"In this world, the weak are sustenance for the strong. The strong live, the weak die."

Makoto Shishio

Souji stared with disinterest as he filed through more papers. Serizawa hadn't called another meeting with the rest of the council, so he could focus on work and not the prospect of marriage. It was still early, Ahiko and Yuko left about a half hour ago after going over their supplies and a last minute check to assure they had everything they needed. He brushed his hand against a sheet of a paper, looking at it for a moment. His eyes widened.

"Sister?" He asked no one in particular, quickly opening the letter, not surprised to see her hasty handwriting. She always had a bad habit of chicken scratch. "We've encountered Senju, Strength was greater than I anticipated, we're camped out now. Will return to village by the sun's highest peak tomorrow. I sense there is something brewing, I need you to come to the village immediately." He read it out loud, his eyes narrowing more and more until he finished. "Senju..." He hissed, rising up from his seat quickly and moving towards the door, opening it swiftly.

"Souji-sama!" He turned to the left, spotting Iji running towards him. "The letter I've-"

"Already read it." Souji replied. "I'm taking my leave. Tell Isami-san, Isamu-san, Hiro-san, and Misaki-san to be present at the gate, ready for combat within the next five minutes. We don't have a second to waste."

"Yes sir!" Iji bowed, quickly departing.

"Finally, I get to see some action." Souji took quick and purposeful steps, quickly descending the stairs. "Those damn Senju..."

They made it back to the village in just the span of a couple of hours, perhaps it was even shorter than that since Madara was taking the reigns and he had natural speed. They entered through the gates after six guards allowed them access and quickly shut it again-once again there villagers paid them little attention.

"Mikito, Izuna. Both of you come with me." Madara instructed.

"You all get some rest." Mikito said with a small nod. "Meet us back at the estate."

"Right." Izuna nodded following after him easily keeping pace as Mikito and Shin flanked his other side. Hikaku and Mitsuki stated that it was important to see the news close and in person, Madara wasn't going to argue against that nor doubt it, if it had to be seen in person that meant it was very severe. They navigated through the dirt roads, quickly coming up onto the estate where Hikaku and Mitsuki stood. Mikito observed that Mitsuki didn't look chipper like usual, and like everyone else noted with surprise that there was a third person with them. Though the third person was on his knees and his hands bound to his back.

"This is the development?" Madara asked with a narrowed eye.

"Yes, Madara-sama." Hikaku said. "We found him skirting around the boundaries of this village. He put up a fight, but we detained him."

"He had six more with him." Mitsuki continued, not missing a step. "We've tried to get him to talk, but he is rather stubborn."

Izuna leaned in towards Madara's ear. "It'd be best if we take him inside. Better not to cause a ruckus out here."

Madara nodded.

"I see, good work both of you." Mikito nodded slightly, turning her focus onto their prisoner. "Do you know what clan he hails from?"

"We're not sure... But we believe the Shainingu." Hikaku stated.

"We have more information. But, it's privy." Mitsuki said.

Madara strolled over to the prisoner. A middle aged male with thin black hair and a gruff appearance. He forcefully gripped his chin, turning his head up so he was looking into his eyes. "Talk." Madara commanded.

"Go to hell Uchiha pig!" The man spat.

"Hmph." Madara smirked slightly, released his chin from his iron grip and punched him across the jaw. The man sputtered as blood rushed from his busted lips and gums, and Madara gripped him in his iron grip again. "Talk." He commanded with a much lower tone. Mikito crouched next to Madara leveling a deathly gaze with the man.

"You heard him. Talk."

"Fuck you Uchiha and Domou swine!"

"Fool..." Mikito smashed the side of her hand against his collarbone, easily knocking him unconscious. His body hitting the ground with a quiet thud. She snatched him by the collar of his shirt and hefted him up under her arm. Madara was about to question what she was doing, but kept it to himself... He never knew she could be so abrasive and violent, it was rather enticing. "Izuna, clear out a room that the damiyo doesn't use often. Hikaku and Mitsuki, get some rest, we'll take it from here." Mikito looked to Madara to see if he had any arguments, but he nodded in agreement.

"But-" Hikaku started but Madara stopped him.

"She said get rest. Get rest."

"Yes, sir." Hikaku and Mitsuki quickly made their way to the estate followed by Izuna who set about his task. Convincing the damiyo was going to be a headache, but he was more than certain the damiyo would go along with it.

"I don't like this..." Mikito said quietly, stepping towards the estate with Madara easily keeping pace with her. "If he does hail from the Shainingu we're going to have a lot of trouble on our hands..."

"He hasn't talked yet. So we don't know for sure." Madara replied, though he had a sick sense that there was something brewing very close. "I'll get him to talk one way or another. Very few can withstand torture by genjutsu, I'll get the fool to crack." He glanced at her for a moment. "It'd be a good idea to call for some reinforcements."

"Already did. My brother is on his way." She laughed. "I wouldn't be surprised if he was here before the afternoon."

"What!?" The damiyo shrieked. "Izuna-san, surely you must be joking."

"I'm not." Izuna said with a level tone. "Is there any room at all you aren't using at the moment or haven't used?"

"Well." The damiyo hesitated for a moment before sighing softly, gesturing for him to follow. Izuna obeyed following after him. "There's an old storage room that I haven't used in ages. It used to be where I kept my men's armor and weapons, but after a little renovation I moved them up a few floors. This room has been empty since." The damiyo explained, turning down hall after hall and descending a few staircases until they came upon a room. The damiyo opened it without hesitation, and Izuna peered it. He noted that the room was in fact not touched for ages, there was dust lingering around on the walls and floor, the old shelves were chipping and rotting away, and the mats were scuffed. "This is suitable for your needs?"

Izuna hummed softly, nodding with a small smile. "Yes, this is suitable."

"Good to hear!" The damiyo clapped his hands.

They navigated their way through the estate, passing up a quarters where the Domou and Uchiha men and women were resting and recovering. Izuna figured he'd better double time it with this scenario, something about it just didn't sit right with him. Nobody in their right mind would tread near the Uchiha or Domou, yet alone when the clans were together like now. The damiyo insisted on leading Izuna, though the former tried to dissuade him from doing so. Finally after about ten minutes they came upon Mikito, Shin, and Madara. "I've acquired a room." Izuna told them. "The damiyo insists that he be present."

"If this concerns my village I'd like to know the details and be of any assistance."

Madara looked at Mikito for confirmation. He wasn't sure why he was, he should have just said yes. But, she was hard to deal with when enraged and he swore she came close to breaking one of his ribs. He didn't know she had that much strength. Mikito gave a brief nod. "That's fine." Madara conceded. "Show us this room." Madara let Izuna and the damiyo lead him, Mikito and Shin staying right behind them as they traversed the long and spiraling hallways, descending several staircases. Izuna gestured towards the open door.

"In here." He said. Mikito walked passed him, tossing the unconscious man on the floor.

"I need a lantern. And bring Mitsuki and Hikaku here." Mikito stated, looking at the damiyo who gave a quick nod and left. Soon her returned with a lantern and Mitsuki, by now Madara and Shin were gathered in the room, Izuna leaned against the wall opposite of them. Mitsuki situated herself a few inches from Izuna while Hikaku opted to stand near the door. "You told me there is privy information. Spill it."

"We found a stash of weapons hidden near this village." Hikaku stated, a bit hesitant at first. "There were swords, kunai, shuriken, explosive tags. But it's hard to say..."

"It was quite a lot." Mitsuki took over. "But, it wasn't enough for even four hundred-at the most it was enough for about two hundred and that's being generous."

"You believe there's more hidden somewhere?" Madara questioned.

"Yes sir." Hikaku nodded. "We swept the area where we encountered the group, but we didn't find any more weapons or traces of them. I think there is someone stowing them away."

Izuna furrowed his brows. "It's not uncommon for clans to pay keepers of an inn or store to house them as well as their weapons." Izuna said, folding his arms tightly across his chest. "This is the only village present for a good hundred or so miles, the rest of the landscape is grasslands, rivers, and desolate mountains near the borders." He turned towards the damiyo. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about, would you?"

"I can assure you that there is no citizen in my village harboring this man's kin or weapons." The damiyo said with an edge to his voice, a deep frown on his face. He could see where this was going. "My men would have alerted me right away, and would have detained whoever it was in addition to confiscating the weapons."

"It's the only thing that adds up though..." Mitsuki said, looking thoughtful.

"There is someone else. I assure you nobody in my village will ever think of doing such a thing." The damiyo stated more firmly. "I do everything within my power to keep peace within these walls. Harboring shinobi and their weapons would only bring war and death here."

"Looks like somebody needs to wake up then..." Madara said lowly, turning his focus onto Mikito. "Wake that fool up."

Mikito nodded, walking towards the older man and grabbing the collar of his shirt. She focused a bit of chakra, not enough to break bones or do severe internal damage, just enough to jar him awake. She smacked him across the face, and for good measure backhanded him letting the impact throw him back towards the floor. He groaned softly, slowly coming to consciousness. "Rise and shine." Mikito said mockingly, kicking him in the ribs, getting a satisfying 'umph' out of him. "Are you planning to attack this village?"

"You bitch..." The man sneered. "If it fits the bill-" Mikito cut him off with a sharp punch to the jaw.

Madara smirked just slightly. So Mikito had a mean streak. He had assumed that before, but now he knew it was a fact. "Mikito, I'll take the ropes from here." He said, his voice deep and smooth. He crouched next to Mikito who nodded, backing up to give him space. "Here's what's going to happen." Madara stated in a threatening tone. "You're going to tell us everything we need to know and answer all of our questions or you are going to suffer great pain. I am not as lenient as she is." Madara seized him by the chin, forcing his head up. "What clan do you hail from?"

"Fuck you..." The man spat. "Uchiha pig!"

Madara turned to the damiyo with a frightening expression. "Now is a good time for you to leave."

"I refuse!"

Madara shrugged. "So be it." Madara continued on, turning the man opposite of him, and broke his index finger. He braced as the man roared in pain, cursing venomously as he tried to ignore the pain. "We'll try this again. What clan do you hail from?" Madara narrowed his visible eye, this man was too stubborn for his own good. He yanked sharply, breaking his ring finger, and another ear ripping scream shook the walls. "Down to eight. Save yourself the trouble and talk."

"Uchiha dog..."

"What!?" Izuna snapped, darting forward in the span of a second, but halted seeing Madara shake his head. "Brother..."

"Not now." Madara said lowly, turning his focus back onto the seething man. "Two broken fingers and you still won't talk, eh?" Madara asked with a sneer, and with super speed broke not just another finger, but two. "We're down to six." Madara said calmly as the man thrashed and screamed, banging his head against the mat. "What clan do you hail from?"

"The Shainingu!"

"Now was that hard?" Madara asked mockingly. "Where's the rest of the weapons?"

"..."

Mikito shook her head, setting a hand on Madara's shoulder. "We're not going to get anymore out of him." She said in a quiet voice, turning her focus onto the man. "Mitsuki, do you have ninja wire on you?"

"Don't go anywhere without it." The buxom woman tossed the spool towards Mikito, who caught it swiftly. Mikito yanked on one end sharply, unrolling a good two feet of it.

"Where are you hiding the other weapons?" Mikito asked, glaring darkly. "Listen, we can't ignore it. The amount of weapons Mitsuki-san and Hikaku-san warrant great concern. Just tell us where they are. We'll do anything to see this village isn't harmed. This is your one chance."

"..."

"Izuna." Madara said, taking the spool from Mikito's head and tossing it towards him. "Tie this clown up and hang him upside down..."

"We're torturing him already?" Izuna asked, looking at Madara for a moment. "What do you have in mind?"

"We don't have any other choice." Madara said bluntly, folding his arms over his chest.

"Get some candles and senbon." Mikito said with a detached tone.

Madara smiled. "So you're going with that one, I'd be inclined to agree." He glanced at the damiyo. "You heard her go and get some candles." The damiyo nodded quickly exiting, with him gone Madara turned his focus back onto Mikito. "Here I thought you were a bleeding heart and wanted to avoid killing."

"I won't let them have their way." Mikito said with a firm tone. "They intend on dragging this village into it, and could very well be housed by one of the inn keepers here."

Madara nodded. He couldn't argue against that.

"Why don't we search every inn then?" Izuna asked. "It'd save us the trouble of having to do this and waiting..."

"We need more proof." Mikito answered. "Once we have proof someone has been harboring them within the village that is all the incentive we need. But, we do know it's the Shainingu planning it all."

"Nobody enter until I say." Madara said with all seriousness. "Izuna, make sure and stand guard."

"Right."

The compound of the Shainingu was in a state of uproar. The once wide and pristine paths were bustling with thousands of members scrambling towards the main building where Tomoyuki and Tunoichi resided. It was taller than any other building in the compound made from cement, wood, and stones, it held a powerful but stoic air. Not nearly as grand as the Uchiha's or as sprawling as the Domou's or Subatsu's, and definitely not as vast as the Senju.

Tomoyuki stood with a deep frown, arms folded across his chest. His eyes roaming as more and more of his kin filed towards the front door and outside of the building. "Tunoichi-sama..."

"I will not repeat myself!" Tunoichi snapped, barely holding his anger back. He sat across from Tomoyuki in his desk, looking just as irate as the second in command. "We won't make a move! Going to war with the Uchiha and Domou... It won't just end as a mere incident in the outskirts of the Grass village, it'll end with our death!"

"We need those weapons!" Tomoyuki yelled, striding towards the window. "And, they have Sumichi-san..."

"I understand. Now isn't the time to be fighting the Uchiha and Domu! Have you forgot our original task!?"

"I haven't. But, we need those weapons!" Tomoyuki seethed, whirling around to four men currently present within the room. "Take three units and head to the village. Don't come back if you don't have those weapons!"

"Yes sir!"

Tunoichi was almost flabbergasted as they exited. His shock turned into anger and he directed it towards Tomoyuki. "You are truly a fool..."

"Maybe I am." Tomoyuki glared. "But, at least I make a difference!" He stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut. Tunoichi heaved a deep and heavy sigh, burying his head in his hands.

"If we go to war with those two clans, it'll be the end..." Tunoichi grunted, slamming his fist on his desk.

"You sure?" Ryoku asked Usagi. He was standing outside of the Lightning country's gates, the massive walls forming shadows over him. It was quite an imposing sight, no doubt everyone inside felt safe. But the Lightning country was always known for its military might and natural defenses. Usagi stood in front of him with a passive expression, Daji and Tsugi on either side of her. "Your brothers are going to be wondering why I am arriving without you."

"I'm sure." Usagi gave a confident nod. "Tsugi, Daji, and I will hold things down here. I've already sent word to them about the change of plans and me staying here longer than we previously anticipated."

"Don't you want to see your Osen?" Tsugi asked with a small smirk.

"Coming from the pervert..." Ryoku wrinkled his nose for a second. "Rather not have you putting it that way..."

"What?"

"Just shut up, Tsugi!" Daji said with a huff.

"If you need me I'll be at the estate." Tsugi left them behind.

"I'll be missing you too fur ball." Ryoku said with a sharp smirk, turning his focus onto Daji. "Keep an eye on Hitomi... I get the feeling this won't be her last attempt at running away, we got lucky this time. Next time she may wind up in the hands of the Nara or Shimura."

"Thanks for your concern, Ryoku-san." Usagi smiled in kind, speaking before Daji could make a snarky retort, she began scratching the back of her head. "I planned to keep an eye on Hitomi-hime-chan, she is quite the spunky spitfire. Her emotions are more wild than a storm, be careful. I wouldn't be able to face Osen-san if something were to happen to you while you were with me."

"That woman..." Ryoku chuckled with a small smirk. "I'm more concerned with what she'll do to me."

"Too much info." Usagi waved her hand in front of her face.

"I'll be off then!" Ryoku gave a mock salute before taking off in a burst of speed, sprinting away with his unit trailing behind him, slowly they faded from Usagi's and Daji's vision.

"So, what now kid?" Daji asked turning and looking at Usagi with a dry but curious expression.

"Well... Not sure." Usagi rubbed her chin in deep thought. "I'm staying back here to make sure everything goes smoothly with this wedding and Hitomi-hime-chan has no more accidents or tries escaping. There's no telling what other clan may strike next, Cho could have been the one who started it all. We don't need to worry about those mutts anymore, but who follows afterwards is my main concern besides Hitomi,"

"I'll be seeing you later then."

"Wait, what about your steaks!?"

Daji rolled his eyes. "Seriously?" He couldn't believe he was having this discussion. But, Usagi wasn't going to let it drop. "Next time."

"Kay!" Usagi beamed, and Daji vanished in a poof of smoke. Wait... She narrowed her eyes, turning her head to the right quickly. Spotting white. "Tobirama-kun?" She looked flabbergasted.

"You're sharp." Tobirama commented, walking out from his perch. He furrowed his eyebrows a bit. "What's with that look?"

"I'm frazzled..."

Tobirama actually was about to laugh, but held it back through some mirth shined in his ruby eyes. "Frazzled, you say?"

Usagi nodded. "Why are you here?" She asked trying to change the subject and put the focus back on him.

"Isn't it obvious?" Tobirama responded with a very dry expression, his tone holding a tinge of impatience. "I'm here to bring you back. You're needed. We've had an encounter with the Uchiha and Domou." He said this matter of factly.

"But, Hitomi-hime-chan."

Tobirama sighed with her usage of honorifics. "What about her?"

"She's getting married and I have to make sure she doesn't run for it."

"Wedding is cancelled. There will be no marriage." Tobirama decided after several long seconds, giving her a very serious look. "Where is the damiyo I will talk to him personally. Hitomi will be coming back with us, you can take her to her family some other time." As he said this he began his walk towards the estate, almost moving too fast Usagi jogged to catch up to him. Once again cursing she was so short!

"You can't just cancel the wedding!"

"I am. Hitomi is under the protection of the Senju as well. There's no time to be wasting here!"

"Okay, okay..." Usagi huffed, almost pouting. "But, you don't have to raise your voice."

"Wear this..." Yuko looked at the piece of long white cloth Ahiko held out for her. They were in the middle of a small store run by a humble merchant and his son. They made clothes, some more expensive linen and grandiose outfits were in the category, but Ahiko and Yuko weren't here for the best fabrics.

"Can I ask why?" Yuko gave the cloth a curious look, following after Ahiko.

"The Sand country is a desolate place in the middle of the Wind country and Fire country." Ahiko explained as she slung her own cloth over her shoulder, resting a hand on her hip as she waited for the few people ahead of her to finish. "The temperatures fluctuate greatly, scorching during the day and freezing at night, these will keep the sand out of her eyes, nose, and mouth." Ahiko indicated the two cloths. Yuko nodded in understanding, it made sense since it was called the Sand country. Ahiko purchased the two cloths in addition to a small bucket made of clay.

Yuko was silent as she stepped in stride with Ahiko through the busy streets of the small village. It was much more lively than most places and traders were in high abundance as they stopped to have their loads checked and weighed, Yuko could see why this mission took a bit of urgency, there had to be a good thousand or more traders and merchants just in this small area. And, they weren't even near the Sand country yet, they were a good few hundred miles off. Just how many merchants and traders were the Sarutobi hassling? "Ahiko, I have a question."

"About?"

Yuko played with her fingers a bit, embarrassed. "It's about Souji..."

"Brother Souji?" Ahiko's eyes lit up with interest. "What is you want to know?"

"Well..." Yuko struggled to find the right words. "Is he always so... Blunt?"

Ahiko nodded, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "Yeah that's how he is. But, you only see that one side of him, he does actually smile. He's just been so busy with Mikito out and the elders generally don't see eye to eye with him on several things." She shook her head, Mikito would tolerate it, but Souji would just end it before it even began.

"So that's why he was so upset."

"He does so much for the clan. The elders want him to wed with an Uchiha to strengthen the ties between our two clans. But, he is hesitant, more so he just doesn't want to do it. Says it'll make him lose focus." Ahiko raked the thick curls on the back of her head, it was a rather silly scenario. For the longest time Souji said he wouldn't get married the clan was the only thing that mattered to him-her and Mikito aside. But, here he was fuming about marriage plans.

"It's... Surprising..."

"Hmmm?"

"Well, you're all siblings but so different." Yuko smiled slightly.

"We are diverse." Ahiko agreed. "Anyways, while we're on the subject. Would you have any... Feelings for Izuna?"

"Izuna-kun?" Yuko echoed, surprise entering her tone as he lips parted. She... Hadn't really thought about it, she was attracted to him and he seemed to be attracted to her. There was that much, but anything deeper like love... Well she just wasn't too sure about that. "I..." She paused for a moment. "I never felt the way I do towards him with anyone else." Yuko admitted softly, pondering on the possibility of her and Izuna in the long term, as unlikely as it seemed.

"Well, give it some good thought!" Ahiko beamed, smacking her on the back jolting her from her thoughts. "You don't want to wait too long, Yuko."

"But... I'm half Uchiha..." Yuko's expression saddened slightly. "I'm not even sure if I could..."

"We are who we are, Yuko." Ahiko said softly, staring up into the sky. It was so blue and bright, with a few clouds dotting here and there. "We have to make the best of it. Have faith in yourself!" Ahiko brought her hand on Yuko's shoulder, surprisingly startling her again but the red haired girl hid her surprise well. "Kay?"

Yuko smiled slightly. She had been complimented on her skills many times, complimented for reaching a new height. But, she had never been comforted before. "Okay!"

Ahiko leaned in close, a smile of mischief creeping onto her face. "But, tell me what is this Reiko girl like?"

Yuko tapped her finger to chin, humming softly. She didn't know Reiko that well, hardly knew her at all for that matter. "She is very kind." Yuko said, recalling how the girl shoved everyone away until they were in front. That had been the first act of kindness Yuko received from her own kin, Reiko aside she was the object of many glares and scorns. "She seems a bit feisty and talkative, but very kind."

"She sounds nice." Ahiko nodded in agreement. I only hope the elders don't act hastily, I'd hate to see Yuko heartbroken.