Rebellion

'I hate those types of conversations.' Kaname was conflicted but walked into her bedroom acting with confidence. For the good of her family, she had to make some comprises.

"What's up, Kana-chan?" Utakata greeted her.

"Are they asleep?"

"It wasn't easy to put Kushi-chan to bed. Is she asleep? I doubt it - if push comes to shove, she could run around till tomorrow. And Haru-" his eyes pointed to the middle of a bed at a small black mop sticking out from below the bedsheets. "You wanted to talk? Is it about keeping me at home?"

"Yeah. Akatsuki believes you're dead, and I want it to stay that way."

"Heh, worried about me, Kana-chan?"

"You died, moron. Only a miracle saved your sorry arse. I'm not going to lose you." Kaname replied.

"Then, I still have lots of catching up to you, don't I, Kana-chan?"

"Ugh... Good point." She faltered, "But you know that with my... affliction, I can die at any given moment. I won't let Haru and Kushi grow up without at least one parent."

"Damn, Kana-chan. Where did that come from? Whatever happens, we'll work it out together, don't worry."

"I'm not so sure now." She puffed out.

"Was that this old hermit? What did that asshole tell you?"

"Come on, Utakata. I wouldn't believe a word he said. But the Bijūs aren't known for lying... Well, excluding Kurama, the of course."

"Haah..." Utakata groaned, "Can you tell me what did Son Gokū tell you?"

"I..." Her breath became much more shallow, "No. Maybe a short version?"

"Sit." He pulled Kaname's hand towards their bed.

"Haah... Haah... Thanks." She put herself in front of him, comfortably resting her back against his body and her head on his shoulder, "We're dealing with something much bigger than I ever imagined, Utakata. What's happening now on a global scale was most likely planned out centuries before."

"Globally? Yes, Akatsuki has their tentacles everywhere, but I doubt they have that far of a reach."

"It's not only about them. After connecting some dots, I noticed a pattern in history."

"If this was anyone else, I would say they're delirious."

"I know how it sounds. Shinobi's history is making circles. Every few generations to the top rise two antagonistic leaders that push our world forward, their constant battles sooner or later turn out into a full-scale war."

"Like Hashirama and Madara?"

"That's the best and most known example." Kaname nodded her head, "The problem is that those loops are getting smaller. It all started with Indra and Ashura, Sage's children. Their conflict turned into more than half a millennium of bloodshed between shinobi clans. Pretty much a hundred years ago, two most likely direct descendants of Indra and Ashura were born. Despite coming from two opposing clans, Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara became friends. This was the time of peace, but it didn't last. "

"Madara betrayed Hashirama's trust and attacked Konoha. Everyone knows that story, Kana-chan."

"I'm not so sure. History is written by the winners." Kaname disagreed, "I've talked with Jiji about it - He chatted after Orochimaru resurrected Hashirama. Madara always wanted what was best for the village - unlike the First Hokage, he didn't care about collateral damage. The end justifies the means type of man."

"Wouldn't that be a reason for their conflict?"

"Not really. We're talking about Hashirama here. I knew him for a minute and already understood that I could do almost anything around him without any repercussions. What was the root of the conflict was Madara's younger brother's death."

"I forgot about that. Hmm, looking at you, you still have something to add?"

"Yep, most people believe that Madara killed Izuna to take his eyes. Uchihas blamed Tobirama, Izuna's eternal rival. Jiji asked him about it, they did fight, but Tobirama lost their duel and had to retreat - someone else stabbed Izuna."

"Okay, where are you going with it?"

"I believe I know what Madara felt holding the lifeless body of a single person he ever cared about. Someone manipulated the two strongest shinobis ever into a fight. The loop of the world's history was disturbed after Hashirama's death - Madara has outlived him. One after the other powerful shinobis were born, Jiji, Jiraiya, Minato-san, and even Nagato. All of them were in an ideal position to thwart Madara's plans."

"You forgot about yourself, Kana-chan."

"Me? I'm an Uchiha, Utakata. I'll most likely end up as the bad guy of the story. Jiraiya and Minato-san believed that Naru-chan is the one to lead us and defeat the real threat."

"Which is?" Kaname's face distorted in pain, "You can't say... I see."

"I'm sorry."

Utakata shook his head, "Not your fault. So there is a being old enough to remember the beginning of our world's history?"

"Yep, pretty much. Someone smart and sneaky enough to get unnoticed by Indra, Madara, Obito, and Nagato."

"That should shorten the list of suspects, Kana-chan."

"It does, to none. Okay, maybe two, but they're so low profile I'm not sure about them."

"Yes?" he asked.

"Kisame. I'm not really sure where did he pop out from. Mei-chan said his books got cindered sometime around her rebellion."

"Kisame? That shark man?"

"He constantly acts like a battle junkie, yet, he is as clever as you or me."

"I didn't fight with Kisame before, but I believe you."

"All the Akatsuki with track-record are at Kage level. Acting like a clown is a good way for an enemy to underestimate you." Kaname explained, "The second suspect is Zetsu. I killed his clones in the dozens - still, I felt it in my guts that he was playing around with me."

"So a gut feeling and a battle junkie? That's not much of a choice, Kana-chan."

"Uh, yeah. That's why I wanted to keep you hidden."

"I was already seen together with you when we met Guy."

"I asked Yu-chan, Doofus-kun, Anko, Genma, and Itachi-kun to create a crowd around us. They made sure no one saw you."

"Always one step ahead. That's why I love you."

"I know. I love you too."

"Hmm, I smell a 'but' there?"

"... It's about what we talked about. I want to postpone the wedding, or at least make it a small, secret one. If we throw a party as if nothing happened, Akatsuki and our puppeteer will know you're still alive."

"Ah. Let me ask you this, Kana-chan, are you doing this for yourself or for me?"

"For you, moron, I don't want anything bad to happen to you anymore."

"I see. Then my answer is a big resound no."

"Huh?"

"Akatsuki imprisoned Saiken. Tell me if I'm wrong, if they wanted to hurt you, who would they target me, a man that fought off four of them, or our children? Knowing I'm still alive, they would have to be more careful about attacking Haru and Kushina."

Kaname pushed her back into Utakata, "Asshole, when did you get so confident?"

"You need something good to happen in your life, Kana-chan. Several last months were... hectic, to say the least."

"Haah. Okay, you win. It was dumb of me, sorry."

"You're just worried for me, Kana-chan."

"I'm going to head out to Fire City tomorrow. That white-faced idiot was looking for me. I'll deal with him and be back before dinner."

"Sure, be careful there, Kana-chan. I always hated politicians."

"Me too."

------

An old lady caught Kaname's hand, trying to pull her towards a dark street.

'For fucks sake, I hate this city. Another beggar?' She shook off the hand.

"Psst..." The old, grey-haired woman was relentless in pulling Uchiha towards one of the darker streets in the city.

'Chakra?' Kaname felt the massive quantities of energy coming from the obnoxious woman's hand, "A Henge? Who are you?" she looked straight into pale yellowish eyes.

The woman put her finger near her own lips, asking the Uchiha to stay silent. Having a hint at the identity of the pushy woman, Kaname let herself be guided away from the main street.

"Sorry for all this-" Kaname didn't let her finish her apologies, hugging the woman before she lifted her transformation.

"I heard you died, Tōu-chan."

Tōu released her Henge, hugging Kaname back. "Nyahaha, let me guess, Asuma-kun thought I got done that easily?"

"Yeah. Something about the betrayal of one of your team members. He assumed he was the only one alive."

"Ha, sucks to be him! But I didn't pull you here for my story. Kana-chan, please run back to Konoha. I don't know the details, but someone in the palace is gunning for your execution."

"Hahaha, not my first time that someone wants to off me, Tōu-chan."

"It's different this time, Kana-chan. There is a sickness spreading in the city. One of Daimyō's advisors noticed it was laced with chakra and spread the news that it was Konoha's work."

"Sickness? A virus, it's Orochimaru's work likely."

"Kana-chan, it doesn't matter who's at fault. You and Tsunade are the prime suspects at the moment." Tōu rebuked her.

"With Granny staying in Konoha and my teleporting around..."

"Yeah. I left the palace years ago, but after I heard you were called, I did interrogate some low-level officials. The sentence is already pretty much set in stone. They have, as they called it, irrefutable proofs on you."

Kaname's eyebrow shot up in curiosity, "Are the new Twelve Guardians capable enough to stop me, Tōu-chan?"

"... The group was disbanded. Excluding the High Councilor, no chakra wielder is permitted to enter the palace."

"That's silly. Daimyō's enemies won't look at the rules, would they? Who is defending his holiness ass at the moment?"

"There is a samurai army stationed in the barracks..." Kaname snorted, "Don't look at me like that, Kana-chan. I could plow through dozens of them before they would notice me as well."

"So... I either run back to Konoha and wait for it all to blow up in all our faces, or I allow the politicians to play with my life?" Kaname sighed.

"Shit, I didn't think of that. If Hokage hid you, that would mean she rebelled against a direct order from Daimyō."

"Yeah, I saw what happened in Mizu. I would like to avoid a civil war at the moment."

"Then you will-"

"Yep, they can't stop me."

"Nyahaha, knowing you, they will beg you to escape the prison before the day ends."

"Prison? Whatever. I have a wedding in three days, if they don't let me out, I will leave it on my own." Kaname shrugged.

"A wedding?! Damn, girl, why didn't you tell me?"

"You were the one hiding - presumed dead, baka."

"Ah, right! Nyahaha!"

"Be right back. I need to talk with Hokage about our next move." Kaname's body combusted and disappeared in a blink of an eye.

'A wedding, huh? I'll need a new dress. Time for some shopping.'

------

"Halt!" A man in heavy armor stopped Kaname at the palace's front gate.

"Kaname Uchiha, Daimyō requested my presence."

"Like hell he-" Second shorter samurai was interrupted by his companion drilled an arm into his side.

"She's one of them." a katana was aimed at Kaname's face, "A shinobi." he spat.

"Yep, caught me red-handed. So? Where is the Daimyō?"

"Drop all your weapons and stand down or-."

"Or what?" Kaname rolled hey eyes, "Whatever, I'm not here to fight. I don't have any weapons - can we proceed?"

"Kneel!" The taller samurai put his sword at her neck.

"Forget it." Kaname caught the blade with her fingers and pulled it away from her neck, overpowering the samurai, "I won't play around with your confidence issues. Just chain my hands and lead me inside."

"L-let go! You can't be this strong!" the man couldn't move his katana.

"Sure." she let go, making the samurai stumble three steps and hit the wall behind him.

"J-just follow us, Kaname-san."

-----

"We're not going to the Daimyō?"

"You're not worthy to see Daimyō-sama!" the taller samurai exclaimed, pulling on the chains binding Kaname's hands.

"You said something?"

"Ah- I-I'm sorry, Kaname-sama!"

They stopped in front of undistinguishable doors. "High Councilor, we came here with Kaname Uchiha."

"Enter!" a man's voice answered the knocking.

Kaname was pulled into the office. A man sat behind the office desk. He also had a pale-long scar stretching diagonally across his face. His hair was white and long.

"Did we meet before?" Kaname questioned.

"Don't speak when not asked for!" Trying to send her to the knees, The samurai kicked bellow Kaname's thigh, but only hurt himself.

"My name is Furido, Kaname-san. Thank you for coming. You two, leave us."

"Yes!"

Furido led out two samurais with his eyes out of his office.

"Have we met?"

"Yes, you saved my life once. I was a member of Twelve Guardians."

"Ah, right!" Kaname broke the chains on her hands, "I remember you!"

"So let's get back to the main subject. You're charged with a Daimyō-sama assassination attempt by releasing a virus into the palace. Do you have anything for your defense?" The man read a piece of paper on his desk.

"Nope, not really. I'm not sure when did it happen, but I wasn't in the city for the last year. If I tried to kill Daimyō, you can be sure that you wouldn't know it was me." Kaname shrugged.

"I see." Furido noted something on the paper, "There is also the subject of your previous assassination attempt."

"Oh? I see I'm getting on the high score board with those. What are you talking about?"

"The Kyūbi accident from the last year. Dozens of guards were killed when you were seen along a demon emanating the fox's chakra."

"That's new..."