She found her trembling and in tears. Hiding behind a merchant stall not knowing what she saw. Coming upon a terrible scene of bodies covered in their own blood. She was reminded of the past and how the war devastated her own home. It made her hesitate to continue forwards without the aid of the badger that pressed his head into the back of her leg. All thought of the past had to remain in the back of her mind. There was no helping those that were already dead. All she could do now was help those injured or in shock from what was happening.

Her servant held Asumi close to her chest as she tried to comprehend what was happening around them. Saying reassuring words to the frightened woman To calm here in such pressing matters, but there was something more to this than what Tsubaki was lead to believe.

Tsubaki went to one knee with Po keeping watch for any coming danger. The threat of these creatures still clung into the air with the mixture of human blood. It made her sick to her stomach on how heavy the blood lingered. The badger kept his senses sharp and teeth slightly bare. He was not going to let anything happen to the healer. Without the Uchiha by their side, Po was all that she had.

"Oh, garden rat. It was terrible." Asumi said with a sniffle. Thoughts remembering something that kept her trembling.

Tsubaki held back a twitch of the eye. Even in her distress, Asumi still calls her by that wretched nickname. Po growled loudly which caught the women's attention quickly. Asumi held back a Yelp as and tears began to fall. The makeup that she wore ruined by her tears. Tsubaki slowly turned her head to see the creature running towards them with bloodlust in its crazy eyes. It's canines dripping with human blood and waiting to feast upon more flesh.

"Run!" Tsubaki shouted. She did not want to be caught anywhere near those canines.

She grabbed hold of the two terrified women by their clothing and pushed them in front of her. She may not have been their best defense at the moment, but it was all they had. Tsubaki could keep an eye on both women and try to save as many lives as she could. There were many scared villagers and there were those trying to fend off any remaining creatures.

Po attacked the creature before it even had a chance at a hunt. Puncturing the creature with his teeth. He grabbed the skin around it's neck and made it fall by his own weight. Tsubaki feared for Po, but knew he could handle his own. Badgers were fearless and Po was strong. Tsubaki should not think the worst of her friend. He was there when she was learning about herbs. When she needed help adjusting to seeing others die. Like Tokiko, Po was a friend. She could only pray for his safe return through this madness.

She prayed Tokiko, Ami, Ikko, Izuna and Madara pulled through.

Do not die on me. She thought with the image of seeing Madara once more.

Asumi and her servant ran behind one of the stalls in the market place. Tsubaki stood in front of the merchant stall, having seen a small knife near a cutting board. The Gods favored her with luck. Thought the knife she held was small, it would have to do for now. There was no telling when and where another creature would attack.

"We need to head for the house of healing." Tsubaki said in between breath.

The two women were silent and looking to Tsubaki for their courage. The healer had to remain calm in this situation. To cause more panic was to lead to them to their death. She held onto the small knife within her grasp and urged them to move forwards. Once they made it to the house of healing, from there she could asses many of the villagers wounds and began the healing process.

"Let's keep moving. The sooner we move, the sooner we can be in safety." She said with reassurance in her voice.


There were many of the villagers seeking shelter within the house of healing. Many had injuries, bruises, and scratches, but they would heal. Tsubaki let out a sigh of relief and thankful for many villagers still living. Though, she felt sorrow wanting to overcome her level headed exterior. Her body was shaking from exhaustion, but she had much work to do. She prayed that the creatures would be eradicated from the village as it looks that there are a few dead caucuses lying about waiting to be picked at by the buzzards that smelled death.

"Lady Tsubaki." One villager spoke in a terrified voice.

Tsubaki took a moment to blink and noticed the villagers looking to her. Wanting to find comfort in her words and medicine. She managed a small smile through the exhaustion she was feeling. With all thought of the days events passing, Tsubaki knew she had to take care of the wounded.

"Where is Koga?" She heard a villager say.

"Why has he not shown his face?" Another spoke.

Soon, she began to hear the whispers grow about the absence of Koga. A curious thought as Koga should be defending his village against the attacking creatures. Did he run? Was he dead? No one was certain on their absent leader. Tsubaki herself was curious as she saw him before the creatures attacked. Did he know? If he out there? Did he leave his people and daughter to die?

Tsubaki tried not to think of the worst in most people. But with Kora accusing and even seeing her as a threat to a marriage, Tsubaki could never forgive that man.

"He left us to die!" They were beginning to panic.

From the way the villagers were speaking, Koga has not been seen and they began to look to Asumi for answers on the matter.

The poor woman was being asked questions. She trembled at their onslaught and had to hide behind Tsubaki. After this day, Koga would not be the leader fof this village. Wherever he was hiding, Tsubaki claimed him a coward. His own daughter was out here, still in tears and shaking. Tsubaki felt what she could only describe as feeling sorry for her. what would Asumi know of death? Of being left to survive? Tsubaki walked looked tk the villagers who conntjnued to pester the woman.

"Leave Asumi alone. She, like the rest of you have been through enough. Her father is the only one who needs to answer your questions. Not her." Tsubaki spoke, feeling the courage within her. Burning with passion as the thoughts of many years past reached the surface of her memories. Where she came from. He family being killed. Her village burning into smoldering ash. Tsubaki was not going to let the flaw of a leader decide their fate.

"Now, I am the only healer here at the moment. If we could all remain calm, we could recover." The villagers backed away from questioning Asumi. The woman almost felt kind of grateful for the healers interference. Though she was always mean and berated Tsubaki, Asumi could see why Madara wanted her.

She tamed the madness within him. Within that killer stare of his that haunted her. It scared her and she would be damned if she ever saw his face again. It did not matter if he was the clan leader or not, Asumi wanted nothing from him. His looks were a blessing and power sought after, but when he killed...

Asumi closed her eyes. The tears kept falling. She was tired. She wanted this to end.


There were only few who could ever place Madara Uchiha on his back. Only few who would even dare place their foot upon his armor. Breathing deep with angered thoughts and clenched teeth, Madara Uchiha was like a dog whose belly was exposed to the pack leader. The curved blade was embedded in his shoulder. Tearing away at tissue and bleeding profusely. His vision was becoming blurry from blood loss. But his opponent was not going to kill him. He was going to let Madara feel the pain of his flesh being torn.

He was going to feel the pain of death.

Watching with those milky dead eyes. Unable to savor the moment of killing a foe many have sought. He might as well cut off Madara's head and parade it for all the shinobi world. He was a true opponent who killed with perfection. Without sight, he was at an advantage that many would take for granted.

Unlike the opponents he has come across, Madara just would not lose. Even if the pain would burden him forever. Why could he not land a blow? Why could he not draw blood? Those doubtful questions in his mind seemed to hide somewhere. Was he scared? No, that could not be. Madara Uchiha was never afraid of an opponent. That was just not possible.

He is like a demon. His subconscious spoke.

Those dreams that haunted him. Seeing those eyes stare at him before they ended up killing him. His voice calling out to him even in death. His heart raced wildly. Soon he will choke on his own blood. The taste will always linger on his tongue. The devastating effects upon his body will forever change him, unless he goes against the odds of facing his fear. Never has Madara feared such a man. A boy by his standards. A true killer with eyes that might see through.

Don't die. Her voice was a whisper.

Saif could feel the struggle of Madara. His chakra flaring and trying to protect his body from the danger of death. The Uchiha clan leader was a fighter. A stubborn and powerful fighter. But without his sharingan, Madara was reduced to a shinobi with much power to his will. If only he could understand the gift of sight, maybe Saif would have enjoyment of fighting Madara Uchiha.

"You are weak." Saif spoke. Maybe taunting him would bring out the true fight. The true anger. That darkness that is hiding underneath his flesh and bone.

...

Ikko could not believe what he was seeing. His leader. His prideful leader was known his back with a weapon sticking out of him. If he wasn't so injured, Ikko would be assisting his leader. Never has a shinobi giving Madara trouble. This was unheard of in the shinobi world.

He moved his body by an inch, but was met with pain still. His will to go to his leader was causing his heart to race. Regardless of his injuries, Ikko had to do something. He just fucking had too! Madara Uchiha was the strongest shinobi in a powerful clan. And yet, a blind man was besting him.

What can I do? He thought. All his options looking bleak.

He was not going to witness his leader die.

...

Madara clenched his teeth tightly. How dare he! How dare he claim him weak!

He placed his hands on Saif's leg. Putting as much pressure as he his strength was dwindling. Madara Uchiha was a man not willing to give up and be beaten. No, he was going to get back up. His body could take as much damage as he was willing to make no matter the sacrifice.

Saif kicked the side of Madara's head with his other foot. Blood spilling from his mouth from the powerful blow. Though, Saif felt the repercussion sending pain up his leg. Madara did not let the kick get the better of him. He may be hearing a ringing sound in his ear, but he focused enough chakra throughout his body. Saif noticed this increase in the shinobi's body and with a curious glance wanted to see what he would do with so much power.

"I am not weak." His eyes shifted back to the sharingan.

Saif jumped out of the way with eyes wide. Madara still had enough strength left in him to pull out the curved blade from his body. The pain of his flesh being pulled as muscle contracted and veins pumped out blood; Madara swung the weapon close enough to land a strike on the blind shinobi's chest.

Saif was surprised, but lucky to get out of the way of his own weapon. Madara took a sharp inhale of air that coursed through his pained lungs. His body trying to recover as quickly as one could. His red eyes staring dangerously at his opponent, who was already running towards him.

Throwing away the useless weapon to the side, Madara caught the shinobi's fist that was aiming for his jaw. Using his lean body, Saif turned his back to the Uchiha leader and elbowed the much bigger shinobi in his injured side. Grunting, Madara still kept a firm hold on Saif no matter the pain. His back was towards the Uchiha leader and that was all he needed to get him to fall to his knees. But, Saif was not going to allow such to happen to him. Moving his body quickly, Saif twisted himself back to facing Madara and placed an uppercut to his jaw.

Moving out of the way of the attack, Madara had to let Saif go.

"Stubborn one to die. Stubborn one to give in. You are weak." Saif taunted.

Madara held back an animal like snarl. Saif could see the frustration itching it's way up to the surface. This fight has gone on for too long, he noted. There was no telling when Madara Uchiha would give up. If he would give up. No matter.

Focusing his chakra to the soles of his feet, Saif sprinted off towards Madara at great speed. The Uchiha leader was able to focus on the shinobi and blocked when Saif kicked him. He was losing his strength, Madara noticed. Was he growing tired?

Saif was panting hard and flinched with every step. His wounds might be reopening causing irritation upon his skin. This could be the advance Madara was looking for. Thank the Gods! He rushed towards Saif and grabbed the blind shinobi by his neck with enough of a grasp to cause Saif to gasp loudly. Finally, Madara had an advantage.

Not wanting to savor the moment, Madara's tight grasp around Saif throat was enough for the Uchiha leader to throw with enough force far enough some distance away. But, through all the adrenaline, Madara had made a mistake.

Saif was thrown towards the village and crashed into something. A mistake Madara would later regret. Not one for wasting time, the Uchiha leader turned his attention towards his fallen comrade. Noticing the injuries Ikko had sustained. Time waited for no one. With Saif a threat to the villagers, Madara had to make a quick decision.

"Lord Uchiha." Ikko spoke through gritted teeth.

"I will be fine. That blind bastard needs to be stopped." Ikko knew the importance of protecting others. Madara did not had to be told twice to leave. Ikko was a true fighter and would be rewards for his efforts. For now, the village needed an eradication.

Madara fell to one knee. All his strength leaving him. His body trembling and the pain festering. He could feel his conscious telling him to continue. To kill the blind shinobi. His blood would spill today. His blood would feed the Earth. God's be damned! That darkness was rising and showing itself through his anger. Through his hatred.

Let it out! His thoughts yelled.

His eyes looking straight. His heart beating fast. There was no controlling this monster. It was ready to be released. His wounds will heal, but for now, Madara Uchiha was going on a hunt.

And it scared him of what he was becoming.


Izuna placed his foot on the tree branch. Using the momentum of his speed, he jump to the next as the chakra energy around him was bursting with power. With every step on a branch he took, he was getting closer to helping his brother, but two figures below him had stopped in their tracks.

It was Tokiko and Ami.

Izuna jumped down in front of the women, startling them. They looked worn. Tired from running and needing to rest. What did they witness? They were not used to such troubles, but with the price of war looking over their shoulders, some just had to get used to the idea.

"Izuna." Tokiko said between breathes.

Izuna was thankful to seeing the two women out of harms way, but Ikko was with them. Where was he?

"Ikko? Is he alright?" Izuna asked fearing the worst of the situation.

Ami opened her mouth to speak when something made a loud crash and smoke appeared in the sky. Their eyes stared at the smoke for a moment. Izuna had the urge to go back to the village. He should have stayed, but he had to make sure his brethren were well.

A fool! A damn fool.

"Ikko is alive. Please go to him now. He cannot move." Ami said.

Izuna clenched his fists tightly at hearing her words. Whomever was behind this madness was going to pay. Unfortunately, Izuna did not know of the severity of the situation. No one knew, for behind the smoke of a broken hut, the blind shinobi stood tall. And standing before him, three large jackals growled with drool dripping from their fangs.

War had come.

No one will leave this village.

All will die.


AN: The battle just begun. So much in just one chapter. Where is Koga? What will happen to the villagers? What about Ikko and Izuna? Well, find out next time. Thank you for the favorites and alerts. It be awesome to get a review or two. I kay post the next chapter on new years or some time in January. Merry Christmas to everyone and happy holidays. See you this coming year. I am sorry I leave you on a cliff hanger, but it will be worth it.