"Once, I also sought 'peace'. I thought I could unite the Five Great Shinobi Countries' Ninja World into one. I quickly realized that couldn't happen."

Hanzo

Yuko and Ahiko were both led to their room by Aya. From first observations she was mild mannered, but maidens weren't usually unruly. They both learned she had been living at the castle since she was fourteen-she was now twenty seven, turning twenty eight in just short of two months. She was born of low birth status her father was a farmer and her mother was the daughter of a tradesmen. Aya seemed kind and reserved, very polite, her steps were concise and her eyes brimmed with a lifetime of experience.

She had been turned over to the damiyo to assist him in anyway she could, it also provided her family with the money they needed to survive. She didn't particularly enjoy living her for well over a decade. But, she had a duty and she'd fulfill it.

It was an interesting story. Some would frown upon her,even scorn her-simply for being of low birth status. Ahiko didn't scorn her, Yuko certainly didn't scorn her. The thought hadn't even entered her head to look down on her or scorn... She remembered being scorned at-it wasn't pleasant. Their room was modest, but spacious, there were two futons folded and situated off to the left and right, there was a smaller room off to their right presumably the bathing area and bathroom. There was one window overlooking their surroundings. "Is it okay if I go and look around?" Yuko asked Ahiko, turning her eyes onto Aya a second later. She was in a castle, now it was time to explore it like she always wanted to.

"Is it okay if she looks around?" Ahiko asked Aya.

"That's fine." Aya nodded. "But, please don't go far I'll have the bath ready in just a few minutes."

Yuko didn't need to be told twice. As casually as she could she slid the door open, sliding it shut. She was getting a bit tired of seeing the sand. She had sand in her hair, in her cloak, in her kimono, and in her sandals! It was a bit ridiculous. She took a turn at the next hallway gazing at the dark walls around her, a small portion of them were covered in intricate paintings and portraits depicting individuals, plants, and animals. What overshadowed this was the sheer mass of the hallways, the ceiling had to be a good hundred feet above her, she finally came to a stop spotting a trio of armed guards dozens of meters away from her, a huge slab of stone dwarfing them. "I take it that's one guard tower." Yuko deduced while stating the obvious.

She made her way down a staircase just in a bit of awe. She was curious of her surroundings, but she was also enthralled, she was in an actual castle! The stairs lead towards another segment of the guard tower, there were only three rooms in total and there were many guards patrolling just several meters away from her. She realized that she had only explored three floors in total, but she felt she hadn't even scratched the surface of this structure yet.

Unfortunately she couldn't give herself a tour pressed for time, she headed back to her room. She slid the door open, spotting Ahiko setting her spear in one corner of the room, resting her bow and sling of arrows against and on the wall a few inches to the side. The bucket still containing the dragon fruit she set just an inch or two away. Yuko slid the door shut, stepping to the opposite side of the room and took off her high collar shirt folding it neatly brushing away any grains of sand she could spot, once she was certain it was sand free she unhooked her bag from her waist and set it down taking off her sandals next.

"I'll wash your back." Ahiko volunteered, sighing softly as she slipped off her haori, moving onto her kimono folding them both carefully and setting them aside. "It'll save us time taking a bath together, and it's not like we haven't done it before."

"Kay." Yuko nodded. It had been weird at first... Taking a bath with Ahiko at the cottage whenever they weren't taking showers, but she learned something interesting from Ahiko. The Domou had a tradition that every older man and woman take on someone as their student, there was normally a tournament held annually where the older shnobi and kunoichi would sit in and scout talent, it was a good test for the children honing their skills, and everyone had good fun seeing a great fight. She hadn't seen one of these tournaments for herself, but she knew the relationship was close to parental, they'd do everything from fight and train together to bathe. It was as close as you could get. "I'll wash your's too, then after this we can scout the nearby area."

"Sounds like a plan, Yuko-chan!"

"Right!"

Once Aya finished getting their bath ready she excused herself politely leaving the two girls alone. Ahiko took off the rest of her clothes without much of a care in the world submerging herself into the steamy water. She sighed softly as the water embraced her skin, she searched for a rag finding one to her right and dipped it into the water wiping her face. Yuko entered a few minutes later, wearing a towel over her entire torso leaving only her legs, arms, and neck exposed, she waited until she got to the tub to take off the towel and submerged herself as well.

They washed each other's back and assisted the other. It had taken much time to realize they both had sand in more places than they thought, and there was a lot more sand than they thought. Once they were both certain the other was clean they both stepped out of the water, Ahiko beginning the draining process as Yuko went into the next room to get dressed.

Yuko decided on a plain black high collared shirt and matching trousers. It was simple and basic, it'd also help the wind fan the heat from her. She then began the process of putting her up, careful to keep the strands clasped tightly and carefully tied it up letting her two bangs fall to frame her face and finish her outfit she put on her pair of sandals and slung her sword on her back. She looked herself over in a mirror. She looked like she was ready for a fight at anytime, her top was a bit tight fitting and the sleeves were loose but she was used to that. "The boys must swoon over you, Yuko-chan."

"Hahah, not at all!" Yuko laughed nervously, scratching the back of her neck with a small blush on her face. Once she managed to suppress her blush she turned and looked over Ahiko surprised to see her wearing a similar outfit to her own. Ahiko's top was pitch black just like hers, but the collar was low and the sleeves weren't as loose and long as her own, her trousers were just a shade lighter than her own. What struck her odd was that instead of her usual zori, Ahiko wore a pair of black sandals that went up just above her ankle. "Shall we go?"

"Let us." Ahiko nodded, rubbing her hand along her pocket where the slip of paper was stored. They wasted little time exiting the castle, it was pretty easy considering they didn't need to go through the winding halls of an estate, there was only one way to enter and one way out. The front gates. It took five minutes for the mammoth gates to be completely opened, and both girls raised a hand up to block out the sun. "You didn't forget to bring along that cloth I bought you?" She asked as she began to wrap it around her face and eyes leaving just enough space to see clearly and breathe fine.

"I almost did." Yuko admitted a bit sheepishly, rummaging through her pocket and pulling it out. "I had a feeling it was going to come in handy." Yuko began to wrap it around her face and eyes, stopping for a moment as Ahiko grabbed one end of it, slowly drawing it back before pulling it at an upward diagonal arc making sure to leave room for her eyes and mouth. Yuko wasn't going to say it, but she hadn't got quite the hang of tying this correctly it was a good three feet in length and two feet in width, not a little flimsy little piece of cloth like what people normally bought. "Thanks."

"Sure thing!" Ahiko chirped, clasping her spear tightly in her hand, glancing from left to right. Both of the roads went in different directions, but the scenery was the same just sand and sun. An ever expanding plain of sand hills. Ahiko decided to go right, gesturing for Yuko to follow as she began to get in her stride, she stretched her senses out kneading a small amount of chakra. Ah! She turned her head towards her left, eyes narrowing. I'm definitely feeling it right, there's hundreds of low chakra signatures, dwarfed by remarkable ones... Definitely Sarutobi. She turned towards Yuko who glanced in the same direction she was. "This may sound weird coming from me of all people..."

"Hmm?" Yuko tilted her head.

"When we encounter the Sarutobi do not show them any mercy." Ahiko said quietly, focusing on her sandals for a moment. It never got any easier that was for certain, but it was her or them, and she wasn't going to die anytime soon. She put her attention back onto Yuko, narrowing her eyes just a bit as she analyzed her for any signs of emotion. "They won't hesitate to kill you if they spot you, if you show any emotion, any mercy they're going to pounce on you. Do you understand what I'm saying? It's you or them." Ahiko grasped her shoulder firmly. "Life is painful. But, endure Yuko-chan, endure."

Yuko grimaced slightly. How could she not show emotion, they were still human? She hadn't killed since... The Mist country and her unexpected trip to that heinous land. At that time she didn't have anytime to think or contemplate the matter, there were hordes of shinobi charging towards her throwing their projectiles and unleashing high powered ninjutsus. Mercy never came to mind. Only survival. Yuko turned her eyes up onto Ahiko, pressing her thoughts to the back of her mind. "What if... There's children?" She murmured, voice being carried away by the breeze.

Ahiko bit back a sigh, she had been hoping Yuko wouldn't ask such a question. It really shouldn't have been a question, children fought alongside the adults, they killed each other. Adults cornering children, and children ambushing adults. It was a jungle and there was always one rule, always had been one rule, and that was to survive. Mikito didn't kill children, she did whatever she could to avoid having to shed the blood of a child, unlike many shinobi who wouldn't hesitate to carve from one side of the neck to the next. But, then again Yuko hadn't witnessed the full depth of the world she lived in, she had been in the Uchiha compound for most of her life rarely leaving the gates. Sheltered away from the horrors.

"What I said before still stands. Don't ever second guess it either." Ahiko spoke a bit more firmly, looking into Yuko's eyes, spotting glimmers of disbelief and even despair. The despair of having a child's blood on her hands, killed by her sword.

Yuko remained silent.

Syrus wasn't intending to waste anymore time, not a single second. He was grumpy enough that Hitomi woke him up with her downright ridiculous behavior. Now, Usagi was getting married, hadn't informed him. The elders breathed down his neck enough as it is, he had nothing against Tobirama, but there could be consequences for this hasty action. Hashirama tried to talk to him, Syrus pointedly ignored him while making his way towards Usagi's room.

He slid the door open. The room was empty. He turned not a second later and headed outside where he was more than certain she'd be. Personally he was happy for her, there would always be that side of him that was overprotective, but as long as Usagi was happy he was happy. Marriage would solidify their alliance, it would be better to take the initiative before the elders "recommended it"

The morning air was cool and moist, there was a very light drizzle. He spotted Usagi several meters away furiously practicing her kenjutsu. He smiled for a moment, she was always diligent in her training, and he could say nobody took the art of kenjutsu more serious than his sister. She didn't take notice of the two tall and long haired men for several minutes, it wasn't until she finished a side step, and turned that she noticed them. "Have you always handled a sword in that fashion?" Hashirama asked before Syrus could start questioning her.

"Yup!" Usagi nodded, beaming a smile at him. "Do you want to duel?"

"No." Syrus spoke directly, cutting the idle chatter like Usagi's blade cut the wind.

Usagi widened her eyes just a bit. There was a sense of dread that almost began to swallow her. "Brother." She started. 'I was going to tell you, I just needed time... To tell you at the right time."

"That is a lame reason." Syrus scowled.

"Well, it's her private life." Hashirama tried to defend Usagi.

"Shut up!" Syrus snapped, glaring daggers at the tan skinned Senju. He directed his focus back onto Usagi. "You know exactly why I am so upset over this! You don't anything to me, you know better than anyone that there are rules for this." He narrowed his eyes. "Don't get me started."

"Brother, don't be unreasonable!"

"Unreasonable!?" Syrus barked. "What you are doing is unreasonable!"

Usagi winced slightly. She knew he'd be upset, partly because he was overprotective the other part being their rules when it came to this sort of thing. The Subatsu were expected to be in top shape always, when breeding occurred with outside clans the 'hybrids' couldn't keep up the regimen. They were considered unfit, and thus they have always been lone wolves. She didn't agree with such... Dogmatic views, she loved her kin, did everything in her power to assure they were safe and well off, she wouldn't let something such as being half of something sway her views. "Brother." Usagi looked up at him. "I'm fifth teen. You can't treat me like I'm a little girl."

"I'm protecting you."

It struck her, almost like a sword to the back. Is he weary of Tobirama? No, of course he is. Usagi sighed softly, looking up at him and smiling. "You don't have to protect me from Tobirama, he will be good to me. This is good for both of our clans." She assured him, hoping it'd be enough to pacify him. Hashirama was looking rather uncomfortable a few feet from them trying to look at anything that wasn't the two of them. The elders could be unreasonable, they were constantly breathing down Syrus's neck, and after his last plan to relocate the clan closer to the Senju didn't go as he expected the last thing he'd need was her doing something so drastic as this. "I should have told you, but it sort of just happened. I'm really sorry..."

"You should have told me." Syrus retorted his glare not lightening one bit. He had no idea how the elders were going to react to this, and while he was the leader, the council was there to delegate and limit just how much power and control he had. He called the shots, but if the elders felt he was becoming too power hungry or corrupt and such they could in fact kick him out of that spot. He let out a ragged sigh, pressing his bangs back and closing his eyes, it was too late to do anything about now, and seeing Usagi so miserable. He couldn't crush her spirit. "Fine. Fine. I accept your decision. I'll deal with the elders." He relented heavily. Usagi grinned widely at him letting out an excited squeal and grabbing his hands hopping up and down like a rabbit. "Don't make that sound. I've told you a million times." Syrus scowled slightly. "Be ready in three hours, we're heading to the Lightning country. We are more than likely to be heading right into a trap set up by that swine of a damiyo."

"Is that smart?" Usagi asked. It was rhetorical, and part sarcasm. "What about the Hageshii wanting to form a truce with the Tachibana and Chibana clans?"

"That whole thing can and will wait." Syrus replied, he had already dealt with it once. He wasn't going to deal with it again so soon. What was next the Shaningu would want to suddenly reconsider the truce?! "I am not going to do that again anytime soon, this takes prominence."

"And... We need to see to it that Hitomi-hime-chan is returned safely to her family." Hashirama nodded in agreement, an earnest expression on his face and in his eyes. There was no way he could send her back there alone, especially if what she said before was true about more than three clans waiting for them, she wouldn't get even six hundred feet away before she was attacked. "She needs to see her family, and we're the only ones who can see to it that she does."

"Yeah." Syrus nodded slightly, looking at Hashirama for a second. "We accomplish something, so we're going."

"I'll see you in a few then!" Usagi said giving a mock salute as she carefully, slowly sheathed her sword setting the saya under her obi. She sprinted off towards the estate to get ready. Relieved the way the conversation went and Syrus agreeing.

"I'm going to inform the others if Tobirama hasn't already." Hashirama told Syrus as they headed back towards the estate at a much slower rate than Usagi who was completely out of sight. "He stays on top of these things."

"That he does." Syrus nodded in agreement. Tobirama was diligent and that was being light about it. They entered the estate both walking down the same main hal that leads into a spiral of rooms and doors.

"You know what this means?" Hashirama asked, a grin crossing his face. There was a hint of smugness to it.

"Yes." Syrus sighed softly, aware of what he was getting at. Thankfully he didn't need to say anymore, both of them breaking off into different directions to set about their tasks, Hashirama going right and up a set of stairs, Syrus continuing on forward and hanging a left at the last turn both setting about their tasks.

Syrus headed for Haji's room. That's where he'd be at this moment, if not there then he wasn't quite sure, but somebody had to keep Hitomi under control. It wasn't going to be him. "Brother." Syrus called, sliding the door open after a second of thought and focused his eyes on Hitomi for a second. He could see why Haji was taken by her, she was certainly beautiful and the light blue yukata she chose to wear looked stunning fitting her body snugly, a dark blue obi with snowflakes stitched in was tied neatly around her waist. He flicked his eyes onto Haji who had his attention centered on him. "We're leaving in a few hours." He told Haji, eyes falling onto Hitomi's for a split second-daring her to object.

"I understand." Haji nodded, standing up from his seat on the bed glancing at Hitomi for a moment. "I'll be back."

"Where are you going?" Hitomi asked.

"I need to inform the others." Haji told her, looking at the bed for a second. "You'll be coming with, we'll be leaving shortly."

Hitomi nodded. She really didn't want to go back, she had a really bad feeling. She could overreact at times, she had proven that just short of ten minutes ago. Syrus wasn't budging on the matter, and Hashirama wasn't either, they'd be going, even if they had to drag her the entire way. "Okay." She nodded, smoothing out her yukata and stood to her feet. It was time to take her life into her own hands, up to this point she was always in someone's control, first her parents, then the damiyo, then there was Cho, there was that other guy with those deathly eyes... Ajo? Perhaps this is what Haji was getting at.

"All fixed for you." The smithy reached out with Madara's sickle. The one cracked and withered wicked blade was crisp and polished, there was a night and day difference. Madara eyed the blade carefully, there was pride in his eyes, this was a fine blade. "Madara-san, this blade will make someone's head fly." The smithy added, looking at Madara for a moment, extending his arm forward with a stern expression.

It was a pointed statement. Madara nodded, clasping the shaft which in was snugged against in the center. "How much?"

"500 ryo."

Well, that wasn't bad. Madara rummaged through his pocket, having a bit over enough to cover him. "How much would a whetting stone." Madara handed him the payment.

"3 ryo."

Madara gave him the exact amount, taking the whetting stone from his hand and putting it into his pocket. It had been bugging before, now he could fix it. He turned and left heading out onto the dirt path just a few feet away from his current location. A soft chuckle escaped his lips, he caught people staring at him some with fear and panic others with anger and resentment, but most of all fear. It had been a long time coming in his opinion. They may have stopped Tomoyuki's outrageous plan, but these people would only remember them storming into the inn ravaging it.

That's where he was going next. Apparently the damiyo was ready to give them their payment. That was good news, great news, but Mikito wasn't so keen on leaving. It was odd because he felt the same too, for other reasons of course; the one and major. Hashirama. However, he couldn't let that shadow his judgement Izuna would lecture him about it.

He quickly made his way to the estate. He was certain Mikito was in the damiyo's main chamber waiting for him. She was timely, that's the first thing he noticed about her even during their first meeting. After setting the gunbai in his room and checking to see where Izuna was, evidently he wasn't in his own room. Well, that could wait. After about three minutes he stood in front of the main door, and with no reprieve opened it spotting Mikito. His eyes flicked onto Izuna was sat a few feet from Mikito. Well that was new, since when did Mikito wear this?

"Madara-san, you're early." The damiyo said with a pleased expression. In front of him were various stacks ranging from high to low and all in between covered by what appeared to be a brown cloth or rag of sorts. "Mikito-san and Izuna-san insisted that we wait for you."

Madara nodded taking a seat a couple of inches away from Mikito eyes pointed on the damiyo.

"I have your payment right here." The damiyo indicated the stacks on his desk with a sweeping hand. "I thought you'd like to know the extent to which you faced last night. The owner of Maison-ya had been in contact with the Tomoyuki for a few months now, Kinichi-the innkeeper of Maison-ya that my guards interrogated has revealed that much. In total we found 340 bodies..." He paused, hiding his grimace. It had been a grizzly and gruesome scene he had witnessed many things in his lifetime, but never something like that. There wasn't a single one left alive that was plotting with Tomoyuki, even the owner of the inn had been cut down. "We checked if anyone could be alive throughout the entire inn, but there wasn't a single one even on the brink of death. The basement was devastated, there was a hole on the floor above. Upon further observation it originated from the rooftop." He managed to smile, honestly relieved his village was safe and not scorching away in flames. "You've taken all of my expectations and have blown them out of the water. After some investigating we discovered that not even a flicker of a flame was around last night or the hours after. This has been a success."

"I'm not so keen on leaving just yet." Mikito said. "We don't know if the Shaningu were in league with somebody else, I can't leave just yet."

Madara frowned. "We've completed our mission." He told her staring into her eyes. "Anything else now is a moot point. The Shaningu won't dare to launch another attack or anything of that sort. With Tomoyuki taken care of they'll squabble amongst themselves." For Madara this was excellent, he could head back to his compound and take care of distributing the money, there was no more reason for them to stay here. The nearest clan that could be hostile was six hundred miles out away from them.

Mikito relented silently.

"I trust this will be sufficient." The damiyo uncovered the stacks of ryo. The faster they go the better...

"Certainly." Izuna nodded. It had been more than what he was previously expecting, when Madara said they would be getting paid well for their services he wasn't quite expecting this. It was more than well if he had to say so.

"Excellent." The damiyo nodded, resting his arms behind his back.

They could distribute the ryo later, for now they just had to do well to collect all of it and store it. Mikito and Izuna gave a small bow while Madara settled on a nod before they exited the room and headed for their chambers. Madara has a small sealing scroll, it was nothing major just meager supplies, he sealed their payment into it securely rolling it up. "What's next?" Izuna asked, Mikito was just about ready to leave Madara's room to go back to her own and get herself changed and ready.

"We'll head back, stop at the Domou compound first, and then our own." Madara replied. It's about time for that...

"But, we can go to your compound first." Mikito said quickly. "Maybe... I could visit the Naka Shrine?"

"Really?" Izuna was intrigued, looking at Mikito sort of in a new light.

"Yes!"

"Well, in that case." Izuna smiled clapping his hands. "We'll go to our compound first."

"Your compound is closer." Madara tried not to snap, he felt like he was being ignored. Nobody ignored him! He glared at the two, jaw clenching, his eyes snapped onto Mikito. "We'll go to yours first the we'll go to ours."

"Fair enough." Mikito shrugged, knowing full and well that it was pointless to keep going after this point. Madara had his mind set on it, and once that happened there wasn't a force that would tear him from that path. "I'll be seeing you soon."

"Wait." Madara grabbed her shoulder, feeling the need to and looked over her fully now that he had the chance. Her long and abundant hair was almost nonexistent nestled under a black garb, several bangs shadowed over her eyes, her entire body for that matter was clothed in a pitch black garb with openings on the top of her thighs and biceps showing off a little skin, she wore a forehead protector that was part of the garb itself, in the center was the kanji for 'sincerity' carved into it. He gazed at it for a moment, surprised. This was new, and Madara couldn't help but notice it fit her much tighter than her haori and kimono did. "Why are you wearing that?"

"This is the outfit I normally spar in. I was sparring with Souji." Mikito told him, blinking a couple times. When did it matter what she was wearing? Had Madara actually taken notice? "Then Izuna found us when we were done and I sparred with him too for a bit. I never got the chance to change out of this before I got here, I am now though."

"Well, you don't have to change out of it." Madara said his voice pitched with just a hint of nervousness. No it was discomfort. He had never seen Mikito's body before... He cleared his throat softly, noticing the curious and quizzical stares both Izuna and her were directing at him. "We're leaving in a few minutes, it'd take you too long to change out of that and then put on your other outfit... That weighs a ton, besides I get the feeling the damiyo doesn't want us around much longer, and I myself don't wish to prolong this any further."

"Madara, it'll only take me five minutes." Mikito insisted.

"No." Madara spoke flatly, his voice returning to its deep and commanding tone. "Just wear that, you can change when you're back at your compound."

"Fine." Mikito said glaring lightly at him. It shouldn't be a big deal, but she felt as if he won and she lost at this very moment.

"You finally listen."

"No. I am compromising." She clasped the door about to slide it open, but stopped herself. "What now? Madara?" She turned back to him, getting that strange feeling his eyes were burning through her back. She barely kept down her yelp of shock as Madara shoved his hand in her pocket and took out her whetting stone and without any hesitation tossed it out his window leaving it to clatter on the ground below. "Madara! Why did you do that!?" Mikito ran towards the window peering down at the three hundred foot or so drop.

"Here." Madara tossed her the whetting stone he purchased before. "I bought you a new one. Your's was getting pretty old and worn."

Mikito inspected the whetting stone with narrowed eyes, turning them up to Madara and then flicking them towards Izuna who gave a helpless shrug not willing to get in between them. "Thank you, Madara." She clenched the stone within her palm before shoving it into her pocket. It was small but so thoughtful, she thought it was at least considering her own whetting stone was getting pretty worn. For Madara he was just replacing her stone, for Mikito he bought her a new whetting stone without her asking him. "How can I ever pay you back?" She'd need to do something to return the favor.

"You can start by leaving. I need to get changed." Madara stated looking at her for a long moment seeing just how happy she was with the whetting stone. It was so simple and even meager, but her eyes were shining with happiness and surprise, he really didn't think it was that big of a deal. Mikito was actually happy. She really is guileless, a simpleton. He thought in silence. "I need to wash up too, so, get out."

"Okay!" Mikito said in a chipper tone, exiting the room and sliding the door shut behind her.

"Aww, look at you two." Izuna snickered, smirking at Madara. "You're working well together."

"Izuna don't-"

"Before you two couldn't even come to an agreement with the simplest of things. Now, you're buying her stuff, and she's going to buy you something next." Izuna snickered again seeing Madara clench his jaw. "Next I bet you two are going to start kissing, just like back when you two were sparring before you just had another inch and-" Madara cut Izuna off with a smack to the head silencing his younger brother indefinitely.

"Ow!"

"Enough of your nonsense, Izuna!" Madara barked, jabbing his finger at the door. "Be productive. Get out."

"Sure thing, brother." Izuna continued to snicker as he left the room heading towards his own. How much longer will these two hold off from each other? He thought with a small smirk. It was only a matter of time before their respective elders pushed for it, knowing Madara he'd want to get the jump on them, he couldn't let those old fools as he called them have the last laugh.