Chapter 10 | The Eleventh Artifact
Madara stared at her stunned. He lowered his eyes to his fisted left hand to the red string bracelet wrapped around his wrist. "You created an artifact?"
"I created an artifact," she repeated softly, touching the bracelet.
"This bracelet?"
"Yes."
"In exchange of what? Your life?" he asked, his uneasiness escalated. He took her by the arms firmly. "Is that why you've been sleeping so long? Why you seem to be getting weaker? Is that what the Fate Sphere told us when your pathways appeared upside down? And what happens when you don't have the Time Sphere?"
"I don't like to think about it," she admitted. "Honestly, I feared what might happen if I took it off, so I don't. I am afraid of what I have done, but I also know that I can stay alive for as long as I need if I remain Shugosha."
"What does this mean?" he demanded, his grip tightening on her arms. "Mio, I can't—I can't—you can't do this! This thing—this artifact—what were you trying to accomplish? Can this little thing weaken the artifacts? And what happens once they're destroyed? What happens to you?"
Mio smiled, all glassy eyed and fragile. "I think that's obvious."
"So, that's it? You die?" Madara grabbed her by the nape of the neck, drawing her face closer. She closed her eyes and nodded. In their world, anyone could die. Life expectancy was short, but such was the reality of their generation. War claimed the lives of many. Anyone that lived past twenty-five in their occupation was extremely lucky. He witnessed the death of more children growing up than that of adults. So, it wasn't odd to be a part of that statistic—dying young for the sake of some war and your clan was common. He could accept them. He could accept the deaths of so many. Mio's death was not one he could ever come to accept. It hurt him to fathom it—to think of a life without her. What would that even be like? "You can't die. You can't die, Mio. You can't die before me. I won't stand for it."
She reached up to hold his hands, leaning forward to rest her forehead against his.
"I'm sure I'll live for much longer than you," she said, letting out a sound that was a cross between a sob and a laugh. Her hands were shaking. She didn't believe it herself.
"Then don't disappoint me."
"I won't. I promise."
Madara kissed her and felt a tear fall on his face. Her lips were trembling. He slid his hands down to her waist and drew her flush against him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and folded her legs behind his back. Another of her tears fell past his chin, landing onto his chest. She was crying so much that he knew there was more that she was not telling him, but as she pulled away sniffling, he reconsidered bombarding her with more inquiries. He wiped the tears from her cheeks, believing honestly that he could be satisfied with what she already gave him. For now, at least.
"We have plenty to look forward to," he assured. "We were just married for one."
"And we have all twenty of our future daughters to look forward to," she added.
"Twenty?" He was stumped. "Did the number suddenly increase?"
"I don't remember discussing a number."
He didn't either.
"So, we have all of them to look forward to," she continued, smiling softly.
"Yes," he said, tucking her hair behind her ears. He kissed her face. He then lowered his eyes to the bracelet on his wrist. "Okay, what does this new artifact do?" He watched her timidly bite her lip. "I can't even tell it is one."
"It's different."
"Did you make me a Guardian again?"
"Well, you never stopped being one."
"Is that what you meant by it would protect me?"
"I have been imbuing more of my chakra into the core of each artifact through the Life Sphere's connection to ensure better Guardian protection. If an enemy ambushes you—generally catching you off guard—the spheres should protect the Guardian, but…"
"…It didn't work for Saori."
She nodded. "They're not perfect. So, I just have to keep working on them."
"Okay, but you didn't answer the real questions. Why can't I tell it's an artifact? How is it different? What does it do?"
"It isn't as connected to the other artifacts, well, except the Time Sphere—it's basically incomplete."
That angered him, but he suppressed the urge to shout at her. "You sacrificed so much for an incomplete artifact."
"You must think highly of me if you actually believed I could muster the power necessary for a complete one."
He sighed, hoping she was being sarcastic. "I forget how reckless you are."
"You can reprimand me later," she said, moving against his hips and dispersing all lingering thought from his mind. She lowered her voice and kissed him, her lips soft against his moved slow and teasingly "I want to enjoy our time together."
"Tired of talking?" he asked as she started to kiss his neck.
"That too."
"You can only distract me for so long."
"Distract you?" queried Mio, drawing back to look at him, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Have you any idea what a distraction from me looks like?"
He mirrored her smile. "Does referencing it mean you are about to show me?"
"I don't want you distracted," she replied. "I need you foc—"
"Mio!" came Yayoi's voice, followed by a loud pounding at the door that startled them. "Mio! Have you seen Madara?"
Mio scrambled off Madara and fell off the bed with a loud thud, but she recovered faster than he could react to it. Madara slid to the edge to grab his clothes and redressed as the pounding grew louder.
"I'm here," called Madara.
"We're being attacked!"
He opened the door to hear her out directly, though Mio was still searching for her pants. She found them shortly.
"From where?"
"I don't know! Jouji just sent me to look for you!" Yayoi leaned against the doorframe, looking to have run nonstop from Eishirou's castle.
"Mio-san!" Keigo appeared shortly after with a fresh cut across his face.
Mio moved to him quickly, pulling his face up by the chin to inspect the wound. "Who did this to you?"
"There are Ishiki shinobi at the main gate," he blurted after she released him. "They attacked the Kuronuma posted there."
"Have the Ishiki made it into the castle?" asked Madara.
Yayoi shook her head. "No, these are different shinobi. Jouji mentioned they were allies of the shinobi you captured!"
"Izuna-san is holding them off," added Keigo.
Madara turned to Mio, who nodded. She would go to the Kuronuma and he would rush to aid Izuna.
"Stay with Yayoi," ordered Mio, looking at Keigo. "Protect her with your life."
"Yes, Mio-san."
Madara and Mio left together, separating outside the inn. He stole a glance at her retreating form as she sprang onto the roof of a nearest building and disappeared behind it after a leap.
Madara reached Eishirou's castle using a shortcut, drawing his weapons upon the sight of his men clashing against enemy shinobi. There were shinobi jumping from roof to roof, chasing one another with projectiles that cut through the wind and stabbed into or through the rice paper windows. There were several skirmishes happening in the surrounding area of the castle where the residents—cursing the shinobi and their wars that ravaged their homes—rushed indoors in search of safety.
Destruction was the sister of war and one could not save everything or everyone when the situation demanded putting their lives at stake for the people or for their men. Madara's duty was first and foremost to his men. Casualties happened more often than not. He liked to believe the people a part of that rising death count lived good lives; or rather he liked to hope that they had, but oftentimes the victims to war were children. That never surprised him. Children died on the frontlines all the time. Shinobi were trained from the moment they could hold a kunai properly. He lost all his younger brothers except Izuna because of that. Since he took over the clan, he and his brother made the decision not to send the younger generation to their wars, but there weren't sufficient adults to take their places. So, Madara and Izuna worked harder and grew stronger to become enough that a few less men meant nothing if they were present.
He appreciated the number of men the Kuronuma clan brought them, particularly because one alone had the combined physical strength of two shinobi, though pacifists by nature, they fought under the right circumstances. Knowing their Shugosha and her Guardians were in danger was enough incentive for the entire clan to agree to set aside their vows to keep the peace to ensure the safety of the aforementioned individuals. The Uchiha clan had other allies apart from the Kuronuma clan, like the Ito clan or the Hagoromo clan to name a few, they were clans under the leadership of people he didn't trust as completely as he did Mio. However, Saori and her guardianship over the Life Sphere made a good anchor in his relationship with the Ito clan, but the same could not be said about others, particularly those seeking to solidify relations through an arranged marriage, something he completely botched by choosing his own wife. He didn't regret making Mio his wife, though the elders in the new Council and several of his shinobi were completely livid about it because the Kuronuma weren't recognized as shinobi, despite being one of the oldest clans in existence. None of that would matter after this mission to the Sun Country at least that had been the plan. The Uchiha needed to see that the Kuronuma were the best allies they could ever think to possess. Fighting alongside them would help bridge a gap between them, but he admittedly had little hope. Uchiha tended to be quite stubborn.
Seeing the few Kuronuma within Eishirou's castle supporting the Uchiha would give him something to goad about to the elders, particularly because they adapted well together and fought in good synchronization. However, these new enemies were no easy targets.
Madara learned that his sharingan offered him an advantage, though not for long. Eishirou's other allies were good genjutsu users and were able to manage whatever genjutsu he cast with his sharingan, but he possessed an arsenal of skills that aided him in cutting through every shinobi that stood in his way.
He made it into the castle after taking a gruesome hit to the shoulder. With blood pouring from the gaping wound, his arm limp at his side, he ran through the hallways in search of his brother or Jouji. The ground floor was littered with bodies, the walls splattered with blood, and several shoji screens were broken. He encountered enemies along the way and took them on with only one functioning arm. He paralyzed them with his sharingan and ran them through with his sword before they could recover or parried their surprise attacks with fire-based jutsu. Hand-to-hand was a little harder to do, but he managed to weaken his enemy enough with just his feet until they left themselves open for him to embed a kunai or shuriken in their necks. He aimed at the jugular each time, missing only once when a second enemy jumped out of nowhere and knocked him to the ground.
Madara kicked him off swiftly as his kunai stuck on the roof above him. His wounded arm was throbbing with pain, but it was easy to ignore with his adrenaline on high. He threw a handful of shuriken at the other enemy, deflecting the weapons he sent in his direction, and rolled onto his feet. He grasped one of the shinobi's wrists when he threw a punch at his face, jerked him forward, and swept his leg under him, dropping him to the ground. He stabbed a kunai into his neck long before the other shinobi reached him. By then Madara had devised a plan to counter his attacks, giving him no chance to use any jutsu. He blocked the kunai the shinobi used as an extension of his arm and took Mio's approach to oncoming attacks by wrapping his arm around his before he pulled back. With one hand under the arm he took captive, he pushed up until he heard a complimentary bone crack to his screech.
He dropped him the same way he had his comrade and cut his throat, silencing him.
However, his screams served a purpose. They called attention to Madara's position. He encountered more enemies as he continued onward, but he made quick work of them. He reached a group of his shinobi on the third floor and together they eliminated the remaining enemies there. A Kuronuma medic rushed up to meet them, quick to begin tending their wounds.
"Hold this," the Kuronuma medic said, handing the roll of gauze he was using to treat one Uchiha's forearm. The medic walked up to Madara. "You need treatment."
"Where is my brother?" asked Madara, holding his hand up to halt the medic.
"Top floor, Madara-sama," one man answered promptly. "Jouji-san is with him—"
A powerful attack rattled the castle, knocking the man speaking off his seat. Everyone else managed to remain standing by grabbing hold of the nearest wall or doorframe. A loud crash above them made Madara run off to ensure his brother was safe.
Madara reached the top floor as Izuna killed a shinobi bearing the Ishiki clan's insignia. Jouji was standing a short distance away from Izuna covering a wound on his neck and holding his broken glasses out in front of him with a disappointed gaze. As he approached, he saw Eishirou was still tied to the same post, though there were bodies all around him and blood on the floor spreading out underneath his bare feet. He looked squeamish as he inched as far back as he could from it.
"Where's Mio?" asked Izuna, cleaning the blood off his sword.
"She went on ahead to the main gate with the Kuronuma."
Izuna sheathed his blade. "I'm going to support them. I trust you'll secure the castle."
"Take others with you," said Madara.
"You should get that arm checked. It looks gross." Izuna climbed out of the nearest window and jumped down, shouting for a few others to follow him.
The castle was far from secure. Madara sensed others approaching from various directions, but they were moving slowly, scoping the area before attacking. There were plenty of shinobi in the castle, most of them in the lower levels or outside finishing their battles.
Jouji returned his glasses to his face, though one frame was gone completely, the other only had a crack on its surface. He walked to one of the fallen shinobi, turning him over to reveal a crest that resembled an eye. He frowned. "Yomi clan."
"From the Swamp Country?" asked Madara, alarmed because the Kuronuma clan was in talks with the leader of it to settle there.
"They were chased out of the Swamp Country for causing problems that brought about a decline for them economically and politically. They're one of the weakest countries currently in existence. Very overlooked." Jouji put two fingers into his mouth and let out a loud whistle before turning to Madara. "Apart from their swampland making interesting training ground, not much more can be said about it."
Madara stole a glance at Eishirou. "How many other shinobi clans do you have hidden?"
Eishirou said nothing.
"Apart from the clan we initially believed were his only defense, there's the Yomi clan. No others."
Seemingly from the shadows, Arata showed up beside Jouji and bowed his head towards Madara.
"We'll need a report of our casualties," said Jouji.
Arata nodded and ran past Madara, disappearing down the hallway to do as ordered.
"You should really have that treated," said Jouji, pointing to his arm.
Madara shook his head. "I can fight without it."
"You certainly did well enough clearing away the remnants, but you should be ready in case of another attack."
Jouji had a point, but Madara wouldn't be able to sit still long enough to be healed until he sensed the tides change in the battlefield against the Ishiki clan at the main gate. There was something not sitting right with him. His wife was capable. Of that he was certain, but it didn't help that he now knew a part of why she had been sickly since her return. It worried him.
Silently, he wondered how much she neglected to tell him as he stared at the red string bracelet on his wrist.
"Move him," ordered Madara, gesturing at Eishirou.
Jouji nodded.
Madara rounded as many shinobi as he could and sent them to escort Yayoi to the castle. He preferred not to leave her with Keigo alone, deciding she would be safer at his side. Izuna would be enough to watch Mio's back and she'd keep him out of danger, so he figured he shouldn't have been as worried about the two of them as he was, but he couldn't stop thinking about the gruesome possibilities and if he lost either one of them—
He shook his head. Everything would go well.
Damnit.
Madara remained in Eishirou's castle while the battle at the main gate raged on and focused completely on defending his newly captured territory, for the sake of the wounded shinobi being treated inside. Yayoi arrived to the castle a tad shaken after Ishiki shinobi attacked her. Keigo experienced a delayed reaction to the event when he started to cry as he tried to explain what happened. They lost two Uchiha and the Kuronuma that accompanied them.
He allowed Yayoi to treat his injuries after listening to Arata's report on casualties. They weren't many to start, but the surprise attack took a large chunk of their army.
"You should go help Mio," Yayoi suggested. "It isn't looking good for the Kuronuma."
"Izuna went with backup." Madara stared out the window into the direction of the battle. There was nothing but destruction and rising smoke. At times, he witnessed large earthen walls rising to defend against large-scale techniques and witnessed black towers springing high into the sky, twisting violently like tornados as they demolished everything in their paths. They would be fine.
"Yes, but if you're worried, you should go."
"You forget you're also a priority," he said, looking at her directly. "If I go, you would have to accompany me. I don't want to endanger you if it can be avoided. Mio would agree."
"Mio-san is an able fighter," added Keigo, "as is Izuna-san. Not to mention they're surrounded by those big Kuronumas and the scary Uchihas with the red eyes. The Ishiki clan may be putting up a fight now, but they're getting ready to end it."
Yayoi nodded. "I suppose having a little faith won't hurt, huh?"
"Yeah, plus, I guess you'd have extra guidance as a priestess."
She lowered her eyes. "You can say I feel a little out of touch with my faith."
"You must be excited about returning home then," said Keigo. "I'm excited about seeing the Sun Country for the first time."
"I just want to see my brother again and the people from the temple. The Sun Country is probably not as exciting as you believe."
"I'm sure there'll be something exciting."
"You forget," started Madara, "we're entering the country without permission. We aren't going there to enjoy the sights, we're going there knowing that it's a trap and that half of us won't make it out alive."
Keigo pouted.
Yayoi patted his shoulder. "If we get out of it alive, I promise to show you my secret hiding place."
"Then I promise I will do my very best!" Keigo jumped on his feet with a grin.
Madara didn't mention the other presences he pinpointed around the area because if they were there to spring another attack on them, it would have already happened. If they were hiding in wait for the right opportunity to take Eishirou to safety, they would have attempted towards accomplishing that goal. Madara didn't understand their intentions. Whether they were being watchful and learning about their enemies or waiting for him to lower his guard long enough for them to attempt against Yayoi's life. He didn't know.
So, like them, he stayed, aware and wary of their presences. He took note of movement if there was any. He took the time to determine they were predominantly Ishiki shinobi by their chakra signature, though there were a handful of Yomi shinobi. He narrowed down his findings to pinpointing the strongest and stretched his knowledge far into knowing that there were at least twenty men in five key locations surrounding the castle grounds broken up into four-man teams.
Jouji came up behind him. "It's been done."
Madara nodded, turning to him. "Assemble a small group of scouts and of our best assassins. If there is any movement around or near the castle, make sure it's silenced."
Jouji inclined his head. "Yes."
He departed to do as Madara asked him, gesturing discreetly to a few shinobi standing nearby. In under ten minutes, the small squad of three talented scouts—among them one sensor—and two highly skilled assassins—trained by a student of his grandmother—departed in silence without prior knowledge of those that hid in the shadows of that province.
Madara closed his eyes and focused on the chakra concentrated in the distant battle. The castle creaked as though it were struggling to remain standing on its damaged foundation—its supporting frame shuddered in the wind that rushed through the gaping holes on the wall and the open windows. Izuna and Mio's chakra were easy to find and it relieved him to know they were present. There were many enemies remaining, but they were dwindling. Whether that was because they were dying or retreating, he wasn't able to tell, but their side remained steady after the initial surprise attack.
Nobody slept that night.
The battlefield weighed heavily on those participating in it. The standoff at the castle had everyone on edge.
Madara considered going to the main gate to help because his worry had started to sour his mood by morning light, but remembered his place was that castle to ensure the safety of his clansmen, the Kuronuma patrolling under his orders, and Yayoi.
Yayoi slept a few hours during the night. Keigo struggled to stay awake and ended up falling asleep on guard duty. Madara ordered everyone to follow a simple rotation schedule to ensure every one remained in tiptop condition. There was no telling how long they would be forced to stay put. If this information made it to the Sun Country, their way of making it across without problems would go down the drain. They would be attacked as soon as the ships were spotted by Mikazuki Rikuto, who had developed a reputation for sinking all water vessels headed towards the Sun Country without their approval. The waters weren't safe. The Sanbi roamed the sea surrounding the Sun Country after he released it from the Motou clan's binds. If by some coincidence, they were spotted by the three-tailed beast, they would be done for. Madara fought against it many times before, most times with his brother at his side, and it had been one challenging bout after the last.
Madara tired himself out overthinking the entire plan. He reworked it about a thousand times, but nothing ended well for them when stacked with all possible threats. He wanted to retreat to the Fire Country, but he couldn't give the order. It wouldn't be right. He made promises. The Uchiha's reputation would be on the line. He couldn't bring himself to do so. He hated feeling cornered—caged like an animal. He abhorred the unknown.
The silence—the stillness, the monotony—grated at his patience. He reacted to the current situation with irritability. His exasperation bordered on explosive. He found himself prone to rash decisions, but reminded himself that he needed to be the calm one. He had to be the center, the balance in all opposing forces. His presence was both a necessity and the illusion of structure. If he moved, the castle could be taken. The Ishiki clan proved capable when they took down one of the Kuronuma and when they succeeded in catching Saori off guard. The Yomi clan knew the castle better than he did. Taking it back with their knowledge would not be difficult for the Ishiki clan on standby.
"Jouji!" called Madara, feeling the dawning of a realization. His sudden shout startled Yayoi. Keigo jumped, awaken so suddenly he asked where he was, though as there was no immediate danger in sight, he yawned.
Jouji responded to him quickly, appearing through the doors in a matter of seconds. "You called?"
"Has there been any movement?" asked Madara.
"None according to my most recent report."
"There won't be. Eishirou isn't the target. Yayoi and I are both targets." Rather, he had a feeling something else was entirely. Thinking about Saori triggered the realization. He only felt like a fool for not having realized it before—it being so obvious. "Send our fastest runners to the battlefield. Have Izuna and Mio retreat to the castle."
"Retreat?" complained Yayoi.
"If I'm correct, the battle was a distraction." He paused to give it a passing thought and leveled his gaze with the cracked frame of Jouji's glasses. "Everyone returns to the castle."
Jouji went to work immediately, arranging for three shinobi to traverse the province to reach its main gate to deliver their message before returning to his side. While they waited, Madara moved Yayoi to a larger sitting room on the second floor where they were accompanied by a handful of shinobi and Keigo.
"Are you insane?" asked Yayoi. "Wouldn't it be a bad move to retreat?"
"It will definitely cost us a few good men," answered a short Kuronuma medic with bone straight hair to her jaw. "I suppose it is something you anticipated, was it not, Madara-sama?"
"I would not have ordered it otherwise," replied Madara evenly.
"This is war," stated an Uchiha spy with a scar on his chin. "Sacrifices have to be made."
"Necessary sacrifices," emphasized the medic.
"Mao-san," called Keigo, only a quick glare from Mao silenced whatever else he had to say. He quietly twiddled his thumbs while Yayoi stared at him exasperated.
"What makes you think this isn't a necessary sacrifice?" the Uchiha snapped.
"We weren't given any reason, only an order," Mao responded.
"Madara-sama doesn't need to give you an explanation!"
"Seijun!" cried Yayoi.
"This has nothing to do with you either, priestess!"
"Do not raise your voice at her!" shouted Mao.
"Well, maybe she should stay out of things that do not concern her!"
"She was only trying to—
"Shut up, Keigo."
"Shut up, Murakami."
Keigo frowned at the simultaneous shouts.
"That's enough, Mao, Seijun," said Madara sternly. Although, he was aware that would only silence them until someone made a comment that upset either one of them. They had been arguing back and forth since Seijun refused her offer to heal him. Madara would have interjected during the initial argument if Mao had not threatened to roast and eat Seijun to make matters worse. Her older brother, the medic that offered to heal him earlier, spent the rest of the evening telling everyone that would listen that the Kuronuma weren't cannibals.
Nobody believed him.
Granted, Keigo made it worse by feeding into the cannibal rumor when he made a joke about a ritual practice he saw the Kuronuma do back in the Iron Country.
The Uchiha clan had forgotten all peaceful interaction they had had with the Kuronuma clan. He would need to have a serious talk with all of them after this was over, else they would continue being unpleasant for the duration of the trip.
Madara sensed the exact moment the runners reached the battlefield—knew when one of them was killed only seconds after arriving. The remaining two were closing in on Izuna and Mio's locations on the battlefield.
"We lost one," he cursed.
"One of the others will make it," said Jouji.
A second one was shot down—his chakra disappearing in the blink of an eye.
"The second one is down."
Following the third runner's chakra had Madara tense. He did not move from his place in the center of the room, tapping his finger against his arm in his impatience. The murmurings going on in the room reached him like muffled sound. His focus was solid. He admittedly never exercised his ability to sense at such a long distance before. He found it exhausting—draining.
Suddenly, the third runner reached Mio and Madara breathed.
"What happened?" asked Jouji.
"He reached Mio."
"Good." Jouji faced Madara. "What do we do now?"
"It is not what we do, it is what they do."
Mao paid particular attention to what came after that statement.
"Mio is not like me," he told her. "The only life she would sacrifice is her own if it protected everyone else."
Mao understood and inclined her head, though that outcome wasn't preferable either.
It took six hours for the army at the gate to find an opening to retreat. The Ishiki clan chased them down every escape route they created until a river of black water cut them off, forcing them to stand their ground against those that remained to ensure the greater portion of their shinobi back to Eishirou's castle.
Izuna burst through the sitting room's doors with an unconscious Mio in his arms. Yayoi and Mao jumped to their feet, rushing to meet him halfway asking a thousand questions per second. He set her on the floor and Madara went to them.
"She needs a transfusion," Mao stated after unraveling the gauze wrapped around Mio's wrists. Madara saw a deep cut on each. "Someone get Yuzuru!"
Yayoi quietly panicked at her side and Mao raised her eyes at her, shouting, "Get Yuzuru!"
The priestess scrambled to her feet and ran out with Keigo chasing her.
Izuna struggled to regain his breath, batting away the medic attempting to help him. His wounds were small, but it definitely showed that he needed to rest above all else. "Retreat?"
"Eishirou wasn't the target."
"But you were here with Yayoi—"
"I can't explain." Madara gently patted Mio's warm cheek and called out to her. "Mio."
She let out a soft groan, but didn't open her eyes.
Yuzuru hurried into the room with Yayoi and Keigo following close behind. Mao informed him about Mio needing a transfusion and he immediately got to work on seeing it happen. Mao turned her attention to Izuna, who did not dare refuse her after she snapped at him for trying.
Madara left the room, leaving his brother in charge. Jouji followed him out. "What now?"
"We fortify our defenses in the castle. They will retreat back into the shadows."
"And if they don't?" asked Jouji.
"We kill them all."
Madara found Akira, who led the Kuronuma in Takuto's place, and asked him to take care of arranging the castle's outer defenses. He would join them after receiving answers from Mio about who the real target was in this battle because it wasn't Eishirou.
Akira posted several Kuronuma in specific locations around the castle. Uchiha hid in the shadows providing them support. Inside, there were shinobi patrolling every floor. He even made sure to increase the security around Eishirou, his employees, and on their prisoners. There were multiple interrogations happening throughout the night, but none of their prisoners planned to speak. Frustrated as it was, Madara managed to keep his cool, though he lost it when Izuna refused to sleep.
After Madara's anger exploded, Izuna changed his mind about taking that nap.
Mio regained consciousness after Izuna slept a full three hours and immediately asked for food. Madara sat down beside her after she had been brought a bowl of beef stew and despite the presence of others, he asked her directly, "Is there any way the Ishiki could know about the new artifact?"
At the sound of the words "new" and "artifact," the room embraced an abrupt silence and all eyes went to her. Mio nonchalantly stuffed her face with more soup, but as she swallowed it down, her expression changed.
"Mutsumi." Mio and Keigo stared at one another after speaking the name at the same time.
"I told you we should have let Tobirama-san kill him," said Keigo.
"Tobirama?" snapped Izuna. "Senju Tobirama?"
"What other Tobirama-san is there?"
"You know about the other artifact?" demanded Madara, glaring at Keigo.
"Well I was there when it happened," admitted Keigo. He sighed, relieved. "You know, it feels a lot better being honest about it."
"A new artifact?" asked Yayoi. "There's a new artifact?"
"Why were you fraternizing with the enemy?" berated Izuna. "Tobirama of all people?"
"How much more did you neglect to tell me?" asked Madara, turning back to Mio.
"It was a long story," said Mio, unabashed.
"And?"
"It would take a long time to tell," she answered. "I wanted to do other things. Honestly, they were more exciting that this story would ever be?"
Madara nearly choked at the mere mention of "other things."
"Why were you hanging around with Tobirama? Huh?" demanded Izuna.
"He's my Universe Sphere's Guardian," answered Mio calmly.
"So?"
"He was a valuable asset to my journey."
"There was a journey?" asked Yayoi.
"It was very interesting," said Keigo, reminiscent.
"How was he valuable?" demanded Izuna. "Why did you take him on a journey instead of me? Or Madara? Or anyone else for that matter? Why the Senju? Why that Senju in particular?"
Madara stared at her, wanting to hear her reasoning.
Mio set her bowl on her lap. "The last I was aware, you"—looking at Izuna—"are not a Guardian, and"—turning to Madara—"you broke your artifact. Tobirama owns one of the Kuronuma's most dangerous artifacts. He made a good bargaining chip, something neither one of you would have made."
"Wait—you were using him?" asked Yayoi.
"He almost killed her when he found out," laughed Keigo.
"I'll kill him," vowed Izuna.
"Did he dare hurt you?" asked Madara, furious of the thought of that Senju threatening his wife.
"Keigo is exaggerating," Mio said, not batting an eyelash.
"Yeah, but he was seriously angry. He nearly abandoned the journey, but Mio talked him into staying."
"I don't approve of this interaction," interjected Izuna. "He shouldn't even breathe the same air as you. In fact, he shouldn't be breathing at all."
"You cannot kill him," Mio told him. "He is one of my Guardians."
Izuna grimaced. "He's going to die anyways, I'd only be speeding up the process."
Madara shook his head. "Forget that for now. Who is this Mutsumi? Do you think he leaked information?"
"Mutsumi is a guide one of my grandfather's old connections led me to," answered Mio. "He is the only one I can think would be responsible for taking this information to whoever would listen. We didn't part ways in the best of circumstances, or so I heard."
"We had a very bad disagreement with him," added Keigo. "He had connections to very important people. I wouldn't be surprised if Eishirou was one of them."
"Does he know what the new artifact does?" asked Madara.
"No, I am the only one that knows." Madara glared at her and she quickly added, "Madara will be the first to know."
"What about us?" asked Yayoi.
"I will gather everyone and explain everything when we have the time," answered Mio, "until then, we don't have the time to spend having longwinded conversations. We are surrounded by enemies and we are wounded—"
"The Ishiki are still after your artifacts, but they're not just after the ten in existence, they want the artifact you made specifically," Madara stressed. "Could it be that this Mutsumi somehow found out what it does?
"I don't think it matters to them what it does," said Mio. "They care because it's one of the artifacts."
"And Mutsumi would know what your artifact was? What it looked like?" continued Madara.
She nodded.
"They must have seen me with it when I arrived," said Madara, piecing it all together. He imagined initially that it had to do with the eleventh artifact, which is why he asked them to retreat.
"You have it?" asked Izuna.
"Really?" asked Yayoi, crowding him. "Where is it?"
"Is Madara-san the new Guardian?" asked Keigo.
Mio set aside her food and stood. Madara did as well.
"Questions will be answered once we get out of our current predicament," decided Mio, making her way to the door.
"Stop avoiding our questions!" shouted Izuna.
"I'm not avoiding your questions," said Mio, turning after reaching the threshold. "I'm putting them on hold for a better day. We have to remember why we're here. I need to speak to Eishirou. Where is he?"
"Ask Jouji to take you," said Madara, sensing Seijun enter the castle. He had been outside on his patrol shift.
"Keigo, come with me."
"Yes, Mio-san."
Izuna cursed lowly after they left. "She even took Murakami."
"You weren't thinking of beating it out of him, were you?" asked Yayoi, scandalized.
"No, I was just going to threaten and shake him a little."
"She'll tell us when there's time," said Madara. She had been honest enough to tell him about the new artifact. "Besides, we have to prepare our own attack if the enemy doesn't retreat during the next twelve hours."
"Madara-sama!" called Seijun, rushing in. "The scouts returned! The enemy is retreating!"
Madara gestured Izuna to follow him.
Yayoi chased after them, shouting, "Don't just leave me alone in there!"
Madara met with the group he asked Jouji to send to watch for movement with Izuna and Yayoi at his side. He listened to the appointed leader's report on the result of the mission. The little movement that they did observe was that of their enemies' retreat.
"You anticipated that they would retreat?" asked Izuna once they dismissed the others. "Because we returned to the castle?"
"I believe the Ishiki clan anticipated that I would go help Mio in the front gate. They had enough shinobi there to overwhelm our numbers." Madara faced Izuna. "The castle would have been left unattended as well. How many artifacts would the Ishiki clan have gained? Four."
"But they wouldn't be able to use them," said Yayoi. "They tried to kill Saori for hers, but even if they took the artifacts, they wouldn't be able to use all of them, right?"
"The artifacts are changing," said Madara. "Mio has been changing them from the moment she became Shugosha. The artifacts are changing with her. Remember she was able to make a fake Time Sphere that fooled Ayuka. She created a new artifact. So, maybe they can't use them now, but they will eventually."
"But some artifacts have their own will. They choose their own Guardians. Are you saying that's going to change?" asked Yayoi, confused. "I thought that was the change. The fact that they were developing their own ability to choose who would protect them same as the Time Sphere that decides who is fit to become its host."
"For that reason, we need to give Mio the opportunity to speak to us about everything that she knows," replied Madara. "Right now, we have the opportunity to continue moving forward. There are answers in the Sun Country same as there are answers in the Earth Country. If destroying one, two, even three clans will stop Mio's Guardians from becoming permanent targets, we have to do it."
Izuna and Yayoi looked at one another, but resigned themselves to accept what they knew and also to what else there was left for them to learn.
Madara made certain there were no enemies left within the province before approaching Izuna about his next task the following morning. He would be leading several Uchiha to the Earth Country where he would wait in the shadows for until Takuto and Akihiko invaded the Ishiki clan to join them. He would have to travel with the others in complete secrecy.
"I'll masquerade as Seijun and Seijun as myself," Izuna decided, looking to the shinobi in question, who nodded. "That way, they'll believe I am traveling with you while Seijun returns to the Fire Country. I've already send a messenger bird with the information. It should have already been intercepted."
Madara patted his shoulder. "Be careful."
"You too, brother."
Mio walked up behind Izuna. "Are you leaving?"
"Soon," he answered, facing her. "Did you finish your talk with Eishirou?"
"Mitsumi is not a name he has never heard before, so we can assume Mitsumi's responsible for enlisting him," answered Mio, moving to stand beside Madara. "I already forced him into arranging a trip to the Sun Country. The sailors have welcomed us as his protectors after we valiantly protected him from the traitorous clans that betrayed him."
"What about Yayoi?" asked Madara.
"I left her with Akira and Keigo. She's a little nervous about making the trip."
"Then you've decided to go? You didn't consider returning to the Fire Country?"
"I did consider it," said Mio. "I do think it would be a prudent decision to stay behind, but I won't. This is something that is important to Yayoi and I don't want her going on her own."
"She won't be," reminded Izuna. "Madara is going too. He's not going to let her out of his sight."
"I know he would protect her with his life, but I want to be with her too. After all, I promised and the thought of letting her make the trip on her own saddens me."
"Promise me you won't do anything stupid," said Izuna. "Don't get captured or shipped off to marry someone twice your age again."
Mio cracked a smile. "Don't be silly. I can't do that anymore."
"Don't think people will care that you're married to Madara because they won't." Izuna looked dead serious. "I don't want to hear back word that you're being forced to marry Mikazuki Rikuto after Madara's been murdered."
"Why are you killing me off?" complained Madara. "You said nobody would care that we're married."
"Well, I reconsidered it and think that they might care enough to kill you. So, watch your back. If anyone so much as looks at her funny, you put them in their place."
Mio walked up to Izuna, taking his face in her hands. "We will be careful. I won't make thoughtless decisions or commit reckless actions. I will watch your brother's back as I expect him to watch mine. In turn, please take care of yourself and your shinobi. Remind Takuto that his life is more valuable than his artifact."
Izuna nodded briefly, taking her hands in his and removing them from his face. "Got it."
"The same goes to you, Izuna," she said. "Your life is more valuable than your artifact."
His eyes went wide. "My what?"
Pulling her hands from his grasp, she reached for the Vision Sphere that she carried at her back and placed it before him, presenting it like an offering. "The collective weakened after the destruction of the Nature and Black Sphere and it continues to lose strength the longer it remains incomplete. I gave this artifact to Taiga because I could not find it in myself to offer it to you first. You are the true Guardian of the Vision Sphere, but that does not mean that you cannot reject becoming its host. Accepting it is your choice to make."
Izuna looked at him. The hesitation in his eyes spawned from knowing that Madara would disapprove of this. He understood how overprotective he was and probably thought about what it meant to accept the artifact, particularly since Guardians were being targeted.
Madara sighed inwardly. "It is entirely your choice, Izuna."
Facing Mio, Izuna placed his hand over the jagged dagger's hilt. "For you, anything."
Madara knew that whether or not he gave his approval, Izuna would have accepted the artifact because Mio was the one entrusting it to him.
Mio pulled out her hand from underneath the blade after Izuna had a steady hold of it and curled it over his. "Remember your life is more important than this. Do not think you do us any favor sacrificing it for the safety of the artifact. In this war, we are cornered. We cannot always protect what we must, so we should hold onto what little life we have left because that alone can help us get back what is taken from us."
He nodded curtly.
"The artifact will protect you as you protect it."
"I will."
Mio embraced Izuna tightly and bade farewell. Izuna tucked the in blade beside his sword and promised to use it responsibly. He waved at them on the way to meet Seijun.
Madara felt Mio's hand on his arm. She was trembling. He kissed the side of her head in reassurance.
"We should go," he told her.
Izuna and Seijun switched identities with a quick and well-executed Transformation Jutsu. Seijun and Mio went on ahead to join the others at the docks where he would make it seem as though he were giving orders. Madara pretended to instruct Izuna, though they exchange more useless information, but it didn't matter what the conversation pertained to rather that it looked believable.
Madara was certain they were able to accomplish that when Izuna went to do his part and he boarded one of the three large trade ships heading to the Sun Country. Eishirou traveled abroad the main vessel and he did so unchained to keep up appearances. Seijun and Mao picked up where their last argument left off. Yayoi spent the first hour on route completely silent while Keigo tried his best to coax a smile out of her. Mio sat in a dark corner of a closet in the cabin in the fetal position. She kept a bucket at her side in case she got seasick, which she did, several times in fact.
He stood in the threshold of the closet for the most part, trying to lighten her mood. He crouched in front of her. "Tell me about it."
Lifting her eyes from the floor to his, she asked, "About what?"
"When did this start? This fear of yours."
"I was six or seven—I already shared this story with you." She tried to quicken her manner of speaking to hide the stutter in her voice. "It's not different."
"You were six or seven? Your memory is better than that. When was it? Six or seven?" he pressed.
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Tell me about it. Every detail."
Panic flashed in her eyes briefly and her breathing quickened. She shook her head. "I can't."
"You can't stay holed up in here for the rest of the journey."
"I'll come out once we're close. I just need to get used to it."
Madara let her be. He remained outside by the railing, staring out into the blue, crystalline sea. His mind finally calm, though he continued to worry over Mio.
"She is surprisingly delicate"—Eishirou leaned his back onto the railing, a grin played on his lips—"your wife, I mean."
He chose to ignore the man.
"Well, I suppose she would have a weakness, but she is fierce. I think it's a shame she's married, but I don't doubt she can be tempt—"
Madara grabbed him by the chin and shoved him half over the railing. Eishirou let out of panicked scream, arms flailing to try and grab hold of the wooden railing.
"The reason you are alive is because you are useful, but know that you won't be once we make it to the Sun Country. You should think twice about speaking of my wife in that manner again unless you're that desperate to die," he threatened, tossing the lord to the floor where as he pushed himself up on his hands, Madara kicked him across the face, knocking him unconscious.
"Madara!" shouted Yayoi, running up behind him. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing," he answered, leaving the man on the floor.
The trip to the Sun Country was long, but the clear weather made for a pleasant voyage. Mio did leave the cabin like she said she would when they were only a hours from reaching the island nation. The sky darkened to the point the stars were visible above them and reflected on the clear waters below the swaying ship. Madara spotted Mio walking to the edge of the ship and followed her closely without her taking notice that he was in her shadow observing her actions.
A few crewmembers remained on deck, operating the vessel through the trade route that would circle around the Sun Country to anchor near the rocky beach. There were tiny flames burning inside glass globes hung from prongs protruding from the outer walls of the cabin. Everyone else had gone to rest for the night because there was no knowing what awaited them. Madara could not bring himself to do so. He felt he needed to be ready for anything.
Mio's hands were shaking as she set them atop the wooden rails and peered out into the sea.
"Should you not be at your husband's side, Uchiha Mio?"
Madara watched Eishirou slither up to her with a mischievous smile. He retreated further back into the shadows the hanging lights helped create to ebb the sudden ire he felt building up inside him at the sight of that man anywhere near her.
Mio turned to hold Eishirou's gaze, as she would anyone's, her face blank and void of discernable emotion. He took the opportunity to cage her in his arms, forcing her back to hit the railing. She did not move and Madara wished she had pushed him away from her.
"I am curious, Uchiha Mio, are you truly his wife?" he asked, his fingers moved to brush against hers. "You seem to be nothing more but a comrade in battle. He does not treat you like his woman." He raised his hand to her face, running the back of his fingers down her cheek. She did not even breathe. "So, are you or are you not his wife?"
Mio stared deeper into his eyes.
"If you are, you should be treated as such? You are mistress of the famous Uchiha clan," said Eishirou lowly, caressing her face. "You should be dressed in finery, decorated with jewelry." He moved his hand to the back of her neck, drawing her forward so their faces were inches apart. "You say you don't need anything, but is that because you truly have no interest in material goods or because your husband is not the type of man to treat you like you deserve. If you were my wife, I would shower you with gifts."
She reached for his hand and took it from her neck. "And what happens when you find another woman?"
Eishirou grinned. "You would make it impossible to find temptation in another woman."
"Is that so?"
"I believe it would be difficult for anyone to measure up to your standard."
Her lips curved into a small smile and Madara felt a dark sting in the pit of his stomach. Was that man's offer that appealing to her? Did she desire being showered in gifts? Dressed in finery? Decorated in jewelry? Were there things she wanted, but would not say knowing he would likely disapprove? Did she not understand that there was little he could deny her? Was that not enough?
Was he not enough?
Mio threw his hand down and walked away from him. Knowing she was headed in his direction, Madara flattened himself against the wall and slowly escaped before she spotted him.
xl: Updates are forthcoming. Not just for this story, others too. I'm trying to make the most out of my summer vacation. I took some time off after my semester ended and did nothing. I did so much writing in general that I think I'm off my fan fiction game (and my internet's been shit). I'm working on my flow, so I hope it was okay.
Thank you everyone for reading, adding this to your favorite or follow lists. I truly appreciate it! Many thanks to: blob80, Melissa Fairy, Misora Asura, Aeryan, Guest (thank you so much for the comment, more spiciness to come once things settle down, but I'd probably start writing random oneshots to make up for it if things don't settle down), and Unlimited Power (nice name change, btw). :)
I hope you enjoyed the chapter even though it was all very experimental for me.
Next chapter is in Yayoi's POV. She's finally going to become a POV character! I'm so excited to give her some decent background apart from what was glimpsed at in Redesign. So, yassss~
I will see you next week with the next chapter ~
Check my lj for a preview later. I'm going to sleep now!
P.S. - I also updated the Mini character list I made on my lj. There should be a link on my profile to it. If not, just go to my livejournal and you will find one on the update post.