Chapter might be a little short...But, Irma is supposed to be here soon, so I figured I'd better get this up while the getting is good! This should clear up everything with the Senju that deserted and defected!

There's still a quote.

"Pain was the one who killed Jiraiya Sensei, but the more I think about it, the more I believe he was killed by that disorder that gave birth to Pain."

Minato Namikaze

Satoshi always maintained respect to his enemies, even when it came to the Uchiha. He wasn't like some of his kin, that believed they were superior to the more solemn and vengeful Uchiha. It was wrong to believe one was more superior than the other, in his opinion. They both had their faults, and they both killed just the same. The Uchiha were rigid and strict, it was like that down the board save for the children who haven't been indoctrinated by the same dogma yet.

The Senju weren't really any different.

This is especially true when it comes to the elders and older generation of Uchiha and Senju that are so set in their ways that they continue the same indoctrination and perpetuate their hatred onto the new generation. He wasn't a stranger to their dogma and had been subjected to it growing up-of course he couldn't stand the Uchiha, and it went beyond the enmity between their two clans.

He couldn't stand what the Uchiha stood for nor their ways. For the Council it was just saying the Senju are the Uchiha's greatest enemies-the same old shit that they've been saying for centuries. The elders had pushed the very same thing.

For him it was the Uchiha's way of life-the way they idealized power. The way they were so arrogant and proud. The way they believed they were superior. How they'd always think so low of those not of Uchiha blood.. There had always been this tendency among people to hold the Uchiha above the Senju because where the Senju were talkers, the Uchiha were all about action.

It was one of the things he had hated the most.

But, he could see that The Senju were no different from the Shimura, the Sarutobi, the Nara, the Uchiha, and every other shinobi clan.

Of course, the Senju were far from perfect in their own right. They had been in a cycle of peace and conflict for a few centuries now and it was only getting worse and worse. They had allowed slavery. They made slaves out of POWs. They had enslaved their fellow kin, and put a caste system within the clan adding even further division between each other. There had even been a main family.

It caused even more division.

This was just the division with the influential families of the Senju. There were families that had no one out on the battlefields-that were not part of the warrior class and were more towards the bottom. They had weak family members, and thus they had a weak bloodline. Only those with a strong bloodline had privileges that others didn't get. A strong bloodline meant strength.

He never did support such ways, but there couldn't be division within the Senju. His father and others grew weary of such ways, they tried to put an end to it. His father tried and failed, in the end the leader before Butsuma never listened, and the Council wasn't any better. They collided with the leader, and vice versa. It led to important topics being talked around.

He didn't hold his father's actions against him, or the Senju that followed in similar footsteps. He had grown up listening to the dogma in his generation and as he grew up he became more and more like the typical Senju. It's a common belief that the Uchiha were opinionated, and it was very true, but there was more to it than that...

If they were wary of something, or felt superior, or felt they were right...

There was one thing worse than a warlord Uchiha, and that's a power driven Senju.

For what it is worth, he did oppose the Council and the leader before Butsuma. The first time he opposed the typical dogma was when he let a camp of Uchiha go, rather than marking it down for an attack. It had been children his age-nine, and younger, with at least one hundred adults. It was a sizeable camp. A real threat. The came was found in the end, and the inevitable battle ensued-the death toll was high, and only a few Senju and Uchiha escaped with their lives.

He had been one of those few.

Satoshi traced his eyes around. Lanterns hung on every corner of the wall offering just enough light to see everything, and a few candles staved off any shadows nearby. This wasn't what he had been expecting from the Domou. The room he was in was a room to start with, and not a cell. He had thought the Domou would throw him face first in shit and lock him a dark cell.

He had been wrong.

Still...He wasn't the only one present anymore, and that's what was making him anxious. He didn't care what happened to himself, but he wouldn't stand to see a child or infant of the Senju being killed. He'd sooner offer his own life, then let the life of a young one be taken. He was old. He only had a few more decades to live. The Senju children he seen were three and four, seven and nine-there were newborns.

He wouldn't stand for anything wrong befalling the Senju woman...

"Such killing intent. You paint two different pictures, Satoshi." Ahiko said.

"What's going to happen to them?"

"Whatever my sister and the others decide."

Satsohi frowned visibly. "I thought you Domou don't kill children."

Ahiko tensed. "We don't. We will kill women, though."

"Why do you think I'm lying? My kin have told similar stories as I."

Mitsuki clasped the hilt of her sword, eyes locked on the Senju. "Stop jabbering."

Satoshi didn't quite ignore the threat, but he wasn't going to shut his mouth. There were lives at stake. "Tobirama is riding on the cotails of Hashirama's success and power. He is taking advantage of both. He is not a second in command-he is not the commander of the Senju. They are both going to put the village above the Senju, the children of the Senju will mean nothing to them!"

"And, you think coming here was a good idea? Mikito doesn't trust the Senju, you drew your sword on Ahiko. As it stands, you should already be dead. We could have killed you all on sight. The only reason the predators didn't devour the other Senju is because of us."

"Right now, Hashirama won't think of killing a child. He won't think of killing Tobirama. But, when he sees his village becoming a reality, and when it is threatened...He will kill a child or his brother. He'd kill both, no problem. Mark my words."

Mitsuki had half a nerve to draw her sword, and almost did. She didn't want to hear about children being killed-it was a perfect way to lose her temper, and Hikaku, who was in the next room over, would be quick to remind her about control. Satoshi was being bold, though, and it wasn't arrogance. He was speaking his mind, and laying out facts. He was saying things that he believed.

That is as far as they got.

Two seconds later-people entered.

Satoshi couldn't hide his shock and surprise. Seeing Madara and Mikito was always something that rattled him on some level. In battle, together, they could bathe the land in fire. Seeing Souji was just unnerving. The man always wore a stony expression and was extremely brusque, on the battlefield he was a shadow of speed and power balled up into one.

However-it just wasn't Mikito and Madara that he was seeing.

It wasn't just Souji.

Saki Namikaze.

Diashiro Shimura.

Kosuke Shimura.

Katsumi Shimura.

Akari Kurama.

Chie Yuhi.

Yumi Haruno.

Mimori Nohara.

Keisuke Domou.

Takeo Domou.

This is where they had all been.

Mikito got the jump on Hashirama...

Satoshi set his eyes on Ai, consciously keeping his mouth closed.

The...Terumi are here...As well...

"I'm done dealing with this fool. See ya." Mitsuki waved everyone off as she sauntered out.

Madara shook his head, exasperated.

"That woman is very crass." Saki observed, blinking with an amused smile.

"I'm going to ask a few question, and I want answers...Senju." Izuna said, tone low, turning the focus back to the present-he steadily walked towards Satoshi.

"Actually, you may not." Akari scowled, cutting him off. "No offence to you, Izuna-san.

"I don't understand."

"Your hatred for the Senju is well known." Chie remarked, not quite standing in his way.

Takeo tapped his bo staff on the floor, slowly making his way over until he was at the helm-just a few feet from Satoshi. Everyone parted a path for him-they weren't ignorant or brash enough to get in his way. He carried a bo staff, and he can damn well use it. He was also in his nineties, and people like him are venerable and should be respected.

It didn't stop Izuna from crossing his arms-Sharingan glowing violently.

"Takeo-dono..." Keisuke started with a frown, demurring. "This used to be the right hand of Hashirama, next to Tobirama. No other people like him have come here, they've got them reined in good."

"I believe we can use it to our advantage."

"Who is to say that this Senju won't defect or desert? He might leave with our secrets and go back to the Senju." Kosuke muttered, ever cautious.

"If he swears to follow our code and ethics, he will have to suffer the consequences. Should it come to that." Yumi said, shrugging her left shoulder.

"That is about as simple as it gets." Daishiro agreed, holding the gazes of everyone present. "And, if he is a spy, he will die anyways."

"Satoshi can you tell us all without any hesitation or reservations that those Senju in your old compound will continue to be steadfast as they have been? Now that there has been an internal split? Can you tell me those Senju who stayed behind will not harbor ill feelings?" Takeo asked.

Satoshi bit his lip. It was hard to answer with clear certainty. There'd be Senju that would have hard feelings, but defections and desertions could be a common thing. It happened all the time while Butsuma was leader, though, division leaders were also leaving. That didn't happen this time around. Hashirama and Tobirama had them reined in good-the procedures of the Senju had them reined in good.

"Senju have always defected and deserted. It happened during Butsuma's reign. All the time." Satoshi said.

"You're not answering the question." Izuna snapped.

"The civilian population, which is all here, never contributed to anything. Before Hashirama became leader, they were slaves. The shinobi and kunoichi that are here, are also not of high importance...Not like myself." Satoshi said firmly, not letting his voice waver for even a second.

"Can we believe him?" Mimori asked, eues observing Satoshi.

"No. He is hiding something." Izuna insisted, tone as threatening as his glare.

"My reasons for leaving are my own, and I will not speak on them. Hashirama and Tobirama know why I left, and that is enough." Satoshi didn't flinch as he spoke.

"Bring me a Senju child." Madara ordered, keeping his voice level.

"I'll get on that." Souji nodded, leaving the room.

"You better stop fucking around." Kosuke said, voice low.

"There's no need to get one of the children. They can't do anything! What I say is the truth. I was concerned about Hashirama consolidating power-there are Senju that are yielding to his belief, which differs from our own. I couldn't stand it any longer!"

"You sound sincere, but that is part of being glib." Mikito remarked, eyes hard.

"Are you really going to kill a child? I thought the Domou don't stand for such things and you're a bleeding heart!"

"I'm afraid you are missing the point."

Satoshi cut his eyes, biting his tongue. He wasn't sure what Mikito was getting at or wanted him to say. More importantly, he wasn't sure what he should say to her. Any little word seemed like discord at this point in time, if he were to speak. He'd never felt such an overwhelming, unsettling feeling in all of his life. He felt Mikito's inclination to kill him, should he step out of line.

Is this why she had to moniker and reputation that she does? It made more than enough sense. There was just no way to simply discuss matters with Mikito. Certainly, if things were casual, she'd be more than lovely, but things weren't casual between them. They had fought, and she had her distrust of the Senju in general. Butsuma and her clashing-Butsuma and Mikito's parents clashing, really didn't help things, and then there had been the incident with Tsuka-Butsuma's wife and the mother of his children.

Butsuma was a tyrant. He was mean, belligerent, and abusive. Morale had been low among the ranks. Many plotted to kill him. He'd punch children, both boys and girls. He'd try to abuse Tsuka, and she'd always fight back. The man just caused chaos and discord. Tsuka had enough, she had enough after she gave birth to Kawarama. She was going to defect and desert like many Senju had been.

She was going to go to the Domou compound, and he wasn't sure about the details...

Butsuma never spoke on it after things imploded and exploded-he barely escaped the melee with his life.

Tsuka could still be alive, or dead...He didn't know.

He could do nothing at this point in time...

"It seems you are starting to concede, Satoshi-san..." Saki said with a faint smile, staring into Satoshi's dark eyes for a long moment before turning away, hearing the door open.

Souji brought in a Senju child that looked mortified.

It was a little girl on top of it. She couldn't be older than ten. Certainly, no harm would come to her, but Satoshi didn't know that. He just knew the Domou would go into a rage about such things, and that is all.

He didn't know they were all bound to the same code and ethics.

So, when Madara grabbed the Senju child and held a kunai to her throat, Saki didn't move or react. This was all a way to get Satoshi to be honest-totally honest. To not hold anything back. Would he maintain the shinobi sect way, or would he steer away from it?

"I'm going to give you one last chance to be completely honest, Senju..." Madara stuck to tip of the blade to the girl's neck, applying nowhere enough pressure to even break her skin. He only had to do the motions, Satoshi would do the rest himself.

Daishiro and Izuna both drew their swords, setting them on the girl's trembling shoulders.

"You're not going to come in here and cause discord. I know how you Senju operate. You will start speaking of certain ideals, and playing with emotions. You will only find death if you dare to do that." Izuna bit out.

"Lie and this girl dies." Daishiro added, stonily.

"You even cut her-"

Mikito punched him in the mouth, effectively cutting him off. "Enough. Get to it."

Satoshi's expression lost any of its clearness and was replaced with biting bitterness. He didn't want to speak on the issue, but it'd seem he had no other choice or alternative at this point in time. If he didn't concede, the little girl before him would be killed-there was a chance, and he didn't want to risk her life. Some Senju would sooner let their kin die, but he was not one of those Senju. He loved his kin dearly and did everything he could to preserve them.

Tobirama trying to make a move on the Subatsu, was something he couldn't forgive. He couldn't forget. He couldn't forgive Disuke for stepping over his own boundaries. But, the man supported Butsuma steadily. While he didn't agree with Hashirama's policies, Tobirama's blatant unilateral decisions, and Hashirama supporting those decisions was also a severe problem.

Overall, he didn't want to get into his personal reasons for leaving.

They were personal.

But, he couldn't run the risk of this Senju child being killed.

"My personal reasons for leaving..." Satoshi paused, heaving a breath-truly, he felt old.

There was an old saying. Mission and revenge. Business and personal. Whenever something was personal with shinobi, it led to catastrophic things happening, or said person or people lashing out. Shinobi had to choose at times-to complete the mission, or to aboard the mission and take revenge. Both were favored heavily, but it depended on the clan and the clan's regulations to thereof.

He always separated personal and business. Mission and revenge. There was no sense in throwing his life away. Many young Senju ran into battlefields, inviting death, believing they were dying for a greater good. They were only dying in vain.

Shaking away the memory, he turned his focus back onto the present reality.

"Tobirama and Disuke were coming to disagreements with myself, on many things. The power structure of the Senju is complicated, because the Council has a lot of sway, and their wishes are supposed to be carried out. A while ago, some Shimura attacked Senju near the compound, and I accompanied Tobirama. The only thing is, the Shimura were earth clones, and in your land and the Subatsu's-yet, Tobirama was going to carry out the deed. Disuke supported him. Hashirama is too weak willed, and Tobirama is too brash and pragmatic-Hashirama will always yield to him."

"And, what of the elders?" Takeo broke the suffocating silence.

"I believe the ones that have gathered here are wary of the possible consequences..." Satoshi trailed off, eyes roaming towards Mikito.

He didn't want to say anymore than was strictly necessary.

"I've already discussed that with Hashirama." Mikito said sharply.

"Nonetheless, that is their reason for coming here." Satoshi argued. "Hashirama is pushing his boundaries."

Madara blinked, crossing his arms over his chest. His eyes remained fixed on Satoshi, studying him and his every breath. He hadn't heard any Senju use that, despite all of things they were saying-they didn't come right out with it like Satoshi just did. Hashirama is pushing his boundaries. There was something dangerous about that small, very simple statement.

The Senju supported Hashirama and Tobirama, and under their leadership...The clan was proving to be a very real threat. But, there were people like Satoshi that weren't reined in, and that didn't agree with Hashirama or Tobirama. They were few and far between, but they were still there.

"What do you mean when you say 'Hashirama is pushing his boundaries'?" Madara asked, tone low, but stoic.

"He's founding Konoha. He's collaborating with Shisuke. He's speaking with other clan leaders. His focus isn't on the Senju anymore, and our peace, but on the Elemental Nations itself-the Fire country. He wants to rival and equal Shisuke in power. Konoha will operate separately from the Capital. The Hokage will have full control over the village, but the Fire damiyo will always have the final say. It's a power struggle, one that I believe Hashirama is going to fall prey to."

Souji looked off to the side for a second. "Political power."

"Exactly. The Senju have strived for peace, but it is a peace pertaining to our clan. Within the confines of our compound's walls. Peace can't be achieved outside of this. For that peace isn't peace at all, but violence against others. We will believe ourselves to be a powerhouse and distance ourselves from death." Satoshi didn't take his eyes from the ground.

"You say that, but the Senju have always been antagonistic." Akari commented.

"There have been tyrannical and other such leaders in the Senju's history. it's why the Council was formed..." Satoshi trailed off.

He was really beating an old bush here with the statement. Every clan had a Council.

Even the Samurai had a sort of Council.

"It is in the shinobi's nature to pursue strife." Madara stated. "Even this little girl will grow up to follow in the same footsteps."

"I've told you everything!" Satoshi snapped, wary and tired of seeing the Senju girl shake.

Izuna drew his sword. It was a flash, barely visible. Satoshi could only flinch away from the cold edge and grunt as he felt it press against his neck. He didn't focus on the blade itself, but the blistering eyes of Izuna.

Mangekyo Sharingan.

"I should burn you with Amaterasu, however, that'd be a waste of an opportunity. Ai brought up a good point before." Izuna shifted forward half a centimeter.

Satoshi held still as he felt the blade pull against his skin, before finally breaking it. Some blood began to ooze from the wound.

"I still don't trust you, and I don't trust any of the Senju here...Even if they are civilians and minor shinobi, you are all too good with your mouths." Izuna said softly, though his expression was one of anger and even tension.

Satoshi was careful not to move a centimeter. Izuna was the only one aside from Madara to awaken the Mangekyo. He didn't use it as much as Madara did, but he was just as powerful. Truth be told, Izuna could crush a foe with just a mere glance. He wouldn't need to even lift a finger nor would he have to execute a jutsu-the Mangekyo alone was just that powerful.

Still, he didn't back down, and stared straight into the eyes.

Showing fear or hesitation wasn't going to do him any favors at this point in time.

"What would you all like to do then?" Takeo asked without a second thought, shifting his focus onto everyone present.

"Satoshi and the Senju here with him are all proving a point to the other Senju in the other compound. Their reasons for coming here all mirror each other, I just don't think we'll get a straight answer out of the rest of them like we have with Satoshi." Mimori said, gently rubbing her chin.

"We should test him, more." Madara said, releasing the Senju child. "Take her back."

Ahiko nodded, quickly ushering her out.

Mikito smirked when she seen the faintest creases of relief in Satoshi. Did he really think she'd allow a child to be killed or harmed? His concern was a little understandable, considering Butsuma wouldn't hesitate to kill a child, and a lot of shinob wouldn't hesitate for that matter. However, they got what they wanted out of Satoshi, so they no longer had to play that part.

"Did you think I'd let a child be killed or harmed before my very eyes?"

Satoshi grimaced, shaking his head. "No."

"I think we should be a little more...Open minded." Saki said.

"What do you mean by that?" Madara questioned.

"If Satoshi and these Senju intend to stay here for the rest of their lives, they'll have to follow the code and ethics. If they go against them, they'll suffer the consequences. Their reasons for coming may have some significance, but the point remains...Right now, they are here, and they are willing to do what is necessary to live here. Considering our trajectory, having a clan like the Senju among us will be nothing but a boost."

Izuna narrowed his eyes, barely snarling. "I think you're being a little too optimistic, Saki-san."

"Well, we don't know until it happens. We can have all the Senju line up like we did and recite the code." Saki reasoned with a light shrug.

"That is if they even agree to do it in the first place." Daishiro added.

"If they don't agree they will just take their leave. What do you say, Satoshi? You will always be a Senju by blood, but once you agree to follow our code and ethics, you will be Domou. Domou in spirit." Takeo's tone was soft, as was his gaze-which was pinned on Satoshi.

Satoshi didn't have much choice in agreeing, nor did his kinsmen. Hashirama would forgive them, and allow them back in the compound. However, Tpbirama and other Senju wouldn't be so forgiving. They'd start giving them certain tasks or duties, start to alienate them from everyone else, and even show clear dislike for them. It was something common among the Senju and why a lot of people said they are a clan of more than one face, or two faces, depending on who was speaking about them.

The saying came from this fact. On the appearance, Tobirama may appear to be cordial and have no hard feelings, but alone, or just in general, the man would show his bias. His actions and words didn't line up accordingly, and he could be a hypocrite. The hypocrisy ran wild in the Senju, and was coming to a head with Hashirama-who would kill a child to protect Konoha.

Satoshi wasn't going to think any different either.

He wouldn't follow such a man.

"I agree to it." Satoshi said at last.