A very short Prologue

The Tsumekage paced in his office, tapping his fingers against his hips in a restless gesture. His brother, best friend, and confidante watched him carefully with an eerily expressionless face.

"I don't know what to do anymore, aniki." The Kage sighed, leaning against his desk. Paperwork yet to be finished went flying, fluttering to the ground in soft waves. "Villages all across the country are being attacked by demons. They're more numerous than the leaves in our jungle! Before long, there'll be no Yama no Kuni!"

His brother, Hyou Kashida, merely dipped a shoulder in a half-hearted shrug. "I've already made my suggestion, ototo-sama." Lips curved in a wry smile that lasted less than a heartbeat; he knew the Tsumekage hated it when his elder brother used "-sama" against him.

"It's out of the question! The seal for binding demons to children is not only forbidden, it almost guarantees the child will die! Sure, the demons attacking the villages are nothing like the Kyuubi that attacked Konoha so many years ago, but it's just too risky."

Kashida shook his head. "Not if they themselves have sufficient chakra. Then it's almost certain to be a success."

"But there's no way of knowing for sure until they're older! And by then, it's too late."

"Not necessarily." This time, Kashida's ghost of a smile stayed in place. "My wife and I have been researching this topic for a long time, as you well know. We believe we've perfected the justu necessary for binding a demon to a human with enough chakra. There's a time-frame of course… Only children can be bound. It's estimated that by the time they're 14 it's too late, but any time before that…"

"Basically, childhood and adolescence. Fantastic, you wish me to issue an order to test on children?" The Tsumekage heaved a sigh. One of the papers on his desk found its way into his hands; fold, crease, fold. Before long, the missive was reduced to a rather rudimentary duck. "No one will agree, even if it is the Hyou clan who did the research."

"We already have a list of genin with incredible talent and chakra control who wish to assist in the study, ototo-sama. Fresh out of the Academy, with amazing strength."

"And you're just waiting for my signature, eh?" The Tsumekage frowned, clenching his fist and crushing the origami duck. "Tell me honestly, aniki. Do you think this will increase or decrease the casualties Tsumegakure no Sato has already suffered?"

Kashida, one of the most respected medical ninja ever recorded in the Claw Village history, carefully weighed his words before answering. In the end, he decided on simplicity.

The ruined duck fell to the floor.

Hyou Shiori watched her young daughter attempt the first few combinations of Kazarashi no Hyou, a smile on her attractive face. Even though the child was only three years old, she was already taking an avid interest in the unique martial arts of the Hyou clan. Fluidity, power, grace, patience, determination. All excellent traits for the heir of the Leopard Clan.

Though at the moment, none of them seemed apparent.

"Okaa-san!" Shikami cried out, tears streaming down her dirtied face. Apparently, she'd fallen mid-jump. Shiori gathered her child in her arms and cooed at her, wiping the tears away.

"Why are you crying, Shi? Did you hurt yourself?"

"No…I'm not as good as Otou-san…"

Shiori had to keep herself from laughing. Her little daughter was positively distraught over the fact that she wasn't as good at martial arts as her father. "Don't worry, aiji. Your father is just very old so he's had lots of time to practice."

The pair began to giggle quietly, pretending not to notice Kashida standing a few feet away. "That isn't amusing, Shiori. Shikami is going to think I'm her Ojii-san instead of her Otou-san."

Shikami seemed delighted by that. She jumped up, dancing in circles around her father. "Jii-chan, jii-chan, jii-chan" She sang, laughing. Kashida growled, snatching the child up and slinging her over his shoulder.

"What's that? Oni-chan? How did you know that I am the fabled Ogre of the Leopard clan?! Has your mother been telling you naughty stories?!"

The child screeched and flailed, a tangle of black cloth and lavender hair.

"We have to wait!"

"We can't afford to. The villages are in chaos."

"But they're all so young…"

"That's why ours was chosen first."

"What!? You left out that little bit of information!"

"It was necessary for the plan to be accepted."

"But…"

"I know. We just have to make doubly sure that our calculations are correct."

Terms and Phrases (Just in case)

Aniki – Older brother

Aiji – Beloved child

Ojii– Respectful term for Grandfather. Jii by itself is just grandfather.

Okaa – Respectful term for Mother

Oni – Ogre

Ototo – Younger brother

Otou – Respectful term for Father

Tsumegakure no Sato – Village hidden amongst the Claws. (Literally written Village hidden in the claws, but amongst sounds much better.)

Yama no Kuni – Mountain Country. The original Hidden Village, Kagerou, was wiped out after a war with Konoha, by a third country. So far, no one outside of Yami no Kuni is aware that Tsumegakure no Sato is in existence. Their village symbol is distinctly claw-shaped.

-sama – Very respectful suffix.

-chan – Familiar suffix usually used by adults towards children, or between girls.

Genin – Low ranking shinobi, just graduated from the academy.

Hyou – Literally, leopard. The Hyou clan specializes in all forms of techniques, though the current Head of the Hyou clan is an infamous medical ninja, and his wife is unbeatable in hand-to-hand combat techniques. Almost every member of the Hyou clan has an animal familiar.

Jutsu – Literally, technique.

Kazarashi no Hyou – Leopard of the Windstorm, a style of Taijutsu (hand-to-hand combat) invented by Hyou Shiori and Hyou Kashida.

Tsumekage – Claw Shadow, leader of Tsumegakure.