"The Uchiha is a clan destined for revenge..."
Madara Uchiha
She recalled a time when she was a child, and mistaken a pepper for a fruit. It was spicy, it burned her tongue and made her eyes water. She couldn't breathe for at least ten minutes and drank gallons of water to get rid of the persistent burn. Hitomi was feeling a similar sensation at the moment, scrabbling across the ground as fast she could go. She was a noble, but she used to climb mountains back at home, she was stronger than the average girl. Her parents always criticized her for it, but then again she never went out of her way to please them. That wasn't possible.
Hitomi became disoriented, the sounds of a battle raging close by snapped into her ears. She could already feel the same dread she felt when she witnessed Haji cut down at least seven people in the span of a few seconds. But, this also gave her the opening she needed, and with Cho suffocating she was free at the moment.
She was rarely out of her prison, but she'd keep tabs on the routes some of the men took. For some reason she thought of Haji for a moment-wishing he was here.
"You're going to pay for that!" Her blood chilled, turning she gasped as she watched Cho race towards her with six men following closely. "Prepare to die, bitch!" He surged forward, grasping the hilt of his sword with one hand, scything it towards her. His unit flanking outwards drawing their swords swiftly and going in for the kill. Hitomi's eyes widened in terror, stumbling backwards in her moment of fright.
Move! Her mind screamed, but her body didn't comply. She was frozen. She had no idea how to fight, or how to use chakra. She was never on a battlefield like this. The first Inuzuka just about reached her, eyes crazed with a thirst for blood. And, then there was a flash and she struggled to see who the person was. She was able to make out that the figure was standing with their back towards her. Long hair, kept in a ponytail as well.
Cho jumped back, growling as he set his sights on the attacker, keeping his primary focus on Hitomi. "Usagi..." He set his jaw, surging chakra through his body. He wasn't going to hold back this time around, Usagi was fast and her kenjutsu was something else entirely. "You made a mistake coming here all by yourself!"
You've got no idea... Usagi narrowed her eyes. "Cho!" She spat, clenching her hilt tighter. "'You're going to regret even trying to slight the Subatsu and attacking my brother!"
"That's where you're wrong!" Cho dashed forwards, his men spreading out around him and closing in at different trajectories. Cho was the first to strike out, sweeping from the side with a vicious swing, Usagi parried the blow, turning, she deflected a slash scything her blade through a man's chest. Two more dashed forward, trying to catch her off guard. Usagi yanked her blade free, turning back and jumping away from her two adversaries. They gave chase, and Usagi retaliated, blocking the first attack, slashing through the man's torso an instant later. She surged forward, slipping through the man's guard and slashed upward cleaving through his sternum.
"Raaahh!" Cho's roar alerted her, the whoosh of air and flare of chakra also flared in the back of her mind. She blocked Cho's powerful swing, gritting her teeth as she slid back from the impact. "Kill that bitch!" Cho snapped glaring towards Hitomi. Three men obeyed the command charging right towards her. "And, I'll strike when she-" he turned to the side as three thuds echoed, and he immediately attacked unleashing a barrage of powerful and wild swings, Usagi dodging and blacking the fray.
BOOOOOMMM! The ground rocked, another explosion tearing through the compound, throwing a cloud of fire for several feet. Cho slid back, turning his attention to the area the explosion came from, snarling as he spotted several Subatsu clashing with his men. "Go and back them up!" He ordered, turning to Usagi with a dark gaze. "I can handle things here." With a simple nod the men sprung off to the side racing towards the rapidly growing battle just dozens of feet away.
Usagi set her feet. "You're awfully confident!"
"Of course I am!" Cho smirked. "You're just a brat with a misled sense of pride!"
And, with no ceremony Cho beamed forward, scything his blade up towards her head. Usagi raised her sword, blocking the attack, digging her feet in the ground as she pushed back. She twisted, breaking the stalemate and sending Cho staggering forward, with speed few could hope to match she stabbed forward aiming for his bran stem, but Cho spun at the very last second smacking her blade aside and jumping back.
Usagi pressed her attack, dashing forward and swinging low for his legs, Cho evaded the attack jumping further back. With a burst of chakra, Usagi surged forward and stabbed forward again. This time Cho grunted, sliding to the side as he parried the blow, but Usagi swiveled quickly lashing out at him angling her blade up and diagonally. Cho deflected the attack, pushing forward.
He sent out a vicious barrage of slashes and hacks at her, his cleaver slicing through the air itself and tearing gashes into the ground when it came within an inch of crashing. Usagi dodged and blocked the frenzied assault, her footwork swift and concise, she was able to weave through the wide and broad attacks Cho hurled towards her. Finally, after a few minutes of this back and forth Cho dodged a timely stab from Usagi, and went in for the kill. "You're mine!" He shouted, hacking down, Usagi narrowed her eyes as she shifted her stance, and she evaded the attack watching the wide tip gouge itself into the ground for several inches.
Usagi sprung forward, gripping her hilt tightly as slashed up. Cho could only widen his eyes and let out a curse as he felt the blazing hot agony of the blade tearing through his chest, spraying warm blood over head, where it splashed onto the ground. Usagi pushed forward, shoving her blade deeper into his severed sternum, glaring into his crazed eyes. "Underestimating your enemy's defenses while overestimating your own offense is the first and last mistake you can ever make!" She clased the hilt with her second hand and yanked, cleaving it through the rest of his shoulder, his body hitting the dirt with a wet thud quickly draining blood beneath him as it formed a pool.
Usagi swiped her sword to the side, sheathing it quickly as she surveyed the area for a moment. Her eyes fell on Hitomi and she raced towards her, crouching at her side an checked for a pulse. Usagi sighed. "She's alive-must have fainted it's only natural seeing this much blood." She lifted Hitomi off the ground in both arms, checking over her condition. She had no terrible bruises and there wasn't any broken bones or profuse bleeding, which surprised Usagi since Cho was known to be vicious with his prisoners. A flash of movement caught her attention, and Daji was in front of her, staring at Hitomi.
"How are things over there?" Usagi asked
"You killed Cho, too bad I didn't get the chance to sink my teeth into his neck." Daj grunted, turning his focus towards the flames. "Whatever Inuzuka could get away-are retreating, but Ryoku is sweeping the area while Tsugi corners them. The battle is over." He succinctly explained the situation going on just several feet away from them. "So, that is Hitomi or whatever noble you were talking about." Daji said dully, sniffing the air around Hitomi for a moment, nodding to himself. Scent was unmistakable.
"Sure is." Usagi gave a thumbs up. Nodding her head once, she figured as much. However, the Inuzuka compound miles away wouldn't necessarily take kindly to them. Usagi shook her head at the thought, it was ridiculous. The inner workings of the Inuzuka were just completely brainless and moronic at times like their need to stay separate over the span of dozens of hundreds of miles rather than together. "Well, let's rest for now. We won't be able cover any ground until morning." She glanced at Hitomi, breathing peacefully in her self induced slumber. She'd be out for a long time.
"Hn..." Daji growled, spreading his front paws forward as he laid on his stomach, adjusting his hind legs and sweeping his tail in front of him. He couldn't find anything wrong with that course of action other than having to stay in the half demolished compound. "Guess so." He agreed gruffly, licking his paws and moving to his side, slowly licking all of the blood away. It wouldn't all be cleaned away, he'd need to find a river or spot of water for that, but this would do just fine.
Usagi sighed, settling down on the ground setting Hitomi's head on her lap. "You're not going to poof away?" She asked a moment later, turning to Daji with a confused expression.
"You and that pervert owe me." Daji stated.
"Of course." Usagi rolled her eyes lightly. "I think there's a spot nearby where we can fish-"
"I hope you're joking." Daji gave a her a stern look. "You know I hate fish."
"There's hares too."
"I want meat!"
"That is meat!"
Tsugi scratched the back of his head, having watched the two almost argue. "Ease down fur ball, you're going to get your steaks."
"You had better shut your mouth, Tsugi." Daji glared him.
"Only a few Inuzuka escaped, we'll find them soon." Tsugi informed, ignoring Daji's venomous glare as he sat himself down. "It all just seems short of the spit to me somehow. Hitomi running away, the Inuzuka catching her straight away..." He shook his head. It was ridiculous to think that this was all somehow planned out-it was a possibility. If that were the case what was the motive? If anyone even tried to slight his kin he'd hunt them down and eliminate them. It was a rather disturbing thought.
Usagi titled her head. "You're implying someone set this entire thing up?" She inquired.
Tsugi nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. "The hierarchy is in chaos right now, the balance of power has shifted. Now, would be the time to execute any plan."
"I see..." Usagi murmured rubbing her chin. "Patience is keen in this situation. But, who could?"
"Well..." Tsugi scratched the back of his head. "We're due to find out, one of those mutts will talk."
"Madara, wait!" Hashirama exclaimed, blocking the Uchiha's gunbai from slamming across his face. He was offered to reprieve to even speak as Madara launche a frenzied assault forcing Hashirama back steadily. Night had fallen-the burning masses of branches and earth around them lit up the night sky with their ferocity. Madara spun, avoiding Hashirama's swipe, turned and sprung forward scything his sickle down, Hashirama flared his chakra two branches shooting towards Madara.
His sickle sliced through the earthen projectiles without any trouble. His eyes widened, and he arced his gunbai forward, slamming it against Hashirama's cleaver. In the second of their stalemate both lashed out with a quick punch, smashing it against the other's chin, sending each other spiraling back. Hashirama strained, turning on an axis and flinging his legs out landing swiftly, eyes darting forward. Madara grunted, tucking his knees in, flipping back and throwing them down landing swiftly, sliding a few feet back.
Madara braced himself to strike, wiping his chin with his gloved hand. "Heh." He chuckled smirking slightly. "Warm up is over."
Forming the snake seal, Hashirama narrowed his eyes flaring his chakra. Mokuton! Chika no ne no jutsu! He surged more chakra forward, forcing it downward towards his feet and into the ground.
Madara was instantly on the move, launching himself up into the air. He moved just in time as an overwhelming multitude of branches and trees spiraled up in all directions. Three looped towards him at super speeds, he grunted. Lashing out with his sickle, cleaving through the first branch, weaving around the second using it as a launch pad. He flared his chakra, expelling a large fireball at the third branch, bracing against the explosion as he sped through it. He gritted his teeth as three branches snapped around his wrists and left ankle, yanking him down.
The air shifted for a moment. Hashirama felt the dense surge of the Uchiha's chakra. Madara gritted his teeth, forcing one wrist back and his eyes snapped open, his three tomoes blending into a three pronged circle interconnected by one bold black circle. Hashirama dashed back, the ground exploding in a cloud of dirt and dust as a blue ethereal blade tore through it and his bindings, freeing him from his bindings.
Madara landed on the ground with a calm poise, a blue aura shrouding him completely, condensing into a roughly massive humanoid figure. Its appearance was punctuated by two faces and two horns protruding from the top of its head. The faces were back to back, one side had jagged teeth a much more demonic appearance one would say. While the side had one large tooth jagging upwards sliding over the top one, the figure had four arms each holding an ethereal blade. Lastly a pair of glowing almost white eyes punctuated its appearance.
Susano'o! Hashirama narrowed his eyes. "Madara!"
"Shut up, Hashirama!" Madara charged forwards, his Susano'o swiping with a lumbering swing.
Tobirama and Izuna pushed against each other, eyes locked and teeth grit as they fought for superiority. A fine curling smoke evidently surrounded them as a result of their high power water and fire jutsus, they dashed back from the other breaking the stalemate. Izuna turned towards the chakra he felt slam into the back of his mind. Brother is using that technique already? Izuna asked mentally.
He turned his head back, Tobirama's chakra flaring alerting him. Suiton: Mizu no tora bakudan! Tobirama narrowed his eyes, gritting his teeth as he surged his chakra, kneading it with precision as the air became soaked around him. A tendril of water spiraled rapidly, coiling towards Izuna. Slowly the tendril took shape condensing into a massive tiger. With a mighty roar the tiget sped forward canines bared as its mouth gaped. This jutsu required precise control and complete focus, water was the second hardest element to master aside from wind which was the first. To boot, this was a large scale water jutsu, unique only to him.
Izuna flashed through three hand seals, kneading his chakra to scorching temperature, and inhaled deeply. Katon: Kyodaina hinotama! Izuna shouted mentally, expelling a large orb of fire from his mouth aiming it forward, the orb of vicious flames raced forward shooting across the ground and collided with the beast of water, rocking the ground with an explosion while spreading a cloud of steam and smoke around them temporarily secluding the battlefield. Izuna smirked, dashing forward and stabbed upward, feeling the resistance on the other end.
Tobirama pressed back, lashing out with vicious stabs, retracting his arms with super speed. Izuna swayed his head from left to right narrowly dodging the precise jabs, ducking under a quick slash, jumping back he launched one of his swords forward hoping to skewer Tobirama. However, the white haired Senju was fast easily deflecting the sword aside where it sunk into the ground for several inches. They raced towards each other swinging at the same time, their swords crashing together in a shower of sparks and agonizing grinding, finally they broke the stalemate, but Izuna went on the attack. Izuna pressed his attack slashing and jabbing with great speed and fluidity, his attacks blending into the other with flawlessness.
Tobirama dodged and parried the barrage of strikes, deflecting any that came to close to his person. He had been at it for a good three hours now, the sun had long since set and he executed a few high level ninjutsus. None of them really created an opening and their fierce battle continued, each time forcing them into stalemate which was broken before it could turn into one. Tobirama was fast dodging and countering or parrying and countering, flowing from offense to defense and back again with ease. Izuna swayed passed his precise and speedy attacks using his fluidity and Sharingan to skew attacks just by a few inches or evade them entirely.
Silently, they clashed again meeting in the center of the self-made steam cloud. Izuna pushing forward, forcing Tobirama to slide back, but Tobirama was quick to attack sending a kunai towards Izuna. Izuna jumped back and away, swaying his head to the side narrowly avoiding the kunai as it shot passed his cheek tearing into the ground dozens of feet away, Tobirama jumped back and away distancing himself from the Uchiha.
Izuna's hands flashed through a couple of hand seals. He kneaded his chakra, expelling a stream of fire towards Tobirama. Katon: Hi no nagare no rūpu!
Tobirama formed two hand seals, clasping his hands together. Suiton: Taigāmisairu!
Haji dashed back and away from Shin, escaping a coiling tendril of earth, the spot he previously stood exploding with violent force. He forced himself to a stop, sprinting forwards closing their gap within a few seconds. He lashed forward with his arm, his blade curving in a tight semi-circle. Executing a seal for ninjutsu, no matter how short the time leaves you open. He pressed his hand to the back of his hilt, and surged forward.
Shin weaved passed the strike on instinct, dragging his foot to the side, planting it, and sprung forward with his own stab. Haji twisted, parrying the swift stroke with ease, and lashed out from the side aiming for his ribs and small gaps in his armor. Shin jumped back and away from Haji, who pursued him in an instant, and he lashed out with a spinning kick. Haji growled softly, ducking under the quick strike that nearly took him by surprise, and pressed forward with another stab, only for Shin to parry the attack at the last second, and dash away from him.
The two shinobi were about to dash towards each other, but their attention was diverted as both were surrounded by shinobi bearing the Shimura clan symbol on their armor. Immediately Haji glared, flicking his eyes back and forth. "Ajo..." He exhaled briskly. "Constantly interfering, first with the Domou and now us..." He turned his gaze back to Shin who was busy observing the seven men circling him spread a few inches apart. "Looks like we've got other things to attend to..."
"So it seems." Shin agreed, both coming to a silent agreement to take out the Shimura shinobi before they continued their fight. And, they were both respectively swarmed, swords stabbing forward aiming for their vital organs especially the neck. Haji was swift and concise with his attacks, using speed and precision to skew attacks off by a few inches and land a counter. One Shimura was floored by his attack, and he shot towards two more. Meanwhile Shin weaved and swayed passed attacks, taking a more conservative approach than Haji. Shin spun passed a stab, swinging his arm back, the warm spray of blood coating him as it splattered on the ground.
"Damn it. That means Ajo is..." Shin clenched his teeth, parrying another strike, jumping back and gazing to the side.
Syrus dodged the assault swaying and bobbing his heads passed Mikito's furious and ferocious paced swings, staying mindful of her steel saya which was in actuality a second sword in her deadly hands. He lashed out with his barrage, deflecting and smacking her attacks aside while pressing forward and unleashing a counter, to which she'd evade at the last second.
From experience she knew Syrus utilized his legs with long and arcing kicks spinning rapidly at a moment's notice adding substantial speed and power behind his attack. Like she thought he lashed out with those powerful legs pressing her back and forcing her on the defensive, and while his attack was vicious and pressed to jump and dodge she was slowly moving in a circle around him using quick and fluid footwork to parry and sidestep the kicks that came too close, and duck under any spinning kicks.
They dashed towards the other, lashing out with a swift punch at the same time. Their heads snapped back from the impact, blood rushing into their mouth as they shot back from each other, feet digging into the ground. They jumped towards each other, spinning rapidly and trading a furious exchange of kicks in the span of a few seconds, cracking their shins off of each other as they surged to the next strike. Both took the opening, and struck with their fist hoping to take advantage of the small gap, both snapped their heads to opposite sides as their respective fists soared passed each other. "Raahh!" Syrus shouted, throwing his head forward just as Mikito did, their foreheads colliding, the impact jarring them both and sending them back.
"Warm up is over!" Syrus announced, flaring his chakra and letting it surge through him about to form a hand seal.
"You fool!" A snarl caught his attention, he didn't bother turning it'd only leave a fraction of a second to strike. Instead he pivoted to the side, sliding his back foot as he went, evading the blade that would have tore through his neck. He swiveled, turning to face his attacker with a ghastly glare, a growl vibrating the back of his throat as he spotted Ajo grinning wickedly at him and Mikito.
"I knew I shouldn't have spared you..." Mikito frowned. "You will not be getting a second chance, Ajo. You stuck your nose where it doesn't belong!"
"You've always been a bleeding heart." Syrus quipped.
"You-" Mikito started, glaring at Syrus but Ajo happily cut her off.
"My night just keeps getting better and better!" He chuckled, grasping his sword with both hands. "I get the witch and the wolf all in the same go!" He grinned, malice and excitement permeating from him. "And the famous Uchiha and Senju brothers, imagine the fame I and the Shimura clan will have when word reaches I killed the four of you!"
"You're as good as dead." Syrus leered at him, eyes narrowing with anger. "I'm not as soft as Mikito is! This is one scenario you will not weasel your way out of Ajo!" Syrus slowly clenched the hilt of the massive sword on his back, having resorted to a smaller and more robust sword to keep up with Mikito's speed and titan strength. He could have used it, but it'd only slow him down. However, now would be a perfect time to use it. "You should have left well enough alone."
"I guess." Ajo beamed forward, slamming his sword against Syrus's gritting his teeth as she struggled to power through, Mikito charged in from the side lashing out with her saya, but Syrus dodged the attack lunging backwards. Ajo turned his attention to Mikito, going for her neck, but she blocked it with her saya, turned and struck out with her foot.
Syrus charged into the middle of them, swinging his leg out as he lashed out with a two handed swing. Mikito swayed her head back, hand planting several times in rapid succession distancing herself. Ajo chose a more aggressive approach and swung from the side, growling as the blow jarred his bones nearly cracking his sword.
Mikito sped forward, clenching her fist and snapped it forward. Syrus was still recovering and Ajo was reeling slightly from the powerful strike, now she'd attack! She hissed as Syrus snapped his head to the side at the last second, her fist smashed into the ground where he previously stood, sending a ripple of unbearable force coursing through it throwing up a cloud of dust as the ground collapsed inward. Syrus turned his gaze onto Mikito eyes flaring with anger. That blow would have hurt him, not severely, but still hurt nonetheless.
"You witch..." Ajo snarled, going in with a stab hoping to catch her off guard, but Syrus intercepted him swinging the massive blade from the side. Ajo growled blocking it swiftly, pushing forward for a moment tucking his legs in, and let the impact carry him to the side. He landed on the ground, sliding back for a few feet away from the duo, facing off against them. Looks like I've got to resort to ninjutsu, oh well... Ajo smirked flashing through a series of hand seals. Futon: Kaze no dangan! He kneaded his chakra, expelling a high powered gust of air from his mouth, surging his chakra through it as the attack gained ground on his two opponents.
Syrus formed a hand seal, narrowing his eyes. Tochiton: Dobei! He let his chakra surge without restraint, molding it into the ground at his feet and propelling it forward as it condensed into a solid wall. It wasn't dramatically huge or covered a wide area, but it was fortified with his powerful chakra and clumps of dirt and stone.
Mikito wasted little time slamming her hands together in the snake seal, inhaling deeply. Katon: Kasai no shōgekiha! Mikito exhaled, hair waving back as the back blast of the fire swept around her before it shot forward condensing into a sphere.
The three jutsus clashed simultaneously destroying, empowering, and cancelling the other out all in the span of a few seconds. The explosions that followed rocked the landscape around them forcing the trio to dig their feet into the ground so they weren't launched away, narrowly avoiding large chunks of solid earth ablaze with flames, watching the projectiles tear into the ground leaving several meter gashes. Ajo smirked, jumping back and scanning the area around him. Time to pull back for the time being...
Hashirama was focused on tackling Madara now encased by the massive energy-bound guardian known as Susano'o, he further surprised the leader of the Senju when a set of legs were formed in an instant. The structure easily towered at least thirty feet above him. He let his chakra surge with no restraints as he unleashed another wood jutsu at his opponent hoping to entangle it.
Madara wasn't just idle however, slashing and spearing through any and all branches and trees that spiraled towards him. He continued his attack, forcing Hashirama back, making him adjust. He'd have to keep the tempo in his hands, he couldn't let Hashirama gain that small edge. The ground around them had been reduced to gashes and small craters, the debris of his giant scale wood jutsus littering the ground in chunks.
Both were ready to go on the attack again, but dozens of shinobi surrounded them and attacked a second later. They immediately knew it was the Shimura spotting their symbol on their armor like a sore thumb. Letting his Susano'o deteriorate Madara dashed and weaved around the frenzied assault arcing his sickle forward and decapitating at least three men in the span of six seconds, two more followed in the span of a second. He found himself hard pressed to attack and dodge using his gunbai to blast winds towards them.
Hashirama was more conservative in his attacks, dodging and parrying their vicious stabs and swipes lashing out with quick punches that floored them. However, they were on their feet pressing their attack, Hashirama jumped back and away with unmatched agility, focusing on the branches still in one piece and sent them forward to subdue them.
The attacks were batted aside and intercepted as the branches were cut and he was faced with at least twenty blades rearing for his head. Swallowing thickly, he went on the attack deflecting the attacks and countering an instant later flooring several Shimura shinobi with what seemed practical ease. It didn't sway the survivors in the last who continued attacking. Hashirama didn't enjoy killing, but in this case he'd have no choice. It'd be best to pull back for the time being... He thought as he cut through a Shimura's defenses cleaving through his chest, his attack finished he lunged away from his attackers.
Madara sensed his target gaining space away from him. He couldn't have that. He jumped forward to intercept his enemy, but three more Shimura dashed in one managing to cut him on the forearm. Angered by the distractions he spun, his sickle following his trajectory and promptly all three attackers were beheaded their blood spraying in wild spills. "Damn it!" Madara growled, facing off against several more. "Shimura are always persistent just like those Sarutobi..." Hashirama was now dozens of feet away from fighting off the assault while moving towards Tobirama.
In his lapse one Shimura sped forward, stabbing from the side. Madara braced for it, gunbai already in motion. However, Izuna appeared in front of him stabbing the Shimura from the side of his neck dislodging his windpipe in a grizzly fashion, and launched him away leaving to crash and roll on the ground. "So, it's just not me!" Izuna said, standing a few inches to his side. "There's got to be seventy or more even though I've cut down at least twenty-they just keep on coming!"
"What about Mikito?" Madara questioned tersely.
"They've got her surrounded and Syrus." Izuna answered succinctly.
"We are not retreating." Madara snarled, clenching his sickle and gunbai tighter.
"That may be a good idea, brother." Izuna furrowed his brows, scanning the area around them swarming with at least thirty shinobi, all circling the brother duo like a shark smelling blood. Of course, he wasn't going to comment on Madara using the Susano'o or Madara rubbing his eyes every few seconds. The battle was interrupted, he executed several high level ninjutsus, to Izuna this was a good time to pull back and regroup. "Think about it..."
"Fine..." Madara growled, heaving a deep breath. "Fine. I guess you're right." It'd be a waste of his chakra and time to combat these numerous Shimura shinobi even if they did defeat them which they would that'd leave them winded, as well as the Senju and Subatsu brothers. "Damn those Shimura always meddling in something that has nothing to do with them." He turned to Izuna who simply nodded, and with no ceremony or shouting Madara unleashed a cloud of scorching ash that quickly dispersed around them.
"I'll pull our men back and inform Mikito." Izuna told Madara as he sped away.
"That woman is going to have a lot explain..."
Ajo grinned with malice as he glared at Syrus, Haji, and Mikito. It was too delightful seeing them so angry like the little brats that they were. "It was fun if I do say so myself." He surged chakra into his legs. "But, I must be going!" Before he could turn Syrus slammed his fist across his face, feeling his bones buckle from the impact.
"Shimura pig!" Syrus snapped, going in for another attack. "I told you there is no way you're leaving alive!" Syrus exclaimed his point, arcing his massive blade towards him, only for it to be batted aside by Mikito. She dashed into his guard, swinging upward, but Haji intercepted her path clashing his blade against her's sending them both back.
"Forgetting about someone!" Mikito yelled, eyes darting as she spotted Izuna sprinting right towards her, and likewise Tobirama was sprinting towards Syrus and Haji. The air got completely still as they glared at one another, facing off.
"Tobirama?" Syrus questioned. "What are you doing?"
"We're pulling back." The white haired man said stoically.
Syrus clenched his teeth. "Like hell I am!"
"We can fight them another day." Haji said locking eyes with Syrus. "If we stay and keep fighting the chances aren't in our favor."
Syrus's nostrils flared, anger fuming from his figure as he looked at Haji then Tobirama. It was clear they weren't budging on the matter. "Alright..." He said with a soft growl. "We'll pull back, kill any Shimura that get in your way!" And without another word the three powerful shinobi retreated, fighting their way through hordes of Shimura as they went.
"I take it we're pulling out too?" Mikito looked to Izuna.
"Yes." Izuna nodded.
"I see, there's a small patch of woods nearby where we can set up camp." Mikito nodded her head a few times, mulling it over. "Lead the way, Izuna."
Yuko was aware of Souji's blunt and straight to the point nature. She was also aware of his short fuse when it came to certain things. So, when she heard a door slam shut and Souji march passed her and Ahiko she wasn't surprised. She kept quiet as they entered the office. Souji was buried to his neck in paperwork and it was no secret that he hated paperwork.
"What happened now?" Ahiko asked as she took a seat gesturing for Yuko to do the same.
Souji bit back a sigh, scowling as the memory surfaced. "The damned elders..." He groaned. "They're talking about me marrying someone in the Uchiha clan to further strengthen our alliance."
"That doesn't sound so bad." Ahiko gave a small shrug.
Souji didn't hold back his sigh this time. Of course it didn't sound bad to Ahiko she wanted nephews and nieces, and it didn't sound all the bad to him either. However, there were major points where he'd have to decline. The first and foremost being the constant war he had no idea how long he'd be alive when and if he'd be killed in battle. The second was the workload, Mikito did a lot to ensure that their clan prospered and were well off compared to other clans; he was contacting lords and damiyos in nearby villages as well as going out to meet them to discuss if they needed them for protection or to ward off nearby clans. Third and definitely not least the fucking paperwork! He had at least four stacks, and three more off to the side. "I don't have time for women or marriage, I have all this paperwork to finish which is going to take me a few hours. I have to meet the damiyo of the rice village soon after..." He shook his head. "And, it's my decision to marry who I want, not theirs."
"I may know someone..." Yuko spoke up, looking away from Souji as he shot a glare towards her. "She's really kind and upbeat."
"If you don't have anything helpful to say..." Souji sighed in agitation. "Then keep it to yourself."
"What's her name?" Ahiko asked excitedly, waving off Souji's glare.
"I believe it's Reiko." Yuko answered sounding a bit unsure altogether. She could never forget the only person to be kind to her within the Uchiha compound, Izuna aside who seemed to enjoy flustering and teasing her more.
"I am not getting married." Souji said firmly, folding his arms over his chest. "The clan. I have too much work to do, and Mikito could send word for me at any second to assist her in battle. Now isn't the time for this inane conversation."
"The elders said you have to." Ahiko frowned at him. Sometimes he was beyond stubborn. "So, you have to. And, this saves the trouble of having to look for a suitable suitor."
"Well, then they'll have to change their minds." Souji retorted, not budging on the matter. "Anyways, I know you didn't come here to talk about my love life which I don't have or want to have."
"Right!" Ahiko nodded. "I was wondering if it would be okay for Yuko-chan to leave the compound and do a little... Soul searching." She admitted the last part sounded rather lame, but it did explain what Yuko wanted. Clarity and no doubt.
Souji was silent for a moment. "Her training?"
"The first stage is just about done, she adjusted rather quickly." Ahiko replied.
Why do I feel invisible? Yuko thought deciding to keep the comment to herself.
"She survived being in the Water Country for a few months. And, as you said she has been coming along quickly. Most impressive." He leveled a hard gaze with Yuko, turning his focus onto his baby sister. "She survived there she can survive anywhere..." He shuffled through some papers, sliding one across the table. "When you do get the time to do this soul searching by all means do it. But, this mission takes priority." The two girls nodded quickly, and he leaned back pleased. "You'll be heading to the Sand Country. The damiyo has requested our services in taking care of a band of shinobi that set up their camp a few miles from the main city, they're believed to hail from the Sarutobi clan. They're cutting off a major trade route that is crucial to all citizens of the Sand Village. It shouldn't take you longer than two months to complete this."
Ahiko nodded quickly, turning to Yuko. "Are you ready?"
"Yes!"
"Great!" Ahiko turned back to Souji. "We'll get it done in no time, faster than two months!"
Souji nodded a smile crossing his face. They would certainly be done faster than two months, he wanted to go with, but he had his own duties here to take of. "I know." He was confident. "I won't delay you any further. It'd be a good idea to get some rest, you'll be leaving in the morning."
"Okay!" Yuko and Ahiko chorused at the same time, staring at each other for a moment, and smiled.
Just one thing I'd like to say! The jutsus are the actual translation not the romanji!