I would think that he's already seen through your heart, and is simply playing the fool to use you. He yanks on the strings of your cheap pride and you dance like a little marionette.

Hajime Saito

The sun already completed its ascension, and was now at its highest point in the sky, blazing like a beacon and smothering the ground with unbelievable heat. The Fire country was known for many things, its lush forests and moist undergrowth, the powerful clans that inhabited the area, and more importantly its heat. While the other countries such as the Earth or Water were much more barren and colder environments the Fire country was springing with vitality. From the tall trees that stretched to the clouds, to the most undergrowth which shrouded the forest, and lastly the heat that smothered that land mass nearly year round it was truly a spectacle to see with one's own eyes.

"I hope you don't mind, but I added Toka-san and Disuke-san as well, both are very skilled." Hashirama said with an excited, yet solemn tone, donning his dark red war armor, his long hair like a dark curtain swaying gently in the wind. He walked at the head of the group alongside Syrus, Haji and Tobirama behind them, all donning their own armor but Tobirama's had to be strangest since it was a dark blue next to Usagi's which was a dark green, almost forest green made to blend into the foliage around them. "And, it's really too bad you couldn't relocate." He looked crestfallen, he was looking forward to having a welcoming part and everything for Syrus, not that Tobirama would agree. But, while it was good for an advantage in battle, he really wanted it for the unity between their two clans.

"Of course not, we're putting on a demonstration." Syrus replied as he kept his eyes trained forward, kneading his chakra just enough so he could sense around them, but since Tobirama was a gifted sensor he didn't need to do this, but one could never be too careful. He seen too many people die to not keep his guard up and stay aware at all times. "It's just a bump in the road, nothing to fret over." Syrus waved off Hashirama's crestfallen feeling of the relocation, in truth he was angry. Beyond angry himself with how things turned out, but he had the entire night to vent his frustrations and was reigned in now. "Moving forward, we are aware of the situation at hand."

"Yes." Tobirama spoke up for the first time since they began their venture which had to be a good three hours ago. He was content on listening to his brother and Syrus go back and forth while he made a constant sweep of the area, checking for any strange chakra signatures, mostly Uchiha since they were bound to be around. Both leaders, and second in command moving at the same time, if he was intelligent, which he was, he'd take that chance and go after them. Usagi glanced at him, interest in her eyes, for as long as she knew him Tobirama was a man of few words.

"The Shainingu clan and Hageshii clan are currently in the middle of a battle that has been going on for years, until now they've kept their strife outside of the damiyo's territory and its boundaries, but now the battles have made their was passed the boundaries." He was well versed in clan histories, the Hageshii from what he studied and what his father told him before he was killed; they were a violent clan, they were barbaric and attacked first before asking questions. Even if it meant that civilians who were not shinobi were in the middle of their targets, the Shainingu were a fierce clan, but never actively sought out conflict, though if they were pushed they would attack.

"The Hageshii, I'm not surprised." Hesui muttered to himself remembering the times he crossed paths with them in his younger years.

"Our objective is to put an end to this fighting," Tobirama continued looking at his brother carefully before continuing, he knew Hashirama could get hyper emotional and adamant with situations like this, he wanted to avoid casualties at all costs. "The damiyo doesn't want a battle breaking out, so it's up to us to see to it that these two clans get whatever it is squared away, we will begin the negotiations tomorrow. We will meet with each leader individually." He paused, feeling Usagi's gaze piercing through him, he turned his head looking into her round and bright eyes that were beaming with confusion. "Question?"

"Why don't we just meet the two clan leaders at the same time?"

"There's two sides to every story, and meeting with them individually will allow us to view each side without bias." Tobirama replied in a curt tone, not taking his eyes off of Usagi. "If both leaders were present during this, there would be too much of 'you're playing favorites' or 'you're on their side' by doing this we avoid that whole mess, while being able to look at both points and then come to a conclusion." Usagi nodded a few times mulling it over to herself in her head, Tobirama sounded convincing, really convincing. She couldn't find anything wrong with the plan moving forward, he made a good point on them meeting with each leader separately. It'd avoid many hassles as he just said, but then again her brother would rather wipe out both clans if it came to it. This was a much more sound plan she had to admit.

"I see. Sorry for interrupting you." Usagi said a bit sheepishly, but she would rather ask and be informed, make sure that she had all the facts and possibilities down pact before going on the mission.

"It's no problem." Tobirama said in a dismissive manner, though he couldn't scoff at her for wanting to know the details of the entre situation. She was very astute. "Before that however, we have the demonstration to complete, and the feast which the damiyo promised would be ready for us upon our arrival." That two things he was looking forward to on this entire thing, getting the chance to have good ol swordplay with Usagi, and the feast; he wasn't one for all the formalities of the occasion but he couldn't deny the hospitality.

"Thank you brother." Hashirama looked back at him with a grateful smile, nodding his head curtly. In all honesty he forgot about most of what was expected of them on this mission, but it was understandable since there was chance they'd be coming face to face with a Bijuu, something even he wasn't sure he'd be able to overcome. And, there was also the fact he was excited about the demonstration that his clan and the Subatsu would put on for the damiyo to showcase their skill and just have a bit of fun. He wanted to resolve this clan issue with as little violence as possible, and find a way to restrain the Bijuu long enough so they could do something about that mountain sized problem. "We must resolve this issue with as little violence as possible."

"The other options aren't favorable." Haji agreed, he would do his duty and what his duty entailed. He wasn't going to compromise what be believed in, his duty to his clan, if peaceful measures couldn't be obtained and there had to be violence. Well, he would do what he was required to do.

"Right, so let's do our best!" Hashirama said with a booming voice clapping his hands one. "Younger siblings, aren't they just adorable?"

Syrus and Tobirama both scowled at him, eyes narrowed and lips forming a thin line while Haji looked away muttering something about idiot. Usagi's reaction was the most surprising, as her cheeks took on a red hue as she glanced away from the Senju leader embarrassed. Hashirama's eyes widened as he palmed his forehead with a quiet sigh. "Oh, that's right you're the youngest." He said sheepishly looking at Usagi with an apologetic smile.

"Yeah..." Usagi said quietly.

"You big mouth." Tobirama said with narrowed eyes. "Shut up!"

Madara-san. I am in need of assistance. The damiyo in another territory near mine has enlisted the Senju and Subatsu, I am aware of the enmity between the Uchiha and Senju. I don't know why he's enlisted them, but it can't bode well for me in any case, so that's why I humbly ask you for your assistance as well as Mikito-san's. Though, I think she may need a little bit of persuasion I'm sure you can manage that however. Once you arrive you and your men will be treated with a feast and we can discuss matters then. Madara closed his eyes, the writing engraved in his mind. A chance to show the Senju who was superior and have a fight with Hashirama was too much to pass up. And, he had a chance to confront the man who disposed of his men on the side of a road months ago.

"Is it good news?" Izuna inquired with a curious gaze, his black eyes zoning in on the piece of a paper and his brother stoic face as he seemed deep in thought. He was used to this by now with his brother, he was always the more socialable and light hearted between them, while Madara was more rigid and wasn't much for words. But that didn't mean Izuna was a pushover by any means, and if he was reading it right... "A contract." He stated plainly as a small smirk graced his face.

"Yes." Madara replied, opening his eyes, one hidden behind his bangs. It was a desirable contract to take, the pay was going to be more than good. And they would be treated to a feast, while he was used to the whole royal treatment, he wasn't one for the formalities and mannerisms, and to top it off he had to persuade Mikito. The woman who showed more than clear hatred for the damiyo who was contracting them, the same woman who didn't back down from him like so many have before, and there was the fact he wouldn't be just persuading her but her brother Souji as well. And he was hard to decipher and read. "We get to confront those Senju dogs and the Subatsu." He smirked arrogantly. "However..."

"There's a catch." Izuna finished.

"One could say." Madara said bringing his gloved hand to his mouth. "This is from the Grass damiyo."

Izuna blinked once before it dawned on him. "I see, Mikito-san doesn't particularly like him or is fond of him." He nodded a few times in understanding, he couldn't fault her for despising the damiyo. Many damiyos just viewed the shinobi clans as toys and chess pieces, it was one of those things in this world that was unavoidable, but he wouldn't have someone toying with the Uchiha in such a manner, he'd have the head of such a foolish ruler. He watched Madara, slowly and carefully fold the paper slipping it into the sleeve of his shirt and his eyes narrow as he seemed to mull something over in his mind.

"She despises him." Madara stated after a moment, remembering how her bright eyes flared with a fire he never seen before at the mention of this damiyo. "However, that's too bad. I've been contacted and I refuse to reject the offer." He continued, looking to the side at Izuna who was looking at him with a passive expression on his face, just waiting for him to finish and give his final answer. Persuading wasn't the word to be used for this task, more like forcing, which he had no problem doing but it would be more trouble than it was worth. If it was a dislike maybe he could work around that, but she hates him. He slammed his hands down on his desk, rising up from his seat. "We'll head out, Izuna ready the men, bring only the best." Madara ordered glancing at him. There was no way he was going to pass up the opportunity to battle with Hashirama and show once and for all who was superior.

"Do you plan on doing what you did before?" Izuna said with a light laugh as he watched Madara visibly shutter, probably from embarrassment. There was no way it could be disgust, even though he didn't look at Mikito in that kind of way, he was an honest man at heart and she was beautiful. Seeing the onyx black for his entire life, she was something new, and pretty cool considering she had a knack for riling his brother up. Pushing the thought aside, he coughed once getting serious. "She is not weak brother, even during that spar she was holding back." Izuna said with a warning slightly in his tone, he never doubted his brother's skill and combat prowess, but Mikito was no pushover and like his brother she was holding back to lion share of her chakra.

"Leave her to me. She will listen to me and come with." Madara stated with no shake in his tone, he sounded sure completely certain like he always did.

"Whatever you say." Izuna said respectfully as he left the room. I'm not the one who is going to be dealing with her...

Looks like we clash once again, Hashirama.

Yuko strained, her ruby eyes narrowed in concentration. Focus. She reminded herself for what had to be the thousandth time today, she stood in the pond kneading her chakra carefully with pinpoint precision, it was much easier said than done. She had to monitor the exact amount of chakra she kneaded, and on top of that she had to monitor it until the jutsu was formed and launched, that was her struggling point. Ahiko stood silent giving Yuko space, it was nearing the afternoon if the sun's position was anything to go by. About five hours. Ahiko mused to herself as she felt the currents ripple under her feet and almost pull in towards Yuko's location.

Her routine was simplistic at its core. The majority of her time would go towards the suiton, if one didn't persist in learning the element one would never get a good grasp of it. The next part of her training was physical conditioning and combat; taijutsu was a staple of this and like the Uchiha Yuko was swift in her approach and attacks, but with her weighted clothes her perception was skewed just by a smidge. Where she'd normally land a blow the additional weight would keep her arm down by a few inches so it just missed, it was rough training and Ahiko remembered her trials when she first started; she'd rather call it torture than actual training, but the results she obtained afterwards was well worth the pain. "Ugh!" Yuko groaned, the small waves that floated about an inch above the surface collapsed back into the pond, Yuko panted glaring at the water. "So close." She gasped for a breath collapsing on her knees but staying afloat.

"You're getting it, just be patient." Ahiko said with a calm tone. "And, you've been at this for five hours now, it's time to take a break."

"I can keep going." Yuko protested, standing up and kneading her chakra again. "Just a few more minutes." She knew she could get the hang of this, even though it was the second day of her training she could get hang of this. She endured her father's harsh training, mastered the katon to the extent she could perform the coming of age technique before she hit double digits, this was just another obstacle. Another wall she had to climb over, another hardship she had to endure, but she had to do this. There wasn't another way.

"But-" Ahiko began to protest, but it was already too late, she could feel the red haired girl's chakra flare like a burning beacon and the water literally pull itself towards her. That's too much! Her eyes widened as she could only see a torrent of water, and just water shooting out towards her and every other direction, she leapt back to avoid the first stream, but the second stream came from the side, slamming into her with tremendous force and soaking her. Yuko panted roughly, lungs burning and heart racing she stayed on all fours dripping with water, her usual neat ponytail was no more and her long red hair was splayed on her shoulders and back sticking to her skin and clothes from the moisture.

"Too much..." She said after a moment of catching her breath.

"Way too much." Ahiko added standing above her with a small frown on her face, she was equally as soaked as Yuko and her curly hair hung down, matted to her shoulders and breasts and stuck all the way to the back of her thighs, if Yuko had to say herself she looked like a crazy lady. But, she must have looked equally as crazy with her bright red hair matted down and splayed, her eyes flicked up to Ahiko, and she felt herself wince at the barely noticeable frown on the girl's face, her bright and round eyes staring into Yuko's crimson eyes. "Didn't I tell you it was time to take a break?"

"My bad..." Yuko supplied lamely, nodding slightly. "Yeah you did..."

Raking one hand through her curly locks, Ahiko pulled them back from over her eyes and shook her head for extra measure. "But, you managed to form a jutsu, though it spiraled out of control." Ahiko gave a small smile.

"I guess.. That counts for something." Yuko muttered with a thoughtful and slightly pleased expression.