The Clan Wars
Chapter 11: The Drums of War
I awoke to the sound of distant shouting and the permeating scent of worry and panic. Taking a deeper breathe, I could faintly smell blood off in the distance.
My shifting awoke Gaara from his position beside me. We had been sharing a bed the last few nights following the beginning of our relationship and I found his presence comforting.
I soundlessly exited the bed and I heard Gaara following closely behind me as I padded across the dark room. I didn't bother to put on a shirt as I left the room, considering my plain black pants were enough until the situation was remedied. A glance behind me showed a not-quite-awake Gaara with his locks of red hair mussed and revealing his scar and his dark circled, teal eyes fuzzy with sleep. The Ichibi Jinchuuriki looked absolutely adorable and I felt the corners of my mouth curling upwards into a fond smile.
The cool night air embraced my bare chest as we exited the building we had been staying in. I followed my sense of smell to the source of the blood. I heard worried shouts from the direction of the coppery scent and I frowned in worry as I recognized the scent.
Gaara stiffened beside my and I knew that he too recognized the scent in the air. With the tensing of our muscles, chakra rushed to our legs and we rushed off towards the source, now fully awake and alert.
We approached a group of eight people from the rooftops. They were illuminated by several torches and I immediately recognized the figures of Hashirama and Tobirama as they crouched over a figure sprawled out on the ground. A third, unfamiliar figure leaned over the fallen shinobi and I could see the light green glow that indicated medical jutsu. Four others shifted and paced anxiously around the group on high alert.
Tobirama whirled around as we landed and his eyes widened in surprise. I could clearly see panic in the depths of his eyes and his white hair was frazzled and disordered, an indication that he had been tugging at it in his stress. Hashirama gave no indication that he had heard our arrival other than the slight tensing of his shoulders and back.
"What happened?" I asked as I observed the dying shinobi being tended to by the almost frantic medic.
Tobirama opened his mouth to answer but stopped as a hacking cough sounded out from behind him. He turned around in poorly contained panic and he kneeled before the fallen figure, despair written across his face.
The scent of fresh blood strengthened and the rasping sound of breathing filled the air. "I can still speak for myself," the voice rasped as blood trickled to the ground, dampening the soil with a dark stain.
I kneeled next to Tobirama and I felt Gaara's comforting presence at my back. My eyes softened as I looked into pained brown eyes and asked, "What happened, Aki?"
It was like seeing Tsunade-baa-chan dying all over again. The resemblance was eerie. Beautiful golden locks dripped in blood framed Aki's face like a halo. Dark blood dripped from her mouth and her chocolate brown eyes were wide with panic as she struggled to breathe. A large gash split across her chest and a large hole in her abdomen dripped blood. Her hand laid on top of the medic's, still steadily channeling chakra into the medical jutsu. I could see in her eyes that she knew it was futile, yet she kept giving her chakra.
Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes as she said, "I couldn't protect him! Our Father… dead!" The dying medic took another shuddering breath before she cried out, "I couldn't save him!"
"It will be alright, Aki-nee-chan," Tobirama chanted over and over under his breath as he placed his hands over hers. "It'll be okay."
Aki chuckled weakly. Her weak laugh turned into a spluttering cough and more blood dripped from her mouth. "I failed, Tobi-chan," she said as tears continued to trail down her face. "There is no way I can recover from this. I used most of my chakra to try and save Tou-chan."
"Who did this?" Hashirama ground out, his teeth clenched together. I looked over to see his hands fisted and him staring intently at his dying sister. "Was is the Uchiha?"
She smiled faintly before be stuttered out, "N-no, Hashirama. It was not the Uchiha. They are innocent. They did not commit the Takezashi massacre either. Ha! Can you believe it? The Uchiha… innocent!
"We were ambushed by the Kamizuru and Tanedoro! I recognized their jutsu and their vile insects. It was Tsuchi no Kuni who attacked the Takezashi… I'm sure of it. Do not let Hi no Kuni, fall brother."
Aki's labored breathing grew fainter and fainter as blood continued dripping from her wounds. She looked so much like Tsunade-baa-chan that it hurt.
With a jolt, I recognized the names that Aki had listed. They were major clans within Tsuchi no Kuni that made up a major part of the power base within the country! Already, there were indications at the beginning of the First Shinobi War. Alliances were beginning to form that would one day establish the hidden villages. Things were progressing much faster than either Gaara or I had anticipated. Hopefully, we could work to insure Konohagakure will still be established.
'Is there nothing that we can do?' I asked in despair. My chest ached with pain as I watched Aki dying.
I'm sorry, kit. I could heal her, but my chakra would only poison her and kill her within minutes.
I bowed my head in grief as Aki's brown eyes closed and her breathing began to fade. The green tinted chakra left her hands and her chest stilled. Tobirama released a wail of grief as tears trailed down his cheeks.
The medic carefully removed his hands, stood, and took a step back. The other shinobi hovered closer awaiting orders from their new clan head.
Hashirama took a deep breath and unclenched his fists. He stood from his kneeling position before his sister and turned his attention to the shinobi before him.
"I want a patrol sent out to investigate the location of the ambush and gather any evidence or missing information. I also want a covert squad sent into Tsuchi no Kuni to begin investigating the political state of the clans, any growing alliances, and any indication that they are preparing for a large assault. Also, look for signs of alliances with other countries. Investigate how closely tied the Daimyo is to the shinobi of Tsuchi no Kuni and their actions.
"I also want a messenger sent to the clans of Hi no Kuni. We must hold another meeting to discuss the recent information that we have received. I also want a private message delivered to the Yamanaka- Nara- Akimichi alliance requesting details of the meeting that was just held. We must move quickly and carefully. Dismissed!"
With his order, the four hovering shinobi dispersed, off to gather teams and carry out the commands of their new leader.
Hashirama then turned to the medic ninja and said, "Please take Aki's body and prepare it for a funeral tomorrow morning at sunrise. Notify the rest of the medics of the situation and inform them that they must begin stocking up on supplies."
With a salute, the medic carefully lifted Aki's body into his arms and shunshined away. Hashirama's shoulders slumped as the medic disappeared and he turned to his sobbing brother.
Gaara and I watched the interaction carefully. It was not our place to interfere, but there was a sense of urgency in the air and plans needed to be made. However, we waited patiently as Hashirama whispered comfort into his brother's ear and pulled the younger man to his feet.
Hashirama's dark eyes found mine and he said, "Meet me in the Clan head's office. We have much to discuss," and he shunshined away with his younger brother.
Gaara and I entered the Clan head's office to see Hashirama already seated behind the desk and Tobirama missing.
Gaara silently raised an eyebrow in question towards Hashirama.
Hashirama sighed heavily, the situation clearly weighing on him. "Tobirama is resting. He must remain strong for the sake of the clan especially since I am departing after Aki's funeral. He must remain behind to maintain control over the clan and orchestrate their movements. We must prepare for the worst case scenario, which is war."
The eldest Senju brother then paused as he gathered his thoughts. His gaze returned towards us, full force, as he said, "I want you to come with me to the meeting. If you come, I will not need to bring guards, and more of my clansmen can remain behind to assist with preparations. I can also introduce you as allies to the alliance, and by not having additional guards with me, I am clearly stating my level of trust in you. I intend to uphold the alliance that my father created with you. Also, Uzumaki-sama clearly indicated that you were strong, and we will need your assistance in this matter."
This was the perfect opportunity for us to gain a position where we could direct the war. We would be able to insure the birth of Konoha, and keep an eye on Uchiha Madara. A sideways glance, revealed that Gaara was clearly thinking the same.
"It must be clearly communicated to the other leaders that we are not under your command, Hashirama. We are independent and have our own opinions," Gaara said.
"Of course," Hashirama agreed. "I plan on departing as soon as I receive a summary of the last meeting from the Yamanaka- Nara- Akimichi heads. They are the Senju's closest allies, and they will support your presence at the meeting. We are on good terms with a majority of the clans within Hi no Kuni, so there should be no major objections."
"When do you anticipate to be receiving the message from the Yamanaka- Nara- Akimichi clan heads?" Gaara asked.
"Tomorrow morning, shortly after the funeral. My faster messenger has already departed. We will leave after I receive it and we read through it. I will fill you in on the major aspects of the clan dynamics as we travel. It will take approximately a day and a half to reach the meeting point. The meeting is being called to begin in three days."
Gaara nodded in response, satisfied with the explanation. "Very well, we will support you as your allies."
I too was please with how things were turning out. We were putting ourselves in the perfect position to rescue and protect the future. However, I needed to make one point clear, first.
"Hashirama," I began, dragging his attention from Gaara to me, "you realize that you may have to work with the Uchiha to protect Hi no Kuni. Will you be able to overcome your prejudice?"
While I wanted to stop Madara, I did not have a grudge against the Uchiha Clan as a whole. It might be possible to begin easing hatred between the Senju and the Uchiha. With less conflict between the two, then many future issues could be diverted.
The dark haired man sighed and I could see the stress beginning to show on his face. "I believe that I can overcome it," he said. "I am willing to work with the Uchiha despite our past problems, but they may not be willing to work with us. I do not agree with many of the methods that the Uchiha use within their Clan structure, but I will overlook it in order for their to be peace between our clans."
I nodded, pleased. If at least one side was willing to cooperate, it would make things much easier. I could only hope that the Uchiha would be willing to listened and that Madara was not to gone in his corruption and insanity to see sense.
"Good," I said in return. "We will support you in finding an agreement with the Uchiha and any other clans that you disagree with."
I turned towards the door in order to leave. Gaara and had much to prepare for. After all, we had our future to protect.