Chap-26 The Soul

(Two Days Later)

Hashirama Senju pensively sat in his chambers, his vacant eyes blankly staring at a empty piece of paper through which he could sign a deal that would prevent his side from gaining the support of two of the most noble and prestigious clans.

In front of him, his only sister paced restlessly. Her face a mask of righteous fury, he had never imagined Tsunade to develop into the warrior she was today. She was the epitome of power and grace mixed together. In his opinion, she was probably the most powerful kunoichi and second best medic in the Land of Fire. He often wondered where that little girl he had carried on his shoulders disappeared to be replaced by a 15 year old young woman who stood 5 feet nine inches tall before him. Her blonde hair had grown longer now almost reaching her back and which she kept tied in a fine ponytail. Her skin was fairer than all of her brothers except for Tobirama and she had all the womanly curves including her generous chest. Many men had fallen to her charms only to have their necks slit when she turned on them. Most of all her temper was more dangerous than any of her siblings and right now she looked ready to draw blood.

He glanced at the older Senju man in the room, one who had brought him the message from the Uchihas.

Kota Senju was an old man who had seen enough warfare to last three generations. He had served Hashirama's grandfather as a young boy, Hashirama's Father as an experienced fighter, and Hashirama himself as a war veteran and right now the same man was glancing at the map of the Land of Fire territory and Hashirama was worried to see that the Uchiha who controlled the North were now rapidly expanding their territory and influence. Their army was larger than that of Hashirama because of all the smaller clans they had gathered. And now they threatened to take the Yamanaka and Hatake as well which would be a dangerous blow to Hashirama's side.

Most of all they had captured Tobirama and it worried Hashirama every second.

"What do they say of Naruto Uchiha in the North?" asked Hashirama curiously, making his sister glance at Kota as well.

The older man looked at them for a moment before glancing at the Uchiha's ancestral weapon resting on Hashirama's desk. The Senju siblings didn't miss the older man shivering for a second as he recalled some bad memory.

"They call him The Young Dragon. They say he rides into battle on the back of a giant fox, some say he can turn into a fox himself. And he's the greatest swordsman I have ever seen..." confessed Kota without hesitation, earning a derisive snort from Tsunade.

"The Kinslayer is just one man..." dismissed Tsunade, and was surprised when Kota shook his head.

"A man who has won every battle he's fought, My Princess" warned Kota,

Hashirama was still surprised when his people and allies alike called Tsunade a Princess. Granted, the Senju's were one of the two most ancient and most powerful families but they were not royalty like the Fire Damiyo. And yet they called her Princess giving her that much respect and love but then again his sister had always been the favorite of their people because of being the only daughter of their Father.

"What happened there, Kota?" asked Hashirama patiently, wanting to hear the complete account of their defeat.

"We went in according to the plan Tobirama suggested attacking the Uchiha on all fronts. Apart from Naruto himself, his Kinsguard had taken up command of the flanks and they wrecked havoc on our forces. That group is no less dangerous than their leader and would have killed many more of our own if they had not been ordered to fall back by Naruto himself. As for the boy, he fought valiantly and when surrounded by our forces he chose to stay behind allowing his surviving comrades a chance to flee. We tried to overwhelm him but he was very powerful, but more than that he's smart. He killed hundreds of our ninjas before taking Tobirama hostage at the last moment. We couldn't continue the attack without the risk of him killing Tobirama..." explained Kota briefly,

"You should have saved my brother, Kota. The Kinslayer was alone and there were hundreds of you" snapped Tsunade, for she remembered how badly injured Itama had been when he was brought back, all thanks to the Kinslayer. And now another of her brothers was captured by that same man and only gods knew what the butcher was doing to her poor brother.

"My Princess, you cannot intimidate a man who seeks death. I saw it in his eyes, the desire to die and he would have gladly done it if we attacked. And I assure you, he would have chopped of Tobirama's head before we killed him. That was not a price I was wiling to pay" clarified Kota honestly, and prepared himself for a long argument when Tsunade looked about to protest again until one voice stopped them both.

"Enough!"

Hashirama's calm but commanding voice made both Senjus stop bickering and glance at their clan leader. Yet Tsunade was not finished and she approached her eldest brother and knelt by his side, even taking his hands in her own and looked at him pleadingly.

"Give me the men, brother. I'll save Tobirama" promised Tsunade, unable to hide the worry and fear in her heart for the life of her captured brother. No matter her anger, she loved her family probably even more than Hashirama. But then again Tsunade didn't have the burden of command on her shoulders.

So, he patted her cheek like the young sister she was and gave her a kind smile.

"I cannot lose any more of my siblings. Nor do I want to lose more men..." admitted Hashirama gently,

"Then come with us. No matter how strong the Kinslayer is, he is no match for you" encouraged Tsunade, and was frustrated when Hashirama shook his head.

"It will only lead to more bloodshed and Naruto Uchiha is a fine commander who will make us bleed heavily for that victory and enough of our men have already died. I just got word the Yamanaka have officially surrendered and allied with the Uchiha. The boy burned their clan head alive and his supporters put the rest of the Yamanaka leadership to the sword, there is no way either Yamanaka or Hatake will join us now. And I will not kill Madara's last and youngest brother" declared Hashirama,

Tsunade clenched her hands away from his and looked at him with fury and disappointment evident in her hazel eyes. More than that, Hashirama also spotted revulsion in her eyes at the actions of Naruto Uchiha.

"He's not your friend anymore, brother! Whatever bond you two shared all those years ago, he forsake it!" yelled Tsunade angrily, but felt guilty when she saw the raw pain in his eyes on that remark.

It still was beyond her belief that her eldest brother and Madara had actually been good friends a few years ago. Neither of them had known each other's true identity and from the happy smile that always arrived on his face on remembering those days, Tsunade knew Hashirama treasured them dearly. But it all had fallen apart when they both learned each other's true identity, Madara had been repulsed by the truth and the bond he shared with the Senju was shattered.

Madara had walked away but Hashirama was still waiting at the crossroads for his friend to return back to him.

"If I kill Madara's last brother none of us shall survive the storm he would bring into our lives. That boy is the last line of defense holding back Madara's sanity. If he dies then there shall never be peace between our families" explained Hashirama seriously,

"My lord, The Uchiha have never desired peace with us. They shall not stop until they have destroyed us and our allies completely" advised Kota, and frowned when Hashirama glanced at him and Tsunade with a smile on his face.

"Peace is possible, Kota. If we are so passionate about fighting, then I am equally passionate about peace. My father never wanted it, nor his father before him, but I do. And I, Hashirama Senju am the head of this clan"

Tsunade shivered and stepped back on seeing the determined gaze of her brother hiding behind that smile of his. Her eldest brother was kind of heart and a friendly person, but everyone including his siblings knew there was no stopping him if he decided on something fully.

"I shall rescue my brother and resolve this conflict without further bloodshed" informed Hashirama,

"How?" asked Tsunade with a frown,

In response her brother got up from his chair and grabbed Dawn, the Uchiha ancestral sword from his desk. When he started marching towards the exit, both Tsunade and Kota were forced to follow after him.

"Prepare our escort. We march for the capital"

Naruto felt the winds rush past him as he galloped across the dense forests of the Land of Fire on the back of his giant fox friend. They had been riding for two days now with only a minimal amount of rest in their journey, not many words were spoken and neither there was need for them.

Kurama had been quite surprised when Naruto asked to visit the Amaterasu temple built by Indra Uchiha himself in the honor of the ancient goddess. While most noble clans and people alike followed the new gods, the Uchihas were the only family who kept faith with the Old Gods.

But never had the fox taken Naruto to be a devout man. The boy had more reason than most to detest the gods and their existence for the several injustices he had to face in life, but when the battle against the Senjus ended and when Itama Yamanaka burned to his death, Kurama had seen something had broken inside of Naruto.

And he could only hope the temple now arriving in front of them could provide his friend the help he needed. Not many would understand what Naruto did in the battle had saved lives, of both enemies and allies alike. But those actions weighed heavily on his consciousness.

Kurama carried his only human friend upwards the hundreds of high steps and deposited him at the gates of the temple.

One of the unique things the fox observed was the lack of presence of any men here. The outer compound was full of several priestesses and their servant girls. Even the guards were female warriors and if he recalled correctly these were a warrior group of women who actually fought and won against men, taking their defeated prisoners and proposing them to either die by the sword or give their seed to the woman. If the union produced a boy, then he would be given to the Father and if it was a girl then she would be raised by the mother to either become a priestess or warrior who defended this ancient temple. Located between the Senju and Uchiha borders, this place of worship had not been harmed by either side because the Uchihas were followers of the Old Gods and the Senjus respected religion enough not to do violence against its practitioners.

Only true warriors were allowed to visit this temple and Naruto was one of them. The boy got off Kurama's back and looked at his friend with the unasked question in his eyes.

"Go on. I don't worship these gods of yours when I am practically one myself" boasted the beast with a smug grin,

Naruto's lips curved into his usual sarcastic smirk and Kurama was relieved to see that side of him after so much time. The boy had been so quiet after what he had to do for their victory.

He again surprised the fox by kneeling down and embracing Kurama in a firm hug.

"No man has ever had or will ever have a friend like you, Kurama. Thank you for being there" whispered Naruto,

Kurama fought back his own tears at those kind and heart warming words. No one had ever said something so nice to him after the Rikudo Sennin, everyone who ever saw him only called him a monster. After what happened to his siblings, he had drifted aimlessly in this world and only his duty to keep watch over the Uchiha had prevented him from becoming a mad dog.

But Naruto was different, when men would have been afraid of Kurama and his power this boy was not at all intimidated. He befriended Kurama, looked after him, protected and shielded him even if Kurama was capable of protecting himself. Never had Naruto asked him to fight his battles, yet Kurama had fought for this boy.

Because despite not wanting to, he had came to love this boy just the way he had loved Indra once before he went astray. Naruto was so much like the boy Kurama had once loved and devoted himself to, but at the same time he was different.

Something more.

When they parted, Naruto gave him a small grateful smile before getting back on his feet and walking towards the temple.

Kurama still watched him and was proud to see that despite so many beautiful priestesses around him, the boy only nodded back at them respectfully. Despite what the boy claimed, Kurama knew Naruto tried to adhere to his own sense of morals and honor. It set him apart from his Uchiha family, yet Kurama had always felt an aura of melancholy around the boy.

He was born in tragedy because of the death of his mother who died trying to give him life, the same way Indra's mother died giving birth to Ashura. Kurama remembered Indra being the same as this boy in some matters, the only thing separating them was the fact that Naruto was jovial and sarcastic. But the aura of tragedy and sadness was ever present in his life just as Indra had in his own. The Uchiha founder had dearly loved his family once just like Naruto did with his own. Indra had been just as protective of his brother and family like Naruto even if those same people detested him for his skill and personality.

But in the end, in Indra's eyes that same family betrayed him. The man's own father robbed him off his rightful position as successor, it was another matter that Indra didn't have the personality to make men love and follow him. Ashura himself usurped what was lawfully Indra's and that started a war that had never ended till this day.

Being the few who knew the boy's truth, Kurama couldn't help but see the similarities. Naruto had always been hated and looked down upon by his Father, Tajima even robbed his own son off his rights just as the Rikudo Sennin did with Indra. The Uchiha themselves hated Naruto just as many of the Rikudo Sennin's followers detested Indra for his strict style of ruling.

The only thing stopping Naruto from being the Indra of this cycle was Madara and Naori's love. It kept the boy sane despite all he had done and endured, but Kurama was now seeing cracks that had started to develop in Naruto's impregnable armor.

He could only hope the boy didn't follow in the footsteps of his ancestors because if that happened...

Kurama was duty bound to kill him.

And it would break the beast's heart forever and shatter his last shred of hope in humanity itself.

Naruto knelt before the altar with his attentive eyes staring at the large statue of a woman dressed in fine silk and wearing a shining crown on her head which was bright enough to match the rays of the sun. No wonder she was called the Goddess of the Sun. In her hands, she held a collection of flowers and in another she held a great sword. Even if the statue was made of stone, he actually felt as if he was standing before the goddess himself.

And it made him feel small and insignificant.

He could still see Itama Yamanaka burning alive whenever he closed his eyes, could still hear the man screaming in his dreams. Granted, he had burned many enemies with his fire attacks in battles but to voluntarily burn a man alive with a single purpose of cowering his supporters was not something he had ever done.

"What brings you here before the Goddess, Stranger?"

He turned towards the soft and kind voice and despite his control over his emotions, he couldn't help but marvel the beauty before him. The only thing that stopped him from blushing was her priestess robes and her sole armed female bodyguard who glared at him. Still, Naruto turned back towards the woman and noticed she had waist length black hair tied in a ponytail and sharp green eyes. She was beautiful with feminine grace and it made his heart skip a few beats.

But then he remembered his oath towards his Father and averted his eyes from her mesmerizing face. He vaguely heard her dismissing her bodyguard before she knelt beside him and prayed to the Goddess.

A comfortable silence stretched between them as Naruto thought about his next course of action. This temple was famous among warriors broken from war, it was known for its kind and caring priestesses who helped lost men and women find their way in life. It was a selfless order kept safe by the fierce female clan of warriors called Nadeshia. The only thing they asked in return was whatever the visitors felt comfortable in giving.

Some gave charity in form of food, water and clothing. Some gave weapons, few women even joined the order of holiness after enduring war their entire lives. And a handful men also gave the Nadeshia clan children to continue their clan.

He wondered what would be asked of him to give. She must have recognized his look as she gave him a kind smile, she was older than him by a few years.

"You are safe here" she promised, and despite his ninja nature he felt he could trust her.

"My name...is Naruto Uchiha" he said hesitantly, unsure if on learning his identity if she would hate him for he had done many wrongs in life. And in the eyes of the gods he was a sinner, the worst one bearing the name Kinslayer.

"And I am Shizuka Nadeshia" she replied with that same gentle smile, if she recognized him she did very well in hiding her hatred if she had any.

He gave her a respectful bow which earned a melodious laughter from her which brought a smile to his own face despite his troubled heart.

"You are a noble, aren't you?" she asked curiously,

"How would you know?" he questioned back with the same curiosity,

"I have been observing you from the moment you arrived. Most men who come here are often distracted by the beauty of the priestesses and warrior women alike. It is why they often end up fighting our guards and be beaten. The good ones are allowed to provide us our next generation. But you were different. Never once did you look at any woman the wrong way, even now you show me the proper respect and your only purpose here is the one with the goddess" she answered,

Naruto was stunned. To think she could learn so much about him in just a short span of time, this was no ordinary woman.

"You have a broken heart..." she said with a sad smile,

He had heard rumors about the ability of a few priestess who claimed to have glimpses of the future and know the true soul of every human being on meeting them. Never had he believed in those rumors, but Shizuka's gaze was so intense that he felt she could unveil his darkest mysteries in moments.

Yet she continued despite his alarmed expression...

"You were born in tragedy amidst tears, blood and fire. I see great joy and great loss to have occurred the moment you took your first breath. And I see a smile on your face the day you breathe your last" she whispered,

Naruto despite not wanting to believe her words couldn't help but find quite a lot of truth in what she said to him. He had been born in tears, blood and fire. Tears of joy and sorrow from his mother and family respectively, blood from the life Hikari Uchiha sacrificed to give him his own and fire for the family he was born in. The Uchiha, descendants of Dragons.

People often said even in her dying moments, his mother had been overjoyed on seeing her last and youngest child. The son she had worked hard and bore so much pain to give life. Yet it was also the day his father truly smiled for the last time. Even his brothers had been saddened on watching their mother die.

And the last part had been his secret wish. To die a happy and content man who did all he could for his family and his brother.

Never had he shared his wish with anyone, not even Kurama. And yet this woman...

He looked around the temple and only now he felt an aura he had never felt before. His great ancestor, Indra had built this place and in someway Naruto felt more connected to him here than anywhere else.

"I have sinned, Priestess" admitted Naruto, earning a nod from her.

"There is not one man who could claim he hasn't" she pointed gracefully, which did make him feel a bit better if only for a moment before his dark memories came back to haunt him.

"How can I forgive myself for the things I have done? How would the gods if they exist forgive me for my crimes?" he asked hesitantly,

He knew what kind of person he was and in the eyes of the almighty he was perhaps the worst of humanity. Shizuka stayed silent for several long moments while staring at Amaterasu's statue standing tall before them both.

"God forgives all his children eventually. He made us in his image and despite all our crimes, we all have some good in us that we inherited from god. Even if you believe yourself a sinner, there must be some good things you have done in your life" she suggested patiently,

"A few" he said reluctantly, making her smirk.

"Then forgive yourself while trying to do the best you can for yourself and those whom you care about. Live the life the way you want and not how others want you to. And let the gods be the judge when you meet them in heaven" she advised, and was not surprised when he snorted.

"After the things I have done, I don't think heaven would be the ideal place for me" he joked with his usual sarcastic grin,

But her firm stare unnerved him a little and made his grin falter. Maybe it was him, but were her eyes shining brighter than before?

"What do you truly desire in life, Naruto Uchiha?" she asked seriously,

He pondered her question in his mind and the usual answer about duty to his clan and family were ever present. But there were other wishes as well, those he had buried a longtime ago. In the end he decided to let go of some of his burden in this holy place no matter how foolish it sounded.

"I want to be loved''

He averted his gaze from her piercing stare for he knew she would laugh at his childish desire. He was no longer the young boy from his past who needed affection. He was a man now and his Father had always said men were like rocks.

Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken.

Men were the pillar of the society. They were the leaders to whom humanity looked upto for guidance and stability.

Still, she never laughed at him or gave a funny remark which made him look back at her with surprise evident in his eyes.

"I see three instances in your life, Naruto Uchiha. Events when your soul will be tested and what decisions you make then will affect your life and this world as well. And at the same time, I see great darkness in you waiting to consume you. Day by day your faith in this world is falling apart and at this rate even your love for your family will not stop you from becoming the destroyer of this world" revealed Shizuka in a grave voice,

Shivers passed across his entire body on her words. And yet she didn't look to be finished...

"Or you can be the savior of this world but only if you become the man you are truly meant to be. Whatever choice you make, know this that the world shall remember you for a very long time"

He clenched his fists on hearing her words which only added further to his problems. But he would not allow himself to fall into believing prophecies for a man shaped his own destiny, not the gods.

Shizuka must have realized his thoughts as she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"When you already know that you are the architect of your own life, why bind yourself in chains?"

He stared at her in shock for all his problems and worries had been resolved in those simple words. All this time he had imagined the world to be against him when he himself had been the one to do it.

He never wanted titles, wealth or even leadership.

All he wanted was...

Be happy...little brother.

He closed his eyes holding back the tears as his dead brother's last words came back to him. Even with his dying breath, Izuna had wished for him to be happy knowing that was all Naruto had ever wanted.

Shizuka now stepped before him and offered him her hand which he took and raised himself back on his feet. There was a knowing smile on her face and he couldn't help but return it with a relieved one of his own.

"Now what do you want?" she asked curiously,

"I want to have a family, for my people to respect and love me again, to bring an end to this bloody war, and have justice for my brothers, and protect the ones I love. That is all I ever wanted..." he confessed, earning a nod from her.

"Then you will have it all, but only if you work for it with all your heart. I see something truly unique in you, don't let others dictate your life. Seize control and become the sun of your own life, just as Goddess Amaterasu is the sun of all our lives" advised Shizuka,

He surprised her when he respectfully knelt before her and bowed his head.

"Thank you"

She smiled and made him rise back on his feet.

"I did my duty as the Goddess would have wanted me to" replied Shizuka politely, and saw he was not satisfied with her answer this time.

"Still, I must insist to provide something in return for the peace you have given me" said Naruto honestly,

Shizuka looked at him for several long moments, and why did he feel she was checking him out in a way not appropriate for a priestess. But then again there was no written law that forbade these women of god from living their mortal lives to the fullest extent.

These Nadeshia people were quite strange indeed.

He was surprised when she came forward and laid a hand on his cheek making him realize a small stubble had started to grow there already. There was something intense burning in her eyes that drew him closer to her and suddenly he was exposed to her appeasing sweet smell that was similar to blue roses.

"How about this?"

She raised an eyebrow when he blushed heavily at her intended suggestion.

"I...haven't...done...it...before" he stammered in embarrassment,

"Truly? Someone handsome like you would have women swooning over him..." remarked Shizuka without shame, further adding to his embarrassment

"Or do you swing the other way?"

Naruto choked harshly and had to cough several times earning another melodious laughter from her remark and further to his embarrassment. Something within him ignited at that moment, a fire in his heart that was worthy of his dragon blood.

He was not willing to use Mikoto who was infatuated with him, she was a beautiful woman but more than that she was a good person and he didn't doubt she would ever refuse him should he need her body to comfort or pleasure him. But he would not endanger her by doing so.

But a casual fling with a willing and attractive partner didn't sound bad. And somehow bedding a priestess ignited the wild side of his that he kept in check all these years.

"Are you sure?" he asked her one last time,

His response was a passionate kiss.