The morning dawned light and clear with a warmth that hinted at the dawn of summer. They set forth at sunrise with news of a bloody capture, Hakuro amongst them, nervous with excitement. This was the first time he was deemed old enough to go with his sensei on a mission. To see a killing. It was the ninth year of Hakuro's life and almost two centuries of sporadic war.

The man was captured as he fled. Kirima said he was a spy shinobi, his loyalty to Sasuke Sarutobi and his clansmen. Hakuro looked down. Bound, bloody and gagged he did not look much of a warrior. He was thin to the bone with drawn weary features and hollows in his cheeks. His black tunic was caked with dirt and blood. It was very different from the mighty Sarutobi, masters of ash and fire, from the tales Kirima would speak of during nights by the fire. They were reputed to use their smoke to sneak into homes and capture children, murder babes in their cradles and conspire in sinister pacts. Unspeakable evils performed with the accursed Indra.

Danma Sensei stood over the haggard Sarutobi with a face that was iron. Weathered by age and war, his features were rough-hewn. His brown hair was streaked with grey, giving him an air of wisdom; a white scar ran down his face, giving him a sense of dread. He removed the cloth wrapped around his victim's mouth. The man was lurched up against a tree, a kunai pressed against his throat. His breaths came in terse anxious bursts, like he was too scared to breathe. Hakuro stood beside his sister trying to look he he'd seen it all. Like he was accustomed to the suffering. The man's screams were muted by a punch to the windpipe. Hakuro winced and looked up.

"No, don't you look away," his sister whispered fiercely; her smooth features were still. "Danma will know." She gave his hand a squeeze and released. "You are old enough now. Be brave, Kuro."

Hakuro gulped and looked on. The bound man had tears in his eyes and his voice shook.

"I will tell you everything… just keep me alive. I promise, all my knowledge is yours."

Danma knelt down until his face was an inch away from his captor. "The Sarutobi have settled nearby. We have scouted a huge encampment just north of here, a mile away from our own. Just what the hell are you doing here, apart from breaking our treaty?"

"Lord Sasuke, he-he has a new wife. An Uchiha, I think. A retinue of her clansmen came with her. There was talk of an alliance, but it's false. Sasuke has retired from battle. The couple wanted fertile land, so…. they came here. They want to make a new life away from war. I know it sounds—."

The man stopped. There were fifteen of them in total, surrounding the spy. He must have felt their oppressive glares. He shifted against the tree bark looking anxiously at his throat. Danma's growl had the depth of an ocean and the sharpness of a spear. He jerked the weeping man roughly and ensured their eyes were locked.

"You lie!"

At this point the spy's body failed him. He squirmed frantically. His mouth opened and closed repeatedly, but little came out. His talk was as incoherent as it was painful to watch. Hakuro looked on.

"I'm sorry. I fear for my life, I never meant to lie. Please, let me tell you more. Just don't kill me!"

Danma's kunai was lodged against his throat. A wet trail ran down as he eased his blade away.

"Talk, dog. Last chance."

"Yes, OK. There is a new alliance, an Uchiha-Sarutobi pact just formalised. Other clans will join, but I only know of the two. Lord Sasuke knew Hashirama would be near this camp and planned accordingly. Together, the new allies plan to launch an attack. The host is still massing and there are Uchiha yet to come."

"So, there are more? Lead by who?"

"I don't know."

"You don't? How do I know you aren't lying even now?"

"I swear on my life it's true. The aim was to capture Hashirama unawares and kill him. To end a new war before it could truly begin. To end the Senju threat."

His speech was breathless and after he burst into a desperate sob. Hakuro looked at Kirima. There was no expression on her slender face, her mouth was a taut line.

"Please, that is the truth. That is all I know, on the Sage and His sons."

The gruff sensei slacked his grip on the kunai. There were more sobs and words muttered that Hakuro could not pay heed to. It was so much harder than he thought. The other children bragged about seeing their first killings. Was this what they enjoyed? The man is pathetic and miserable, Hakuro thought. There is no pride in killing him.

Danma called two men forth Hakuro did not recognise, burly brutes with a swift step.

"He is no use alive." Danma unsheathed his blade; it was slender and curved, made of castle-forged steel. It had deadly elegance and a ruby-encrusted hilt. The other two dragged the spy to a chopped stump on the ground. He had no chance to resist, his fate was sealed. Danma Sensei raised his katana high and the blade drank sunlight.

"In the name of Lord Hashirama, Head of the Senju Clan and my master, I pronounce you dead. Have you any last words of honour."

The man's face turned so pallid he looked dead already. He scanned all the people around him and eventually his eyes landed on Hakuro. They were so wide, stretched to an inhuman size. He let out a shrill cry that made Hakuro's hairs stand.

"My life—"

The two men pushed down so he could not squirm and Danma arched two clean hits on the neck. A third, and Hakuro saw the head of the man roll to the ground. It stopped at Shiritama's feet who laughed and spat down. Shiritama was a youth of fifteen, lithe and dark-haired, who found a joke in everything. Blood poured in the grass smearing crimson on ivy. Danma wiped his wet hands against his tunic.

"We are done here; our mission is complete but there may be others. Best not to tarry here. Move!"

The journey back to the village felt cold. Hakuro leapt in the cover of leaves with trees blurring past him. He jumped onto the next branch and crouched down. He clutched his stomach; he could feel a build-up in his belly. A blink later Kirima was beside him and held his shoulder tight.

"You were brave, Hakuro. I am proud of you, but you don't have to pretend anymore. Let it out."

Hakuro obliged and leapt to the ground. A stream of thick green bile emerged from his mouth and he licked his dry lips. He shouldn't be like this; he was too grown to act like a child. Blood and death were the natural order of the world. Yet, he couldn't shake the queasy feeling he felt when he locked eyes with the man. A man about to meet the Sage. His sister helped pat the last of it out. He was still uneasy but strong enough to stand. Hakuro leant against an oak for support.

"Kirima, why did that man have to die?"

She blinked in confusion; to her there was no ambiguity about the necessity for the death.

"Any enemy to the Senju warrants death unto themselves. Besides, he was also a traitor."

"A traitor?" The word struck.

"He forsook his loyalty to Sasuke Sarutobi. He told us the truth hoping to cling to his life. A ninja who values himself over the good of his family is not fit to live. Our shinobi values are what make us better than animals, he broke those."

"But he told so we would know more. He helped us, sister."

She cocked a brow. "So, what are you saying, Kuro?"

Hakuro didn't know what he getting at in truth. It just didn't feel right to murder a man who helped them.

"We could have… kept him hostage."

Kirima shook her head, her long black hair swaying. "No, not with the amount of knowledge he had. What if he ran back and told the Sarutobi? Our mission would have been fruitless. He had to die, Kuro."

"I see," Hakuro said, but he still didn't understand.

Kirima frowned and raised his head. "Come on, Kuro. This was meant to be a happy day for you. Your first mission means you are a man and now you have seen Danma Sensei killing, you know how to do it yourself."

Hakuro thought on that. The only way to grow used to death was to see it until it didn't hurt. He supposed that was his next phase in his training, the next phase in his path as a true shinobi. Hakuro smiled weakly.

"I suppose."

"Kirima, Hakuro! Where are you, Danma Sensei is seething. You need to get here fast."

They looked up and heard footfalls among the trees. It was the familiar voice of Shiritama. He came leaping with an excited look on his face. "You two need to hurry, you won't believe it. Just further up, we found something big."

Scattered around the undergrowth and twigs were a cache of valuables. They were almost certainly Sarutobi. Routed maps, sharpened kunai, gleaming swords and armour placed in small wooden strongboxes. All around there were dried red splotches on the ground and a flag bearing a clan symbol was covered in dirt. A kunoichi spoke first.

"Where did these come from?"

"We didn't see them on our way here before, they must have been recently abandoned," Shiritama added. Hakuro looked around. The other boxes were slightly broken and they looked light enough to carry by one person.

"They probably belonged to that man and he must have dropped them during your pursuit, Sensei," Hakuro said. Danma looked at him and smirked.

"Yes, that would explain one but not the others. Were there any more shinobi with him? Another allied clan, perhaps," Danma held up the dirty flag. "This is the symbol of the Inuzuka, there could be some of them prowling the forest."

"There were no others when we got here. They might have sensed us coming," Kirima said.

"Or the sneaky bastards sniffed us out, Sensei," Shiritama said.

"Well, all this would add credence to what the dead man said. They were probably scouting beforehand to get a good idea of the terrain," the old man rubbed his chin. "There is still work to do. We need to see if we can find anything we might have missed. Look around and return here when you are finished."

With that they went off and searched.

Leaping around the surrounding area confirmed what the group all but knew. This seemed to be the site of a previous Senju-Sarutobi skirmish, the signs were tell-tale. Bloodied armour, dulled swords and bodies. Lots of bodies deep in the forest where the thick of battle was. They fought but lost and now these lands were Senju. The region had no Sarutobi left, only their remains.

Hakuro was heading back to the gathering spot when he heard a noise; it was a sharp cry. Kirima? Imagining the worst, he leapt in the direction he heard it and leapt down. The undergrowth was thick in these parts and the trees seemed to clash to form a shadowy green canopy. Hakuro walked with caution as he advanced scanning his surroundings. That was when it leapt out.

Teeth bared with a frantic look in its eyes, the animal growled and stalked to the lonely ninja. Hakuro held his hand in front of it, whatever it was. He'd never seen anything of the like; bristling red and black fur with eyes like gold, it looked so gentle. It had to be the tiniest thing he had seen, too. I can't just leave something like this here, he thought. Hakuro smiled and approached it cautiously.

"It's alright," he whispered. "I'm a friend. Friend, see?"

He was close enough to touch so he stroked its back gingerly. It seemed to be calm despite its wild looks. Reaching for his pouch he produced a piece of bread. It had gone stale but it was all he had. The animal chewed and the growling stopped. It was small enough for him to carry so he knelt down and cradled it in his arms. I suppose you want more, huh? It nibbled contentedly at the food offered and licked Hakuro's face. It seems I've made a new friend. I wonder what I'll call it.

The others were gathered near the cache. Hakuro knew they would be upset at his tardiness. When he dropped down their looks of frustration shifted to fury. The sound of scraping steel rang loud.

"Wild Ninken!"

"Kuro, drop it now!"

"Sis, it's not what you think," he stroked the animal's mane trying to temper it. Hakuro could feel its belly rumble. The others were having none of it. Danma Sensei surged forth and his blade flashed in the light.

"Are you mad, boy? Did you not hear your sister? Drop the beast, Kuro. It's Inuzuka, no good."

"He's not a beast, he's mine," Hakuro blinked furiously. "I won't let anyone harm him. Not even you, Sensei. You'll have to cut us both down if you want it!"

Danma froze. Hakuro was blinking back a sea of tears and clutched the wolf-fox by his chest. Shiritama stepped in front of Danma his hands wide and his face genial.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. This has gotten far enough. We've already lost too many Senju, let's not kill each other now. Personally, Sensei, I don't see the harm in keeping the runt."

Hakuro's face flickered and he looked at Shiritama who stared at his bundled arms. He is my only hope. Shiri must have felt his eyes, he turned back to Danma who looked viciously at both of them. The blade was still raised.

"Sensei, it won't be an issue. Besides, Hakuro won't keep it for long; we know he isn't capable. Let him prove us wrong. He feeds the pup, washes it, keeps it fit. He can milk it, even. Just leave it be."

"It's a wild animal. It could be dangerous," Kirima said.

"Does it look dangerous?" Shiritama pointed to the little creature, now sleeping despite the tension.

Kirima softened. "Well, I don't want that in our home, Hakuro. Do you understand?"

"I don't care, I'll sleep outside with it. I'll feed it, I'll milk it, I'll do anything."

One of the burly men laughed. "Damn, kids. Let him go, Danma. If it does anything we'll cut it first chance we get."

There was a long pause. Everyone was still and quiet except the little wolf's silent growls. Danma Sensei sheathed his blade. "Keep up, Hakuro. I won't wait behind."

In a flash he leapt away and the others followed. Shiritama turned and winked before jumping into the air. Hakuro held his new pet tight and they made their way back home together.

The recon group skipped through branches. Their route was short and lead them to the banks of the river Hiroi, south of a huge mountain range. On an outcrop the bright world opened from the dimness of the forest. Rolling hills ran abound and in the backdrop a mountain loomed like a sleeping giant. Hakuro was home again. Outsiders called it a village, but it was more of a town. In the shadow of towering trees were buildings of wood and stone. Their slated roofs of thatch turned gold in the sun. A sea of tents of all hues lay outside the town's wooden palisade. Crowning the settlement from a lofty spike was a Senju banner, limping against the wind.

Walking through the gates the thrum of life awakened; children ran through mule trampled roads, traders screamed their wares in the open to passers-by. The familiar scents of hot pastries left Hakuro's mouth watery.

Past the forges where steam billowed and smiths bellowed, the group made their way to the Senju headquarters. It was as strong a fastness as any of the Fire Daimyo, carved naturally into a jutting outcrop over the river. Danma reported their findings and the others heaved the boxes into the chamber. A square-faced senior commander looked at the bounty with a smile. He clapped Danma heartily on the shoulder, who didn't know how to react other than to snarl. They spoke a little more until Danma was dismissed.

"Leave now, but don't be away too long. I want you back here in an hour we still have more to do. Our findings were big and the commanders want to declare a meeting soon... "

Hakuro was half listening, half playing with his new red-furred friend. He ran off when dismissed—but not before customarily bowing before his sensei. Donning his simple woollen tunic Hakuro already knew where to go.

Just beyond the town lay the riverbank. The sounds of laughter and splashing persisted here, where play was rampant and lively. It was a good place away from missions. It was also where he found Butama Senju. Both boys were the same age, born a day apart. Already he stood four feet with a lazy tumble of black curls. He was running from Hakuro as he chased him with his new pet by his heels. Before long they were sat in the shade huffing after a good exercise.

"That's a nice... dog, Hakuro," Butama gasped. "I don't know how they let you keep a wild ninken."

Hakuro grinned. "Shiri did all the work. He convinced Danma Sensei that I couldn't do it. It worked better than I could imagine."

"Are you actually going to take care of it, or will your sister have another mouth to care for?"

Hakuro frowned. "I'll do it like I said I would. Besides, it can't be that hard. It seems like a smart pup."

"Has it got a name? You can't just call it 'It' forever."

"Hmm, not really. Maybe I should ask sis."

"Where is she and my brother?"

Hakuro grinned. "She's tried to find a new hiding spot away from the town, but I know where she is. Come on."

Near the rear gate of the town, through a stream Hakuro led Butama up a grassy hill. Silently, they followed the path he'd memorized through dense foliage. Kirima wasn't looking, but one day Hakuro had managed to sneak up on her whilst she and Shiri were off training. She thought the two were alone and Hakuro would have stayed had he not been too afraid. Today he had Butama, though.

Now he could see his sister and Shiritama sat close together. The grass was emerald and the overlapping trees formed a wide barrier from the sun. Hakuro looked playfully at Butama and the boy nodded in comprehension. They snuck through hidden by grass, quiet as can be, and sprang up on their siblings.

Kirima and Shiritama shot up like arrows.

"What are you doing here, Kuro?" she was hot in the face. "Shouldn't you be off playing with your little dog or whatever?" She sounded slightly flustered and shifted into a seated position.

"I want to stay with you. We need to come up with a name for it."

Shiritama and Kirima gave each other a tired look, then she sighed.

"OK, fine. I guess."

Hakuro whooped and tackled her aground as she sat. He had always seen the four of them as a family. Kirima was his blood sister, but Shiritama and Butama were the brothers he didn't have. Shiri could be an ass too, (as Danma Sensei would say), but he was the only one who defended him when the other kids had mean ideas. Hakuro would always love him for that.

The foursome lay sprawled on the grass picking through names. Hakuro didn't think he could be so demanding but all the names offered just didn't feel right. He'd hoped at least one person could come up with a good one.

"Goku," Butama suggested.

"No," Hakuro replied.

"Kamu," Kirima added

"No."

"Kirā," Shiritama tried.

"No."

Kirima giggled.

Shiritama eyed Hakuro as he lay. "Hey, on the topic, Kuro, you remember that Sarutobi? Oh, the way his head fell off. The way he begged for his life," Shiri laughed.

"Oh, you saw one. How was it?"

"I was watching him, little brother. There was no colour in his face at all and he looked away too. Hmm," Shiritama sat up and shot a questioning glance. "You… you weren't scared, were you, Kuro?"

"No," Hakuro lied. He was terrified.

"Shiri, what are you doing?"

"I'm just saying, Kirima. He looked a bit pale when he saw the head roll off. He might have been scared, might have thought his headless body would rise from the dead!"

Butama clutched his stomach and rolled in laughter. Shiritama turned to see the ninken growl deeply. Hakuro raised his voice.

"I'm telling you I wasn't. It was just my first time. Stop it, Shiri."

"Oh heavens, you absolutely were. You're almost a man, Kuro. You can't be scared of a man's insides-ow!"

"Shiri, stop it. It's not funny anymore," Kirima looked at him with a stern expression.

Shiritama held his hands up. "I was just joking. He knew that I was joking. But then again, it would fit in with what my bro was saying about you."

Hakuro's eyes widened. Butama cocked his head looking at Hakuro then his brother. "What?"

Kirima eyed him and grinned. Hakuro probed for answers. "What did Butama say?"

Shiri shrugged. "Well, I wouldn't want to upset you again. It's really not a big deal, ignore me," he whistled nonchalant. Hakuro leapt up like a hare. He shook Shiri and glared into his eyes. It did the trick.

"Alright, alright, I give. Between me and you, he says his Water Dragon is way better than yours. Incomparable, really."

He wouldn't have said that. Water wasn't even Butama's natural element. It was the technique of Lord Tobirama, mightiest ninja in the world. Hakuro was personally devoted to learning the jutsu of his idol. There was no way Butama beat him to it. Still, Hakuro wasn't going to let a slight go unpunished.

He gave Butama a glance. Butama shrugged.

"I never said it, but it is true, Hakuro. I mean, my ninjutsu is way better than yours and you know it."

That was all he needed. He shot up pointing a finger at his friend. "Prove it, then. On the Waterfield."

Both boys dashed away leaving their siblings behind. It was time to head back to the Waterfield. That was where the two played, relaxed and battled; their most exciting duels took place there. Butama as Ashura, Hakuro as Hamura. It was away from the other children in a small, shallow pool. The perfect field for battle where neither took the vantage point.

Now they were both ankle-deep in the wading water. They stared intensely at each other preparing for their showdown.

"I'll go first," Hakuro declared. He was the one proving himself, after all. He knew the task before him. It was a jutsu even the older boys had a hard time mastering, one that took complete focus. Danma Sensei said he had the potential to be a danger, where it not for his lack of chakra control. That required focus, which was Hakuro's foil. Now, he wouldn't let anything get to him.

The Water Dragon required twenty-three hand signs to cast properly, a trial in itself. Hakuro memorised them sometimes before going to bed and made it into a song. He was humming it to himself as he readied his chakra. The warmth coursed through his body, his arms, his fingertips. Hakuro raised his hands.

Hakuro closed his eyes visualising the signs and he sung. "Ox, Monkey, Hare, Rat, Boar, Bird, Ox, Horse."

His hands moved rapidly, almost independent. All forty-four seals seemed to be streaming through his mind into his hands.

"Dragon, Bird, Ox, Horse, Ram, Tiger, Serpent."

He was deeper into the sequence and he felt confident. He could feel his chakra building with each word.

"Ox, Monkey, Bird, Rat, Ram, Dragon!"

Hakuro had fallen before he could realise.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"

A wave of chakra emitted and sent the water beneath his feet soaring. Hakuro lost his balance and fell back onto the ground. A wave washed over him bathing him in its cold embrace. Instead of a dragon, the water jumped and rained down on him. No, I was so close! What went wrong? Was it the control, the amount he released? Did he not have enough chakra? Hakuro knew he should have trained more with Kirima. What a stupid, rookie mistake.

Just as he was beating himself up, Butama's voice added insult to injury.

"Oh, good one. You scared me, you know. I almost thought you could pull it off," he leapt into the stream. His hands were together.

"Now, watch and learn."

Butama stepped into the Waterfield. His hands moved as a rapid blur, but each sign was coordinated. Hakuro could the same seals he memorised. Where did he go wrong? He got his answer as Butama finished the jutsu sequence.

"Ox, Monkey, Bird, Rat, Ram, Bird! Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!"

Winding to the sky the water took the form and snaked into a dragon form. It was long and meandering like a snake, with horns and pointed teeth. Without hesitation the small dragon crashed before Hakuro and launched him off his feet. He landed with a thud on his back; the pain raced up his spine and he yelled out.

"Don't whine, I wasn't even trying, Hakuro."

Butama released the jutsu and everything went back to normal. The banks of the stream were soggy and Hakuro got wet mud on his trousers. He was soaked to the skin and the chill made his shiver. Spitting out some water he looked at Butama with narrowed eyes.

"Liar," he said wiping mud of his palms and shaking his soggy tunic. "Don't be proud for too long. I only slipped up once, everything else was perfect. When I master that jutsu, you'll regret ever challenging me. That's a promise, you hear me," he raised his voice and pointed at his friend. "A promise, I'll make sure to—"

"Hakuro, heavens almighty!"

He had heard his name a lot, but hearing it now made him shudder. On instinct he shot up, wiping the dark hair from his eyes and straightening his stance.

Danma Sensei had his head in his palm.

"Didn't I tell you? I needed you to return to the headquarters now. Damn, look at you."

Did he? Hakuro didn't remember that. The old man gave Butama an evil glance and pulled Hakuro forward.

"Not even the Sage could talk sense to you. Had your fun, have you? Well hurry up because we are needed."

"We?"

"Yes, you and your sister, wherever she is. As my students and companions in the field, your presence is required. You're a man now, Hakuro. Start acting like one."

Danma looked him up and down, his face contorted in disgust.

"Now pat yourself dry and move your arse. We don't want to keep Lord Hashirama waiting."

Inside, the hall was packed with shinobi and the place was brilliantly lit. It was a finely furnished room, with scrolls in niches, statues and lamps that hung on the wall. Hakuro jerked at his tunic. It clung to him like sap and every time he pulled it got worse. He kept on anyway.

"Stop, Kuro. Seriously."

Hakuro glared up. "It's annoying, though."

"You are being a pest. If you didn't want this, maybe you shouldn't have played with water. Gods you are dull sometimes."

"But you're the one who told me to go. Besides, you're just upset because of Danma Sensei. You hate when he berates you and you knew going too far from town was wrong."

"That's enough, Hakuro. I mean it."

There was no use in arguing back when his sister had that look. He crossed his arms and huffed in defeat, but still defiant. He would have to ignore the dampness even though the more he thought of it, the more it annoyed him. Then, all voices hushed. A burst of wind flowed into the room and all eyes turned to the large entrance doors. Hakuro saw how everyone stood and genuflected then hastily followed them. His sister gave him a side eye that could cut metal. Her face seemed to say "Behave yourself, Kuro". He bowed his head. When they rose, he did and that's when he saw who entered.

Sat at the head of a raised table was Lord Hashirama. He wore a simple yukata and a wide kasa. On his right was Lord Tobirama Senju in an indigo elaborate kimono. Hakuro tried to contain his smile. Lean and fierce, he looked like every true shinobi should. A calm demeanour that carried a fierce aura.

At the Clan Head's left sat a refined looking lady with a pair of red-headed youths. It was probably Lady Mito Uzumaki, a kunoichi from the island nation of the east that Kirima spoke highly of. She had a tall, regal poise and a golden tiara woven in her hair. She looked more like the princesses Hakuro had heard of in the south. He found himself inexorably drawn to her.

Hashirama rose and looked down from the raised platform.

"Please, be seated," he said.

Everyone in the room followed suit and sat down in the wooden tables arrayed within. Their attention was still affixed on Hashirama who sat down and spoke further.

"Much has happened for the Senju and it all seems to be good news. The reconnaissance missions of the morning, headed by Danma-san have yielded frightful news. The Sarutobi are near and they are not alone."

The words got audible discord in the room and there were excited mutters.

Lord Tobirama took the reins. "Yes, Sasuke has an Uchiha bride and is poised for attack. Not a day's ride out with further numbers. We have adequate troops for their current forces but not a full assault. However, we have the grace of foresight. They plan to attack with a full force in two weeks but we won't give them a week."

Hashirama motioned to Danma who sat near the centre of the hall as denoted his middling rank. Hakuro sat near the rear of the room, but he was close enough to see the old sensei's features change. He stood and saluted the Clan Head.

"Danma-san, do you know who is currently leading this Uchiha contingent?"

"I believe that would be unknown, my lord. The Sarutobi spy was not that informed, apparently. I believe it could be a major commander, however, given the nature of their alliance and attack."

Now Hakuro heard those familiar and feared names.

Izuna, Madra. Hakuro swallowed.

"No matter, you still know the direction of the village and the safest route," Hashirama continued. "I want you and your team, in an act of goodwill, to head to the village and await Lord Sasuke, if he isn't there. Tell him we know of his plans and declare there will be a pitched battle in the field before the week is over. Let him know—"

"Lord Hashirama!"

Tobirama's voice cut like steel. Danma stood astounded. Kirima gave Hakuro another side glance, even she was baffled.

Tobirama cleared his throat. "Clan Head, I believe there is little use in letting him know our intel. This should be covert. We cannot waste the only advantage we have."

"Lord Tobirama is right, dear," Lady Mito added, "though our clan numbers are low, we still have enough force to fan this Uchiha-Sarutobi flame if done the smart way."

There was a pause. The advisors had said their arguments but the decision was left with the leader. Hashirama was still for a moment then looked at the table; his ostensibly deep reflections culminated in a "I see."

Pleased with the answer Tobirama resumed. "The attack is imminent but it must wait. There is another matter of importance that must be settled first, to give us full strength. My young nephew is betrothed to the Hyūga princess. Danma, I am certain you know their dwelling quite well?"

"Yes, my lord."

"I thought as much. The Hyūga have always been ambivalent where our interests are concerned. Intermittent wars with the Uchiha have made them quick enemies, and any enemy of the Uchiha is our ally. An escort is required on the journey to Castle Hyūga where our alliance will be sealed. Young Muzo will be adopted by there, as is customary, and in exchange we will receive a dowry and sufficient manpower. Only then can we make our final attack. Danma-san, I am trusting you and your team for this."

"It would be an honour, my lord," Danma bowed in deference and was permitted to sit. There was a fervent buzz of excitement and anticipation that permeated like a fog. It had been years since the last war, no doubt there were many eager to prove themselves in battle. This time Hakuro would get to join in the fighting too. Danma Sensei's new responsibility meant a new adventure.

Hakuro could not deny he was extremely excited.

The day wound to a still, cool darkness. With the working day finished Hakuro and Kirima headed home. A squat building of wood, it was enclosed within a small gate. Inside the crude furnishings a pot hung above the hearth spreading the strong scent of mint tea. It was poor but it was home.

Brother and sister sat in the garden against a beech. Hakuro could see the sun descending beneath the horizon, with trees reaching up like twisted hands in the deep purple skies.

"You have to be fit for tomorrows journey, Hakuro. Go to sleep."

Kirima nudged him and tried to make him leave but Hakuro shrugged her off. He pressed himself against her.

"I want to stay with you. Just a little longer."

Her sigh admitted her defeat. She wrapped an arm around him and stroked his back. Hakuro smiled and nestled into her chest. He felt sheepish for admitting it to himself, but he liked Kirima's motherly embrace. It was warm.

He felt a moist friction against his ankle. Looking down he could see his new pet licking gleefully and his tail wagging furiously. I still haven't named him, Hakuro realised. He couldn't keep it nameless like Butama said. It had to have meaning, though. It had to connect with his deepest desires, that evoked joy whenever it was said. A name that would kindle his greatest hopes.

"Kiri."

"Yes?"

I've got one," Hakuro chirped.

"Got what?"

"A name, one that is special and means something. Kibou," Hakuro smiled. "I want to call him Kibou. It's something I can cherish."