While going over the reviews from last chapter I realized that September 15 marks the two year anniversary of this story. AND HOLY CRAP I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS STORY FOR TWO YEARS! As a way of saying thanks to you, my readers, I wanted to upload something. But since I wasn't going to have the next chapter ready, I decided to release this smaller side story. I know I left the last chapter on a steep cliff, I will work hard to get the next chapter uploaded as soon as I can. But now I ramble. I hope you enjoy it and once again thanks for reading my story and giving me your feedback.


Holding the Gate:

The Fall of Kirigakure

The sun was high in the sky, presumably. The damnable mist made it near impossible to tell. Through this morass of grey trudged a long caravan of ox pulled carts. The merchants riding and driving the carts pulled their cloaks closer to themselves in a vain attempt to keep the moisture out. The ones walking were receiving the brunt of the discomfort. Shouldering through this moistness were the mercenary bodyguards. Their chain-mail was coated in water making them all miserable from the cold, but not one would risk taking it off. Some held swords, others had spears strapped to their back. Despite all these differences they all carried a heavy wooden shield emblazoned with a dragon with its mouth chained shut.

The wind picked up causing everyone present to shiver as the high humidity made it to cut right to the bone. A silver lining to the breeze was that it shifted the mist, giving some visibility. Looming out the fog a massive gate rose to greet the travelers. "Take another step and you die." The threat came from everywhere and nowhere as the mist closed in obscuring all vision and taking on a sinister tone.

Sighing an aged man stepped to the head of the caravan. He was the picture-perfect definition of grizzled. His hair was silver, his face was time-beaten and crisscrossed with scars. He wore his armor like a second skin and moved like it weighed less than a cotton shirt. "Is the Hidden Mist Jutsu really necessary?" He asked. "I know that's you Hideki, can we skip to the part where you molest me with the rubber glove so I can deliver these goods?" The mist thinned and disappeared revealing a group of shinobi bearing the insignia of Kirigakure standing before the caravan.

"You are outside the normal delivery time, Akio," The lead shinobi said glaring at the old man.

"Well Hideki, your security checkpoints take so long that if I arrived at the designated time; my men wouldn't be able to leave till midnight." Akio explained as the other shinobi moved forward to begin inspecting the carts cargo.

"Do not do so again or your group will be considered an enemy of Kiri."

Akio considered the younger man's threat trying to figure if he was being serious or not. "Can you really be making those kinds of threats? We're one of the last mercenary companies willing to guard supply runs to your village. You know, this wouldn't be a problem if you let my men stay overnight."

"No, and I will not have this discussion with you again."

"Come on, my men are cold, wet, and sober. This is not a good combination. In fact, I'll buy you a drink, nothing bonds men like sharing a pint."

"No. Now give up your weapo-" The air was rent as an explosion shook the air.

"Bloody Hell!" Akio shouted as the shinobi, on and off the wall, turned to see a pillar of pitch black smoke rise from the center of the village.

"The Mizukage's Tower! Quickly we must-" Once again Hideki was interrupted, this time by the thrum of crossbow strings pulling taunt, the whistle of bolts flying through the air, and by seven inches of cold-serrated steel sliding into his back. Hideki's hand shot towards his weapons pouch, but Akio caught his arm and held the shinobi in place.

"For such a paranoid nut, you were sure easy to catch by surprise," Akio said, twisting the knife.

"B-bastard…" Hideki gargled as blood filled his mouth.

"Should've let me buy you that drink." Akio ripped the blade from Hideki and let him drop to the ground to bleed out. He surveyed the area, his men had made quick work of the Kiri shinobi on the ground, and any shinobi on the wall now more resembled a pin cushion than a human. The "merchants" had thrown off their cloaks to reveal their own chainmail armor. They ripped off the tarps covering the wagons and began preparing the extra weapons hidden inside.

The grinding of gears filled the air as the Kiri gates swung open revealing a dozen dismembered bodies and one lone figure. "You are cutting our time-table awfully close, Mr. Momochi."

Zabuza swung the Kubikiribōchō up and settled it on his shoulder. "Yagura survived the initial ambush. Lady Terumi is currently fighting him, I had to find a way around. You missed one," Zabuza said swinging Kubikiribōchō down and decapitating Hideki. "I can't help you hold the gate, Lady Terumi needs my help fighting Yagura. From here, you're on your own. Do not mess this up."

"Mr. Momochi, you are paying an inordinate sum of money to the best to do what they do best. This gate will belong to us until we do not want it anymore." Nodding Zabuza flickered from view as Akio's men started filing through the open gate. "Get those carts in and turned over, I want those barricades up now! You get those fuuinjutsu barriers active. We're going to be balls deep in hostile shinobi and I don't want their jutsus' ripping us apart! You, you and you, get the archers up on that wall, if anything moves that you don't like, shoot it till it stops! You, jam the mechanism that works the door, I don't want them closing for anything!"

Akio continued shouting orders at his men as they prepared to face the incoming assault. "Sir, incoming enemy shinobi!" One of the soldiers shouted down from atop the wall.

"What are you waiting for, an invitation!? Shoot 'em!" He shouted as he helped overturn a cart forming a makeshift barrier. The air filled with the thrum of bows firing as the approaching shinobi dived for cover, or died.

"Sir we're not going to be able to get the barrier up in time," A tall severe looking women wearing the same armor as everyone said as she approached Akio.

"Well that's what we paid that apothecary so much money for, Miho. Send out the oxen." Nodding the woman turned to a couple men and gestured for them to bring the beasts of burden into formation.

Their eyes were wild from the scent of blood, but they were trained to remain calm in battle. "Now!" Miho shouted stabbing one of the oxen in its rump with a thin knife. The blade did nothing more than startle the beast forward. Its movement started as a walk but then the beast started frothing as its eyes grew bloodshot. The drugs coating the knife Miho stabbed into it pumped through its body sending the thousand-pound animal into a frenzy. It charged blindly forward whipping its head to and fro goring everything and everyone in its path.

The rest of the oxen charged forward foam flying from their mouths. The Kiri shinobi forces broke ranks as the powerful beasts pounded through their lines. They were eventually brought down but not before sowing confusion and discord through the enemy ranks. Mist flowed through the streets heading towards the assembled soldiers. The weather was not natural and Akio smirked, slower than he had expected. The rebels flowing in through the hidden passage were causing more havoc than he had thought.

Light filled the area as lines and words began forming on the ground. The light expanded outward encompassing the area surrounding the gate. New lines formed beyond the first set creating a second circle. The mist reached the outer circle and seemed to butt up against an invisible wall. Everything seemed to settle as the battlefield grew quiet. No movement in the mist could be seen. Akio surveyed his men, they were in position, the barrier was up, and soon the gate wouldn't be closing anytime soon. He walked past a young man performing hand seals before he sat cross-legged on the ground palms out flat on the hard earth. "Keep me appraised of their movements, Hoz," Akio said walking past him.

His men parted before him as the aged soldier walked past their defensive line and right up to the inner barrier circle. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it using fire chakra. He took a drag as he gazed into the impenetrable mist. A water bullet smashed against the barrier right in front of him and splashed harmlessly to the ground. More followed accompanied by water whips and other low level water ninjutsu. Akio remained standing looking nonplussed as technique after technique failed to penetrate the barrier.

He took another drag on his cigarette as he contemplated the attacks. Based on the level of the ninjutsu, they were facing mostly genin and chunin. Most of the jonin must be trying to contain the rebels in the middle of the city. The mist, though, was dense and ominous. It was made by someone far more skilled than the others. A single jonin leading them then. Once it became apparent no water ninjutsu was getting past the barrier, they stopped. Akio lifted his arm to shield his face as kunai and shuriken came whirling at him. At this range, there wasn't enough power behind the attacks to do more than scratch the water-proof polish on his armor, the bastards.

The barrage of metal too ceased once it became apparent that Akio's armor was too tough for throwing weapons. Taking one last, long drag on his cigarette Akio tossed it aside as a terrible screeching sound filled the air. Metal twisted against metal as a terrific boom filled the air. Smoke rose from the gate's closing mechanisms and one of the large iron door's fell to the ground with a clang. Akio could practically feel gears in the enemy's heads moving, trying to figure out what was going on.

Smiling Akio detached from his belt an ivory war horn carved from the horn of some animal from across the sea. It had been given to him as a gift from a dear old friend. His mercenary company had never been big enough that he needed a war horn to send commands, didn't stop him from using It every chance he had though. He blew a single powerful note. The sound reverberated off the walls and the echoes even managed to penetrate the mist. As one Akio's soldiers snapped their shields up and readied their weapons. Music to Akio's ears.

Strapping his helmet in place, Akio turned his back on the enemy and moved towards his men. They flowed around him, admitting him without breaking rank. "How long till they attack, you think?" Miho asked stepping next to him.

"Soon. With more rebels pouring in through the secret passage they'll realize the only reason the gate needs to held is to keep them open for a larger scale invasion. Since they can't close the gate anymore they need to take it back as soon as possible to get it ready to be defended. Time is not their ally. Which means they have to fight us on our terms."

"I almost feel sorry for them."

"I can feel them mustering, they'll be coming soon, Cap'n," Hoz said.

"Have I ever mentioned how useful your tremor-location is Hozumi?" Akio asked.

"You could stand to say it more often, Cap'n. Here they come." Akio raised an open hand into the air, waiting. It was this stillness that Akio so enjoyed. His men were in position and waiting for orders. The enemy was bearing down on them. But his troops would not waver. For this one brief moment, before the chaos of battle was joined, they were a single entity with a single purpose. When you got to his age you had to enjoy the little things. "NOW!"

With a chop of his hand the shield-bearers stepped back revealing a row of crossbowmen behind them. With nothing blocking their sight they pulled their triggers and let loose their deadly payload just as the first shinobi were charging out of the mist. At such a short range the ninja's had little warning or time to dodge as crossbow bolts thundered into them. Though many died, the shinobi were not deterred and continued the charge.

As soon as they passed the second barrier circle a number of the attacking shinobi halted their movement and began performing hand signs. Arrows sprouted from their bodies as Akio's trained archers standing watch on the wall followed their very specific orders of concentrating fire on any shinobi that made it past the second barrier and was trying to get fancy. Finally, the shinobi, genin and chunin all just as Akio predicted, made it to the shield line. As one the group leapt into the air hoping to vault behind the defenders and break their ranks. The crossbowmen had lain down their weapons and snapped spears up in to the air creating a welcoming barrier of death to greet the descending enemies.

Unable to alter their course midair many of the attackers impaled themselves. A few did manage to land safely and began fighting the assembled soldiers. In such close quarters with men and women trained for fighting in these exact circumstances, the shinobi more used to greater mobility were quickly felled. A chunin, smart enough to have hung back for a split second, had avoided the spears and landed next to Akio. Recognizing him as the commander the shinobi instantly tried to kill him. Akio intercepted each attack with his shield. The ninja had youth, but Akio had experience. The grizzled veteran moved to draw the knife at his hip. He saw the shinobi's eyes following his movements getting ready to counter the blade when Akio suddenly stepped forward and slammed his shield into the youth's chest. With the chunin staggered and winded from the blow Akio grabbed his shirt and pulled him forward, slamming the edge of his shield into the young man's face.

The chunin went down in a spray of teeth and blood as Miho stepped forward and ended his misery. "Young idiots, they never watch the shield," Akio said taking stock of his troops. The first wave had been killed to a man while sustaining only slight injury to themselves.

"That was too easy," Miho said trying to peer through the mist.

"Of course, send in the weak and inexperienced to determine the strength of the defenses and probe for weakness. The next wave's going to be a lot tougher."

"We'll hold."

"Course we will! Shinobi rarely, if ever, fight a battle like this. They're relying on textbook knowledge and theory. I might as well have written that book. Ready round two!" All soldiers present reloaded crossbows and readied spears as they awaited the next wave. Shinobi exploded from the mist, easily twice as many as before. Hozumi shook his head as Akio glanced over at him. "Hold!" The shinobi ran into the second barrier and collapsed into smoke. Realizing their clones hadn't fooled anybody, the real shinobi charged forward.

"Now!" Akio shouted as his second line stepped forward and fired. The shinobi were prepared this time and had counters to the deadly barrage. Whips of water and substitutions protected the Kiri soldiers, though a few still underestimated the punch the bows had and payed for it dearly. Helping the ninja, the mercenaries had aim wavered and multiple bolts stuck into the ground well ahead of the advancing shinobi.

Akio kept tapping his thigh, keeping count in his head. "Time!" He shouted raising his shield to protect his head. His men performed the same movement as the explosive tags attached to the second volley's bolts detonated. Akio lowered his arm to see the Kiri ninja pulling back into the mist, they were learning. "When I learned that we would be fighting inside a hidden village I was expecting the resistance to be more competent than this," Miho said adjusting her shield.

"Humans only grow so fast, Miho," Akio replied signaling to a few of his men to be ready for the next assault. "When a war stretches on too long the powers that be, gotta choose between quality or quantity. They choose quantity every time. Besides all their best fighters are busy with the rebels in the middle of the city." As if to accentuate his point an explosion sounded from deeper into the village.

"They're done probing our defenses, here comes the real fight," Akio announced. "Ready yourselves!" Shinobi came pouring from the mist, more than in the two prior waves. "Fire!" Commanded Akio. With a mighty thrum the crossbows launched their explosive payloads. The shinobi stopped right before the inner barrier as a wall of water sprang up before them catching the crossbow bolts and dampening their explosions.

Akio drew his sword as the steam created from the explosion made way for the charging enemies. "Let's show these arrogant bastards why even a muzzled dragon is a force to be feared!"

"FOR THE MUZZLED DRAGONS!" Every solider shouted in unison. The rallying cry rolled across the battlefield like an implacable force. Akio saw hesitation flit briefly across the incoming shinobi's face as they bore down the unified wall of steel arrayed before them. Akio could feel his heart pound and his blood flow. It had been a while since he had felt such a battle thrill. Miho was right, he did almost feel sorry for these poor bastards. Half the shinobi leapt into the air to get behind the shield wall while the other half met the mercenaries head-on.

"Miho, you and I keep Hozumi safe. No matter what."

"Of course, captain."

The shinobi landed and battle was joined. Akio lost himself in the melee and became one with his sword and shield. The small area became packed with bodies both alive and dead. Akio blocked a strike from a ninja dual-wielding a katana and a wakizashi. He brought his sword down to cut the man in half as the shinobi raised both swords in a cross defense. Akio pumped wind element chakra into his sword and cut through both blades as well as the man's body sending blood splattering across his front. The blood-stained man turned to face another ninja releasing a hearty laugh. So distracted by the spectacle the shinobi didn't notice Miho until she plunged her sword into his kidney.

Finding a rare break in the action Akio took stock of what was happening. More shinobi had come from the mist, but his men were holding and fighting back. Then something about the mist caught Akio's eye. It was receding and beginning to dissipate. 'But that could only mean…' Akio's eyes shot back and forth across the battlefield looking for the threat. "Henge!" The older man shouted, but too late.

A young, male shinobi charging towards the shield-wall became enveloped in smoke. From the cloud burst forth an older woman, water surrounding her arms. She lashed out sending whips of water lashing out at the nearest mercenaries. Shield splintered and armor crumpled as the powerful technique felled two of Akio's men. She then whipped the water above her knocking arrows aside. "WRRRAAAGH!" Akio shouted charging to face the Jonin.

Another shinobi got in his way but Akio smacked him out of the way, earth chakra filling his armor and shield. The aged-man threw himself in front of the line as the jonin sent two more whips at his men. The water jutsu hit his earth infused shield and bounce harmlessly off. But Akio did not arrest his charge. He bore down on the shinobi as implacable as a charging mountain. The female shinobi sent whip after whip at the mercenary captain only for his shield to intercept them. He lashed out with his wind infused blade. The shinobi dodged by the skin of her teeth as the wind gouged a shallow cut along her cheek.

Moving frantically, she brought a whip up to block an incoming arrow. Distracted as she was by Akio, all she could do was slow down the projectile as it slammed into her shoulder. Gritting through the pain she created a water clone and threw it at Akio as she fled back into the mist. The grizzled veteran cut the clone down and ducked as a Kiri solider tried to sneak up on him. He slammed his shield into the ninja's gut doubling him over allowing Akio to crack him across the nose as he brought his shield up. After taking care of the lone man Akio moved back into the shield line as his battle-rage began dying down.

"How are they?' Akio asked his company's medic. The healers merely shook their head. "Hozumi!" Akio shouted moving to the still sitting man.

"I'm tracking her as we speak Cap'n."

"Good. I'm going to nail her to the wall." Most of the attacking shinobi had been corralled off into small groups where his men were pushing closer, cutting off room so the much more mobile enemies couldn't use their agility as effectively. Akio signaled the archers on top of the wall to get ready for the opening he would create. "Keep me covered Miho," He ordered his second.

Reaching behind himself he unslung a deadly looking javelin from his back. He had it specially made for today. The tip was constructed of chakra metal, horrendously expensive. But then, it wasn't his money. Besides, he knew a guy who got it for him for a steal. Took a few favors but it would soon be worth it. "She's slowing, Cap'n." Akio hefted the javelin and began pumping as much wind element chakra into the tip as he could.

"Two degrees down. Four degree to the right. Hold." Akio adjusted the angle of his throw accordingly, readying himself. Sweat dripped down his face getting into his eyes. But he would not blink or flinch. Everything depended on this attack. "NOW!"

"ORYAH!" Putting all his weight behind his throw, he released the chakra charged weapon as the men in front of him dropped to the ground. The javelin tore through the air kicking up a cyclone behind it. The Kiri soldiers not fast enough to hit the dirt were thrown out of the path as the hurricane continued, relentless. The wind ripped the feeble mist apart as it tore through any resistance the village had in its way. With a final crash the javelin came to a stop embedded halfway into a three-foot diameter pole.

Resting against the post the wounded jonin had avoided the deadly weapon by a hairs breadth. Being so close, the left side of her face had been torn apart by the swirling blades of wind. So in pain, she was unable to dodge the hail of arrows that descended upon her. The following explosions ripped both her and the mist apart. Without its creator, the mist dissolved and fell away revealing hidden shinobi waiting for their orders.

Miho signaled the archers on the wall to fire at will. Akio, exhausted, sank to the ground after expending all his chakra. Seeing their safe haven evaporate and their commander blown into tiny pieces the morale of the gathered Kiri soldiers broke, and their charge turned into a retreat. Had this been a normal battle, Akio would have given the order to charge, turning the retreat into a full-on rout. But that wasn't what they were being paid for. Plus, far too many hiding places for an ambush among the buildings.

"Chakra pills, everyone!" Akio shouted getting to his feet. They had a rare lull in the combat and Akio was going to make the most of it. "You can rest too, Hoz."

"Thanks, Cap'n," Hozumi said taking his hands off the ground. He stood and stretched his joints popping with audible cracks.

"Stay sharp! There's no way this is over!" Akio began pacing up and down the line keeping an eye out for more shinobi. He felt the hair on his neck stand up, something was wrong. "Guard up! We're not alone!" Akio shouted getting his shield ready. "Keep your eyes peeled!"

The attack came out of nowhere. One instant quiet, the next a dragon of water slammed into the fuuinjutsu barrier. The lines creating the barrier began to flicker and dim before regaining their glow. They couldn't handle many more of those. "Chakra guard! Crossbows ready! Explosive Payload!" Akio shouted out orders looking desperately for the attacker. A small shack on the edge of town had been torn apart by the high-level water technique revealing three jonin level shinobi standing among the wreckage.

Bowstring twanged as the mercenaries fired their arrows and bolts at the Kiri soldiers. "Earth Style: Mud Wall!" The lead Jonin slammed his hands on the ground as a wall of rock rose to block the incoming projectiles. A second water dragon rose behind the three jonin as more of their brothers dropped from the buildings and charged towards the gate. "Forget the approaching ninja, kill the jutsu users!" Akio shouted taking a place along the line.

Following orders the crossbow men released explosive bolts that tore through the rock wall in the way. The dragon moved back and forth preventing the archers from getting a clean shot while the earth user was preparing a second wall. If the barrier fell, then the fight was lost. He was about to order his men to meet the Kiri's charge with one of their own to get to the jutsu users when a discrepancy caught his eye.

Following behind the pack, hesitation in his step, was a young man, seventeen or eighteen at the most. Akio could see a conflict play out across his face. Having come to a decision the young man girt his teeth and stepped between the two jonin controlling the water dragon. Drawing two kunai, the youth flicked the knives at the older warriors. They caught them in the temple and the two jonin crumbled to the ground. Not missing a beat, he then stepped forward and jammed a third kunai into the neck of the earth user. With the three shinobi on the ground the defector began performing hand signs and took control of the high-level water ninjutsu.

Being only one, inexperienced chunin he could only direct where to slam the ninjutsu down. And he chose to do that right in the middle of the advancing Jonin. Not expecting an attack from behind the jonin were sent flying and tumbling. Seeing their enemy down and dazed Akio raised his sword into the air. "CHARGE!" The Muzzled Dragons surged forward battle cries pouring from their throats as they fell upon the stunned shinobi. Some of the Kiri ninja got to their feet to fight off the advancing soldiers, many were not so lucky.

A few leapt into the air to gain vantage only to be peppered by arrows. Those on the ground were quickly surrounded and cut down. With the immediate threat well in hand Akio approached the youth that had just saved so many of his soldiers' lives. "A Rebel sympathizer, huh?"

"No. I hate the Rebels. I hate this damn village too. I just want this war to be over." Akio's old, withered heart strings tugged. This kid sounded so tired, so old. Finally looking up from the bodies at his feet the young man looked Akio in the eye. "What do you need me to do?"

Dang it, Akio was really starting to like this kid. Light on his feet and flexible. If he survived this war he had a bright future ahead of him. "You able to use water ninjutsu, kid?" A nod. "Fortify our right flank, provide midrange support, and don't get underfoot," Akio said motioning for him to follow. "Oh, and take that bloody headband off before one of my men sticks you by accident." The adolescent complied.

With their latest foe slain the line was reformed and the injured taken to safety. "Who's the kid?" Miho asked once Akio rejoined his troops.

"Enemies inbound!" One of the sentries on the wall shouted down.

"I'll explain later. Ready to meet them, men!"

"Captain, it's the reinforcements!"

"About damn time." The Kiri soldiers pushed themselves hard, in one final attempt to retake the gate. Futile. Kiri rebels and hired missing-nin vaulted over the shield-line and slammed into the enemy. Seeing no point in retaking the gate now, the Kiri soldiers retreated, seeking a more defensible position. As the Kiri rebels moved into the city one held back looking around the gathered mercenaries. Akio recognized the mask the kid wore and walked up to him.

"Where is Lord Zabuza?" Haku asked. Before Akio could answer a boom thundered across the village as a new pillar of smoke rose from the village center.

"My guess, there," Akio said pointing at the black column. "He's helping fight Yagura." Haku turned and began moving towards where Zabuza was when he was jerked back by his collar. "Whoa there, kiddo! Where, exactly do you think you're going?" Akio asked keeping a firm hold on the teenager.

"To help Lord Zabuza. I am his weapon and must get to his side."

"Oy, they brainwash 'em young," Akio mumbled to himself. "You have specific orders. You're a soldier, follow them."

"But Lord Zab-"

"Even if you didn't have standing orders, do you really think you'd be much help out there?" Another explosion punctuated Akio's question as he stared at the youth behind the mask. "That's a kage level battle. You'll only get in Mr. Momochi's way. You really want to help him? Follow your orders and make sure your side wins."

Haku seemed ready to argue but shook his head instead. "I will do as Lord Zabuza commanded." He turned and moved deeper into the city, away from the raging battle that could be heard even at this distance.

"Okay boys, just cause the reinforcements are here doesn't mean we're done. Some could try to escape so make sure to be prepared." Akio began pacing back and forth across the shield-line. He issued commands here and there, had men rotate to rest, and occasionally had Hozumi use his tremor-location. The area around them was quiet. No enemies approached and the sounds of battle were distant. Akio realized that it had grown too quiet. He looked to the horizon and realized why. "The Kage battle's over," He announced as everyone turned to look at him.

"How do you know, sir?" Miho asked.

"When you've fought as many battles as I have you can just feel when history is made."

"Who won?"

"Don't know. Get everything ready in case we need to make a quick exit."

"Cap'n, I'm picking up movement ahead," Hozumi announced using his tremor location.

"We got company! Shields up!" Akio waited as his men readied their weapons and he got his first look at the incoming group. Judging by their headbands they were Kiri soldiers, but Akio felt no threat from them. They were bruised, bloody, and battered. Akio stepped past his men and stood before the wounded shinobi.

"I am Akio Fujisaki, captain of the Muzzled Dragons!" Akio announced. "I am under contract to accept any, and all, surrenders! Throw down you weapons, lie on the ground with your hands on your head and you will not be harmed!"

"Surrender? You want us to surrender!?" To the front of the group hobbled an older man. Half of his face was caked with dried blood, he couldn't even open his left eye. His right arm hung limply at his side and he seemed to have to drag his right foot across the ground. Despite all this he stood with a defiant air as he stared down the mercenary captain. Akio thought he recognized him as someone important, but it was hard to tell through the blood.

"We are Kiri! Not those blasted rebels. This is our village. We will return and take it back! And you want us, proud children of Kirigakure, to surrender to you!? To vagabond, honorless-" Akio gestured with his head and the man's rant turned into a gargle of blood as an arrow punctured his throat.

"I will not repeat myself."

The survivors glanced at one another, weighing their options. Akio thought he was going to have to give the order to kill them when metal striking stone filled the air. A younger shinobi near the middle of the group had tossed down his sword and was lying on the ground with his hands on his head. As the first piece fell the others followed and threw down their weapons.

Once all of them were on the ground Akio had his men move forward cautiously. One would bind the shinobi while a few comrades stood by waiting in case anyone tried anything. They were smart enough not to. The prisoners were dragged back behind towards the wall and put under guard. "What do you think about that?" Miho asked as they supervised the prisoners.

"I think that means we'll be receiving the other half of our pay."

"Captain!" Akio turned to see one of his men gesture out towards the village. Limping towards them using what was left of his famous blade to hold himself up, Zabuza Momochi made his way towards them.

"So, you survived, Mr. Momochi." Zabuza just nodded as he leaned against a crumbling building. One of the Muzzled Dragons medics moved forward to help him. Zabuza waved him off as he stood up straight.

"Yagura is dead. Kirigakure is ours."

"We won!" Akio shouted pumping his hand into the air.

"HUZZAH!" His men shouted. Akio turned back to the swordsman as he tried to keep using his sword as a crutch.

"I do have medics that can help, Mr. Momochi."

"No need. I'm fine, too much to do." Zabuza stopped as he saw the bound Kiri soldiers. "I don't remember asking you to take prisoners."

"You didn't. Lady Terumi put it into our contract."

Zabuza nodded. "That is why she'll be the one to take Kiri out of the Bloody Mist."

"I thought she didn't want to be the next Mizukage, too young or something."

"She'll come around. I must go. Don't worry, you'll get your money."

"Of course I will. God speed Mr. Momochi." Akio watched Zabuza hobble off before he turned back towards his men. "Let's pack up and find somewhere dry to rest!" Akio shouted as his men began bustling about. "Miho, get a few men and run guard duty, there's still probably a few Kiri shinobi around. Hoz, make sure the wounded are tended to." Once he was sure his orders were being followed Akio made his way towards the back were a single figure leaned against wall, away from the others.

"You know I never caught your name, kid" Akio said pulling out a pack of cigarettes and offering one to the Kiri youth.

"Shuuji," Shuuji replied shaking his head at the cigarette.

"What' your plan now, Shuuji?"

"Hell if I know. I suppose I could throw my lot in with the rebels, they won after all. But the things they did during the war…"

"Ain't nobody innocent in war, kid. You could always run away and become a farmer."

"Fighting's all I know. Being a shinobi is the only thing I can do."

"Not necessarily."

"What do you mean?"

"Lots of bodies out there. No way they'll be able to identify them all. Join us, become a Muzzled Dragon."

"What, you want me to stop killing people for them just so I can kill people for you?"

"Look here kid," Akio said pulling the teenager towards his men. "Look at them. Each and every one of them follows my orders. Do you know why? Not because I'll kill them if they don't like your village does. Because they choose to, because they want to. I don't force them to stay. Hell, five of them are leaving the mercenary life behind after this job. Same thing applies to you. Follow me, don't follow me. Just wanted to give you the chance. Freedoms not just about not having to follow someone. It's about choosing who you do follow."

Shuuji stared at Akio for a moment before pulling out his Kiri headband. He studied the symbol engraved into the metal. Then, making up his mind, he wound his arm back and flung the hitae-ate to land he cared not where. "Where do I sign?"

Akio smiled and shook Shuuji's hand. "Welcome to the Muzzled Dragons, young man."