Updates like this won't happen often, but I got lost in my writing so I got it done early. Thanks for the reviews, and an even BIGGER thanks to those who take the time to write them! It is very much appreciated!
"The fellow countrymen of Konoha make up each part of my body...Those of the village believe in me and I believe in them... That's what it means to be Hokage!"
Hashirama Senju
Usagi never got nervous not even in the midst of the battlefield, she kept her composure and stay poised despite the situation. However, that didn't mean she didn't get anxious or was immune to doing so. At this moment she stood guard at the gate with her arms in the sleeves of her black tight fitting shirt, her eyes and senses stretched to the distance ahead of her. Not only was Haji gone, but so was Syrus with Hashirama; both taking a trip a neighboring village upon the damiyo's request. Apparently there was a clan that was causing a ruckus and he wanted them to take care of them. She wasn't sure if it was by force or through talks but it was likely to be the first one. News of their alliance was spreading like wildfire, Syrus was more than happy to go. She didn't bother arguing with him, he was doing a thousand things at once, not to mention he was trying to relocate the entire clan that was in the high hundreds of thousands. A sigh escaped her full lips, she hated having to stick back like this.
Tobirama stood a few inches from her his arms folded over his toned chest and his ruby eyes focused on Usagi and the distance ahead of him. He had been given a full tour of the compound one could say, and was surprised at the size of it. The compound stretched for miles upon miles, Usagi was helpful in explaining any questions that he had, or asked, though she beat him to the punch most of the time, he did appreciate her quick and incisive answers. He was use to dealing with Hashirama and despite being hs flesh and blood, sometimes he could be a bit stubborn and let his emotions cloud his judgement. Hearing another sigh come from Usagi, he was going to put her at ease, but he himself felt a bit anxious, for the unit that was wounded. Were they alright? "You know, my brothers don't want me around the Lightning damiyo." Her voice yanked from his thoughts.
"Oh?" Was his quick and basic question. He never dealt with the Lightning damiyo himself, nor Hashirama. Their father didn't do much business in the Lightning country, everything was contained within the Fire country, since whenever the Uchiha were hired they were hired as well. An endless cycle dating back generations before he was even thought of, that said he knew little of the Lightning damiyo aside from his exquisite and expensive lifestyle and love of drinking. Of course there was the rumor he was a womanizer, just a rumor, but Haji in the end decided to go, and gave Usagi a stern look. Perhaps the rumors weren't just rumors.
"Yeah." Usagi said looking back at him. "They're always like 'you can't be in the same country as him he is a vile and lecherous man.' And, I can understand why they do it. That man is a swine among pigs, but I don't want that to interfere with my duty to my clan. Our father was well acquainted with the damiyo, though he had his misgivings about him, that later were picked up by my brothers. Haji mostly. He always insists that he goes since Syrus has a bit of a short fuse when it comes to his antics." She felt uncomfortable for a moment as the ruby eyes gazed into her own, so sharp, there was an intelligence bottled behind those, keen intellect, a sharp mind, but more so; she had been doing a lot of talking today. Normally she wouldn't mind since she often helped her brother with paperwork and training their units, but standing before Tobirama she felt out of her element.
"They mean well." The white haired man said, his voice rich and smooth. Tobirama was a man of few words, and Usagi found herself almost on edge to hear him speak, to hear that baritone voice. The question still remained if he practiced to make it that way, how did he sound in the morning? "Hashirama can be a worry wart, he's always pestering me, telling me to get rest and to make sure I eat. Rikudo forbid I get ill he'd probably put green onions in my soup, cut them himself and watch me eat until I finished." Tobirama spoke with an annoyance but also fondness, despite his brother's goofy and loud personality he had a way of gathering their forces under him, he could rile them up for a battle to come. Of course, Tobirama hated green onions and wouldn't get ill, it was more of a joke. But Hashirama would wait for him to finish just so he didn't discard those nasty onions.
"I know they do, but sometimes they treat me like I'm an infant." Usagi said, suppressing a scowl at the memory. So far from what she seen from Hashirama he was outgoing, loud, kind, and more often than not extremely obnoxious. She talked to him for a short while, he introduced himself as did she, she was surprised when he wrapped her up in a hug, of course, Syrus was quick to break them apart. She didn't think he was serious about her being pure until she was thirty. I don't know your brother very well, yet. But that sounds like something he'd do." It was amazing the two of them were brothers, both of them were polar opposites, it reminded her of her own. Syrus had a short fuse and did a thousand things, Haji was calm and incisive not overbearing his workload. Yes opposites indeed.
"Are you worried?" Tobirama asked after a moment.
"I guess, yeah." Usagi admitted shrugging one shoulder. "I know he's strong and all, but if news traveled of our alliance, which it has. He'll be running into a lot of enemies." Of course he'd be able to dispatch of them and make it back home, but what if he made sure every single one was dead like he normally did, he wouldn't be back for a long time. Not to mention escort missions didn't take this long normally, even for Haji who was mindful he wouldn't be gone longer than four days, six at the most. It was going on a couple of months about now. Tobirama made a sound, that was akin to a grunt in response, he couldn't fault her for worrying, it was only natural especially for a brother.
They stood in silence, waiting at the front gates. The silence both were thankful for, the sounds of owls hooting in the night echoed against the bark of trees, the smell of dew from the moisture around them was thick, and critters scurried at the very edges of the compound's walls. Both were waiting, both of them thinking along the same lines. When would they be back? Syrus and Hashirama assured they'd be back before dark, and that wasn't true, and Haji had to be making headway back here at the very least. Both of them flicked their eyes up, in the distance, coming out of the darkness were several people, one at the front and two just behind him, they came into view and Usagi broke out into a smile despite her training to suppress her emotions. "Haji!" She called seeing his head snap towards her and quickening his pace, Tsugi and Hesui right behind him. "What happened?" She asked the moment she seen his tattered clothing and armor, not even mentioning his annoyed expression.
"Souji." Hesui said with a deep frown.
"I'll give a detailed report during a debriefing, but the mission is complete." His eyes flicked to Tobirama with a small nod he stepped aside, and to the relief of Tobirama seven of his men walked towards him looking at full health. They weren't pale, and their bodies weren't lithe nor was their thin and frail. Tobirama didn't want to give Usagi more credit than he already had, but Haji really did complete a mission to the T. "Where's brother? I got his letter and hastened to come back here." Haji's voice held a sense of urgency.
"He left just a few hours ago. We may have another mission." Usagi answered with a small frown. "I had to stay back."
"I trust you feel comfortable Tobirama-san." Haji moved his eyes on him, they were a bit hazed over and his head was pounding. He just wanted to go and lay down, get some sleep, and hopefully sleep this off. Today had been nothing short of a spectacle, and more than ever he could feel liberation as he stepped foot into the compound.
"Yes," Tobirama responded leveling a look with Haji. He had to give him credit he didn't think he'd return with the unit of wounded Senju. Perhaps one or two, but not seven, that was more than what he could ask for. Trust wasn't easily gained and could be easily tarnished he treaded carefully always, but there was a silver of trust he felt towards Haji. They were allies now yes, but there was a long road ahead of them. "Usagi-san has been helpful with her explanations."
Haji nodded his head, motioning for his men to file into the compound. "Tsugi, show him to the quarters. His unit needs rest after the long journey back. "
"Sure." The older man said with a bored tone more than happy to get away from Haji. He looked at Tobirama for a moment before gesturing for him to follow with his head. Haji and Usagi both waited until their visages faded into the darkness, Usagi turned to her brother her expression serious and almost pensive as she examined him. No wonder he looked like he went through a meat grater he more than likely had to dodge or deflect a barrage of futon jutsus.
"You fought Souji?!" She asked, as they walked deeper into the complex, the guards on patrol nodded in respect before going back on their patrols. The thought of that man searching through and through for her brother wasn't pleasant. "When and where?"
"Near the Lightning country's borders, it was early in the day still when he attacked my unit and killed six. It dragged on, of course he wasn't going go to retreat and neither was I." Haji shook his head, weary at the moment. He was expecting to run into Souji, they had a tendency of crossing paths more than he'd like to admit or have, but not today. He was aggravated, his head was pulsing, and he'd need to wait to debrief what occurred on the mission in painstaking detail; how he had to lag behind due to formalities, how he encountered Cho and his pack of mutts more than a handful of times.
"He's trying to make a point." Usagi remarked. "But, enough about that. I can see you're tired, I'll make some tea and then you can get some sleep."
"But brother and-"
"I will tell you personally when they come back." Usagi interrupted with a stern look, the same look she got when he'd overdo it and wanted to continue but she'd step in. He sighed softly, resigning himself to his fate. He couldn't argue with Usagi, just like when she shoved sweets into his mouth when they were younger she was shoving him into bed now. But it wasn't so bad and he could use the sleep, he was sluggish, and he needed to be sharp. "Which reminds me have you eaten anything?" Usagi prodded with the same look, like she was about to chastise him like he was a six year old and not the second in command of the Subatsu.
He grunted looking away from her. He didn't eat since yesterday, he was ready to leave Hitomi's village get her back to the Lightning country and move on from there. Now that he pondered on it he didn't even have a scrape of food, and on cue his stomach growled fiercely demanding nourishment. The fight with Souji was intense as usual, and coupled with the long distance traveled in just a few hours he was understandably famished. "I didn't." He admitted meeting her look for a moment before looking away his scowl deepening.
"So that's your stomach growling. And you reek of sake." Usagi sighed dramatically, resisting the urge to smack him over the head. "I guess I can make some Yakiniku and oden with the tea."
Yuko was a mix between amazed and weary. The walk back to the compound was shrouded with silence, but unlike before where she found comfort in the silence now she could only feel anxious in the forest. She glanced at Mikito who wore the same expression as before but her eyes were glinting, she could feel anger rolling off of her, she didn't know what happened between her and Ajo in the past, perhaps it was better not to ask since it couldn't be good. "Mikito-sama?" She asked after a moment of debate, anything to break the deathly silence.
"No need to be so formal." Mikito said, the glint in her eyes vanishing a second later. No need to put Yuko on edge, they were after all allies and to some extent friends. "You can use san, chan, or just call me Mikito." She continued, turning to look at her with a curious expression. Yuko's expression was pensive, but she could see the glimmer in those chocolate eyes, amazement and shock. She forced the chuckle that wanted to escape her lips down, and instead put a fist on her hip. "What's on your mind?"
"Back there," Yuko started. "What do you call that?" Yuko seen a lot of kenjutsu styles, she learned several under her father's strict tutelage, but she never heard of one that incorporated the saya. Normally they were made of wood or a material similar, they could only hold the sword until it was drawn and that was it, it wasn't use to smack someone over the head or face like Mikito demonstrated. When she seen her swift movements only questions raced through her mind along with the thoughts of drawing her sword in a heartbeat.
"My sword technique." Mikito's eyes glimmered with something akin to excitement, she smiled. "Saiko Kanuma, it's a lesser known and practiced kenjutsu style, but is extremely effective in close quarters and against large numbers." She explained putting a finger to her chin, before moving her hand towards Yuko with the same finger extended, while bringing up another. "It's hard to learn, it took me a long time. And I don't brag, but I am the best wielder of it in my clan, and perhaps the world." She retracted her arm, seeing confusion flash in Yuko's eyes from the gesture, and grinned in a cheeky fashion. "Not bad for a woman eh?"
"It's amazing." Yuko said almost absently, her eyes training on Mikito. "Can you teach me it?"
She is an Uchiha. Mikito thought, she stopped grinning turnning her gaze up at the moon. It was nearing a gibbous it'd be full in a few days. Their surroundings changed from thick and tall trees to even thicker and trees covered in large flowing leaves and the air seemed to get more damp and moist, and the smell of dew from rain wafted around them. Mikito smiled slightly, they were close now, just a few more miles maybe one or two at the most. She was accustomed to the thick air, moist underbrush, and trees that seemed to tower into the clouds above. She could see why her father was so fierce in his time as leader, he waged many attacks, somethings she wasn't proud of, but now, she could understand why he did what he did. "Ah, eager." Mikito said glancing at Yuko to see the red head was blushing ever so slightly, "sure thing, but can you handle that on top of the training you're going to begin to master the hyoton?"
Yuko narrowed her eyes slightly, and before she knew it she nodded quickly. "I will." She said her voice filled with resolve. Seeing Mikito nod in response she exhaled smoothly. She didn't know how she was going to master suiton at the very least get a good grasp of it, she didn't put much thought on the fact she was an Uchiha but all she knew were katon based jutsus, and futon she knew was the hardest element to learn. There were very few who wielded the element with great control, and she was going to be learning both. She wasn't going to back down now though, she needed to get stronger, and there was one way to do that.
The rest of their journey was made in silence, thankfully there were no attacks or ambushes. Yuko's eyes trained forward, the sight of tall gates making her breath stop in her throat. It reminded her of the Uchiha compound, but these walls were much larger, and secluded in a massive growth of forest, vines and branches snaked around and over them acting as a camouflage, and the trees sprouting them towered over the gates all of it seemingly connected, there was what appeared to be moss covering the entirety of the walls, and the gates were crowded with vines. Yuko took another breath, about to speak but a loud voice broke through the silence yanking her from her thoughts.
"You're finally back!" Ahiko ran towards them in a flash of movement without a care, her long hair billowing in the wind, unlike Mikito she had her's down. Ahiko neared her sister not missing the red haired girl that was flanking her right, curiosity gleamed in her eyes for a moment as she stared at Yuko, then looked at Mikito a frown gracing her face. "That took longer than an hour!" Ahiko pointed out her frown deepening when she seen Mikito fold her arms under her chest. She turned her focus onto Yuko, staring into those chocolate eyes. "Who's this?" She pointed at Yuko getting closer to her. "Oh! A mistress!" Ahiko practically squealed with delight clapping her hands together.
"M-M-Mistress!" Yuko stuttered her face flashing bright red.
"Yeah!" Ahiko continued before Mikito could open her mouth, she too flustered into a stupor. "Souji's always like 'I don't have time for women and romance I have my duties to the clan and that's all that matters besides my sisters.'" Ahiko didn't miss a beat or stride her eyes gleamed with excitement, and Yuko's face only got redder if it was possible. She began to feel uncomfortable looking into those bright and gleaming round eyes. "I'm so excited! We should start getting ready for the marriage!"
"Ahiko..." Mikito said slowly rested her hands on her sister's shoulder, calming her down as she stared into her eyes. "Yuko is not a mistress or marrying brother she's come here for training and will live here. No marriage or anything of the sort." Mikito said calmly, sighing with relief when Ahiko's shoulders stopped bouncing. She was expecting this when she came back with Yuko, although she wasn't expecting Yuko to be considered a mistress to Souji. She was a cute girl, she'd blossom into a beautiful woman given time, it wasn't an insult, but Souji would reject the idea just like he had with the rest of the women in their clan. That didn't mean they stopped fawning over him every time they seen him, especially the teenagers. It also didn't help he could be dense when it came to those types of situations. Men. She braced herself, knowing what was going to happen when she revealed this bit of information about Yuko.
"Oh.." Ahiko drooped her head sulking miserably. "I thought I would have a niece or nephew.." She really loved children, she spent her time training them in the arts of the shinobi and even told them stories of the shinobi past and folklore, but she didn't have kids and her siblings didn't have kids so she could call none her own. She'd just have to be patient, eventually they'd find love as would she in time, but in this era that was going to be harder than winning a war. Yuko noticed her change of mood, her face lost it's red complexion and she almost felt bad for being somewhat amused at the sulking woman in front of her. "I'm Ahiko by the way pleasure to meet you."
"Ah, I'm Yuko. You must be Mikito's sister." Yuko looked between the two of them, there was no doubt they were sisters. Although the differences were there since hey weren't twins. Like Ahiko's hair was a mix between curly and wavy while Mikito's was straight with some spikes in it, they both shared the same big round eyes but Mikito's were sharper than Ahiko's who's held an innocence and brightness in them. Their bodies were the same to extent, but Ahiko was much fuller in certain areas, but Mikito wasn't lacking any in those areas either. She held back a giggle, this must be why Mikito waited to tell her about her sister, only seeing her would drive the point home. She bowed her head slightly. "Pleasure to meet you."
Mikito braced herself mentally, they crossed the gates entering the compound, several members old and young, men and women were going about their business while guards stood vigilant. When they seen the sisters enter they gave a bow of respect while looking at Yuko like she had three heads, there wasn't any hate behind the looks but confusion and surprise, some held interest and others paid her no mind as they continued going about their business. "Yuko is half Uchiha." Mikito said, gauging Ahiko's reaction. The younger sister froze, her eyes flicking to Yuko.
"Really!?" Ahiko's mood change again, and she was all smiles as she grabbed Yuko's cheeks with her hands inching closer. "So you have the Sharingan!?" Seeing Yuko nod with a shocked expression she continued. "Show me it!" She exclaimed drawing their faces closer. "Show me!" Ahiko didn't notice the lump Yuko swallowed as they were just a few inches apart from each other, though Ahiko as taller by a few inches.
"Sharingan." Yuko whispered, her eyes shifting from chocolate to crimson with three tomoes. Everything was much more clear, she could see every strand of Ahiko's thick hair, the brightness in those round eyes, the look of amazement and awe that spread on her face. She wasn't entirely surprised of the reaction she got, although normally the Sharingan was associated with fear not excitement like Ahiko was exuding like a wave of chakra. A gasp escaped her lips as the distance was closed between them, Ahiko drew their faces together until their noses were touching, she swallowed smelling a faint trace of honey and cinnamon.
"They're so beautiful Yuko!" Ahiko exclaimed, causing Yuko to gasp in shock feeling her body jolt from surprise despite being in such close proximity.
"Ahiko-" Mikito started, but stopped noticing her brother getting closer an annoyed expression on his face.
"I was wondering what was going on." Souji said as he gave Ahiko a good smack over the head, jolting the girl from her amazed stupor. She whirled around on him, clutching the back of her head with a pained expression. She hadn't sensed him coming and judging from the mirth in Mikito's eyes and that small smile that said 'I tried to warn you' she knew that Mikito was aware and never said anything. Souji could hit hard, it was enough to knock her out of her trance from Yuko's Sharingan.
"Ow! Why'd you do that!?"
"You're being obnoxious and invading that girl's personal space." Souji said bluntly as he pulled Ahiko away from Yuko's face, giving the red haired girl an apologetic look. "You're that girl Mikito gave the mission to a few months ago." He recalled it like it was yesterday, Madara didn't agree, Izuna wasn't completely against it but in the end he disagreed, and he of course didn't agree since this girl had no experience in a war zone. That's what the Water country was a war zone, always has been and will be.
"Her name is Yuko." Ahiko chimed in while she massaged the bump growing on her head shooting him an annoyed face. "Wait, she's the girl you sent to the Water country for the hyoton scroll!?" Ahiko exclaimed, wincing when the bump throbbed painfully. "Ow."
"Stop being so loud." Souji said with a long groan. "And it won't hurt."
Yuko wasn't sure what to do or say, she didn't want to be rude or impudent towards them. She was after all in their territory, their home, she was outnumbered a good thousand to one. And though she wasn't getting scorns and glares like at her compound she didn't doubt for one second she'd be swarmed by every member with a simple gesture. Her eyes went to Mikito, she wouldn't let that happen or make such a action, but it still didn't quell her nervousness in this situation. On instinct she deactivated her Sharingan, her eyes returning to their normal color. Mikito was better diffusing these types of situations than she was, but as seconds crept by she felt increasingly anxious. "How about we eat and get some rest." Thankfully Mikito spoke. "There's a few details we have to go over but that can wait until tomorrow." Her eyes went to Souji and she seen the barest of nods.
"I am kind of hungry." Ahiko admitted.
"You ate an hour ago didn't you?" Souji asked.
"Yeah, but food taste better with everyone eating together!"
Mikito nudged Yuko as her siblings walked on ahead, Yuko and Mikito staying behind them a few paces. "Food, a shower, and rest, sound like a plan?"
Yuko nodded as her stomach growled making its presence known. "Yeah!" A good meal and rest sounded great at this moment. Although she had no idea what a shower was, but she was sure she'd find out.
If anyone is wondering...
Yakiniku is grilled meat. Bite size pieces of meat grilled, mostly beef and pork. There's a lot of popular restaurants in Japan that specialize in it.
Oden is a 'hot pot' dish. It's prepared with various fish cakes, daikon, boiled eggs, konyaku, and kombu seaweed. It's slowly shimmered in a soy sauce based soup.
Saiko Kanuma-ryu I based off of the Saiki Kanuma-ryu. It's a kenjutsu style where the saya (sheath) is also used a weapon and made of iron, or steel, it's good in close quarters.
If you knew this already then just skip over it or take it with a grain of salt. For those that didn't as they say you learn something new everyday!
Thanks for reading!