This was made by my dear friend Annachan17 on deviantART. 

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 were addressed at the bottom of the first chapter.

Beta: Cyndaquil123, Shadow Rebirth

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

-Alfred

Grandmother ran the soft brush across the back of my head, humming a nameless song.

"You have such wild hair, little sapling," Grandmother observed, looking up at our reflection. My eyes met her in the mirror and unable to help myself, I smiled adoringly at her. Her eyes sparkled with warmth and she bent down to kiss my cheek. "That's okay. You get it from Hashirama, believe it or not."

My eyes must have conveyed my confusion, because Grandmother continued, smiling mysteriously - as if this were a secret only she and I shared now - "Oh yes, Hashirama had such hair troubles. It took him hours to get his hair free of knots most of the time. And he had such a bedhead when he woke up!"

I giggled.

"But it seems like you have some of your father's curls," Grandmother said wistfully, tugging on a few disobedient locks. "You look so much like him. Our son. Your Tou-san."

Grandmother kissed my cheek again. "He was a good man, your father. I'm confident you will become a good person, too, Naa-chan."

. . .

. .

.

Kakashi and I arrived at the academy roughly an hour too early. (he arrived earlier than I, but I was starting to have trouble getting out of bed. The issues with training at night was the significantly less time to sleep. Madara was teaching me how to preserve my energy throughout the day - a technique any good shinobi should learn - so I can get by with less sleep, but it would be a long ways before I could effectively use it) Kakashi already sat in the classroom, flipping through a book when I entered. Aki was at his desk, reviewing some paperwork. They both glanced up when I entered.

"Good, you're both here. Hatake-san, Senju-hime, I am pleased to inform you both have been moved to class 1-A, the fourth year's classroom," Aki said, standing up and handing us each some paperwork. "Have these filled out and signed and give them to the receptionist."

"Yes, Sensei," Kakashi and I chorused, bowing lowly.

Aki waved his hand dismissively. "You can transfer today if you like. I can walk you both to the classroom, if you need me to."

"We can find it on our own, thank you, though," Kakashi said swiftly.

Aki nodded his head. "I'm sure you can. I wish you both good luck in your endeavours, then."

Kakashi and I took our leave, exiting the classroom for the last time and heading straight to the receptionist's desks. Kakashi was holding his head up proudly, but I couldn't stop the normal flutter of nerves. I still didn't care too much for drawing so much attention to myself, but it was somehow less scary to be doing so with Kakashi. And I knew that Madara would be able to assist me, should anything unsavory occur.

"At this rate, we'll be the youngest graduates," Kakashi told me. "How old are you anyway?"

"Four. I'll be five in a couple months, though."

"Same. Only I'll be five in a month," Kakashi said. "What do you think the fourth year's class is like?"

I shrugged. "Bigger kids? Less people?"

Kakashi rolled his eyes. "Aside from that."

"Um... harder...? Oh. I met your sensei last night. He's dating my Nee-chan."

"Minato-sensei is dating Kushina-san?" Kakashi blinked. "... Huh. So what do you think of him?"

I shrugged again. "He's nice. I met him before too, with Jiraiya-sama. What does he train you in?"

"This and that. Tou-san's usually pretty busy, so Minato-sensei covers whatever Tou-san can't teach. Minato-sensei is the one who taught me how to water-walk. Hey, you should train with us some time."

"I don't know, he's your sensei..."

"No, it's fine. This way I can have a better sparring partner and not have to lose all the time against him. Besides, Kushina-san isn't training you, is she?"

I shook my head, and we stopped at the desk, grabbing some of the pens presented and starting to fill out the forms. "Not yet. She wants to train me in fuinjutsu and the Uzumaki techniques, but because she was on such a long vacation during the... " during the aftermath of the new sealing of Kurama "... thing... she has to make up for it by doing more missions. She'll train me when she has time, but I doubt that'll be for a while. A year, at best."

"Then come and train with Minato-sensei and me," Kakashi ordered me. "We meet every other day at training grounds six, okay?"

"Er - um - okay - today or...?"
"Today," Kakashi said firmly. "Just follow me after school, got it?"

"Yessir," I said, offering a mock salute.

Kakashi rolled his eyes and hit me on the shoulder. "Don't be stupid."

(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง

"Alright class, we have two new students," Momo said. She was a young Chuunin with gray-brown hair and vibrant purple eyes and wore the standard Chuunin uniform. "Please welcome them."

Kakashi and I stood next to each other, surveying the small classroom. I counted a total of seventeen students, including Kakashi and myself. I didn't recognize any of them, except that two of them were Hyuuga, one was Uchiha, and... another was a Nara.

Graduate as early as you can, I could hear Madara's words echo inside my head.

Kakashi stepped forward, the perfect appearance of cool indifference. His black eyes scanned over all the students in a swift manner. "... Hatake Kakashi."

I stepped up next to him, dipping my head in greeting. "I'm Senju Naasica. Pleased to meet you."

"Go ahead and take your seats," Momo said, smiling warmly at us. "We'll go ahead and begin the lesson."

Momo turned back to the board while Kakashi and I took a seat up front, next to a Hyuuga. She began writing out Substitution, Cloning, Transformation. She turned back to face us, setting the chalk down when she finished. "This year, I'll be teaching you all the three basic ninjutsus all shinobi and kunoichi must possess before entering the Genin Corps. Yesterday, we only assessed how much you have all grown over the summer, and if you're still here today, it means you passed the necessary requirements. In the mornings we will be working physically, and afternoons, intellectually. Your schedule will be the following: from eight to nine-thirty, you will run seven laps around the track. Then you will stretch and work on your flexibility, afterwards you will be doing either upper-body strength or core-strength until the end of the hour. We will alternate every other day."

"From nine-thirty to ten we will work on taijutsu stances. From ten to eleven we will spar. From eleven to eleven-thirty, we will work on projectiles. From eleven-thirty to twelve-thirty is your recess. Use your time wisely. From twelve-thirty to one will be history. From one to one-thirty will be math. From one-thirty to two will be decoding, encoding, and infiltration techniques. From two to two-forty-five will be survival. From two-forty-five to three-thirty will be Ninjutsu practice. From three-thirty to four will be dependant on the day. Mondays and Wednesdays we will study the codes of shinobi and Konoha. Tuesdays and Thursdays will be specialized shinobi and kunoichi classes. Fridays will be tournament sparring for class rankings.

"Class is dismissed at four, and begins at eight sharp. If you're late more than once, you will be receiving a week's worth of detentions. Now, if no one has any questions, let's all traverse down to the tracks, mm?"

(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง

When school finally ended, I was still giddy from holding onto my title as the fastest kunoichi in the class. Sure, I wasn't the strongest (that belonged to the Nara girl), or the smartest (one of the Hyuuga's, I believed), but I was the fastest. And that was... fantastic. It showed that Madara's training really had paid off, and really would pay off if I continued to follow his routine.

Then again, Madara did turn a dead-last like Obito into Tobi in just a couple years.

Another thrill ran through me as I thought what he could turn me into.

"Naasica-chan? What are you doing here?"

I brought myself out of my thoughts, peering from behind Kakashi and wiggling my fingers in hello at Minato. "Kakashi-kun thought that, um, we should train together, um, under you..."

Minato's eyes brightened and his face morphed into a bright expression. "That's wonderful! I mean, if you want to, that is. This is great - I've only trained one student before, so this will really help when I can earn my own Genin Team."

"What are we doing today, Sensei?" Kakashi asked, folding his arms across his chest.

"Well, in celebration of you entering the academy, I thought it'd be your choice. What do you want me to show you? Both of you?" Minato asked.

Kakashi glanced over at me. "... I'm not sure. Tou-san will teach me change in chakra nature, otherwise I'd choose that..."

Madara will be teaching me change in manipulation, as well as how to wield the gunbai, sword, and scythe. Hmm...

"I figured you'd have trouble choosing, so I went ahead and got you this. I'm really sorry, Naasica-chan, but I didn't know you would be joining us, and I'm not sure what you would like..." Minato trailed off, looking embarrassed as he produced a scroll.

"A summoning contract?" I asked, vaguely recognizing it.

"Wait, seriously?" Kakashi asked, his eyes widening. "You got me...?"

"The ninken summon contract," Minto said, smiling easily. "I know how much you wanted it, and the previous owner is retiring and they didn't have anyone in mind to pass it down... What kind of contract would you like, Naasica-chan?"

I frowned. "Er... I'm not sure. Jiji didn't have a summoning contract, nor did Obaa-chan. I just figured I wouldn't have one either."

Minato's brow furrowed. "If that's what you want..."

Besides, I can't really guarantee that whatever contract I sign on will be loyal to Madara-sama and myself when they discover the truth.

"A-Ah, it is. Actually, do you think you could help me with the clone? We haven't actually covered it, yet, but, um, I know it requires very precise chakra control and that's kind of hard for me," I said, the perfect picture of bashfulness.

"I would be delighted to," Minato said quickly. "Do you mind waiting a bit? I'd like to help Kakashi-kun get his contract set up."

I ducked my head, forcing up another blush. "That's fine. I need to work on my homework, anyway."

Minato gave me another smile and I moved away from Kakashi and him. I pulled my backpack off and set it on the ground, pulling out the numerous texts and scrolls that Madara had assigned me to read. I then pulled out several notebooks and a couple pens. I opened the first notebook, written entirely in English. At the top of the first notebook was Strategic Maneuvers In Battle. I flipped roughly half-way through the notebook, to the carefully labeled section of Long-Term Battles. A few more page flips and I reached a portion of neatly written notes and annotations. I then pulled one of the textbooks closer to me, opening it to page 394, and beginning to read.

As I read, I took careful notes, adding descriptions, sketches and defining some jargon. I had a couple dictionaries with me, as well as an encyclopedia. I made it through about six pages of notes before Minato finally tapped me lightly on my head.

I blinked, rubbing my head as I focused on Minato. "Sorry, what are you writing? I don't recognize that code."

I smiled at him. "I would hope not. You're not Senju."

An implied lie. Minato's eyes lit with understanding and he chuckled. "Ah, I see. Still, I'm surprised to see you writing in code."

"I like code," I defended, looking around Minato at Kakashi. "How do you like your contract?"

"They need work," Kakashi said, but there was a hint of pride in his voice. "Are you ready to begin training now, Naasica-hime?"

"Mm!"

(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง

I entered the empty apartment. Kushina was on a mission outside of Konoha and wouldn't return for another day. Which was fine by me. I was used to being alone, frankly. Besides, it meant I could go straight to bed, no questions asked, and not have to be so sneaky when I left to train with Madara.

All too gladly, I skimped over dinner (deciding to eat with Madara when I trained instead) and went straight to bed to catch a few hours of sleep before the hellish routine began again.

(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง

"You don't need to learn the academy's clones. Your wooden clones will suffice," Madara told me. I pulled myself out of the water, my swimsuit scraping against the jagged rocks. I sat on the shore. My legs were still in the water and I reached for the towel and started patting my hair dry. "They only want you to be able to make some form of clone. After our gunbai lesson we will begin working on your wooden clones."

"Yes, Madara-sama."

I grabbed my kunai pouch, pulling out a kunai and preparing to throw at the targets Zetsu had set up around the pound. If I missed the targets, or didn't add enough force for the kunai to stay embedded in the targets, they would fall into the pond and I would be forced to swim in the dark waters to retrieve them. This was to also help with my swimming.

"Also... I have been giving some thought to the Edo-Tensei," Madara said. His eyes glowed in the dark with unhidden mirth. "Undoubtedly there will be changes in our plans, things we did not anticipate. I trusted in Obito to stick to the plan, and for the most part he did, but... perhaps that's not what should happen this time. Perhaps the plan should adjust to the events."

Not stopping my practice, I threw another kunai at the target, being sure to take my time to ensure that it would hit where I wanted it to hit. Speed would come with practice. "What do you mean, Madara-sama? Do you wish to think of back-up plans for the new Tobi and myself to follow?"

"No, I want to be able to formulate the next actions," Madara said silkily. "However, I cannot remain in this body for too long. I need to be able to move, too. You will learn Edo-Tensei."

I faltered, my kunai slipping out of my hand.

"But... I don't... I don't even know where to start," I said weakly, bewildered.

"Not just Orochimaru's version, but Kabuto's version - the improved upon one. I will, of course, make my own adjustments to it for our benefit. I will learn the technique, as well."

"But... but how?" I asked, gesturing wildly. "You can't... you can't seriously be suggesting that I... that I ally myself with Kabuto and Orochimaru, can you?"

"Don't be absurd," Madara sneered. "They are beneath us. But you saw Kabuto's new technique when he showed it to Tobi, didn't you?"

"That was years ago," I blurted out. "And it was in a foreign language! I don't even know fuinjutsu."

Madara waved his hands. "But the memory is still there. You just need to dredge it up."
"How?" I demanded dubiously.

Madara smiled at me. "I'll take care of it. Just be prepared to... open your mind... when the time is right."

And he turned away, effectively ending the conversation. Unable to do anything else, I docilely whispered, "Yes, Madara-sama."

(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง

"You look dead," Kakashi told me bluntly a couple days later.

I shot him a withering glare, hanging upside down from a tree branch. I pulled myself up, completing another sit-up. "I... I just haven't been getting a lot of sleep, okay? I do not look dead."

"You definitely look dead," Kakashi said firmly. "... Maybe you should skip practice today and just head home and sleep."

"I can't," I muttered, irritated. "I have to train. Besides, Minato's watching over me tonight because Nee-chan is out of the village."

Kakashi rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Then sleep at the training grounds - you seriously need it."

I huffed, but a yawn escaped me. "... Shuddup."

Kakashi seemed to smirk at me, but I couldn't be sure because of his mask.

"Ah, Naasica-hime, you look dead."

Groaning in annoyance, I shot Minato a glare, who only grinned back in return. My glare faltered, though, as his smile was contagious.

"Maybe you should just take a nap," Minato advised. "I don't want you falling asleep during dinner."

"I'm fine," I insisted, but my argument seemed invalid due to the fact that I yawned at that moment. I flushed under Minato and Kakashi's smug looks, and dropped down to the ground. "Fine! I'll take a stupid nap."

Still muttering crossly under my breath, I laid back on the grass and closed my eyes.

I was ashamed to confess that I fell asleep within seconds.

(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง

Looks like I'm not the only one who's tired, I thought, staring at the sleeping Madara. He was sitting back in his throne. (I gave up calling it a chair a long time ago) Despite being asleep, his face looked no less tired or weary.

He's been through a lot. What was it like, I wonder, to sit here all alone for decades upon decades... lost in despair? He must have a strong will to survive something like that, and stronger still to continue to look to the future.

I glanced around the cave. It's not exactly a comfortable place, either. In the anime... manga... whatever... in canon there wasn't a way to enter or exit this place. Obito only entered the cave because his Sharingan allowed him to slip through. However, there's a clear exit and entrance to this cave now, so I wonder what will happen to close that off? Did Madara do something, or did someone else find the cave?

Someone... not good?

What if I come here one night and I can't get in?

The thought made me anxious. My eyes rested on Madara, and I shifted my weight to the balls of my feet. I watched him sleep for a handful of minutes, my anxiety slowly dying down as I did so. Once I was completely relaxed again, I let out a soft sigh.

... I know for a fact that throne isn't the most comfiest places to sleep on, I thought. The compound has so many empty bedrooms. I doubt anyone would notice

Making up my mind, I turned on my heel and left.

(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง

When Madara had awoken, I had finished dragging in the last mattress.

His eyes opened slowly, peering at me through the darkness. When I set the mattress down, he finally asked, "What are you doing?"

I gestured to the many blankets, pillows and two mattresses. "... I thought you might like these."

"I can see that. I meant the tree."

I looked over at the tree that I had created. It was different than Hashirama's trees. The bark was warped and twisted, and the branches curled and tucked underneath one another. The leaves weren't even a pretty shade of green, but instead a dull amber orange.

"... In the canon story," I mumbled, shifting sheepishly under Madara's sharp gaze, "there is no entrance or exit by the time Obito shows up. I just thought it would be good to have some way to directly enter and leave the cave... should anything unsavory occur."

Madara eyed me another moment, before he glanced over at the blankets. "I take it your teleportation has gotten better, you were able to bring so many items."

I actually had three times as many things, but the rest got shredded to bits in the process, I thought.

Madara slowly stood up from his throne. "... How much time do you have left to train?"

"Half an hour, tops."

"I see," Madara said slowly. "Then let's not bother for tonight. Naasica, tell me what is going on outside of our lessons."

As I explained what had transpired, I dragged a mattress over to his throne. I threw it over the seat, grabbing several blankets and placing them over it. I added some pillows, as well, and hung a thick blanket over one of my tree's branches - the tree had grown around and above his throne.

I dragged the other mattress in the far back, creating a makeshift bed with the rest of the things I had brought. By the time I had finished doing all of this, I had also finished retelling Madara of what was going on.

"Does Kushina intend to show you fuinjutsu?"

"I don't know, but I believe so. I know she intends to teach me how to utilize Uzumaki techniques - the chains, for example."

"I see."

Madara sat back down in his throne, sinking into the soft mattress and blankets. He rested his scythe at his side and I hesitated a heartbeat before I moved across the cave. I sat next to him on the large throne, being sure to sit on the tube-free side.

"Madara-sama?"

Madara turned his head towards me.

"What would you do if someone did find us... find you?"

"I would kill them."

There was no hesitation in his voice. No reprehension. No distaste. Nothing. It was completely apathetic - as if it was a socially acceptable answer. In this world, I suppose it was. Yet I couldn't help, but feel...

Nothing.

I didn't feel any distaste for his response, for his choice. There was nothing. Just cool acceptance. It made sense. He had no reason to allow anyone who saw him now to live - he had me, his tool, and if anyone else did see him they would only get in his way. Or worse, talk. They would be a liability, so they would have to be cut loose. It was nothing personal - it just was.

However, my apathy surprised me. We had already briefly gone over killing someone in the academy. Kushina even tentatively broached the subject with me. She assumed I already had my first kill. After all, I had been kidnapped by such naughty, naughty people and yet I somehow escaped relatively unscathed. I must have used force - how else could I have survived in the forest, anyway?

I hadn't.

I had killed some animals, that was true. But that was for meat. Surely taking a human life would be different.

Right?

It would be wrong if it wasn't different, right?

Or was it?

Did it make me a good kunoichi to not notice a difference... and in the process more human?

Or did it just mean I was above such things? That I could logically think through the action and detach myself emotionally?

I didn't know.

A yawn escaped me and I rubbed at my eyes.

"... Are you expected tomorrow morning?"

I shook my head. "Kushina won't be back until late afternoon and I have no school tomorrow. Minato will check on me about noon-ish, though, when I go to train with Kakashi."

Madara stared at me for several seconds. "You are tired. Go and sleep."

I frowned.

"If you want," Madara said slowly, "you may sleep here. If you are too tired to go back to bed."

We stared at each other for a solid minute, neither speaking.

I wasn't too tired to go back to my own bed. Yet... yet I didn't really want to. There was something comforting about this place - the darkness that had once suffocated me here was consoling. It was almost like a cocoon, swaddling me. And there was something comforting about him; about this mass-murderer and declared psychopath.

I wonder what that means for me? I mused.

I did not voice this, of course. I was uncertain how Madara would react if I told him that I found strength in his presence. So instead, I gave another yawn and stretched back on the large throne. The wooden seat was wider than my bed back at the compound, and longer too.

My eyes fluttered closed and I curled up.

"Good night," I said softly.

"Good night," Madara said.

(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง

Another week went by.

I slammed into Kakashi, my right shoulder digging into his diaphragm. Kakashi gave a cough, and the two of us crashed into the ground, rolling part of the ways. Kakashi's hand darted out and grabbed at my hair, but I had my knee in between his legs and dug in.

"FUCK!"

"Language," Minato said sharply.

Kakashi tapped the ground beside him and I rolled off him, panting heavily. I wiped at my nose, having trouble breathing through it. When another sharp pain rang through my nose when I tried to again, I gave up and started breathing through my mouth. "Yew ruin' my noh-ze."

Kakashi glowered at me. When he spoke, his voice was a couple pitches higher than normal. "You knee'd me!"

"Something that will happen on the battlefield. Kakashi-kun, did you forget your cup again?" Minato asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kakashi flushed and stubbornly looked away.

"Fell' li'e i'," I said, clutching at my still bleeding nose.

Minato squatted down next to me. "You got her square in the nose, Kakashi-kun. Very nice hit - we'll actually have to go to the hospital for this one."

"Ni'e," I said, holding out my hand to Kakashi. Kakashi beamed at me and high-fived me.

Minato's arms wrapped around me and he picked me up in a smooth motion. I gave a surprised giggle, because Minato then disappeared in a flash of yellow - taking me with him. Kakashi would be following behind us shortly, I was certain.

Minato's transportation felt far more different than my own. Mine felt disordered, heavy and chaotic, while his was smooth and light. It was immensely more enjoyable of an experience and I absolutely loved it when he teleported with me. Minato appeared in the waiting room, still cradling me in his arms, and approached the receptionist. She took one look at us - recognizing me instantly, due to rather frequent visits to the hospital after training practice - and waved us on.

When it was all said and done, I only had a bandage over my newly-mended nose to say for the whole affair.

Kakashi waited for us outside the hospital, his right arm still bruised from my timely kick earlier on in the spar.

"What are we going to do now, Sensei?" Kakashi asked.

Minato gave a hum. "I want you both to show me your clones, and then I'll call it a day. It's already late and I know Sakumo-san and Kushina-chan will have dinner ready for you two by now."

I clapped my hands together. "Mokuton: Bunshin no jutsu!"

Wood grew out of me, forming and taking shape, before changing color. When the process was finished, another me stood side by side. Minato nodded in acceptance and I allowed the clone to dispel. Kakashi clapped his own hands together and in a puff of smoke, a clone stood next to him.

"Acceptable," Minato declared. "We'll work on henges next time. Have a nice night, you two."

Kakashi and I both bowed in farewell.

"Are you eating with us again tonight, Minato-sensei?" I asked, straightening up. Minato shook his head, giving me a smile and ruffling my hair.

"Not tonight," Minato said. "I'm heading in your direction though, Kakashi-kun, so I'll walk you home."

"Hai, Sensei."

"Ja ne, then," I said.

(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง

"Who is this?" I asked, my eyes locked onto an elderly man with light-blond hair. He squinted at me, before smiling brightly. Madara circled around him slowly, finally coming to a stop on the man's left.

Madara awarded me with a thin, cold smile. "His name is Yamanaka Inotaku. He has a weak body and is senile. He's been known to wander off and not be found for days at a time and his death has been expected for several months now. He is currently under my genjutsu and believes that you are his grandson, Inoichi."

I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out.

"Ask him how to find your memories. Ask him to teach you the technique," Madara murmured.

Moving closer to the older man, I whispered, "I thought the Yamanaka techniques were kekkai genkais."

"Some are. Most of them are just hidden techniques - which means they are guarded zealously. Almost as bad as the Hyuuga are with their pathetic eyes," Madara snickered quietly.

Not bothering to argue against Madara, or question how the hell he got the old man, I approached Inotaku and rested a hand on his knees. He was sitting Madara's throne.

"Jiji," Madara whispered to me.

"Jiji," I echoed.

"Would you please - "

"Would you please - "

" - show me a new technique?"

" - show me a new technique?"

"I've been trying to remember something - "

"I've been trying to remember something - "

" - something important, but I can't. Please, Jiji?"

" - something important, but I can't. Please, Jiji?"

Inotaku gave me a toothless smile. "Anything for my favorite Yamanaka. Come here. Watch closely, now."

(ง ⌣ ~ ⌣) ง

I let out a slow breath, my legs crossed neatly and curled up against me as I moved and steadied my breath. The technique required no handseals, but that didn't make it much easier. Madara stood behind me, watching me. I ignored him, focusing on my heartbeat. A minute passed before I slipped off into a meditative state, like I had many times before in practicing my wood-style.

My mind felt disconnected with my body, but I could still feel the chakra thrumming along me. Instead of focusing and guiding to my hands, though, I focused it to my head. I could feel it move slowly, sluggishly, towards its destination. It left goosebumps trailing along my skin in its wake. When I felt it enter, I could feel a rush of pleasant warmth wash over me, leaving me feeling tingly and lethargic.

I then started to focus on the memory.

The chakra, it seemed, would act as a better focus, and I had to agree. All my memories seemed magnified somehow. It was the same concept as enhanced strength and speed. When I found the memory that I wanted, blurred and hard to read, I willed my chakra to focus on it.

Slowly, it started to become more clear.

My fingers twitched and Madara placed a brushed in them. My face screwed up as I tried to keep the picture in my head. Slowly, I started to draw what I saw in my mind. A migraine started to form, one of consequences of channeling chakra into your mind for so long, but I was able to ignore it.

For what seemed like an eternity, I drew.

And finally, I was done.

I gasped at the sharp pain that stabbed through my head when I finally released the technique.

Madara was laughing quietly. It was a strained laugh. A laugh that seemed, somehow, wrong.

"Satisfactory work, woman," Madara whispered quietly. "I will examine this while you are away and learn it. When you are ready, I will teach it to you. Now... take care of Inotaku. Zetsu will dispose of the body."

I stilled, my breath caught in my throat.

This was it.

The first kill.

I stood up, my body somehow feeling detached from my conscious.

It doesn't matter. He'll live in the Genjutsu.

Then why did I feel so sick?

My foot moved robotically as I approached up, picking up a discarded kunai along the way. He was smiling at me, staring off into the distance, still captured in a blissful Genjutsu.

Let him die happy.

I was shaking, shudders racking through my body.

"Naasica?"

Madara's voice tore my attention away. He was standing aways from me, his eyes dancing with dark amusement. When he spoke, his tone was condescending. "Do you need me to do it?"
"No, Madara-sama," I insisted immediately.

I had to do it eventually. There was no way around it. For the betterment of this world, and for my own survival.

It was killed or be killed.

I placed the sharp edge of the kunai against Inotaku's throat, pressing down on the artery. I wanted to close my eyes. I wanted to back down and tell Madara to do it for me, but I couldn't. I had already come so far, and I couldn't afford to back down now. There would be other people I would have to eliminate. Enemies. More than likely, a few innocent would have to go, too.

Logically, I should have no reason to object to doing this. All my mistakes would be amended when I saved so many lives with the Genjutsu. If a few had to go in the process, that was a sacrifice I had to be willing to make.

So I forced my eyes to remain open, and I forced my hand to slice across in a quick motion before I had anymore second guesses.

Breathing heavily, I backed away slowly and watched as he slumped over. He gurgled and gasped, clutching at his throat, blood continuing to pool out. His eyes rolled back as he coughed.

It was a long death.

And when the light finally left him, I found myself numb.

There was no regret.

There was no guilt.

There was no sense of wrongness.

There was acceptance.

There was honor.

And there was a sense of rightness.

After all... I was doing this for everyone. For Mito... Kakashi... Kushina... Minato... this was for their benefit. How could I resent such a task... when in the end it would make them happy?

I giggled.