace of a princess.

"Sakura Haruno, Kunoichi of Konoha and a member of team seven," I smiled as her small hand squeezed mine.

As the introductions ended a jolt of chakra ran down my arm and onto hers climbing up her body to rest on her forehead. She flinched as a diamond seal appeared there.

"Eh?"

"I'll leave everything to you then," she said, releasing my hand. I had so many questions. "It was nice meeting you, Sakura."

She gave me one last smile and I was suddenly falling. The watered surface we walked on gave and I fell in, sinking like a stone. My eyes were wide as I watched the blurry form of the Otsutsuki grow more distant. I reached for her but I sunk deeper and deeper. I didn't want to leave her all alone again.

Damn it.

I woke up in a warm embrace. Or was it more accurate to say, I woke up in an inferno?

"Madara?" I asked as the arms around me tightened.

"Are you awake now?" a deep voice spoke too close to my ear. I tried to move away but I was trapped in this bear hug.

"If I say no will you let me go?" I asked, trying to wiggle out of his hold, I was really hot.

"Haa," Marara breathed down my neck. "You finally got Sasuke's attention and now you're throwing me away. Was the kiss that good?"

I stilled. What was he talking about and why was he so close to my ear!? He engulfed my small form as he played big spoon.

"I- it's not like that," I shivered. "It's just that it's really hot in here. How about we sit and talk about this rather than this position." I tried to reason.

His chest vibrated with a chuckle.

I woke up in a warm embrace. Or was it more accurate to say, I woke up in an inferno?

"Madara?" I asked as the arms around me tightened.

"Are you awake now?" his deep voice spoke too close to my ear. I tried to move away but I was trapped in this bear hug.

"If I say no, will you let me go?" I asked, trying to wiggle out of his hold, I was really hot.

"Haa," Marara breathed down my neck. "You finally got Sasuke's attention and now you're throwing me away. Was the kiss that good?"

I stilled.

What was he talking about, and why was he so close to my ear!? He engulfed my small form as he played big spoon.

"I- it's not like that," I shivered. "It's just that it's really hot in here. How about we sit and talk about this rather than this position," I tried to reason.

His chest vibrated with a chuckle.

I was flipped. Suddenly, I was on my back with Madara looming over me. I gulped at his murderous face, the Rinnegan glaring into my soul. I tried to make myself smaller, but couldn't close my legs.

"This position is worst!" I protested.

The killing intent bled into a murderous smirk. "You didn't seem bothered by things like this before, why the sudden change?"

You try sitting on hot coal and tell me how you'd feel! I glared at him. Why was he being so clingy, was he really that bothered about sharing me?

"Ah," I looked about the room; we were in Madara's personal space but it was empty. "Where are the others?"

"Don't change the subject!" he protested.

"I don't sense their presence; did something happen?"

Madara sighed and sat up, making me seem like the indecent one. I tried to pull my legs away, but hot palms held them in place.

"What the hell is wrong with you!" I yelled at his stubbornness.

"I sent them away since you wouldn't wake up otherwise," he said, not looking at me.

"Eh?"

"Our evolution messed up the seal," he told me, looking at the seal I created beyond the walls of his room. "Even when we separated, you remained asleep, and your "Boyfriend," was getting antsy."

"So, in the end, I was suppressed," I muttered. With their chakra being stronger than mine, I was the one who became their prisoner instead. "We merged and the weaker one has to submit," I couldn't help but laugh. I covered my eyes in shame. I was too cocky. I was willing to sacrifice myself to protect the future, and I almost "disappeared."

"Is that why you are so clingy?" I asked him.

"Currently, I hold the most chakra among the souls so-"

"Wait?" I jolted. "You can't possibly be stronger than the Fox, can you?" That was impossible. The nine tails might be half of its former self, but that half suppressed the other tail beast with ease.

His smile was cold as he leaned in menacingly. Seriously, why was he so mad?

"Where do you think all that extra chakra went?" he asked.

"Since our chakra has become indistinguishable, I'm supplying you with my own," he said. I turned away from his hair, tickling my cheeks.

"That explains the contact but not the position," I pointed out.

"Who wanted to change positions?" he became irate again. I groaned in defeat.

"We need to revise the seal with your situation in mind," he stated, collapsing on my chest, and it was hot again. "We need to put you in an advantageous position rather than just an anchor." He buried his face in my neck and muttered plans and ways to combat this weakness, but I couldn't focus with all the vibrations and heat.

I flinched when I felt something brush against my hand. I looked over to see Madara's hand resting against mine as if asking permission. I opened my hand, and he immediately locked our fingers together. Great, now my hand could get sweaty from the heat.

"Why are you so small?" He asked, surprising me. "You're so strong, and yet you break so easily." His hand squeezed mine. "So fragile."

If 'fragile' was losing to the power of a dragon pumped up on life energy, what the hell did he consider sturdy?

A familiar sound of koto rang in the space. My eyes widened, and my heart sped up. Madara groaned in frustration.

"I'm going to kill that boy," he promised, sitting up. "Look at how excited you are with him just being near."

"It's not like that," I protested. "It's always been like this since I met him."

"It stopped after we merged, though," he pointed out.

I stilled.

Had it?

I thought back, and my mind whirled. That's not possible.

Madara clicked his tongue.

"You're like this only because we separated," he frowned in displeasure.

He really was jealous!

"Why are you complaining, aren't you now connected with Hashirama?"

Ah, I said something unnecessary.

Madara looked down at me with those eyes, and I grimaced.

"Are you…?" he started.

"Sakura!"

Sasuke saved me from the conversation.

Madara tried to provoke Sasuke, claiming the boy didn't know me at all. Sasuke didn't falter and instead flicked our forehead stunning Madara.

"You're annoying," Sasuke said. He was so cool. I was placed in control once more, and I whined at Sasuke's antics and got a hug for my troubles.

A new day dawned over the land of Iron. I smiled, content with the state of things.

The chunin exam arc passed with only the death of Danzo. I acquired the souls of the Former Hokages, and surprisingly Minato and the nine tails.

I needed to look into that.

The threat to the Jinchurikis was revealed, and now, all I had to do was convince the other nations to work together and stop the Akatsuki.

The only issue is Naruto and Sasuke's level. I looked over at the tired Uchiha, who calmly watched the sunrise with me. While I was confident I could protect them, I already knew they would rebel and insist on fighting also. I couldn't fault them, since Sakura and I also felt the same way.

Besides, it felt odd not to see Sasuke and Naruto with their signature jutsu.

Spiralling wind and crackling lightning clashed, leaving destruction in their wake.

I grimaced at the thought.

It was different this time; I raised them to be nice to each other. Sasuke still had his brother, and Naruto had his parents, in a way.

I've worked hard to stop the cycle, maybe they will be able to handle it now.

"Ho," I looked back at the sleeping children.

The former Hokages looked so cute in that form. They all curled up on a bed of Hashirama's making in the space of my tree. I committed the image to memory.

Unwanted memories flashed and faded as though they were never there.

I suddenly felt the urge to curl up with them.

"Are you tired?" Sasuke asked, looking at me with dark tired eyes.

I haven't been tired since I just woke up.

"Just a little bit," I lied with a smile.

Sasuke was the one who was tired, running after the former Kages like a D-rank mission, if Madara's words were to be believed. "Over there looks so comfy," I pointed at the children. "Let's join them, yes?"

He didn't resist as I took his hand and pulled him over to the heap of children. Kurama, who looked suspiciously like a Uzumaki, looked at us but didn't bother moving. I surveyed the heap and decided boxing them all in was best. I unsealed a blanket, draping it over their forms; crawling in on one side, encouraging Sasuke to take the other end.

I laid next to Hashirama, who slept on one end, hugging him. He didn't protest, instead turning to me and returning my hug.

It was decided, we were going to do this more often.

Sasuke hmphed at my pleased face and fell asleep immediately. I knew he was going to collapse.

I moved the covers over his shoulder and closed my eyes.

I found myself back in an uncomfortable situation.

"Does it bother you that Hashirama and I have such a connection?" Madara wasted no time interrogating me.

I groaned.

I feel like this chapter should be called, "Gods in the form of children."

No this wasn't my intention. Next chapter is what I wanted to happen here but these characters wrote themselves. That, and I'm dropping heavy foreshadowing so no one can complain about what happens next! Not that anyone with a would complain about my plan. Then again, I had a plan when I started this fanfic and it suddenly turned into something else.

I don't even know where Ina came from!

Next Chapter

June 1

Next time~