Disclaimer: The beautiful story of Naruto belongs to Kishimoto, as do all his characters. Naasica is the only character that belongs to me.

Warning: All warnings will be addressed at the bottom A/N - be sure to read them, because this FF may not be your cup of tea.

Beta: Cyndaquil123

"Some men just want to watch the world burn."

-Alfred

"Don't be so silly," Grandmother said, a teasing light in her eyes. "It doesn't suit you."

I smiled coyly, cupping my hands together and lifting the flour up to my face. I puffed out my cheeks and blew as hard as I could.

Grandmother giggled with glee as the flour erupted all over the kitchen, showering us in white powder. Her laughter became infectious and I started to giggle with her. Her eyes rested on me, warm and loving.

"Silly little sapling," Grandmother scolded me. "Now watch and learn."

Grandmother scooped up some flour and blew on at. Once again a shower of flour started to descend around us. My giggles took a higher-pitch, as I struggled to contain my glee. My hands clapped together and I applauded how she managed to cover the entire kitchen with flour. Grandmother bowed lowly.

She then straightened up, a smile on her face. She reached out a wrinkled hand and brushed back a stray strand of hair from my face. "I love you, my little sapling."

. . .

. .

.

"You cannot stay here forever," Madara whispered, brushing back a stray strand of hair from my face. His eyes bore into me, even if I could not see them, I knew that much. "The knowledge you possess... we will need time to devise our plan, but I know this much... you will be of better use if you are in a firm position in Konohagakure."

I grabbed his hand, holding it in my hands. The skin was still calloused and rough, despite all the years Madara hadn't actually used it for difficult work. It was a hard hand, a hand that had taken many lives, but hopefully... it would be a hand that saved many lives, too.

"I understand. But how will I contact you again? We cannot rely on Zetsu..."

"We do not need to," Madara said softly. "You know how Zetsu is able to move from one place to another - he melds with the earth, with the trees and ground and scatters his cells. He traverses from one place to another almost instantaneously, and you also know that Zetsu is made entirely of Hashirama's cells, as well as the Jūbi's shell."

"Are you... are you saying that because Hashirama is my grandfather...? Because I have his cells...?"

"Not quite," Madara responded. "It requires the wood-nature ability to utilize this. The Jūbi's chakra allows Zetsu to phase through anything, but the wood-nature alone will permit him to traverse through wood."

That made sense. Yamato was able to utilize something similar.

"Something Konoha has plenty of. So... So I must learn how to meld with the trees and travel like Zetsu?"

"Yes. When you have mastered it to the point where you can move from Konoha to here quickly and efficiently, then you will return to Konoha."

I nodded my head. "Yes, Madara-sama."

"You will stay in Konoha. You will grow. You must rise through the ranks and reach the highest position you can. If you want to be Hokage, then be Hokage, but just know you need power. Do whatever it takes to reach that."

My stomach churned with nerves. "If that... if that is what is necessary, then I will do it, Madara-sama. But... but how can I reach those ranks?"

"Present yourself as a powerful kunoichi," Madara said simply. "You are a woman trapped in a child's body, use that intelligence of yours to your advantage. You have the wood-style, use that to the fullest. You are the Senju heiress, and you will learn seals from an Uzumaki seal master. Use all of your resources."

I felt sick, and fear ran through me. What Madara was suggesting was the exact opposite of what I had been doing. He was saying to draw attention to myself - to paint a giant target on my back saying: Look at me! Look at me! I've got Hashirama's chakra and I'm a rising prodigy! Look at me! Look at me! My gut instinct screamed for me to do anything, but draw attention to myself. Especially with Danzō and Orochimaru on the prowl...

Madara must have sensed my fear because he said, almost soothingly, "Orochimaru and Danzō would not dare. After this kidnap attempt, you will be guarded zealously. It will be hassle enough for you to slip out to meet me, and I doubt Orochimaru nor Danzō somehow are capable of developing a teleportation technique. Not to mention, I will be training you. You will not be an easy target, and with time, you will not be a target at all."

A thrill ran through me at that. Madara was the kind of teacher that took a dead-last like Obito and turned him into Tobi in less than two years. Still... I didn't like the thought of drawing attention to myself. Not in the least bit, yet... yet if it was necessary for our goal... if it was necessary for survival, as well as to achieve that world...

"I understand," I whispered, the words somehow heavier once up in the air.

Madara seemed to eye me for a while longer. "... It will be impossible to hide your wood-nature, you do realize that, don't you?"

I lowered my eyes.

"Hashirama... Hashirama was only able to separate his chakra into two natures after over a decade of training, and even then it took considerable effort. I'm sure you've already had trouble attempting to do so."

I nodded my head.

"I doubt you'll be able to perform anything other than wood-style jutsus for at least a decade. More than likely longer," Madara said blandly, and I frowned. "Furthermore, the fact that you were so easily emotional and that you broke to the point of confessing to me of your origins shows that you won't be able to play the idiot. You're intelligence will reveal itself in one form or another. Either you set yourself early as a prodigy and a wood-user, or you try to uphold a mask that will be revealed one way or another."

I flushed deeply at his words, white hot shame rushing through me.

"Do not be ashamed," Madara said softly, bringing a finger to tilt my head back up to meet his eyes. "You have not been trained for something like this... Now... enough of these words... you need to train. Zetsu, if you would..."

"Right away, Madara-sama," I heard Zetsu laugh.

(ง ⌣ ⌣) ง

I still had yet to actually leave the cave during the day. Zetsu would only take me out at night, and we only focused on my ability to transport myself. It was an odd thing, and I understood the theory behind it, but actually replicating it myself was... odd. In essence, I was first converting my entire body - down to the atom - into chakra. Into wood-natured chakra. From there, I had to transition myself into the wood and allow myself to scatter, and focus in one a single familiar tree, or thing of wood.

Zetsu often lamented that he had no consciousness when he scattered, and that all he could focus on was the destination. He said it was an odd experience and at best, unsettling.

When I was finally able to dissolve my hand, I had to concur with him.

The time that I did not spend training, I spent discussing our moves with Madara. I understood why I needed to ascertain such a high position - I needed to be able to sway Konoha in some manner regarding certain things. I couldn't abuse my ability, and I could not sway everything too much, otherwise the future would become too muddled to accurately predict the outcome.

There were things that we already decided to change. The first regarding Kabuto's resurrection of Madara. We both agreed that Madara being able to utilize the Edo-Tensei effects (limitless chakra, can't die, etc) was advantageous, and he would be brought back through that originally, however Madara was strongly against anyone adjusting his body to their advantage.

Regarding Nagato, Madara had yet to give the boy his Rinnegan, and he was hesitant in doing so (considering how sentimental he became and how he was capable of being swayed by Naruto's words). His Rinnegan alone did not have the ability to bring life to others (hence why he originally gave it to Nagato), because it needed to be saturated and thrive in a certain chakra - in Uzumaki chakra. There were a scarce few true Uzumakis available (and it had to be a pureblood Uzumaki's chakra, not watered down like mine, or Naruto's), and even fewer young enough to dismiss the different eyes.

We needed Madara alive so he could become the jinchuuriki. Only an Uchiha could control the Jūbi, and Madara did not want Obito to become the jinchuuriki, since he failed spectacularly. But we could only restore Madara to his living form with the Rinnegan... and the Rinnegan would only work if it had roughly a decade to rest inside a pureblood Uzumaki's chakra.

Our options were severely limited, but we had time. For the moment, our priority was returning me to Konoha and getting me on the road to political sway. We would discuss what we would do next at a later date.

It took a solid two weeks to get the jutsu down to Madara's satisfaction. Shorter than what I anticipated, but both Madara and Zetsu assured me it was because most of it was innate - and I had no choice, but to agree.

When night had fallen again, Madara walked (slowly, carefully, wearily) with me to the edge of the cave. We faced each other and the moonlight fell around us.

"When you are capable, return to me," Madara said. "We will begin your training and discuss our next step."

"Yes, Madara-sama."

"Learn fuinjutsu as soon as you are able."

"Yes, Madara-sama."

"Graduate as early as you can."

"Yes, Madara-sama."

"Achieve power in Konoha, waste no time. Step on whoever you need to."

"Yes, Madara-sama."

Madara's lips slowly spread into a smile. "I almost forget... woman... you never told me your real name."

I blinked slowly at that. I then felt my own smile crawl across my face, but it was not a pleased smile, or a happy smile. "In the end, it doesn't matter. She died many years ago, and now there is only Naasica. And as Naasica, I will do whatever it takes to survive this world, and change it for the better."

Madara cocked his head, his eyes dancing with dark mirth. "Then I bid you farewell, Naasica."

"Until next time, Madara-sama."

I... I won't fail you.

(ง ⌣ ⌣) ง

My clothes were torn and ragged; mud and my blood covering it. My stomach was rumbling, and I knew that I would be passing out shortly. To prepare for my return in Konohagakure, Madara made sure to fabricate a story to tell upon my return. They would not subject me to a mind-walk with the Yamanaka family (I was too young, my body was too immature and such an attempt would only do my harm than good), so they would only have my story to go by. Which shouldn't be that hard to believe, considering all the evidence that I carried with me and they had no real reason to disagree.

I did not eat at all for the last two days before I left, and I ate very little the week before. I had already been fighting off the hunger pains and fatigue, and finally the actual use of the jutsu pushed me over the edge.

I stumbled out of the bushes and onto the dirt path, my eyes staring up tiredly at the front gate. The moon was wide and full above me and my eyes drifted up to it for a brief moment before settling onto the sign-in desk. There were two shinobi who sat there and I didn't recognize them.

Moving one foot in front of the other, I began a debilitating stumble towards the gate; slowly, painfully, my head spinning and my stomach snarling and snapping at me. Finally, I reached the front gate and leaned heavily on the wooden doors. One of the shinobi spotted me a frown on his face as he stood up. He looked puzzled, as though trying to understand what was occurring in front of him.

"S... Senju Naasica," I croaked, my voice barely above a whisper and suddenly his eyes widened and his face cleared with understanding.

"Senju-sama," he said, flickering towards me just as I swayed and fell forwards. He caught me deftly. "Oi. Tashu! Alert the Hokage... Senju-sama's returned. I need to get her to the hospital."

The shinobi's - Tashu - eyes were wide and he gave a short nod before disappearing. I held my breath, my eyes flickering close and I sagged in his arms. I made sure to keep my chest moving to give the impression I was breathing, however from the lack of oxygen to my brain, coupled with my weak state...

I fainted deliberately.

(ง ⌣ ⌣) ง

I woke up bleary-eyed with an IV stuck in me and I was cocooned in hospital blankets. Flowers adorned my bedside and I recognized Kushina immediately. She was curled up in a chair at my side, snoring softly. She was still dressed in her pajamas and a swift look out the window told me it was still night (but the moon was dipping down, so the sun would be up soon).

A quick check over me told me that already my condition was improving. Tilting my head, I looked down at my hands and flexed them experimentally.

It almost seemed surreal.

Did I actually meet the Uchiha Madara?

Did I actually make a deal with him?

With the demon of the Narutoverse?

Sitting up slowly, I stared down at my lap, resting my hands in it. Was I prepared to face the consequences of my actions?

But if all goes according to plan, there won't be any consequences. Not for you, or for anyone else.

That was true. I could deal with the temporary wrongful deeds, if it meant in the long-run things would be better. I had no reason to feel truly guilty. When the Genjutsu was cast and the world was tamed, they would thank us. Thank me. After all, we would be saving them, wouldn't we? We're helping them. We're preventing anyone else from losing their loved ones.

No one would have to hide in our world. No one would lose their family or friends or loved ones. No one would fight. No one would be hurt.

It would be a utopia.

True peace.

A smile graced my lips and my eyes drifted over to Kushina's sleeping form. In the long-run, that's all that mattered. The ends justified the means in this case, because the ends would grant all the means nonexistent. Any mistakes along the way would be corrected. There was nothing for us - for me - to lose.

So I could deal with this now. I would swallow my reluctance and fear and follow Madara's plans. Because in the long-run, it was for the best.

It was the best way to survive this world, and it was the best way to obtain a truly happy ending.

I patted Kushina's head softly and her eyes opened slowly. She stared up at me for a handful of seconds, still waking up, before her eyes snapped open widely and she lurched from her seat. Her arms wrapped around me and she pulled me close, squishing me into her.

Resisting the urge to give a startled shout, I relaxed in her arms, closing my eyes. I inhaled her scent - soft rain, like Grandmother's, but with a hint of ash - and weakly wrapped my own arms around her.

"Hi," I mumbled into her chest.

Kushina squeezed me more tightly. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

My hands moved up and down her back in a consoling gesture. "Shhh. It's okay."

"I'm sorry. I should have looked for you sooner, I - "

"It's okay," I said again. "I'm okay now, and that's all that matters. It's alright. I'm not mad. I'm not seriously injured. I'm okay."

Kushina squashed me against her and I gave a choked cry. "Can't... breathe...!"

Kushina gave a watery laugh and pulled back, brushing a finger along my cheek. "What happened?"

"It's a long story," I whispered quietly, my eyes trailing downcast. "I don't want to repeat it. Do you think you can wait until Hokage-sama or one of his officers comes here to hear me story?"

"Of course, sweetheart," Kushina said softly. "Whatever you need... You should get some rest. I'll wake you when Hokage-sama comes."

"Okay, Kushina-san," I said softly.

(ง ⌣ ⌣) ง

There was a warm hand on my shoulder. I opened my eyes and found Kushina leaning over me. To her right, just a little behind her, was the Hokage. He dipped his head in greeting, offering me a comforting smile. "I'm sorry to wake you, Naasica-hime."

I shook my head. "It's fine, Hokage-sama. I understand you need to know what happened as soon as possible."

"Are you ready?" Kushina asked, a worried frown on her face. I offered her a wane smile.

"I am. I... I was on my way home. It was dark and I couldn't see very well. Then... then all of a sudden something hit me... in the back of the head," I said hollowly, my hands lifting up and touching the back of my head. I tried to will up all the fear and resentment I had felt at the time. It was harder than I imagined, but I was able to force some emotion in my story. "The... the next thing I know, I'm tied and being carried away. I was... I was knocked out again. Wh-When I woke up..."

I stopped, burying my face in my hands and shaking my head, as if trying to dispel the dark memories. "I-I'm sorry. I just... There was fighting. And blood. I was... I was scared. I don't remember very clearly how I got out, just that I did and that I started running. We were in a forest, you see, and I... I just started running. I don't know how long I ran, but I ran until I just couldn't. I remembered... I remembered Obaa-chan telling me that Konoha was to the East. I figured... I figured if I went East I could find a road or something and... and come back home."

I let out a shaky breath, lowering my hands and curling them into shaking fists. "I'm sorry. I don't remember much of my time in the forest, but... but I did find something out."

The Hokage eyed me for another moment. "What did you find out, Naasica-hime?"

I held up my hand and watched as it slowly transformed into wood.

Kushina gasped and Hiruzen's eyes widened. Kushina grabbed at my hand, staring at it with a mixture of fascination and worry. "Naasica-chan... you have...?"

"I think so," I said quietly. "I just thought you should know. I don't know how to use it very well, and..."

Hiruzen cleared his throat, his eyes narrowing back to their normal size again. "I am certain we could find you a proper trainer, Naasica-chan. The Mokuton is a very powerful kekkei genkai and Konoha is lucky to have been blessed with another user. It was Hashirama and Tobirama who taught me, and I can remember a few techniques he used. If anything, I'm sure I could assist you."

"Even with your busy schedule?" I asked, surprised.

"Probably not directly," Hiruzen admitted, "but I'm sure I could write up a training regime if needed be."

I bowed my head. "Thank you, Hokage-sama. I am honored."

Kushina hesitated a moment before she sat on the bed with me. Remembering that I was a child who had gone through a traumatic event, I crawled out of my blankets and buried my face in her side, wrapping my arms around her. She pulled me close, hugging me tightly.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled into her side. "I'm sorry, you must have been so worried."

"Don't apologize," Kushina said quickly. "You have no reason to."

The Hokage cleared his throat. "I'm sorry for having you relive your time away, Naasica-hime. I'll be taking my leave."

"W-Wait, Hokage-sama," I whispered, looking away from Kushina and at him with wide, watery, eyes. "I... I never want to have to go through that again. I... I want to start training and... and I know children aren't allowed in the academy, yet, but, I...!"

He gave me a warm smile. "These are troubling times, Naasica-hime. I must confer with the Council, first, but if you cannot enter the academy, I am certain we could find you a suitable instructor. Good day, Kushina-san, Naasica-hime."

When he had left, Kushina wiped away at my eyes. (tears had gathered, I was quite proud of myself I had managed to conjure them on the spot) "Are you sure you want to enter the academy? It's a big decision, Naasica-chan."

"I'm certain. I want to train and grow strong," I said confidently.

Kushina gave me a bright smile and standing up, her hands clenched into fists and a fire lit in her eyes. "I understand. I'll help you in whatever way I can, dattebane!"

Kushina blushed brightly at her speech-tic, realizing she got over-excited again.

I smiled in fondness at her, and she rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "Ah, so, you know, I can help you start when we get home. We'll pick up some training kunai and shuriken along the way home and I'll show you how to properly use them."

"Can we purchase a target dummy?" I asked hesitantly. "We can use the Senju funds."

Kushina nodded her head. "Sure thing! Hmm, let's see... you can start doing stretches in the morning with me. I know all the good ones." She winked at me. "Oh, and when you come home from the academy - I have no doubt you'll be allowed to enter when the it starts back up again in a few weeks - I can teach you some Taijutsu. It'll be a while before we move on to Ninjutsu, though. Hmm... I wonder if you'll be able to learn chakra-chains."

"Chakra-chains?" I echoed.

"Mm-hmm, an Uzumaki trait. It requires a lot of the Uzumaki chakra to use, though, so sometimes a mix-clan kunoichi/shinobi can't use it," Kushina explained.

"I'm sure you'll be able to, though. Your kaa-chan was Uzumaki, too, like your obaa-chan."

"She was?" I asked, surprised. "... That's keeping it... close."

Kushina snorted. "The Uzumaki Clan is so big, some people can't even trace to what their relationship is with everyone."

Kushina paused. "... Was. The Uzumaki was so big."

"Kind of like the Senju Clan, right?" I asked softly.

A somber silence fell.

Kushina cleared her throat. "Well, I'll talk to the nurse and see when we can get you out of here. We never did go furniture shopping, did we? We'll pick out the things for your room, too. And some new clothes, because it seems you've outgrown your other ones."

I smiled at her. "I'd like that."

(ง ⌣ ⌣) ง

I will first address the warnings:

WARNINGS: Please read these warnings below before reading. If you do, or not, then proceed to complain about one of said warnings your review/comment will be removed and you will be blocked. This is not a story for the light hearted.

1. This story is AU. When I started this story Kaguya did not exist. The canonical version of the moon's eye plan had not been revealed, and many of us believed that it would be an overlay. As in everyone would continue to eat, move, and sleep on their own, but they would see things that weren't there, and believe that they were real.

Essentially like permanently hallucinating. It would not pull people inside of a demon tree to suck out their life force at all.

After much debating with myself, I have decided to stick with my original plan for the story and cut out Kaguya entirely. This story's background is completely AU.

So:

There is no Kaguya sealed in the moon. She existed, but she died and will stay in history. She wasn't even intended to be endgame but Kishimoto literally admitted he couldn't think of any other way to kill Madara. So... bye alien lady.

There is no black zetsu. Fuck that deus ex machima bull shit.

The genjutsu causes mass hallucination and does not kill people. They will operate normally but simply see things that are not there.

2. This story contains the following triggers as scenes that will be written out: Violence, child endangerment, murder, gore, threats, manipulation, and massacres.

3. This story contains the following triggers that will be referenced but NOT explicitly written out (as in I will state such and such happened, but I will not write it out step by step): Child abuse, rape, molestation, torture, and suicide

4. This story will NOT have any lemons or limes, or decided pairings outside of canon. This is mostly gen-focused with a proper villain OC.

5. This will contain a powerful OC, not someone weak, or average.

6. If you do not want to read a master/servant relationship do not read this.

7. If you do not want to read about a descent into insanity, do not read this.

8. If you do not want to read about a character who will lie, trick, manipulate, and murder to get her way, do not read this.

9. If you are not prepared for the "bad guys" to potentially win, do not read this story.

10. If you are not prepared to read about human brutality and "monsters" of humanity, do not read this story.

Now, for those of you new to my stories - Hello! For those of you who are not - Welcome back, you know the drill.

I already have fanart for this! Yay! Thank you, Mauriko, Oblivion177! And thank you, Kira-Tsume, for drawing Naasica in the dA portrait. :) Links on my FF profile, or you can check out their deviantART gallery, or my (charredblossom16) favorites.

At the end of each chapter, I have a question for you (my precious reader), to answer. You do not have to answer it, but I would like it if you did. :) It gives me a chance to know more about you - as I definitely wouldn't have come this far without my readers. I owe quite a bit to you.

Question: What's a movie quote that describes you perfectly?

Reviews are love!