Disclaimer: Kishimoto owns Naruto and all its characters, I only own this story.

A/N: There will be some cursing, violence, and more mature themes in this story. You have been warned :D. Please don't read if you're too young.

The forest rang out with the clang of battle. Voices screamed out in pain and weapons clashed against armor, creating a hideous cacophony of noises.

On the battlefield, a lithe figure slipped gracefully through the fighting. The sounds of war were not foreign to her; she moved as though she had seen a hundred battles just like this one. She moved around the edges of the battle, keeping to the shadows of the forest.

An enemy shinobi died with a gurgle, his throat slit from ear to ear. She wiped her dagger on his cloak and made her way to the thick of the fighting.

"Watch out, Misa-chan!" a voice called cheerfully.

She rolled her eyes. Without turning, she stabbed the man sneaking up on her, angling her dagger towards his heart. "I can take care of myself, Hashi-nii," she called.

Hashirama grinned, unfazed at the destruction unfolding around them. "What kind of brother would I be if I didn't watch out for my cute little sister?"

A white haired man beside them snorted. "Cute is stretching it a bit, don't you think?" He sent a volley of water needles flying towards a group of shinobi, ignoring their screams as their innards were punctured.

Hashirama absentmindedly extended a hand. As he did so, roots grew out of the ground, wrapping around an enemy. He closed his fist, and the roots tightened, snapping his neck. "Aww, are you jealous, Tobi-chan?" His grin widened. "Don't worry, I'll rescue my cute little brother any time he wants."

An enemy survivor stumbled. "They're m-monsters," he whispered.

She turned to him. "Well, that's really a matter of perspective," she mused.

He shook pathetically, and made to run away. She lazily pointed a finger towards him. The ground beneath him turned into the consistency of quicksand, and the shinobi began to sink. Soon, there was nothing left of him except a dark stain on the ground. "Is that the last of them?" she asked.

"Well, mostly," Hashirama said. "But the other members should mop up the last of them."

She shrugged and sheathed her daggers. "These guys were surprisingly weak," she said.

"Probably because those Uchiha bastards aren't here today," Tobirama muttered.

Hashirama sighed. "Let's just go collect our pay."

- five years later -

Misaki stood stonily before two small graves. She bore a new diamond-shaped seal on her forehead, and a collection of new scars. She reached out and touched the names on the gravestones. "I'm sorry, Itama, Kawarama. I couldn't change a thing."

"It wasn't your fault," Hashirama called out behind her.

She said nothing, gently tracing the engravings.

"I'm clan head now, and so is Madara," he said. "We will end this fighting, I swear it."

She turned around. "You've been fighting for over a decade. Do you really think Madara will agree to forming the village? Even though Tobirama killed Izuna just a few days prior, and countless more Senju and Uchiha have slaughtered each other?"

"Some of the Uchiha approve of the alliance, or so your spies tell me. I have sent a message for a cease-fire-"

"And they have not replied," she interrupted. "Their clan head will not forgive you easily, especially now that his younger brother Izuna is dead."

Hashirama sighed. "Madara will come to understand. This is the only way for peace."

Misaki stood, brushing the dirt from her clothes. "If it is your dream, brother, I will do whatever it takes." She turned to the gravestones. "Whatever it takes for there to be no more children like Itama and Kawarama."

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "And for there to be no more siblings like us, mourning those who died too young," he said softly.

-SWD-

Misaki eyed the man standing in front of her. Red plate armor, war fan, and wild, untamed black hair. He matched the description of the man her brother so often spoke about.

"Oh, who's this?" Madara drawled. "Your lover, Hashirama? I didn't know you had such a beautiful lady in your unruly war camp." He turned to Misaki. "If you ever get tired of these wild, barbaric Senju, you can always come join the Uchiha," he offered.

His voice was deep and velvety-smooth. Misaki decided that she wouldn't mind listening to that voice speak for hours."Is that so?" she purred. "You hear that, Tobii-nii? He said I was beautiful~" she giggled. "Why don't you ever praise me like that?"

Tobirama scoffed. "He also called you wild and barbaric," he provided.

"Oh, that's true," she said thoughtfully. She was a member of the aforementioned Senju, after all."I don't take well to being insulted," she sang.

"What happened to Izuna?" Hashirama asked him.

His eyes narrowed in anger, banter forgotten. "He succumbed to the wounds that your brother gave him."

Hashirama looked down. "I'm sorry for your loss," he said solemnly.

"Your apologies are not necessary" he snarled. "And he would not appreciate your pity. He glowered at Tobirama. "Perhaps I should bring him the head of the one who killed him."

"Please, Madara. I sent a cease-fire a few days ago. Don't you want to protect your clan? If you accept, we can stop the bloodshed," Hashirama pleaded.

"Cease-fire? A cease-fire?" his expression grew livid. "You killed Izuna, and you want a cease-fire?" He roared. "Bring my little brother back. Bring Izuna back to me! He was the only family I had, and you murdered him." As he spoke, purple flames wreathed his form. A skeletal ribcage began to grow around him as the black of his irises bled into the red of the Sharingan.

"Stay back, Misa," Hashirama said, activating his Sage Mode. Tobirama took up the position directly in front of her, staring at her pointedly.

She growled in frustration.

"This is my fight, Misa, Tobi," he shouted. "I will sort this out with Madara once and for all."

She looked at him in surprise. Hashirama never raised his voice. "Alright," she said reluctantly. She nodded towards Tobirama, and the two of them ran to join the main force, leaving the two clan heads alone.

She noticed a few Uchiha trying to interrupt the fight. Sinking into the ground, she tunneled through, emerging from the ground behind them. "This isn't your battle," she chided one of them, quietly slitting his throat.

The rest of his squad whirled around in alarm. One member, probably their sensor, paled. "How- I didn't sense-"

She wiggled her fingers at them mockingly. "I was an assassin by trade before I became a bloodsucking politician, you know," she mused. Without giving them time to reply, Misaki rapidly formed a series of hand signs. Two earthen walls rose from the ground and crushed a group of shinobi between them. Her grin turned feral.

-SWD-

Misaki sprinted back to where she had last seen her eldest brother. The battle had raged for the entire night and into the next day. The ground was soaked with blood, and the air was filled with the stench of corpses. Overhead, carrion crows circled above the battleground, in anticipation of the feast to come once the fighting ended. Not an uncommon sight, in this day and age.

The fight had been even for the first few hours. However, with her clan's high stamina and naturally large chakra reserves, they had an edge in drawn out battles. When the Uchiha's surprise offensive to their flank didn't annihilate them in one fell swoop, they were able to regroup and recover. Since then, the Senju had pushed their advantage until the Uchiha's numbers began to grow perilously low.

She had helped where she could, blocking a fireball here, crushing an Uchiha there. The ground here was soft and malleable, perfect for using her Doton. However, she had scraped the bottom of her chakra reserves several hours ago, as had most of her clansmen. Even the chakra she had stored in the seal on her forehead was completely depleted. Most, including her, switched to weapons and taijutsu in order to conserve their chakra.

She finally located where Madara and Hashirama were fighting. At some point Tobirama had also joined the battle. The area around them had been flattened by Hashirama's wood golem, and his Mokuton pillars spiraled up from the ground. A large patch of the forest was on fire, evidence of a powerful fire jutsu.

Madara was losing. His movements had grown slower and more sluggish, and his breathing was harsh and labored. His sharingan was still active, but his eyes were bleeding with the strain. He grimaced and spat a series of fireballs at Tobirama, who countered with a water bullet of his own. Hashirama, looking a bit worse for wear, began to form a Mokuton dome around him.

Madara cut through with a chakra-enhanced scythe, but not before a Wood Clone ripped his gunbai from his hands. Misaki watched as Hashirama finally disarmed Madara, knocking him onto his back. The Uchiha slumped on the ground in defeat, closing his eyes.

Misaki's stomach churned in a confusing mix of emotions. They had won the battle, but would they win the war? She watched Hashirama carefully to see if he would propose his plan for peace.

Tobirama held a blade up to Madara's throat "This is the end for you, Uchiha," he spat. "You're finished."

"No, Tobirama," Hashirama glared. "No one touches him."

Tobirama's eyes narrowed in anger. "Why? This is our chance. Kill him!" he urged. "Kill him, and we can end this blasted battle. The Uchiha are nothing without their leader."

"What will that solve? They will simply elect a new clan head, and the young will follow in his footsteps. The fighting between the Uchiha and the Senju will never end!" Hashirama shouted. "This is the only way for peace. This is what Kawarama and Itama would have wanted. Only an alliance between the greatest clans will end this era of endless war."

He turned to Madara. "Please, Madara. For twenty years we have battled each other. Twenty years. Don't you think it's time for the fighting to end?" he pleaded. "Remember our childhood dream? A hidden shinobi village, untouched by war, where our families can live and thrive. No more child soldiers, no more orphans, only peace."

"Will it bring Izuna back?" Madara demanded. "How can I be sure that you will not betray us the moment we lower our guard? How can I be sure that Tobirama will not murder the rest of my clansmen, like he did my little brother?" He closed his eyes tiredly. "We are not the same anymore. I no longer have a younger brother; I no longer have anything to protect. I cannot trust you blindly, either."

"What can I do to convince you we are trustworthy?" Hashirama asked desperately.

Madara turned to him. "Unless your brother dies by your own hand, I will not join this little alliance. Show me your conviction. Only blood can pay for blood."

Misaki's eyes widened. Nonono. She will not stand by and see another brother die before her eyes. Never. Never again. She approached Madara. "You want blood for blood? Fine. I am Hashirama's sister. Will my death suffice?" she said, a steely fire in her eyes.

"Misa, no," Hashirama said.

"This is your dream, Hashi-nii," she smiled. "My life is a cheap price for peace, one I will pay gladly." She drew her beloved hunting daggers and stared steadily at the Uchiha Clan head, holding them up to her throat. She noted absently that his eyes were a beautiful onyx, dark as the shinigami who would soon take her.

It was a cheap, cheap price to pay. One life, for thousands who would die if their war continues. She was grateful for the chance. The chance to die a martyr, and save her clan.

However, before she could move, a wooden hand knocked her dagger out of her grasp. Another hand disarmed her of her other weapons and pinned her arms firmly behind her back. She struggled to escape, but the wooden bindings only tightened around her, digging into her skin. "Why, nii-san?" she cried. "With my death, they will finally agree to the alliance."

Hashirama shook his head. "I will give them something even better," he said. Slowly, he picked up his sword from the dirt and angled it towards his heart. "With this, I will have no regrets. Allow your older brother to be selfish for a little while longer."

Her stomach sank. "You selfish bastard," she whispered, tears rising unbidden to her eyes. "You said… you promised" she hiccuped. Misaki thrashed and tore at the wood constraining her, to no avail. If she had just a little more chakra, she could tear through these bindings like tissue paper. "Please, big brother. I can't, not again," The village was his dream, so why was he doing this? What was she supposed to do without him?

Hashirama smiled sadly at his siblings. "Misa, Tobi. Etch these words into your heart, for they will be my last," he said solemnly. "After my death, I forbid you from killing Madara. There will be no more fighting between the Uchiha and the Senju," he declared. "I entrust my dream to the both of you. With you at the head of the village, I know peace will come."

With a final smile that held decades of memories, Hashirama plunged the sword down. Misaki closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face. Time stood still; she felt as if her heart had stopped beating.

"Enough," Madara's voice rang out. She opened her eyes. The Uchiha had reached out and grabbed the hilt of the sword, stopping the blade mere centimeters away from Hashirama's heart.

The Uchiha leader sat up wearily. "Enough," he repeated. "I have seen enough, Hashirama. You've convinced me of your resolve. For the sake of peace, I will join your alliance."

Misaki sagged in relief. The wooden bindings released her, and she barreled towards her eldest brother. "You idiot," she shuddered as she hugged him tight. "You selfish fucking bastard. What were you thinking? Were you going to take the easy way out and leave me and Tobi-nii behind, just like that?"

"You're one to talk," he muttered sheepishly.

Misaki ignored him and violently scrubbed the tears from her eyes. Turning around, she approached the Uchiha leader. Ignoring Tobirama's shout of warning, she drew Madara into a tight embrace. He flinched in surprise.

"Thank you," she whispered, so quietly that he could barely hear her.

Tobirama snarled angrily and tore her off him. "What were you thinking? Consorting with the enemy already?"

Madara looked faintly amused. "Technically, we're allies now, so she can consort with whoever she wants."

"Silence, Uchiha. My siblings may be perfectly content to galavant with you off into the sunset, but you are no ally of mine until you have proven yourself trustworthy," Tobirama growled. "Until then, I won't allow you to lay a single finger on my little sister."

"Not even a single finger?" Madara asked mournfully.

"Stop antagonizing him, Tobirama," Hashirama said. "You too, Madara."

The Uchiha head remained silent.

"I think he's unconscious," Misaki said. She shoved her emotions aside as her hands glowed green as she began to perform a simple diagnostic jutsu. Tobirama twitched, but did not move to stop her. "Severe chakra exhaustion, broken bones, and some nasty internal bleeding," she said. "You really did a number on him, didn't you?"

"Will he be alright?" Hashirama asked worriedly.

"He'll probably be fine, but I'll need some time to regain my chakra and stop the internal bleeding. He should regain consciousness in a few hours," she said. As she spoke, she popped a chakra-replenishing pill in her mouth - one of her creations.

"You should get your wounds treated first and go tell the clans that the fighting is over. And take Tobirama with you, they'll believe it if it's from him."

"Alright," Hashirama said reluctantly.

Misaki turned back to Madara and began to assess his wounds.

-SWD-

Madara slowly opened his eyes. Above him, Misaki's brow was knitted in concentration. Her hands glowed green, and a bead of sweat ran down her forehead. The lilac seal in the center of her forehead had disappeared, its chakra spent in the battle.

"I forgot that Hashirama had a little sister," he murmured. "I can see the resemblance now."

Indeed, Misaki's features left no doubt she was related to the Senju brothers. Her hair was white like Tobirama's, but it was long and silky like her eldest brother's. In addition, she had Hashirama's tanned skin and his soulful brown eyes.

Those eyes turned to him now, as the glow from her hands faded. "Not even a word of thanks for the beautiful kunoichi who saved your life?" She raised an eyebrow.

"How can I thank you if I don't even know your name?" Madara drawled.

"Misaki Senju," she purred. "You can thank me later."

From across the room, Hashirama coughed awkwardly. "Glad to see you awake, Madara."

The Uchiha sat up and inspected his bandages. "Where am I?" he asked.

"Makeshift medical tent between the Senju and the Uchiha camps," he answered. "Tobirama's not here, in fear that he might try to kill you in your sleep."

"A wise decision," Madara muttered, studying the tourniquet tied around his arm. "But tell me, Hashirama, where were you hiding your sister all this time? I rarely see her with you on the battlefield."

Hashirama shifted in his seat. "Misa's been in some battles, but her skills are far more useful on the back lines."

"I do do a bit of spying, a bit of healing, and a bit of assassination," she shrugged. "I also do some of the Senju clan's less… savory missions." She ran a hand up Madara's bandaged chest. "Would you like a demonstration?" She asked seductively.

Madara smirked. Hashirama began to cough violently, and Misaki rolled her eyes, withdrawing her hand. "They're mostly political honeypots, since I also take care of the clan's affairs of state." She gestured towards Hashirama. "Hashi-nii hates legal formalities, and you can't really expect Tobi-nii to negotiate without trying to kill our clients," she explained. "Only good for fighting, those two," she sighed.

Hashirama slumped dejectedly. "I can do other stuff too," he muttered.

"Of course you can," she consoled him. "But leave the dull legislature to your little sister, mkay?"

She turned to Madara. "Speaking of politics, the details of the alliance will have to be ironed out. Since I am technically the Senju political advisor, I'll be the one to organize the assembly." She sighed. "We'll need measures to prevent the representatives from killing each other."

Hashirama groaned. "Can we tie up Tobirama until it's over?"

"As tempting as that sounds, all of us need to be present." she said. "To prevent any bloodshed, I suggest bringing the absolute minimum number of members needed, preferably ones who are more level-headed."

Madara nodded. "I have a few people in mind." He made a move to stand.

"Oh no you don't," Misako warned, shoving him back down. "I just finished healing you. If you die now, your clan will undoubtedly accuse us of foul play."

"My, my, your concern is touching," he said silkily. "But my people need leadership, especially after our heavy losses."

She paused. Some of those casualties had been caused by her.

Madara took the silence as assent, striding out of the tent. The cloth flapped noisily behind him.

"He'll be alright, he's a tenacious bastard," Hashirama quipped.

Misaki folded her hands in her lap. "It's not that I'm worried about. The negotiations, will we even make it through them without being at each other's throats?" She stared at her hands. "I've spilled so much Uchiha blood, so maybe I shouldn't be there after all."

"Nonsense," Hashirama interrupted. "My hands are just as dirty as yours, probably more so. Peace is never easy, but these first steps must be taken."

She remained silent for a moment. "I should probably tell Tobi-nii and the other advisors to prepare for tomorrow," she murmured.

Hashirama smiled. "Tell him to be on his best behavior, or I'll grow splinters in his pillowcase again."

She chuckled. "I will."

-SWD-

"And what of jobs, how will we split-"

"Will it be a joint leadership, or-"

"How can we trust-"

Misaki sighed, rubbing her temples and nursing a growing headache. The appropriate documents had taken all night to be drafted, and yet both sides still found endless faults with them. Hashirama was playing peacemaker, trying to appease both sides. Tobirama was unintentionally riling up the Uchiha, countering every point they made with an opposing one of his own. All the while Madara lounged at one end of the table, lazily reading the stack of papers in front of him.

"What of our contracts?" one Uchiha asked. "Will we be able to collect the pay from our jobs, or will they instead line Senju pockets?"

"All contracts will now be sent to the village, where they will be processed and assigned equally to both clans. If you'd like, we will make sure to have equal numbers of Uchiha and Senju in the administrative process," Misaki explained. "Most of the pay will go to the individuals who complete the request, with a small portion deducted to pay for mission costs and to fund infrastructure. The specific percentages taken are listed on page sixty five. Will that be acceptable?"

The Uchiha rifled through the papers. After a pause, he nodded. "Acceptable for now. More specific mission cuts can be negotiated at a later date."

A Senju advisor stood up. "And who will lead this alliance? I refuse to serve under the Uchiha and answer to them like some lesser clan."

"It will be a joint leadership between me and Madara," Hashirama replied. "You will still answer to your respective clan leaders, but we will cooperate in matters that concern the village."

The representatives once again began to argue quietly amongst themselves.

"A marriage can be arranged, to seal the alliance," an Uchiha provided. "Your younger sister seems to be of marriageable age, and-"

Tobirama choked on a sip of water. Misaki patted his back absentmindedly as he coughed. "No sister of mine will ever marry an Uchiha," he spat. "Don't you even think of suggesting such a thing again in my presence."

"Yes, yes. You've made your point," she said in amusement.

"More importantly, how can we trust the Uchiha to not betray us in our sleep?," he returned.

"Excuse me? Are you suggesting the Uchiha would do something so dishonorable as to break a truce?" a member began indignantly.

Misaki resisted the urge to stab her brother. "Tobirama, keep the snide comments to yourself, or you might find splinters in your pillowcase again." She cracked her knuckles threateningly.

Across the table, Madara looked like he was holding back a laugh.

She leaned back in her chair. That was the crux of the matter, wasn't it? Relationships between the two clans were so tenuous that a fight could break out at a moment's notice. Even the more civil members had difficulty restraining their tempers, evident by the argument which was escalating in front of her. Although the two small armies had camped over a kilometer apart, the tension between them was so thick it could be cut with a knife.

Hashirama raised his voice. "Enough," he said. "We will sort this out like civilized people we are, one matter at a time."

"Civilized?" a Senju sneered. "These filthy Uchiha murdered my little brother; I watched as he bled out in front of me. How will you sort matters out with them, if rivers of Senju blood coat their swords?"

"If I may," an elderly Uchiha interjected. The clamor of the room quieted to a low buzz. Regardless of clan, the old were well respected: their age indicated a degree of skill to have survived this long. Misaki looked up in interest at what he was about to say.

"For decades I have watched Uchiha fight in one war after another. Sometimes we fought the Senju, other times we did not. Regardless, each time both sides paid the heavy toll in casualties." He sighed. "It is the greatest regret of any parent to outlive their child, and yet I have outlived three." He gazed at the assembly with tired eyes. "This is the first time in my long life an opportunity for peace has presented itself. Uchiha and Senju alike, we would be fools not to take it."

A Senju nodded wearily. "Grief is a universal language, it seems. I do not wish to drag out this conflict any longer. My wife is expecting our second child, and I want for him to grow up in an era of peace," he said.

Several others murmured their approval. Still some seemed skeptical.

"And what if violence breaks out, as it no doubt will?" someone called out. "How will the miscreants be punished?"

Madara spoke up for the first time. "Fifty lashes. If they raise a hand against another clan member for a second time, that same hand will be removed," he said bluntly. "I trust this will be satisfactory?" His tone left no room for argument.

The room fell silent. Even among squabbling advisors, his voice had a certain presence that compelled people to listen. It was a voice that was used to giving orders on the battlefield, orders which were obeyed without question.

Hashirama nodded. "Fighting will not be tolerated, and transgressors will be punished regardless of clan." He declared. "Now, If there are no more pressing concerns, we shall reconvene at a later date."

The assembly murmured amongst themselves, but no one had any more objections. They agreed to retire for the day. Slowly, the members began to exit from the war tent, leaving only Misaki, Hashirama, and Madara.

Misaki slumped down in her seat. "I swear to god, if I have to deal with one more pretentious asshole thinking they know better than everyone else, I'm going to kill them."

Madara propped his feet on the table. "Not all Uchiha are pretentious," he said.

"But all of them are assholes," Misaki muttered.

"Including me?" Madara asked in mock hurt.

"Especially you," she said sweetly.

Hashirama barked in laughter. "It's not only the Uchiha, it seems. The insults were equally nasty on both sides."

"We should have tied up Tobi-nii and left him at the camp," she lamented.

"Patience," Hashirama counseled. "We're getting there, albeit slowly."

She leaned back with a small smile. "Slowly, but surely."

-SWD-

The wind ruffled Misaki's hair as she stood on top of a sheer cliff with Hashirama and Madara. The weather in the Land of Fire this time of year was particularly pleasant. The forest was green and lush, and a breeze brushed over the treetops, rustling their branches. She closed her eyes and savored the warmth of the sun on her face.

Hashirama looked over the area with a pleased expression, hands on his hips. "Do you remember when we used to play here, Madara? Now the village we dreamed of will finally become a reality," he said happily.

"So this is where you were always disappearing off to," Misaki mused. "Shame. I thought you finally had a little girlfriend, but you were having a tryst with Madara instead."

Hashirama spluttered. "I was not-"

She grinned. "Always sneaking off without telling us, running to Madara. If that's not a romantic rendezvous, I don't know what is."

Madara raised an eyebrow. "Why would I settle for Hashirama, when he has such a lovely sister?"

"Quite the charmer, aren't you?" Misaki cooed. "The Uchiha girls must be all over you."

Hashirama rolled his eyes. "Anyways, I think this is a good place to build our village. The mountains give us a naturally defensible position, and the Naka River flows through it, providing irrigation and plumbing," he explained. "The forest will also provide us with natural cover."

"You've flattened a patch of the forest with your shitty wood golem," Madara said dryly.

Hashirama's expression turned downcast. "Sorry," he muttered glumly, sinking into one of his frequent mood slumps.

Madara chuckled darkly. "You haven't changed a bit since we were kids, always getting depressed so easily."

Misaki stared thoughtfully down at the forest. "Anyways, I can tell you've put a lot of thought into the location for this village."

Hashirama turned a little red, scratching the back of his head.

"It doesn't seem to be a bad place," she told him. "We can always reinforce the defenses and redirect the water with your Mokuton." She shrugged. "I trust your judgement on this kind of thing, nii-san. What do you think of it, Madara?"

He studied the landscape. "Not bad," he said.

Hashirama's expression brightened and he grinned widely. "That's high praise, coming from Madara. It's decided! The village will be built here. All it needs is a name." He turned to him. "Any suggestions?" he asked.

The wind rustled, and Madara lazily grabbed a leaf floating through the air. He held it up to his eye, peering through a hole through its center. "Konoha... gakure?" he suggested.

Misaki snorted. "Real original. I prefer Misaki-gakure. Actually, Misa-gakure also has a nice ring to it," she added.

Hashirama ruffled her hair. "If we named a village after you, your ego will truly become insufferable," he chuckled. "I think Konohagakure is a good name."

She shrugged. "I don't mind."

Hashirama beamed, brighter than the sun. "Konoha it is, then."

-SWD-

Edit 5/26/20 - fixed some formatting issues

Edit 7/18/20