"That's easy to say... But then who will take revenge for all the loved ones we've lost? They'd roll in their graves if we just let bygones be bygones..."

Itama Senju

The following feast the damiyo promised them was much more grand than the first, and the proportions were ridiculous. It was however much appreciated and welcomed, everyone was in good spirits and those who were heavy on their thoughts-Tobirama primarily-were given a distraction to take their mind off the coming issues at hand, and one gigantic problem which would be nearly impossible to deal with. But that was then, it was now and that's all that mattered.

Sake was distributed through everyone, Tsugi primarily indulged in the expensive sake. That's not to say nobody else did, after their performance they could afford to cut loose a bit. Hashirama politely refrained from consuming any alcohol whenever it was offered to him he'd shake his head while holding his hand up as if to keep it at bay. The damiyo was disappointed the leader of the Senju wouldn't at least have a taste, but Hashirama wasn't budging so he dropped it. Tobirama retired once it got a bit too loud, and he had things to attend to like studying and reading.

Tobirama washed up first before getting changed in all black garb with mesh armor underneath. It was light, comfortable, and produced good air flow. More importantly he wouldn't overheat when he went to sleep. He seated himself on the very large bed in his room unrolling a scroll-not gaping his mouth in shock like his brother had upon seeing their arrangements; it was better than what he was used to he'd admit that but he wasn't going to ohh and ahh over it. His mind was heavy with a torrent of thoughts, first there was the two warring clans-which wasn't out of the ordinary but his brother wanted to see through that truce was formed. He wasn't so foolish to think it was possible, and there was the primary issue-the one that was grasping most of his attention-a bijuu.

He read enough to know that these monsters of chakra did indeed exist, they were very real. How they evaded nearly everyone's perception he wouldn't begin to guess. But, they existed and he was going to be dealing with one soon enough. He wasn't sure what his brother had planned, what strategy to go about tackling the beast, was there even a way to do such a thing? They were pure chakra their very bodies was chakra itself, any strategy would be a mute point. Then there was a certain woman who somehow managed to worm her way into his thoughts, perhaps it was from how interesting she was, Usagi intrigued him from her bright eyes to her way of attacking. "Usagi-san." He flicked his eyes to the door, speak of the devil. "Come in."

The door cracked open revealing Usagi in the same clothes from before, except there was something different about her. It seemed so simple but since he laid his eyes on her when she landed in front of him during the meeting of their clans' alliance her hair was always tied up in a high ponytail, never down. Now, it was hanging down like a mane it flowed beyond her hips spiking out in several spots and hanging over her forehead, he felt a pull in his stomach, why, he narrowed his eyes pushing it away. She stepped in silently, shutting the door and making her way to his perch on the bed. "What's up?"

"Reading." He replied.

"What are you reading?" She took the spot next to him, leaning over his shoulder and peeking at the scroll. She wasn't one to judge somebody off first appearance but she had a gut feeling Tobirama was a nerd, she wouldn't say that out loud of course. But, Tobirama just had a presence of intelligence about him, even as he looked at her for the first time she could feel him reading and analyzing her taking in every detail and feeling her chakra to its deepest root. "Is it about kenjutsu? What style is it? Is it a two step or a one step?" She fired one question after the next.

Tobirama sighed, not in annoyance, but amusement. This woman never ceased to surprise him so far. Curious, fiery, and stubborn. So stubborn and competitive. "I'm reading a scroll." He didn't have to turn to see her small scowl her lips curling almost in a pout, she was too old to be pouting but he found it rather amusing. He turned holding back a chuckle as he was met with a scowl. "And, no it's not about kenjutsu or the different styles of kenjutsu. It's actually a scroll about fuinjutsu." There weren't many who were versed in the sealing arts save for the Uzumaki and himself, he researched extensively on all aspects of the world.

"Fuinjutsu?" Usagi blinked a couple times looking more intently at the scroll. If she had to be honest, which she was always honest. It looked like a bunch of lines and swirls and more lines and swirls with some twists and corkscrews. She didn't know where to begin, obviously it was a sealing jutsu, but what sort of sealing jutsu. Was it a powerful sealing jutsu, a low class sealing jutsu as basic as sealing weapons into scrolls? She found herself becoming more curious, and leaned in even more. "Can you tell me what I'm looking at?"

"A scroll with fuinjutsu."

"You know, you can be a real smart ass."

"And, you're very crass." Tobirama chuckled softly, there it was again that fiery side. She could be so foul mouthed but they were shinobi language was never concern of hers or his. He sighed leaning forward as he looked more intently over the parchment. "Well, where could I start?" He hummed softly, now he wasn't sure if Usagi knew much about fuinjutsu so this may be a very long explanation and he'd be repeating himself several times. "Okay, obviously this is fuinjutsu... But, unlike the basic sealing jutsus like one would use with their weapons or supplies this one is a bit stronger. The ones I just mentioned I'd put them in a 'D-Rank' everyone can use them with proper training and it's one of the foundations every clan uses however this one here is much stronger. I'd put this in a A-Rank' there's few people that can actually perform this yet alone understand it down its most basic components. There's a lot of complexity that goes into fuinjutsu, each seal is unique, and it requires the utmost perfect chakra control."

"So... If you put too much chakra or not enough in..." She shook her head, putting it together. "If you also don't have perfect chakra control, or close to it the jutsu itself wouldn't even work."

"You are an inquisitive one ." Tobirama said with a ghost of a smirk, inquisitive indeed. "There's really an-infinite amount of seals one could produce with the proper knowledge and training. It's an entirely different concept than the others. One has to be able to adapt to changes on a second's notice whether it's compensation for an added marking, the fuinjutsu could become so complex that one could perform them without a seal... But that would have a lot of drawbacks, not only would one have to maintain perfect control at all times but they'd need to adjust for the most miniscule things-a slight change in the air, a change in the wind direction, a change in one's chakra at that very moment." Of course, it was completely theoretical for one to be able to perform fuinjutsu of that level, it would require a lot of time and the right instruction if there was slip a lapse even for a second the results would be disastrous.

"..." Usagi was amazed, speechless. She studied extensively in kenjutsu and ninjutsu, fuinjutsu was never in her criteria. It also was doubled that since her clan had on more than one occasion launch full scale raids on the Uzumaki, their islands would be perfect for watch out posts as well as trade posts needless to say things didn't pan out according to the plan. "And you've figured all of this out on your own?"

"How else?" He questioned, turning to her with a questionable look-for once his face wasn't set in the stoic gaze it always was. It showed just a hint of emotion confusion and natural curiosity.

"I..." She found herself speechless, Tobirama figured all of this out on his own and even categorized fuijutsus based on their strength and complexity with no outside assistance only using his own intellect to decipher through everything. I never put much into rumors, they're just so outlandish most of the time... But Tobirama-kun... She blinked once coming out of her gaze, noticing ruby eyes trained on her. "Well, I just thought that Hashirama-kun was helping you along whenever you needed it or didn't get something..." She explained lamely, normally she had a thousand things to fire off, but now she was at a lost for words.

Tobirama chuckled softly, turning to look out his window for a moment not stopping his deep laughter. "My brother help me..." He couldn't help but shake his head at that, of course Hashirama was stronger than him, but that didn't make him smarter. In all honesty Hashirama was loud, obnoxious, and didn't know when to stop talking. Him helping with fuinjutsu, right. "I have to keep tabs on him and make sure he isn't being..." They both shared a look nodding at the same time. There wasn't any need to go further with that. "Anyways, I've figured this out on my own. Of course it's taking a lot of time, hours of extensive study and experimenting."

She was surprised again. He wasn't goading or bragging simply stating it as if it was a fact. It was a fact. "That's amazing!"

"Yes." He nodded once, closing the scroll ignoring the huff that sounded from Usagi.

"What are you doing?"

"Going to sleep." He said bluntly tucking the scroll away into a dresser by his bed side for extra insurance. "You should do the same."

"But, I was having fun." Usagi almost whined.

"Too bad." He leveled a look with her that said don't you even try to argue or disagree with me. He had much to prepare for; if a truce was truly an option and would be a success that'd be one tedious task. He'd have to deal with egos among other things mostly egos though which wasn't his cup of tea. Arrogance never got one far in life. And the Bijuu, the damned Bijuu was the biggest problem. "I'm going to sleep and you better not disturb me." He folded his arms across his chest, leveling a hard look with her, curious if she'd flinch from the hard gaze but she didn't; instead she huffed again.

"What do you mean disturb?" Usagi shook her head, she didn't care about that anymore. "You're such a geezer."

"I'm sixteen." He said dryly, lying down on his back resting one hand behind his head. Was he really sitting here going back and forth with this defiant woman who was at least four inches shorter than him? He let out a sigh closing his eyes, yes he was. But, she was provoking him into it nobody dared to talk back to him ever before even Hashirama knew when to keep his trap shut. "You're disturbing me Usagi-san, it's time to go to sleep."

"I'm not a child..." She scowled removing herself from her perch, making her way to the door. "Geezer."

"I'm sixteen." He retorted.

Usagi growled shutting the door as she strutted out. Why did he have to use logic and make that face?! "Geezer..." she muttered to herself as she made her way down a hall.

Haji raked a hand through his hair. It was rough being around such rowdy drunks-Tsugi-but he figured it was better to stay until the very end. Etiquette and all that other crap, but now he was greeted with silence and savored it. He could feel his chakra, his brother's, like a cloak wrapping around him. He stopped in front of a door not bothering to knock and entered with some hast, his eyes shot wide as his inhaled a piney aroma it was very thick. "Brother!" He coughed once, eyes training on the elder who was seated on his bed pipe in one hand taking long drags from it. "Open a window or something."

"The window is open." Syrus stated exhaling a smooth stream, letting the cherry burn. "It'll air out eventually." He waved his free hand dismissively, Haji was one to talk even from where he stood he could smell sake coming off of him. Of course he'd open the window before he began to smoke from his pipe this wasn't his home, and common courtesy would be to open the window-or go outside but he didn't feel like going out at the moment. "Anyways..."

"This truce talk." Haji sighed to himself, it's not that he was against it. But a truce, if those things had any worth their would be no wars, they wouldn't be in era of constant strife and battle. But there was the other choice which would lead to complete extermination and he knew for a fact Hashirama would have no part in such a thing. "Think it's actually going to have any worth?"

"Personally I don't." He turned back locking eyes with him for a moment as Haji made his way to wall just right of him leaning against it. A truce was a piece of paper nothing more and nothing less, it could be shredded and burned. Become obsolete on a whim. It was meager and fickle. "But, the damiyo is leaning more in that direction he doesn't want anymore death than there has been. However, these two clans have been warring for years, and have slowly but surely pushed it into his domain and show no signs of stopping." His gaze became darker.

"I see..." Haji nodded already having it pieced. "So, you'll force them into a truce and cease their conflict."

"Something like that, yes." Syrus nodded, giving him a curious look. "Is that all that you wanted to talk about."

"What are we going to do about the two tails?" Haji cut right to the chase, it had been weighing heavily on his mind, and it was natural. It was a monster of chakra, it's body, it's very basic make up was chakra. Extremely powerful chakra and it was the size of mountains.

"That's a bridge we'll cross when it comes time..." Syrus looked out his window once more for a long moment. "Me and Hashirama-san have come up with a strategy to deal with the beast. I will not let the monster do as it pleases, and Hashirama is in full agreement." He sighed out another stream of smoke closing his eyes. "For now we need to focus on these two clans and somehow forming a truce, once that is over and done with we'll move onto the beast."

"And, Mikito and the Uchiha brothers?"

Syrus smiled wolfishly. "We're destined to battle sooner rather than later." He took note of Haji's intense stare as he gazed out at the moon, it was a gibbous it'd be full in just a few days and then it'd begin to wane and the cycle would repeat itself. However, his mind wasn't on moon cycles. Haji already knew the game plan to deal with this problem while things weren't exactly detailed, it'd be a waste when trying to topple a Bijuu, the plan was still sound and in place. I wonder... He inhaled a stream, sighing it out as he focused on him. "What's bugging you?"

"I've already explained." Haji replied.

"It's Hitomi isn't it?" Syrus asked, taking note in the slightly wide eyes the quickening of his brother's breath. All of it lasted for a split second before he composed himself once more, but he seen it clearly. It wasn't like Haji to get attached he had taken on hundreds of escort missions and each time it was just that a mission, but now it almost seemed as if his mind was focused on the beautiful princess. Syrus himself never seen the beauty in person, but he heard rumors and knew well enough she was indeed a beauty. "It is." He continued ignoring the glare Haji shot at him. "It's truly a shame she has to be married to that fat swine. She would have made an excellent wife for you brother."

"Don't be so-"

"She's caught your attention." Syrus cut him off, staring with all seriousness. It was useless to try and deny that he held some feelings for her, if she was on his mind, it was definitely a daily occurrence. "I wasn't expecting this myself, but somehow she's wormed her way into your mind. But, I don't see a problem with it." Yes, she was to be married to the Lightning damiyo, but he would never have misgivings over his brother's love interest. He was still a man after all, he did have needs, no matter how composed and succinct he wanted to act. "Wolves only mate once brother, and it's for life..."

"I don't love-" Haji frowned.

"But, you have feelings for her and think of her." Syrus shrugged, emptying the now ashes from his pipe into a ashtray on his dresser, setting the piece down on top of it. "What do you intend to do?" Syrus continued, genuinely curious. He thought it would be Usagi who was smitten first, not that he would allow her within five hundred of whatever person managed to catch her attention, she was going to remain pure until she turns thirty. He wasn't kidding about that.

"Get this mission over with." Haji said dryly, ignoring both statements.

"Listen..." Syrus folded his arms over his chest. "As I said before I have no problem with it whatsoever, but understand it's going to drive you insane the longer you're away from her. It can't he helped." That's how it was, just as their father fell madly in love with their mother and vice versa this was no different than that situation. Wolves only mate once and it's for life, pure and simple. They could go the majority of their lives alone, but when they found their mate that sealed the deal.

"Not if..."

"It can't be helped." Syrus stayed firm. "You're going to go insane in time, the longer you're apart from her the more you're going to think of her. In time she's all you're going to think about, until you claim her as your own-your mate." He held back a chuckle. Yes who would have thought Haji would be the first. "But, I do agree with you this mission takes importance."

"Agreed." Haji took a deep breath, trying to push the image of Hitomi away. The way she smiled, the ways her brilliant eyes glittered with interest whenever he spoke. Never condescending or arrogant, just curious and enthralled. "What of the damiyo?"

"I don't give a shit." Syrus said with no hesitation. "He will not slight me, you, Usagi, or our clan in any way! If he does I'll gouge his eyes out and shove them down his throat before burning his entire palace to the ground leaving nothing but a smoldering ruin behind and then when I'm done doing that I'll carve a gash to his hips from his neck." He smirked wolfishly, resting his back on the soft sheets provided for him by the damiyo.

Haji chuckled at the response. "Of course."

The Grass country-was just that. Grass, plains, ever expansive ever vast. It went on as far as the eye could see covering everything, smothering everything. Of course there were trees dotting the landscape here and there, big and small naturally; but as the name-and it's namesake there was fields of grass. Not withered or dried, dying or waning, green as a palm trees leaves and as vibrant as the sun that beamed down on the Earth. It was a sight to behold truly, even though it couldn't compare to the dense woods and forests of the Fire country it was beautiful nonetheless.

However, Izuna had second thoughts on that. For hours he traveled, his eyes zoning in on grass. So much grass, it was almost nerve wracking-of course he knew it was the Grass country for a reason, but this was way too literal. "This looks so boring..." He muttered to himself, gazing around at his surroundings. Madara overheard him, biting back a sigh at his brother's statement. Yes it was boring, but he didn't care about that in the least.

"Stop complaining." Madara looked at him with a dry expression. "We'll be at the estate in a few hours."

Izuna groaned. "My eyes are sore." He continued paying no heed to the sigh that now escaped his brother's mouth, of course Madara didn't care. He only cared about getting the mission done and over with, Izuna could appreciate the finer things in life. Like scenery.

"What did I say?" Madara growled, not stopping his strides.

"My eyes are sore too." Mikito chimed in, she too as gazing around with a rather plain expression. Ten years or more passed and the place hadn't changed at all not in the least. Of course she couldn't expect the damiyo who had his head so far up his ass he couldn't see the sun if it was right in front of him to do anything, it was wishful thinking, and she felt more inclined to agree with Izuna. "This is just rather bland."

"See..." Izuna goaded with a smirk, watching smoke rise from Madara's figure.

"Look..." Madara bit out having more than enough of the whining, and he could swear that Mikito was encouraging Izuna to continue. Izuna didn't need any encouragement to be a handful, he did that perfectly on his own not including Mikito. "I don't want to hear anymore complaints!" Madara fixed his brother with a hard glare, which Izuna returned promptly with a scowl, turning his focus on Mikito he sent her the same look. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal." Mikito rolled her eyes at his blatant way of speaking, he really was a sour grape. Walking around with that scowl on his face all the time as if the world was out to get him, she wondered if there was a time when he actually smiled. Not a fake smile, but a big goofy smile. Doubtful. "We should stop soon though, there's no shops until we get to the village, and I'm hungry."

"That sounds like a good idea..." Izuna's stomach made itself known with a loud growl. "I could use a bite to eat."

"We are not stopping." Madara was firm, annoyance radiating from his figure. "We will eat when we get there, not a second sooner."

"But, brother!" Izuna was about to whine.

"We can spare a few minutes Madara-san." Mikito spoke up, glancing around for a few moments, snapping her fingers as a thought came to mind. "I know a spot where there's a lot of hares and a river nearby where we can fish." Convincing Madara was going to be impossible, he was being impossible at the moment, even Izuna couldn't get through to him.

"Hikaku-san, you're famished right?" Izuna asked, eyes zoning on one of the strongest Uchiha in the clan. The man looked slightly flustered, he did not want to be in the middle of this dispute, whether they stopped to eat or continued on their way and ate later he just wanted to get this done.

"I guess..." Hikaku replied lamely.

"Fine!" Madara almost snapped, pinching the bridge of his nose as he sighed loudly. Damn it Mikito and Izuna just had to hit it off perfectly, they just had to get along as if they knew each other for years! They just had to! Now they were both badgering him, Izuna bringing in Hikaku to the debate. "Just for a few minutes, don't test me." He said with a million threats in his voice as he glared at his brother and Mikito.

Glare at me... Mikito glared right back at him, though she cracked a smile of triumph. "No longer than an hour or two at the most.

"Even you have to eat brother, can't lag on your diet!" Izuna seconded.

"I am not a child, Izuna, quiet!" Madara grunted, folding his arms across his armored chest.

It was until two hours later that they arrived in the Grass village with their stomachs full, Madara wasn't going to admit but he was hungry himself. The estate lingered ahead like a focal point of the village; with its tall peak that had to be at least three hundred feet tall and coiling with what appeared to be gold, solid gold that was somehow twisted and coiled around the tip to the base.

Mikito held back a laugh as she zoned in on it, of course it would be prepared. After what her father did it was a miracle everything was somehow in one piece once again. She wasn't happy to be here, she despised the damiyo and made it a point not to deal with him at all but she wasn't going to let Madara do this alone, they were comrades. Even if he was a grump with a god complex, she'd have his back along with the rest of the Uchiha. "Look at that." She gazed up into the sky, blankets of orange and deep blue sheeting over the vastness as the sun began its ever slow descent. "We made it before dark."

"Lucky for you..." Madara muttered to himself, glancing around at the numerous shops, bars, and inns bustling with business. Nobody paid them much mind aside from glances and momentary stares; he was expecting fear and nothing short of it when they entered, but this was good too. It saved him the hassle of having to deal with too many people ogling.

"Madara I'm not scared of you." Mikito said dryly, turning to look at him with a blank gaze. "Must be a new concept for you... Anyways lets get this over with..." She turned her head away, striding forward at a much faster pace than before. Madara was about to retort but held it back, glad that they all seemed to be on the same page now. He took measured strides easily catching up to her.

"That's going to change very soon..." Madara said with a dark tone.

"Humor me..." She scoffed not bothering to look at him. Clearly it was new concept for Madara to deal with someone who didn't cower before him or swoon over him, well as the saying goes. News flash! She wasn't afraid in the least, she was used to the scowl, that harsh gaze with his only visible eye, no she was from scared of him. "How old are you?"

"18." He said dryly. "What does that matter?"

"I'm your senior." She stated simply. "Anyways here comes the damiyo, so pretend you like me and try to ignore his stupidity..."

She's in a foul mood... Izuna noted mentally.

"I don't need to be told what to do." Madara said with his own scoff. "Let's just get this over with."

"With you on that last part!" Mikito chorused.

"Mikito-san! Madara-san and Izuna-san! I am most pleased that you've come, early too." The damiyo who was a tall and skinny man dressed in a lavish outfit with white zori said with obvious glee in his tone. He was rather young no older than twenty six and as mentioned before was tall and skinny with a slightly pale complexion with dark brown hair that was immaculately brushed, not a single strand hanging loose or in a disheveled manner. He had light brown eyes just a hue lighter than his hair. His outfit was lavish, consisting of a purple haori, black silken hakama with a silk obi and white zori to finish it off.

"We tried." Izuna replied with an easy smile, taking the lead, noticing Mikito frown ever so slightly. "Shall we be going?"

"Yes, we should get to business." Madara seconded, folding his arms over his chest.

"Of course, of course!" The damiyo nodded in agreement. "Right down to business, I can appreciate that. Right this way." He lead them towards his towering estate. He turned his eyes on Mikito who flanked Madara with her own unit, her face set in a blank almost emotionless expression. "Mikito-san it is good to see you again after so long..." He glanced through her unit. "Where is Souji-san and Ahiko-san? I was expecting them to be with you as well."

"As Madara-san just said, we really should be getting to business not idle chatter." She almost grated out, ignoring his question about her siblings. He didn't need to know nor was she going to tell him, he's lucky she didn't rip his tongue out just saying her little sister's name.

"Yes. yes."