1 year later - Western district of Konohagakure

"Just like that," Miyu guided softly, repositioning the boy's left leg before stepping back to criticise her work, "Hold you're out a little higher and swing down. Perfect." She watched as the boy beamed at the praise. "I want you to repeat this exercise a hundred times a day until I'm satisfied." She instructed.

"Hai, Sensei!" Kimimaro responded, repeating the process and swinging down the wooden sword she had gifted him with, a second time.

"Mah, isn't he hardworking?" A new voice commented, as her neighbour soundlessly made his way to their joint backyard. Miyu could only smile proudly. The Kimimaro she had known had been deadly and wild, with no training other than his own. She wondered how much further he could go if given some early basic instruction and a handful of people he could count on.

"I've tried to postpone his training for as long as I can," The blonde began, "But it seems like it's in his blood." She let out a dry laugh as she watched the five year old practice.

His movements were fluid, and already, the wooden katana looked like a mere extension of his body. It was far more advanced than most beginners would ever reach, and spoke of inherent talent.

"A Kaguya, huh." She heard a soft sigh, "Not many people in Fire country have heard much of them, other than rumours, and that's only some of the higher ranking shinobi. I'm curious as to how he will turn out." A single dark eye locked onto the girl's still form, watching her intently as she never looked away from her practising student. The kid was lucky to have such a devoted and skilled teacher. "So how's he getting along with the others?" Her brow furrowed as she opened her mouth to respond.

"Itachi seems to understand, as well as most of the Uchiha, but Sasuke still puts up a fuss every once in a while." She winced, thinking back to when she had first moved out. The Uchiha brother's had been inconsolable in their own standoffish way. It had taken a few months to smooth it over through their bi-weekly get togethers. She liked to think Itachi and Kimimaro were beginning to get along but at the same time Sasuke had begun holding a childish grudge, she could only hope he grew out of it. "At least he and Naru-chan are getting along. Though I think Naruto's a bit too loud for Kimimaro." Miyu turned, asking her silver haired neighbour for his opinion.

"They do make an odd pair," Kakashi commented, "Maybe the Hyuga would be a good place for him to make friends?"

"Oh, I've introduced Kimi to most of the already. Hizashi-sensei generally teases him too much but he and Neji seem to get along well." It seemed both of the quiet prodigies had similar likes and dislikes. "I was thinking of introducing him to Hayate-san soon. Maybe once I drill the basics into him."

"Hayate?" He thought back to the sickly teen he knew one of his Anbu comrades fancied, "I heard he is the last heir of the Gekko sword style. It might be a bit of a hassle to get him to pass down his family's techniques."

"Whether or not he chooses to teach Kimimaro his techniques is up to him. I'm really just asking for his advice on how to proceed. He owes me a couple favours anyway." She smirked lightly. It would be amazing if Hayate could refrain from teaching her student. After all, once you see the sheer talent the boy had for swordsmanship, it stirred something inside you that compelled you to help the boy in any way possible.

3 years later - A small bar in Konohagakure, south district...

"Fugaku don't you think you should take it easy?" Minato asked as he watched the usually stoic Uchiha head down another cup of sake.

"Hn." It shouldn't have been possible to slur to such a short phrase but Fugaku managed it, sending the Namikaze a weak glare.

"So, what's got you so..." Minato merely indicated at Fugaku's appearance, while sipping at his own drink. His friend had been stressed lately, mostly due to his clan.

"I don't know what to do anymore Minato," The Uchiha admitted, his loosened tongue reverting to a more familial term of address, "And I fear, because I have kept it to myself for too long, that it is too late."

"What's wrong?" The blonde prompted, it seemed rather serious if it led to a round of binge drinking.

"The elders, they won't settle down," Fugaku began, "At first they only pressed for little things, mostly not wanting to lose out to the Hyuga, but it has only escalated and now they have gone too far." He paused, staring intensely into his cup, "Just the other day I walked into a meeting they had held without me, who knows how long that's been going on for, and you know what they were scheming?"

"?" Minato could see it was a hard topic for his friend to speak about, judging by the pallor of his skin and the way he swallowed tensely.

"...a coup d'état," the Hokage felt his breath catch in surprise, surely his citizen's weren't that upset over his rule that they would usurp him, "Don't look like that, Minato, It's not your fault. Never. Instead I feel like someone else has been meddling with my clan. This isn't something an Uchiha, my Uchihas, would have first thought of."

"But," The blonde struggled to find his words, "A coup, really? Is there no way to stop them?" Fugaku slowly shook his heads.

"They are set in their ways, and have already began making plans," He clutched his cup hard enough that his knuckles began to whiten, "Do you know how happy I was when Itachi entered Anbu? If only so he could begin distancing himself from the clan. Even Miyu..." He trailed off and Minato felt his stomach drop.

"Miyu? What's wrong?" the blond questioned.

"They're planning to use her," Fugaku informed, "Once the coup is over and done, once they have an Uchiha as Hokage, they're planning to marry her off to the Kazekage's eldest son for political benefits. That or whichever country has the most to offer when the time comes."

"Marry her off?" Minato was slightly appalled; there was a reason why Konoha abolished most betrothals. He'd like to think his younger niece would marry someone she loved within this village, possibly a certain former student of his.

"Really they just want her out of the village," the Uchiha head explained, "She's powerful, very much so, with relations to a lot of other powerful ninja, notorious ones like yourself. She would be a hindrance to 'our' plan." Fugaku winced as he spoke. He wanted so much, at the moment, to be able to claim no relation to the Uchiha clan. How far had they fallen while his head had been turned? He slammed down another drink, having long lost count of the amount of cups. "Minato," He began once more, "What can I do?"

Kurama sat still, completely silent as his partner took in the information he had collected. He took a peek out the window, looking at the moonless night. So, he said after a moment, ''What will you do?''

"I don't know," Miyu admitted, making sure to keep her voice quiet to avoid waking her sleeping student. Kimimaro was a light sleeper, something she definitely hadn't been at his age, though she supposed it was good considering his future profession.

''That man, the one who took the name of Madara, is likely the instigator here,'' the fox deduced, ''and chances are, that once Danzo finds out, the Uchiha Massacre is set to repeat itself.''

"But it's preventable now," Miyu said with a sense of certainty, "Minato is aware, Fugaku is aware and against it, and Itachi knows better than to believe Danzo." She smirked lightly. She'd like to think she had told her younger brother enough dubious information about the old war hawk to cause instant distrust and wariness.

''Hmph.'' Kurama gave her an amused look. He had always found enjoyment from the underhanded tactics she used to sow seeds of distrust of the more questionable characters among the younger generation.

"And to think the elders wanted to marry me off?" Miyu scoffed lightly, "To who? Kankuro? Maybe they'd go as far as to sacrifice me to Iwa for a measly alliance." She had a rather strong dislike for the Uchiha elders, especially seeing how segregated they were from the clan itself. She hated the idea that they, almost as equally as Fugaku, led the clan. In that sense, the Uchiha and Hyuga were very much alike.

''If they tried to send you off, you would only disappear from their sight.'' Kurama mumbled knowingly.

"It seems like they're also forgetting how much of an influence Minato has on Konoha," The blonde continued, "If they were to usurp him, more than half of the village would turn on them. The civilians may be easy to fool with propaganda but the shinobi, those that have fought with him, those who know him, would not believe a single lie. And this is all ignoring Kushina, who has as much of an impact as one could imagine."

''So, they are doomed for failure, yet too blind to see it.'' The fox let out a small chuckle. ''They could all use another set of eyes.''

"This is exactly what makes this whole thing ludicrous. How exactly, did that Madara impostor convince them it was all possible?"

2 months later - Western district of Konohagakure

"Konichiwa, Kimimaro-kun," A friendly voice called, "Is Miyu in right now?"

"Ohayo Iruka-san," the boy paused his practise strokes and stood up a little straighter, "She's currently inside discussing something with Hokage-sama."

"Really? That makes things a bit more convenient," Iruka ruffled the boys hair as he passed, stepping into the cosy building. He followed the quiet murmurs, letting the voices lead him into Miyu's living room.

"Iruka," Miyu stood and greeted him with a warm hug, she felt like she hadn't seen the brunette in ages due to all the out of village missions he had been on, "How are you?"

"I'm doing well," The brunet responded with an easy smile, "It looks like the same goes for you." It seemed he had hit his second growth spurt as Miyu had to crane her head up more than usual. Other than that, the 17 year old jounin was practically glowing with health. The blonde nodded in satisfaction, the Iruka from her time had been a good catch, but this one would definitely have women pining for him.

"Miyu?" Minato, called her out of her absent minded state and she walked back to the couches, dropping back down in her original seat, beside a certain silver haired ninja.

"Right," Miyu cleared her throat, and Kurama made his way to her lap, curling up much like a feline, "So Iruka did you do what I asked?"

"Hai." Iruka took a seat in a simple arm chair, leaning forward as he spoke, "I had a few of my summons stationed around the Uchiha compound and I've just received my first batch of reports."

"Really?" Kakashi asked in interest, "Did they find anything unusual, or notice any strangers in the area." Iruka raised a brow, slightly distracted by the sight of him and Miyu. Did they notice how close they were sitting next to one another?

"Yes," The jounin responded slowly, "It seems once a month, usually on nights of a full moon, the elders will hold a meeting, one that doesn't include Fugaku-san." He paused as he rummages through his pockets pulling out a simple scroll. "As usual I had Hakutou record most of the content from the meetings," He informed, handing it over to the Hokage first, "But more importantly, recently they say a non-Uchiha has been handing around the compound and participating in the meetings."

"Do you have a description of him?" Minato asked as he scanned the contents of the scroll, most of which Fugaku had already guessed might happen.

"No distinguishing features," Iruka described, "Aside from the fact he always appears in a dark cloak, and has an odd mask of some sort."

"Mask?" the Hokage couldn't help but think back to the night Konoha had almost been destroyed.

"This whole mess is doing my head in." Miyu growled in frustration. Kurama yipped in laughter. The fox hadn't a care in the world, in fact; he had never been fond of the Uchiha.

"You're not the only one." Kakashi intoned blandly beside her. Besides him, all her other guests had left. Even Kimimaro had left for his weekly training session with Hayate.

"Would you like more tea?" The blonde asked with a sigh, indicating to his empty cup.

"If you wouldn't mind." The silver haired ninja did enjoy the tea here, even though it wasn't particularly special. He simply put it down as good company.

"Here." Miyu returned from the kitchen with a steaming cup of tea, gently putting it on the table in front of her neighbour before slumping down on the sofa. "I wonder if there is any way to stop them." She queried aloud.

"The elders? No," Kakashi answered bluntly, "But this doesn't mean the whole clan must be dealt with."

"A small blessing." Miyu commented. Though, she did suppose whatever outcome that may arise from here would most likely be better than the original. After all, Fugaku, Mikoto, Itachi and Sasuke would no doubt live. In fact, this time Itachi shouldn't have to wash the blood of his kin off his hands.

"What are you thinking about?" Kakashi asked curiously. He was getting that odd sense of melancholy he always seemed to get whenever the girl was lost within her own thoughts.

"Nothing much." He, as always, expected that answer, but was happy to allow her her secrets. "And you? Will you be spending the rest of your day off lounging on my couch."

"You know what," Kakashi said, taking a long sip of his tea, "I think I will." To further prove his point he put his feet up on the small coffee table, much to its owner's aggravation.

It was endless amusement for him, to see what type of reactions he could get from the younger kunoichi. Of course, at first glance she was stoic, impassive and overly serious as he had once been, but just a few small actions or a couple of harmless phrases and she became more of what he thought was her true self. Loud, brash, stubborn, cheeky and with an anger to match his sensei's wife.

"So how's Nori-chan?" Miyu asked, bringing him back into a conversation.

"She's been well," Kakashi replied with a small smile, "Sensei kept telling me how just the other day she took her first steps." The image of the giddy blond male was deeply engraved in his mind along with every fact he would ever need to know about his newest kin.

"Really? I hope she isn't the type to be up and about like Naruto was," Miyu thought Kushina needed a break and a second active child wouldn't help her stress levels, "She seems a little more quite than I expected."

"Must take after her father," Kakashi said absently, "I heard Minato was quite shy during his academy days."

"Saa," Miyu dragged out a sigh and sloughed on the armrest of the couch he had pretty much taken over. Kakashi shuffled over accordingly and the blonde made a lazy roll into the now unoccupied space.

"Where has your mind gone now?" Kakashi asked with a small smile. He liked this side of her, how her thoughts were perfectly hidden away, how she teased his curiosity.

"The future," She answered with a wistful smile, "One where Konoha is thriving, and there are no longer any power struggles. Where the silly rivalry between the Uchiha and Hyuga is nothing more than that and Konohagakure becomes a nation built upon trust. I can only hope that Itachi and Sasuke grow up well and break out of their stubborn Uchiha ways and Iruka finds a nice strong woman. I want Minato to die of old age, once Konoha becomes exactly as he envisioned and he goes down being the greatest Hokage we've ever had. Kushina too, I hope she stays the same proud woman, and all the younger kunoichi learn to follow her example. I hope Kimi stays healthy, and Naru grows up strong and ambitious. Nori, I don't know what she'll be, but I hope she becomes the best at it."

"And me?" Kakashi asked partway through her vision, "Where am I in this future of yours?"

"You're a lazy jounin, with a high bounty in the bingo book," She laughed lightly and he was somewhat entranced, "You also happen to be Naruto and Sasuke's genin sensei, though you don't act much like it...and your always ready that orange book of Jiraiya's."

"Maa, is that how I seem to you?" He was a little surprised at such a precise imagination, and more so that she had discovered one of his dirty secrets. He was sure he had never read Icha Icha besides in the comfort and security of his own room. "So where do you plan to be in a few more years?"

"Hm..." She shared a look with her fox before giving a small shrug, "I don't know? Maybe I'll have already died by then."

"Eh?" Kakashi couldn't help but be surprised by her morbid tone, "Come on, you couldn't have made-up such a happy future without including yourself?" Even he could see it, a golden haired kunoichi, with swords tied to her waist, preferably standing by his side. Oh yes, he very much like that image, in ways that seemed odd to him.

"It's just easy to imagine everyone else." Miyu commented. Of course, the 'Naruto' in her 'visions' had been herself, but now that her a second Naruto had come to exist, she couldn't imagine where that consequence left her.

"Saa, how about this," the masked ninja adopted an odd tone that was vaguely familiar to her, though she struggled to place it, "In five years' time, this Uchiha mess will be far behind us, and I will happily become Sasuke's and Naruto's sensei, and you will have your own team as well. It will include your apprentice Kimimaro an odd foreign ninja and another weird kid. During the chuunin exams your odd team will go against my perfect team and of course, mine, being the more superior will win."

"I highly doubt that," Miyu commented slightly irritated, "That fact you think any team lead by you could beat mine? Get real. Kimimaro could easily clean up any chuunin in a few years' time."

"So what have we come up with?" The white haired hermit stood awkwardly in the Hokage's office with the man himself and the Uchiha head. He had been called back for an apparent emergency but he would've never imagined something like this.

"I have already tried all I can to change their mind but they will not be swayed." Fugaku sighed sadly. It seemed he lacked little to know authority over the elder faction.

"Okay so Plan A is failing, what's B?" Jiraiya pressed, he would have never imagined something as disconcerting as a coup under Minato's guidance.

"Plan B," He blond haired student looked far too tired an old for his age, an occupational hazard of course, "Our only other option would be the removal of those involved."

"Removal...I see," The sage caught on quickly, having already considered the possibilities, "Who would be in charge of this? Anbu?" Fugaku slowly shook his head, his eyes hard and determined.

"This is our mess," He began, "My clan will deal with this."

"So your suggesting to have kin kill one another?" Jiraiya stated incredulously, his gaze flicking between the Hokage and his close friend. It was far too obvious that Minato and Fugaku had argued about the matter one too many times, with the latter emerging as the battle worn victor. "Have you already selected who will have to..." he trailed off uncomfortably.

"Yes," Fugaku sent him a grim look, "As the head of the Uchiha family I will be in charge of the disposal squad. Aside from that it was decided the less people involved the better so there will only be one other going with me."

"And who is that?" the hermit pressed, noticing how Minato refused to meet his eyes.

"My oldest daughter Miyu."