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Masahi was 3, almost 4, when it happened. Everything that happened that day was ingrained into his mind.
He hadn't meant to, he was just adventuring a little further from the clan to the flower field nearby. He wanted to give his big brothers Madara and Izuna some of the bright red flowers that dotted the field.
But he had never been able to make it back to the clan.
Masahi had been picking small bunches of red flowers when their seemed to be a terrifying force pressing over him. He turned and froze.
Three Hyuugas looked at him cruelly, their eyes holding poison, their smiles sickly sweet.
Dread filled him. Despite being so young he knew there was a war, knew that the Hyuuga were enemies.
So Masahi ran, red flowers forgotten, their petals scattering across the green grass like blood.
He ran and ran and ran.
He ran until his lungs burned, until his feet ached, until his breathing was only short, panicked gasps.
He ran until the trees seemed to change, until the grass seemed greener, and the sky started to darken even further.
Masahi ran, tears filling his eyes, and kept running until his legs finally collapsed from under him. He landed roughly, his wrist exploding in pain. He bit his tongue to prevent from screaming but a yelp still escaped.
The Hyuugas quickly caught up to him, as if they had only been playing with him. Their smiles seemed to broaden, their eyes glinting in satisfaction.
He couldn't remember what exactly they said, his heart pounding in his ears, dread in his bones, but he could hear them calling him a monster. He could hear them saying Senju lands the lands of the people who kept hurting his family and that no one would come for him.
He could remember them saying they might just be kind enough to send his pieces back to his clan.
No…
NO…
NO!!
He didn't want to die!!
He didn't want to leave his family…
He didn't want them to have to mourn him, didn't want them to fall into an endless rage full of despair.
The Hyuugas advanced more but then Masahi saw a glint of silver. The closest to him tilted his head to the side, a red cut, bleeding, appeared on his cheek. The kunai that had been thrown at the leader lodged in the ground.
Masahi trembled, watching as the lead Hyuuga fell to their knees, blood streaming from their eyes, nose, mouth, ears, everywhere.
Masahi felt his eyes burn, not from his tears, but from something else. Everything seemed to be happening in both slow motion but also normal speed.
He had been told about this feeling by older clan members. He unlocked his Sharingan…
The other two Hyuuga startled, jumping back and activating their Byakugan. The two Hyuugas look frantically but Masahi's eyes are stuck on the body in front of him.
Blood pooled underneath the body, their mouth open in a silent scream, and their eyes looking at him with anger. The glint of silver in the grass did nothing to distract him from the terror in his veins.
Bile rose in his throat but he swallowed it down.
Did whoever threw that want to kill him too? Did they want the pleasure of killing him, getting rid of his eyes, of sending his body parts back to his clan?!
Did they want the pleasure of killing a child, of watching Masahi's brothers fall into despair and rage, of watching the clan mourn for so long and the war continue?!
Then nature rustled, not in a natural way from a creature or the wind, but in the way of a person.
Masahi's eyes finally snapped away from the body and he saw a flash of white rush forward. A person, another kid, except they were too skilled, too powerful to possible be a child.
The Hyuuga stiffened but couldn't react before the child not child attached what looked like a seal, but not one Masahi had ever seen, to the second Hyuuga's back. Then the child not child attached another to the third Hyuuga's arm.
Then the second Hyuuga crumbled to the ground, their eyes crumbling like dust and sludge from snow. Masahi heard the cracking of bone, saw the Hyuuga choke on their own blood and spit. Bile rose in his throat again.
The third Hyuuga followed soon after, convulsing, opening their mouth in a silent scream. The Hyuuga coughed, a wet sound, blood and mush leaking out of their mouth in irregular waves.
The child not child then turned to Masahi and the young Uchiha froze.
The deity or spirit, because they could not be mortal, had pure white hair, as pure as the moon.
But that wasn't what caught Masahi's attention.
The spirit's eyes were bright red, the color of spilt blood.
Red eyes.
Amaterasu's blessed.
The spirit came closer to Masahi and the young boy shrank back unintentionally, his eyes wide, his singular tomoe spinning quickly. The spirit saw this, their face softening, and crouched down.
The spirit's hair shimmered in the setting sun, their eyes glowing softly, their pale skin seemingly shimmering at the edges, as if they were there but also not. They put out their pale hand, their palm face upwards.
"I'm sorry if I scared you cherished one," the spirit said softly, their gaze kind, a soft smile pulling at the corner of their lips.
Masahi felt his heart stutter. Many did not give him nicknames, but the clansmen that did would call him child, or young one affectionately.
But this Spirit called him cherished one, as if Masahi was someone who should be cherished. Even his own clan didn't call him that. Even the clansmen who adored children didn't call him that, or even treat him like he should be cherished. Sometimes not even his own family did that.
Masahi hesitated, wondering if this spirit is truly acknowledging him, wondering if they had truly saved him from the good of their heart. But then again…
This spirit was one of Amaterasu's blessed.
Masahi nodded his head hesitantly and the spirit moved closer to him, telegraphing their movements. Then when the spirit was within reach they spoke, "May I touch your face, I'm going to make sure you have no wounds or are poisoned."
Masahi could only nod, his eyes still wide with awe. The spirit wanted to help him.
The spirit smiled softly and gently cupped Masahi's face and the spirit closed their eyes. Masahi held in a gasp, the Spirit's chakra was amazing.
It felt warm, soft, like a hug. It also felt cool, calm, but also powerful like the ocean. The spirit's chakra also felt warm but not hot, like a nap under the sun.
The spirit carefully pushed its chakra through Masahi and he could only look at the spirit in awe. The spirit frowned and then he felt pressure on his eyes. His breath hitched as the feeling of pressure he didn't even know was there just… disappeared.
Masahi's eyes widened even more.
Then the throbbing pain in his wrist that he had been trying to ignore eased. It wasn't all the way gone but now it just felt like a dull ache, like it was just sore.
The spirit opened their eyes, their beautiful ruby eyes looking sorrowful.
"I apologize for not being able to do more," the spirit apologized, smiling softly. "Let's get you home cherished one," the spirit spoke softly. Then the spirit stood up and offered his hand to Masahi.
Masahi faltered because why would this spirit, one of Amaterasu's blessed, focus on him so much. But Masahi didn't want to disappoint the spirit so he took the offered hand. He was pulled up by the spirit that was only a few inches taller than him.
Masahi managed to turn off his Sharingan, knowing he would never forget this moment, if not from the fear, then from the beautiful spirit, Amaterasu's blessed, saving him.
The spirit led him through the Senju lands, and Masahi could hear distant patrols that the spirit made sure they avoided. The spirit's hand was warm and then they arrived at the river that separated the Senju land's from the home Masahi was so familiar with.
Then the spirit pulled Masahi onto his back and walked across the churning river, the same river no one was able to use chakra to cross.
The river was thought to be watched over by water sprites that despised fighting. Anyone who tried using chakra to cross always fell into the river's depths.
Then Masahi felt his feet touch the ground. They were on the other side, they didn't fall in.
The river didn't take the spirit, it didn't take Masahi someone who would one day be a fighter, killing people, spilling blood onto the earth and into the river.
The spirit looked at him with sorrow and an apologetic expression. "I apologize for picking you up without your permission cherished one but I didn't know if you knew how to water walk and it's best if you get back to your clan quickly," the spirit said apologetically.
Masahi shook his head quickly, his voice caught in his throat. What could he do to make this wonderful spirit understand that they did not have to apologize for anything. The spirit smiled softly, Masahi much preferred the spirit smiling.
Then the spirit ruffled Masahi's fluffy hair. Masahi stiffened instinctively, his body still remembering the Hyuugas. The spirit frowned, drawing back it's hand, sighing. Then the spirit spoke again, "An Uchiha patrol is coming soon cherished one, you'll be home soon."
Home.
Masahi could go home.
He could live another day.
The spirit looked at him softly, their eyes glowing gently. Then the spirit turned and walked back across the river as it seemed to calm under its feet. Then the spirit stopped, turning it's head to call over it's shoulder. "Goodbye cherished one, and make sure not to get taken again."
Then the spirit turned and started walking back. Masahi finally got rid of the lump in his throat, "My name's Masahi!"
The spirit paused and spoke calmly, "Names have power cherished one, who knows who you can trust. Make sure to be more careful when giving your name, cherished one."
Masahi nodded, determined. If he gave his name to carelessly, then someone, like a bad spirit, could use it to control him. The spirit was telling him to be careful of giving his name.
Then the spirit walked away, mist seemed to appear, shrouding the spirit from sight before it faded away, no spirit in sight.
Masahi hears footsteps and then rough but gentle hands grabbed his shoulders, turning him to face five Uchiha.
One was his father, the other four were people Masahi knew sparingly.
"You're ok," his father breathed, relief flooding his face.
"I was saved by a spirit!" Masahi exclaimed, his voice finally working properly.
His father looked confused but nodded anyway.
"You're injured but… it looks healed?" one of the other members of the group said, their hands hovering over Masahi.
"The spirit healed me!" Masahi said more insistently.
His father sighed, "We'll talk more when we get home. Come on." His father picked him up, holding him close to his chest.
Masahi didn't realize how tired he was until he was settled against his father's chest. His eyes drooped, and the last image in his mind, courtesy of his Sharingan, was the spirit in front of him, hand outstretched.
A few days later meant Masahi was deemed healthy enough to recount what happened.
Madara could still feel the fear gripping his heart when they were informed of Masahi's kidnapping. He could still feel the way dread settled in his bones and he could still remember how time seemed to stop.
Madara scowled, he didn't like this. The elders' eyes were narrowed and their lips pressed into thin lines.
Izuna shuffled next to him, knowing how important this was, but also not liking the oppressing energy of the elders.
"So Masahi, recount the events that lead up to the search party finding you," the lead elder, Madara never bothered learning their names, commanded.
Madara clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. They were treating this as if it was an interrogation. As if Masahi was being put on trial for whether or not he should live.
Their father held Masahi to his chest, the little boy's legs dangling over their father's arm as Masahi leaned his back against the man's chest.
Masahi nodded and he started to recount his tale. "I wanted to get the pretty red flowers from the flower field for big brother Izuna and big brother Madara. But…" Masahi trailed off, fidgeting with his fingers.
The flower field, that accursed flower field, the entire reason Masahi was even far enough for the Hyuugas to get him.
"Go on," one of the elders insisted and Madara ground his teeth together to prevent from snapping. Izuna didn't look much better, his fists clenched, his lips pulled into a scowl.
"The three Hyuugas saw me a-and I ran. I ran reeaaaallly far before I collapsed, breaking my wrist. The three caught up to me easily, as if they had only been playing with me," Masahi whispered timidly, so unlike his usual exuberant self.
Their father held Masahi slightly tighter and the boy didn't fight like usual.
Madara itched to find those Hyuuga, to see if they were still alive. He itched to make them burn.
He wanted to make them fear just like they made Masahi fear.
"What happened after that?" another elder asked gently.
Masahi's eyes startled to sparkle, "Then the spirit saved me! They killed the three Hyuugas and they brought me back here. They even crossed the river!" Masahi threw his arms into the air, gesturing wildly.
Madara's brows furrowed in confusion. The river separating the Senju and Uchiha was impossible to cross by water walking, everyone knew that. So just how did this 'spirit' manage to do it…
Unless they were actually a spirit.
"Spirit you say. Can you tell us more about them?" the leader elder leaned forward, intrigue and weariness in their eyes.
Masahi nodded eagerly. "They were so nice, soft, and their chakra felt warm and protective! They had the purest white hair, like the moon! And their skin was really pale and seemed to shimmer at the edges like they were there but also not!! A-and their eyes! Their eyes were RED!" Masahi exclaimed in excitement, practically vibrating.
Every single soul in that room froze.
Those with red eyes were blessed by Amaterasu but… there hasn't been a sighting or even mention of someone with red eyes for over 6,000 years.
"Are you sure there were red eyes?" one of the quieter elders spoke.
Masahi nodded, his brows furrowed, his lips pulled into a pout.
"I know it! I caught it with these!" Then Masahi's eyes turned blood red, a single tomoe lazily spinning.
Madara's breath hitched and he could hear Izuna step back.
Masahi had the Sharingan.
Every elders breath caught and a few looked away, sorrow on their faces. Their father looked panicked.
"Turn those off Masahi, you know the damage Sharingan can do to someone's eyes," their father insisted.
Masahi did so but he pouted, "But my eyes won't get hurt. The spirit healed them!"
The elders frowned, not quite believing it. "Show us the memory child," the lead elder commanded.
Their father grit his teeth, not protesting. Madara bit his tongue and he could feel Izuna grabbing his arm, the younger boy's nails digging into his sleeve.
Masahi nodded resolutely and turned on his eyes, the singular tomoes now spinning quickly in the red depths that are Masahi's eyes.
Madara let himself be caught in the Genjutsu, as did everyone else.
The room turned into a forest clearing, three Hyuugas stood in front of him, no, Masahi. This was Masahi's memories.
The scene sped up before a white haired figure turned to Masahi. Madara sucked in a breath.
The figure looked spiritual, had the most beautiful red eyes that softened. The figure's pale skin shimmered as if they were both there and not.
The spirit, for they could not be human, outstretched a hand, palm upwards. The spirit's chakra was warm, soft, like a hug. It also felt cool, calm, but also powerful like the ocean. The spirit's chakra also felt warm but not hot, like a nap under the sun.
The chakra simply felt amazing and the spirit practically screamed divinity.
Then the memory sped up again until the spirit carried him across the river, walking over the water with no problem. The usual ravenous waves that would drown any who tried to cross it, seemed to calm under the spirit's feet.
Then the memory ended abruptly when the spirit put Masahi down.
Masahi pouted, his eyes back to normal Madara ignored the whisper saying that wasn't all, that Masahi was keeping something to himself. Everyone in the room was still.
"Amaterasu's blessed," one elder whispered.
Their father was stuck there, holding Masahi loosely.
"I told you!" Masahi pouted and it was quite adorable.
"Do you know what this means Masahi?" the lead elder asked.
Masahi shook his head, still pouting, but his eyes held a glimmer of confusion and curiosity.
"It means Amaterasu's blessed it here! Though why they did not come to the Uchiha clan with you is odd, it matters not," a kind elder informed them.
"Perhaps they wish to help from the shadows?" an elder hesitantly offered. A few elders looked thoughtful at that.
"But surely they know we would protect them, Amaterasu's blessed," a stubborn elder insisted.
Madara could only try and commit that spirit to his memory. They simply looked gorgeous, like they were divinity. Their eyes were brighter than the Sharingan and were so soft.
Izuna pulled on Madara's sleeve and the older boy turned to the younger. "They were so pretty and their chakra felt so nice," Izuna whispered, eyes wide in awe.
Madara could only nod in agreement. Their father motioned for them to follow him as he carried Masahi out of the room. The two boys followed their family members as the elders discussed and bickered.
Their father slumped in relief when they were a fair distance away from the elders hall. They went back home and Madara let a grin break on his face at the sight of his mother watering the small garden. She was an amazing warrior and made their father fight for her affection (not physically of course).
She was 9 months pregnant, her bump large, she would be giving birth to Madara's littlest siblings any day now. Madara, Izuna, and Masahi were getting excited to get little siblings and were practically vibrating with joy once they were told.
"Mama!" Izuna yelled, running towards her. Their mom looked up and smiled at them softly.
Madara's heart warmed as he watched Masahi wiggle out of their father's arms and run towards their mother. Their father huffed with amusement and followed Madara as the boy ran after his brothers to their mother.
Only two days later had Madara looking at two scrunched up faces. They were wrapped in soft cloth and in their cot while his mother was awake on the medical bed, still weak from hours of labor.
"Why do they look like that?" Izuna asked.
"They were just born, give it some time," their father responded.
Madara could only look at his littlest siblings.
"What are their names?" Madara asked, still peering over the cot.
"We haven't decided yet," his mother told them softly. Her eyes soft and her face relaxed, so unlike her angry yelling hours earlier.
"Can we name them?!" Masahi asked excitedly.
Their father gave a small chuckle, ruffling the young boy's hair. "What do you think their names should be?" their father asked amused.
"Takashi for the sleeping one and Hyouki for the one who's looking around," Izuna declared, peering over the cot with Madara.
"Those are nice names," Madara commented but most of his focus was on the two bundles in the cot.
Izuna squawked at Madara's comment, "They're not just nice names! They're great names!"
"Takashi and Hyouki Uchiha. I like those names," Their mother commented weakly, her strength starting to fade.
"Just rest now my dear. We'll take care of these two while you sleep," their father leaned over their mother, kissing her forehead while his mother's eyes fluttered shut.
Madara would protect them, no matter what.
The first time Takashi and Hyouki had been taken, they were two years old and were terrified.
They'd heard the stories of child hunters, of those that wished to steal their eyes. Takashi had only been napping under a tree while Hyouki was curled up next to him and trying to learn how to read.
Then something was shoved over their mouths, Takashi urged awake but both he and Hyouki's vision quickly turned black. Then they woke up, chained to the ground in what seemed like a stone cell with bars in front of them.
There were people in front of them, adults but not affiliated with any clan.
Hyouki pressed himself against the wall, trying to hide, while Takashi shuffled in front of his twin, trying to shield him from view.
The people had only laughed. "Oh you poor things. Do you perhaps want to be free," the women of the group crooned, her voice sickly sweet, her eyes poisonous. Her brown hair was pulled in two buns on either side of her head, black tattoos that were like lines went around her body.
The tattoos looked like prisoner tattoos.
"Please, I wanna go home," Takashi choked out.
"Perhaps," the woman purred and one of the men scoffed. She gave the man a venomous glare and the man clammed up. "If you just give us what we want, just maybe we'll take you back home," she stepped closer to the bars separating them.
"Don't trust her," Hyouki said so softly that only Takashi could hear him. Takashi's fists clenched and he bit his tongue, trying to will away the tears in his eyes.
"Just give us your eyes and you can go home," the woman told them, her eyes gleaming. Her lips curled in a mockery of a smile while too many teeth and she outstretched a hand through the bars, as if offering them a deal.
They didn't want to die and they were smart enough to know that the woman would kill them regardless if she got their eyes or not.
"How about no," a different voice snorted before there was a flash of silver. The lady pulled back her arm, a scream on her lips that never escaped because the next moment she fell dead to the ground. She had no injuries besides the kunai stuck in her arm.
Then there was a blur of white and the other two hunters fell dead to the floor, their necks snapped with a sickening crack. The white haired figure looked youthful, only about 7 years old, but their attention was caught by the figure's red eyes.
This was the spirit, Amaterasu's blessed, the one who saved Masahi every time he was taken.
Why did the blessed one come to save THEM.
Hyouki's breath caught in his throat and Takashi's eyes widened. The spirit's chakra was warm, like a hug, yet vast and deep like the sea, but also like the sun. The spirit pressed a hand to the lock on the cell door before the lock crumbled away and the door swung open.
The spirit smiled softly at them, it's eyes soft, "Let's get you two home." Their savior walked over to them, and stopped a few feet away. "May I come closer to unlock your chains?" the blessed one asked gently.
Takashi could only nod. The spirit walked closer, crouching down and Hyouki's eyes widened as the spirit touched a hand to the chains before they started crumbling. Takashi rubbed his wrists and Hyouki looked at what remained of the shackles in interest.
"Thank you," Hyouki whispered. The spirit nodded softly.
"May I touch you two and heal what injuries I can?" the spirit asked, looking at the raw and irritated skin on their wrists.
"You'll only do that? No funny stuff?" Takashi asked, slight fear in his voice as the woman's cruel voice seemed to echo in his skull.
The spirit only nodded which made Takashi's shoulders slump in relief before he slid slightly away from his twin. Now the two boys were side by side, their shoulders touching. The spirit shuffled over to them, it's hair seemingly shimmering, even in the dark cell.
The spirit gently took one of their wrists in each hand and the twins sucked in a breath. They watched in awe as their skin healed, as their aches disappeared. It's as if they were never injured or even taken.
"May I take you home now?" the spirit asked, a smile on their lips.
Hyouki surged forwards, hugging the taller figure tightly, sobs escaping him as he tried to say coherent words.
Takashi followed soon after and soon the spirit had it's arms full of two sobbing children.
They were safe.
They were finally safe.
"Let's get you two home," the spirit soothed.
Tajima sighed, running a hand through his hair.
These last 3-4 years have been new and different. For one, their children were being hunted more than ever. Two, Amaterasu's blessed appeared and is the one saving the children.
Tajima wanted to go home to his clan, his children, his wife.
But he was stuck in a meeting with the daimyo who seemed curious about the drop in child deaths.
The daimyo had called all the clan leaders but of course Butsuma didn't show.
Apparently the blessed hasn't only been saving Uchiha children but instead, they were saving all children.
"So what you're saying is that this 'Wolf-sama' has been saving you all," the Daimyo hums.
The Hatake clan head, a woman named Ulrica who didn't partake in battle for fun but could decimate her enemies if her clan was threatened, nodded.
The Inuzuka clan head, a scarred man named Tharon who was serious and older than Tajima, nodded as well.
The other clan leaders nodded as well.
Hershel, the leader of the Nara, hummed in thought, pondering while his mind went a mile a minute.
Manish, the leader of the Yamanaka, seemed to be having a silent conversation with Hershel though they very well could be considering the Yamanaka's abilities.
Festie, the leader of the Akimichi, nibbled on some food but pondered at the novelty of the same person saving their children.
The other clan leaders nodded.
"But that would simply be impossible," Festie told them.
"Impossible or not, they're doing it somehow," the daimyo grimaced at the thought of exactly how many children had been hunted but saved.
"You know what's interesting?" Tharon started, "Anytime the children came back they went on and on about Wolf-sama. I've caught some things."
"As in…" Loimata, the clan leader of the Hyuuga trailed off.
"The children have said that Wolf-sama feels strong, that he appeared and disappeared, that any enemies who touched his kunai died. They said he was too strong to be a mere mortal," Tharon grimaced.
"The pups have said the same," Ulrica sighed.
"The children have said that they have the purest hair that was the color of the moon and red eyes," Manish's eyes darted to Tajima.
All the clans leaders knew about Amaterasu's blessed being given bright red eyes.
"It's true and as you all know, Amaterasu's blessed have always been considered her children. The Uchiha children have taken to calling the blessed one a spirit," Tajima responded.
Tajima ignored the whispering in his mind that said maybe, just maybe Amaterasu's blessed wasn't mortal. He ignored the whispering that said maybe just maybe the blessed wasn't JUST considered Amaterasu's child but actually her child.
"But even if they're her blessed, they should be able to do any of what they have been doing. It's as if they aren't mortal," Beckett, the leader of the Aburame who never quite fit in as a child, grimaced, their bees buzzing with agitation.
The room was silent before the daimyo sighed, "This has given no definitive answers and the person is not any of your people so they don't belong to a clan."
Tajima was grateful no one had even considered that the blessed was a Senju besides a passing laugh. No Senju would save other clan children, hell they didn't often save their own.
"You're all dismissed," the daimyo sighed and everyone started to leave.
This meeting had brought more questions than answers.
2 months later and their mom was sent on a mission.
Izuna didn't know why, but he thought she looked sad. She seemed to hug them longer and tighter, especially the twins.
Izuna shrugged it off.
"You gotta come back ok! You have to come back and celebrate the twins birthday with us!" Izuna didn't know why he had said it.
"I promise, I'll come back and we'll all celebrate together," she told him, her eyes sad. Izuna knew his expression screamed how he didn't believe her.
Their mother only smiled softly and then, she was gone.
Madara was 11.
Izuna was 8.
Masahi was 5.
Takashi and Hyouki were 3.
She didn't come back.
Her body is found 2 weeks later. She was already dying, had been dying since even before the twins birth.
She had been dying from an illness that ate away at her chakra. The twins' birthday was in 3 weeks.
She had been poisoned by an enemy and didn't have an antidote.
She missed their birthday.
Izuna stood in front of his mother's grave. Masahi was solemn next to him, gripping his hand tightly. The twins were on his other side, gripping each other's hands. Madara stood next to their father and their father stood behind them slightly.
She lied.
She lied and she knew it.
Izuna didn't like that bitter feeling that welled up within him.
He didn't like how his teeth grit together or that ugly feeling that wedged within his heart.
4 months later had Masahi holding the spirit's hand again. Takashi was holding the spirit's other hand and Takashi was on the being's back.
When they got back to the lands that smelled of fire, of home, of safety, the lands of his home, the spirit put Hyouki down and stepped back.
As the spirit started to leave Masahi didn't know why, but he yelled, "Thank you Mika-sama!"
Mika-sama stumbled, but he continued running, his beautiful white hair that was in a braid trailed after him.
Masahi didn't know why he called Mika-sama that, but it felt right, as if something was urging him to say it, as if it was but also wasn't his own mouth.
"Mika-sama?" Takashi questioned, tilting his head while Hyouki's eyes sparkled.
"Yup! It felt right!" Masahi exclaimed.
"Could it be Amaterasu telling us what to call him. We know he insists to never give our names so perhaps Amaterasu gifted a name to him," Hyouki offered hesitantly.
Masahi nodded, excitedly.
It fit Mika-sama perfectly. The name felt graceful, both peaceful and dangerous. It felt right and it matched the spirit's chakra, it's heart, it's kindness.
It fit Mika-sama.
Later when the group that was sent out for them found them, Masahi told the group what happened. When the group questioned who Mika-sama was, Masahi pouted and told them it was the spirit, Amaterasu's blessed.
They asked if Mika-sama had shared it's name and Masahi shook his head while Hyouki explained that Amaterasu chose it for the spirit.
Perhaps Mika-sama was more than just a spirit. Why else would Amaterasu choose a name for them because although she was very kind and giving, she didn't give names.
Unless…
Unless Mika-sama was her child.
The name stuck.
Tajima walked through the clan's lands late at night. The moon was full and then he saw it.
3 figures huddled around a small carving. The carving looked like Mika-sama and the 3 seemed to be praying.
Tajima didn't stop them.
After a year Madara started meeting a boy by the river. The boy seemed nice, though his haircut was ridiculous, utterly ridiculous.
He ignored the whispering in his head. The feminine voice told him to run, to run and never look back. The voice told him that the boy wasn't nice, that the boy wasn't human.
The whisper told him the boy wasn't a boy, told him the boy was just an echo of something terrible, that the boy should be burned with her sacred fire.
Izuna was starting to ask when he could see Mika-sama in the flesh instead of Sharingan memories.
Madara also wondered that and while he was glad he hasn't, because that means he hasn't been kidnapped or something, he was disappointed.
Izuna was training with a katana against Madara and his gunbai.
Masahi figured out he wanted to be a healer that could fight. Madara was pretty sure the younger boy wanted to be like Mika-sama.
The twins still had no idea of what they wanted to do but Madara had his suspicions.
The clansmen were often worried that Madara would be taken but he reassured them, saying he would flare his chakra if need be. He also told them that if he wasn't back in an hour, they should look for him.
Madara often told the boy, Hashirama, about his brothers but he didn't reveal to many things, especially their last names.
Hashirama talked about his little brothers too though he seemed hesitant to talk about one he called 'Tobi'. Hashirama's eyes seemed to flicker with something dark whenever 'Tobi' was mentioned.
Madara always shrugged it off but he couldn't help but tense whenever he saw that dark look, that hollow look that spoke of something not being quite as it seems.
Takashi was leaning against Hyouki, sleeping, as Hyouki read.
Hyouki frowned when he reached a section of his book. It was a more obscure take on legends and myths but all legends and myths had a margin of truth.
He had reached the part that talked about Amaterasu but that wasn't what caught his attention.
There was a small little tale that was never mentioned again and wasn't much more than a bedtime story/fairytale, but it said that one day, Amaterasu was so joyful that crops flourished, the sun shined. The world itself seemed to rejoice and the seas were peaceful for the first time in years as if it was also celebrating. It was said that Amaterasu had a child, one that the sea blessed and adopted as it's own.
Could Mika-sama be a deity…
Why else would they help everyone?
Why else would they be so powerful?
Why else would they be Amaterasu's blessed?
Why else would they be so protective of the children?
Why else would the river let them cross over it?
Hyouki needed to tell everyone, especially Takashi.
Madara had been sneaking out for three months now and Izuna was determined to get to the bottom of it.
So Izuna followed Madara and felt his heart seize in his chest. His older brother was interacting with a boy who looked to be the same age as him except…
Except he looked off.
His eyes too dark, his chakra too cold, his voice too fake. That boy did not look like a boy.
Izuna knew he was a Senju but the young boy could care less. If Mika-sama can ignore what everyone says about other clans, then so can Izuna unless proven otherwise.
Izuna would have ignored the fact that the boy was Senju if it wasn't for the fact that the boy felt wrong, especially compared to Mika-sama then again no one can be compared to the deity that is the child of Amaterasu.
So Izuna fled, he fled away from the monster that interacted with his brother, away from the river separating their lands, away from the thing that pretended to be human.
Izuna had told their father everything and he gathered troops. They went to the river but now, Izuna couldn't help but wish he hadn't said a thing at all.
Izuna couldn't believe his eyes.
There, right there in front of him was Mika-sama, except this person had cold eyes, a blank face, and a weapon pointed at the Uchiha.
Madara also seemed shocked, not just from the fact the boy he had been meeting up with was a Senju, but also because of Hashirama.
Was Mika-sama perhaps just a ploy, did that person just want to get their trust and then betray them?!
No.
It's not true.
Something is wrong with this scene.
Look closer Izuna.
Then the fighting started and Izuna's breath caught in his throat because Mika-sama was cutting people down.
Izuna rushed at Mika-sama, anger burning in his gut as he tried to ignore the blank face that Mika-sama now showed.
The two fought but Izuna noticed something. Anytime Mika-sama even scratched him, guilt would flash through Mika-sama's eyes.
Did…
Did Mika-sama not want to do this?
If so then why did he cut down Izuna's clansmen.
Izuna heard one of the Senju call Mika-sama the name Tobirama. That name felt right with Mika-sama but at the same time it didn't feel right like the name Mika-sama did.
Then the fighting was over and Butsuma squeezed Mika-sama's shoulder tightly when the deity's returned to the Senju. Mika-sama stiffened, fear flashing in the deity's eyes. Mika-sama shouldn't be afraid.
The Senju Madara had been meeting, Hashirama as he was called, glared at Mika-sama in hatred and Izuna didn't like that, not one bit.
Then when the Senju were gone the remaining clansmen went to the bodies of the fallen, except…
The ones Mika-sama faced sat up, their bloody appearance shimmering and being replaced with their alive and intact form.
Mika-sama didn't kill them.
Mika-sama pretended to kill them so they wouldn't be killed by the others.
Oh…
Mika-sama never wanted to hurt them.
Mika-sama wanted to protect them.
But then why was Mika-sama with the Senju?
Was Mika-sama a Senju?
…
Preposterous.
"Mika-sama can't be a human, much less a Senju!" Madara shouted at the elders.
The elders also looked confused and disbelieving at the current situation.
"Mika-sama isn't a human! He was just bound to the Senju with his name!" Masahi shouted, cutting through the murmurs.
"Explain," the lead elder demanded.
"When I first met Mika-sama, he told me that names have power and we shouldn't give them to people!" Masahi continued.
"Continue," an elder motioned for Masahi to continue and something warm curled in Masahi's heart and mind.
"A long time ago, maybe thousands of years ago, Mika-sama must've given his name to the Senju because they tricked him and took advantage of his kindness. They sealed him and made him fight for them but I don't think they remember his name anymore!" Masahi exclaimed.
Tajima nodded in agreement, as did the elders.
Madara let out a breath of relief and Izuna slumped against the wall, relief evident on his face.
Takashi and Hyouki looked at the elders as if they couldn't believe the elders thought for one moment that Mika-sama could be a mortal much less a Senju.
They would all help Mika-sama break free.
They would help Mika-sama get his name back!
Madara saw a large group of Uchihas surrounding a small carving of Mika-sama, praying to Amaterasu's child.
"Please Mika-sama, help my child last the night. Please let my child survive," one crying mother whispered.
Madara clasped his hands together and whispered his own prayer.
The woman's son was alive, well, and positively thriving the next morning, his previously thought fatal illness gone.
Mika-sama earned more worshipers that day. The entire clan followed the deity.
The Uchiha weren't nearly enough.
Her child needed more.
They may not be of the same blood or essence but he was HERS.
The next battle Izuna made sure to look for obvious signs of some kind of seal on Mika-sama.
The deity seemed all the more reluctant and pained having to fight the Uchiha.
They understood now.
Mika-sama was bound in a way he couldn't easily escape from so he did his best trying to protect them from the shadows.
Izuna saw Madara quietly seething at the thing called Hashirama.
Don't worry Mika-sama, the Uchiha will free you.
A few weeks later had Takashi running through the forest, tears in his eyes, but also hope.
There was a blur of white before the ninja chasing him fell dead.
A few strands of Mika-sama's beautiful hair had been cut by a kunai and Takashi felt rage burn.
But Takashi discarded that anger for a later time. He ran to the deity and hugged him tightly.
"You saved me! I knew you would! Don't worry Mika-sama! We'll save you!" Takashi insisted.
"What do you mean cherished one?" Mika-sama asked softly, confused and Takashi felt sorrow because did Mika-sama get so used to being under Senju thumb he doesn't know how to be free anymore?
"The Senju have bound you to them! We'll save you from them, no matter what!" Takashi exclaimed, his cheeks puffing in anger.
Mika-sama just sighed and put Takashi on his back. Takashi felt glee rush through him as Mika-sama started jumping through the branches.
Takashi talked the whole way, needing Mika-sama to know that the Uchiha understood what happened and that they would free the deity.
Takashi was cut off when Mika-sama took a risky jump, he had full faith in the deity.
The young boy whooped and hollered in excitement and joy. He saw Mika-sama smile from the corner of his eye.
Then they reached Uchiha lands and a group came into view right as Mika-sama put Takashi down.
The group consisted of 4 Uchihas and froze at the sight of Mika-sama.
The leader, a kind man who always gave Takashi and Hyouki cookies when they asked, stepped forward. "Mika-sama we-" The leader was cut off by the Mika-sama holding up a hand.
"The cherished child is safe," Mika-sama said softly, nudging Takashi forward.
Takashi hugged the deity tightly before rushing over to the group, taking the leader's calloused but soft hand.
Takashi waved at the deity and Mika-sama smiled gently.
Then Mika-sama vanished.
The entire group froze and Takashi felt giddy excitement. Mika-sama couldn't do that before! Mika-sama was regaining his powers!
Hyouki saw Mika-sama again a few years later with a few new additions.
Mika-sama seemed to age but it was collectively agreed that it was from Mika-sama breaking out of the seal slowly.
Mika-sama had markings, bright red lines. One line on each cheek and one on the deity's chin.
"What are those for?" Hyouki asked curiously.
"They were always meant to be there cherished child," he answered.
Hyouki thought to himself. If they were always meant to be there then perhaps Mika-sama was breaking out quicker and that he had the marking before being bound by the Senju.
When he got back home Hyouki told his clan and they all felt relief wash over them.
Mika-sama was truly breaking through his seal! He was managing to find a way to unbind himself!
4 years go by and the entire Uchiha clan celebrates when they heard the news.
Izuna laughed and danced with the others as they all danced around a fire.
Butsuma was dead!
He was gone!
Now the last one who even might have remembered or knew of Mika-sama's name was gone!
Something warm curled in his mind.
Yes.
She liked this very much.
Izuna saw Masahi laughing in joy.
He saw the twins somewhere huddled together, like they always were. They weren't ones for large parties but Izuna could see the elation on their faces.
Izuna saw Madara practically vibrating with joy, not just because this meant there would be a greater chance for peace but they would also never accept peace when Mika-sama was still bound to the despicable Senju but because Mika-sama could be free!
Izuna laughed and cheered, and danced with his fellow clansmen around the fire as they sent their thanks to Amaterasu.
The god of children and the ocean would be free.
Amaterasu would have her child back.
The Sea would have it's blessed back.
Mika-sama would be free.
Tajima retired 3 months after Butsuma died. He was tired and the aches in his joints has only gotten worse.
He wants to keep living, to see Mika-sama free.
He wants to raise his children, to live to see grandchildren.
Tajima knew Madara would do good.
Izuna would advise him wonderfully.
Masahi would be an excellent person for treaties and communication.
Hyouki would be amazing at gather information while Takashi acts on that info.
They would be wonderful and Tajima had full faith in them.
11 years go by and Mika-sama seems to break through his seal more and more every battle.
It's as if he's actually growing up but it must be because he doesn't want to be found out by the Senju who have no idea about his true identity. He must not want to be bound again.
Mika-sama never hurts them because he wants to, only the child hunters they would gladly help him do so because those are not Uchiha anymore, those are monsters, he hurts them because otherwise it would look to suspicious and besides, at most they're scratched.
Hashirama seems to be engaged to the Uzumaki heir, Mito.
Madara was honestly worried for the woman who seemed to both genuinely love Hashirama but also was only marrying him out of force.
Izuna was an incredible fighter and he took great pride in that fact. He was never able to be Madara, even if the older boy didn't have his gunbai. Izuna seemed to have a crush on the only female fighter of the Senju.
Madara approves, she was strong and she cared deeply for Mika-sama.
Masahi was amazing at healing and he was also incredibly skilled at kunai and sebon.
Hyouki also seemed to take up the mantle of being an information gather while Takashi would act on that information like an assassin or judge.
All was well.
Mika-sama was break through his seal.
But Hashirama kept yelling at Madara for peace. Madara wants peace, doesn't want to have to see his brothers fight but…
When Madara looks at Mika-sama, still bound, his resolve tightens. They will not have peace until Mika-sama is unbound.
So Madara refuses.
Sometimes Madara can catch the tail end of Hashirama whisper yelling at Mika-sama, something that fuels Madara's anger and resolve.
Mika-sama never used the seals or any of the techniques he used on child hunters. He never did, no matter what, and for that, the entire Uchiha clan is grateful.
Masahi was visiting a village and saw a few Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka.
They seemed to look at each other before walking up to Masahi and quietly asking if he has any carvings of Mika-sama.
Masahi brightened, giving them a few small ones he carved on his way to the village.
They didn't capture Mika-sama well enough but they would have to do.
The ones who held the small carvings look at the figure of Mika-sama in reverence.
Yes.
He needs more worshipers.
This isn't enough.
She'll make sure he gets them.
Izuna was fighting Mika-sama when Mika-sama opened his mouth and his next word made him freeze.
"Izuna," Mika-sama started.
The deity never used their names.
Never.
So what was wrong?
Did he do something wrong?
Did the deity not like his weekly offering?!
Did he disgrace him?!
Izuna will give his own life in repentance just to have the deity forgive him!
What does he need to do!
"I'm being forced to use a technique that can kill someone almost instantly, it lets me move from my original position to wherever the seal I throw is almost instantly. I need you to dodge or block my attack. I will angle my sword away from you as much as I can," Mika-sama grit out, as if pained.
Izuna stood frozen, katana slack in his hands.
"Now!" Mika-sama shouted, and threw a kunai to Izuna's side.
It wasn't nearly as fast as Mika-sama could throw it, showing that Mika-sama was trying to fight back against the seal that forced him to use the technique.
Izuna deflected it with his katana and the their was a blur of white.
Mika-sama moved faster than the eye could see, faster than Izuna's Sharingan could see.
The deity was able to make it look like Izuna just got lucky. Izuna jumped back, he wasn't injured, just a small gash to his side.
Mika-sama grimaced, sorrow and guilt flashing threw his eyes.
Mika-sama shouldn't feel that!
"Izuna!" Madara yelled, panic evident in his voice. Madara rushed over to Izuna and studied the wound. When he saw it wasn't bad he inclined his head towards Mika-sama, reverence in his eyes.
"See Madara! Peace is possible! If my little brother," Hashirama started, seemingly oblivious to the Uchiha's narrowed eyes filled with anger.
How can Hashirama dare to call himself Mika-sama's brother!!
Hashirama was a human but even that seemed false and Mika-sama was a deity!!
"Who hates Izuna," Hashirama continued, oblivious to the Uchiha's disbelieving and skeptical gazes, "can choose not to kill him when he clearly had the chance, then we could have peace!" Hashirama shouted, seeing this as a chance to push for peace.
Madara scowled, his gaze locked on Hashirama before turning to Mika-sama. Izuna knew what he was asking. 'Should they accept peace with the clan that bound Mika-sama?'
Mika-sama only nodded, eyes softening.
Izuna grit his teeth, his feelings warring within him.
This was the clan that bound Mika-sama.
But if they accepted peace then maybe Mika-sama would give him his blessing to court Touka, a woman he's fallen in love with on the battlefield.
Mika-sama was always kind, wanting everyone to live and be happy.
Izuna hesitated before finally, "Fine, we'll agree to peace."
Hashirama immediately whooped and hollered in joy before crushing Mika-sama in a hug. The deity stiffened, his hands clenched.
Every Uchiha's eyes were narrowed, anger within them flaring. How dare Hashirama something that didn't feel human and called itself Mika-sama's brother touch Mika-sama like that when he was clearly uncomfortable.
How dare he have the nerve to do that.
"Thank you! If you had killed Izuna I don't know what we could've done to get peace," Hashirama thanked.
The Uchihas saw the flicker of sadness in Mika-sama's eyes.
They didn't like that one bit.
It's been almost a year since Madara and Izuna agreed to peace.
The village was going wonderfully and Mika-sama had made so many plans, options, alternative choices, and designs! The clans were all able to agree on one easily.
Mika-sama was so devoted to this village and Madara couldn't help but want the peace to continue and for Mika-sama's vision to thrive.
Hashirama and Mito had been wed. Izuna was finally able to court Touka, after Mika-sama gave his blessing of course, and the two were engaged. Masahi seemed to have started dating one of the younger 'brothers' of Mika-sama.
The boy, Itama, seemed to cherish Mika-sama and even helped when gathering materials or offerings for Mika-sama.
Hyouki really enjoyed sparing with Takashi against Kawarama, Mika-sama's other 'brother'.
Kawarama also cherished Mika-sama and often told stories about him.
Mika-sama seemed to treat them as if they were his brothers so no one ever said anything.
Then Mika-sama had revealed something shocking. The deity had summons, snow leopards, and quite frankly they were giant and so amazing. Mika-sama had causally mentioned that he could summon all of them.
Mika-sama was so strong! And the fact that only Mika-sama would ever summon them, they had all heard the boss summon saying they would only ever take Mika-sama as a summoner, was even better!!
Children had immediately crowded around the snow leopards Mika-sama had deigned to summon.
There were still tensions between clans but they tried their best for Mika-sama because the deity wanted them to get along!
Madara was currently in a meeting with the other clan heads. Hashirama had to represent the village because he was the Hokage something people were still bitter about but Mika-sama had stated that he didn't want the spot so Mika-sama had to represent the Senju.
The deity's shoulders slumped when all the issues had been resolved.
Then Madara looked at the other clan heads who looked at him. There wouldn't be many other times when they were all gathered together.
They stood up and bowed to the deity who has always protected them.
"We thank you Mika-sama/Wolf-sama!" They shouted while Mika-sama seemed shocked that they would ever thank him and Hashirama looked confused.
Commotion was heard outside and Mika-sama seemed to see the hundreds of people from each clan in the village, all bowing towards the deity while shouting their thanks.
Then Madara straightened. He had been delighted to receive this honor. With a determined expression he asked, "Where do you want your shrine Mika-sama?"