"When a man learns to love, he must bear the risk of hatred."

Madara Uchiha

Souji sighed tiredly as he tossed another paper into the trash bin next to him. Rikudo how he hated paperwork! He felt like he had been doing it for hours, even including his meeting with a nearby damiyo-which didn't go too well. It seemed the damiyo had a strong hatred for the shinobi as a whole, but at that moment it was directed at him and the Domou. He could care less about personal feelings in the matter, as long as he got a yes or no. He got a resounding no. "And, that's garbage," he mused tossing away another document, all of them just started to look the same after a while. Approve this, don't approve this, it was so redundant.

Yuko and Ahiko meeting him after his very brief meeting with the Council of Elders was a surprise, a much welcomed distraction. He made no objection when they both entered his room, normally he'd say come back later or to come in and wait while he completed his next task. This time was a bit different though. He had no desire to go through paperwork after the heated argument he got into with a particular elder than went by the name of Serizawa-he was an old and withered man with barely open eyes and thinning white hair, his body while skinny was powerful. Serizawa was more of a traditionalist being on the council before his father was even born.

Serizawa wanted him to marry an Uchiha woman to find a suitor. If Souji wasn't going to find one himself than he was going to take it upon himself with the rest of the council to find him a wife. This was inane and flat out ridiculous in his mind, he wasn't going to let a group of elders decide what was best for him. Naturally his answer didn't sit well with Serizawa and the meeting was abruptly brought to an end. Marriage was one of if not the only thing that could build the roots of a powerful alliance between two clans-and a clan like the Uchiha and his the Domou marriage was the only way. But, this brought on even more problems when Serizawa suggested that he takes Yuko as his wife.

Seeing Yuko sitting before him with the bright chocolate and innocent eyes just made his resolve firmer on his decision. There was no way in seven hells he was going to marry Yuko... That would not bode well, and he knew for a fact it wouldn't. He wouldn't hate her, he'd love her and take care of her, she'd never want for anything and all her needs would be met, but his instincts screamed no. If a shinobi followed one thing it was always their instincts, it is what kept them alive in the middle of a battlefield. He lifted his head up with his hand, staring at the door for a moment. "Come on, sister." He said softly, tone still blunt as always.

Ahiko stepped into the room slowly still sporting her purple haori from before and took a seat on the chair just a few inches from the massive desk. She looked at the paperwork almost grimacing-how long had he been sorting through all of that? Mikito was skilled in that are of multitasking so paperwork was simple for her, but Souji was not suited for such things, he would rather be on the battlefield than sorting through this mess of text. There was a long moment of silence between them, Ahiko watching Souji file through a few papers before tossing them into the garbage and stacking some on the pile to his left. "So, the meeting with the council didn't go too well?" Ahiko decided to break the silence.

"It was horrible." Souji sighed in anger, raking a hand through his thick hair. It gave him a migraine just thinking about it again. "I haven't got time for marriage and they're pushing for this to happen it is beyond ridiculous." He explained. "What's even more ridiculous is that Serizawa had the audacity to suggest that I take Yuko as my wife to strengthen our ties with the Uchiha..."

"Why Yuko-chan?" Ahiko looked genuinely confused.

"She wasn't the first choice... I didn't accept the other conditions and Serizawa ended up coming out with me taking Yuko as my wife." Souji sighed in annoyance, rubbing his forehead softly. "That is one thing I will not do, I don't care what reasons they come up with for me to do it, it is not going to happen."

Ahiko nodded. That would explain why he was so irate upon her first sight of him, Yuko recoiled slightly in shock when he stormed passed them and slammed the door. He could have shattered the entire thing if he wanted to, whether he held back because he didn't want to break it or held back because he didn't want to create another mess. But, why would Souji be taking this to heart? He took what the elders said with a grain of salt normally. Ahiko suppressed her gasp as it finally hit her. She was observant, she seen the way Izuna and Yuko spoke to each other, the way they looked at each other in silence, the way Izuna flustered her so until she was bright red. "Brother..." Ahiko looked at him understandingly.

"It would strengthen our ties with the Uchiha..." Souji muttered, shaking his head. "And, it does, let's say it does... Yuko wouldn't want it or accept it. She'd grow to resent me-the entire situation as a whole. She had no choice or say in the matter as I didn't. There's no sense in strengthening our alliance if the one Uchiha in our midst resents me with all of her heart."

Ahiko lowered her head slightly, playing with her fingers. "You are so kind, Souji."

He laughed at that. Ahiko frowned slightly, looking at him. "You know she's smitten by Izuna and yet you don't wish to force her into a marriage she has no desire to have..." A part of her was saddened. She wouldn't mind having Yuko as a sister in law, but Souji was right. She'd only come to resent him and the entire thing as a whole in the end, she never loved him, and equally he never loved her. Though he could learn how to, Yuko however was focused only on Izuna in that aspect.

"It's the logical thing to do..." Souji looked embarrassed from her evaluation. "If it comes down to it... I will wed an Uchiha woman, but it won't be Yuko. Never."

Ahiko gave a small smile. "You can sleep at the cottage if you want, Yuko-chan is out cold. You need to get out of here in any case, paperwork has never been your cup of tea."

Souji smiled and with super speed smacked aside a stack of papers that was garbage in his opinion. "It sure isn't my cup of tea."

Damn Shimura. Fucking Ajo sticking his nose where it doesn't belong!

Mikito sat stiffly, watching the glowing embers of the fire before her, her senses stretched around her as she constantly monitored the area for any intruders. It was a bit on the paranoid side but she could never be too sure, though she had several sensory shinobi with her; Madara, Shin, Izuna, and a few others she felt better sweeping the perimeter herself. So... That is the famous Hashirama Senju... She sighed softly, closing her eyes for a moment. The rumors have sustenance after all, he really is something else... His chakra...

Madara had retreated into a nearby tent his reasoning being he was devising a new strategy. Mikito knew that was a lie, she noticed the streaks of blood running from his eye sockets, his incessant wiping of said eye sockets. She felt a prick of concern, it wasn't every day somebody just started bleeding from their eye sockets. But she knew better than to fuss over him, Madara was an arrogant ass if she was keeping it blunt and in no way would he accept her help. It'd be a blow to his pride.

She pushed the concern down focusing back on her previous thoughts. Ajo... She really, really detested him he was a cunning little snake, that somehow constantly found a way to get directly in her way and evidently Madara's... Syrus's too now by extension and she could imagine the list of profanities that were spewing from his mouth at Ajo even daring to interfere in their fight. Ajo in specific had been steadily treading on her territory with his band of idiots, the hierarchy was always shaky and fragile. Now it was nonexistent and it was starting to show with Ajo's brazen advances towards conflict.

The embers burned more intensely, as if they were feeding off her ire towards the older man. She was almost enjoying herself during that fight-it had been a few months since she and Syrus clashed. It was destiny for it to happen again. However, now there was a third wheel in this barring the Senju clan and that was Ajo Shimura. She glanced to the side, spotting Izuna walking towards her with a passive expression on his face, almost harmonious as if he hadn't been in vicious battle with the Tobirama Senju. She flicked her gaze to members of her unit and the Uchiha as well resting lightly, even Shin was starting to doze off arms folded over his chest as he kept his back pressed against a rather large rock. "How is he?" Mikito asked before she could stop herself, curiosity getting the better of her.

Izuna hummed softly. "He's okay now." He replied, sitting himself down a few inches from her post. He gazed into the bright flames, their silhouettes dancing in his onyx black irises. Of course, he was only stating the good news not the fact blood was running from Madara's eye sockets for a good ten minutes, the strain his eyes endured was significant and he was ready to lecture him. But Izuna didn't lecture Madara instead he tended to his wounds while Madara of course had a rather sour expression on his face that Izuna was taking care of him. Unconsciously he traced a hand over his left eye, clenching it softly. He'd need to be careful about using that variation. "Of course he's upset that I'm taking care of him. Older siblings..." He chuckled softly, and realized his mistake a second too late. "Oh... You're the oldest."

"I am." Mikito nodded, laughing softly unable to help herself. Izuna could just be so... So silly. "I am relieved to know he's alright."

Izuna looked at her for a long moment, a smile tugging on his lips. "Really, you are?"

Mikito nodded humming softly to herself. Madara was arrogant, a pig headed jerk at times with a god complex. BUT! She did admit he had a right to be so arrogant, his feats spoke for themselves. He was intelligent-a tactical genius. His plans although a bit risky in her opinion were ingenious and well thought out, she couldn't nitpick at small nuances o anything of the sort. Not to mention he was so strong his chakra practically bathed her in its potency whenever she was near him. Though she wouldn't say this to Madara personally it'd only stroke his ego and she was not going to do that. "He's an arrogant ass... But, he is very strong and his tactics are... Amazing, I know him and I don't see eye to eye most of the time, he can be a bit abrasive... But, I know he has the best interest of you and the Uchiha clan in mind." Mikito smiled softly, that was one thing she'd never overlook. His devotion and love for the Uchiha, his kin.

"Heh..." Izuna laughed, scratching the back of his head. "You're surprisingly blunt. I know it may be hard to believe, but he is thankful for your bluntness..." He held up a hand politely silencing her. "There are very few people out there shinobi and non-shinobi that would stand up to him the way you do while being very blunt about it. If my brother loves anything-that would be a challenge."

"I've always been honest..." Mikito shrugged looking at her feet for a moment, pondering on something before turning back to Izuna. She was a bit confused at the last part of his statement. "What do you mean he loves a challenge?" Mikito asked, scowling as Izuna rose up from his seat moving back towards a tent. She huffed softly, no wonder Madara would get so annoyed with him at times, Izuna loved playing his games! Well, she wasn't going to play along with it, she wasn't Madara and would no easily give into her annoyance. "Izuna!"

"He loves a challenge." Izuna replied with a light shrug. "You are perhaps his biggest challenge."

"I..." Mikito blinked, looking uncomfortable for a moment. "I don't understand." A challenge meant there was an obstacle or a fight... And she butted heads with Madara a bit too much for her taste.

"You are a woman. A powerful woman no less, who doesn't put up with his arrogance." Izuna looked back at her, a very trace smile crossing his lips. "There is a first time for everything as the saying goes." He waved his hand. "I've been meaning to ask you... What is that red headband, and those other four on your arms?"

Mikito looked solemn suddenly any traces of mirth gone. "It's a Domou tradition..." She started, speaking softly. "When a comrade dies in battle alongside of you, someone very close to you, you soak a white cloth in their blood and wear it into battle in remembrance."

"Do you mind me asking... Who were they?"

"This one," Mikito pointed to her headband, "is in memory of a brave ally of mine. He died on the last mission I was on before I became leader of my clan, had that not happened he'd be the leader of the Domou and not me..."

"I'm sorry..."

"I am too..." And these two on this arm..." She paused, emotions starting to brew inside of her. "They are in memory of my father and mother-Heisuke and Karei, both of them great warriors... And these..." She pointed to the two bands on her right arm, staying silent for a moment. "Are in memory of my... Two siblings-Koto and Akemi- they were extremely brave and extraordinary despite being so young.. Their blood flows through my veins so I colored these with my own to honor them..."

"Oh..." Izuna looked thoughtful-he never knew much of the Domou clan aside from their monstrous strength and they were warriors. "You won't need to add anymore." He'd have to ask her about the Domou clan in general when they had more time. He didn't miss the storm of emotions crossing over her face and eyes.

"Thank you... Izuna." Mikito whispered.

"Don't mention it!" He gave an easy smile, patting her shoulder. "We're comrades-we help each other out, right?"

"Right."

Izuna nodded, rising to his feet. "I'm going to call it a night."

"Of course."

Mikito watched him always and then sighed turning swiftly and walking back to the fire taking a seat in front of it. Staring into fire always helped clear her mind, there was just something enchanting about it. Izuna's statements kept playing over and over in her mind, almost in rhythm with the way the flames danced casting a glow around her, and for once the flames didn't soothe her mind. Izuna's cryptic comments, and repressed memories of her childhood scorched her like the flames scorched the wood. "I'll write Souji, then call it a night myself..." She mused. Only sleep would cure this.

Early the next morning.

Yuko stifled a yawn, her eyes hazy. She guessed it had to be around five A.M. The sun had yet to rise and she really wanted another couple of hours of sleep. Souji wasn't kidding when he said morning start early around here. She moved her neck to the side, almost surprised at how light she felt without the weighted clothing-Ahiko told her it didn't matter today. Yuko took her up on that.

She walked at a slow pace slowly waking herself up. The scent of dew and the early morning mist coiling up from the ground a reflection on how she felt at the moment. She wasn't sure how much time passed since she began her training, the days blended in together and she lost track after the first few days. Ahiko was surprisingly strict with the training, several things she took her time to explain and took even more time to correct and demonstrate. A part of he felt self conscious, how could she not feel that way? But, she also appreciated Ahiko's strictness on certain things, and her careful attention to detail.

She was here for a while, she realized as she easily navigated through the twisting paths surrounded by moss and undergrowth, branches protruding from every direction. Her first time here it felt like she was walking around in circles, in fact for a moment she could have sworn she was walking in circles, everything appeared to be the same from the lush growth around her to the numerous paths branching off into more paths. Now though she knew her way around easily traversing the paths and stepped across a long bridge suspended above a rushing stream. That had been an experience when she first began training.

Yuko was comfortable. It was still early, and she didn't wear the weighted clothing. That was a big relief! She wore her white kimono tied together with a thick blue sash, over which she wore a high collar black shirt with the Uchiha symbol stitched on the middle back region. Black trousers, and a black sandals with bandages wrapped around her shins. Her sword was sheathed securely resting on her back. She came into a clearing, spotting Ahiko with a spear in one hand, a bow resting on her back next to a collection of arrows. Souji was a few inches from her going over last minute details, both looked at her as she came into view. "Yuko-chan!" Ahiko waved her over.

Ahiko was wearing different attire. Consisting of a high collared black top, brown hakama, a white obi, white tabi, and white zori. It looked odd on her, but that could also because Yuko seen her wearing the purple or blue haori every day. "You're early!"

"I know." Yuko murmured tiredly. She was always at least a half hour early. A curse in this situation.

Souji nodded a pleased expression on his face. "That will speed things along then. I won't have to repeat myself either." He looked at Ahiko then Yuko, unrolling a scroll and handing it to the former. "As you already know the Sand country is nothing but a arid desert sprawling valleys. Because of this they can't grow their own food and things of that nature, so they trade without outside villages and neighboring countries."

"The problem is the Sarutobi clan has stationed several units along these major trade routes. There are many supplies and merchandise that are not making it to the main city where it is distributed." He nodded once, looking her over for a moment as she silently listened to him. She was very well mannered. "The trade routes taken are major ones-not only does the goods come and go from the Sand country, but goods also coming into the Fire country and as far as the Water country traverse these trade routes."

Yuko looked a bit confused. "So, we just go and stop the Sarutobi from disrupting the merchants?"

"Not exactly." Ahiko said.

"You are to do that. Your primary goal is to eliminate the Sarutobi on these trade routes and interrogate one of them... There will be a camp nearby where they gather. You are to find the camp and eliminate everyone. If there is any valuable intel you are to take it. The damiyo is going to pay us well for this task."

"I understand." Yuko nodded. She was a bit excited to test her new skills.

Souji turned to Ahiko. "You know the quickest way there, so you'll lead the way."

"Got it!" Ahiko gave a mock salute.

Yuko giggled quietly at the gesture.

She hated blood. The stench was so heavy and lingering. It splattered everywhere. It was impossible to wash out completely. She may have been pampered as a noble, but she couldn't be alone with her dislike of blood.

Hitomi woke with a start, throwing her head up and looking from left to right. This didn't look like the compound, in fact it looked more like her room back at the damiyo's estate... It was her room she realized, and with hast looked at her clothes, noticing that they were changed from the dirty and dingy yukata she was wearing before. "I'm dreaming..." She muttered to herself shaking her head, "correction it has to be a nightmare." She concluded. Being at that compound was worse than this, but she did not want to be around the damiyo.

The last thing she remembered was being chased before someone slid in front of her and took out three people in an instant. It was gruesome and vaguely reminded her of how Haji fought, though his movements were more powerful than agile. Anyways, she was surrounded with one protector. She seen Cho snarling with that twisted grin on his face, and then there was a loud clang. There was so much blood.

It sprayed everywhere. She fainted upon seeing that grizzly sight. She had seen enough gore and blood when Haji was protecting her, admittedly from her own childish mistakes. Still, she had enough of seeing blood being splattered. She turned her head to the side, yelping loudly as she spotted Usagi sitting cross legged just a few feet away from her with a calm expression. Hitomi was a bit taken by him calm she looked, despite what happened prior.

"Don't worry you're back in your room." Usagi stood up, and pulled open the curtains saturating the room in sunlight. "You fainted. Given the situation it's understandable."

Hitomi was silent for several seconds, just staring at Usagi quizzically. Then her eyes widened and realization dawned. "You're Ji-san's sister?"

"Ji...?" Usagi looked confused for a moment. That sounded like a pet name, but she knew one person who called another person by such a nickname, but that was understandable. "You must mean Haji?" Hitomi nodded quickly, eyes lighting up slightly. It almost took Usagi off guard, so much emotions just showed so openly... For a regular person that was ordinary, but for a shinobi who were trained to seal off all emotions... It was like a wave of chakra continuously rolling.

Hitomi quickly sobered up, giving her surroundings a once over again. But, me being here means... "What did you do with the Inuzuka?"

"What Inuzuka?" Ryoku asked smugly as he opened the door to her room, Tsugi flanking him.

"Cho and his band of... Whatever." Hitomi grumbled, those events burned into her mind.

Ryoku looked at Tsugi with a eyebrow slightly raised. Tsugi just nodded slightly, Hitomi couldn't pick up on the undertone. "They're all dead, well they're all dead now that is."

"I see..."

Tsugi chuckled softly, folding his arms over his chest and leaning against the wall. "Don't worry princess, there were no children slain." Hitomi's eyes flashed with relief as she looked to him for confirmation. "Inuzuka are... Strange. They don't live together in one compound, but are spread out over hundreds of miles-each 'group' differs from the other, what one considers the norm, another doesn't."

Hitomi nodded understandingly. Usagi pulled them back on course.

"The damiyo was... Ecstatic to see that you were safe and sound after all of this time." Usagi noticed anger flash across Hitomi's face... Man this girl was something else. "So much so that he's even began the preparations for the marriage." The news didn't sit well with Usagi, Hitomi ran away for a reason and the damiyo was known as a brute, a part of her just couldn't stand it. But, she pushed it aside and focused on the objective at hand.

Hitomi just felt exhausted.

"The marriage will be held in October-a day hasn't been specified as of yet." Usagi continued. "Do you have any questions?"

Hitomi shook her head, she didn't want to speak. For once she felt defeated. "Is it okay if I go to sleep... Alone?"

"Sure thing, princess." Tsugi gave an easy smile. "Is that cool, Usagi?"

"I suppose." Usagi stood up, walking towards the door. "I'll be back later, in a few hours okay?"

Hitomi nodded, smiling just a bit. She was glad Usagi had manners and was very pleasant. "That's fine, Usagi-san."

Madara sighed in relief. Few things in life could be so relieving. Peeing had to be one. He was situated deep in a patch of trees so nobody could spot him... Even after all of these years he would stop peeing if someone came behind him.

"Madara!" He hissed quietly, stiffening as he felt Mikito's pulsing chakra stop a few feet from behind him. "There you are. What are you doing over there?"

"Get. Away!" Madara yelled, growling as his stream stopped.

"I thought you'd be less rude in the morning, but I was wrong!" Mikito folded her arms over her chest. "Hold on..." She raised an eyebrow taking several steps forward. "You're peeing! No wait, you stopped peeing because I came here! I've discovered your weakness!"

"Damn it!" Madara jerked his head around, smirking as an idea came to mind. "Come here!"

"Madara! Wait!" Mikito cried, her footsteps pattering against the ground. "P-Put that away! I don't want to see your thingy!"

"I'm going to pee on you!" Madara snapped. "Serves you right for just walking out here!"

"How was I supposed to know you were peeing!?"

"That's not the point!"

"There you are!" Izuna strolled towards Madara and Mikito. Madara looked annoyed and Mikito looked extremely flustered. "What happened?"

"Nothing!" Mikito spoke up, seeing something she'd thought she'd never see. And, it was Madara's! "Let's just get back to the village. And we'll start from there."

"I received word from Hikaku and Mitsuki that they have gathered something valuable." Izuna said, rubbing his chin in deep thought. "He said it'd be better to hear this in person rather than by note."

Madara nodded. "We'll need to double time our arrival then."

"We're going to rush again!?"

"Stop complaining, Izuna!"

"Mikito!" Izuna cried. "Tell him we have to take our time."

"I agree with Madara." Mikito looked back at the two of them with a blank expression, as blank as she could get it. "It's a good idea to step on it... I have a feeling this news is very important."

"What happened?" Izuna shook his head, at a loss for words. Mikito never rushed like Madara did, and the two would banter back and forth about arriving on time and such. He had grown used to ther playful arguing.

"I'll tell you later..." Madara grunted, smacking Izuna on the shoulder. "Now get moving!"

"Fine, fine." Izuna sighed scowling at the two of them. "Things are getting weird..."

"Being light with that statement." Mikito muttered. The images of Madara's... Manhood were burned into her mind. She was certain he was lost in the moment, he wouldn't just show that off would he? She tilted her head. He was very endowed and had nothing to be ashamed of, but Madara always struck her more modest and reserved in that sense. No more thinking about his... Thingy. Mikito chastised herself mentally.

Syrus took a deep breath. They were back in the damiyo's estate. Tobirama and Haji were currently away washing up along with the others, Hashirama sat across from him with a solemn expression on his face. Syrus was waiting to get Usagi's message, she said she would send one the moment she arrived but she hadn't, he wasn't scared or concerned figuring she got into a confrontation with Cho.

Hashirama sighed softly, his mind heavy with thoughts of the prior battle. "Has there been any news of the Shainingu clan?"

Syrus shook his head. "They have been quiet surprisingly enough, but that could make things worse."

Hashirama nodded his head in agreement. "They should be our first priority."

"After the Uchiha and Domou..." Syrus said, folding his arms. "But, you are not wrong the Shainingu are going to be a threat. We can't allow them to involve this village in their dispute."

Syrus nodded with a solemn expression. Tomoyuki and Tunoichi made their intentions all too clear. "I'll send a spy to observe their movements, if there's been any change even minute we will be informed."

"Excellent!" Hashirama was pleased.

Though it seemed like this was the calm before the storm.