CCNote: We've reached the end ya'll can you believe it? I sure as hell can't! This story honesty could have spanned another 10 plus chapters but I think it's fine to cut it off here. This is the ending I originally envisioned so I'm sticking to it. However, there could be an entire third arc of Sasuke and Itachi's battles, Hinata's rise as Uchiha matriarch and consolidation of her power, and Hanabi's journey across Konoha and back. There are 2 reasons why I'm not writing all of that.

First, I love this story and will probably make it into a book (series more likely). I think that to give the entire plot justice, I need to sit down and rewrite this story from the beginning to make things more cohesive. That means more world-building and planning on my part and I'm sure you guys don't want to wait for that to be finished. Second, I want to work on Being an Uchiha- a story you all think I've abandoned but haven't! It's just too much to juggle the plots of 'Being' and 'Love' at the same time. I will say, I've gotten so much joy from the reviews I've received for this story. I think the most common feeling people have is that Hanabi grew on you which was one of my goals. I really wanted to focus on character growth overall and I think most of the characters have grown so much since the beginning of this story.

This chapter is a bit rough but I wanted to post it because I've been staring at it too long. Ignore any glaring mistakes, I will go back and fix them later. Enough of my rambling. You came here to read! Without further ado, I bring you the end of For the Love of You.

The abandoned willow shines

between bright rains

(Yosa Buson)

For the Love of You

The Twenty-first Winter of the Taka

Imperial Capital

….

There were many things in his life that he'd been kept in the dark about- secrets that his family never shared. It wasn't that they lied to him, they just never told the truth. Although they never willingly divulged information to him, he still found out anyway and their lies by omission hurt worse.

When he was twelve, he discovered the love he thought his parents shared was nothing more than a farce. They were going through the performative motions of being married as was their duty but that was all. The near-constant influx of new female servants into the Shiro when he was home further served as proof.

At fifteen, he realized that he was not worth taking into battle. He was not like Itachi who had been fighting for their clan since he was thirteen. No matter how much he trained with a blade, he would never be able to meet the bar his brother had set. No one told him otherwise. They just allowed him to toil endlessly for hours towards a goal he could never achieve.

Now on the cusp of his twenty-first winter, he was met with the reason his father had hated him for so long. Why he'd all but abandoned him and his mother for so many years. This secret though…he knew to be a lie.

Ignoring the shouts of his father, he pushed himself forward with his blade. Tense and ready to strike. The fact that he continued with his assault caught Danzo off guard. The man had honestly believed he would crumble beneath the weight of his words. Instead, his katana sliced his front from shoulder to hip. Danzo was able to jump back, the wound only shallow but still a hindrance.

Everything in his life had pivoted on this man's words- his lies.

Seeing that he was not as easy to get rid of as the self-proclaimed Emperor thought, Danzo steeled himself and lunged forward. Two blades caught together, the screeching -scraping sound of the embrace rang out. Although Sasuke was quick on his feet, Danzo had decades of experience under his belt. He pushed against the Uchiha's blade, his haggard breath coming out in bursts. Nothing more than pure hatred shone through his eyes.

Taking a deep breath of his own, Sasuke released their locked katana and lunged back in for an attack. This time he saw blood as the tip of his katana sliced through the older man's face. Only a few more inches and he would've gone through his neck. Danzo hissed as blood dripped from his temple to his chin. Not one to let an opening go to waste, Sasuke lunged again. However, his blade only caught on the fabric of a cape. Hovered protectively over Danzo was one of his masked Anbu. Frustrated, Sasuke moved to run his sword through them both but found a set of arms holding him back. He tried to struggle against them but was only expending his own energy. He let out an angry cry as the Anbu dragged Danzo away.

"Sasuke. The invaders are coming." Itachi growled in his ear. "Look around you."

At the word 'invaders,' Sasuke stopped his struggle and did as he was told. The square-once teeming with violence- was now silent. Those Anbu that could get away were hobbling off. Those that couldn't already lay dead. The Anbu had the advantage during this battle through sheer numbers alone. They could have decimated the small rebellion of Imperial soldiers and they took out quite a few. Those that remained standing appeared just a confused as he did. The Anbu must have known that the invaders were close otherwise they would all be dead. Sensing that he wasn't going to continue fighting him, Itachi released his hold. Just then, those that remained gathered around them. Tired. Worn. In no shape for what was to come and nowhere to run. They were trapped.

"Why'd everyone looking so sad?" Naruto asked, his voice a bright spoke over the death that surrounded them. "We won, right?"

"We didn't win. They just retreated." Sasuke spat but Naruto remained unconvinced.

"I take the fact that we are still standing as a win."

"I wouldn't say that their running away is a bad thing." Sai perked up. "We now have that option too."

"And where do you expect a dozen soldiers to hide?"

"You guys got any ideas?"

Naruto looked out at his soldiers and smiled hopefully. Those that could immediately fell to their knees and bowed. He was the true Emperor of the Land of Fire and they did not rank high enough to face him.

"We don't have time for this." Sasuke grossed with a roll of his eyes.

"Tenno Heika…we…we can go to the barracks." One brave soul uttered and Naruto readily agreed.

"The Imperial barracks are opposite from here. If we can make it there before Danzo convinces everyone that he's the Emperor, we might have a shot!"

The group nodded though there was still the issue of getting through the city undetected. Not too far away from where they were gathered, the scrapping of metal against cobblestone alerted them to another presence. A blonde head popped out of a hole in the ground, a look of relief passing over her face as she spotted them.

"Thank goodness you're okay!" Ino shouted from a few feet away.

A look of understanding passed through their small group as the men migrated over to their blonde savior. Sasuke did not follow them and neither did Itachi. Instead, they turned back to where their father stood hovering, unwilling to join the group.

"Otou-san."Itachi said firmly.

Although the man was physically present, he was mentally somewhere far, far away.

…..

To say that the Imperial soldiers were shocked at their arrival was an understatement. The young men gaped openly at their Emperor, many of whom had never seen him up close. The lead General in charge of the barrack was skeptical, to say the least since he'd received word from the Shogunate that the Emperor, Empress, and Prince were all dead. Naruto still stood before him in the flesh, beaming proudly as if he hadn't just been in a battle.

For his part, Sasuke was far less concerned with how the rest of their group would handle explaining the situation to the old General. His full attention now rested with his father and brother. Outside of a handful of times that he could barely remember, they had never been alone together. Just the three of them. The room they currently occupied was much less ornate than anything the Uchiha Shiro had to offer. A petty officer's room who willingly gave them the use of the space upon seeing Fugaku's condition. When he was a child, his father seemed immovable. The idea of him succumbing to the enemy in battle was implausible. In a way, that remained true. It was not the sword of an enemy that he fell on but his own. Sasuke pressed his lips in a tight line as he regarded his father staring blankly up at the ceiling above.

"Why is he like this?" Sasuke asked, a strange mix of disgust and disappointment churning in his stomach. "After everything, he's put our family through…what he allowed to happen to okaa-san…"

"So, you know now." Itachi replied and Sasuke's eyes snapped back to his.

"What should I know Itachi because for a long time you all have seen fit to keep me in the dark about everything!"

"You're angry-"

"Of course I'm angry! You were hardly ever around. Otou-san has always treated me as little more than a nuisance and now okaa-san is gone…"

He wasn't going to cry. The burning behind his eyes wasn't because of tears. It wasn't.

"It's been a long day otoutou. Get some rest."

"No. Tell me everything. Now!"

He shouldn't have raised his voice at Itachi. They had only been reunited for a few hours-most of which had been spent fighting for their lives. Yet the weight of events was crashing hard upon him. Being held prisoner. Watching a noose get tied around Hinta's neck. Almost dying himself several times. If he were reasonable, he would have agreed with Itachi to rest. His body and mind were unable to cope with much more stimulation. However, he wasn't reasonable. He didn't want to be. He wanted answers. Sensing his persistence, Itachi let out a long breath through his nose and closed his eyes.

"Itachi…please…"

There was silence between them. Only the sound of their father's occasionally heavy breathing filled the air. For a moment, he didn't think Itachi would respond but when he opened his eyes, there was a weariness there. An apology.

"Where should I begin…"Itachi started, his lips quirking in a tired smirk. "I suppose when you were born though, things had already progressed too far before even I came into existence."

"What had progressed too far?"

"The obsessions of the Shogunate and Otou-san. Otou-san always wished for power. Although we have always been known as the spearhead of the Emperor, he and the elders wanted more. He's never had the desire to sit upon the throne himself but for future generations to know that he put them there. To be remembered by history. That is a kind of power that most men never obtain. Danzo, on the other hand, already had power, more than the Emperor in some cases. There was almost nothing that he couldn't have."

"Almost nothing."

"He could have everything except for okaa-san. Unlike most arranged marriages, otou-san and okaa-san actually grew to have an affection for one another. I was born quite quickly after they were married. I'm told it was a happy time but then…things changed."

Sasuke shuddered. He knew most of what Itachi was getting at based on his mother's diary. Danzo had forced himself on their mother and it led to a rift in their family. Taking a deep breath, Sasuke voiced this aloud.

"I am father's son even if he doesn't believe it." He said and Itachi's brow furrowed a bit in confusion so he continued. "Hinata found her journals. She knew that she was pregnant before Danzo raped her. She just didn't get the chance to say."

"And afterward otou-san didn't believe her but it would be too much of a dishonor to expel her from the clan.." Itachi sighed. "That explains a lot. I'm sure every time the Shogunate came to visit she lived in fear."

Sasuke nodded. Just the mere mention of his name had caused a panic in his mother that he didn't understand at the time. He wished that he'd paid more attention to the signs. Comforted her more. That night he'd been too preoccupied with eavesdropping on his father.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did all of this have to happen?" Sasuke whispered.

"People are selfish and believe what they want. Unfortunately, it drags others in…hurts them. Who knows how far the effects of two men will reach?"

They both knew that distance…the number of unknown lives affected…was limitless.

"Hey Sasuke!" a cheerful voice called from the door.

The two Uchiha turned to find Naruto smiling wearily at them, his shoulder leaning casually against the doorframe. Although he sounded okay it was becoming rapidly apparent that the toll of recent events was coming to roost.

"Do you still have the energy for a race?" he asked and Sasuke rolled his eyes. Perhaps he had been wrong about Naruto's maturity level.

"Don't give me that look." Naruto sighed, his smirk dropping. "There's an outpost not far from here. If we ride through the night, we can bring reinforcements to the barracks and take back the city-"

"And you want to go alert them personally." Sasuke replied disapprovingly.

"We need every soldier here and ready to fight against the invaders. The General doesn't believe it's worth the risk of getting caught to ask for reinforcements but we can't take the chance of Danzo getting there first and turning my men against me. I have to go there myself."

"What happens when you get yourself lost or captured or killed? You never think these things through!"

At his protest, Naruto's smile returned and he shrugged his shoulders.

"That's why I'm asking you to come with me. "

Sasuke opened his mouth to protest, but the words never escaped him. With or without him, Naruto was leaving. At least if he was at his side the chances of him running into trouble decreased slightly. Seeing his resolve slacken, Naruto lifted away from the doorframe and turned towards the hall.

"I'll go get the horses ready. We need to be gone before the general and Kakashi try to stop us."

"If Kakashi is against this plan, then it must be stupid." Sasuke grumbled but it only earned a hearty laugh from the departing Emperor.

The younger Uchiha rolled his shoulders and attempted to shake the fatigue that had settled in on his bones. This day was not yet over.

"I suppose this is goodbye otoutou." Itachi said and Sasuke bristled at his words.

There was so much that remained unsaid between them. So many things that he didn't understand. Itachi would have to answer everything when this was all over. With one last glance at his father, Sasuke made his way out of the room.

"This is not a farewell."

He left the room quickly but only made it as far as the hall before he heard his father gasping for air. A sense of bitterness filled him with the realization that the man had merely been waiting for him to leave. Even on his deathbed, he still favored Itachi. Part of him wanted to march right back into the room and demand answers but he didn't. He remained rooted to the spot, listening…waiting.

"Itachi." His father's voice rasped, weak and thin. "It's my time."

He could hear his brother shift and rise. His katana slowly unsheathed. As with all warriors, dying feeble in a bed was not the way they saw themselves leaving this world. Sasuke swallowed thickly. He could go in now and stop Itachi from fulfilling his last duty as the eldest son.

He could stop him.

If left to his own devices, their father would simply succumb to the injuries and illnesses that racked his body. Only then would he experience a fraction of the pain their mother had been through. He would be forced to answer for his actions though Sasuke knew that every interaction would be the same as today. He would never garner an apology from their father for his treatment. He listened, his back still turned, as Itachi stepped closer to the bed. Their father let out another cough but his voice was stronger this time. It was almost the same strong tenor of what he remembered from childhood…

"Take care of Sasuke."

…..

The Twenty-first Winter of the Hato

Uchiha District

….

The journey back to the Uchiha District was arduous as she did not have the comfort of being carried within a caravan. They did not stop at inns along the way and food was all but scarce. On more than one occasion, Hinata couldn't help but marvel at the fact that Tenten had made the even longer journey from the Hyuuga compound on foot, alone, and pregnant. She knew that personally, she wouldn't have been able to complete such a trip. Even now, she relied heavily upon her sister and Kurenai as they traveled only at night and away from the well-trodden path. She would say it was a miracle that they hadn't crossed the path of the invading forces but that wasn't true.

There was only one main route from outside the capital and Hanabi had led them well away from where they would encounter anyone who would mean them harm. More often than not, when the sun rose her sister would remain awake with her hand on the hilt of a stolen katana. Always vigilant. Ready. She was someone who could kill without hesitation- had killed before, yet she still held their niece with such gentleness. It made her heart clench.

Thankfully now after over a week of traveling they had made it to the gates of the District. Perhaps, Hanabi would finally be able to let her guard down but she doubted it. Judging by the way she tensed as they approached the guards, Hanabi would remain on edge for a long time. The guards themselves regarded them distrustfully as they got closer.

"Halt. You and your group must turn back now." The right guard bellowed.

Hinata let out a slow breath through her nose. She couldn't blame them for not recognizing her immediately. She looked worse than a common beggar at this point and they had explicit orders not to allow any outsiders into the District. When they pointed their spears at her, she didn't flinch- though Hanabi did partially withdrawn her blade. Instead, she simply bowed before looking at both men in their eyes.

"Thank you for your service to the clan. Please alert Sho-sama to my arrival." She said calmly and both men were taken aback by her invocation of the elder's name.

No one but those in the inner house knew the names of the elders. It took less than half a second for the men to finally recognize her but when they did, they threw their spears to the ground and their noses met the dirt in a kowtow. With a click, Hanabi sheathed her blade.

"Uchiha-sama!" they cried in apology and the woman in question blushed furiously.

"Please rise." She said, proud that she didn't stammer despite her embarrassment.

Her mortification didn't end there, however. The guards near the door shouted for the ones on the wall. Those on the wall ran to their drums and a distant but familiar beat filled the air. She had only heard it once before when Itachi and Fugaku had returned from war just before her first wedding. It was the sound of warriors returning home. A tightening of emotion coiled in her chest. She didn't deserve this. She wasn't a warrior by any stretch of the means and so many of their people had died in the capital- never to reach home to hear these drums.

Beside her, the babies Kurenai carried started to rouse from the noise. While Mirai began to whimper, the large pale eyes of her niece blinked in confusion at her new surroundings but too alarmed to cry out. Hinata smiled, Neji and Tenten's daughter was an interesting one.

"This is quite the welcome." Hanabi said as the gates opened wide enough for them to walk through one at a time.

On the other side of the gate, clansmen began to leave their houses and line the street in anticipation. Part of her felt like she was disappointing them. What kind of matriarch returned to her people in shambles? No one dared to come near her and most held their breath as she passed. Still, she kept her head held high as they walked the winding path to the Shiro.

When they arrived at the imposing Uchiha Shiro the crowds had thinned to nothing. All that was left to greet her were the Uchiha elders, Sho standing at their center. His old, obsidian eyes regarded her current state before briefly scanning her companions. His eyes finally settled back to her, his disdain more evident now than it had ever been before. He waited for her to say some. To greet him respectfully with a bow or words of gratitude but she didn't. The voice of her late mother-in-law whispered in her ears.

'From today forward, you will bow to no man.'

And she wouldn't.

Those insecurities she felt- the un-deservingness of it all- she pushed to the side. There were a million more important things that she needed to handle. When she was alone, she would deal with the distinct ache in her heart but until then she would just keep moving forward. Sho seemed to sense the shift in her and cleared his throat before addressing the servants behind him.

"Find a room for them and a place to clean up." He said and Hinata bristled.

"Actually, Sho." She said, her voice calm but stern. "I will be returning to the matriarch's quarters and my sister will be placed in the family wing along with my niece, Kurenai, and her daughter."

"Hinata-"

"It's Uchiha-sama to you." She cut him off and he looked as if he wanted to retort. Instead, she brought Sakura to the forefront of their ragtag group, linking their arms together.

"We also need to find somewhere suitable for the Empress of the Land of Fire."

Skeptical rumbles of 'Empress' rolled through the small gathering of men. They had all seen Sakura within the halls of the Shiro as a servant. Anyone with even a passing knowledge of the royal family knew that someone like that could never even hope to make it into the Emperor's harem, let alone become his wife.

"The Emperor has but one wife, Kushina-sama. He has never even taken a concubine." Sho replied thinly. He clearly thought that she was lying and she couldn't blame him. With the gate closed and no one coming out or in it was no surprise that Sho didn't know the previous Emperor was dead.

"This is true." She said with a reverent nod. "However, she did not marry Minato-dono but his son Naruto-sama. They have both…met their end and the throne has passed on."

"What! How?"

"Impossible!"

"I just can't believe this!"

The small crowd was quickly turning hostile but Hinata ignored them. She turned to Sakura and motioned for her to hold out her left hand. There on her ring finger was sign that she was indeed their Empress. It was a simple gold band but the ruby red sigil of the Empress shone brightly in its center. Kushina had given it to Sakura when she had accepted her into their household.

Although she and Minato had been surprised that Naruto had chosen to elope, they were not against his decision. How could they be when his father had nearly started a war for the same reason? The older men looked as if they were ready to choke. Sho even came up to Sakura's hand and inspected the ring carefully as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Once resigned, he bowed his Head and those behind him followed. The Uchiha would remain loyal to the throne…for now at least. Satisfied that she would not have an immediate usurpation of her authority as the matriarch, Hinata cleared her throat.

"I promise to explain everything to you all." Hinata said firmly, making eye contact with each elder as she did so. " But first, my companions and I need to at least have a bath. The journey from the capital is not an easy one for a woman."

The men sputtered and Sho's face turned a vibrant shade of red. She wished for the image to be burnished within her memory forever.

….

Her first week within the Shiro passed quickly. Meeting after meeting. The debates were seemingly endless but she didn't complain. Sasuke was doing his best out on the battlefield. She would do the same here at home.

Home.

When she first arrived at the Uchiha District all those years ago, she never would have considered this place home. For a long time afterward she still felt as if she were merely a guest within these walls. Mikoto had probably wished that she'd felt this comfortable sooner. She had always been so accommodating and kind. She was the closest thing she'd had to a mother since her own passed away.

Sighing, Hinata gently caressed the cheek of her niece who was currently sleeping soundly. The little infant had no idea the chaos that had surrounded her first few weeks of life which was for the best. Hopefully, she would grow up in a world where she would only know a peaceful life. It was fitting that she and Hanabi had settled on the name 'Honoka' for her. She was their harmonious flower. One of the last Hyuuga. Seeing her little face gave her hope for the future even though the present was in a state of turmoil. Things would one day settle.

In the meantime, she would raise Honoka with just as much love and compassion that Mikoto had shown to her although she was not her bloodborne child. There could also be more Hyuuga out there that survived the unrest that ripped the clan apart. She and Hanabi had speculated exploring the possibility that some of their clan was still alive. It was a pipe dream of course but it comforted them to dream of not being the last of their kind.

"How did I know I'd find you here?"

Hinata tore her eyes away from her sleeping niece to see Hanabi in the doorway with a small, tired smile on her face. The younger Hyuuga had tied her hair back, face smudged with dirt from working on the District's defense systems all day. It had only taken less than a day for Hanabi to find herself immersed back with her former comrades. At first, Hinata had worried that the men would reject her upon the discovery that she was a woman. If anything, the opposite occured.

She was an oddity among them but one that they trusted, especially since she brought word from their Commander. That he was alive. That they would not have to hide within the District and their skills wasted away. It appeared as though she'd finally put away her blade for the night and had decided to return to the Shiro, for which Hinata was grateful. She didn't like it when Hanabi stayed out all night waiting on the wall.

"Hana." She smiled. "Welcome back."

"Honoka is sleeping?" Hanabi asked as she drew closer to the pair.

The Uchiha nodded and patted the bundle lovingly.

"Kurenai fed her only a few minutes ago. She will remain asleep for a while I think before she'll need to be fed and changed again."

"You're going to be good at this."

Hinata blinked. Hanabi's words reminded her of Sasuke's remark long ago. It felt like a lifetime though it had only been a few weeks since they separated. A few weeks too many. Her anger and frustration with him had melted away to a dull throb. Now all she wanted was to have him back by her side. The thought made her eyes sting and unbidden tears rose to the forefront.

"Whoa! Don't cry Hinata!" Hanabi said worriedly as she scooted closer to her side. She wrapped her arms around Hinata awkwardly, unsure of how to comfort someone who spontaneously burst into tears.

"I can't help it." She hiccuped and the tears came out harder though this time they were tears of frustration.

She shouldn't be crying like a little girl right now! Her emotions had been all over the place as of late! It was only from years of training under Mikoto that she didn't lash out like how she wanted to. Being within the Shiro all day didn't help. Everything reminded her of Sasuke and at the drop of a hat it had the potential to make her unreasonably angry or fall into a puddle of tears because she missed him. As her tears continued, Hanabi added an awkward back pat and chuckled.

"They say pregnant people get super emotional so I guess this is to be expected."

Pregnant?

Hinata paused and drew away from her sister's arms. There was no way that she could be pregnant. That was impossible. A knowing, mischievous grin spread over Hanabi's lips as she leaned back.

"Itachi was right."

"I-Itachi?"

Her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. Why would Itachi tell Hanabi that she was pregnant? The thought of those two even discussing the potential of such a thing unnerved her. Yet Hanabi simply shrugged her shoulders as if it were no big deal.

"Do you remember the day we showed up and Izumi was trying to make you drink that tea?"

She nodded, not understanding where Hanabi was going with this.

"Well in the Okiya, the geisha drink that as birth control. All the servants had to drink it too. Its nasty stuff in my opinion but it works. Izumi had given you brew strong enough to be an abortive if caught early on. She had suspected you were pregnant and got desperate."

"But I can't be…How would Izumi even know?"

"Well, when was the last time you asked her for rags?"

Hinata felt her breath catch in her throat as the realization has sunk in. It had been a while since her last cycle. The most recent one that she could remember was only one more time after they'd arrived at the Uchiha Mansion. From then on she had been too distracted by everything that had been happening. In the moments were things were supposed to be calm she found herself on her back and Sasuke above her. Her face flushed a violent shade of red at the memory. Hanabi knowingly rolled her eyes and grinned.

"And that, dear sister, is how babies are made."

"Hanabi!"

"What? I'm not a child. I know what goes on between a man and a woman. The aunts made sure I did before my wedding night though they made it sound horrendous."

"It doesn't have to be." Hinata whispered as if she were sharing a forbidden secret. In many ways it was. "Not when they care."

Now it was Hanabi's turn to blush but she turned her face away in embarrassment.

"I…I'm not interested in that kind of thing."

"One day you might be. I'll be here to answer any questions if you need me-"

"I don't want to ask you questions about Itachi!"

"Itachi?"

The outburst shocked the Uchiha to say the least. Was Itachi the one Hanabi held in her heart?

"Just forget I said anything." Hanabi grumbled before letting out a long breath.

Hinata wanted to question her further but refrained. Hanabi was old enough to not need her butting into her personal business. Besides…she already looked as if she wanted to sink into the floor. Clearing her throat, Hinata thought that it might be best to share at least one piece of her own personal information to ease her sister's suffering.

"If it makes you feel any better, we never…did that." She said ad Hanabi looked at her weird.

"Did what?"

"Well Itachi and I never-"

"Okay, I'm good! I don't want to hear anymore!" Hanabi said, covering her ears with her hands.

Hinata laughed softly and raised a finger to her lips. She didn't want to wake Honoka. The awkward air between the sister's dissipated as Hanabi's blush slowly receded. Outside, the full moon passed from behind a cloud and filled the room with a pale light. Pensively Hinata placed a hand over her stomach. She didn't feel as if there was a life growing there. Somehow she should know right? Then again it was still too early to tell.

She bit her bottom lip nervously as she contemplated having a child. It was her duty to have one. Her most crucial responsibility since entering the Uchiha District was to produce an heir. Now…now that it might really be happening, she didn't think of it in terms of an heir. It would be a child. Her child. The thought settled in her brain and wormed its way down to her heart. It made her happy but it also frightened her.

"You'll make a good okaa-san to whatever is growing in there." Hanabi said as if she were able to read her thoughts. "You and Neji took good care of me growing up even though I didn't make it easy. You've also been so good to Honoka already. Some of the servants gossip that she's your daughter. You're going to be great okaa-san to a very stubborn Uchiha brat."

Hinata smiled but it didn't quite reach her eyes. There was a distant quality to the words she spoke…as if she wouldn't be around to witness things for herself.

"Why does it feel like you're saying goodbye?"

Her little sister shrugged and her eyes trained on the moon outside.

"You should speak with Ishi-san in the morning. He'll be able to determine if you're pregnant for sure."

Pregnant.

Hinata smiled and placed a hand over her belly.

…

The Seventeenth Winter of the Suzume

Uchiha Shiro- North wing

…

Hanabi had never found herself to be one for the pomp and circumstance of her own clan. The traditions the Hyuuga had were beautiful in many ways. Steeped in centuries of tradition, blood, and loyalty. It wasn't until today- seeing the most influential heads of the Uchiha clan gathered- that she found herself reminded of the Hyuuga elders. Those men were…honorable in a sense. They only sought what they believed to be best for the clan.

At one time that had been to marry her off to the Cloud Commander and in a way they were likely right. Their clan wouldn't have fallen into a civil war if she had. A branch member would have never risen to the position of Head. Neji…neji would still be alive as well as her father. When the invasion of the Cloud and Sand happened, the Hyuuga would be safe and perhaps even rise to greater prominence. Yes, marrying the Cloud Commander would have been what was best for the clan but none of that mattered now. He was dead. Killed by her own hands.

Sometimes at night she could still feel him on top of her and it made her wake with a start, her own hands clutching the front of her yukata. Though marrying him would have been the best for the clan, her own life would have been a living nightmare. Her father knew that. In the face of all other evidence and benefit, he saw a future he didn't want for her and did everything in his power to change that. His intervention had altered the course of her life. Swallowing the lump of sadness in her throat, Hanabi tried to focus on the elders and generals before her instead of the dead ones in her past.

The Uchiha elders were hardened men. They had seen countless battles and lived to tell the tale. 'Spear of the Emperor' was not a title they'd come by easily. Though the group skewed older, there was a large contingent of familiar faces sprinkled among them. Younger men she had fought beside when their only mission had been to retrieve the Commander. Men she stood guard with throughout the night, keeping watch over the clan members as they slept in their beds.

They'd whispered among themselves at the sight of her joining their table- the only woman in the room outside of their matriarch. She couldn't fault them for being surprised that she was a woman but she did appreciate the reverent nods of recognition that some of them gave to her when she sat. Male or female they were comrades just the same. The ones who didn't recognize her pointedly ignored her infringement. They stared her sister down instead, willing to do anything to intimidate her and bend her to their will. Their cowardice at the moment that the Emperor need them most was sickening.

"We have sacrificed enough Uchiha-sama." Sho said. "We will not send more of our men off to die for a reign destined to fail."

"Naruto has not failed." Hinata replied calmly. "There has been no word of the capital falling since I've returned."

"And no word from Fugaku, Sasuke, or Itachi though you claim that they are alive."

Hanabi narrowed her eyes at the immovable old warrior. Her distaste for him had grown exponentially since she'd stepped foot in the Shiro and the feeling was likely mutual.

"Although I admire your confidence in your 'husbands' we cannot base our next moves on your faith alone. There is no one to even lead our men into battle."

"So you would let the head family die out because you're all cowards?" Hanabi snorted and rolled her eyes. "One would think that between all of you there would be someone with enough knowledge in combat to lead your men."

Rising to her feet, Hanabi crossed the large expanse of room to stand before her sister. The corner of who's lips twitched in an almost smile.

"I will lead anyone brave enough to follow me." Hanabi said firmly and Sho sputtered in outrage.

"We will not allow a Hyuuga let alone a woman lead our men! You are out of your place as well as your mind!"

"My place is where I decide it to be!" Hanabi snapped back. "And I have decided that it's fighting at the side of my Commander, not just sitting here and waiting for word that he's dead like a coward."

At her insult, the room grew silent. Even Hinata's eyes had widened at her brazenness but she stood firm. Behind her she heard the scrapping of chairs but dared not turn around. A deep voice cleared their throat.

"Do you know where exactly he is?"

Hanabi bristled.

"No."

"Do you know for a fact that he is alive as we speak?"

"No-"

"Then this conversation ends here child."

"I am not a child." Hanabi replied through gritted teeth.

She couldn't allow her anger to get the better of her, especially when she was only a second away from wiping the smirk off of the elders' faces. They wouldn't listen to her no matter what she said but others might. Turning her back on the elders, she faced men who had once briefly been her peers. They had trained under Shisui and fought beside Itachi. No matter how long or short their time was they still fought and bled together and they were not looking at her as if she were a child.

"I may not know everything- hell there is plenty about the world that I know nothing about but I know Itachi. I know the way his mind works strategically and you do as well. You've all followed his orders long enough to know that he will not go down easily."

The men nodded reverently in agreement causing the elders in the back to grumble.

"And what of our safety?" Sho spat. "If you take all of our soldiers, we will be left defenseless!"

Hanabi whirled back on her heel and glared.

"If we don't cut the enemy off at the neck, they will overrun this place anyway. I've seen them rip through entire villages and leave everyone dead in their homes." She hissed. "I'm not asking for the entire Uchiha army either. I would never leave my sister unprotected. I'm…I'm just asking for anyone who trusts me to come."

"And why should we trust you?"

The question came from a man behind her. She turned and found that he had already risen to his feet. He was young, though likely older than Shisui. Like most Uchiha's features were a mix of pale and dark but there was a strange mirth behind his obsidian eyes.

Well…eye because he only had one.

A hush fell over the room, even the elders swallowed their protest. With each step he drew closer and a chill ran down her spine despite the mischievous smile that spread over his face. Still, she squared her shoulders and stood firm. She could not afford to back down.

"You talk with a lot of confidence for someone so small. So…why don't you prove to everyone here that you're more than just bluster."

"Prove it?"

"Yea. Fight me."

"Obito!" Sho shouted. "You are one of the last Generals we have left-"

"I wouldn't be much of a general if this slip of a girl can defeat me now would I?" Obito chuckled and Hanabi rolled her eyes.

She was tired of everyone underestimating her. Although she wanted nothing more than to prove herself, she didn't want to hurt the tentative political power Hinata had amassed for herself. She turned towards her sister at the front of the room.

Hinata sat stiffly in her kimono, hands folded demurely beneath dozens of silk folds. Pride exuded from her sister in waves when their eyes locked and that was all the permission she needed. Hanabi placed a hand on the hilt of her katana and slid into the familiar fighting style her father had taught her. Obito did the same though the glint in his eyes never turned serious. He was toying with her and judging by his attitude she may very well lose. She had to try though.

"Show me what you've got."

"Obito wait."

This time the interruption came from the other warriors- one of the familiar faces she remembered back in the encampment.

"You already know that you will beat her. We all know that." He said though he threw an apologetic glance her way. "General Shisui and the Commander both trained her personally. They trusted her and there had to be a reason for it."

"The Commander doesn't trust anyone. I'm tired of sitting around talking and the runt has a point." Obito mumbled under his breath before shrugging. "All who wish to go, we leave in two weeks. Spread the word."

On the side of the warriors, there were murmurs of agreement. Excitement. They were back to doing what they did best. In front of the room, Sho looked as if he wanted to explode. Twice now his authority as the head elder had been undermined by these Hyuuga women. His mouth opened to protest but the elder Hyuuga had already approved of her and Obito's proposition with a nod of her head. Bowing, Hanabi returned to the warriors' table and watched on proudly as Hinata shifted the conversation.

"Now we have two more important matters at hand." Hinata said authoritatively. "Let's discuss outreach to neighboring clans. We have no idea who remains loyal to the Emperor and who has fallen to the invaders or the Shogunate. We must also address the coming of an heir…"

And with that news the Shiro all but exploded.

….

The Twenty-seventh Spring of the Karasu

Plains of Konoha- Imperial Encampment

…

Winter was harsh in Konoha- harsher when exposed to the unrelenting elements twenty-four hours a day.

"He believes that after this stronghold falls, we should be able to reach the coast to cut off their supplies and reinforcements."

Itachi frowned as he slowly scanned the strategy map that Kakashi had presented him from the leader of the Imperial forces. The man was bold, reckless, and had only heard of battles but never seen any. Above all else, he was impatient. Wars were not fought and won in a day yet he expected them to win against two enemy forces.

As it stood at the moment, the capital had not yet fallen but that status was tentative. Several of their economic centers were either under siege or being threatened. Civil war within villages between imperial loyalists and those who bought the lies of invaders. None of this could be solved by simply taking the fastest route to the coast to cut off their boats.

What little success they'd had so far was knowing the frozen terrain better than the invaders. Being able to hide and infiltrate cities, cutting off the heads of Sand and Cloud leaders in the night, and imposing Imperial rule with their own trusted generals. It was a slow plan but it worked. In open battle the tides changed though not out of their favor. They lost more men than they could bury but the invaders lost more. This harebrained scheme of the Imperial General did not take that into account.

"You disagree with his plan?" Kakashi said flatly as the Uchiha rolled up the strategy map.

"More men than we can afford will die if we attempt to sprint to the coast." He answered.

Kakashi crossed his arms over his chest.

"The Imperial soldiers are nothing like the Uchiha but I believe a compromise could be had between you and the general."

"The moment he stops with rushed schemes is the moment we will compromise. Besides, I am surprised we made it through the winter."

"I'm not. The people of Konoha are more resilient than you give them credit for."

"Ever the optimist Kakashi?"

"That was Shisui's job if I recall."

Although on the outside he showed no emotion, inwardly his heart clenched. No one knew how his right-hand man had essentially disappeared off the face of the earth. Kakashi and Sasuke believed that he'd simply succumbed to the injuries sustained under capture with the Shogunate. They didn't know that Itachi had been the last one to speak with him. To see him alive and allow him to drink Izumi's poison…

"You should just admit it. I won!"

"Tch."

Itachi shook off his thoughts as the flaps to his tent opened, a brisk spring breeze following the entrance of his brother and Emperor. The two of them were welcome distractions in an otherwise heavy afternoon. The last place he wanted Sasuke to be was on a battlefield but time and time again he'd proven himself useful. Perhaps he had underestimated him. As if hearing his thoughts, Sasuke turned to him with a dark brow quirked questioningly.

"Why are you looking at me like that nii-san?" he asked and the elder Uchiha simply shrugged and returned to his map.

"Oh is that the strategy that the Imperial General sent over?" Naruto said as he crossed the tent to where Itachi sat.

Bending at the waist, he squinted his eyes as if that would help him to make sense of the tactical outline. It didn't but the Emperor would never admit that. He was a compassionate, rousing leader but tactics and strategy were not his forte. Sasuke joined him at the table as well though he'd barely glanced at the map before scoffing.

"This plan sucks."

The corner of Itachi's lips twitched into an almost smirk. Though he would not have phrased it that way, he couldn't help but agree.

"Kakashi." Itachi said and the silver-haired man sighed behind his mask.

"You will have to do your own dirty work one of these days." He replied as he reached for the map and rolled it up. "Come Naruto, the General will feel less hurt if you're there."

"Ugh he's just going to lecture forever!"

"Maybe you'll learn something. Let's go."

The blonde grumbled the entire way out the tent- quite unbecoming of an Emperor- but eventually, he left the brothers alone. Alone together. This was a phenomenon that was so rare between them that it took a war for it to happen. This war would not last forever. One side would win and where that would leave them he had no clue. His little brother had clearly thought about the change in their dynamic. Surely after the death of their father he had a million questions but Sasuke had been noticeably distant. If he wasn't training with the other recruits he was with Naruto.

"So."

"Hn."

Itachi smirked. In time his little brother would open up to him. He'd already changed so much from the haughty young man he'd left behind over a year ago. Kakashi had told him how thoroughly Sasuke had thrown himself into the position of clan head. He would have done a great job if he'd been given a chance to act in the position for longer. That could be arranged of course if they made it out of the war victorious.

"You're doing it again." Sasuke groused, the tips of his ears turning red with embarrassment and Itachi blinked in surprise.

"Doing what?"

"Staring at me."

"Is that a problem? Foolish ototou, am I not allowed to stare at my only flesh and blood?"

His statement caused the younger Uchiha to turn away from him, his ears rapidly flushing a deeper shade of red. He then rose to his feet and Itachi couldn't help but chuckle.

"You're annoying."

"Sasuke." He said, stopping in brother in his tracks just as he reached for the tent flap. "I really am happy to have you here at my side…despite the circumstances."

Sasuke paused, clearly at a loss for words. Uchiha were not known for their outward showing of affection however, he'd seen to much to let certain things go unsaid. He did not want all of his confession to be uttered upon his deathbed.

"Itachi…I…"Sasuke started but something outside must have alarmed him because whatever he wanted to say died on the tip of his tongue.

"Sasuke?" he asked, rising to his feet.

The sound of horse hooves approaching grew louder. Drumbeats filled the air, drowning out all thought. However, the beat was not one to alert them to enemies. It was a sound meant to welcome warriors back home. Rising quickly to his feet, Itachi joined Sasuke at the entrance to the tent. Outside others were gathering as well, their eyes all set to the horizon where the Uchiha crest was being waved high.

The Uchiha army had been stationed within the District since his disappearance last summer. While he would have appreciated having his own men under his command, he didn't dare send for them. The chance of the correspondence being intercepted was just too high. Yet here they were, galloping across the countryside to meet him. A million questions floated through his mind at once but they all ceased as his troops drew closer. His troops. In gleaming dark armor and fiercer than he remembered.

The Uchiha were back.

When they reached the edge of the encampment, cheers from the Imperial soldiers were added to the sound of drums. One couldn't help but feel hopeful when some of the most skilled warriors in the nation were coming to lend a hand in the war. A hand that would undoubtedly tip them to victory. The hooves came to a halt somewhere near the edge of the encampment, far from his sight but he knew that the arrivals would come to greet him shortly.

"The elders actually allowed them to leave?" Sasuke mused.

"I doubt that they had much of a choice."

Quickly Imperial recruits abandoned their tents and weapons to greet the reinforcements. Some of the recruits were so young that the sight of infamous Uchiha warriors was on they never thought they'd see. Their excitement was palpable as the crowd near his tent thickened but parted enough to let the entourage through. At the Head of them was a face he hadn't seen in a long time. Uchiha Obito had removed his helmet and was waving merrily at the crowd as if he were in a parade.

The recruits ate it up of course but Itachi felt his brow twitch in irritation. Still, he was grateful for the General's presence. If anyone could figure out a plan to toss out the invaders, it would be him. Obito sauntered proudly up to himself and Sasuke, a shit-eating grin on his face.

"It's been awhile cousins." He said and Itachi nodded his head respectfully. "Aren't you excited to see me?"

"Quite."

"We would have gotten here sooner but a certain someone just had to make a stop for more recruits."

"More recruits?" Itachi said, looking over his cousin's shoulder and could only make out the familiar faces of his own warriors.

"Don't get your hopes up. There's only a dozen of them that survived but the Hyuuga have always been decent fighters."

At the mention of that clan, Itachi felt a strange sense of hope rise in the pit of his stomach. He shouldn't want her to be here. She absolutely needed to remain in the District or with her own people if some of them had survived. Still, he hoped for her to step forward. When she didn't the disappointment was almost palpable but he didn't allow for it to show on his face. Instead, he tried to focus on the present which was surprisingly composed of his brother staring at Obito slack-jawed.

"What?" Itachi asked, looking between the two men. Obito shrugged and shook his head.

"I just told him that he's going to be a dad."

Although this news was sudden for Sasuke it only reconfirmed what Itachi had suspected a long time ago. If Hinata had gotten pregnant at the end of fall, winter was melting into spring…that meant the newest heir to the clan would be born soon.

"The elders must be estatic." Itachi said flatly and Obito smirked.

"If only I had the words to describe it. I'm glad I'm not trapped with them right now."

"Congratulations, ototou."

He placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder and it seemed to snap him out of whatever reverie he'd been lost in. Hopefully, this would give him just a bit more motivation to be careful when he saw true battle. Although…after their display in the capital, he was positive that Hinata alone was motivation enough for Sasuke to stay alive.

"Alright, enough with the greetings. Where is the young Emperor?" Obito asked and on this Sasuke took the reins to lead him away.

With the General gone the rest of the troops stepped forward to pay their respects. Men he hadn't seen since the high point of the summer and some faces he didn't quite recognize. It was moving to say the least. Imperial soldiers watched the procession instead of going back to their own duties, too enthralled with the new arrivals to do so. Their amusement dwindled as the sun set and the massive crowd dwindled to a trickle.

It was then that he noticed dark eyes change to pale. The Hyuuga were a proud clan. Solemn and close-knit. They did not say much when they greeted him but he appreciated their presence all the same. It was sunset when he was finally able to retire and there had yet to be any sign of Hanabi. Even the Imperial soldiers had dispersed as the newcomers began to set up camp. He hesitated for a moment outside of his tent and listened out for the sound of hooves. Of some sign that a straggler was approaching.

There was none.

Pressing his lips in a tight line, he turned back into tent. Although the natural light from the sun was rapidly dwindling, it was still enough to unroll a map of the area. If his mother were around she would admonish him for straining his eyes. Itachi chuckled to himself as his eyes scanned familiar mountain ranges that he could use to his advantage.

It was then that the sound of crunching gravel pricked at the edges of his attention. Likely Sasuke skulking over to discuss his most recent discovery of fatherhood. He looked up from the map expecting a nervous little brother but instead found a certain Hyuuga standing in the door of his tent.

Her hair was a little longer than before, her eyes less naïve but they still held a mischievous spark. He rose slowly from his seat to approach her but she was already running towards him. He fully expected Hanabi to barrel into him with as much force as an arrow and none of the respect that was required when addressing someone of his station. That was fine…she had never been one for protocol anyway. Yet she stopped just short of doing so.

"Reporting for duty Commander." Hanabi said.

She stood, anxiously shifting her weight from one foot to the other- a ball of energy just wishing to be unleashed. Pushing her anxiousness away for a moment, he meticulously inspected her. No cuts or bruises marred her features. Nothing more than dirt from traveling sullied her. Selfishly, he let out a sigh of relief. She really shouldn't be here…but he was glad that she was. His inspection seemed to be making her increasingly nervous which was odd. Hanabi had never been uncomfortable in his presence before.

Sheepishly she turned slightly in the direction of the front of the tent. The tent door was still open and anyone passing by would have seen her any display of affection. She had likely worked hard to garner respect from her comrades and didn't want them to think less of her.

Protocol be damned.

Moving past her he pulled the flap closed and plunged them both into darkness. She gasped a bit in surprise and he was able to find her again quickly. She fit within his arms just as she had before. In the forest. In the Okiya attic. A long sigh of relief left her lips as she relaxed into him and his grip tightened.

"I missed you."

"Is that why you came all the way here?" he chuckled.

He'd never heard of someone missing anyone that much…though he'd felt a tug of longing several times before. He felt Hanabi shake her head in his embrace, her fingers coming up to curl around his forearms.

A shiver ran down his spine.

…..

The next morning Itachi awoke feeling more relaxed than he had in months. It was the first night in a long time that he'd allowed himself to sleep. Above him the sun shone brightly, bring heat to an otherwise brisk spring morning. He observed the various groups of imperial soldiers and Uchiha warriors packing up to move camp. They worked well together and it wouldn't take long for them to be on the move to their next position. At his side, Sasuke eyed him suspiciously.

"Why do you look like that?" he asked.

Itachi blinked. He hadn't been aware that he looked any different.

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean."

Sasuke scowled and his eyes narrowed.

"You just look…happy. It's weird."

Happiness. That was something he hadn't truly felt years…

"Commander, we'll be finished before the sun has finished rising!" Hanabi chirped as she bounded up the path to them.

She stood before them excitedly, way more energetic than anyone had a right to be first thing in the morning. Itachi smirked. She wasn't usually a morning person. Noticing his amusement with her, Hanabi blushed furiously and his smirk threatened to turn into a smile.

"Like I said…weird." Sasuke grumbled under his breath.

"We are ahead of schedule then." Itachi said, ignoring Sasuke's suspicions. Hanabi nodded and her blush receded slowly.

"The faster we move out, the faster we can take on the enemy and head home. I want to be finished by the time the baby is born!"

At her words, Sasuke's attention finally shifted away from him and to the little ball of energy. However, before he could even speak Hanabi started bombarding him with facts.

"It's going to be a late spring, early summer birth and it's the year of the rabbit. That's a very lucky sign. Not as lucky as a dragon but better than most. I think it will be a girl but Hinata says it's a boy. She's waiting for you to get back to pick out a name so we have to get a move on. By the way…how do you feel about names that start with 'H'?"

The End

Our life here on earth:

to what shall we compare it?

It is not like a rowboat

departing at daybreak,

leaving no trace of us in its wake.

(Takaha Shugyo)