Still Waters Are Deep Prologue

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Summary: Follow the life of Senju Senshōhseki (尖晶石), daughter of the late Second Hokage. Read as the shy, reserved girl transforms into a quiet, self-assured leader on the battlefields of the Second Shinobi World War. However, behind the pretty facade, the Senju princess hides an incredible secret. [Reincarnation!MOD]

Beta: EmptySurface

You might recognize this prologue from Scraps. However, I've been persuaded by an Evil Mastermind to give it another try, so here we are. I hope you enjoy this as much as we did discussing the plot!

Still Waters will probably end up at an epic length if the timeline I've planned out is any indication, hence it will be divided into part one and part two. Part one is about Senshōhseki, her childhood and teen years, her experiences throughout the Second War, and a little after.

Part Two will start after the Second War, but before the Third War. It will also be about Senshōhseki and her experiences with certain Things.

However, please note that I will not update my other stories or this one every week. I'm planning on once every two weeks for Still Waters, at least until I run out of pre-written chapters.

This is due to several things:

1) I don't have any internet when I'm at home. None.

2) I am very busy with RL at the moment. My grandparents turned 90 last month and my grandma's health is declining noticeably. I'm sorry, but I am spending what time I have with them and not necessarily writing.

3) My own health is not so great right now and this also influences how much I can and will write.

If you want to get previews, extra material, or just wonder what I occupy my time with, then please follow me on tumblr, under the same alias as on this site. You can also ask anonymous questions there and receive direct answers.

Warnings for this fic: Alternative Universe, a lot of OCs, (mentions of) character death, canon-typical violence, gore, dark themes, (mentions of/allusions to) discrimination, implied scenes of a sexual nature (all off-screen), fem!character, shinobi/kunoichi uniqueness, shinobi war(s), potential (mentions of/implied) threats of non-con/rape, (mentions of/implied) childbirth, fluff, feels, grumpy Uchiha, language.

I think that's it. If you have any problems with any of the above-mentioned, please return to the previous page. However, for the more trigger-y themes, such as character death, for example, I will post a separate warning under the header.

You were warned! I will NOT repeat these warnings for every chapter from here on out!

Current Rating: T (subject to change)

~ Prologue: ~

Senju Tsunade, only six years old and already regarded as the Senju clan's princess, peaked around the corner of the dimly lit corridor. A cousin had answered the door when they heard someone knocking.

Her aunt-by-marriage, Hoshiko, had been sent for, to come immediately to the sitting room. The expression on the cousin's face had not boded well for the beautiful kunoichi. Tsunade wanted to find out what had happened. Her favorite aunt was 'delicate' at the moment, according to her mother, whatever that meant exactly, and should not be upset at all. Therefore it surprised the young heiress when she recognized one of her uncle's students' voice. What business had Sarutobi Hiruzen with Aunt Hoshiko?

"There is nothing to forgive, Saru," Aunt Hoshiko could be heard assuring someone through the thin walls. Although her voice sounded kind of strange. Like she was trying very hard not to cry. Tsunade could relate to that. Crying was always awful. Then, she realized that her aunt had been upset by whatever news 'Saru' had brought with himself. What had happened? She had to find out, darn it!

There was the scuffing of bare toes on tatami mats - the signal for Tsunade's immediate escape. She hid in the shadows as her aunt escorted Sarutobi-san outside. Before they parted ways, the Senju bowed as deeply and respectfully as possible in her fattening state (although Kā-chan always reprimanded her for saying such Not Nice things), murmuring hoarsely: "Good luck, Hokage-sama."

What did Aunt Hoshiko mean by Hokage-sama? Uncle Tobi was the Hokage! Or was he? Had something happened to Uncle Tobi? Was that why Aunt Hoshiko tried not to cry?
As soon as the door had closed again, this time behind Sarutobi-san, the older female sought out the little blonde girl's hiding place. "You can come out now, Tsuna-chan. How much did you hear?"

"Why did you call Sarutobi-san Hokage-sama, Oba-chan?" Tsunade countered, completely unrepentant for eavesdropping. Her aunt sighed sadly. She motioned for the child to join her on the comfy cushions, hugging Tsunade close to her side. "Do you remember what happened to your honorable grandfather, little one?"

The little blonde nodded seriously. "He died for the village."

Aunt Hoshiko nodded as well. "Your Uncle Tobi - won't be coming home again either," she explained, a stubborn tear leaking and running down the lightly scarred cheek. Then another. And another.

Suddenly, her super strong, calm, reserved, and intensely private aunt began to cry bitterly.

So Tsunade did what her own Kā-chan always did when she was upset: awkwardly hugging her aunt.

A moment later, her mom arrived to take over consoling Hoshiko-oba-san, sending Tsunade off to bed. Just before closing the sliding doors, the little girl heard her precious aunt ask: "What will happen now, Kin-chan? Tobi-kun... He was supposed to raise our child! Our baby..."

"Hush, Hoshi-chan. The clan will raise your child if it truly is required. I'm sure, Tsu-chan will love to be his or her big sister. She always asks for a sibling."

Tsunade's eyes widened. Her aunt was having a baby! A teeny, tiny baby! Of course she would look out for her cousin! Uncle Tobi had looked out for her too, after her grandda's death! Besides, maybe she would finally have someone to play with. If Aunt Hoshiko was any indication, her new cousin would kick ass (something her mom had said once, thinking her blonde hellion had been out of hearing range) regardless of gender. Although Tsunade would prefer to play and train with another girl...

Four months later, one Senju Senshōhseki was born. She had inherited her father's uncommonly white hair and her mother's quiet nature. Except for a short, surprised squeal the newborn didn't cry at all.

Hoshiko held her daughter, kissing her brow and smiling while tears dripped down her face.

Then, Tsunade was admitted to the room. "Come meet your cousin, Senju Senshōhseki, Tsuna-chan," her mother encouraged gently. Even though there were tears in her eyes as well, the older woman sounded happy.

Tsunade readily accepted the infant when her aunt handed her over. "She will need someone to look out for her. I know, technically speaking, that Seki-chan is your cousin, but she needs a big sister more than any niece or cousin. Do you accept, Senju Tsunade?" Aunt Hoshiko asked in her usual soft manner.

The little blonde girl nodded, cautiously stroking the red baby cheeks. They were curiously soft. "I'll be the best," the child promised sincerely.

Then, Aunt Hoshiko pressed a kiss against her forehead, blessing her in a short prayer. Afterward, she held little Seki-chan for a while, whispering important-sounding advice to her.

Two hours later, the widely renowned kunoichi Senju-Fujiwara Hoshiko had died due to the side effects of childbirth. Previous injuries and miscarriages had hindered her from conceiving and carrying to term before, but when it happened, the medics couldn't stop the hemorrhaging until it was too late for the inspirational, softly-spoken woman.