Chapter 5: Famine

I huffed, letting the sweat drip down my chin.

The clan was on the verge of being stuck in the devastating hole called the famine.

I pushed the wooden vehicle some more, my arms straining and aching.

Rumors went around and said that Hashirama Senju got sick, which let to him cursing the grounds to the point that all that grew were rotten fruits and vegetables. I scoffed at that, knowing that Hashirama had no play in this turn of events. If anything, he'd want to flourish the world is a garden of flavorful greens. But still, it was horrible, nothing of value seemed to grow. I had the inkling it had to do something with the tailed beast.

I had no actual proof. But a month ago, I had a gut wrenching feeling and my chakra tingled. Nobody noticed, but I sensed the chakra of the air was in a frenzy for a while until they were absolutely still. Stiller than usual. And then, it seemed like the nature around us got chakra sucked out of their system and away. Into, I theorize, a tailed beast. But I have no actual proofs. Well, in any case, they're fucking up major things because food started becoming scarce. It was already scarce enough before of the war, but now...

At least there's all this food now. I push the vehicle some more. I was with five other of the Kireha and we were 10 km away from the clan's boundaries, so we were almost home. We had good relations with some villages, so we asked for some provisions. They all gave us a a percentage of their food, for which we were extremely grateful for. Most weren't ninja villages, so a lot of them counted on us in case if bandits were to infiltrate them. Looks like our good deeds paid out in the end. So we were given 10 big bags of rice, with two crates of fruit and four crates of vegetables.

I can sense the whole clan from here and I let my teammates push the food to themselves as I went to secure the area. They grunt in acceptance and I walk away from them. I let out a long sigh and run to the lake nearby. I needed a breather away from the clan. To think properly. I stand next to the clear lake and sit by the water. I gulp as I put my hand to my head. We didn't have enough food. I clench my eyes shut, do a bit of math Yasu, think, think...

For one person to live properly, they need 50g of uncooked rice per meal. So that's 150g of rice per day. And there's around 1322 people in Kireha... so, rounding that up to 1400 people in Kireha, we need 210,000g of rice per day, or 210kg. I clench my hair and huff. Alright, and each bag that we collected has 50kg of rice. That means we now have 500kg of rice. Which means we'll run out of rice in not even three days. I remove my hands from my hair and use my fingers. Ok, so what if we cut down 150g of rice per day to 100g? That means, per day, 140kg will be consumed. That doesn't even last a full four days. But with the vegetables and fruits and some people not consuming as much, we should last a full week. I scratch my neck. And we will have a bit of remaining food.

I pull out a scroll from my pouch and trace a few villages. There were still a few villages towards the west we could try to go to. We have helped them a few times... and we could trade some weapons to some villages as well. I scowl at how easy the Senju clan probably has it now, with Hashirama. And the Uchiha, with their massive chakra storage.

I blinked as I glided my finger over a certain area.

...would the Akimichi clan help us? I furrow my brows. It would be extremely risky to go there... but it ensured that they have food. Their bloodline limit depends on it. So they would for sure have a solid income of food. And we never fought each other. Our relationship with the Akimichi was rocky at worst. When we crossed paths, we ignored each other, we never actively helped each other... but to be fair, the Kireha clan is a pretty distant clan towards other ninja clans. While we are close inside the clan, we never really talk outside the clan. I put my hand to my chin, thinking. We could't carry on asking villages for food and we can't trade all of our weapons to villages...

Maybe it's about time we got solid allies.

x

"That's a horrible idea! They'll betray us the first moment they see fit!" I shoot Roku a glare and look at Keno-sama. He's just stroking his beard, which makes Roku groan in frustration. "You really can't be considering this!" Keno-sama just hums at his complaining and looks at me. It was a very well known fact that if anything, I was considered introverted and by extension, I didn't like socializing a lot. So if possible, I avoided all interaction with anyone. That included interactions within the clan as well. The closest person I'm with is Shouta, my brother. Then there's also Soke, mostly because we're both prodigies and we took comfort with each other because we didn't have high expectations of each other. But other than that, I'm not exactly close to other people.

So that the fact that I suggested to have allies was... a bit unnatural. Mostly desperate though.

Keno-sama gave me a nod, "I will talk about it with Kin, dismissed." Roku and I said goodbye to the head and we walk out of his office. We both stand still outside and stay still. I let out a sigh and massage my forehead. I look at Roku, "I heard you got some good smokes. Care to share?" I ask. He blinks and looks at me with widened eyes. He doesn't say anything for a few seconds until his eyes soften and he gestures me to follow him. "Got some in my house, I also got some good sake." I give him a wry smile and fall in step next to him. We're both silent. I'm too tired to talk anyways. I rub my eyes, I want to sleep but I can't. These thoughts keep me awake. How many kids will be malnourished? How many will fall just because they didn't have food? How can I do better? Why am I not better?

Before I knew it, I was drinking and smoking with Roku. We still didn't talk, but we communicated in our silence.

The smoke had filled the room and it eased my mind. I knew it wouldn't last for long, but just to keep me sane for a bit longer. And the sake made me think less and made me think of the good things in life. I left his house in a better mood and selfishly oblivious to what was happening around me. Just for tonight. Just a small outlet before I need to worry once again.

x

Roku leans against his door, looking at Yasu's slumped form as she walked towards the house she shared with Shouta. Roku puffed out the smoke of his mouth and his lips were tugged into a frown. Maybe he's been misjudging her. How old is she anyways...? 21, if he remembered right. She was half his age... even younger. And yet, she's drinking and smoking like someone his age. And he knows she's seen the same things he has, those dull eyes were proof enough. His eyes lazily swooped the streets until they landed on the lit office of his clan leader... he let out the final drag on his smoke and walked towards the lit office.

x

I opened my eyes, looking at the wooden ceiling.

Another day, another push, another battle.

I take the covers off me and sit up from my thin futon. My stomach is eating itself out. It's emptiness is not the worst pain I've felt, but it sure is messing up my head. I grunt and stand up, getting ready for the day.

Once done with dressing, I walk to the kitchen and started washing my and Shouta's portion of rice. Barely 70 grams. That should be the normal portion for one person. I scowl and light the fire and start cooking the rice. All the vegetables and fruits were for the children, hence the reason we didn't have any. After who knows how long, I sense the rice being done and stop the fire. I wait for the rice to cool down. Once cooled down sufficiently, I place it all on a plate and scatter a bit of salt on it. I place it on the table in the dining room and fetched some water from the container on the street. I take my share of water in my kitchen and put some water in a glass. I send a small spike of chakra, meant to wake up Shouta. I feel him drowsily wake up. I smile softly and fetch some medicine from the cabinet and put it next to the water filled glass.

Nodding at the still steaming rice and overall set up, I put on my usual smaller jacket and walk out of my house the moment Shouta walks in the dining room.

I run out of the village with two large containers. They were used for water, and they were empty so I took it to myself to fill them up. There was a river a few kilometers away from the clan's inner boundaries, it's where the clan took the water. I fill the containers to the brim and use the fresh water to wash my face. After sensing it to make sure it didn't seem to be manifested with a disease, I drank a bit. I sighed... I stood up once more and, with the water filled containers, I went back in the clan. I do the voyage a dozen of times until a few other people volunteer and I let them do the rest of the container filling of the clan.

The sun has risen already and people have started filling the streets. I take this time to train a bit.

If Madara's latest encouter meant anything, it was that he was getting more powerful by the second and I couldn't let him run too fast ahead of me. I went behind the clan's inner boundaries, where many people used as training grounds, and pulled out my twins. I needed to improve my speed with my twins. I had to be fast, like the wind. I smile, like my chakra element, become the wind and slice like it. I ignore the aching of my stomach and continue to slice the air, each time, each slice a bit faster than the last.

x

The sun was right in the middle of the sky when I felt someone come up to me. I look behind and see Roku. I stop my training and pant slightly, "What is it?" I say immediately. "Keno-sama's calling, it's about yesterday's talk." I swipe the sweat from my forehead and nod. "Alright, let's go." We both walk slowly there, to let me cool down from my training. Once we arrive at his office, I was no longer panting or red. With a single knock, I walk right in. Roku follows suit and we both take our usual positions. Me to Keno-sama's right and him to his left. Keno-sama nods at us and leans back on his chair. "I have thought of what to write in the letter. Tell me if I should change it, or else it will be sent as said." I blink. "Letter? Keno-sama?" I asked confused. He looks at me, glances at Roku, and nods.

"Roku and I talked and we came to the conclusion that being allies with the Akimichi would be beneficial, albeit risky. Is this alright by you?"

I blink and nod, and look towards Roku slightly flabbergasted that he actually agreed with me. He ignores me and gestures to Keno-sama to say the letter.

Keno-sama does as such. Roku and I suggest a few things to be different, to sounds nicer and less manipulative. We announced how we should become allies, they would trade food for our weaponry. And that we would support them if they ever deserve it, at the condition they give us food. Half an hour later, a bird took the letter and it took off to hopefully the Akimichi. I clench my fists into each other. We needed food, let them answer positively, please.

x

The food is getting reduced at a faster rate. The elderly of the clan have been bedridden, as well as a few other adults. Three have died so far this week... so 52 people have died since the famine officially started. We are all thankful that the children are fine. It's been over a week since we have sent that letter off to the Akimichi, and no news so far. From what I hear, there have been less battles but more infiltrations. Doesn't surprise me, battles are too energy consuming in this famine. There have been a couple attempts on ninja's trying to sneak in out territory, but they've all either been scared away or killed by us.

I suddenly feel a new spike of chakra. Another spy? I close my eyes on concentration... no... it's... My eyes open in surprise and I run towards the chakra source. I look up... a white bird with a blue streak on it. I whistle to it and it swoops down towards me and lands on my extended arm. It coo's at me and I take the letter attached to it. I look at it, "Follow me, kind one." It seems to nod and it flies next to me as I run towards Keno-sama's office. I hurriedly knock and I enter. He's there, talking with Roku and Soke. They all halt mid discussion.

"The Akimichi have responded." They all send each other a look to talk about their discussion later and I hand Keno-sama the letter. I stand in between my clanmates, slightly anxious. I see Keno-sama read it first... and he slumps back on his seat, relief radiating off him. A smile twitches on my lips. He starts reading.

"Dear Kireha clan,

It comes as a surprise to us that such a secluded clan as yourself would seek for help from other clans.

While we never have fought, we have never been on the same side as well. This, unfortunately, makes us extremely wary of you.

I would like to have a fair exchange on fair grounds. Bring a fine weapon with five of your clansmen and we will bring a kilogram of food with five of our clansmen. Details will be discussed by the lake of Shihi village, the day dawn after the full moon.

Regards,

Chochuko Akimichi."

We stay silent... I... I don't know if they are conscious of the fact that they seem very naive. I settle my mind that they are and nod at the letter. "This is fantastic. Shihi village is a three days from here and it is rather secluded there, so there's a very low chance we'll bump into anyone but villagers," I say. Roku nods at me, "The full moon comes in four days, so the team should set out tomorrow." I nod back and look at Keno-sama. "What do you think, leader-sama?" I ask, and he hums.

"It is well."

That confirms it. "The best team would be Kin, Kopu and I. Kin would negotiate, and I would be there to back up if needed. I will scout for the team, Kopu is the best fighting wise and Kin will be able for strategies. What do you think?"

Keno-sama simply smiles at me and nods, "Sounds good, Yasu." I can tell by the twinkle in his eyes that he's thinking something that he already hinted at many times before. I glare at him and shake my head ever to slightly. I look back at Roku and see him with crossed arms. "I will need you to manage new dealings with the remaining villages around us. Akimichi may be helping us now, but it will take time. We still need more food, you'll be the head of that operation." His eye twitched but he nods nonetheless. I then look at Soke, "Give me the second best sword." He nods accordingly.

Now I only hope everything runs smoothly.

x

I've never talked, in my entire life, so casually and so friendly with an outsider. When we met them, they weren't smiling. They were professional shinobies and I knew that if we made one wrong step, the whole situation would end up in a fight. In which both sides would lose. And they were sneakier than presumed. We had shown each other the promised goods. We shown them one of our finest blades while they've shown us their goods. In the letter, it had said they would bring just a kilogram... but they had brought 60 kg.

The Kireha group at that point, profusely sweated. Why did they bring so much more? Should we have brought more? When Kin said we just had one blade to offer, the Akimichi grinned. 'Good,' he had said, 'it was to test if you brought more than necessary. If you did, we would have known you were not cooperating.' It was a smart way to trick us, but it was naive to have it explained it to us. We smiled politely at them and gracefully accepted the food they offered.

The conditions were then made.

We had to supply them with a hundred swords and 20kg worth of other smaller weapons a week while they would give us 3,000kg of rice and 500kg of meats, vegetables and fruits a week. And interestingly enough, they said that we should never harm, under any conditions, the Nara or Yamanaka. It was nice to see that the three clans already bonded so closely.

Of course, then came the 'if you need help, we'll come. If we need your help, you come,' ordeal. To say the least, we were all extremely happy with the exchange. This exchange guaranteed 2.5kg of food to everyone per week. It still wasn't perfect, but it was much better than what we had before. Things were finally looking better...

xx

Four months have passed since the first meeting with the Akimichi. For the first months, we have been thoroughly checking the food to make sure it was not laced with poison. But now we have been checking half halfheartedly, knowing that the Akimichi wouldn't poison us now. I was eating some rice with Shouta when I felt a spark of chakra at Keno-sama's office. I furrow my brows, "Sorry Shouta, there's an emergeny." I finish my rice and run towards the office. I don't knock and walk right in. It looks like they were waiting for me.

"The Akimichi demand back up, they have been battling with the Kohaku clan for two whole days. Gather 15 men, you are to leave to the Sgune mountains now."

My eyes narrow. "Understood, we are off."

x

It took us four hours of pure sprinting. We had started to slow down when we were 10 km away from the destination. "From what I can tell, they are all extremely tired and many are injured from both sides. But the Akimichi are being pushed and they are outnumbered. There remains 36 Akimichi and 59 Kohaku." From what I knew, the Kohaku were... alright fighters. They weren't nearly as good as the Uchiha or the Senju. Which, in extension, must mean the Kireha could push them off easily.

"First secure the Akimichi. Us ten, we will battle the fighting Kohaku shinobi while the rest will remove any alive Akimichi away from battle. Remove any losing Akimichi and fight the adversary... and don't die," I say offhandedly, knowing my clanmates could handle this. We arrive from the Akimichi's side. We don't stop to alert them that we're here, knowing that time is scarce. So we all run past them, scaring a few in the process and we all head straight to the blood filled field. I make sure to close my eyes before entering the whole ordeal and push back the leader of the Kohaku.

He seems surprised and his chakra seemed to suddenly cool down, as he recognized who we are. "K-Kireha..." he stuttered. I smirk, "Yes?" I kick him away with my feet and take out my twins. He shakily holds his own sword and I run up to him. He managed to block one attack, but he is too slow to do anything about the kick I aimed towards his neck. He falls to the ground with a grunt and I place my foot on his neck to make sure he wouldn't move. I don't know him, neither do I want to know him, but maybe the Akimichi would have some use of him alive. I hum and slam the side of my hand to his neck, knocking him out. I don't care and kick him towards the Akimichi's side of the terrain.

I turn around and see my clansmate with a few Akimichi still fighting the Kohaku. Time to help some more.

x

After half an hour, the table have completely turned and only nine people Kohaku clan remained. They fled, knowing they wouldn't be able to win.

While my two of my clansmen secured the area, I sensed all bodies for signs of life. The Kohaku I found that were still alive I killed and the Akimichi I found that were alive, I carried back to the medical area the Akimichi made. In the end, there actually were 41 Akimichi still alive. I had misjudged when I was running towards the battle, since a couple of the Akimichi were on the verge of death. I looked at my clanmates and the most damage I sensed one of them sustain was a harmless cut on the forearm. I nodded at them, proud of my people.

I located the leader of the Akimichi team and walk to him. "Hello Akimichi-san, we are glad that no more damage was done. We hurried as fast as we could when we received your message, we hoped we weren't too late." He looks down at me and nods. I'm amazed at how big all of these Akimichi are and I wonder how much food they eat daily. If I remembered correctly from my former life, they could die if they don't remain as big as they usually are. "You arrived much early than expected. We appreciate your help. We would have all been dead if it hadn't been for you and your team," he says. I show him one of my smiles. "Then we are glad as well."

We fall in silence and I regard the injured men. "If you want to, we can escort you to a certain area. You all have dealt with much damage, it would be a shame if more shinobi came to finish you off," I don't try to be gentle with my words. He doesn't flinch and my words and looks at his shinobis in thought. I knew he didn't went me to know where his clan was located, and he had definitely heard of my phenomenal chakra sensing. But he needed to get the injured back as possible before they died. He looks back at me. "We accept, we will tell you when your help is no longer needed." I nod and cross my arms.

"Then we'll carry the most injured. Please inform your shinobi of the current situation." We nod at each other and I walk back to the my clanmates who were just looking around. They all straighten up when I walk up to them. "We are to escort them for a way to ensure their safety. Carry the ones who are most injured. Us three," I point to Kopu and Fucho, "will circle the group to ensure their safety." They all chorus a 'hai' and twelve of them go towards the Akimichi and talk to the medical shinobi to carry the most injured. I look at Kopu and Fucho, "triangle formation. I take the front, you two take the back." I say to them both accordingly and they both nod. I hear the leader shout to his men and they all scurry to stand. My eyes remain closed, ever since the beginning of the battle, and I walk towards the front of the group. I gesture to the Akimichi and we begin walking.

x

They were extremely slow.

I don't know if they were slow to Kireha standards, but they were still very slow nonetheless. Even if they had this many injured people. We were on the third day of walking back to their compound when I felt a presence 95km from the group. I furrow my brows and face towards the left of where we were facing. The Akimichi looked at me, "If there someone?" he asked, a tinkle of urgency in his voice. I stay silent, trying to recognize the people... they felt calm. There were eight people... but...

I hum, "I sense eight Yamanaka to the East North. Would you like me to inform them of you?" I ask him. He blinked and grinned. We were now walking in a plain that had few patches of green and it was mostly dried up yellow grass everywhere. There were few trees and bushes. "That was would fantastic! Tell them to join us, here, as proof that you were sent from me," he gave me a small ball... that looked like food, but it seemed rather disgusting. "My name is Chun Akimichi and tell them that it was very good!" I try not to show my confusion. A... special code? I nod nonetheless and put it in my pouch. "I will be back as soon as possible," I inform him. I appear to the back of the group and put my hand on Kopu's shoulder, "Go to the front. I have a message to send to the Yamanka I sensed 95 km East of here," with no further confirmation from her, I sprint towards the Yamanaka I sensed.

x

It took around an hour to get to them. I slowed down when I was a kilometer from them. I made my chakra rise up, to make sure they were aware I was there. I sensed that they stopped walking, probably to see what was going on with me. I noticed the chakra influenced bird that glided over me, surely one of the Yamanaka too control of the bird with their mind control jutsu. Soon enough, they could see me and the strongest looking one walked towards me. "Kireha," he said coldly. I nod, "Hello, Yamanaka-san," I greet. He doesn't say anything, probably extremely wary of me, so I tell him everything. "The Akimichi were battling the Kohaku. They sent a distress call so we came and helped them. They have sustained a lot of damage. We are currently escorting them to an area before their boundaries," I take out the food ball thing and show it to the Yamanka, "This was given to me from Chun Akimichi, he said 'it was very good'." With that, I stay silent while the Yamanaka was looking at the food ball.

He then let out a sigh and I could tell from his now calmed chakra that he lessened his tenseness. "Those Akimichi," he says almost fondly. He looked at his team and nodded at them. He looked back at me, "We will take over your escort, please lead the way, Kireha-san." I nod and sense the other Yamanaka, wanting to fully register the type of chakra the Yamanka has. I survey the area to make sure no one was around and nodded to myself when I deemed it safe. I gesture to the Yamanka with my head and start running.

We took three hours to arrive to the Akimichi and by then, the sun has fallen and I could tell they started camping. Ten minutes before arriving, I sensed a Kohaku lurking around. I scowl and stop running. The Yamanaka halt beside me. "Something wrong, Kireha-san?" the leader asked. "Three Kohaku traced behind the Akimichi. They are hiding their chakra quite well." I look at the leader, "Continue forward, I will meet you at the camp once I finish handling them." I say and before I start running he comes next to me, "Do you acquire assistance?"

If I had my eyes open, I would have blinked in a dumbfounded manner. "...No thank you. I can tell you are all quite tired by the running, please hurry to the camp." And with that, I run off to where I sensed the Kohaku.

x

I arrive at the camp, spiking my chakra for everyone to know I arrive. I throw the two Kohaku to Fucho. "Rope them," I order and he quickly takes out rope from his pouch and ties the unconscious shinobi tightly together. I scan over my clanmates and see that they are a bit tired, but fine nonetheless. I nod at them, "Rest up. We are leaving in thirty minutes. It should take us four hours of running," I say to them all. They all nod towards me and at that, I leave to go see Chun Akimichi and the Yamanaka I had spoken to. They end their discussion when I approach and they face towards me. I notice idly that Chun's chakra seems more at ease now that the Yamanaka are here.

"I located two Kohaku. I don't know if you wish to keep them, but for now they are roped and unconscious," I say, gesturing towards the unconscious men. I notice how the injured Akimichi seemed to be fine as well. "Thank you very much Kireha-san. You're saved us quite a lot," Chun Akimichi says, his chakra vibrant. I don't need to open my eyes to know he's grinning. I smile ever so slightly. "Anything for allies, Akimichi-san," I say back. I could tell the Yamanka was looking at me curiously. I don't know if it was his first time interacting with a Kireha, but if his curious chakra says anything, it probably is.

"Do you want our help any further?" I direct the question to Chun Akimichi and he shakes his head. "We should be fine with our Yamanaka now," he slaps the Yamanaka's back far harder than needed that made the Yamanaka sputter. The action causes a smirk to crawl up my lips in amusement. "I see. If that's the case, we'll be going. My clanmates are growing tired." I recall the weird food ball he gave me and wonder if I should give it back. It's a bit gross to give food back, one that I touched and put in my pouch. I decide to give it to Roku later to mess with him. "Please be careful on the way back. Do not hesitate to call the Kireha for help," I nod at them. "Likewise, has a safe trip!" The Akimichi grins and I smile ever to slightly and walk back to my clanmates. They were talking silently to each other.

I let out a sigh when I come up to them and they look at me with a small smirk, "Finally socializing, hm?" One of them teases and I glare at them and nudge him. "Sure. Pack your things, we're leaving in two." They all sigh, not wanting to say that I had previously said they had thirty minutes to relax.

When we started to run back, I grew... happier. Sure, it was a hassle to help them. But... this kind of relationship with other clans. It seemed so great. Peace seemed to be within reach, for once.

woohhhhoo this is the longest chapter so far!

Short summary: Famine hit, and there's little to not food. The Kireha try to survive off surrounding villages, until Yasu decides that becoming allies with the Akimichi (Choji's clan) is a good idea as they probably have lots of food. And so, they become allies. The Kireha can finally eat somewhat sufficiently. Of course, being allies comes with consequences, hence the Kireha helping the Akimichi fight.

So, new allies. Nice nice
Man, this is getting kinda optimistic... maybe I need to change things up a little..?

14 - May - 2018

Tsuki